November

Nov. 26, 2008   

Run defense leads list of concerns for Panthers

Updated at 8:50 a.m. EST Monday, Dec. 1

Although they’re still tied for first in their division, the Panthers have had a host of concerns crop up in the last month or so, including Jake Delhomme’s loss of accuracy, slow starts to games, bad tackling and breakdowns on special teams. The biggest issue, though, according to close observers of the squad, is the defense’s problems stopping the run. Carolina has allowed 130 rushing yards or more in each of the past four games after giving up that many just once in their first eight games. In Week 13, the Packers racked up 145 rushing yards. DTs Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu haven’t been getting enough of a push and lackluster tackling is also a major culprit. For awhile, it looked like the Panthers weren’t missing DT Kris Jenkins, who was traded to the Jets in the offseason, that much, but his absence seems to be felt more and more as the season wears on.

Nov. 21, 2008   

Marshall a sound insurance policy if Panthers can't keep Gamble

The Panthers will be forced to make some hard decisions in the next few months as three of their best players — DE Julius Peppers, OLT Jordan Gross and CB Chris Gamble — are set to become free agents after the season. In terms of re-signing priority, Gamble, although he has played near a Pro Bowl level all season, is likely third on the list, sources say. Carolina has an obvious and talented replacement for him in Richard Marshall, who has been the team’s nickel back, behind Gamble and Ken Lucas, for most of his three-year career. He would be a starter on almost any other team and there would be little drop-off if he stepped in as a starter. Carolina’s preference would be to have all three stars back and keep one of the deepest defensive backfields in the league intact, but that might not be feasible because of salary-cap constraints.

Nov. 14, 2008   

Panthers stick to platoon, but Williams outplaying Stewart

Updated at 9:40 a.m. CST Monday, Nov. 17

DeAngelo Williams has outperformed Jonathan Stewart recently, but sources in Carolina say they don’t expect the Panthers to change their approach to splitting carries, which has slightly favored Williams thus far. We hear the club’s coaching staff still views the RB situation as a platoon and Stewart isn’t going to have his role diminished, despite a bit of a slump prior to Week 11. The two-headed RB attack was highly successful last week vs. the Lions, when Stewart rushed for 130 yards on 15 carries and Williams contributed 120 yards on 14 rushes. During Stewart’s dry spell, he was not being decisive enough with his carries, and he dealt with a heel injury recently, which also could explain his struggles. Many figured Stewart, the Panthers’ first-round pick (13th overall), would be the featured back at some point this season, but Williams’ strong play has altered those perceptions.

Nov. 6, 2008   

QB Delhomme leads Panthers' resurgence

Updated at 9:40 a.m. CST Monday, Nov. 10

Jake Delhomme

A season ago, Panthers QB Jake Delhomme needed Tommy John surgery to replace a damaged tendon in the elbow of his throwing arm. It was unprecedented for an NFL quarterback to undergo such a procedure with the intent of returning as a starter the next season. There were questions about how the repaired elbow would hold up after a few hard hits or if he would ever be the same player again.

It appeared that those concerns had faded away. Prior to Week 10, sources said Delhomme was playing as well as ever. In Carolina’s 17-6 win over the Raiders, however, Delhomme unraveled, completing just 7-of-27 passes for one TD and four interceptions.

Aside from that dreadful performance, Delhomme’s accuracy had been a bit better. The supporting cast around him is much-improved, particularly on the offensive line, which has given up just 13 sacks and is on pace to allow the fewest sacks in franchise history. Because of all that, Carolina is on a division-winning pace and Delhomme is a candidate for NFL Comeback Player of the Year at the midway point of the season.

The 10th-year veteran has rekindled his strong connection with WR Steve Smith, who has been on a tear since returning from a two-game suspension to start the season, and the running back duo of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart has brought balance to a Panthers’ offense that badly needed some.

When Delhomme went down with the elbow injury after Week Three last season, the Panthers rapidly deteriorated, dropping eight of their last 13 games after a 2-1 start in which the QB had thrown eight TDs and just one interception. Carolina shuffled through three different starting quarterbacks, but they were unable to fill Delhomme’s shoes. The club scored 17 points or less in 10 of those final 13 games.

There’s little doubt from team insiders that Delhomme, 33, has a few solid years left. It’s not as clear when it comes to how many of those seasons will be spent with the Panthers. He will become a free agent after next season, but it appears pretty likely, barring another serious injury or several repeats of his disastrous Week 10 showing, that Carolina would like to have him beyond then.

October

Oct. 30, 2008   

Panthers' O-line on the mend for second-half run

Updated at 9:30 a.m. CST Monday, Nov. 3

The way we hear it, Carolina’s rushing attack is set to take off in the second half of the season. Word is the Panthers’ offensive line will finally be at full strength when the team returns from a Week Nine bye. Sources say C Ryan Kalil and ORT Jeff Otah will be back in the starting lineup after Carolina played without both of them for almost the entire month of October while they dealt with ankle injuries. The Panthers played well, finishing 6-2 in the first half, even with a patchwork offensive line. However, close observers of the team expect the ground game to kick into a higher gear with Carolina’s best complement of blockers in front of RBs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. When the ground game gets going, the Panthers are hard to stop — they’re undefeated in games this season in which they gain at least 100 yards rushing.

Oct. 24, 2008   

Peppers' presence grows on, off the field

Much has been made recently of DE Julius Peppers' growth as a leader this season. Judging by accounts from his teammates, Peppers has been more outspoken, although his nature is to keep quiet and defer to older players. While his image evolves as he becomes more vocal, close observers of the team say they never sensed that Peppers didn't have the full respect of the locker room. The biggest differences this year haven't been in his leadership capabilities or the way he's viewed by fellow players and coaches. Rather, the sharpest contrast has been in his performance on the field. Peppers, a seventh-year veteran, was constantly under the media's microscope in 2007 as he struggled through his worst season as a pro, netting just 2½ sacks. This season, Peppers had four sacks in a five-game stretch from Week Three through Week Seven and has dominated against Pro Bowl-caliber offensive linemen.

Oct. 17, 2008   

Panthers' special teams sink to new lows

Updated at 10:05 a.m. EDT Monday. Oct. 20

Panthers P Jason Baker has already had three punts blocked this season — the team didn’t allow a single one for the first five seasons it was in existence — and Carolina’s punt- and kickoff-return units are both struggling. The level of futility in protecting their punter is new, but the Panthers have had other problems on special teams the last few years, according to longtime observers of the club. Despite these issues, sources in Carolina say special-teams coach Danny Crossman is not in imminent danger of being replaced. Panthers head coach John Fox has been unwilling to put the blame on Crossman, and it appears Fox will stick with him through this turbulent time. Special-teams coaches generally don’t get much attention, but we hear there’s been a lot of buzz coming from fans in regard to Crossman’s position with the team.

Oct. 10, 2008   

Panthers' patience with Fox a virtue

Updated at 9:51 a.m. EDT Monday, Oct. 13

The hot seat is just a few bad Sundays away for many NFL head coaches. Few know that better than John Fox in Carolina. However, for the time being, inside sources say the Panthers’ strong start — their 27-3 loss to the Bucs in Week Six notwithstanding — has solidified Fox’s position with the club, and longtime observers say there is a different vibe surrounding the team compared to past seasons.

Expectations have been high for the Panthers every year since they reached the Super Bowl in the 2003 season. In prior years, sources felt a sense of pressure when they were around the team. Players weren’t responding well to the high standards, and things went wrong. Injuries certainly played a big role, particularly with QB Jake Delhomme last season, but the mood of the team just wasn’t positive.

This year’s squad seems relaxed, sources say. The friction that had plagued the team previously reared its head when Steve Smith punched Ken Lucas in a brawl early in training camp, but other than that, tension has been low and the overall attitude is better. The air was cleared after that fight, and players point to it as a significant moment that may have helped the team grow closer together.

However, insiders say the departure of disgruntled DT Kris Jenkins, who was traded to the Jets in the offseason, should be considered an important move that improved the atmosphere, as well. On the field, Jenkins played well. He’s been even better as the Jets’ nose tackle this season. But it was very clear that he did not like being in Carolina, and he expressed his feelings publicly. Losing such a talented player hurt, but in this case, it may have been a case of addition by subtraction, according to close observers of the team.

Delhomme’s health, the return of WR Muhsin Muhammad and a more aggressive defensive game plan that allows for more blitzing all have been key factors in the Panthers’ turnaround. The way we hear it, credit should go to Fox, GM Marty Hurney and perhaps most of all, owner Jerry Richardson. Richardson had the opportunity to make a coaching change in the offseason, after the Panthers missed the playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time since Fox took over in 2002, but the owner stuck with Fox, despite some pressure to fire him.

Oct. 2, 2008   

Panthers OLT Gross could face extended break for recovery

Sources in Carolina say there are great concerns about OLT Jordan Gross’ health as well as the amount of time he’ll need to recover following the serious concussion he suffered in Week Four, which left him unconscious for several minutes. He was unable to continue in that game, is unlikely to play in Week Five and team insiders said they wouldn’t count him as anything more than questionable for Week Six. The Panthers could get past the Chiefs without their rock guarding the blind side of QB Jake Delhomme, but their next contest, at Tampa Bay, will be a more difficult challenge and it has greater implications since it’s an NFC South Division game. Even a Carolina O-line at full health would have a tough time stopping what has proved to be a very effective Bucs pass rush, led by DEs Gaines Adams and Greg White.

September

Sept. 26, 2008   

No guarantees for Panthers WR Jarrett on Sundays

Panthers WR Dwayne Jarrett still has not shown enough to convince coaches that he should be on the active roster every Sunday, the way we hear it. The Panthers are not going out of their way to include him as part of the game plan, although sources say Jarrett, a second-round pick in ’07, has shown signs of improvement from where he was at the end of last season, and he often will be the odd man out on game day. Carolina’s top three receivers, Steve Smith, Muhsin Muhammad and D.J. Hackett, are firmly entrenched in their slots and Mark Jones and Ryne Robinson, who has been out with a knee injury but is expected back shortly, are regulars because they have extra value as kick returners. We might not see an exact repeat of Jarrett’s disappointing rookie year, but as the situation stands now, Jarrett will have a difficult time finding the field on Sundays.

Sept. 19, 2008   

Observers in Carolina see differences in DE Peppers

Updated at 9:39 a.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 22

Sources in Carolina are noticing some changes in the overall demeanor of Panthers DE Julius Peppers. Peppers is playing well, but he hasn’t been the dominant force many expected him to be through the early going. However, he looks more energetic and physical on the field than he did in ’07 and also seems to be more comfortable with talking to the media than in the past, when he often shied away from the spotlight. As a whole, Carolina’s defense looks improved from last season, and Peppers, a captain of that unit, has helped spark the group. He can’t be pleased with his struggle to register sacks — he notched his first one since Week 11 of last season in last week’s loss to the Vikings — but he doesn’t seem overly concerned about it, and attention on the now-broken sack-less streak has been somewhat diminished by the team’s solid 2-1 start.

Sept. 11, 2008   

Panthers SS Harris emerging as leader on defense

Updated at 9:01 a.m. EDT Monday, Sept. 15

SS Chris Harris might not be a defensive captain yet, but he quickly has established himself as a team leader — few players in Carolina are more vocal. Since joining the club via a trade with the Bears a little more than a year ago, Harris has been on a tear. He led the NFL in forced fumbles (eight) last season and didn’t waste any time getting his first of ’08, stripping Chargers TE Antonio Gates in Week One before his teammate, CB Chris Gamble, picked up the loose ball and returned it for a score. Harris also forced a fumble in Week Two vs. the Bears. Harris has taken to coach John Fox’s defensive scheme and the coaches have a great appreciation for his toughness and hard-hitting style. He is under contract through 2012 and is on track to be a longtime staple in the Panthers’ secondary.

Sept. 5, 2008   

Panthers look forward to WR Smith's return

Sources in Carolina say the Panthers are anxious to welcome WR Steve Smith back from his two-game suspension. The timing of the suspension, which was issued after Smith punched and broke the nose of teammate CB Ken Lucas on Aug. 1, comes at a crucial time for the club as it tries to avoid a slow start while operating with an undermanned receiving corps. If anyone on the team doesn’t already realize it, Smith’s absence and the effect it has on the offense could expose just how vital he is to its success. Smith, who was an offensive captain last season, was stripped of those duties this season, and his decision to strike Lucas clearly affected his role as a leader. However, sources say he has been humbled by the incident and teammates appreciate the way he and Lucas have handled the aftermath.

August

Aug. 21, 2008   

Panthers WR Hackett not getting started in Carolina

Updated 4:15 p.m. ET, Sunday, Aug. 24

One of the Panthers’ most-prized free-agent signings from the offseason, WR D.J. Hackett, has yet to participate in a preseason game and missed much of training camp with a toe injury. It’s not expected to keep him sidelined into the regular season, although the fifth-year veteran does have a reputation of being injury-prone. The larger concern, the way we hear it, is that Week One could be the first time he takes the field with QB Jake Delhomme in a game situation. Carolina’s top target, WR Steve Smith, will be out for the first two regular-season games serving a suspension, and the team is counting on Hackett to help fill the playmaking void. With a lack of familiarity and preparation time, Hackett and Delhomme may find it hard to connect with each other early on. Delhomme isn’t expected to play in the final preseason game, so Hackett and Delhomme will not play together in a game prior to the start of the regular season. Hackett isn't the only member of the Panthers’ receiving corps who has been beaten up. Muhsin Muhammad has been nursing an injury to his ribs, but he’s expected to be the squad’s No. 1 target with Smith out.

Aug. 16, 2008   

Fight fallout has Panthers looking up to Lucas

Panthers teammates are looking at CB Ken Lucas in a whole new light, according to sources in Carolina. Prior to his fight with WR Steve Smith, Lucas was not considered much of a leader. He stayed quiet for the most part and was not looked up to as a strong voice in the locker room. Since Smith broke his nose, sidelining him for the final two weeks of training camp and probably beyond, Lucas has gained a new level of respect because he handled the unfortunate situation so well. Lucas forgave Smith and tried to put a positive spin on the brawl, saying it could bring the team closer together. He easily could have held a grudge toward Smith and tried to incite a backlash against him, but Lucas took the high road, and the rest of the team followed his lead. Although some good could come of the fight, it might be outweighed by the cost of Smith’s two-game suspension for hitting Lucas. If the Panthers start out 0-2, the positive vibes could vanish in a hurry.

Aug. 8, 2008   

Smith faces great challenge of staying cool when things get heated

Panthers WR Steve Smith will be walking a fine line from now on, but don’t expect him to ditch his fiery on-field demeanor, even if he is operating under a zero-tolerance policy. Smith will have to manage his emotions in a more controlled way than what he displayed in his recent brawl with teammate CB Ken Lucas, who ended up with a broken nose, or else he’ll face more severe punishment and perhaps even be dismissed by the team. Smith was suspended for the first two regular-season games for his actions in the fight with Lucas. However, sources close to the team say Smith needs to keep that edge for which he has become known. He feeds off it and the team does, as well, during games. It will be an extremely difficult challenge for Smith to pull off the balancing act and it will bear watching the next time he grows agitated with a teammate or opponent.

July

July 31, 2008   

Peppers' start to training camp has Panthers teammates buzzing

Julius Peppers

Panthers DE Julius Peppers is lighting it up in the early stages of training camp, according to sources in Carolina, and he has impressed observers and teammates alike as he attempts to bounce back following a woeful ’07 campaign. Word is Peppers has added even more muscle to his imposing frame and has been pushing OLT Jordan Gross back with his bull rush, which is something he struggled to do in the past. Gross knows Peppers well, having practiced against him for the past five-plus years, and he has been spreading the word that his teammate is better than ever before. Sources say it’s not uncommon for Peppers to dominate a practice. It is, however, rare for Gross to exaggerate. Gross should be taken at his word, which has to be encouraging for the Panthers, who are relying on Peppers’ turnaround to spark the defense and return it to its playoff form from a few seasons ago.

July 19, 2008   

Panthers' tight ends add new dimension to offense

Much of the attention this offseason has gone to the Panthers’ retooling of their receiving corps and running game, but a capable trio of tight ends could make up one of the more improved positions for Carolina’s offense in 2008, the way we hear it. The team hasn’t had much of a threat at the position since Wesley Walls left after the ’02 season, but last year Jeff King became the first Panthers tight end to surpass 40 catches and 400 receiving yards since Walls did it in ’01. TE Dante Rosario was added to the mix as a rookie last season and showed some eye-opening flashes in limited duty, grabbing six receptions for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Rookie TE Gary Barnidge, a fifth-round pick, signed his contract this week, and some scouts believe he could be an instant-impact player, particularly in the red zone, because of his great hands and 6-foot-5 frame. There is no standout in the group, but they give the team some depth, and their talents should allow offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson to get creative with how he utilizes them in the passing game.

July 3, 2008   

Panthers not expected to let down year impact DE Peppers' contract talks

Negotiations on a long-term contract extension for Panthers DE Julius Peppers are ongoing, the way we hear it. Sources in Carolina say the team is in wait-and-see mode with its freakishly athletic star pass rusher, who had a career-high 13 sacks in 2006, and talks could heat up if Peppers comes to camp in good condition and shows the ability to shake off last year’s puzzling 2½-sack campaign. Peppers, 28, is in the final year of his rookie contract. Reports from a year ago said he wanted to become the highest-paid defensive player in the league, and Carolina seemed willing to oblige. Word is, despite his baffling decline last season, the Panthers aren’t expected to make Peppers a significantly lower contract offer than the one that was discussed last offseason. They still hold him in high esteem, as head coach John Fox has made clear in statements throughout the offseason, and slashing money out of the offer would be a hit to Peppers’ psyche right before the start of the season. He is known to be sensitive about such matters, and such a tactic would become distracting.

June

June 27, 2008   

Panthers WR Jarrett looks to redeem himself

We hear the Panthers are hopeful that second-year WR Dwayne Jarrett’s guilty plea to DWI on June 23 will mark a turning point in his career. Team officials think the embarrassment could help him mature and get motivated heading into training camp where he’ll compete for a spot in the receiving corps. Jarrett, a second-round pick out of USC in ’07, faced a $420 fine and 24 hours of community service following his plea and he’ll enter the NFL’s substance-abuse program, which will make him subject to more frequent tests for drugs and alcohol. Sources say Jarrett looked like a better receiver during OTAs from the one who managed just six catches and 73 yards in seven games last season and even made several acrobatic grabs. He faces some tough competition in the Panthers’ improved crop of receivers and it will be hard to pass Steve Smith, D.J. Hackett or Muhsin Muhammad on the depth chart, leaving Jarrett penciled in as the No. 4 pass catcher.

June 13, 2008   

Offense generates buzz as Panthers close OTAs

The Panthers wrapped up their final session of OTAs on Thursday and won't come together as a team again until training camp begins on July 25. Sources in Carolina say the activities were fairly nondescript, but if there was one thing to take away, it's that there is genuine excitement about the changes on offense. Without QB Jake Delhomme, who underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery last year after suffering an elbow sprain in Week Three, the offense bottomed out and lacked any punch. There is a new energy about the unit, and those elements that were lacking last season seem to have been restored. Word is Delhomme and WR Steve Smith are in perhaps the best condition of their careers, and the connection between the two looked strong as ever during drills. That said, there is reason for the optimism to be tempered. No one in the organization can get a sound read on just how improved the offense is until training camp begins, when rookies RB Jonathan Stewart and ORT Jeff Otah put the pads on and compete in full-contact drills for the first time as pros.

May

May 30, 2008   

QB Delhomme takes another step on road to recovery

Panthers QB Jake Delhomme accomplished a small but significant feat in his ongoing rehabilitation from Tommy John surgery this week at the team’s offseason workouts. Delhomme threw about 40 passes to receivers, which was more than he had thrown at a Carolina minicamp earlier in May, and he told reporters that his arm felt fine, although he admitted to being a bit rusty mentally. The ninth-year veteran was knocked out three games into the ’07 season when he injured his right elbow, and the Panthers’ offense was not the same without him. It’s no secret that the team’s ability to bounce back from a disappointing 7-9 campaign still rests on Delhomme’s repaired right elbow. Carolina didn’t acquire an experienced veteran to back him up and is counting on Matt Moore, who made three starts as an undrafted rookie at the end of last season, to step in if Delhomme were to suffer another serious injury.

May 21, 2008   

Panthers still could dip into free-agent pool to fill needs at fullback, defensive line

The Panthers have been one of most active teams in the league this offseason, adding a number of notable free agents and swinging a Draft Day trade for an additional first-round pick. However, sources say GM Marty Hurney and head coach John Fox may not be completely content yet. The way we hear it, Carolina has a few strategic areas it is still seeking to address, including a backup fullback as well as another defensive tackle or end, if not both. Some insurance behind ninth-year veteran FB Brad Hoover could be in order, especially considering the team’s commitment to restoring a power running game. The current backups are Troy Fleming, who hasn’t played in a game since 2005, and undrafted rookie Breyone Evans. At defensive tackle, the Panthers are hoping veterans Darwin Walker and Ian Scott will be able to contribute to the rotation, but both are coming off injuries. Carolina has a young and relatively untested group of defensive ends, with only two players — Tyler Brayton and Julius Peppers — having started more than two games in a season. Fox and Hurney could take a flier on two or three more established veterans before training camp to patch these small holes.

May 16, 2008   

Panthers rookie RB Stewart could put jolt into kickoff-return unit

The Panthers are looking for as many ways as possible to exploit the talents of first-round pick RB Jonathan Stewart, the way we hear it. Head coach John Fox announced this week that Stewart has a shot of becoming the team’s primary kickoff returner this season in addition to the workhorse in the backfield. Stewart had success returning kicks in college at Oregon, but there is some concern about his health as he continues to recover from surgery to mend a turf-toe injury, which kept him out of the squad’s recent minicamp. Some in Carolina worry that it could be too much too soon for what they hope will be the franchise back for many years to come. Stewart, 5-11, 235 pounds, would give the team a unique look on special teams — he’d be one of the bulkiest returners in the league. Fox is desperate for new life on that special teams unit, considering the Panthers finished last in 2006 and 31st in 2007 in yards-per-kick return.

May 2, 2008   

Panthers beef up interior of D-line with Walker, Scott

The Panthers are feeling much better about their depth at defensive tackle following the signings of veteran DTs Darwin Walker and Ian Scott, the way we hear it. Each of them carries some baggage — both battled injuries last season — but Carolina was desperate for help on the interior after waiting until the sixth round of the draft to address the major need when it selected Wisconsin DT Nick Hayden. We hear Scott and Walker will work in a four-man rotation with the likely starters, Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu. It could be a situation that benefits all parties. Lewis and Kemoeatu will be able to recharge and remain fresh on the sideline, and Scott, who missed all of last season after suffering a knee injury in training camp, and Walker should have an easier time staying healthy with a lighter workload.

April

April 23, 2008   

Panthers FB Hoover says team grew during tumultuous '07 campaign

Panthers GM Marty Hurney started the offseason by saying he wanted Carolina to get back to the winning ways that led to an NFC title in ’03 and a deep playoff run in ’05. He identified a retooled power running game as the key to those squads’ success and the missing ingredient from the current group. Panthers FB Brad Hoover, however, said the ability of a couple key players to stay healthy could make the biggest difference and propel a 7-9 team that was without QB Jake Delhomme for all but three games last season to the top of the conference. “You find out what guys are made of in situations (like last year),” Hoover told PFW. “Some guys step up; some guys aren’t able to. I think our team grew, and I think it’s going to pay off this year. We just have to stay healthy, find the right guys to fit into our system and make it work. The year we went to the Super Bowl, we weren’t the most talented team. I have seen teams here since then that were more talented. We just stayed healthy and did the things we needed to win ballgames.”

April 18, 2008   

Panthers will be on the prowl if QB Ryan falls in draft

Panthers GM Marty Hurney set off a firestorm of speculation this week when he gushed about Boston College QB Matt Ryan, who is expected to be the first quarterback taken in the draft. While the chances of the Panthers landing Ryan appear pretty remote at this point, there are some trade possibilities that would put the team in a position to acquire him. Carolina has the 13th pick in the first round, and it’s unlikely Ryan would fall that far, but Hurney could secure a trade to move up, should the Falcons (third pick) and Chiefs (fifth) pass on the quarterback. Sources in Charlotte say the Panthers have a good relationship with Jets officials and may explore a deal to acquire New York’s sixth pick if Ryan is available then. The two teams have made swaps twice in the past year, including a 2007 Draft Day deal when the Jets traded three picks to the Panthers for Carolina's No. 14 pick and a sixth-rounder. In March, Carolina sent DT Kris Jenkins to the Jets for draft picks. If Arkansas RB Darren McFadden or Ohio State DE Vernon Gholston is on the board when the Jets’ name is called, they will likely take one of the two, which would force the Panthers to look elsewhere for a deal. The Patriots, at No. 7, are said to be very interested in trading down and may talk trade with Carolina, as well, as Draft Day approaches.

April 4, 2008   

O-line dominoes will fall after draft for Panthers

The Panthers’ scrambled offensive line will begin to sort itself out after the draft, we hear. Sources say there is an almost 80 percent chance Carolina will select an offensive tackle with the 13th overall pick, though the team has shown interest in RBs Rashard Mendenhall and Jonathan Stewart, who could be available, as well. If the team chooses a tackle, it will have a domino effect on the rest of the line, shuffling starters to new spots. Travelle Wharton, last year’s left tackle, would move to left guard, which observers in Carolina say is a better fit for him. Then the picture gets fuzzy. Sources indicate Jordan Gross could move from right to left tackle, where he has played in the past, though he is considered a much stronger performer on the right side. In that scenario, the Panthers’ first pick, which could be Ryan Clady, Jeff Otah or Chris Williams, would take over for Gross on the right side, though each of them has been billed as a prospect who could immediately start at left tackle. Head coach John Fox, however, has at times been wary of placing rookies in key spots. Fox would rather have a veteran he trusts, like Gross, protecting QB Jake Delhomme’s blind side, even if it means shifting Gross away from a position at which he thrives while a rookie builds his confidence away from the more stressful left side.

March

March 28, 2008   

Revamped Panthers defensive line a question mark heading into next season

Julius Peppers

Just one year ago the Panthers’ defensive line was regarded as the team’s greatest strength. After an offseason shuffle that resulted in trading DT Kris Jenkins to the Jets for draft picks and the increasingly likely departure of UFA DE Mike Rucker, the D-line has become the Panthers’ biggest cause for concern. Our source called the unit a real question mark and wondered if two new starters on the line will improve or further hinder Carolina’s hopes for a bolstered pass rush. As it currently stands, the winner of a training-camp battle between DEs Charles Johnson and Stanley McClover will replace Rucker, and Damione Lewis will go from reserve to starter at tackle. DE Julius Peppers, coming off the worst year of his career, and DT Maake Kemoeatu, who has been a disappointment since he was signed before the 2006 season, should round out the starting lineup. The group has plenty of talent but has a tendency to underachieve, which is a huge problem, considering much of head coach John Fox’s defensive scheme relies on the front four’s ability to pressure the quarterback.

March 21, 2008   

Panthers' Muhammad says he still is 'go-to guy'

With this week’s signing of WR D.J. Hackett, the Panthers appeared to have finally acquired a strong No. 2 target to pair with Steve Smith. However, another of the team’s free-agent acquisitions, WR Muhsin Muhammad, who figures to be the No. 3 receiver, suggested he isn’t ready to give up any standing in the corps. “I really feel like I am a go-to guy,” Muhammad, a 12-year veteran, told PFW. “I know they have some young guys that they want to play, but I am coming back to be one of the (guys) that plays. So if it’s a two or a three, I mean … if I am the third guy coming in, it’s going to be a real good threesome because the second guy, he has to be better than me.” Muhammad’s receptions have dropped in each of the past three seasons and he had his lowest number of catches since 1997 last season, grabbing 40 passes last season with the Bears.

March 12, 2008   

Great expectations for Jarrett could be tempered after DWI charge

While various reports had the Panthers continuing to pursue free-agent receivers even after the Feb. 27 signing of Muhsin Muhammad, the team has not made any more additions to the pass-catching corps. They even allowed last year’s Week One No. 2 wide receiver get away, as UFA Keary Colbert agreed to a deal with Broncos on March 1. A source in Carolina said the team feels like it has enough talent at the position and is relying on vast improvement from WR Dwayne Jarrett in his second year in the league. The 2007 second-round pick was a disappointment last year, playing in just six games and finishing with six catches for 73 yards. Jarrett may have let the club down again when he was charged with DWI on Tuesday, according to information on the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office Web site. It’s not yet clear what affect the charge will have on Jarrett’s status with the Panthers, but the incident will only strengthen the perception that he’s not prepared for an increased role on the team.

March 7, 2008   

Panthers' silence in free agency may speak volumes about Fox's future

After a season in which scrutiny from the media and fan displeasure hit a new high, many figured the Panthers would be a major player in free agency. To this point, their biggest addition has been WR Muhsin Muhammad, a No. 2 pass catcher whose career is in decline, and a source in Carolina said he doesn’t expect the team to make many more moves before the draft. The lack of aggression in pursuing players on the open market, the source said, has to make one wonder whether GM Marty Hurney and coach John Fox have received private indications that 2008 will not be a make-or-break season for them. The Panthers missed the playoffs for the second consecutive time in '07, the longest gap between postseason appearances since Fox took over in 2002 and it appeared he was headed for the “hot seat.” Judging by the approach to free agency, where the team could have spent big money to fill holes at running back and defensive end, Fox and Hurney are taking a more long-term approach to solving the club’s problems.

February

Feb. 29, 2008   

Panthers scouring free-agent market for receivers

The Panthers patched a hole at receiver, signing WR Muhsin Muhammad to a two-year deal Feb. 27, but word out of Carolina is that the team isn’t done retooling its receiving corps. Muhammad, who will turn 35 on May 5, is not the player he was during his first stint in Carolina (1996-2004) and may fit in as a No. 3 option at best. The Panthers look like they are set to part ways with free-agent WRs Keary Colbert and Drew Carter, each of whom started alongside WR Steve Smith last season, leaving the squad without a bona fide No. 2 target for QB Jake Delhomme. Dwayne Jarrett, a second-round pick in 2007, could compete for the starting spot in his second season, but he was a disappointment last year — active in only seven games, he had six catches for 73 yards. It’s unlikely that the team would spend another early draft pick on a receiver after Jarrett’s struggles, so veteran free agents like Ernest Wilford, Jerry Porter or D.J. Hackett could be brought in to compete for a spot in the WR rotation.

Feb. 20, 2008   

Panthers will entertain offers for DT Jenkins

The Panthers will approach offseason dealings with disgruntled DT Kris Jenkins much like they did last year, we're told. Carolina GM Marty Hurney will listen to offers, but he and head coach John Fox don't feel forced to make a swap and will demand a high-value draft pick in return. Jenkins has expressed a desire to be dealt multiple times in the past couple of seasons, and recent published reports say he is trying to sell his house in South Charlotte. He would like to play for a team closer to his home state of Maryland, which would leave the Redskins and Ravens as his two ideal destinations. The Panthers recently re-signed DT Damione Lewis to a three-year, $14 million deal, which seemed to give the club some depth at the position and increased speculation that Jenkins was on his way out. However, that depth would be short-lived if Jenkins were to go elsewhere. It would leave Carolina with Lewis; the highly paid, underachieving Maake Kemoeatu; Kindal Moorehead, who is set to become a free agent; and Gary Gibson — none of whom can match Jenkins' playmaking ability.

Feb. 13, 2008   

Carr could be next Panthers casualty

The Panthers began their offseason rebuilding project by releasing two aging Pro Bowlers, MLB Dan Morgan and OG Mike Wahle, on Feb. 11. The cuts will save Carolina close to $7 million, but that cap space won’t be available until June 2, per league rules. And the Panthers may not be done with the roster purge, the way we hear it. Sources say QB David Carr, whom the squad signed to a two-year, $6.2 million deal last offseason, could be the next veteran to be released. Just one year ago, Carr was arguably the best free-agent quarterback available, and several teams, including the Seahawks and Browns, pursued him. However, in what may turn out to be his lone season with the Panthers, Carr, 28, started four games in relief of injured starter Jake Delhomme but looked skittish in the pocket and lost the job to Vinny Testaverde, who was signed in the middle of the season even though he was 43 years old at the time. Carr finished the season with a career-low quarterback rating — 58.3 — and appeared to have lost the confidence of the coaching staff.

Feb. 1, 2008   

Panthers WR Smith could be one-man show again in passing game

We hear the Panthers’ commitment to retooling their ground game could lead to another imbalanced Carolina offense. The squad was ranked 14th in rushing and 29th in passing this past season. Adding a No. 2 wide receiver to pair with WR Steve Smith is arguably an equal, if not more pressing, need but GM Marty Hurney and coach John Fox seem to regard that as a secondary issue, and their sentiment could be based on past experience. When the Panthers brought in WR Keyshawn Johnson for the 2006 season, it generated a lot of hype and media publicity, but it didn’t translate on the field, as Carolina finished 8-8. Rather than try to patch a hole again by adding an expensive veteran receiver, the Panthers will likely rebuild their running attack by taking a long-term approach and drafting offensive linemen and a bruising running back. It’s a risky strategy for Hurney and Fox, who are under harsh scrutiny after missing the playoffs the past two seasons.