As usual, it's all about WR Steve Smith in Carolina.

2007 Game Plan 

Offense

The offense was quite poor in 2006.  They were able to manage only 307 yards per game total and only 103 rushing and 204 passing yards.  None of those numbers were very good and for a team that has a good defense and likes to run the ball that rushing number is just brutal.  Jake Delhomme is not the type of QB that can carry a team to victory so the Panthers better figure out how to run the ball in 2007.

The Panthers used a high draft choice in 2006 to get DeAngelo Williams out of the University of Memphis and they expect him to emerge as a lead running back.  The Panthers also have DeShaun Foster in their backfield and this should be a true committee system.  Williams should carry more of the load this year than he did in 2006 so a 50/50 split is likely.  Meanwhile the passing game will also need to improve some and there are some reasons to expect that will happen.  First, Delhomme had put up three very solid seasons prior to 2006 and this year he will have a healthy Steve Smith from Day One.  The Panthers released Keyshawn Johnson and replaced him with his clone, USC WR Dwayne Jarrett.  Jarrett won’t have the experience of Johnson, but he has more upside.  Smith is the only true stud fantasy player, but look for Williams to emerge as a solid play and for Delhomme to settle back in to being a solid QB2.

Defense

This is a defensive unit that has consistently performed well and there is no reason that they won’t do so again.  While this group is lead by one stud player, DE Julius Peppers, they always find a way to get the job done. 

The Panthers are lead by their defensive line.  Peppers is the star, but if Mike Rucker is back and fully recovered from his knee injury offensive lines won’t be able to key on Peppers as much.  The Panthers also bring back Dan Morgan to their linebacking group.  Morgan is one play away from retirement, but as long as he is playing he‘ll make a lot of tackles.  The Panthers also added first round pick Jon Beason to the LB group and if Morgan stays healthy and both can be on the field, this group will be very good.  The secondary is quite shaky. There really aren’t any impact players in the secondary so the front seven better bring the pressure.

Player Spotlight

Steve Smith, WR
Smith is certainly not the prototypical WR, he is only 5’9”, but you just can’t teach speed and boy does Smith have it.  He is healthy going into 2007 and he is Jake Delhomme’s favorite target so expect a lot of balls to go Smith’s way once again.  He will get back to over 1,300 yards and will have double digit TDs.  Smith better do at least that well or John Fox may be looking for a new job in 2008.

DeAngelo Williams, RB
Williams did not take the league by storm last year, averaging just over four yards per carry in 2006.  Williams only had 121 carries; expect that total to jump to at least 200 in ‘07.  A key stat that may have been overlooked is how well Williams caught the ball:  he 33 catches for over 300 yards.  With his carries going up, Williams should have well over 1,000 yards when you combine his rushing and receiving stats.  

Julius Peppers, DE
If you want a consistent stud here is your guy.  He will have over 45 tackles and double-digit sacks.  He has always been healthy and has handled whatever game plans offenses have thrown at him.  The simple way to describe Peppers is: STUD!

Players Re-Signed
P Jason Baker
TE Michael Gaines
DT Kindal Moorehead
WR Drew Carter
DB Nate Salley
RB Alex Haynes

Players Acquired
QB David Carr (from Texans)
DE Dave Ball (from Jets)
DT Steve Williams (from Chiefs)
CB Curtis Deloatch (from Saints)
S Deke Cooper (from 49ers)
S Chris Harris (from Bears)

Players Lost
QB Chris Weinke (released)
WR Keyshawn Johnson (released/retired)
WR Karl Hankton (released)
TE Kris Mangum (retired)
TE Mike Seidman (to Colts)
DE Al Wallace (to Bills)
DT Jordan Carstens (released)
OLB Chris Draft (to Rams)
LB Vinny Ciurciu (to Vikings)
LB Terrence Melton (out for season/injured)
CB Reggie Howard (not tendered)
S Mike Minter (retired)
S Shaun Williams (not tendered)
S Colin Branch (to Raiders)