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Reported:
January 31st, 2006
Discuss
the Panthers Team Needs in the Panthers Forum
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RB |
The
Panthers really need to address their backfield situation....soon.
Stephen Davis' career may be over. He was able to come back from microfracture
surgery this past season, only to end up on the IR before the season
was over. His prognosis for the 2006 season is not very bright. DeShaun
Foster, who has flashed potential to be a steady No. 1 back, has durability
issues and will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. Nick
Goings is a quality backup, but not feature-back material. The team
will need to make a decision on if they want to make Foster a competitive
contract offer or draft a younger, more durable back in this year's
draft. They probably won't be able to sniff DeAngelo Williams of Memphis
or LenDale White of USC, but they could have a chance at targeting
Laurence Moroney out of Minnesota if they choose. Another possibility
is for them to see what they have in Eric Shelton who was drafted
out of Louisville last year, but spent the season on the IR because
of a foot injury. They probably won't have the cap space to go after
some of the top free agent backs that may hit the market this season,
so look for them to address this need through the draft or see what
they have in Shelton.. |
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TE |
The
Panthers have been looking for a productive player at this position
since Wesley Walls hung up his cleats. Kris Mangum is an adequate
player, but would probably be a backup on most other teams. A dynamic,
playmaking TE would add a great dimension to the Carolina offense
and would cause defenses to account for another player other than
Steve Smith. None of the current tight ends on the roster fit this
profile. One of the top two tight ends in the draft might be available
when the Panthers are on the clock this April. Vernon Davis, out of
Maryland, will probably be off the board, but there's a pretty good
chance that Marcedes Lewis of UCLA could be on the there when the
Cats pick. If neither of these two are there, they could wait until
the second or third round and try to nab Dominique Byrd out of USC,
who really shined the week of the Senior Bowl.
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QB |
This
need is more for depth than anything. Jake Delhomme is a fine QB and
should remain in Carolina for the immediate future. Delhomme's top
backup, Chris Weinke, is an unrestricted free agent and may choose
to hit the open market in search of a chance at a starting spot somewhere.
That would leave the Panthers will Stephan LeFors if Delhomme went
down. Having a football player with the name of Stephan just doesn't
leave you with a good feeling. The Panthers may be in the market this
offseason for a veteran backup QB such as Doug Flutie or Jeff Blake. |
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| Defense |
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DT |
The strength of
the Panthers defense has been their defensive line, considered one
of the best in the NFL. But as the years have gone by, that D-line
is starting to wear down a bit. Kris Jenkins has missed significant
amounts of time over the past two seasons due to injuries and Brenston
Buckner will be entering his 13th NFL season in 2006. The Panthers
have to start thinking about Buckner's eventual replacement and also
start searching for some depth if the injury bug continues to bite
them. |
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SS |
Marlon McCree was
the Panthers starter for a good portion of the season, but he will
be an unrestricted free agent this season. Thomas Davis, drafted in
the first round last season, may step into his shoes IF he's not called
upon to step into Will Witherspoon's spot at the weak-side LB spot.
Witherspoons is also an UFA and is expected to test the market, unless
the Panthers franchise him. If he leaves, Davis is likely to fill
his spot and the Panthers could go shopping on the FA market for a
new strong safety this offseason. |
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Panthers
Free Agents
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Player
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Pos
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Status
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| Dante Wesley |
CB |
UFA |
| Ricky Manning |
CB |
RFA |
| Kemp Rasmussen |
DE |
UFA |
| Kindal Moorehead |
DT |
RFA |
| Vinny Ciurciu |
LB |
RFA |
| Will Witherspoon |
LB |
UFA |
| Tutan Reyes |
OG |
UFA |
| Matt Hill |
OT |
UFA |
| Todd Fordham |
OT |
UFA |
| Jason Baker |
P |
UFA |
| Chris Weinke |
QB |
UFA |
| DeShaun Foster |
RB |
UFA |
| Ricky Proehl |
WR |
UFA |
| Colin Branch |
S |
RFA |
| Idrees Bashir |
S |
UFA |
| Marlon McCree |
S |
UFA |
| Mike Seidman |
TE |
RFA |
Panthers
2005 Season Ending Depth Chart
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OFFENSE
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WR
89 - Steve Smith 81 - Ricky Proehl 5 - Efrem Hill
LT 70 - Travelle Wharton 78 - Todd Fordham
LG 68 - Mike Wahle 71 - Evan Mathis
C 60 - Jeff Mitchell 63 - Geoff Hangartner
RG 76 - Tutan Reyes 71 - Evan Mathis
RT 69 - Jordan Gross 61 - Dave Kadela
TE 86 - Kris Mangum 82 - Mike Seidman 84 - Michael Gaines
WR 83 - Keary Colbert 18 - Drew Carter 88 - Karl Hankton
QB 17 - Jake Delhomme 16 - Chris Weinke 3 - Stefan LeFors
FB 45 - Brad Hoover 49 - Casey Cramer
RB 37 - Nick Goings 22 - Jamal Robertson 32 - Rod Smart
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DEFENSE
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LDE
90 - Julius Peppers 96 - Al Wallace 92 - Jovan Haye
LDT 99 - Brentson Buckner 94 - Kindal Moorehead
RDT 67 - Jordan Carstens 98 - Atiyyah Ellison
RDE 93 - Mike Rucker 97 - Kemp Rasmussen
SLB 53 - Brandon Short 57 - Sean Tufts
MLB 55 - Dan Morgan 52 - Chris Draft
WLB 54 - Will Witherspoon 50 - Vinny Ciurciu
LCB 20 - Chris Gamble 21 - Dante Wesley
RCB 23 - Ken Lucas 24 - Ricky Manning, Jr. 38 - Garnell Wilds
SS 27 - Marlon McCree 47 - Thomas Davis
FS 30 - Mike Minter 31 - Billy Parker
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SPECIALISTS
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PK 4 - John Kasay 7 - Jason Baker
P 7 - Jason Baker 4 - John Kasay
KO 4 - John Kasay 7 - Jason Baker
H 7 - Jason Baker 81 - Ricky Proehl
PR 89 - Steve Smith 20 - Chris Gamble
KOR 22 - Jamal Robertson 32 - Rod Smart
PC 56 - Jason Kyle 86 - Kris Mangum
KC 56 - Jason Kyle 78 - Todd Fordham
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