Prediction for the Carolina Panthers' 2007-2008 Season
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by user NCNative704
After finishing with an average record of 8-8, missing the playoffs, the Carolina Panthers are looking to head back into the playoffs to try and take the Super Bowl crown. Their history will prove that they don't have that hard of a time while playing in the post-season. The 7-3 record will show you that. Team history is good, but drafting is an even bigger deal. The Panthers had a great draft, amongst the 5th best in the NFL. After trading their 14th pick to the New York Jets for the Jets' 1st and 2nd round picks. Carolina would draft Jon Beason, a linebacker out of Miami University for their 1st pick, filling in a much-needed gap in the linebacker position. Then in the 2nd round, the Panthers would draft wide-out Dwayne Jarrett from USC, a much similar player to the later waived and retired Keyshawn Johnson, as far as playing style and build. The two rookies should be major contributors to the Panthers, both having high probabilities of playing time. But just like every NFL team, and other sports teams, they still have their positives and negatives.
Positives: The biggest positive on the Carolina Panthers would have to be their receiving squad. Steve Smith, one of the most dominant players in the NFL today, is a huge part of the Panthers. But looking past Smith, you have other good players as well. Dwayne Jarrett will be a good possesion receiver, most likely starting as the 2nd receiver. Another rising name is Drew Carter. He has blazing speed, great footwork, and can stay healthy for a whole season. The only thing holding this great receiver back is his catching abilities. If it wasn't for that, he'd be the 6'4 version of Steve Smith. Another positive would deffinantly be at the QB position. A great move Carolina made by picking up the unproven David Carr, who has been suffering blow after blow behind the Houston O-line for 5 agonizing seasons. He should be a great "Plan B" if Jake Delhomme starts to fall into a slump or gets injured. And for a fun fact, David Carr has been sacked a total of 249 times after 5 years with the Houston Texans.
Negatives: The main negative that sticks out for the Panthers in their running game. DeShaun Foster is just a disaster waiting to happen going up the middle after braking his leg against the Chicago Bears in the 2005-06 playoffs. But, DeAngelo Williams isn't the worst guy to back up Foster. He is inexperienced, but once he gets his confidence up, he will dominate with his speed. For now though, he is not the guy they need back there. Another negative that is stinging the Panthers is the linebacker position. Even though they've signed a good linebacker in Jon Beason, most of the linebackers are not that healthy, and may struggle to stay healthy. Dan Morgan and Thomas Davis will have to stay healthy for the Panthers to have a good year.
My Prediction: 11-5 (4-2 division): Even though the Saints had a Cinderella season last year, they will not, or barely, make the playoffs due to their below average defense. The Falcons may get an 8-8 record at the most. But the Buccaneers will be nowhere close to a winning record. 4 wins at the most for them.
