Are the Panthers too young ?
This summer in Carolina saw many changes made to the Panthers. Some will say the team just didn’t want to fork over the dough, others may say it was time for a change of direction. The Panthers certainly are a different team this year.
The team is no longer Jake Delhomme’s team after he was released by the same team who offered him a five-year extension last year despite Delhomme coming off the worst game of his career. Panthers’ fans may remember Delhomme turning the ball over six times (five interceptions, one fumble lost) in the team’s playoff loss to the Arizona Cardinals in the divisional round of the 2008-2009 season. The loss erased an amazing season by the team, as they went 12-4 and were among the favourites to win a Super Bowl.
The team is now going into a new era which does not include the dynamic defensive end Julius Peppers, as the team let him walk into free agency where he signed with Chicago. The team also released long time fullback Brad Hoover. Those losses see some team leaders leaving, opening the door for new leaders and young players to step up.
It starts with Matt Moore, the new starting quarterback. Delhomme was injured late in last season and Moore stepped up big for the Panthers, as he went 4-1 to lead the Panthers to an 8-8 finish after starting 4-7. Moore wasn’t flashy but he got the job done and won games. He also didn’t turn the football over, which Delhomme seemed to have trouble doing. Moore threw 8 touchdowns and just one interception in the five games he started last year. The team feels he’s earned the starting job and if Moore can open up the deep passing game, the Panthers may be the surprise of the season.
The Panthers still will lean to the running game which features two great running backs in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. The duo has combined for 45 touchdowns in two seasons and both have rushed for 1000 yards in the same season.
The leader of the defence is linebacker Jon Beason without question. He’s vocal and is one of the few experienced players on defence. Beason feels confident in his team and believes they can be the big surprise of the year.
The thing that’s also interesting about this team is that they are so young, but have a very experienced head coach in John Fox. Fox is in the last year of his contract, but you wouldn’t know it with how intense the Panthers have been practicing. They practice a lot in pads with contact, but none of the young players are complaining. Beason thinks it’s good for the team: "We are building our new identity as a tough team, and these practices help get it done."
Also waiting in the wings in Carolina is Jimmy Clausen, who was the second best quarterback available in the draft but dropped to the second round, which worked out beautifully for the Panthers. The Panthers had no first-round pick and were pleasantly surprised that Clausen fell into their lap. Clausen looks promising but he’ll likely watch and learn this season while Moore gets his chance at being the starter.
With many veterans having left the team, it’s all up to the young guys and it will be very interesting to see this year whether the Panthers can build on their late-season success of last year. Fox will likely have to be the coach of the year in order for the Panthers to make the playoffs. If they don’t, it’s a case of growing pains which probably should be expected with a team this young. They just can’ be counted out though as we’re still unsure of which Panthers team we’ll see take the field week one.
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