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5 & 5: Who looks to break out or bust this season?

Icege

By Icege,
in Carolina Panthers

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Icege Grand Master

Icege

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On Notice

1. Jimmy Clausen - I'm fairly certain this poor bastard might be on everybody's list this season. How could he not? Despite all the shortcomings on the team, Jimmy played bad enough to look noticeably bad. The general consensus now is that there's a great chance that he's not the franchise that some fans hope fell into their laps, but the big question is now: Can he start? Whether or not he starts, Jimmy Clausen is going to have to show twice the expected progress in order to offset his atrocious rookie year.

2. Everette Brown - Everette's now had two full seasons to grow into his role as a DE in the NFL. With a rising Greg Hardy on the roster and a DE more than likely being taken in this draft or next year's, Everette needs to come out this season and become a factor the same way Charles Johnson did 2010-2011.

3. Thomas Davis - I've got nothing but love for TD, but two identical ACL injuries definitely puts big question marks on him. He needs to show that he's still got what it takes and that worries about his knee can be put to rest.

4. Jeff Otah - I had surgery for a torn meniscus two years ago. The pre-op pictures showed what looked like Cthulu fighting in a snow storm in the form of cartilage. I was playing volleyball in 3 months after doing absolutely zero physical therapy. While there are obviously different mechanics involved, the fact of the matter is that Otah is supposed to be an NFL-caliber athlete and well... he's living up to those scouting reports questioning his toughness. I've mocked the Panthers trading down with the Redskins and taking Tyron Smith to have another OT for when Gross goes in a year or two. Now Otah needs shoulder surgery? Wtf are you, the OT Chad Pennington?

5. Tony Pike - As bad as Jimmy Clausen was, Tony Pike was bad enough to warrant Clausen starting over him. There wasn't much promise shown when he did hit the field, and will be the first casualty if we have to prune some QBs off the roster.

Great Expectations

1. Brandon LaFell - As the end of the season was coming on, Brandon LaFell was adding more highlights to his reel. He took up for his QB on Twitter and reports say he's a fun kid with a big heart. While Gettis had the first break out performance, I'm starting to think LaFell will quickly show that he can be that next big WR that the team has been looking for.

2. Gary Barnidge - Barnidge has been riding pine behind Rosario and King, which has more to do with his blocking abilities than his receiving. He's had the last couple of seasons behind King and Rosario, and now he's spending this one behind Shockey. After his first and third seasons where he was a non-factor, I think Barnidge might finally get the opportunity to open up the middle of the field while learning from Shockey.

3. Jon Beason - So long as we avoid the injury bug, Beaston will be starting and finishing the season from his usual spot at the Mike as opposed to being moved to the outside. Being back in his comfort zone in a more aggressive defense is just what the veterinarian ordered.

4. Greg Hardy - This kid showed a lot of promise in his rookie year, and at the very least provided great entertainment by Hercules tossing DBs on ST. With the pressure on Everette Brown to step up this year and Tyler Brayton winding down, Greg Hardy will have ample opportunity this season to try and steal that other starting DE job.

5. Matt Moore - It's my list God dammit, I'll put who I want up here. Connections with Chud's offense and Moore have already been made, and it would be silly to deny the very real possibility of him getting a chance in training camp. If he's able to beat the odds and start, I don't have any doubt that he'll be able to impress.

Who are you putting on notice and who are you placing great expectations on this coming season? I'd have the first pick over Pike, but the draft hasn't happened yet.

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Icege Grand Master

Icege

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Ahh, the old "2010 never happened" opinion, always nice. To say there's no doubt he would impress is absurd right now.

You mean the 2010 season where Moore only played in 6 games? 2 of those games where he was injured and unable to finish? 1 of the remaining 4 he came in to relieve Clausen? 1 of the remaining 3 being the win against SF? Yes.

Matt Moore was barely able to complete a 1/4 of a season and was never one of Fox's favorites. The team was a 40-car pile up on the interstate last year. That's why I said if despite all this, he's able to win the starting job over whomever we go into camp with, I have all the confidence that he's grown from last season's experiences. Pending the injury and whether or not he even makes the team, of course.

As for the people harping on Armanti, I don't have him on my own list simply because I want to see what he brings to the table next season should he show signs of development. I could definitely see people saying him over Pike, but I see the QB position as a much more immediate need than WR. That is unless the team trades Smitty and Gettis turns out to be nothing more than a track runner on the football field. Gettis comes off to me as intelligent and diligent though, therefore I'm not too concerned on that front.

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Icege Grand Master

Icege

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Also, this isn't an official list or anything. I'm a nobody. I was hoping to see whom other posters were expecting to break out or who was getting the microscope treatment. I understand if it takes you guys a few moments to imagine a world without Cam Newton ;P <3

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