Where we're at, What we need (Offense)

[Woodie]

With the draft coming up, and all the talk about who or what we might need, I thought it would be a good time to examine what we currently have on the roster and what we still need from the draft or FA. I realize a lot of this has been/is discussed elsewhere, but I think it is worth discussing each unit as a whole.

Offense

Offensive Line

Projected Starters

OT - Jordan Gross – An all-pro that is underrated by some fans. Is solid in both pass and run protection. He thrived at LT last year, and was rewarded for it by the players, coaches, and media throughout the league. Could cut down on the false starts, though.

OT – Jeff Otah – Is a monster at RT. Was excellent as a run blocker and was very good in pass protection. He gave up a handful of sacks, but by the last quarter of the year, nobody was getting by him.

OG – Travelle Wharton – He seems to have found his home at LG. He is a very good all-around Guard that doesn’t make many mistakes, and always works hard. Is probably at the cusp of being a pro-bowl caliber OG. An added benefit is that he can also slide out to LT if needed.

OG – Keydrick Vincent – A strong run blocker, but struggled on occasion in pass protection. Works well with Otah on the right side to give us a mammoth pair to run behind. Does have some injury concern with his groin and is going into the final year of his contract, so this is probably a position that will need to be upgraded in the near future. But for this year, he will be fine as the starting RG.

C – Ryan Kalil – We probably got a steal when he was there for us in the second round in 2007. He has excellent technique and is stronger than many might think. Is not a mauler, but uses his smarts and athletic ability to give us one of the better Centers in the league.

Key Backups

OT – Geoff Schwartz – Strong and does a good job of staying in front of his man (based on his college production). Where he runs into problems on occasion is with the speed rushers that can get by him before he is able to set his feet. Personally, I think he might be a better fit at Guard. Apparently, the staff also must like him a lot since they gave him a three year contract this off-season while the other guys they brought in from the practice squad were only signed to one year future deals.

OG – Mackenzy Bernadeau - This is another guy the staff obviously thinks highly of. They decided to keep him on the active roster over some seasoned vets despite being very raw and the fact last year was expected to be a redshirt year for him. So they must have believed someone would have plucked him off our practice squad if we tried to stash him there. Had some pre-draft buzz in which many in league circles though he could be a VERY good player with a year or two to develop. Some thought he showed the skill set to one day be a good starting caliber player.

Overall, this may be our best starting unit. However, we still need more veteran depth. It also is probably a good time to bring in an eventual replacement for Vincent to start in a year or so.

Needs: At least one veteran backup, preferably someone who can play G/C. We could also use a veteran Tackle so we wouldn’t have to move Wharton if either of the starters gets hurt. A RG from the draft that can potentially start eventually.

Quarterback

Projected Starter

QB – Jake Delhomme – Despite some calls for an upgrade, Jake is set as the starter in 2009. He is a very good leader who the team believes in and rallies around. He does have some physical limitations and makes questionable decisions at times, but generally, he has done more good than bad for the Panthers, and has been a winner here. However, he is getting to the age where we need to start looking for his eventual replacement. Nobody really knows how long his arm will hold up, so the team needs to be prepared for whatever may happen. We also don’t know how much longer he really wants to play, or if he would be willing to step back into a backup role if we bring in a young QB who demonstrates he is ready to lead the team.

Key Backups

QB – Josh McCown – A decent QB that has had a handful of chances to start, but is probably best suited as a backup at this point. A good veteran option if Jake goes down.

QB – Matt Moore – Showed promise at the end of the 2007 season but was less than stellar in last year’s preseason. A good developmental guy, but is he a future starter or does he only have backup potential? This preseason should hopefully establish which.

Overall, we are set for this season, but a lot depends on what the coaching staff thinks about Moore’s potential. If they are not sold on him, it is probably time to look for a guy by the middle of the draft to develop and compete with Moore. Also, all three of our QB’s are currently slated to be FA’s after this season, with Moore being RFA. But I do think Jake will be re-signed, however, if he is not, this becomes a more urgent position of need.

Needs: Someone to compete with Moore to be Jakes future replacement.

Running Back/Fullback

Projected Starters

RB – DeAngelo Williams – Stepped up last season to become one of the best backs in the league. As long as the OL stays relatively healthy, there’s no reason he cannot continue to be upper echelon. He has the speed, quickness, power, vision, and the drive to be great. He also has more potential in the passing game than has been utilized.

FB – Brad Hoover – Has turned himself into an excellent lead blocker. One of the reasons our running game was so successful. However, he is getting up there in age, and has battered his body for a long time, so we probably need to find someone to groom as his replacement.

Key Backups

RB – Jonathan Stewart – Despite starting the season with a toe problem, he proved to be an excellent rookie RB. In fact, he probably has as much ability as Williams, so could probably start on many teams this year. If he gets enough carries, it is not inconceivable that we have two 1000 yard rushers this year. Also, like Williams, he has more ability as a receiver than has been used.

RB – Decori Birmingham – One of those great camp guys that makes you think they might be able to contribute during the regular season. However, he primarily played against backups, so his real potential is still unknown. His only chance of making the active roster, though, is if he is able to be strong on special teams.

Overall, we are very strong at the top, but after Stewart, our depth is very thin. Hoover is almost done, and we need to fill Goings role.

Needs: Backup FB to develop as Hoover’s replacement, a backup RB that can contribute on ST.

Wide Receiver/Tight Ends

Projected Starters

WR – Steve Smith – The most dynamic receiver in the game, and the cornerstone of our receiving corps.

WR – Muhsin Muhammad – Is getting old, but is still an effective receiver, and may be the best blocking receiver in the NFL. Is a key reason we had so many long runs last year.

TE – Jeff King – A good blocker and underrated receiver. He is not particularly fast or quick, so is limited as a receiving threat, but when his number is called, he usually comes through.

Key Backups

WR – Dwayne Jarrett – Struggled with the transition to the NFL as a rookie. He did not come in realizing that talent alone is not enough. The light seemed to come on last year, though. Now he needs to earn Jakes trust. But catching almost everything that came his way, and being an efficient 3rd down receiver was a good start. If he continues to progress like he did last year, I think he will have his number called a lot more often. He was also a good downfield blocker last year, so he does fit the part of Moose’s eventual successor.

WR – Ryne Robinson – Showed flashes as a rookie that he might be a good speed guy off the bench as a receiver. Due to his size, he may not be a dominating blocker, but he seems to be a solid pass catcher.

WR – Jason Carter – Is only on this list because of the hype he received in camp last year. However, once he had a chance to show something in the preseason games, he did nothing. It is one thing to look good against guys in practice that are not going full speed or hitting with full force, but something different when the bullets are real (or at least as real as pre-season gets against backups). But he did get injured, so might have shown more with more time. We should get a better idea this year.

WR – Kenneth Moore – Is on this list because of his ST potential, but if he does earn a ST role, he would likely also get some chances on offense. However, other than his supposed speed, I know next to nothing about him.

TE – Dante Rosario – Looks the part of a receiving TE, but his hands are inconsistent. He is improving as a blocker, but that will probably never be his biggest strength. If he can improve his hands, he can be a playmaker for us.

TE – Gary Barnidge – Is probably the best receiver out of our TE’s, and shows the ability to stay in front of his man when blocking. However, he needs to add strength and bulk to become a more efficient blocker. He has all the skills to become a solid all-around TE, and if he improves his blocking, he will probably eventually take over as our #1 TE.

Overall, this is a solid group of TE’s. They sometimes get underrated because the TE is not featured in our offense, but when called on, each of them is capable of delivering.

Needs: None. We are set with this unit.

[scpanther22]

when did we give schwartz a 3 year deal..

[Fireball77]

Agree Re: King. Every team needs a King type TE. I love Rosario's potential as well. And Hoov WAS a beast last year.

You answered my Goings thought from the ST thread.

Nice write ups on all of these, Woodie.

[panther4life]

agree with everything u said but king is not underrated as a reciever, he's a decent pass catcher but has no ability to run after the catch

[Cardiac Cats86]

may the Schwartz be with us.

[mantal]

agree with everything u said but king is not underrated as a reciever, he's a decent pass catcher but has no ability to run after the catch

And yet, people were gaga to get Algie Crumpler last year and King's ATC yards were less than 1/2 yard...

It's a pretty insane analogy. Once something is said and others spit it out, it becomes the truth...