Bitter playoff loss left Panthers with giant chip on the shoulder...........

[AKPantherFan]

Consistency has not been a hallmark of John Fox's first seven seasons as the Carolina Panthers' coach.

Three times Fox has won at least 11 games — including 2003, when the Panthers reached Super Bowl XXXVIII, and last season, when they matched a franchise best by winning 12 games and earned a playoff bye after winning the NFC South.

But in 2009, Fox will be trying to notch the first back-to-back winning seasons in team history. And, perhaps trying to set the tone, Fox is maintaining continuity on his roster with 21 of 22 starters returning from the team that exited the playoffs with a 33-13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.

Mindful that the sting from that January night lingers with his players, Fox has been using the defeat as motivation during the offseason.

"Sometimes, to get where you want to go, sometimes you've got to experience a tough time," Fox says. "Late last year, that loss stuck with guys. And I've seen it carry over into our preparation and work this offseason."

Fox hasn't told his players to forget about the loss, the team's lone setback at home last season. Instead, he has embraced it, hoping it puts a chip on their shoulders.

"It's like that elephant in the room. It's there. You can't pretend it's not," Fox says. "You learn sometimes from those things. That's the point."

Among the other lessons learned in the Panthers' annual summer school session: The team unwaveringly supports quarterback Jake Delhomme. The man who returned last season after having Tommy John elbow surgery in 2007 signed a five-year contract extension in April with $20 million guaranteed. The deal was validation for Delhomme, who's been the team's starter since 2003 but committed six turnovers in the loss to Arizona — a performance he called "inexcusable."

FRANCHISE REPORTS: In-depth previews of all 32 teams prior to camp

"He has been a leader on the field, is a talented quarterback, is a perfect fit for our team and was a big reason we were able to win the NFC South last year," general manager Marty Hurney said after striking the deal.

Former NFL quarterback Trent Green says the contract, which created salary-cap space, is a reminder to Delhomme's teammates that he is the unquestioned leader in Carolina.

"Had they gone out and picked someone up, that sends a message," Green says. "But they chose to go the other way. They said, 'You're our guy. And we want to reinforce it.'

"That's only going to spark (Delhomme's) fire more."

There were two big changes for the Panthers in the offseason. One was the release of starting cornerback Ken Lucas. The other was the addition of former Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Ron Meeks, who replaced Mike Trgovac in the same role for Carolina.

One major change that had been rumored but failed to materialize was the departure of Julius Peppers. The Pro Bowl defensive end had expressed a desire to leave Carolina before the team placed the franchise tag on him in February. But Peppers signed his one-year contract tender — worth $16.7 million — in late June.

Because Peppers and the Panthers couldn't agree on a long-term deal by the July 15 deadline, he faces the possibility that Carolina could again apply the franchise tag to him next year at a $20 million cost.

However, the Panthers are already learning the drawbacks of having one player — Peppers — eat up 13% of the salary cap. The club had to part with longtime long snapper Jason Kyle, say goodbye to several key reserves — leaving its depth woefully thin at wide receiver, on the offensive line and in the secondary — and still has to make room to sign draft picks.

That could make for a volatile situation, Green says, among Peppers, his teammates and the front office. "Is he a great locker room presence?" Green asks. "Or is he a guy who says 'Watch your back — they did it to me, they could do it to you.'? "

Hurney dismissed suggestions that Peppers might be a distraction as not a concern at all.

Meeks is counting on Peppers, who recorded a career-high 14½ sacks last season, to be the centerpiece of a more athletic front four. Meeks wants to prioritize re-establishing the pass rush, which had 22½ sacks outside of Peppers' total.

"This is a quarterback-driven league," Meeks says. "So you've got to make sure you're getting pressure on him and don't let him dictate the results in a negative way."

There's reason for optimism in Carolina. There are several young playmakers on the roster, as Peppers, 29, and wide receiver Steve Smith, 30, were joined at last season's Pro Bowl by first-time all-stars in linebacker Jon Beason, 24, and left tackle Jordan Gross, 29.

Gross heads a line with five returning starters that paved the way for a dynamic rushing tandem in DeAngelo Williams, 26, and Jonathan Stewart, 22. Williams led the league with 18 touchdowns on the ground.

So while there might be a chip on the Panthers' collective shoulder, there's also a lot of confidence.

"Especially on offense, the way we ran the ball last year, I think there's lot of anxiety to get on the field and show that we can do it again," fullback Brad Hoover says.

AROUND THE FIELD IN CAROLINA

• Quarterback: The contract extension given to Jake Delhomme gives the 34-year-old security as the team's leader for the foreseeable future. Josh McCown is behind Delhomme on the depth chart, but coach John Fox says Matt Moore will compete for the backup spot in training camp.

• Running back: The running game ranked third with DeAngelo Williams, who led the NFL with 20 total touchdowns, and Jonathan Stewart leading the way. There's optimism that slippery rookie Mike Goodson can contribute.

• Wide receiver: Pro Bowler Steve Smith, who led the league with 101.5 receiving yards a game in 2008, is at the top of his game. Muhsin Muhammad lines up as the other starter. Dwayne Jarrett, a second-round pick in 2007, has caught 16 passes in two seasons but gets first crack at the No. 3 role.

• Tight end: Jeff King is the starter and Dante Rosario the primary backup, although he missed time in summer workouts with a back injury. Neither was a major factor in the passing game last year.

• Offensive line: The Panthers brought back all five starters after signing left tackle Jordan Gross to a long-term contract. This line, which blew open holes for the running game, is one of the team's best assets. Right tackle Jeff Otah, a first-round pick in 2008, should get better after missing four games because of an ankle injury last season. Staying healthy is a must because quality depth is lacking.

• Defensive line: New coordinator Ron Meeks says generating a better pass rush is a priority. That will be easier with the return of franchise player Julius Peppers. Top draft pick Everette Brown will push Tyler Brayton and Charles Johnson for playing time opposite Peppers on the edge, but Brown has time to develop with Peppers under contract. Damione Lewis and Ma'ake Kemoeatu man the tackle spots.

• Linebacker: Jon Beason, coming off his first all-pro and Pro Bowl honors, anchors the middle. Na'il Diggs and Thomas Davis return as the starters outside. Dan Connor, who missed all but three games of his rookie year with a knee injury, will add depth if healthy.

• Secondary: Cornerback Chris Gamble is entrenched as a starter, with former first-rounder Richard Marshall replacing departed Ken Lucas. Sherrod Martin, taken in the second round as a safety, is converting to corner and might be the primary nickel back. Chris Harris, who had offseason surgery on a torn shoulder labrum, and second-year player Charles Godfrey top the depth chart at safety.

• Special teams: The Panthers need a new kick and punt returner after Mark Jones left for the Tennessee Titans. Ryne Robinson, who manned both jobs in 2007, will get a shot, as will seventh-round pick Captain Munnerlyn. Carolina is also looking for a long snapper because veteran Jason Kyle is gone. Reliable John Kasay (kicker) and Jason Baker (punter) are back.

more......... (yes- there is more)

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/panthers/2009-07-26-organization-report_N.htm

[Raskle]

When was Marshall a 1st round pick?? Not bad, but it kind of loses something when the writer doesn't get all of his facts straight.