2007 NFL Season Preview - Carolina Panthers

It's funny the type of fall any team can have in a given season. Prior to last season, many people thought that these very Panthers would be the NFC's representative in Super Bowl XLI. Combinations of a rash of injuries and general underachieving and instead of being in the Super Bowl, the Panthers were merely a .500 team that had too many questions after the end of the season.

However, the talent is still there for the Panthers. They are not a bad team; but can they return to that lofty status that came with the expectations in 2006? Or has this team really regressed and is it time for them to again need to regroup and figure out a new way to be successful. Coach John Fox, who brought this team to the Super Bowl in 2004 and just lost by a Adam Vinatieri field goal, must do one of the best jobs of his career to get them back to the top of the conference. Is it possible?

Carolina Panthers
2006 Record (Standing): 8-8 (2^nd in NFC South)
2006 Postseason (If app.): n/a
Head Coach (Career Record): John Fox, 6^th season (44-36)
Key Additions: WR Dwayne Jarrett (draft; 2^nd round, 45^th pick), OLB Jon Beason (draft; 1^st round, 25^th pick), QB David Carr (FA; Houston)
Key Losses: WR Keyshawn Johnson (Cut; retired), LB Chris Draft (FA; St. Louis), S Colin Branch (FA; Oakland)

Positives: For the last few seasons, the Panthers have had one of the best defensive lines in the NFL. For their own part, they could have the best pair of defensive ends in the league. There are few pairings in the NFL that rival Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker as the bookends of the defensive line. Peppers has long been considered by most experts as one of the top five defensive players in the league and is often mentioned with the Indianapolis Colts' Dwight Freeney as the best end in all of football. His amazing combination of size, speed, and strength are unrivaled when coming off the snap on the edge.