09 Preseason Analysis / Carolina

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For the Panthers, 2008 started out with a certain amount of uncertainty. From questions arising about Jake Delhomme's recovery from Tommy John surgery, to the uncertainty of DeAngelo Williams' future, and the big chance taken in the draft of trading away 2009's first round draft pick to the Eagles in order to move up to pick offensive tackle Jeff Otah.

All those questions were answered last season, when the Panthers went undefeated at home, went 12-4 in the regular season, and boasted a top-five rushing attack.

In the offseason, the Panthers lost one starter: defensive back Ken Lucas. That's all! This season, the Panthers return 21-of-22 of last year's starting players, including Julius Peppers. While the Panthers weren't able to secure a long term deal with Peppers, it is all but assured that Pep will play just as hard this season sa he did last year, considering he's playing for a new contract for the second year in a row.

What if Peppers takes a mental break at any point of this season? Well, the Panthers took that and Peppers' uncertain long-term future with Carolina into consideration in the draft this year, trading away next year's first round pick to snag Florida State defensive end Everette Brown. A move that on paper, and from looking at film from Brown's years with the Seminoles, could pay dividends right away.

Carolina looked to sure up the defense this year, as their second pick in the second round came from Troy, in Sherrod Martin, a man who will play at the nickel position and can also be utilized as a safety, his primary position in college.

In an effort to add some depth and help solidify the defensive line, the Panthers drafted Corvey Irvin out of Georgia. While Irvin was inconsistent at Georgia, he harbors the raw talent and is a big man up front. With a little work, he could develop into a solid run stopper and pass blocker.

In the fourth round, the Panthers went with Mike Goodson. He has potential as a third running back, slot receiver, and as a kickoff or punt returner. He's fast, shifty, and has great vision on the field. He took some good hits at Texas A&M, but he always tried to get as much out of a run, even when he was wrapped up.

In the fifth round, Carolina took a look at the lack of depth on the offensive line and took Duke Robinson out of Oklahoma. With the departures of Frank Omiyale, Geoff Hangartner, and Jeremy Bridges, the lack of depth on the O-line was a critical issue that needed to be addressed. While Robinson won't be able to fill the void of three offensive linemen, drafting him was a move in the right direction.

Carolina final draft selection was Captain Munnerlyn in the seventh round out of the University of South Carolina. Munnerlyn is another piece to the defense, but more importantly to the special teams return puzzle. After the Panthers let Mark Jones go, Munnerlyn could become the new return man for the Panthers, and he's up against some even competition with Ryne Robinson and Larry Beavers competing against him.

On the offensive side of the ball, Carolina failed to address the depth at quarterback, or lack thereof. Backing up Delhomme is Josh McCown, a quarterback that, when under intense pressure, folds like a lawnchair. However, when given time, and with the strength and size of the Panthers offensive line, he can make some good plays. But with the schedule of opponents the Panthers are faced with, blitzing defenses are like water: they will look for the path of least resistance. And if any of the big boys up front go down, so will McCown.

What about Matt Moore? He seemed to do pretty well a couple years ago, until he sustained an injury, at being a game manager and made some smart decisions. My problem with him is he takes too long in the pocket, and again, with blitzing defenses, the more time spent holding onto the ball in the pocket, means more time for the defense to make a play on the quarterback.

I'm not too thrilled with the lack of proven, experienced depth at the quarterback position, but with the lack of salary cap space for this year, it's understandable that Carolina will have to work with what's there. In light of salary cap complications, the Panthers also went ahead and re-signed Delhomme to a five year contract extension. Five years was not exactly what I had expected, although I was comfortable knowing Delhomme will remain in Carolina for the remainder of his career.

In the end, Delhomme is not a bad option as the starting quarterback; he's the longest-tenured starting QB for Carolina, and he has an uncanny ability to keep himself together when the game is on the line. As a leader, Delhomme is one of the best. As a quarterback, well; fans, the coaching staff, and the talking heads must remember that Delhomme has never been a flashy quarterback. He's always been a game manager, which isn't bad, so long as Carolina has the running game around him, and the big offensive line to protect him. I do agree with most, that the Panthers must be instrumental in finding his eventual successor, as I don't see one on the current roster.

The receiver position is nothing to be upset about, really. Certainly Steve Smith is an overlooked playmaking threat by the experts, and Muhsin Muhammad is old, but as long as they can stay healthy, the Panthers have what I consider their best receiving duo in team history. Add Dwayne Jarrett into the mix at the slot receiver position, and the Panthers have a talented enough receiving corps that has the ability to lay the hurt to opposing defenses.

The tight ends are serviceable. Out of the three veterans, Jeff King and Gary Barnidge show the most promise. As much as I love that game winning catch against the Chargers that Dante Rosario snatched out off the air, he disappears too often. He's not good at blocking, and his performance ebbs and slows. Yes, slows. Very inconsistent.

Jeff King might move slow, but he has decent hands, and has great blocking skills. I haven't seen much of Barnidge during the regular season, but I hope to see more of him this season, as I feel he has the potential to be a possession tight end.

In the backfield, the Panthers drafted Syracuse fullback Tony Fiammetta in the fourth round. This move really shouldn't come as a shock to the majority of Panthers fans, though when it happened, I was thinking, why fix something that's not broken? Then I started thinking about how long Brad Hoover has been a Panther, and the realization was at some point, they will need to find his successor.

Fiammetta is raw and rough around the edges, but after playing some special teams and watching Hoover, the master at the fullback position, will give Fiammetta an idea of what's expected of him. He's big-bodied, and can hit the gaps pretty hard. My biggest concern over him right now, is his ball handling skills and he needs to become a little more aware of his footing.

For the second year, the Panthers return one of the best running duos in the league, aptly named "Double Trouble." DeAngelo Williams had a fire lit under his feet on draft day, when the Panthers took Jonathan Stewart to be his replacement and number one running back. As fate would have it, a series of excellent events transpired, as Williams put up Pro Bowl caliber numbers, and the rookie Stewart, almost broke 1,000 yards rushing. Other than the potential for injury, there is nothing to really be concerned with in the Panthers' running game.

On the defensive side of the ball, there are a couple of question marks, but a lot of depth. The defensive backs, Julius Peppers, and the defensive line are quesitionable.

Jon Beason, while he does play on the defeinsive line, has performed solidly for the Panthers, statistically finishing second in his first two years on the Panthers line. However, his partners on the defensive line, while they are a force to be reckoned with, will have to penetrate some good offensive lines, especially in the NFC East, to make plays on the quarterback and to effectively be the first line of defense on opposing teams' running games.

Second year man Dan Connor has recovered well from a broken arm sustained last year in the preseason, and should contribute greatly on special teams. There's also the potential that he might start in the defensive lineup, if first year coordinator Ron Meeks, another addition to the Panthers coaching staff, likes what he sees from Connor in training camp and preseason.

In the backfield, the Panthers are pretty well set at the safety position with Charles Godfrey and Chris Harris. Godfrey and Harris are both hard hitting and have big playmaking capabilities. With Harris, comes something else that isn't learned on the football field: leadership.

The defensive backs look good, too. I was not totally agains the Panthers parting ways with Ken Lucas. I've always liked Chris Gamble, and have been eagerly awaiting the day that he would be given the opportunity to come out of Lucas's shadow. That day is finally here, and he will be the shutdown corner that the Panthers have been looking for. He's fast, nimble, and has great hands to make the interception.

Starting opposite Gamble will be Richard Marshall. Marshall is another solid threat at the corner position who brings big play capability with him, as well.

All in all, the Panthers look pretty well set to make a run at the playoffs and to repeat as division champions. However, Atlanta and New Orleans will be thick in that hunt as well, so the NFC South will be quite competitive, yet again.

I predict Carolina to finish with no less than 10 wins and decent potential to win the division in '09.

The Panthers start their training camp in Spartanburg, SC on the second of August. Practices are open to the public.

Carolina opens the preseason with a trip to the Meadowlands to face the New York Giants on Monday August 17 at 8 p.m.

Fan Fest will be Saturday August 8 at 11 a.m. at Bank of America Stadium.

Preseason division rank: First

Everette Brown Signs / Will He Deliver ?

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By David Scercy

With eight days left on the ticking click to Spartanburg, the Carolina Panthers came to a contract agreement with their 2009 second round draft pick Everette Brown Saturday.

The deal is a four-year contract worth 4.3 Million dollars.
Brown, a former Florida State standout DE, was drafted by Carolina after the Panthers traded their 2010 first round draft pick to San Francisco to move up to the #43 spot in the 2009 NFL Draft.

The Panthers have five of their seven draft picks signed heading into the final week before training camp begins Aug. 2nd. The two remaining players not signed include Sherrod Martin, a second round DB from Troy University, and Corvey Irvin, a third round DT from the University of Georgia. It is speculated that both players are close to a deal with Carolina, and that they will be in camp on time.

Brown figures to compete for the starting DE position outside of Julius Peppers. The duo could become a tremendous pass rushing force in the NFL. With Tyler Brayton, Charles Johnson, Casper Brinkley, and Hilee Taylor, the depth of the Defensive End position is solid for Carolina.

The signing is big for first year Defensive Coordinator Ron Meeks who will no doubt implement new defensive schemes in the Carolina playbook, and would prefer his entire defensive unit be in attendance in Spartanburg Aug. 2nd.
The Carolina Panther defense took much deserved heat following their late season collapse during Dec. and Jan.

The lack of pressure on the opposing QB led to most of the heat. Although Everette Brown isn’t likely to change that immediately, he gives the Panthers one more weapon, and now with it written in black and white, Carolina’s defense just got a little better.

What It Means to Be A Man In The NFL

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N.F.L. training camps begin next week, and with them the ritual of young players unfamiliar with a world where competition converges with unprecedented compensation and celebrity.

For the first time, two N.F.L. teams — the Giants and the Baltimore Ravens — have instituted player-driven mentorship programs in which rookies are paired with a team of veterans. The idea is that the veterans will shepherd young players through the minefield as if they were younger brothers and even sons. This means sharing triumphs and failures, painful experiences and embarrassments, and generally engaging in a level of discourse that is rare, not simply among athletes, but between men.

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2009 Analysis Of The New Orleans Saints‏

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By Coalition Staff Writer Eric Quackenbush‏

There's a difference between 2008 and 2009 for New Orleans. Last season, they were Super Bowl favorites, while this season they are in a mix between the Falcons and Panthers as favorites to win the division.

The Saints, while they did finish the season in last place in the NFC South, finished 8-8. Contrary to their record, they played some respectable football, especially in the passing game. The Saints had one of the top ranked passing games in the NFL.

The Saints have many question marks this season: The defense, the running game, the health of the receivers, and tight end Jeremy Shockey.

At this point in time, the Saints' defense is better-than-average. There are playmakers, but their performance from last season must carry over into this season. The Saints are a very talented team; much better than their 8-8 record suggests. New Orleans was "in" every game they played in, except for games at Atlanta and at Carolina. In all reality, the Saints could have won at least five more games last season, including the fact that had time not run out, the Saints would have certainly beat Carolina in the season finale, finished at No. 1 going into the playoffs as the division winner with a 13-3 record.

The way I see it, the fact that Dan Morgan retired did the Saints more of a favor than fans might like to believe. The man suffered a lot of consuccions in his career, mostly due to the fact that he almost never used a mouthguard. The man was a hell of a defensive playmaker and never afraid to put his body and career on the line when he was able to take to the field, but because of personal safety choices he made, he hurt himself. The Saints defense is just as good, if not better, without Morgan taking up a roster spot.

The Saints' defensive secondary also has some solid pieces in place: defensive backs Randall Gay, Jason David; safeties Darren Sharper and Bobby McCray, and defensive end Will Smith.

Linebackers Jonathan Vilma and Scott Fujita will anchor the front four, while Mark Simoneau is a question mark coming back from a preseason injury against Tampa Bay that sidelined him for the '08 season. Hopefully he can help at the middle linebacker position to add some depth, maybe even start.

On offense, the biggest question is in the backfield: Deuce McAllister was cut by the Saints in the offseason, Reggie Bush has still not consistently shown his worth as a No. 1 draft pick, and the depth at the running back position.

I liked Bush in his rookie season, and as a special teams player he's held his ground as a threat. What I don't like about him is his injury history and he disappears in big games. I'm not totally bashing Bush, however. He is a threat as a receiver out of the backfield, having amassed 440 yards on 52 catches for four touchdowns, and he did carry the ball 106 times for 404 yards and two scores. But out of those carries, he hasn't shown the explosiveness of a No. 1 running back, only averaging 3.8 yards per carry.

At running back, the Saints have Pierre Thomas, who is their biggest threat, and behind him will most likely be Reggie Bush, at least to start out the season. The rest of the depth is uncertain, with rookie running backs P.J. Hill and Herb Donaldson. I think that if anyone is going to give Bush a run for his money--no pun intended--it will be Hill.

On the brighter side, the Saints brought in promising tight end Darnell Dinkins from Cleveland; Jeremy Shockey should be recovered from his injury, and while I criticize his performance as a receiving threat, he is a nasty blocker, and has the big play potential, so long as he can keep his emotions in check so as not to penalize the team after picking up a first down. The Saints also have a huge amount of depth at wide receiver, but they bring back Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, Lance Moore, and Robert Meachem shows some promise, too.

My last area of concern is at quarterback. No, I'm not concerned about Drew Brees' performance as much as I am his health. Once again, the NFC South faces a tough schedule of blitz-happy defenses, and with the Saints' offensive line allowing 13 sacks on Brees, that's 13 sacks too many. Hopefully the Saints were able to improve the personnel on the offensive line, because one wrong hit from a defender on this schedule, well, let's just say the backups are not very encouraging: Mark Brunell and Joey Harrington.

In the end, my prediction for the Saints is a record with no less than nine wins; 2-0 against the Bucs, 1-1 against the Falcons, and 1-1 against Carolina.

The Saints open training camp on July 31, which is 13 days away. Most practices will be open to the public at the Saints' practice facility.

Afternoon practices closed to the public: August 3, 5, 7, 10, 11, 16, and 31.

Morning practices closed to the public: August 26.

Morning practices start at 8:50 am and end at 11 am, while afternoon practices start at 4:20 pm and end at 5:45 pm.

The Saints open preseason hosting the Cincinnati Bengals at 7 pm on August 14.

Preseason division rank: Third

2009 Analysis Of The Tampa Bay Buccaneers‏

By Eric Quackenbush

The 2009 season still holds a light of hope for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, which to most outsiders, maybe even some Bucs fans, would seem such a ridiculous statement to make. During the offseason, the Bucs went through some big changes.

In December of 2008, defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin announced that he would be leaving the team to join his son, Lane Kiffin, at the University of Tennessee. A month later, defensive backs coach Raheem Davis, set to become the defensive coordinator for the Buccaneers, found himself as the newly appointed head coach of the reeling Buccaneers after management fired Super Bowl winning head coach Jon Gruden.

Morris is the man best suited for the job, even though he has never been an NFL head coach. But he has held various coaching positions at the professional level, as well as five collective years in the college ranks. To his coaching staff, he added Jeff Jagodzinski as offensive coordinator, and Jim Bates as defensive coordinator.

A lot of people have their doubts about Morris as the new head coach. I know I had mine, but as I researched his background, I enlightened myself to his actual wealth of experience. Morris brings with him a wealth of defensive knowledge, which will be a great asset to the Buccaneers. Morris has been active in Tampa's defense for a collective six years. In that time span, he was defensive quality control coach during the Bucs' Super Bowl season, a season where he had his hand in building a top-ranked defense en rout to the franchise's first Super Bowl title; defensive assistant in 2003, assistant defensive backs coach in 2004 and 2005, and defensive backs coach from 2007-2008.

Jeff Jagodzinski has multiple years of NFL coaching experience as well. From 1999-2003, he was the tight ends coach in Green Bay; 2004-2005 he was employed as the offensive line coach for the Atlanta Falcons. In 2006 he went back to Green Bay to work as the offensive coordinator. During his time with the Atlanta Falcons, Jagodzinski learned offensive zone blocking schemes from Alex Gibbs, the architect of successful NFL offensive lines such as the Denver Broncos that won Super Bowl XXXII. What I also like, is from 2007-2008, Jagodzinski was head coach at Boston College, at the same time Falcons' quarterback Matt Ryan was the BC Eagles' quarterback.

Jim Bates also has many years of experience coaching in the NFL. From 2000-2004, he was the defensive backs coach for the Miami Dolphins, served as interim head coach for Miami in 2004, and was the Packers' defensive coordinator in 2005.

Unfortunately, Bates' coaching history is not as polished as Morris's or Jagodzinski's, but he has a young and talented defense to work with, and I'm sure that together, both Bates and the Bucs defense will work out well, learning off one-another. Add in Morris's expertise, and this is a really good combination.

What I like about these three coaches, is this will be a season where the Bucs go back to basics and continue with the team's traditional style of tough, hard-nosed football.

The Bucs lost some key player personnel this offseason as well: quarterback Jeff Garcia, running back Warrick Dunn, linebackers Cato June and Derrick Brooks, and receivers Ike Hilliard and Joey Galloway.

Out of this list of released player personnel, Jeff Garcia, Ike Hilliard, Derrick Brooks, and Cato June will be missed the most. Warrick Dunn would have been missed, but a move the Bucs made that I really like, was to acquire running back Derrick Ward from the New York Giants.

The biggest area of uncertainty the Buccaneers have this season is at the quarterback position. The good thing is it's loaded with depth. Tampa brought in Steelers' backup quarterback and former Jaguars' starting quarterback Byron Leftwich while just releasing quarterback Brian Griese. At this position the Bucs drafted Kansas State QB Josh Freeman, and they still have Luke McCown and Josh Johnson.

The question is, which of these candidates will be able to take over for the now departed Jeff Garcia? My preseason prediction is Byron Leftwich, who has a career 38 interceptions thrown, averaging out to just over six per season, and an overall QB rating of 80.3. I also like Leftwich because he is a big-bodied quarterback who can move well in and out of the pocket and has the ability to shed would-be tacklers.

Of the two huge moves of acquiring Derrick Ward and tight end Kellen Winslow from the Browns, the Bucs may have found a solid replacement for the departed Cato June in former Bills linebacker Angelo Crowell.

Crowell posted 86 solo tackles, 40 assists, two sacks, a safety, deflected four passes, and had an interception for five yards. He will most definitely be one of the front-runners for the starting lineup on the defensive line.

Acquiring Ward will more than make up for losing Warrick Dunn. Ward was the Giants' third down back. He only started in three games out of the 16 he participated in. I wanted to make that clear, because as a third down back, you basically never see these types of numbers: 182 carries for 1,025 yards; an average of 5.6 yards per carry, and two touchdowns. He also had 41 catches out of the backfield for 384 yards; an average of 9.4 yards after catch. He had two fumbles on the season, out of all that workload.

Ward will be the No. 1 back and at this point it's safe to say that Graham will be the No. 2 starter over Cadillac Williams, due in part to Cadillac's injury-prone past. If Williams sustains any injury either Clifton Smith or rookie Josh Vaughan will fill in as the third running back.

Another lingering thought that really won't be answered until late into training camp and early preseason, is how well Kellen Winslow will produce. Last season he had trust issues with the medical staff and ownership in Cleveland, over a staph infection, which is a potentially serious problem, but because of it his production dropped tremendously from the 2007 season, where he broke 1,000 yards receiving and started in 14-of-16 games. Winslow's production in 2006 was decent even, almost surpassing 900 yards receiving.

This is the year where Winslow must prove his worth, but the problem again lies in the question of who's starting at quarterback and how accurate of a passer will he be? In the end, the addition of Winslow will both bolster the receiving game and make up for the loss of Hilliard's production.

The biggest loss was Derrick Brooks, however. Brooks was a leader on and off the field and in the locker room. It would have been a great asset to have Brooks, an emotional leader, in the locker room to instill what rookie head coach Morris will try to accomplish this season.

Overall, the Buccaneers made some nice picks on draft day. So far all but one pick has been signed, Texas defensive tackle Roy Miller being the latest to ink his name to an undisclosed deal.

Tampa still has a solid defensive line, a very respectable defensive backfield which still boasts the talents of defensive backs Ronde Barber, Aqib Talib, and safeties Tanard Jackson and Jermaine Phillips. One thing the Bucs aren't short of on defense is experience, talent, and depth.

Why is Aqib Talib among those who are considered boastful talent, you may ask? Because he tied for the team lead in interceptions with four as a backup in 2008, and in only his second season, he's moving into the starting lineup. He's a strong, physical player with a flair for big plays, needing only to get better in run support while learning to take better control of his emotions.

Without a doubt, Tampa's defense and offense will be bringing the pain a little more than I once predicted. Even with the uncertainty at the quarterback position, they still have an arsenal of offensive and defensive playmakers.

The Buccaneers open training camp on August 1, with most practices open to the public.

All practices, weather permitting, will take place at One Buccaneer Place with the exception of the night practice at Raymond James Stadium on Saturday, August 1.

I like Tampa Bay to finish the season with no less than nine wins. Not enough to win the division, and just barely miss out on a playoff spot, but enough to maintain consistency on the field from last year with a new coaching regime.

Preseason division rank: Fourth

2009 Analysis Of The Atlanta Falcons‏

By Coalition Staff Writer Eric Quackenbush‏

In 2008 the NFL saw a resurgence of the Atlanta Falcons--one that wasn't really expected to happen with a rookie quarterback and rookie head coach. But now all teams in the NFL are taking notice of the top-flight Atlanta Falcons.

The Falcons are stacked on offense this season. They made a trade to Kansas City for Pro Bowl tight end Tony Gonzalez, a move that bolsters Atlanta's offensive skill position personnel from scary to deadly.

There are now three star players on Atlanta's offense at the skill positions: Michael Turner, Roddy White, and Tony Gonzalez.

Last season White had 88 receptions for 1,382 yards good for 15.7 yards after catch, and seven touchdowns. White ranked fourth in receiving yards at the end of the 2008 regular season. Houston's Andre Johnson, Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald, and Carolina's Steve Smith finished ahead of White, respectively.

I expect White's receiving yards to finish about the same, possibly catching one or two more touchdowns this season. Let's not forget the monster schedule of opponents the NFC South faces this season.

Michael Turner was among the NFL's top runners in '08, ranked second overall in rushing yards. The Vikings' Adrian Peterson finished above Turner, respectively.

Turner had 376 carries for 1,699 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also caught six passes for 41 yards.

The Falcons really got a steal when they signed Turner last season, and with Jerious Norwood sharing some of the load out of the backfield, Turner's output will definitely surpass 1,000 yards rushing again, and should come close to 1,500 yards, ideally.

Jerious Norwood also makes for a multi-talented threat the Falcons

Tony Gonazalez, the Falcons' latest weapon had a decent season in Kansas City, considering the quarterback situation was subpar for KC in '08. Gonzalez started in all 16 of the Chiefs games last season. He caught 96 passes for 1,058 yards, an average of 11 yards after catch and 10 touchdowns.

Atlanta's tight ends combined for less than 20 catches in '08, so the tight end statistics will improve dramatically with Gonzalez bolstering the Falcons' threat in the receiving core.

The most important contributing factor to the Falcons continued success however, is the health and arm of second year quarterback, Matt Ryan.

In 2008, Ryan was named NFL Rookie of the Year. He finished the regular season 265-of-434 for 3,440 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, for an overall passer rating of 87.7 finishing 13th overall in the NFL.

This year will be a testament to Ryan's career. As a second-year starter, Matt Ryan has all the weapons and protection around him to avoid what many have dubbed the "Sophomore Slump." The biggest concern however, is aside from inner-division rivalries, the Falcons face a much tougher schedule this year than last.

Atlanta lost a few key players on defense this year: linebacker Keith Brooking, defensive back Dominique Foxworth, and strong safety Lawyer Milloy.

To me the Falcons biggest area of uncertainty is the defensive secondary. While there is a lot of promising young talent, the Falcons need those veteran players to step up big time this season. The Falcons are hopeful that defensive back Von Hutchins will help anchor an uncertain secondary.

Going into his third year, defensive back David Irons is amongst heavy competition to make the 53-man roster, among rookie talents William Middleton, Chevis Jackson, Christopher Owens, and Glenn Sharpe. The Falcons are not without depth in the secondary, but cuts are inevitable as the season draws closer.

The safety position is also a young area for Atlanta, but there's a wealth of unfounded talent there as well. Erik Coleman, Antoine Harris, Jamaal Fudge, Thomas DeCoud, William Moore, and Eric Brock will make for some lively competition there. Last year, the Falcons carried four safeties on the active roster.

Overall, Atlanta's defense is ranked 24th in the league. However, on the bright side, the Falcons finished a very respectable 11th in points allowed. If Atlanta can carry over that scoring defense and create better mismatches in the secondary, this defense has the potential to become a top-10 defense.

The Falcons open training camp on August 1, which will include several practices open to the public.

The Falcons will hold their training camp scrimmage at Brookwood High School in Snellville on Aug. 7. They will hold a mock game at the Georgia Dome on Aug. 8.

In total, the team will hold 28 practices from August 1-14 before playing Detroit in its first preseason game on Aug. 16.

In summarizing, the Falcons are definitely loaded on offense. Their depth is far greater than it has been in a long time, maybe ever. The defensive backfield is still suspect, but has gotten younger and returns some promising talent from last season, and added some promising talent through the draft and free agency.

I like the Falcons to finish the year with no less than 10 wins with decent potential to win the division in '09.

Preseason division rank: Second

How Delhomme Can Make It A Little More Quieter In 2009

By David Scercy

The Carolina Panthers are coming off a 2008-09 campaign in which they averaged just over 26 ppg for the season and 32.6 ppg over their last 7 games. They return every starter on offense in 2009 including the entire offensive line, which is regarded as one of the best in the NFL by many experts.

As staggering as those numbers are, a lot of Panther fans and NFL writers still question their offense entering the 2009 season…including myself…after the team re-structured the contract of QB Jake Delhomme, a contract which will in all likelihood guarantee Delhomme his chance to finish his playing career as a Panther.

Since the 2003 season Jake Delhomme has been a fixture as the starting QB of Carolina. In 2003…just two years after a 1-15 season…Delhomme and the Panthers made a historic run into the post season, and through the playoffs losing Super Bowl 38 to New England on a last minute 41-yard FG by Adam Vinatieri.

Those of us who remember the 2003 season remember how Delhomme worked his way into the #2 QB spot on Carolina’s depth chart after a remarkable 2003 pre-season. Although his on-field play was impressive to the Carolina coaching staff, Rodney Peete was still awarded the starting job opening the 2003 regular season.

Peete’s strangle-hold on the starting QB position lasted exactly a half, as Carolina went into the locker room at halftime during week 1 of the season losing to the Jacksonville Jaguars 17-0 in Charlotte. Delhomme was given his chance to replace Peete and never looked back, leading Carolina to comeback win against the Jaguars.

In 2007 Delhomme suffered ligament damage in his elbow in a game against Atlanta and was lost for the season. Going into that game Delhomme was among league leaders in pass rating, throwing 8 TD’s to only 1 int. During Jake’s absence the Panthers season spiraled out of control as Carolina went through 3 other starting QB’s and never were able to mount any threat of a playoff run. Following the season, Delhomme opted for Tommy John’s surgery to his right elbow, and vowed for a comeback in 2008.

But is was clear to many, including myself, during the 2008 season that Jake Delhomme, once one of the best deep ball passers in the NFL, lost some arm strength after the surgery. Balls hung in the air longer, allowing DB’s more time to adjust to his passes. Although this would completely destroy most QB’s in the NFL and their chance to win, those same passes allowed Carolina WR Steve Smith to adjust as well, and Smith bailed out his QB in many situations. Its plays like this that put Steve Smith into MVP consideration entering the 2009 season. How much more valuable can a player be to his club that Smith is to the Panthers?

Jake Delhomme has a 50-31 record as the starter for the Carolina Panthers. That is a very impressive number for a man who wasn’t even drafted into the league, and basically had to work for every chance available to get on the field during his early career. But the real number to key in on is his 7-22 record when he has more than 30 pass attempts. That record alone is scary, for a team that has all the tools in place to be one of the best offenses in the NFL entering 2009. NFL defenses will likely do everything they can to stop the Panther rushing attack, and allow Delhomme to rack up pass attempts as the game goes on. The more pass attempts Delhomme has, the more chance Carolina has at losing the game.

When you look at the Carolina Panther offense on paper, you can envision what this team could be with a Tom Brady, Drew Brees, or even a Donovan McNabb under center. But it would just be on paper, because the Carolina Panthers are committed to living and dying by their QB Jake Delhomme. And John Fox is showing no intentions of changing that anytime soon.

When looking at the overall total of Delhomme’s contract extension the numbers are pretty big…5-year, 30.4 million dollars. But it was an extension that benefits the Panthers in a lot of areas. Delhomme will only account for just over 2 million in the salary cap for each of the next 2 seasons. Compare that to the 25 million that McNabb will account for against the Eagles cap the next 2 seasons. It is a good contract for the franchise that has talent throughout their entire roster. And we all know that with talent, comes higher payrolls.

But when you have a team that is loaded like the Carolina Panthers are, fans want to make sure that 12-4 seasons aren’t wasted on a QB who throws the ball 5 times to the other team in the post season. That is why it is essential that for the up-coming 2009 season, Jake Delhomme must work on becoming the most consistent QB in the NFL, and not worry about being a star like Peyton Manning.

I don’t see this team winning a Super Bowl with Jake Delhomme under center. The fans who still hang on to the 2003 season must now realize that that was six years ago and that the player Delhomme once was has slowly died down into mediocrity, kind of like a Delhomme deep ball dies down in the air once it is launched.

Everyone has an opinion, and it is clear that mine is more of doubt for Delhomme. So what better way for Jake and the 2009 Carolina Panthers to create their place in history, than to roll through the division title, playoffs, and through the Super Bowl…shutting people up like me, who just can’t see it happening? That’s how Delhomme can make it a little quieter in 2009, and it would not bother me one bit if he did shut me up.

Carolina's Top Five All-Time Wide Receivers

By Eric Quackenbush

This season marks the beginning of the 14th year for the Carolina Panthers franchise. In that time, there has been a lot of talented athletes who were drafted, acquired via trade, or free agency.

Today, I went into the NFL's archives to look at some statistics of both former and current Panthers wide receivers whose names I found on the Panthers all-time roster.

I present the Panthers' top five all time wide receivers, and three honorable mentions.


No. 5: Raghib Ismail, 1996-1998

Raghib Ismail, a.k.a. "Rocket," starts the list at No. 5 because of his speed on the football field.

Ismail was acquired by the Panthers for a fifth-round pick to the Raiders in 1996.

As a Panther, Ismail recorded 117 receptions for 1,657 yards, for an averages of 14.2 yards after catch (YAC), and 10 touchdowns.

But receiving wasn't the only job assigned Ismail. He was also utilized the skills of a running back.

As a Panther, Ismail carried the ball 15 times for 154 yards; an average of 10.7 yards per carry, and a touchdown. He also had seven 100+ yard games, and out of the 42 games he played in, Ismail was the starting receiver 22 times.


No. 4: Donald Hayes, 1998-2001


Donald Hayes was drafted by the Panthers in the fourth round of the 1998 draft out of the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

In his four year stint with the Panthers, Hayes had 132 catches for 1,855 yards, for an average of 14.1 yards after catch. He also scored seven touchdowns, and had a pair of 100+ yard games.

Out of the 51 games he played in, he was the starting receiver 31 times.


No. 3: Mark Carrier, 1995-1998


Mark Carrier was selected by the Panthers in the 1995 NFL Expansion Draft.

As of 2008, Carrier still ranks fourth all-time on the Panthers all-time receiving list with 176 catches for 2,547 yards; an average of 14.5 yards after catch and 13 touchdowns.

Out of the 56 games Carrier played in, he played as the starting receiver in 36 games. He also has five 100+ yard games.

Fun Fact: On Sept. 1, 1996, Carrier scored the first NFL points and touchdown in North Carolina (games were played at Clemson University in South Carolina in 1995).


No. 2: Muhsin Muhammad, 1996-2004; 2008-Present Day


Muhsin Muhammad, commonly known as "Moose," was drafted by the Panthers in the second round of the 1996 NFL Draft, with the 43rd overall selection.

Muhammad is a big-bodied receiver who has always had decent speed, great hands, and great control over his body. He is also known for his blocking fake-outs against opposing defenses, while he is in fact running a receiving route.

In Moose's long-tenured career as a Panther, there was a three year span in which he played for the Chicago Bears (2005-2007), but the Bears released him in 2008 and he returned to play in Carolina.

In his 10-year career with the Panthers, Muhammad has amassed 643 catches for 8,674 yards; an average of 13.6 yards after catch and 49 touchdowns.

He also boasts 27-100+ yard games, and out of 141 games Moose has participated, he has been the starting receiver 128 times.


No. 1: Steve Smith, 2001-Present Day


Steve Smith is Superman. Plain and simple. There's no team in the NFL that wouldn't want a talent like Smitty.

Smith is a very special player with his own place in Carolina Panthers history and Panthers fans' hearts.

At 5'9", Smith is one of the smallest receivers in the league, but don't let his size fool you. He has the heart of a lion, and he's as fast and ferocious as a panther.

This cat knows how to use and control his body and feet, and has great hands.

In 2001, the Panthers drafted Smith in the third round with the 77th overall pick.

Fun Fact: A Sports Illustrated draft export said that Panther's wasted their third round pick on a punt returner.

In his time as a Panther, Smith has amassed 509 catches for 7,348 yards, at an average of 14.4 yards after catch. He has scored 43 touchdowns, and has 30-100+ yard games on his resume.

Smith has also been used as a ball carrier. He has 42 carries for 273 yards; an average of 6.5 yards per carry and two touchdowns.

Out of the 106 games that Smith has played in, he has been the starting receiver in 85 times.


Honorable Mention: Willie Green, 1995-1996

During his two season stint with the Panthers, Willie Green contributed 93 catches for 1,496 yards; an average of 16.1 yards after catch, and nine touchdowns. Of the 31 games Green participated, he was a starter 17 times.


Honorable Mention: Ricky Proehl, 2003-2005

As a Panther, Ricky Proehl was another piece of the puzzle that helped the Panthers get to their first Super Bowl in 2004.

During his tenure with the Panthers, Proehl had 86 catches for 1,327 yards; and average of 15.5 yards after catch, and eight touchdowns. Out of the 48 games Proehl participated, he was a starter five times.


Honorable Mention: Patrick Jeffers, 1999-2001


Patrick Jeffers played the best year of his career in 1999 with the Panthers. He had 63 catches for 1,082 yards, and 12 touchdowns in one season.

Overall, Jeffers had 77 catches for 1,209 yards; an average of 13.2 yards after catch, and 12 touchdowns. In his three seasons with the Panthers, Jeffers started in 10 games out of the 24 he participated in.

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2009 Predictions / 13-3 Record, Eagles Top Seed In The NFC

With training camp slowly approaching, expectations are higher than ever this season for players and fans of the Philadelphia Eagles after strong late-season performance last year.

After a Week 12 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last season, a game in which quarterback Donovan McNabb was benched in the second half, the Eagles sat at 5-5-1 and would need to play perfect football the last five weeks of the season if there was any hope of making the playoffs.

Against all odds, the Eagles went on to win four of their final five games and squeaked their way into the playoffs with help from other teams around the league, such as the Raiders and Buccaneers.

As a No. 6 seed, they looked impressive in two road wins against the Minnesota Vikings and New York Giants in the first two rounds of the playoffs.

With an NFC Championship matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, who the team previously beat 48-20 earlier in the season, the Eagles appeared by some to be a team of destiny on their way to a Super Bowl after miraculously making the playoffs.

Despite the 32-25 loss, the Eagles held their heads high considering most analysts and fans around the league never gave them a shot of advancing as far as they did.

All they could think about was the fact that they needed to carry their hot streak over to 2009.

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4 Quarters / A Look At Carolina's 2009 Schedule, PT # 4

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Conventional wisdom says the Panthers are a tough team to play in December. There's some merit to that, as the Panthers have gone 21-12 in December and January under John Fox.

This year, the Panthers better hope conventional wisdom holds, because the December schedule is a killer.

At this point in the season, the Panthers will probably be looking pretty good with a record that could be anywhere from 7-5 to 9-3, depending on injuries and whether Meeks' defense works out well.

Around the south, Tampa Bay will probably be nursing a record boasting three or four wins, and will be a spoiler at best.

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4 Quarters / A Look At Carolina's 2009 Schedule, PT # 3

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Historically, under John Fox the Panthers follow good seasons with 7-9 efforts—not the best sign for the 2009 squad.

But when you look at the reason why, there's a little cause for optimism.

In 2004, injuries to Stephen Davis and Steve Smith killed the offense, and the Panthers started out the season 1-7 before adjusting and going 6-2 in their final eight games.

In 2006, the offensive line was a revolving door, with Travelle Wharton going out early, Justin Hartwig missing the season to a groin in jury, and Mark Wahle finishing out 2006 on Injured Reserve.

Injuries dogged the Panthers all season, as Steve Smith, Jake Delhomme, Dan Morgan, and Mike Rucker also missed several games to injury that year. After a somewhat promising 4-2 start, the Panthers struggled to finish 8-8.

Although it didn't follow a winning season, in 2007 the Panthers lost Jake Delhomme early and went through three other quarterbacks en route to a 7-9 finish.

Which brings us to 2009. The Panthers are coming off a strong 12-4 effort, and look talented enough to contend once again for the division title.

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