Year: 2012

Patriots at Bears

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By Cormac Eklof

Will Bill Belichick post news snippets and images from the famous Superbowl blow-out of old to rally his troops before this one? Do Bears fans have a warm, cosy feeling about the Patriots? Personally, as, at the time, a young Patriots fan, I will never forget that horrible, traumatic beating. Neither will Tony Eason, no doubt.

In there here and now, the Bears have righted their ship after a sticky little mid season slump. And are right now one of the form teams in the NFL. Playing with confidence at home, their defence is hitting hard and often. These two sides are fantastically evenly matched. Both will not be worried about the frigid weather forecast, and both will be riding long winning streaks coming in.

The Bears carry a slight edge playing at home in front of their fans, however two major aspects might give a slim overall edge to the Patriots.

First of all, as well as the Bears defence is playing, the Patriots are using every single offensive player at their disposal while averaging a superb 31 points a game. The Bears are averaging 20. IfNew England scores a couple early, it may be hard for the Bears to keep up.

Secondly, while the Bears winning streak is commendable, it has come against the likes of Buffalo , the Vikings, Miami and Detroit . The Patriots meanwhile have put away the Jets, Colts andSteelers on their streak. Clearly, advantage Patriots.

 We haven’t had a Tom Brady led fourth quarter game winning drive in a while, this looks and feels like it could be just that. A hard fought, tight game with the superior offence given the ball one more time at the end with a chance to win it. 

The pick: Patriots 34-28

http://irishbaseballseason.blogspot.com/

Go back to Patriots Fan Spot 

 

Patriots

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2010 Record: 14-2

Draft Position: 28

2010 Season Recap: Click Here

Offseason Needs: Click Here

Free Agents/Team Transactions: Click Here

Draft Grades: Click Here

Key Offseason Moves: Signed Marcus Stroud

Patriots Blogger: Cormac Eklof

 

2010 Posts 

Patriots @ Bears, Jets @ Patriots, Patriots @ Steelers, Tom Brady: NFL MVP at the half way point?, Minnesota Vikings vs. New England Patriots, Patriots/Chargers Preview, Five Things We Learned on NFL Sunday, Patriots/Bills Preview, New England Patriots Season Preview

 

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Patrick Stoudamire

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Today at The Football Fan Spot we have Western Illinois cornerback and NFL Draft Prospect, Patrick Stoudamire. He made the Division I-AA All-American 2nd team last year and made the All-Missouri Valley Conference first team in each of the last 3 years. He is regarded, for the most part, as a 4th-6th round prospect. A merchant cash advance is something that we will not see in Stoudamire’s immediate future, his prospects as an NFL player looks like a good one! Today he has come around to talk to us about his experience playing this game and his Pre-Draft thoughts.

The Football Fan Spot: You played last year in Division I-AA. How do you think playing in Division I-AA compares to playing in Division I? Would you say it’s a bit of a disadvantage coming from a smaller school background as you try to transition to the NFL?

Patrick Stoudamire: I believe the only thing that is different between D1-AA and D1-A is the front 7, because it is shown in the past that D1-AA and smaller are actually producing well in the NFL. I believe if you can lock up a receiver at D1-AA you can in D1-A. I showed that in the East-West game and practices. The only disadvantage I would say is the quarterbacks in D1-AA do not throw at a good corner but the D1-A school quarterbacks do over and over which allows those corners to rack up INTs and pass break-ups, and also a lot of passes caught and scored on. But the transition into the NFL is always going to be a shocker just like it was to become a collegiate player. The speed and the strength and crisp routes by the receivers and the arm accuracy and strength and power of the quarterbacks all improve.

TFFS: You got a chance to play in the East-West shrine game despite your small school background. What was that experience like?

PS: The experience of the East/West game was a once in the life time experience because of the kids, visiting the hospital was very life changing, we were running so those kids can walk. And on the football aspect it was great because I got to go against the best, Freddie Barnes and Blair White in practice everyday and showing the scouts that I can guard whoever is in front of me.

TFFS: Do you think you did a good job of showing what kind of pro you could be to the scouts watching or were there a few things you wish you could have done differently?

PS: I hope I grabbed the attention of the scouts even if it was only one because all it takes is one.

TFFS: Which players at the East/West game, either on your team or the opposing team, really impressed you most?

PS: Blair White impressed me the most. His routes were very crisp and he was faster and more quicker than I thought.

TFFS: You didn’t get a chance to work out at the Combine, but you have a Pro Day coming up. How have you been preparing for that?

PS: Even though I didn’t get an invite to the combine, I still went on my way to train even harder to prove that I should have and I have been working out at Perfect Competition with Auto Bolden as my speed coach and Brain Martin and his crew. Now I am working on my starts to better my 40.

TFFS: Who do you compare yourself most to in the NFL? Is there anyone you model your game after?

PS: Champ Bailey, a lock down corner and my style of play is like Nnamdi Asomugha he is just so dominant out there.

TFFS: A little bit of background stuff, when did you start playing football? Who did were some of your favorite players to watch as a kid? Favorite team to watch?

PS: I started playing football in 4th grade I believe. The earlier years were just for fun, started out in flag. My favorite players as a kid were Brett Favre and Champ Bailey. My favorite team was Green Bay with Brett Favre, Antonio Freeman, Reggie White, and Dorsey Levens. Beast team.

TFFS: When did you first realize that you had a really got shot at the NFL?

PS: I realized my sophomore year that I had a great chance in playing in the NFL so I gave up playing basketball. I did play two sports my freshman year that is why I went to WIU and not a bigger school.

TFFS: Give me a little bit of a self scouting report, what do you say you could contribute most to an NFL team? What is your biggest weakness or thing you need to work on most?

PS: A very good sized corner with speed and the determination to do what it takes to get the job done. The biggest thing I need to work on and can always improve is driving through the receiver, which I worked on a lot in the East/West Shrine game/practice.

TFFS: Which, if any, NFL teams have contacted you up to this point?

PS: I talked with the Bears, Jaguars, Falcons, Patriots, Redskins, Buccaneers, Panthers, just to name a few.

TFFS: Your former teammate, Jason Williams, was a 3rd round pick of the Dallas Cowboys last year. Have you been keeping in contact with him throughout this Pre-Draft process and if so, what has he told you and how has he helped you?

PS: Yes, Jason is a close friend and he is always giving me advice throughout this process. He has gotten me ready to come into a business not just a sport. Another person who has helped me a lot was my mentor and my late cousin Chris Mims. He told me to always keep my body in the tubs and treat this like a business and go back to school and finish your degree because football is just the beginning and the leather ball will open doors for you that not many people even get the chance, so take every opportunity to listen to people who are successful.

TFFS: One final question, if an NFL GM were standing right in front of you and asked you, why should we draft you, what would you say to him?

PS: I am a reliable person, will do whatever it takes to get the job done and that you can rely on me.

TFFS: Thanks again for doing this. Good luck in the NFL.

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Patrick Robinson Scout

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Cornerback

Florida State

5-11 190

40 time: 4.42

Draft board overall prospect rank: #93

Draft board cornerback rank: #13

Overall rating: 71*

            3/22/10: Patrick Robinson has first round talent, but a 5th round attitude. He has looked brilliant in flashes and could be a top flight NFL cornerback in a few years. He has amazing athletic ability and the game of football comes to him naturally and he has amazing instincts, but his tape is way too inconsistent. There have been some rumors that the reason he hasn’t looked as great on tape as he is hyped to be is because he is trying to avoid injury so he can be everything he is at the NFL level. Some say this raises his draft stock, saying that he will be great at the next level, but do you really want to base your claim that he will be a top NFL cornerback on that? It’s certainly believable, but in my mind it actually hurts his stock. Is this the type of player you want on your team? Want happens if his team is losing, does he turn it off to avoid injury? He plays the run very half heartedly as well and that could also be attributed to wanting to avoid injury. He doesn’t disengage from blocks on run blockers and is a very sub par tackler. He often loses focus on the field and he doesn’t play up to his measurables and he can be a bit of a diva cornerback. The upside is certainly there with not only the triangle numbers, 5-11 190 4.42, as well as a 39 inch vertical, but he has had some games where he has looked flat out dominant in coverage, though not surprisingly those were big, nationally televised games, but there isn’t much else other than upside at this point. Places like ESPN have really hyped this kid and given him a first round grade, and I would not be surprised if more than half of the NFL gave him a 2nd round grade, but I don’t like his inconsistencies and his attitude and can’t give him any more than a 3rd round grade.

NFL Comparison: Dunta Robinson

*=For a breakdown of what this means, click here

Patrick Ramsey Cut

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By Eric Karkovack 

 

Want to give a young quarterback a huge boost of confidence?  Well, if you’re Sean Payton, that means you cut the veteran guy who was signed to be the #2 quarterback (Patrick Ramsey) and promote that youngster (Chase Daniel) after a very strong preseason.

A few weeks ago, this scenario was discussed, but seemed unlikely.  But, as I said in that previous writing, Sean Payton is not one who is known for doing things by the book.  Just because Patrick Ramsey had starting experience in the NFL did not mean he was automatically going to be the primary backup for Drew Brees.

Ramsey wasn’t terrible at all.  But, Daniel’s athleticism and knowledge of the offense just makes him a much better fit for the Saints.  Should the unthinkable happen and Brees misses time due to an injury, the style of offense shouldn’t have to change quite as much with Daniel at the helm.

Patrick Ramsey has a big arm, but was more or less a statue in the pocket during his days in Washington.  To me, that would seem to indicate that the entire Saints offense may be thrown off by a quarterback who: a) doesn’t get rid of the ball quickly, and b) isn’t able to elude the pass rush.

That said, I’m certainly not ready to crown Daniel as the second coming of Drew Brees.  But he looks like a legitimate NFL quarterback and his preseason play proved him to be a fit for this offense.

http://www.nosreview.com/ 

 

 

Patrick Peterson Scout

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Cornerback 

LSU

6-0 219

Draft Board Overall Cornerback Rank: #1

Draft Board Overall Prospect Rank: #1

Rating: 98 (elite) 

40 time: 4.32

3/7/11: Patrick Peterson is the most hyped cornerback prospect since Charles Woodson, the 1997 Heisman winner who went 4th overall to the Raiders in 1998. No cornerback has ever gone in the top 2 picks, let alone #1, but Peterson could be the first to go in the top 2 and, in a year with no elite #1 quarterback, the first to go #1 overall. He could be the first defensive back to go top 2 since Eric Turner, a safety, went 2nd to the Browns in 1991. Turner was an elite safety before his untimely death. Peterson could be the first defensive back to go top 3 since Shaun Springs, a cornerback, went 3rd to the Seattle Seahawks in 1997.

Peterson’s chances to go #1 exist as a result of his once in a generation talent and a draft class largely devoid of elite #1 talent. Peterson seems to be the consensus #1 prospect across most “experts” Big Boards right now and he’s #1 on mine. He is the complete package. He’s someone who took away the opponent’s top receiver often in college. He was rarely thrown on and he’s above average against the run.

He has amazing size at 6-0 219 and excellent speed, 4.32, to accompany that. He’s a workout wonder and he contributes on special teams as well. He didn’t have a ton of picks in college because opposing quarterbacks tended to throw away from him, but when he was thrown on, he showed above average ball skills and ability to make a play on the ball in the air. He also might be the best playmaker in the open field of any defensive back in this draft class. He can turn any pick into a pick six.

He has the speed to keep up with faster receivers and the size and vertical ability to match up with bigger receivers. He’s best as a bump and run corner. He can have some trouble with craftier receivers and quick fast receivers, as he doesn’t have elite hip fluidity and he doesn’t change directions all that well. He’s quicker than fast and needs some work on mirroring elite route runners. This is something that will likely improve with age. He also isn’t as good in zone coverage as he is in man coverage, where he uses his combination of athleticism and football smarts to blanket most receivers one-on-one.

NFL Comparison: Charles Woodson

 

Pat Devlin Scout

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Quarterback

Delaware

6-3 225

Draft board overall prospect rank: #153

Draft board overall quarterback rank: #9

Overall rating: 58 (5th round)

40 time: 4.87

3/27/11: When Joe Paterno picked Darryl Clark at Penn State to start and, in response, Devlin transferred to Division 1-AA Delaware, hoping that he could follow in Joe Flacco’s footsteps to the NFL as a first round pick. The heavily sought after high school prospect had many similarities to Flacco, including the strong arm.

He had a solid 2009 campaign and a stronger 2010, throwing a mere 3 picks to 22 touchdowns and threw 15 touchdowns in his last 6 games, leading Delaware to 2nd place in Division-AA. He struggled a bit earlier in the season, but a broken wrist was responsible for that. The important thing to note with the wrist was that he only missed 2 weeks with it, showing his toughness.

However, the offseason has not been kind to Devlin. Once viewed as a potential 2nd round pick, Devlin sucked in the East-West shrine game and wasn’t invited to the Senior Bowl. He stunk up his Pro Day, showing up 30 minutes late and then throwing so inaccurately that several scouts left midway. He appears to have major mechanical problems in his delivery and is a longterm project of a day 3 prospect. He has a strong arm, but as we’ve seen so many times before, that alone won’t do it for you in the NFL.

NFL Comparison: Jevan Snead

 

 

Panthers Steelers

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By Sean Geddes 

Tonight the Steelers take on the Carolina Panthers in the final preseason test for the Black and Gold this year. This is a make or break game for a lot of players on the roster bubble, and for more than a few fighting for a better spot on the depth chart. Let’s take a look at the most important things to watch as Tomlin and Company prepare to start the season that is now just over a week away.

Who To Keep A Closer Eye On:

Flozell Adams

Carolina may have lost their premier pass rusher this offseason in Julius Peppers, but they’ve still assembled a solid stable of young pass rushers that will put the newest Steeler to the test this week. Guys like Greg Hardy, Everette Brown, and Charles Johnson will test The Hotel’s ability to protect against the speed pass rush. If Adams is going to be the starter at right tackle, and by all accounts he will be, I would like to see better play out of the big man.

What Is The Key To Victory:

The Quarterback Depth

And this will be the key to victory weeks on through four as well. We need someone to show they want this job and are willing to play consistent ball. Leftwich has looked shaky but has made good decisions (he’s the only QB without an interception this preseason). Dixon has shown potential for success, but he hasn’t shown it against starters yet this year. Even Charlie Batch has made good throws in his brief time on the field. But someone has got to take this by the reigns; so far no one has been able to distinguish themselves from the group.

Where The Best Battles Are:

The Offensive Line

From the Department of Redundancy Department, I go right back to where I started. Flozell has already been mentioned, and Maurkice Pouncey will once again get the nod with the first team, his play has been something to get excited about so far, there is even more to watch from this group.

Tony Hills has shown more this preseason than perhaps all his time already spent in Pittsburgh combined. If he can prove to be an adequate back up with some potential for the future, he will prove to be worth the wait, and worth the fourth round pick we spent n him a few seasons ago.

Justin Hartwig may have lost his job as the starting center, but there is one more position that is up in the air on the line, right guard. Trai Essex has been serviceable, and Ramon Foster has shown promise, but to remain in the starting lineup (and maybe even remain on the team) Hartwig should be eyeing the spot up right next to his old one.

When We Need To Be More Successful:

When We Get Close

The redzone has been an area we have struggled for some time. Part of the blame can be put on the play calling of Bruce Arians, who has no fullback in his offense. Perhaps a few more runs in a heavy formation would help. Perhaps it’s just a matter right place right time right decision, but the bottom line is we need someone to take the ball and cross the plane with it. More touchdowns and less field goals in the redzone could be a key to more wins for a team that lost five games by four or fewer points following a year in which they won five games by the exact same margin (hint hint, look at our final records those years).

Why We Will Win:

Run Defense

Carolina’s offense features two stellar running backs in DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, which is well known. They also feature a fullback in their offense on a higher percentage of downs than any other team in football, and I think they’ve got a good one on the rise in Tony Fiametta. Behind those three there is also a talented back up in Mike Goodson who will try and gash our defense when in. When you combine that with a crew of young quarterbacks still learning the game at this level… if you can stop the run, you can beat the Panthers.

This Saturday, September 4th is the day rosters go from 75 to 53 players. This is it, almost 33% of the players playing now will be off the team, looking for work, in a just a few days. This will be their last shot to prove to the coaches they deserve to be on the 53. I expect to see some hungry football from the Steelers tonight.

http://www.behindthesteelcurtain.com/

Panthers Recap 2010

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The Carolina Panthers didn’t expect this to be a bad season. I know no team ever does (for the most part), but they really didn’t. They traded their 2011 2nd rounder for a 2010 3rd back in April, trying to put together one last shot at the Super Bowl before John Fox’s contract ran out. Unfortunately, this season was worse than anyone could ever imagine. The Panthers only scored 196 points to 408 allowed and only won two games, both at home, by a combined 10 points, against two terrible NFC West teams who had to travel across three time zones.

This season was really over before it started. Going into his contract year without an extension, John Fox, who has been with the team since 2002, simply didn’t care about this team. They were overmatched and outcoached in every game, even their wins. Fox has coached this team to an NFC Championship game and a Super Bowl appearance in his tenure with the team, but simply didn’t care this year.

In fact, on several occasions, he actually made several moves that could be viewed easily as Eff Yous to the front office. He started the terrible Matt Moore over rookie Jimmy Clausen for a few weeks, not willing to let the front office see what Clausen had. It took Moore going on IR for Fox to make Clausen the starter and then when Clausen missed a game with a concussion, Fox signed Brian St. Pierre, who hadn’t been through an NFL practice since January, rather than letting the front office see what rookie Tony Pike had.

Of course, this entire season can’t be blamed on John Fox. The talent on the field was simply lacking. They couldn’t run. The receivers couldn’t get open or catch. The offensive line couldn’t block. The defensive couldn’t stop anyone. No matter who they put behind center (Moore, Clausen, Pike, St. Pierre), it was the same story. None of their quarterbacks had any help whatsoever, not from his supporting cast, not from his coaching staff. Their quarterbacks only threw for 200+ yards once this season.

Say what you want about Jimmy Clausen, but it’s hard to be productive without any help, especially as a rookie. Clausen put up horrific stats, causing me and my claim that Clausen was the best quarterback in this class last April to become laughing stocks. He went 157 for 299 (52.5%) for 1558 yards (5.2 YPA), 3 touchdowns, and 9 picks. His season high in passing yards was 195, week 12 against Cleveland. Still, if I were a quarterback starved team, I’d give up a mid round pick for him, give him a better supporting cast, and try to get him sorted out.

The future looks brighter for this team. They might not have their 2nd round pick (#33), but they have their first round pick #1 and will be able to take Andrew Luck (arguably one of the top quarterback prospects of the decade), assuming he comes out.  Luck is drawing very valid comparisons to Matt Ryan, as the redshirt sophomore went 263 for 372 (70.7%) for 3338 yards (9.0 YPA), 32 touchdowns, and 8 picks in a Pro Style Offense for 11-1 Stanford. Stanford’s only loss came to Oregon, who will compete for the “National Championship” against Auburn later this week. Luck’s defense gave up 52 points in that 52-31 loss.

Of course if Luck decided not to come out, the Panthers would be screwed, but after this miserable season, I’ll spare their fans and not mention that.

 

Panthers Preview 2011

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The Carolina Panthers had the worst record in the league last year and they were rewarded with the league’s toughest schedule. That’s what you get for being in the same division as Tampa Bay, Atlanta, and New Orleans. They play 6 games against those 3 teams and could easily lose all 6. They also play Green Bay, Chicago, and Indianapolis, 3 playoff teams from last season. They also play promising up and coming teams in Detroit, Arizona, and Houston.

They should be better talent wise this season, almost by default. DeAngelo Williams and Thomas Davis are both back from injuries, as is Jeff Otah. They also have Cam Newton, the #1 pick in the draft. Whether or not you think he’ll be a future franchise quarterback, you have to agree he’s an upgrade over Jimmy Clausen and Matt Moore, their quarterbacks last season.

Cam Newton is expected to be their week 1 starter. I’d say that’s a mistake. I say they should start Jimmy Clausen. Best case scenario, he plays decent and they can flip him for a pick. Worst case scenario, they weren’t going to make the playoffs anyway and it’ll give Newton some time to get comfortable in the NFL. I know quarterbacks have done well after starting week 1 as rookies in recent years, but that’s not always the case and Newton is especially hurt by only 14 starts in college, the lowest by a #1 pick in NFL history. He’s also especially hurt by the lockout.

Newton won’t have a lot to work with in terms of wide receiver. Malcontent and declining Steve Smith is their #1 receiver again by default, after he was shopped this offseason. David Gettis tore his ACL so Brandon LaFell, a 2010 3rd round pick, will be the #2 receiver. Legedu Naanee, an offseason acquisition, will line up in the slot. Even though he was a popular fantasy sleeper last offseason, Naanee, who missed 6 games with an injury last season, has never caught more than 24 passes in a season.

Given the state of this receiving corps, Cam Newton will probably lean heavily on talented tight end Greg Olsen, who was added in the offseason for a 2012 3rd round pick. Tight ends are young quarterback’s best friends and Olsen is a talented tight end who caught 60 passes for 612 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2009 for the Bears before Mike Martz showed up and couldn’t figure out what to do with him. He should lead this team in receiving this year.

The Panthers resigned talented running back DeAngelo Williams this offseason. Williams is talented, but he’s also injury prone, aging, and unnecessary with Jonathan Stewart and Mike Goodson in town. Williams also got more money than most running backs are worth, so I think that was a stupid signing. Still, he will help their running game a bit.

Williams and Stewart split carries evenly under John Fox, but it appears that under new coach Ron Rivera, Williams will be the lead back and Stewart, a talented 1st round pick from 2008, will be his backup, until, of course, Williams gets hurt. Meanwhile, Mike Goodson, who is talented and played well in Williams’ absence last season, will barely see the field as long as Williams and Stewart are both healthy.

The running game, a huge strength in 2009, was worse in 2010, though still decent. A reason behind that was the Williams injury, but a better reason was an injury to right tackle Jeff Otah, one of the best run blocking right tackles in the league. Otah returns to stabilize a right tackle position that really struggled in 2010.

Travelle Wharton was another major injury up front. He didn’t miss the whole season, but he missed a good portion of it. He’s a decent player when healthy, but they really did miss him as a run blocker. The other 3 offensive linemen, Jordan Gross at left tackle, Geoff Schwartz at right guard, and Ryan Kalil at center, didn’t miss a snap all season. All 3 are above average at their position as well, especially Kalil, who got a huge extension this offseason.

 

The Panthers overpaid DeAngelo Williams, but they also overpaid Charles Johnson on the defensive side. Johnson had an amazing season in 2010 with 11.5 sacks and 58 quarterback pressures and great play against the run. However, that was his only season as a starter. There was no way he deserved to make almost as much money as Julius Peppers. He got as much guaranteed money as Ray Edwards got total money and Edwards has 2 good seasons of statistical production.

The Panthers are hoping that Johnson can remain motivated. Otherwise, their pass rush could be absolutely terrible. They had 31 sacks in 2010 with 11.5 of them coming from Johnson. Greg Hardy, Everette Brown, and Eric Norwood will battle for the right end job, though Hardy was recently in a motorcycle accident. He will probably ready for week 1, but missing the preseason could really hurt him in the position battle. Hardy was a 6th round pick in 2010, while Norwood was a 4th round pick that same year. Everette Brown was a 2nd round pick in 2009 and actually was 2nd on the team with 3.5 sacks last season, but he reportedly is losing the position battle to Norwood, at least for now.

Defensive tackle Terrell McClain might actually end up 2nd on the team in sacks even though he’s a rookie 3rd round pick. McClain will start next to Sione Fua, another 3rd round rookie. Ron Edwards was signed in the offseason to start next to McClain, but he was recently put on IR. The defensive tackle position was a huge weakness for them last season and it should be a little better this season even though they are starting 2 rookies at the position coming out of the lockout.

Jon Beason, who was recently locked up long term, will start at middle linebacker. James Anderson, who stepped up big time last season, starts on the strong side. Thomas Davis, who has missed 25 games in the last 2 seasons with 2 torn ACL, will start on the weak side. He’s reportedly healthy now. He had 113 tackles in 2008, his last full season. If he can’t stay healthy, Dan Connor, a talented linebacker who played very well last season, would step into the starting lineup. Connor was almost traded this offseason, but the Panthers decided to retain him to keep their linebacker depth.

Cornerback Richard Marshall is gone as a free agent. Chris Gamble will be the #1 cornerback and Captain Munnerlyn (arguably the coolest name in the NFL) will step into the lineup in place of Marshall. Gamble struggled last year, though you can blame some of that on the pass rush. Meanwhile, Captain Munnerlyn was very impressive as a nickel back last year, but it remains to be seen how he can do as a starter.

The inexperienced CJ Wilson is expected to be the nickel back, at least until Brandon Hogan is healthy. Hogan was a 4th round pick despite having a torn ACL. He had the talent to be drafted a lot higher than that and he could be ready towards the end of the season. Jordan Pugh could also take the nickel back job, but currently is listed as the 2nd string free safety.

At safety, Sherrod Martin is great in coverage, allowing a mere 57.7% completion percentage without allowing a single touchdown. However, he struggles against the run. Strong safety Charles Godfrey is the opposite, bad in coverage, but a fierce run stuffer. They don’t have a lot of depth in the secondary at all and they are suffering several injuries in the secondary in the preseason. None have been serious yet, but you never know.

On paper, the Panthers should be about a 6 win team. They have the look of a team similar to their 2009 team when they went 8-8, a run heavy team with quarterback issues and decent, but not good defense. However, that’s assuming they don’t suffer more injuries this season. Plus, on top of that, they have a brutal schedule. I only see about 4 winnable games on their schedule (Jacksonville, Tennessee, Minnesota, Washington). I say they go 2-2 in those games and win one random game that they shouldn’t have against a superior team.

Quarterbacks: C

Running backs: A-

Receiving corps: D

Offensive line: B-

Run defense: C

Pass rush: C-

Pass coverage: C+

Coaching: C

Projection: 3-13 4th in NFC South