Kilgore Trout
Footballguy
I personally haven't been to camp, but I have been keeping up with some first hand accounts on a couple of Panthers message boards. Of course like any camp talk, most of this should be taken with some grain of salt. Here is a brief summary of the reports I have been reading:
QB
Delhomme has looked pretty good in camp, a step above the other QB's. Carr hasn't been impressive, and there has been a lot of talk about his akward throwing style. Unlike his stay in Houston, the coaches are not messing with his delivery, which Carr likes. It will be interesting to see how he looks in the preseason games. I honestly think that as long as Delhomme doesn't make too many mistakes, Carr won't see the field this year.
RB
As for the running backs, Foster is running with the first team. One person claimed they thought DeAngelo would be starting by the regular season, but that was pure speculation. They have both looked good according to other reports. There has been a larger emphasis on screen passes than in years past, a reflection of having a new OC. If only one of them would emerge as the primary starter, because I believe that the Panthers running game could see some marked improvements this year.
OL
There has been a lot of talk about the new blocking scheme for the OL, but Davidson has been quoted as saying that the zone blocking is only a part of the running game, and that they still plan on using other blocking schemes. The OL should be better this year with Hartwig and Wharton coming back from injury. They haven't settled on a best 5 yet, but I think they will try to get Kalil into the starting lineup. My guess would be Wharton - Wahle - Kalil - Hartwig - Gross.
WR
Steve Smith is Steve Smith. Makes it look easy all the time. Reports are mixed about how the rest of the WR corps is doing. The interesting battle will be who wins the #2 spot this year. Carter and Colbert have both worked with the first team, with Carter apparently having a nice camp. Jarrett has gotten some good reviews for his hands, but some are questioning his ability to seperate. This will need to be watched in the next few weeks to see who emerges as the #2, although it is likely that it won't matter who emerges with Smith being the only viable fantasy WR on this team.
TE
Another development that is worth watching is the emergence of Jeff King as the starting TE. The Panthers haven't had a fantasy worthy TE since Wesley Walls. King has seen plenty of passes thrown his way in camp, and is getting glowing reviews. Given the past couple of years, its not time to put Jeff King in the top half of TE's yet, but folks should keep their eye on him as a potential sleeper in large leagues.
DL
The DL should be pretty good this year. Peppers looks good as always, and although there were rumors that Jenkins might not show up to camp and that he was out of shape, he came to camp slimmer than in years past and looks very determined. Kemo will do what he does best, and that is occupy space. He has not shown to be a great investment, and I would like to see Lewis get more time at DT. Rucker is coming back from knee surgery, but there has been a lot of buzz about Stanley McGlover, a tall, lean fast DE that has been playing with the first team in practices while Rucker recuperates.
LB
Linebackers are a mess. Thomas Davis needs to step it up this year and prove that he was a worthy first round draft pick. Morgan has only seen limited practice as the Panthers are looking to keep his contact limited so he can play at least 2 regular season games before he gets another concussion and has to retire. This is a do or die year for him, and is a big risk in IDP leagues, but if he stays healthy he could be a pleasant surprise. Beason would have been the 3rd starter, but he is holding out and it appears they are at a stalemate, and I don't think the Panthers are going to budge. It is not about the amount of money, but about the second year option bonus, which the Panthers don't want to give him. If Beason doesn't report, N'ail Diggs will be the likely 3rd LB, although he has been banged up in training camp.
CB/Safety
The secondary will be really good at the ends, with a healthy Ken Lucas on one side and either Richard Marshall or Chris Gamble on the other (my hunch is that the second year Marshall starts, he is really good and has a nose for the ball). The safeties are another issue. Minter has lost a step or two, and while he is still listed as a starter he has not been practicing much. There is some speculation that he won't start the season, but I'll believe it when I see it, considering how much loyalty Fox has for his veterans. Nate Salley was projected at the other starting spot, and he has no starting experience. His camp reviews have been up and down, and he had a slight injury that has kept him out of a couple of practices. The good news is the signing of Chris Harris from the Bears, who will immediately be competing for a starting spot. I would like to see Harris combined with whoever else emerges whose name is not Mike Minter, but it will likely be Minter/Harris.
John Kasay will again be good choice as a fantasy kicker, and Jason Baker retains his punting position, and he will also make an excellent fantasy option at punter.
QB
Delhomme has looked pretty good in camp, a step above the other QB's. Carr hasn't been impressive, and there has been a lot of talk about his akward throwing style. Unlike his stay in Houston, the coaches are not messing with his delivery, which Carr likes. It will be interesting to see how he looks in the preseason games. I honestly think that as long as Delhomme doesn't make too many mistakes, Carr won't see the field this year.
RB
As for the running backs, Foster is running with the first team. One person claimed they thought DeAngelo would be starting by the regular season, but that was pure speculation. They have both looked good according to other reports. There has been a larger emphasis on screen passes than in years past, a reflection of having a new OC. If only one of them would emerge as the primary starter, because I believe that the Panthers running game could see some marked improvements this year.
OL
There has been a lot of talk about the new blocking scheme for the OL, but Davidson has been quoted as saying that the zone blocking is only a part of the running game, and that they still plan on using other blocking schemes. The OL should be better this year with Hartwig and Wharton coming back from injury. They haven't settled on a best 5 yet, but I think they will try to get Kalil into the starting lineup. My guess would be Wharton - Wahle - Kalil - Hartwig - Gross.
WR
Steve Smith is Steve Smith. Makes it look easy all the time. Reports are mixed about how the rest of the WR corps is doing. The interesting battle will be who wins the #2 spot this year. Carter and Colbert have both worked with the first team, with Carter apparently having a nice camp. Jarrett has gotten some good reviews for his hands, but some are questioning his ability to seperate. This will need to be watched in the next few weeks to see who emerges as the #2, although it is likely that it won't matter who emerges with Smith being the only viable fantasy WR on this team.
TE
Another development that is worth watching is the emergence of Jeff King as the starting TE. The Panthers haven't had a fantasy worthy TE since Wesley Walls. King has seen plenty of passes thrown his way in camp, and is getting glowing reviews. Given the past couple of years, its not time to put Jeff King in the top half of TE's yet, but folks should keep their eye on him as a potential sleeper in large leagues.
DL
The DL should be pretty good this year. Peppers looks good as always, and although there were rumors that Jenkins might not show up to camp and that he was out of shape, he came to camp slimmer than in years past and looks very determined. Kemo will do what he does best, and that is occupy space. He has not shown to be a great investment, and I would like to see Lewis get more time at DT. Rucker is coming back from knee surgery, but there has been a lot of buzz about Stanley McGlover, a tall, lean fast DE that has been playing with the first team in practices while Rucker recuperates.
LB
Linebackers are a mess. Thomas Davis needs to step it up this year and prove that he was a worthy first round draft pick. Morgan has only seen limited practice as the Panthers are looking to keep his contact limited so he can play at least 2 regular season games before he gets another concussion and has to retire. This is a do or die year for him, and is a big risk in IDP leagues, but if he stays healthy he could be a pleasant surprise. Beason would have been the 3rd starter, but he is holding out and it appears they are at a stalemate, and I don't think the Panthers are going to budge. It is not about the amount of money, but about the second year option bonus, which the Panthers don't want to give him. If Beason doesn't report, N'ail Diggs will be the likely 3rd LB, although he has been banged up in training camp.
CB/Safety
The secondary will be really good at the ends, with a healthy Ken Lucas on one side and either Richard Marshall or Chris Gamble on the other (my hunch is that the second year Marshall starts, he is really good and has a nose for the ball). The safeties are another issue. Minter has lost a step or two, and while he is still listed as a starter he has not been practicing much. There is some speculation that he won't start the season, but I'll believe it when I see it, considering how much loyalty Fox has for his veterans. Nate Salley was projected at the other starting spot, and he has no starting experience. His camp reviews have been up and down, and he had a slight injury that has kept him out of a couple of practices. The good news is the signing of Chris Harris from the Bears, who will immediately be competing for a starting spot. I would like to see Harris combined with whoever else emerges whose name is not Mike Minter, but it will likely be Minter/Harris.
John Kasay will again be good choice as a fantasy kicker, and Jason Baker retains his punting position, and he will also make an excellent fantasy option at punter.
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