2008 Carolina Panthers Predictions & NFL Picks

August 4, 2008

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For the 2008 Carolina Panthers to get back to their 2003 Superbowl status they will need some off-season contributions to make an instant impact. Carolina has drawn the good fortune of playing on the easiest schedules but improving on last season’s 7-9 season will still be quarterback play. QB Jake Delhomme will need to stay healthy and prove that he is fully recovered from Tommy John surgery for the Carolina Panthers to stay in the hunt. The NFC South Carolina Panthers are at 50-1 NFL betting odds to win the 2009 Superbowl.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme is at a crossroads in his career as he returns for his 7th NFL season after elbow surgery. Delhomme is a gamer that plays with great intensity matched only by his pinpoint passes and excellent play-action. Jake throws a good deep ball but overall is a below-average NFL athlete. Delhomme also tries to do too much and creates turnover when he should throw the ball away. Backup QB Matt Moore is more athletic than Delhomme but he has below-average accuracy and is still green.

Ineffective and fumble prone RB Deshaun Foster was released, replaced by #1 pick Jonathan Stewart. 5′11″ 230 Lb. Oregon running back runs a 4.41 40-yard dash and possess rare explosiveness. The only question surrounding Stewart is his health after an off-season toe surgery. So far in camp Stewart has looked terrific. Backup running back DeAngelo Williams is a burner that runs with an excellent pad level. The combination of Stewart and Williams will be one of the better tandems in the NFL. The backs run deep behind the duo with veterans Nick Goings, LaBrandon Toefield and Brad Hoover all capable players. The 2008 Carolina Panthers NFL Betting Odds to win the NFC South are at +250.

Carolina’s most gifted player on either side of the ball is WR Steve Smith. Despite being very short (5′9″) Steve Smith is a top-5 NFL wideout with game changing ability. Smith is a fierce competitor with 4.40 speed and some of the best hands in the NFL. Former Panther Muhsin Muhammad will assume the #2 position opposite of Smith. Muhammad runs a slow 4.75 40-time but is a big target and a willing blocker for Carolina’s run heavy offense. Muhammad and Smith might be the best blocking wideout combo in the NFL. #3 wideout D.J Hackett was another off-season acquisition brought in to bolster the offense. Entering his third NFL season the 6′2″ 208 Lb. Hackett is a big-time athlete that has been slowed by injuries. Former basketball player TE Jeff King (6′3″ 253 ) was a reliable weapon last season with 46 catches for 402 yards. 2007 1st round pick Dwayne Jarrett (6′4″ 220 Lb.) was a non-factor last year and did not display 1st round talent.

Carolina’s offensive line was overhauled and the personnel in place look good on paper. 1st round pick Jeff Otah from Pittsburgh will be counted on to contribute immediately. All five positions will have new starter but the line is a big, nasty group is built to maul teams in the running game. The 2008 Carolina Panthers NFL Betting OVER\UNDER is at 7.5 wins with the OVER at -175.

John Fox is a defensive minded coach and the Panthers ranking 16th in the NFL in total defense for him is unacceptable. Gone are former Panthers anchors DE Mike Rucker and DT Kris Jenkins. DE Julius Peppers didn’t live up to his big contract last season and the Panthers 4-3 defense relies heavily on him for their pass-rush. Replacing Jenkins will be 7th year DT Damione Lewis. Lewis is a versatile player that has nice explosion. Adding depth was newly signed run stuffing DT Darwin Walker. 350 Lb. DT Maake Kemoeatu is a huge inside presence that allows the Panthers speedy linebackers to get to the ball. Newly added DE Tyler Brayton appears to have the inside track to the LE position battle. Brayton is a high motor player that has some pass-rush ability.

Middle linebacker Jon Beason (6′0″ 240 Lb.) is a stud in the making that should be a monster in his second season Beason is a leader with great versatility and speed with a 4.45 40-time. Beason’s All-Pro ability made former OLB Dan Morgan expendable. Free-agent signee OLB Landon Johnson is an instictive backer with average athleticism and will battle Na’il Diggs for the starting job. MLB Thomas Davis is a great athlete with 4.40-speed that still hasn’t lived up to his 1st round ability. Davis is an effective blitzer, but being a converted safety Davis is still learning how to play linebacker. Drafted in the 3rd round was College ballhawk Dan Connor out of Penn State adding depth.

The Panthers have a decent set of defensive backs with the best being SS Chris Harris. Harris is a leader and a bone rattling tackler that forced 8 fumbles a yera ago. Harris is suspect in coverage however and the Panthers starting corners can be beat. CB Chris Gamble is a gambler that can be burnt for the big play. CB Richard Marshall could compete with last year’s starter Ken Lucas who had a so-so 2007. The 8th year pro Lucas is still excellent in press coverage but has last lost some speed and is around a 4.60-40 time now. Marshall is a playmaker on the rise that could emerge as a star if given the chance to start. 3rd round pick Charles Godfrey will battle with free-agent signee Terrence Holt for the FS position. Godfrey was inconsistent in College and Holt was caught out of position often as a 16-game starter for Arizona last year.

Carolina has a strong kicking game with old-school pro’s K John Kasey and P Jason Baker. Both Kasey and Baker are consistent players and Baker is a serius field position weapon. The Panthers will need to shore up their coverage units that were among the worst in the NFL last year. KR Ryne roninson could become a good returner with more experience.

If Jake Delhomme stays healthy the 2008 Carolina Panthers could sneak their way into a playoff game with their defense combined with a soft schedule. A 9-7 season is not out of the question but nobody really knows how Delhomme has recovered from surgery. The additions Should help Carolina go .500 in 2008.

2007 Carolina Panthers NFL Betting Record: 9-7 ATS

2008 Carolina Panthers NFL Predictions Power Ratings

Coaching: 7
Quarterback: 6
Running Backs: 8
Offensive Line: 7
Wideouts: 8
Defensive Line: 6
Linebackers: 8
Secondary: 7
Special Teams: 7

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