Preview of the 2011 Carolina Panthers

Thanks for checking out my preview of the 2011 Carolina Panthers. I live in North Carolina and have blogged about the Panthers in the past and also do a monthly sports column in a small North Carolina paper.

I will start the 2011 Carolina Panthers preview with who most fans want to read about, Cam Newton. As I wrote when Cam Newton was drafted by the Carolina Panthers, fans should be patient with the Heisman Trophy winner. I do expect Cam Newton to beat out Jimmy Clausen to be the day one starter for the Panthers. And Cam Newton will be wearing number 1 instead of Clausen's number 2.

Cam Newton is coming from a spread offense to a complex NFL offense with little off season work due to the NFL lockout. Early reports from training camp from Brett Jensen of WFNZ's OTB show are that Cam is accurate on long throws but not so much on the short stuff.

That could be a problem as new offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski loves throwing to the tight end on shorter routes. The Panthers have provided Cam Newton with some tight ends. Jeremy Shockey was signed as a free agent and Greg Olsen was acquired in a trade. As you can read here the 2011 Carolina Panthers have opened the checkbook in free agency to try to help Cam Newton out. For more about the new offensive system read this article about a similar offense.

With DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart, Mike Goodson and Tyrell Sutton the 2011 Carolina Panthers have a great running back unit. Williams and Stewart aka "Double Trouble" are both healthy and ready to go. Goodson is a 3^rd down type of back who shows ability but must hold onto the ball. Sutton is a fireplug with lots of ability but seldom gets to show it. I told Sutton on Twitter than I would love to see him carry the ball from fullback. He replied (paraphrasing) "I would if asked to but won't volunteer to do it."

Steve Smith has apparently turned over a new leaf and wants to retire as a Carolina Panther. That is good news for Cam Newton who needs a great wide receiver and apparently he and Smith already have a good relationship. Steve Reed from Carolinagrowl.com has reported on WFNZ that Armanti Edwards has looked great in training camp. Edwards is the former Appalachian State quarterback that led them to an upset win over Michigan a few years ago. Edwards was terrible last season after the Panthers traded up to draft him. Former Charger Legedu Naanee and 2^nd year men Brandon LaFell and David Gettis, round out the likely candidates battling to start opposite of Smith.

The 2011 Carolina Panthers offensive line is a good one when healthy and the probable return of Jeff Otah is a plus. However Otah's toughness and desire to be great have been questioned due to what was supposed to be a minor injury costing him the 2010 season.

With Otah, Ryan Kalil and Jordan Gross the Panthers have a nice nucleus for their offensive line. South Carolina native Travelle Wharton has become something of a team leader on the offensive line with Gross. Geoff Swartz will probably round out the last starting spot with Duke Robinson still not breaking into the lineup.

New Panthers head coach Ron Rivera is a defensive minded coach as he was the Chargers defensive coordinator last year. The Panthers will run a 4-3 under new defensive coordinator Sean McDermott who comes over from the Eagles. McDermott learned from now deceased Jim Johnson a man considered a blitz expert. Sadly McDermott didn't learn enough and Eagles head coach Any Reid had to assist him last year.

The Panthers defensive line has super rich Charles Johnson who had a breakout year in 2010. He will man one defensive end opposite of Greg Hardy or possibly bust Everette Brown. The defensive tackles are a big weak spot but Corvey Irvin is stepping up after being released then resigned. The Panthers did sign veteran DT Ron Edwards but he suffered a possible season ending triceps injury in camp. Rookie DT's Terrell McClain and Sione Fua will be in the mix.

The 2011 Carolina Panthers will feature what I feel is the best linebacker unit in the game, and all are resigned to the team. Jon Beason is possibly the best middle linebacker in the NFL. Thomas Davis is coming off two bad knee injuries and is a question mark but is a beast when healthy. I have heard reports on WFNZ that Davis has not lost his speed. James Anderson stepped it up last season and is a player. Backups Dan Conner and Charlotte native Omar Gaither are pretty good as well.

The secondary is the biggest concern for the 2011 Carolina Panthers. Chris Gamble is paid like a shutdown corner but does not produce like one. Gamble clearly quit on the team in 2010 and needs to bounce back. As of this writing Captain Munnerlyn is the other starter but he is more suited to the nickel or dime. The Panthers are watching the waiver wire for cornerbacks. In this blitz happy 4-3 cornerback play is very important and the position needs to be addressed. The team likes Brandon Hogan the rookie out of West Virginia whose stock fell due to a knee injury and character concerns. However Hogan is out for the year with the injury.

I like the play of safety Sherrod Martin who is a former cornerback and something of a ball hawk. Martin is a decent tackler but is more known for his coverage and intercepting abilities. Charles Godfrey is adequate at the other safety but has missed assignments and gets out of position. Sean Considine a veteran pickup will probably be the top backup.

Mike Goodson is the likely kick returner with Munnerlyn or possibly Armanti Edwards doing punt returns. The biggest shock of the 2011 season has been the release of original Carolina Panther John Kasay. Orlindo Mare takes over the duties as he can kick off and also kick field goals. Mare had already moved to North Carolina well before he signed with the Panthers. Jason Baker does a good job with the punting and I don't see him being challenged for the spot.

My prediction for the 2011 Carolina Panthers is a 6-10 record but I would not be shocked if they win fewer games than that. I believe Cam Newton is doomed to have a bad season due to lack of preparation caused by the lockout. I also believe that Tampa Bay will take a step back due to a lack of spending and the Panthers will beat them in Charlotte. Thanks for reading my preview of the 2011 Carolina Panthers, follow me here on Twitter for more Panthers news.

Sources

Steve Reed on Twitter

Panthers.com