The Carolina Panthers: Best Players of the 2000's

The Carolina Panthers have played in one Super Bowl and made three playoff appearances in the 2000's. During the past decade, some players separated themselves from the others. Out of all the players that wore a Carolina Panthers jersey, these are the best five of the 2000's. (Only accomplishments and stats while playing for the Carolina Panthers from 2000-2009 were considered.)

1. Julius Peppers - Julius Peppers is one of the best defensive players of the decade. In eight seasons with the Carolina Panthers, the defensive end has racked up 80 sacks and forced 30 fumbles. He has even scored three defensive touchdowns, which is unheard of for a defensive end. He has been selected to four Pro Bowls in his first seven seasons with the Panthers, and with 9.5 sacks with two games left in the 2009 season, he could be adding a fifth.

2. Steve Smith - It was a close call between Steve Smith and Julius Peppers for the best Carolina Panther of the 2000's, but I gave the nod to Peppers. Just the fact I even had to hesitate before picking Julius Peppers is a huge compliment to the Panthers wide receiver. From 2001-2009, Steve Smith tallied up 569 receptions, 8,270 yards and 49 receiving touchdowns. Coming into the 2009 season, he had four straight 1,000-yard seasons and five overall. If he can muster a mere 78 yards in the final two games of 2009, then it will be five straight seasons and six overall.

3. Chris Gamble - Gamble might not be the brightest cornerback of the decade, but he is one of the best ones. When Gamble isn't busy doing idiotic stuff like calling out Randy Moss' work ethic after he just lost to Moss' team, he is picking off passes. The Carolina Panthers cornerback had 14 interceptions in his six seasons with the team.

4. Jake Delhomme - Fans of the Carolina Panthers might cringe when they see this name on this list, but in truth, it is a no-brainer. Delhomme is having an unforgettable 2009 season, and I don't mean that as a compliment. He has a 59.4 QB rating and has thrown 18 interceptions while throwing only eight touchdown passes. One season does not make a decade though, and Jake Delhomme has done enough the rest of the decade to warrant this selection. Since 2003, Delhomme has thrown 123 touchdown passes and led the Panthers to a Super Bowl.

5. Muhsin Muhammad - I debated back and forth between Mike Rucker and Muhsin Muhammad for the title of fifth best Carolina Panthers player of the 2000's. I'm still not sure which one deserves the spot, but I decided to go with Muhammad because he had the most memorable season of the two. In 2004, Muhammad had 93 receptions for 1,405 yards and 16 touchdowns. During his two stints with the Panthers in the 2000's, he played seven seasons and had over 6,000 yards.