Breaking down the Carolina Panthers depth chart will reveal a glaring oversight on the part of many prognosticators and fans.  The Panthers have a very deep roster.  With multiple injuries, several young players received very valuable experience and knowledge.  Only 3 positions were found to need upgrades or depth; DT, CB, and QB.  Regardless of your stance on the QB situation, it is hard to argue that any of the quarterbacks in the 2011 draft would fair better than Jimmy Clausen or Tony Pike at this point.  Defensive tackle is a must have.  The only position player I have listed of any value is Derek Landri, who will get better with time, but is still not a game changer.  Corner back has some inexperienced depth and uncertainty surrounding Richard Marshall.  The opinion of this blogger is that all 3 positions can and should be addressed via free agency and here is why; 

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Facts first.  Carolina Panthers Free Agents.  

QB Matt Moore 26

RB Deangelo Williams 27

TE Gary Barnidge 24 and Dante Rosario 25

C Ryan Kalil 25

DE Charles Johnson 24 

DT Ed Johnson 26 and Nick Hayden 24

LB Thomas Davis 27, James Anderson 26, and Jamar Williams 26

CB Richard Marshall 25 and CJ Wilson 25

With a change in offensive philosophy, it's hard to speculate just yet on which of these players will become expendable.  The price tag that a player like D. Williams can command may be more than the Panthers need to spend, considering there are three other backs on the roster still under contract who are very explosive and could possibly start on other teams.  If D. Williams is resigned, expect one of the players under contract to be traded.  Of the three tight ends, only one was a pure blocking Tight End and it just happens to be the one under contract.  Gary Barnidge will most likely not be resigned, but expect him to sign with another team and do very well.  Ryan Kalil is a must resign.  The one knock on Ryan Kalil coming out of college was his size, but his technique and instincts have shown that his size has not been a detriment.  Charles Johnson is due a big paycheck after his break out year and I expect that the Panthers will be glad to sign that check.  Nick Hayden showed progress this year and may be worth resigning, Ed Johnson was a feel good story at the beginning of the year, but may not be a viable free agent signing.  As electric as Thomas Davis is, two season ending injuries in two years and a plethora of worthy talent waiting in the wings makes resigning him doubtful.  Under John Fox, he most surely would have been resigned, but with new coaches, the focus shifts and TD may be lost to free agency, kudos to any team that is wise enough to sign this once  in a decade linebacker, if our new staff resigns him, this fan will be overjoyed.  James Anderson is a must, in a league that is so thin on quality strong side backers, Anderson is an Elite play maker.  I expect flack for my opinion on Richard Marshall, but please bare with me.  Marshall is still very young and has the potential to be a great corner under a different defensive scheme.  Cover 2 defenses hand off responsibilities to safeties and rely on safety help to make plays.  When we talk about defensives getting tired for being on the field too long, take a moment to think of the safeties who spend more time running forward to cover and their area to cover typically covers sideline to sideline.  Cornerbacks spend a majority of the game back peddling, following routes, trying to keep pace with receivers and directing traffic.  Any cb in the league will look suspect after too much time on the field.  Marshall is loyal to the Panthers and does not want to play anywhere else.  If Carolina can get good DT help, you'll see a better Marshall.

The needs of the Panthers are not as great as I've read on some of the posts on the message boards.  However, a new coaching philosophy typically overhauls the trenches more than anything else.  I did not speculate on Matt Moore, because it is difficult to know if he can return from his injury.  The glaring needs must be addressed though.  Jimmy Clausen should spend the offseason working on his mechanics.  Numerous players have overcome physical detriments  to excel in the NFL (see Ryan Kalil above).  I say this, more to keep the peace, but my actual assessment of Clausen boils down to the Smith factor.  Steve Smith is an undersized wide receiver whose talent is only surpassed by his desire to make plays and win.  The knock on Mathew Stafford was that he did not do enough to protect himself from defenders, he cared more about making the play than protecting his body.  This is the opposite extreme of Clausen.  I don't expect him to throw caution to the wind, but the QB's that learn to take the hits, or care less about making mistakes and more about making plays are the ones who succeed.  The crazy and stupid throws that Delhomme lived by for years are the same ones that burned him in the end, but it was his willingness to try that brought the Panthers some moniker of success during his tenure.  The Panthers need a QB and I do not think Cam Newton would be another Jamarcus Russell, but to make him a number one pick would not do him any service.  Players with character issues need to be humbled first, draft them late and let them prove their worth.  The idea of a Derek Sherrod to shore up our offensive line would give me hope.  I enjoyed the Andrew Luck bandwagon, I think he'll be good, I also think Cam Newton will be good, but how we could overlook a player like Jake Locker confuses me.  He's by far the best QB I see available.  This is my opinion and unless the facism that has overtaken most of America has some how found it's way on this message board, I'll stick to it.  There will be some good DT's available in the draft.  Last thing I want to say, it would sadden me to see Steve Smith on another team, but I think alot of people gave up on the Armanti Edwards project way too early.  In a league where it takes 3 years to develop a wide receiver, it's way too early to give up on A.E.  It's also unfair for me to give up on Clausen after one year, but Clausen isn't pro ready, he needs a few years on the bench behind some quality experience and some real qb competition to prove his worth.  

It's been a rough start to the season.  I couldn't be more excited for this team either.  Some of you may have read my negative posts> there haven't been many, I tend to get melodramatic during a game, but I cool down and try to be realistic.  So, here is a realistic homer article.  I will maintain and stand by my statement that this was the best team we have ever put on a field...I also said you wouldn't be able to tell from the first 3 or 4 weeks.  If you've played a sport, then you know what I am talking about. If you haven't, there is no slight on you, it's just a different perspective.  Blue Chip players can make or break a franchise.  Spending low draft picks and finding blue chips is a rare thing, but the panthers have hit alot more then they've missed.  I have repeated the thought that this team just needs time to gel.  It's almost time.  I am not sure we'll beat New Orleans, but as a die hard fan, I'm going to say, yes, we beat our division rivals...in a blow out.  Yes, you can slam me for that statement, I can say what I want for my team.  The reasons to be excited will be detailed after the jump

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The mind can be a powerful thing, but it can easily be influenced.  After two years of reading posts and comments that range from overly optimistic (see myself) to red flags for criminally psychotic behavior, I've come to the conclusion that it isn't just the Panther's fault for an 0-2 start, the majority of the blame rests on the shoulders of...the fans.  In a democracy as well as in capitalism, majority wins.  The majority of this fan base wanted Delhomme, Fox, and Peppers gone.  Mr. Richardson obliged.  The majority wanted a franchise QB and new receivers.  They wanted elements to spice up the offense and add options.    The Panthers went out and addressed all of their needs and even did their best to make the fans happy.  Are they happy?  Nope.  Because, apparently, in the new era of football, 0-2 is worse than 1-15.  It's the new math for a spoiled generation that believes education isn't important anymore, because a computer can do it all for you.  

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I normally pride myself on being able to connect the dots and see things from all angles.  It's fun for me and frustrating for my friends, to find the reasoning in anything.  That being said, it took forever for the biggest issue facing the Carolina Panthers to reveal itself.  I've sorted it all out.  You can call me bonkers, doesn't matter, the elements are there.  Speaking of which...I was right about Mike Goodson.  Now, it's a chance to be right about the relationship of Jerry Richardson and the cost cutting and how it relates to a lame duck season for John Fox. 

You wont hear the details of a deal discussed in public view, especially one for someone as hush hush as John Fox, couple that with a rigid and demanding owner and you have...the deal within the deal.  More after the jump.

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I'll start my post with it's actual topic and try my best not to sound like I'm ranting...just kidding.  I'm gonna rant.  If you watched the game between the vikings and saints (I refuse to list the saints first in anything), you were subject to the same metaphorical pornagraphy that we panther fans used to have to watch with Michael Vick.  I mean 70's porn, with dubbed voices.  To clarify, you have a good game being played, between two not very good teams, in the background is the constant perversion of the media dogs humping the Saints legs.  The more they talked, the more I wanted Favre to light it up, but alas, Favre's 2 best receivers arent playing.  Minnesota's Defense was missing two starting cornerbacks, which left two safeties.  This meant that the entire secondary never got a break, and two of em had to cover special teams as well.  Sounds like  a mismatch to me.  The Saints I saw last night, wont be able to handle this Panthers Defense.  I might also add, not since the early 2k Denver Broncos have I seen a team tackle by head butting or shouldering a runners thighs on nearly every play.  They did this to Manning and Favre in the playoffs last year.  That's not good defense, it's just dirtyball.  I can't wait for J.Stew to faceplant Vilma.

Ok, end of that rant, on to the real rant.  The National Media. 

Foxsports has us ranked 25

Cnnsi has us ranked 22

espn has us at 23

cbssports has us at 26.

Keep in mind, we are ranked behind the likes of Oakland.  This is great fuel.  For this reason, I love the National media.  They really don't know how to research teams thoroughly.  There's only 32 teams and there is really no excuse.  So, rather then do the in depth work, they band wagon and base everything off of last years stats.  That simply has no foundation for successful reporting, which is probably why they are relegated to the sports section and not the limelight, sure they love sports, but who gets a degree in journalism without asperations for bigger things...like a pulitzer.  The talking heads, prognosticators, and commentators, are all former players, and you better believe there is bias there.  Faulk hates the Panthers, why, we fubar'd his chance at another ring, in his mind it was by a team far inferior to theirs.  It's been proven, EVERY year, that until the 6th game of the season, you have no idea what a team really has, or whether they have a shot to make the playoffs.  Teams can start 0-3 and still make the playoffs.  Heck, New York started 5-0 last year and didn't make it.
   I've done little to no research outside of the Panthers, but I love football, and I pay attention to patterns of behavior.
So with patterns in mind, I submit that Tampa Bay will surprise people more than we will, because, they may not make the playoffs, but they will sweep NO and ATL.  ATL doesnt have corner backs in a pass happy league, and NO can't stop the run...they have to face Michael Turner, Deangelo Williams, J. Stewart, Cadilac Williams,  Frank Gore, Beanie Wells, Ray Rice, and they didn't really stop Peterson.  87yds on 19 carries for a 4.6 average.  that's not gonna float against teams with receivers. 

Lastly, this is my small list of teams you wont hear much about after December.  New York Giants, New Orleans (see, I didn't list them first),  Minnesota, and Cincinatti.

Teams you'll hear alot about; Carolina, New England, Baltimore, San Diego, Philadelphia, and Green Bay

If i'm wrong, toss me under the bus, but history in the NFL tells me youth depth, and smarts wins championships, veterans can get you there, but by the time they've reached that point, they are too tired to finish the deal.  So the teams that draft well, will always have a chance.

The preseason has left us scratching our heads.  The defense has been playing lights out and the offense has been playing as if someone cut the lights out.  The easy response is; Fox isn't gonna reveal his hand in preseason format.  I've decided I'm going to reveal what I think the game plan is for regular season play.  I'm only going this route, because the pieces are all in place and in my opinion, makes for a very prolific offense.  Everything begins and ends with the Steve Smith factor.  He is game planned for and must be accounted for by defenses, even if the qb had no arms.  This takes one man out of the box.  The next element is the run game, once again, serious game planning has to be made for the 2 backs.  Defenses have stacked the box and still failed to stop the run game or get a push on the Panthers monster o-line.  The general idea is, contain those guys you win, but it's nearly impossible to do both.  Now add in slot receiver Mike Goodson...yep, I said it.  Great hands, moves like Smith and has an extra gear that'll leave db's hyperventilating.  Fox has said repeatedly, their second man is on the team, they never directly said they haven't found him...I believe they are looking for number 3...which, hands down is Lafell.  Armanti Edwards is a 3 year project replacement for Steve Smith.  So, the receiving core is as follows, Smith Wideout 1, Lafell Wideout 2, Goodson slot.  The focus for Goodson, will also utilize reverses, dual threat smoke routes, screen passes and check down reciever.  

Now to the question "Why has the Offense looked so bad?"  Truth?  Timing and familiarity.  They need the time to find harmony.  It's nearly impossible to find harmony with three receivers, when you are expected to target 7 and give everyone their fair share of catches and opportunities.  I'm banking on Mike Goodson being a break out player this year.  I hear the phrase a la "Reggie Bush" all the time, but Bush has always struck me as an underachiever and a softy.  Goodson is a salty beast.  The crazy part is, I haven't even mentioned the most overlooked threat on offense, the tight ends.  This offense will blow minds this season.  If the defense is the real deal they've shown this preseason, our offensive stats are gonna be through the roof for our backs.  This is by far, the most complete Panthers team I've ever seen.  They may not look it through the first 3 or 4 games of the regular season, 11-5 is the lowest I'll go with their record and I promise you I'm not dreaming.  This team will DOMINATE all phases of the game, including special teams.  I'm not saying it all hinges on Mike Goodson, but he is a special talent and can not be wasted on the sidelines or buried on the depth chart.  If the Panthers believed they could convert a QB to a receiver and punt returner, I have no doubt, they have receiving plans for Mike Goodson.  Outside of the draft picks and guys I've already mentioned, the only reason to keep jarrett is depth for risk of injury and living out his contract.  He is young and he will have a decent "contract" year, but he will not be resigned and I think he'll end up in Oakland, where receivers go to fade away.  His candle hasn't shown to bright, so it'll fade quickly.  I give him 2 years in the league before he's playing arena league.