2007 Results: 7-9
2008 Projected Cap Status: $1,977,940 under the cap
2007 Season Recap:
The Panthers finished the season second in a weak NFC South Division, missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year. 2007 was supposed to be the year for Carolina and after an opening game win against St. Louis, they seemed on their way. Week 2 was different however, giving up a 14-point lead and losing to the Texans 34-21. Week 3 saw Jake Delhomme go down for the season with an elbow injury – enter Vinny Testaverde. Although they were 4-2 going into the bye week, they ran off a 5 game losing streak that essentially ended their season. A 29th ranked offense (I’ll give them a break since they lost Jake) and an average defense (16th) did little to boost the moral of the Panther faithful.
Team Needs:
1. Offensive Line – Signing free agents Jordon Gross and Travelle Wharton were big, but they need to find someone to fill the left tackle slot. With a 29th ranked passing offense, QB protection is a must.
2. Wide Receiver – Need a playmaker to take some pressure off of Steve Smith, someone that can be there for the long haul.
3. Defensive End – They need to upgrade this position with some youth, with Mike Rucker aging. Tyler Brayton and Charles Johnson need to step up and perform better.
4. Quarterback – Since Jake Delhomme is coming off a serious injury, David Carr a disappointment and already released, they need to look to the future – which may be now.
5. Running Back – DeAngelo Williams performed well, but with the cap related release of DeShaun Foster, they need to find a cheaper replacement.
2008 Draft Picks:
1st Round – 13th overall
2nd Round – 43rd overall
3rd Round – 67th overall (from NYJ)
4th Round – 109th overall
5th Round – 141st overall (from NYJ)
6th Round – 181st overall
7th Round – 221st overall
7th Round – 241st overall (comp.)
7th Round – 250th overall (comp.)
Free agency status:
UFA:
WR Drew Carter (Raiders)
WR Keary Colbert (Broncos)
S Deke Cooper
LB Donte Curry (signed)
CB Curtis Deloatch
TE Christian Fauria
RB Brad Hoover (signed)
DT Damione Lewis (signed)
S Marquand Manuel (Broncos)
LB Terrence Melton
DT Kindal Moorehead (Falcons)
DE Mike Rucker
QB Vinny Testaverde
CB Dante Wesley (signed)
OL Travelle Wharton (signed)
RFA:
C Geoff Hangartner (signed)
G Evan Mathis (signed)
LB Adam Seward
RELEASED:
QB David Carr (Giants)
RB DeShaun Foster
C Justin Hartwig (Steelers)
LB Dan Morgan (Saints)
G Mike Wahle (Seahawks)
FRANCHISED:
OT Jordon Gross (signed)
FREE AGENTS SIGNED:
WR DJ Hackett
LB Landon Johnson
DL Tyler Brayton
CB Ricardo Colclough
S Terrance Holt
RB LaBrandon Toefield
G Keydrick Vincent
Edit: This blog was archived in May of 2016 from our original articles database.It was originally posted by Scott Peek