Sorry (not sorry) Panthers fans, reaching postseason is unlikely

Matthew Johnson
   Sports Editor

The beginning of a new football season is always one of the most refreshing times for fans. Outside of the fervent faithful in Foxboro, every team in the National Football League has nowhere to go but up, and this includes the regional franchise, the Carolina Panthers.

The Panthers last year became the first team in the history of the NFC South to win back-to-back division titles and won their first postseason game under Head Coach Ron Rivera. With impressive talents at two of the most important positions in football (Cam Newton at quarterback, Luke Kuechly at middle-linebacker) plus with a top-10 defense returning most of their starters, Carolina looks like a team bound for the postseason. Unfortunately, they will not.

Though last year’s Panthers team made the playoffs, with a record of 7-8-1, Carolina was one of the worst teams to play football in January in recent memory. In part due to a weak division, the Panthers probably should not had made the postseason, but they did, and took advantage of their opportunity by advancing to the Divisional Round.

However, the NFC South is a more skilled division, which will cost Carolina a few wins this season. Drew Brees and Sean Payton spearhead a New Orleans Saints team that will always put up points. The team, which finished second-to-last defensively, will improve after a second year of experience under Rob Ryan’s defense and additions like Brandon Bower and Delvin Breaux being added to the mix.

In Atlanta, likely the biggest threat to the Panther’s repeat, will have the chance to earn some easy victories, as the Falcons have the easiest schedule based on last year’s record of opponents. Rookie Vic Beasley could be a threat off the edge rushing passers, especially with the Seahawks defensive architect becoming the head coach of the team, Dan Quinn. Still, Atlanta will rely on their deadly offense to simply outscore their opponents.

In Tampa Bay, even though it would be improbable to see the Buccaneers win the division, they are already more talented than last year’s squad. Rookie Jameis Winston being thrust into the starting quarterback role provides the Bucs with a talented prospect who could develop, especially with Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson as targets.

After each team in the division improving from last year, the major reason why Carolina will not make the playoffs will be an inward problem. While the team’s defense is certainly ferocious, the unit has struggled with getting a rush from their defensive line at times last year. This gives opposing quarterbacks time to dissect the team’s secondary, which has been suspect at times. Luke Kuechly and the linebacking corp, one of the best in the league, can only do so much, and with other parts of the defense at times thin, the unit may not be as dominant as last year.

And of course, the main explanation why Carolina will be sitting at home come January, will be due to the, at times, inept offense. Cam Newton is the best quarterback in team history, however, he is still only the third best quarterback in the division. The team has too many offensive problems that he will not be able to carry for a 16-game season. Outside say Aaron Rodgers, there are not many quarterbacks who could, and Newton will eventually succumb.

The biggest problem facing the dynamic Newton is obviously his skill position players, which took a major hit a month ago when second-year talent Kelvin Benjamin went down with an ACL tear for the year. Jonathan Stewart is a capable veteran, but is also an aging veteran, being 28 with much wear and tear on his legs. Outside of the underrated Greg Olsen, there are not many to trust for Newton to pass to.

Another element to watch for will be the unsung heroes of football, the offensive line. Newton was sacked 38 times a year ago, enough times to land in the bottom ten of NFL passers. It is always nice to have a stud like Ryan Kalil as your center, however, the offensive line struggled last year in protecting Newton. With skilled pass rushers scattered across the division, it is vital that the big uglies keep Newton clean, or there is zero chance the Panthers will make the playoffs.

Look for Panthers to play postseason football

Roger Thomas
   Staff Writer

The Carolina Panthers ended the 2015 NFL Pre-season with a lot of momentum. They finished the exhibition season with a three and one record with their only loss coming by the world champion New England Patriots. They hope to make playoffs again for the third year in a row and reach a Super Bowl since their last appearance in 2004. The Super Bowl is always a tough journey to reach, but at least the Panthers will have a chance to advance to February, as they will make the postseason this year.

The Panthers will make the Playoffs because of their talented 53-man roster.  Looking at players not even on the official roster, but the practice squad, the Panthers are deep enough to get back to the playoffs. One of the big surprises in preseason was defensive end Rakim Cox who a lot of people compared to former Panther defensive end, Greg Hardy. Cox had a very productive pre-season finishing with nine tackles and two sacks but did not make the 53-man roster.

Wide receiver Brenton Bersin and linebacker Adarius Glanton who both had a very solid preseason and helped the team in the team’s playoff win over the Arizona Cardinals in 2014 were also cut and added to the practice squad. With such skilled players not even on the official roster, the official group must be talented, which it is.

Going into the regular season, Carolina is a contender with the leadership of quarterback Cam Newton and linebacker Luke Kuechly. Newton over the off-season signed a long-term five-year $103 million dollar contract. Last Thursday, Kuechly signed an extension as well. His contract was a five-year $62 million dollar extension, making him the highest paid middle linebacker in NFL History. With these two high paid impact players secured and leading the team, there should be no problem for them to make the NFL Playoffs.

The Panthers did take some injury blows on the offensive side of the ball that could jeopardize their playoff hopes. Starting wideout, Kelvin Benjamin went down with a torn ACL suffered in practice before the second preseason game against the Miami Dolphins. Losing Benjamin has taken away over one thousand yards of offense and a major end zone threat.

As a result, the team did acquire Kevin Norwood from the Seattle Seahawks for an undisclosed 2017 draft pick. This move was made to help fill the offensive void since losing Benjamin and increases the production to make the playoffs, which Norwood could do. The defensive side may struggle as well due to starting defensive tackle Star Lotulelei being sidelined due to an injured foot. However, the defense is still strong enough to makeup for Lotulelei’s limited time.

The 2015 Carolina Panthers team are loaded with a lot of talent, that should make them an easy playoff pick. The new rookie additions to the team will give a lot of help on both sides of the ball. Right tackle Daryl Williams, running back  Cameron Artis-Payne, undrafted free agent RB Brandon Wegher and receiver Devin Funchess will give the offense a major boost in protection and scoring.

The defensive rookies outside linebacker Shaq Thompson, middle linebacker David Mayo, and Undrafted free agent strong safety (SS) Dean Marlowe will boost the defense even more. Thompson will give opposing offenses trouble with his versatile line backing and coverage skill. The panthers have the best linebacking group in the game. There should be no reason for them not to have the number defense in the league.

The debate is how tough the Panthers schedule is and how many injuries the team will have to endure. The Panthers have  have a very tough schedule this season playing some top ranked teams from last year, like last year’s NFC Champion Seattle Seahawks and the Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles and even the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving. My prediction is that they will go twelve and 4 winning the NFC South division for the third time in a row. Plus, having a first round bye in the playoffs and hopefully making it to Super Bowl 50 in California.