2011 NFL Preview: Carolina Panthers

2010 Record: 2-14



Offense:



We don't know yet if Cam Newton will be the Week 1 starter, if it's not him then it'll be Jimmy Clausen, but I doubt it will be Jimmy Clausen since he is the the worst QB ever. Either way, this is all bad news. I am not a Newton fan. Sure he could be exciting, but this kid hasn't used a playbook in his life, has had no time with this offense, and is on a bad team with a new coach. All that adds up to bad thing happening. There is a little bit of good news for this team. The Panthers have two solid TEs in Jeremy Shockey and Greg Olsen, and Steve Smith decided to comeback. So there is talent here is they can get them the ball. DeAngelo Williams is also back, and if he can get any kind of consistent play from the passing game he could bounce back to that 1,500 yard rusher he was back in 2008. I don't see that happening, but there is talent on this team.



Defense:



Charles Johnson is back and he had 11.5 sacks last year. The problem is there isn't a lot of help anywhere else on the line. Still, they have some decent LBs in Beason and Anderson. Chris Gamble had a terrible season last year, and they really need him to bounce back. Even if he is better this is basically the same unit as last year, and it's really nothing all that special. I have a feeling they could have another tough year.



Overall:



Newton is going to take some time, and this is a new coaching staff. Although I do think they will improve from last year, that isn't saying all that much since they won two games last year.



2011 Record: 3-13

Steve Smith Talks About Trade Demand

Receiver Steve Smith says he hasn't demanded a trade but has asked the Carolina Panthers to be "in a competitive situation." Smith contacted Pro Football Weekly on Tuesday so he could clear up reports that he wanted out of Carolina.

"These people that keep writing these articles, none of them have even spoken to me. What I want to do is be classy and not tip my cards, be respectful to the [Panthers] organization," he told the publication. It's not me saying, 'Yes, I want a trade.' It's still a family matter, and when my family feels it's the appropriate time, our actions will show how we feel (ESPN)."

Let me translate this for you. "I want out of Carolina, but I am trying to show that I am not as big of a douchebag that people think I am". That's really all this is. I don't think there is anyway Steve Smith plays for Carolina, and if you're Carolina you shouldn't want him back. He is a contantly pissed off WR that snaps a moments notice, and you have a rookie QB that really doesn't need his BS. Sure, it would be nice for Newton to have a guy like him to throw to, but it's really time for this team to move on and let Newton to be the leader of this team, since they used a #1 pick on him and I just don't see Steve Smith helping that cause.

Day 1 Winners and Losers

Winners:
New Orleans Saints:
Filthy draft. First the pick up DE from Cal Cameron Jordan and then they got a gift from the Patriots and selected the best RB in the draft in Mark Ingram from Alabama. They fill two holes in their roster. They strengthen their D Line and then will have a lot to work with at rb with Reggie Bush and Mark Ingram.

Carolina Panthers:
Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
I was hesitant to like this pick, but I completely flip flopped on this. I think this kid is the real deal and will win this team some ball games. He's big, athletic and has a cannon. He's not your typical athletic QB who looks to run before pass, he passes pretty well. The Panthers have a lot of holes, but their future looks brighter with Newton behind center.

Baltimore Ravens:
Jimmy Smith, CB, Colorado
The only reason he fell was due to off field issues, but this kid is 1A to Patrick Peterson. He's big at 6'2 and just as athletic as Peterson. The Ravens needed some defensive backfield help and got a big time player in Smith. I was really hoping he would fall to the Steelers.

Losers:
New England Patriots:
They had 2 picks to fill pretty glaring needs. I like Nate Solder the OL out of Colorado. He is huge and could be really good. Plus with Logan Mankins drama coming up and Matt Light retiring (maybe) but he's a project. Anthony Costonzo out of BC and Danny Watkins from Baylor have higher ceilings than Solder. I understand the position they pick, just not the player. I think they will really regret trading that second pick for New Orleans 2nd pick and next years 1st. They had 2 players they could have drafted that would have filled huge holes in Mark Ingram or Muhammed Wilkerson the DE from Temple. This was a big swing and miss for the Patriots and they will be haunted about this for years.

Minnesota Vikings:
With the 12th pick they select Christian Ponder. Yea.... really? I know the Vikings needed a QB but this is a reach of epic proportions. If I were to reach on a QB I would have taken Andy Dalton, Ryan Mallet and even Colin Kaepernick over Ponder. I don't get it, they could have drafted Robert Quinn the DE from UNC or Mike Pouncey the G from Florida.

San Fransisco 49ers:
I think Aldon Smith was a little high. Cam Jordan, Nick Fairley or even JJ Watt would have better selections.

With The 1st Pick In The NFL Draft The Carolina Panthers Select...

Cam Newton, QB, Auburn

Easily the best smile in the draft. I'm not sure about this pick, but if your Carolina, Why the fuck not, ya know. Sure they drafted Jimmy Clausen last year, but he sucks and looks like he has no future(I've always hated him). Cam has a good arm and last year he proved he's more than your flash in the pan college player as he led Auburn to a national championship. Yesterday I didn't think it was a good pick, today I'm optimistic he will pan out and be pretty good.

Plus they compare him to the best QB in the league Ben Roethlisberger.