Panthers: Camp report | RapidReports | Bleacher Report | 
Questions
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Observations from Carolina Panthers camp:
1. Is coach John Fox in trouble if the Panthers don't make the playoffs? That's not likely after winning the division last season, but there is some thinking that Fox needs to make it back-to-back playoff appearances if he's to keep his job. It doesn't help that every big name seems to be mentioned for his job, including Bill Cowher, who lives in North Carolina. Fox has done a good job with this team, but he needs to have a successful season to keep the critics off his back. Opening up the offense a bit might help. If the offense doesn't get better, coordinator Jeff Davidson could be feeling the heat.
| Out of Nowhere Man |
 Running back Mike Goodson came out of Texas A&M with a reputation for being a speed runner who would have trouble running inside the tackles. That hasn't been the case so far this preseason. Goodson, a fourth-round pick, runs hard and his speed will earn him a spot on the roster. He might not get many carries with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart in front of him, but he will help in the return game. With Williams and Stewart both sitting out the third preseason game against Baltimore, Goodson had 11 carries for 52 yards. "He's been outstanding," Fox said. |
| bigdavis picks TE Gary Barnidge |
| He had zero catches last year and I expect 25+ this year. He can get open, he can stretch the field, and after a year of special teams play, he's ready to catch some balls. We didn't draft him from Louisville to be a 3rd stringer. |
| Who is your Out of Nowhere Man? |
2. The Panthers have a new defensive coordinator in Ron Meeks, let go by the Indianapolis Colts. Meeks has been a Cover 2 defensive coach in his career, which means the Panthers might play more zone coverage in the secondary than they have in recent years. But you can bet Fox, who came to the Panthers after being defensive coordinator of the New York Giants, will keep his eyes on the defensive happenings. The key to the Carolina defense will be end Julius Peppers. He needs to have another double-digit sack season. Playing under the franchise tag, which costs the Panthers more than $18 million, he should be motivated to have a good season. He wanted a new deal, and talked about being traded, but ended up signing the one-year franchise tender. That puts a lot of risk into this season. The money will be there if he has a huge season. At least he hopes it will be. "He's not a problem child," Fox said. "He's always done what he's supposed to do. He's been outstanding."
3. The Panthers have major problems at defensive tackle. When Maa'ke Kemoeatu was lost for the season with a torn Achilles' tendon in the first week of training camp, it left a huge void in the middle. The current starters are Damione Lewis and Nick Hayden. Neither has the power inside that Kemoeatu provided for the Panthers. Lewis weighs 301 pounds and Hayden 292. Carolina has struggled against the run when Kemoeatu missed time late last season. The Panthers are said to be looking to acquire a defensive tackle before the season. One name being mentioned is Cleveland's Corey Williams, but the Panthers aren't convinced the Browns will trade him. Carolina definitely needs help. "We've got what we've got," Fox said. "We'll coach them up. Who knows what will happen on the final cuts. You never know how things will shake out and who could be available."
4. The reason they need that help is to keep bodies off middle linebacker Jon Beason. He is on his way to becoming one of the best middle backers in the league. But for him to be able to run sideline-to-sideline, they need to keep the guards off of him. He isn't a big linebacker at 6-feet and 237 pounds, so he needs to be free to use his speed. He has missed time this preseason with a knee injury, but is expected to be ready for the opener against the Eagles.
5. With Steve Smith on one side of the ball and little on the other, Smith sees as many double teams as any receiver in the league. Muhsin Muhammad is the starter on the other side, but he doesn't run that well at 36 years old. The Panthers were hoping Dwayne Jarrett would emerge in his third season, but he also isn't a burner. The player the Panthers like is rookie Kenny Moore, who could be the slot receiver on passing downs. Somebody needs to emerge to help take some of the coverage away from Smith.
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