NFL 2010 Season Predictions: NFC South Carolina Panthers

Today we have the Carolina Panthers.

Carolina Panthers

Last Season: 8-8

2010 NFL Draft: QB Jimmy Clausen (Notre Dame, Rd. 2/Pick 16), WR Brandon LaFell (LSU, Rd. 3/Pick 14), WR Armani Edwards (Appalachian St., Rd. 3/Pick 25), LB Eric Norwood (South Carolina, Rd. 4/Pick 26), DE Greg Hardy (Miss., Rd. 6/Pick 6), WR David Gettis (Baylor, Rd. 6/Pick 29), CB Jordon Pugh (Texas A&M, Rd. 6/Pick 33), QB Tony Pike (Cincinnati, Rd. 6/Pick 35), CB R.J. Stanford (Utah, Rd. 7/Pick 16), CB Robert McClain (Conn., Rd. 7/Pick 42)

Key Additions: None

Key Losses: QB Jake Delhomme (to Browns), DE Julius Peppers (to Bears), WR Mushin Muhammad (Retired), FB Brad Hoover (Released)

2010 Regular Season Schedule:

Week 1: @ NY Giants

Week 2: Bucs

Week 3: Bengals

Week 4: @ Saints

Week 5: Bears

Week 6: BYE

Week 7: 49ers

Week 8: @ Rams

Week 9: Saints

Week 10: @ Bucs

Week 11: Ravens

Week 12: @ Browns

Week 13: @ Seahawks

Week 14: Falcons

Week 15: Cardinals

Week 16: @ Steelers

Week 17: @ Falcons

Analysis: Mistake-ridden Delhomme is out. Some think Matt Moore is the quarterback to lead the team, I don’t. I think Clausen, no matter how his career went at Notre Dame, is a pretty good quarterback and will take over soon enough for the team. Hopefully they realize that before this season is a waste. Steve Smith is still an elite receiver and Dwayne Jarrett will move up to the number two receiver. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart are still a dynamic duo in the backfield. Two years ago the Panther were the number two team in the NFC, but last too many mistakes from Delhomme lead to the offensive downfall of the team. I think that will change this year. The loss of Julius Peppers will hurt the defense, so Tyler Brayton will need to step up and lead the line. The secondary still has Chris Gamble and Charles Godfrey, so they are sitting pretty. The linebackers could use some help, but they aren’t terrible. The way the team goes this year will depend on the quarterback situation. It could be disastrous or great.

2010 Season Predictions: 9-7, Second in NFC South