2006 Carolina Panthers Preview

The Carolina Panthers are a team that a lot of people are talking about to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. Carolina had one of the best defensive lines in the NFL last season, and they improved it mightily over the off-season. The Panthers signed Damione Lewis and Maake Kemeotu to play inside the dominant tandem of Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker, which will give the Panthers defense a chance to be the best in football. The Panthers offense also has a lot to be excited about, as Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith are quickly becoming the best combination in the league. Along with Smith, the Panthers now also have Keyshawn Johnson, who will compliment Steve Smith’s big play ability nicely by giving Delhomme a big possession receiver over the middle. The Panthers also got some nice help in the draft, selecting running back DeAngelo Williams out of Memphis who will give the vulnerable DeShuan Foster some much needed rest in the backfield. Carolina improved what was a very good team to what now is a team that could be close to unbeatable. They had arguably the best pass rush in the league last year, and yet still went out and signed two solid defensive tackles. Also, defenses keyed almost solely on Steve Smith last year and he still tore up almost every secondary he faced. Now that he has a veteran wide-out to work the middle and take some of the pressure off of him, it is scary how good the passing game could be. If the Panthers can stay healthy and consistent this season, there should be no reason that they don’t win the division.

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