By Billy Rich
2013 Carolina Panthers
2012 Record: 7-9 (Tied for 2nd in NFC South with Saints and Buccaneers)
Head Coach: Ron Rivera (3rd season)
The Carolina Panthers recently joined the “It Can Wait” campaign to spread the word on the dangers of texting while driving. Great, I have no beef on trying to protect the public, but let’s hope this marketing campaign slogan does not spill onto the football field.
Although they made it to the Super Bowl in 2003, the Panthers football team has to be done waiting. An expansion franchise with mediocre success since coming into the league in 1995, the Panthers’ prospects in 2013 will see the team wander around the middle of the pack once again. A 7-9 record last year must be improved upon for this team to be relevant. In fact, the team has been so irrelevant that recently even Nike botched the logo on some Panthers’ apparel: the Panthers logo and the initials NC, presumably “North Carolina”, emblazoned in the outline of South Carolina was pulled from shelves. Woops! How did that mistake even get out there?
Head coach Ron Rivera has guided this team to a less-than-mediocre 13-19 over two seasons. As he enters his third year as head coach must do a better job. A 6-10 or 7-9 record won’t cut it again and Rivera knows that.
The first two preseason games resulted in only one touchdown from the first string. Third year returning QB Cam Newton has played fairly at best and needs to improve this year if the Panthers have a shot to attain even eight wins. Behind a questionable offensive line, Newton will be hard pressed for time to deliver the ball through the air. Having signed former Panther Travelle Wharton (recently cut from the Cincinnati Bengals), to help bolster a shaky line, the Panthers are trying. It may not be enough as Wharton is coming off ACL and MCL surgery that kept him out all of last season. Injuries to rookie guard Edmund Kugbila and center Jeff Byers, with an “undisclosed” injury, are evidence of the shaky protection that will be afforded to “Mr. Franchise,” Cam Newton. It is amazing how fast “Mr. Franchise” has become “Mr. Irrelevant” in the NFL national scene.
At running back, DeAngelo Williams is certainly serviceable. However, without a steady line to run behind and with Jonathan Stewart sidelined, he is certain get the ball more often. It just may not be enough.
Defensively, the Panthers look to improve overall and should be somewhat steady in pass defense with corner backs Drayton Florence and D.J. Moore having a decent preseason, which included huge interception returns against Baltimore. But even that has not been the norm for the Panthers defensive backs the past couple of seasons. The Panthers linebackers are actually pretty good. Both Thomas Davis (9th year) and Luke Kuechly (2nd year) should continue to be valuable assets on the Panthers defense this season. They both ranked in the top 15 in the league in tackles in 2102. Linebackers need to be able to tackle, and both Davis and Kuechly sure know how to tackle.
Biggest Upside for the Panthers in 2013: This is another year for Cam Newton to grow and understand the NFL. Their defensive play should continue to improve. Rivera is coaching for his job, and he will demand the most out of everyone – players and coaching staff as well.
Bill’s Biggest questions for the Panthers in 2013: Another year for Cam Newton to understand the NFL and continue to unimpress. Will Cam actually understand and impress? I was never thrilled with Newton in college and so far his NFL career (albeit just two years) is not giving me any reason to change my mind
Bill’s Final Panthers Thoughts and Prediction:
Bill’s 2013 Panthers Prediction: 8-8 (Tied with the Bucs for Third/Last in NFC South). I will generously assign the Panthers one win better than in 2012. It will not enough to keep Rivera his job. Cam Newton will be sidelined because he is just too inconsistent to get the job done. The defense will give up too many yards to stay in more than half the games. As these factors keep a winning season out of reach, the Panthers have another “expansion year” type performance and fans will go home with no post season once again.
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Edited by: Todd LaPlante