2008 Carolina Panthers NFL Predictions

GM Marty Hurney and head coach John Fox are on the hot seat as their team has underachieved each of the past two seasons. Can Hurney and Fox get the Panthers back into the postseason to save their jobs? Jimmy Boyd provides his take in his 2008 Carolina Panthers predictions and season preview.
 

Bet on Football Using Your Credit Card

Offense

QB Jake Delhomme could hold the key to success for the Panthers in 2008. Delhomme had Tommy John surgery last season after playing in just three games. The heart and soul of the Panthers was missed greatly on the field and in the locker room. While it normally takes baseball pitchers two seasons to fully recover from the surgery, things are more optimistic for Delhomme who is expected to be ready for training camp. With Delhomme in the lineup, the Panthers will easily be two-to-three games better, but if he re-injures the elbow, the Panthers will be in a world of hurt.

The Panthers finally let their all-time leading rusher DeShaun Foster go. The team will use a two back system this season, featuring DeAngelo Williams and first round draft choice Jonathan Stewart. Williams should become a 1000-yard rusher, getting more carries this season, and Stewart is expected to be a third down specialist.

Steve Smith is the Panthers' go-to guy through the air. He has caught at least 80 balls for 1,000 yards in each of the past three seasons. Without Delhomme in the lineup to deliver him the football, his numbers tailed off some, but we expect him to dominate secondaries again this season. Mushin Muhammad returns home and will be a good run blocker and a threat in the red zone because of his size.

The offensive line has undergone a major facelift after a disappointing 2007. Rookie Jeff Otah will immediately be put into the right tackle spot. Jordan Gross, Carolina's best lineman, will play left tackle to protect Delhomme's blind side. Travelle Wharton leaves left tackle to play left guard. The addition of Otah and moving a couple players around should drastically improve the line.

Defense

Julius Peppers recorded just 2.5 sacks last season and there's no excuse. I know he's not a young buck anymore, but the Panthers must have more productivity out of him. The Panthers will likely be a little thin up front having lost starters Mike Rucker to retirement and Kris Jenkins in a trade.

The Panthers are good to go at linebacker with second-year middle linebacker Joe Beason leading the way. As a rookie, Beason broke a franchise record with 160 tackles. Thomas Davis will join him on the strong side and three talented backers, including rookie Dan Connor from Penn State will duke it out for weak side.

If third round pick Charles Godfrey rounds into form the way the Panthers' hope, they'll likely start him at free safety. Carolina has three solid corners in Chris Gamble, Ken Lucas, and Richard Marshall. Strong safety Chris Harris is a big stick who forced eight fumbles last season but his coverage skills are lacking so the Panthers will be depending on Godfrey.

Special Teams

Kicker John Kasay will return for his 18th NFL season and he's still about as clutch as they come. Punter Jason Baker is very steady and gets great hang time on his kicks. Ryne Robinson was not great as a returner last season, but he started to improve late in the year which provides the Panthers with some promise.

Prediction – 2nd NFC South

With Delhomme back in the saddle, the Panthers' offense will be a much better unit. The playoffs are a strong possibility, but the Panthers will have to get there via the Wild Card as I don't see them getting past New Orleans.

You've come to the right place for the best sports information in the industry when it comes to beating the NFL lines. World Champion handicapper Jimmy Boyd is renowned as the best in the biz on the NFL gridiron and it won't take you long to see that first hand when you play his Award Winning NFL picks!

Check out the official site of the Carolina Panthers and for more great sites on the team check out these fan sites:

• Carolina Huddle - Forum and blog with tons of information on the Carolina Panthers.
• Carolina Panthers Den - another great site for news and to talk about the team.

June 19th, 2008