Panthers Get Bang For Their Buck

It has been five years since John Fox, Jake Delhomme and the rest of “The Cardiac Cats” made Super Bowl XXXVIII in 2003. Carolina played a riveting game in which Patriots kicker, Adam Vinatieri clinched their second Super Bowl win in three years with a clutch 41-yard field goal with four seconds left. While many football fans will agree that the game was one of the best-played games in Super Bowl history, most will remember it more for the Halftime Show with Janet Jackson's wardrobe malfunction than for the back and forth action on the field.

With only one playoff appearance since that magical 2003 season, the Panthers look to address a bevy of holes heading into next season. The team has already released or refused to match on multiple offensive players from last season including: Keary Colbert, Drew Carter, DeShaun Foster, David Carr & Vinny Testaverde. Expect the Panthers to fill many their holes via the draft: offensive tackle, running back, defensive tackle and free safety. Despite the laundry list of needs, the Panthers have made some very underrated moves this off- season, primarily at wide receiver.

Bringing Back ‘Moose’
In a great team move, the Panthers brought back 12- year veteran Muhsin Muhammad. At age 35, Muhammad has been to two Super Bowl’s and has been a steady force on the field. His presence should also provide some veteran leadership for troubled receiver Dwayne Jarrett, and the rest of the young offensive players. Moose isn’t likely to return to his 2004 form, where he shocked the fantasy world to the tune of 1,400 yards and 16 touchdowns, but he should provide quarterback Jake Delhomme with the big target the Panthers sorely missed last season. Moose should not be a fantasy factor in 2008, but his presence should make the Panthers a better offensive unit, helping the players around him including Steve Smith and D.J. Hackett. After suffering through his worst statistical season since ‘97 in the fantasy black hole that was Chicago last season, Muhammad will likely record around 50 receptions, 600 yards and four touchdowns. Moose had his best seasons in Carolina with Delhomme under center so this should be a nice way for him to close out his career with the team that drafted him in 1996.
D.J. Should Be ‘Diamond in the Rough’
When you see players like Bernard Berrian receive a 6 year deal worth $44 million, Jerry Porter get $30 million and Javon Walker get $55 million despite his gimpy knees, it is absolutely shocking when a player like D.J. Hackett slips under the radar to sign a 2 year, $3.5 million contract with Carolina. Granted, Hackett hasn’t had the exposure of any of the three receivers mentioned, but when you look at a player in terms or potential, D.J. has all the tools necessary to be a Pro Bowl quality receiver. The former Colorado Buffalo has great size (6' 2, 208) and good hands. D.J. was a big time fantasy sleeper candidate heading into last season, and if it wasn’t for repeated ankle injuries, Hackett would have likely brought in similar money to Berrian. When healthy, D.J. was clearly one of Matt Hasselbeck’s favorite targets, leading the team in receiving in three of the six full games he played last season. In those three games he averaged eight receptions, 112 yards and a touchdown, while leading his team to a victory in each game.

In Seattle there was just not enough room for D.J., and deemed expendable with contracts already committed to guys like Bobby Engram, Nate Burleson, Deion Branch and even Ben Obomanu. With a path cleared for him in Carolina, Hackett should make the most of his opportunity, and benefit from the attention given to Pro Bowl receiver Steve Smith. I like Hackett as top tier No. 3 for next season as long as Delhomme returns to form after Tommy John surgery this off season. In the process of emerging from the shadows, look for Hackett to post moderate if not good numbers with around 80 receptions, 950 yards, and seven trips to the end zone. If Steve Smith or Moose suffer any type of injury look for Hackett’s number to spike, in the same thought, if Delhomme doesn’t return to form or suffers an injury, Hackett’s numbers will take a big hit.

I watched Hackett in Boulder as he lead Colorado with 1,013 receiving yards and 78 total receptions, scoring seven touchdowns in 2003. He has grown into an NFL receiver since then, so when you’re drafting don’t let his inexperience scare you away, the numbers should be solid when all is said and done.

Delhomme Returns, Gets Weapons
Reports have Delhomme beginning to throw a real football around for the first time since his injury in Week 3 of the ‘07 season. He is currently six months into his seven- to nine-month recovery timetable, and the Panthers continue to call Delhomme's surgery a success, expecting him to be 100% by summer.

This news bodes well for the Panthers who struggled mightily leaning on back ups David Carr and Vinny Testaverde last season. With Jake out, the Panthers were a virtual dead zone for fantasy owners with even Steve Smith recording only three touchdowns after Week 3 (Smith had four TD’s through Week 2). If Delhomme is truly ready to return, he will have the best trio of receivers he’s had since the ‘03 Super Bowl run. The addition of two large targets should really help Delhomme and the Panthers who don’t have a play maker at tight end. The transition should really be minimal as well, Moose already has a rapport with Jake, and Hackett received high praise from both Hasselbeck and coach Mike Holmgren on his route running abilities.

Delhomme could be a steal heading into next season, he looked as if he was going to break out last year, recording eight touchdowns and only one interception, while completing 55 of 86 pass attempts through three games. Delhomme will be entering his eighth NFL season, but really has only played in about four of them. He had his best statistical year in 2004, recording 3,886 yards and 29 touchdowns, this season. His 16 game average since 2003 shows consistency, averaging 3,488 yards and 25 touchdowns over that span. With Delhommes consistency, and increased talent at the receiver position, he should be an underrated fantasy back up, and could have a surprisingly productive season.

With everything said, a lot of Delhomme’s and the offense’s success will depend on the cohesion of the offensive line. Jordan Gross was tagged the franchise player with a $7.55 million contract, he is believed to be switching to left tackle. If he does make the switch from right tackle, it means the Panthers will have different starters at all five line spots this season. Travelle Wharton is moving to left guard to replace Mike Wahle, while last year’s second-round draft pick Ryan Kalil takes over at center for the recently released Justin Hartwig. Carolina added free agent Keydrick Vincent to battle at right guard with Geoff Hangartner. The Panthers are expected to address the right tackle vacancy with one of their top two picks in April’s draft.