Carolina Panthers 2006 NFC South Preview

Written by Thomas Jensen

Tuesday, 05 September 2006

John Fox returns for his 5th season as the head coach of the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers have made it to the NFC Championship 2 of the last three seasons and Carolina looks poised to make another run to the Super Bowl in 2006. Fox has a solid 5 – 2 record in the post season and potentially could have been 6 – 1 if he did not lose his top three running backs going into the 2005 NFC Championship game against the Seattle Seahawks.

Jake Delhomme will be the starting quarterback for the Carolina Panthers going into opening day of the 2006 NFL football season. Delhomme completed 262 passes on 435 attempts for 3,421 yards and 24 touchdowns. Delhomme will be throwing to Keyshawn Johnson and Steve Smith. Smith pulled his hamstring in the pre season but is expected to play on opening day. Smith is arguably the best wide receiver in the league and emassed 1,563 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns in 2005. Keyshawn Johnson is nearing the end of his career and is hoping to get to the Super Bowl with Carolina this season. Running back DeShaun Foster is looking to break a 1,000 yards this season. DeAngelo Williams was drafted in the first round to back up Foster. The Panthers offense will not miss a beat this season.

Bet on the Carolina Panthers to win the NFC South here.

Carolina Panthers defensive ends Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker combined for 18 sacks last season and look to match or improve that total in 2006. Ma’ake Kemoeatu from the Baltimore Ravens and Damione Lewis from the St. Louis Rams were key off season free agents that the Panthers signed to beef up the defensive line. Linebacker Dan Morgan will be flanked by Thomas Davis and Keith Adams. Cornerback Chris Gamble will lead the defensive backs. Carolina looks to continue to dominate opposing teams offensives in route to a playoff birth in 2006.

Head Coach: John Fox

Offensive Coordinator: Dan Henning

Defensive Coordinator: Mike Trgovac

Division: NFC South

2005 Record: 13 - 6

Field: Ericsson Stadium

2006 Carolina Panthers Draft Picks:

Round 1 – DeAngelo Williams – Running Back - Memphis

Round 2 – Richard Marshall – Cornerback – Fresno State

Round 3 – James Anderson – Outside Linebacker – Virginia Tech

Round 3 – Rashad Butler – Offensive Tackle – Miami (FL)

Round 4 – Nate Salley – Free Safety – Ohio State