Carolina Huddle

Here they are, for better or worse. Well, mostly worse.

Offense:

Hard to judge this group. A new scheme with new OC trying to implement an entire offense with 4 QBs starting. While I am never big on excuses, this one is a pretty big turd to flush. So instead, lets look at the running game. The Panthers finished 14th in the league in rushing yards per game. That is not horrible, but it won’t get the job done when the QB play is questionable. Still, if Deangelo Williams can continue to improve, Foster will be benched or traded, and the running game will improve to a top ten status in 2008.

Matt Moore could possibly be the best thing the Panthers have seen since Steve Smith. Finishing the season with an 85.6 rating as an undrafted rookie is an amazing accomplishment.  Lets hope he can find competent QB coaching this offseason, which the Panthers cannot offer him currently.

Offensive Grade: C

Defense:

The Carolina defense finished the season 16th in the league in yards allowed, 15th in points allowed. Early in the season the defense showed absolutely no energy or even willingness to play the game. They were unprepared and not motivated. Julius Peppers has all but disappeared.  It took two future Panthers stars to help turn things aroun a little. Chris Harris and Jon Beason deserve credit for giving the defense a heart. Although, by the time their groove was reached, it was too late.

Defensive Grade: D

Special Teams

The good news is the punting unit can really push back the opposing team. The bad news is the kick retuning unit can barely walk on the field. The Carolina Panthers finished 31st in the league in kick returns, and 3rd in the league in punting.  One could make a decent argument that the single most damaging aspect of the season was the terrible field position given to the offense by the special teams unit.

Special Teams Grade: D

Tomorrow, I will grade the coaching staff.