Who would win? 2008 Panthers vs 2015 Panthers

[Matthias]

Today I've been thinking back on our 2008 roster and what a fun season that was.  Of course we lost big in the playoffs due to the untimely demise of Delhomme's arm strength.  If yall remember, Delhomme underwent Tommy John surgery the season prior on his throwing arm, so it was only a matter of time before it gave way.  I dare say if Delhomme's arm stayed healthy through his career, we would have won the superbowl back in '08.  Anyway, I consider that team to be the most complete team we've had so far, even better than our 2003 roster.  Now, this past season we went 15-1 and gone on a tear in the playoffs up until the Superbowl.  However I wonder, who would win in a hypothetical match between the two rosters?

 

Now, let me set up some rules for discussion purposes.  Ignore what these teams did in the playoffs.  In other words, don't take into consideration Delhomme's ints and say he would be destroyed by the 2015 defense.  Overall that year, he was average as a passer, but what helped him was an awesome running game and of course Smitty.  Also, don't include Kelvin Benjamin on the 2015 roster because he was injured.

 

With that said, my vote goes to the 2008 squad.  While the 2015 Panthers have the better defense, the 2008 offense had the best offensive line in team history.  From left to right we working with Jordan Gross, Travelle Wharton (probowl worthy LG who never got the attention), Ryan Kalil, Keydrick Vincent, and Jeff Otah.  They match up well with the 2015 defensive line, opening things up for Double Trouble who were at their best with Hoover leading the way.  Plus, Steve Smith was at his best in 2008, with Moose having a good bit left in his tank.  All those weapons would give the 2015 defense fits.  On the other side, I believe the 2008 defense could get to and contain Cam.  Josh Norman is the best corner and all around defensive back in Panthers history so far, but overall the 2008 secondary was better.  We had the tag team of Ken Lucas and Chris Gamble.  Two guys who were in their prime and better than average.  Chris Harris at safety was no joke.  In fact he was a disciple of the "Peanut Punch", being great at getting turnovers.  Julius Peppers would abuse Mike Remmers and Oher, though you can't really count out Cam's ability to escape the rush. (Peppers was really the only real threat on the d-line, as the other guys were average)  Ultimately I give Pep the edge.

 

All that taken into account, I say the score would be 28-14, 2008 Panthers.

[t96]

Only prior Panthers team that could possibly beat this team, in my opinion, is the 2013 team. I still think that team's loss in the playoffs hurt me more than losing in the Super Bowl this year. That defense was better than the Seahawks' was that year (yes Seahawks were #1 for the season, but by the playoffs the Panthers D was better) and better than the Broncos' this year. Had we gotten past the refs and Niners, we'd have won that Super Bowl. Won't say 2013's team was better than this year considering the difference in the offense, but it's close. That D was a D that wins championships and I wish we could've kept it together. This year's D struggled a lot, and the #1 O was kind of fools gold, in my opinion. We still have improvements we need to make on both sides of the ball.

[Kevin Greene]

Uh, Jake had a noodle for an arm.

[Frizzy350]

2015 would have smashed them, bad.

The defense on the 2008 squad wasn't that great.  We were a one trick pony in the passing game.  The running game was great, but Luke is an animal, especially with KK and Star up front.

[Wolfcop]

If we upgrade this defense, there will not be a question about who the best Panthers team ever is. 

[Matthias]

14 minutes ago, Frizzy350 said:

2015 would have smashed them, bad.

The defense on the 2008 squad wasn't that great.  We were a one trick pony in the passing game.  The running game was great, but Luke is an animal, especially with KK and Star up front.

Steve Smith was the main target, but Muhammad could take over a game if need be at that time.  As good as Star and KK are, the 2008 line would be capable of handling both of them.  Plus you had the extra punch with Hoover.  If KK, Star, or any of our DEs struggle, I think Kuechly and our LBs would struggle to stop both run and pass.  Plus as good as Norman is, he would struggle mightily against '08 Smitty.

[KillerKat]

2015 D would eat Delhomme alive. 

[Frizzy350]

Just now, Matthias said:

Steve Smith was the main target, but Muhammad could take over a game if need be at that time.  As good as Star and KK are, the 2008 line would be capable of handling both of them.  Plus you had the extra punch with Hoover.  If KK, Star, or any of our DEs struggle, I think Kuechly and our LBs would struggle to stop both run and pass.  Plus as good as Norman is, he would struggle mightily against '08 Smitty.

No, Moose could NOT take over games at that point in his career.  He was a solid homecoming stop-gap solution to our constant issue of only having Smith as a reliable receiver.  No need to leave Norman on an island.  Tillman and/or Bene would have been adequate against the aging Moose.

I could even grant you a few touchdowns for the 2008 offense, but it wouldn't matter.  The 2008 defense would have literally no answer for dealing with the 2015 offense.  Awful secondary play, a one-man pass rush, and a solid but overpaid and sloooowwww linebacking corps would get absolutely manhandled by the 2015 offense.

I think this is a poor comparison in the first place as well.  I think the 2003, 2005 and 2013 team were all better than the 2008 team.  2008 simply lacked balance and was way too predictable.

[Matthias]

17 minutes ago, Frizzy350 said:

No, Moose could NOT take over games at that point in his career.  He was a solid homecoming stop-gap solution to our constant issue of only having Smith as a reliable receiver.  No need to leave Norman on an island.  Tillman and/or Bene would have been adequate against the aging Moose.

I could even grant you a few touchdowns for the 2008 offense, but it wouldn't matter.  The 2008 defense would have literally no answer for dealing with the 2015 offense.  Awful secondary play, a one-man pass rush, and a solid but overpaid and sloooowwww linebacking corps would get absolutely manhandled by the 2015 offense.

I think this is a poor comparison in the first place as well.  I think the 2003, 2005 and 2013 team were all better than the 2008 team.  2008 simply lacked balance and was way too predictable.

 

Moose had a good season as our number 2 that year.  I don't think Tillman could do a whole lot to slow him down.  In one game against the Chiefs, he outran their whole squad for a 60-70 yard touchdown.  Ultimately however, Smitty could take on a whole secondary by himself.  He would torch everyone on this year's secondary.

 

As for the 2008 defense, it was good overall.  Now Cam is excellent, but when you look at the pieces around him, our 2008 defense could beat him.  Again Peppers would absolutely destroy Remmers.  He could do the same for Oher as well.  Our linebacking core back then was fast enough to contain the run and our secondary with Gamble and Lucas was nothing to sneeze at.  When it comes to that tandem, it's the best we've had to date. (Though Bene and Norman likely could challenge that claim in time)  I just don't see the 2015 offense being good enough, or specifically the offensive line, to beat the '08 squad.  If Cam had a great receiver (again KB was hurt this year), I might give the edge to them, but the '08 squad could cover Philly Brown, Cotchery, and Ted Ginn.

[davos]

Yeah Norman and Coleman would pick Jake apart.  Mid-season 2005 is the most comparable IMO.  That team before the entire RB fleet got injured was top notch. 

[TN05]

No, probably not. But they could win, and I'll tell you how:

1) Set the edge early with special teams. The 2015 special teams was bad, especially in regards to blocking and coverage. The 2008 team had an elite field goal rusher (Peppers) and an excellent return man (Mark Jones). Given how low Gano tends to kick, Peppers could certainly have a blocked field goal - and Jones could break one deep.
2) Keep the pressure. Peppers was as good as any other defensive end in 2008, and could have a strong game. Oh, and Thomas Davis would be easily set to spy on Cam. Spying mobile QBs was what he was drafted to do.
3) Vary the offense. With two of the best backs in the league, the 2015 run defense would face a major test. We never faced a bac as elusive as DeAngelo this year. And, the Smith-Norman matchup could easily be a problem. If there is one guy who could break Norman, it's Steve Smith. Not to mention you have a reliable #2 option in Moose.

The best matchup would probably be the 2013 team. Our defense was so, so good that year.

[Donald LaFell]

The 2008 squad would have been destroyed. 

[Pox 08]

50-12. '15 wins.

 

Would've crushed Delhomme worse than the Cardinals did in the playoffs.

[AceMan]

2008 Delhomme and John Fox's stubbornness would doom that team.