Methodtoll's (Formerly Mikepanthers989) Look at the Offseason

[methodtoll]

What has to been one of the best seasons that John Fox and Carolina Panthers put together ended saturday as they endured a frantic loss to the Arizona Cardinals. After regaining taste in my mouth, it was time for me to quickly turn to this offseason and I suggest that some of you do the same.

There are questions going into the offseason that clearly has people speculating and I don't have the answers, the answers will speak for themselves once the playoffs are over with but what I can do is go over what is being speculated about:

Will Jake Delhomme be the starting QB for Carolina come training camp?

Jake played a horrible game against the Arizona Cardinals, but I don't have to tell you that again. He hasn't been super great this year to begin with anyways but what I can tell is that the players believe in him and the coaching staff believes in him, despite what we, the fans, think of him. It is clear that, until someone can come in and dethrone him, he is the clear-cut starter going into next season.

Will Julius Peppers be back with Carolina next season?

This is a tough question because there hasn't really been a lot of talk about it, till now, about him returning. All speculation points to him not returning and pursuing somewhere else and base on the words that came out of his mouth and how John Fox is talking, it is unlikely that he will a panther come this next season but time will tell.

And what about Jordan Gross?

Peppers and Gross both will demand a big paycheck but out of both of them, I see Carolina making Gross their big investment over Peppers. Carolina wants stability on the offensive line and Gross played a big part with the line making them one of the premiere lines in the leagues. With Gross returning and getting Vincent back next season will make that running game that you saw against Arizona a hell of a lot better. In my opinion, Gross is the top priority for the Carolina Panthers.

What will be the top Priorities in the Free Agency Period and the Draft?

This is a tricky question because we have no clue on what will happen with Gross and Peppers. If we somehow manage to resign both of them then I say depth at DT and CB with possible draft pick on a QB. If we do not resign Peppers, DL will still be a top priority we need to somehow get back in the first (Peppers sign-and-trade would be nice.) If Gross doesn't return then we will need a solid LT to replace him or a LG and move Wharton back (which would be a mistake to me.) Whatever will be the case, it will make for an interesting offseason.

What if Julius Peppers does not Return? Who would fill his Spot at RE?

The guy to keep an eye on is Charles Johnson. This guy has been such a beast all year that I feel that he could be just as good as Peppers. I know, call me crazy for saying that but give him time in the starting spot (be it Left or Right) and he will be a solid, all-down Defensive End.

Mark Jones or Ryne Robinson?

Here is something nobody is really talking about, the battle between Jones and Robinson. With Robinson and Carter being out on IR, Jones came in and filled it quite nicely and actually made the Special Teams decent. The question is, who will be our starting punt returner and kickoff returner next season? It will sure make for a intriguing battle in camp.

Speaking of Wide Receivers, will there be any changes made?

In my opinion, no. I think the guys that you saw on the roster this year will be on the roster come this summer and next season. We will also have a battle for the 4th WR slot which I think will be between Hackett and Carter.

Will Mike Trgovac be fired?

I know most Carolina Panther fans would love to see that but honestly, I don't see it happen. John Fox seems to enjoy his staff and if anyone should take blame for the defensive playcalling then it should be John Fox himself. Once again, we'll have to wait and see.

Finally, how will we be next season?

History has shown that we don't fair well after the playoffs. Usually the following season we will just barely miss the playoffs with either a 7-9 or 8-8 season. The difference is that we will have continuity at all positions because majority of our starters are young. We will just have to wait and see.

-Methodtoll

[PanthaSan]

Nice observations...

[CarolinaPride74]

Will Jake Delhomme be the starting QB for Carolina come training camp? yes

Will Julius Peppers be back with Carolina next season? no, traded for draft picks

And what about Jordan Gross? re-signed

What will be the top Priorities in the Free Agency Period and the Draft? CB, D-line

What if Julius Peppers does not Return? Who would fill his Spot at RE? Charles Johnson

Mark Jones or Ryne Robinson? Ryne Robinson

Speaking of Wide Receivers, will there be any changes made? yes, draft Hakeem Nicks!

Will Mike Trgovac be fired? no

Finally, how will we be next season? 10-6

[AKPantherFan]

Speaking of Wide Receivers, will there be any changes made?

In my opinion, no. I think the guys that you saw on the roster this year will be on the roster come this summer and next season. We will also have a battle for the 4th WR slot which I think will be between Hackett and Carter.

Finally, how will we be next season?

History has shown that we don't fair well after the playoffs. Usually the following season we will just barely miss the playoffs with either a 7-9 or 8-8 season. The difference is that we will have continuity at all positions because majority of our starters are young. We will just have to wait and see.

-Methodtoll

WR's- Hackett is Gone. Jarrett being active last game showed me that.

And our wins--

I correctly picked 12-4 this season. Due to our schedule (that will not be as hard as everyone is freaking out over)

I say we will go 11-5

Our run game will once again carry us and we will find more defense, that just means our team wont have to score 30 points every game.

But 11-5

Our running game is too strong.