Assessing The Panthers’ Offseason
The Carolina Panthers had a strange year in 2014, never really looking the part of a contender but ultimately taking advantage of a disastrously weak NFC South to make the playoffs and even win a game against injury-plagued Arizona. The Panthers will look to build on that strong finish in 2015 and take the next step toward becoming a real threat in the playoffs.
In order to take that next step, Carolina will be relying on the moves it made during the offseason. For the most part, the Carolina Panthers’ draft and free agency decisions were viewed as somewhat muted, and the team failed to make any sort of major splash. However, that doesn’t mean Carolina didn’t get better. Here’s a look at what the Panthers have been up to in recent months.
Taking Care Of Their Own
It’s never the most exciting thing to talk about, but the most important aspect of the Panthers’ offseason was probably that they took care of some of their own star players.
The first significant move was the cutting of DeAngelo Williams, which was a necessary move that will finally end the bizarre logjam in the Carolina backfield. This should keep Jonathan Stewart happy, and could even result in Cam Newton getting back to his electrifying running ways. The Panthers also exercised their fifth-year option on LB Luke Kuechly’s rookie contract, re-signed LB Thomas Davis for two years and TE Greg Olsen for three, and granted Newton a massive five-year extension that will keep him in Carolina through 2020. Now, on to the new acquisitions.
Free Agency Was A Search For Lightning In A Bottle
Some expected the Panthers to try to make a splash in free agency. This might have meant improving the secondary, bringing in a dynamic WR to pair with Kelvin Benjamin, or signing significant o-line help to improve the notoriously horrific protection for Newton. But instead of spending big bucks to make sweeping, certain improvements in these areas, the Panthers went for cheaper options with the potential to overachieve. Here are some of those options.
Michael Oher (OT) – Oher (yes, the guy from The Blind Side) has been largely disappointing in the NFL, but the Panthers appear to be banking on his raw size and skill to solidify the o-line and provide Newton with some protection on the left side.
Jarrett Boykin (WR) – Boykin has been buried beneath the Packers’ heap of talented WRs, but keep in mind he had a pretty stellar run in 2013, and he’s still young.
Kurt Coleman (S) – Coleman had a decent season for the Chiefs in 2014, recording 30 tackles and three interceptions, and in this Panthers secondary, any little bit helps. He’ll have a chance to start and make an impact.
Other noteworthy signings included Tedd Ginn, Jr., who was with the Panthers a couple years ago and could be a useful return man, and Charles Tillman, the long-time Bears CB.
A Puzzling, But Effective Draft
Carolina’s draft was met with disapproval from most high profile analysts, mostly because they didn’t select an OT or WR in the first round. But here’s a look at the most significant players they did end up with, and how they could help.
Shaq Thompson (OLB – Washington) – Thompson is a fierce, versatile player who can complement the likes of Davis and Kuechly from day one, and can also fill in at Safety. It was an unexpected pick, but not a bad one.
Devin Funchess (WR – Michigan) – Most believed that the Panthers needed a quick, explosive WR to counter the size and skill of Kelvin Benjamin. Funchess is more of a bruiser, almost resembling a TE, but one has to wonder if that’s just Cam Newton’s preferred type of target. He loves throwing to Benjamin and Olsen, and Funchess could be one more deadly red zone option.
Daryl Williams (OT – Oklahoma) – Carolina finally got their OT in the fourth round, and at that point in the draft, Williams might have been a steal.
Cameron Artis-Payne (RB – Auburn) – He’s not the quickest runner in the rookie class, but Artis-Payne knows how to run, and will provide helpful depth.
Are The Panthers Actually Better?
It’s hard to say that they’re not. At the very least, Carolina is positioned to be every bit as good as it was in 2014. And between the signing of Oher and drafting of Williams, the o-line should improve at least marginally, which in turn should make Cam Newton all the more effective. There won’t be any huge leap, but this team should be a little bit better in 2015.