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Carolina Panthers
Posted: Sun April 19, 1998 at 9:53 p.m.
* compensatory pick
QB - There is still a lot of speculation that the Panthers will try to deal QB Kerry Collins before the April draft. Collins had a falling out with management and the team after his off the field problems during last year's preseason. He lost his confidence and never really rebounded. Both the team and Collins could benefit from a change of scenery. Veteran backup Steve Beurlein will stay on as the #2 QB. #3 Shane Matthews is a veteran journeyman type who signed on for another year.
RB - Fred Lane from Lane College came out of nowhere last season. He was an undrafted FA, but you could tell he was a special kind of player after a solid preseason. Lane's emergence has allowed the team to shop 1996 1st rd. pick Tim Biakabatuka. Biakabatuka got off to a rough start his rookie season after injuring his knee after a long messy holdout. There is speculation that he may be dealt to the Arizona Cardinals for a 4th rd. pick. If Biakabatuka is dealt, look for the Panthers to select a RB somewhere in the upcoming draft.
WR - This unit has not produced as hoped. Mark Carrier was re-signed after the season had already started, and was the leading receiver before getting injured late in the season. Carrier is a FA this season, but has been re-signed. Rocet Ismail had a great preseason in 1997, but disappeared when they needed him. Mushin Muhammad has a chance, but hasn't developed. If he was as good as he thinks he is, he would have been to the Pro Bowl in his first two NFL seasons. Other than Carrier, the only bright spot was rookie WR Rae Carruth... he has exc. speed, and looks like he will become a bigtime playmaker in the NFL.
TE - Wesley Walls is one of the best pass catching TE's in the NFL, but isn't getting open as easily as he used to. The main reason is because of the lack of consistency from the WR corp. Walls sees a lot of double coverage, especially on 3rd down, where they love to go to him. If the WR's don't step up this season, Walls' numbers may continue to drop. Backup Walter Rasby is a better blocker than receiver, and #3 TE Kris Mangum spent the season on the practice squad. TE should not be a huge area of concern in the draft.
OL - Pretty solid unit when healthy... the key is keeping LT Balke Brockermeyer and LG Matthew Campbell healthy at the same time. Campbell was a RFA that was signed to a long term deal when the club matched the Dolphins' offer sheet. Campbell can play LT or LG. LT Brockermeyer hasn't reached his full potential, and this may be his last season in Carolina, as he will be a UFA at season's end. FA OG Corbin Lacina was signed to replace Matt Elliott who is now in Atlanta. They may look for a young LT in the draft that they can start grooming should Brockermeyer leave via FA.
DL - They may have improved some with the addition of DE Sean Gilbert, but doubt he is even close to being worth what they paid for him... in 5 NFL seasons, Gilbert has led his team to 0 playoff appearances. The Redskins ranked 30th vs. the run when he last played in 1996. After a year long holdout, expect Gilbert to be rusty at best. Unless they plan on using him at NT, they have big problems there. Greg Kragen should probably retire, but he is their only quality player at NT. Even with Gilbert, they need some help from Mike Fox and Shawn King. King has potential, if he can put his personal problems behind him.
LB - Should be an outstanding unit this season... the return of OLB Kevin Green allows them to set their defense in the formation they had hoped to last season. Greene's long holdout and eventual release forced them to play Michael Barrow at OLB, instead of ILB. Greene is a fiery competitor... he should be able to get other OLB Lamar Lathon
remotivated this season. They keep trying to get rid of ILB Carlton Bailey, but he still plays at a fairly good level. The loss of RFA Andre Royal, may force them to keep Bailey around again. The team is hoping 1997 rookie ILB Kinnon Tatum comes on this season.
DB - A deep and talented DC group with the addition of FA Doug Evans from Green Bay. Evans will join the already talented duo of DC's Eric Davis and Tyrone Poole. Poole has been inconsistent at times, and he could be dealt before the draft. The team also added nickle DC Leonard Wheeler, formerly of the Vikings. Their biggest hole right now is at SS, where RFA Chad Coata was signed to an offer sheet by the New Orleans Saints, that the Panthers opted not to match. A worst case scenario would have FS Mike Minter sliding over to SS, with Leonard Wheeler starting at FS... Wheeler played some safety when he was a member of the Cincinnati Bengals. Look for them to draft a SS in the 1st or 2nd rd. of the upcoming draft.
ST - PK John Kasay didn't get as many opportunities last season, but is still one of the best in the NFL. PT Ken Walter was up and down in his first full NFL season. Their biggest offseason move on ST's was re-signing KOR man Michael Bates... Bates is one of the best KOR men in the game, and is a threat to go the distance any time he touches the ball.
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