Projected team strength and weaknesses

Let me try to explain my point again.

I think our OL will be strong at run blocking even if Wharton does not do a great job of run blocking. The other guys will be strong enough to create holes.

Wharton may very well be a great pass blocker but he has not proven that he can handle playing LT in the NFL, not yet anyway. That is why I say our run blocking is a strength and our passing blocking is still a question mark.

My analysis of the projected performance of the whole OL is not based solely on how I think Wharton will do.

 

I don't know that I would consider the WR position weak, if everyone stays healthy.

According to the last F-Hole, Steve Smith and Fox have said they think Drew Carter will be the surprise player this year.

It seems we will let the TE spot evolve into a less predictable role.

 

There is potential for it to be good but if you look at it based on what we know it is somewhat bleak

Smith - coming off major injury and has not played in almost a year, small guy to begin with

Colbert - had a lot of drops, only in second season

Proehl - used leather helment the first five years of his career

Carter - never played a down and has a history of blown knees.

 

Better than what ATL has, imo. If our running game and defense is as good as people think it will be, those WR's don't need to be great. Buckner was on NFL network last night and said that Smitty ran a 4.35 in practice. He looks to be in good shape. The Colbert "drops" are highly overrated. He proved he can come through in key situations.

 

I think we will be fine, I just do not want to put on rose colored glasses though. The only thing I really wish they would do is get a punt returner so Smith does not have to do that.

 

I'd actually encourage the use of Smith at PR. We missed that zip he gave us on special teams last year. I think when you have a gamebreaking player like that, you need to get him on the field as much as possible.

 

that is saying a lot brain...you sure

 

I'm not worried about Smith at this point.

I do think Colbert will be vastly improved. Most receivers need a tour of the league for a year before they come into their own.

Proehl is Proehl

Blown knees? I can't say I remember the extent of his injuries. If cartiledge is involved ok then he has two blown knees. If he tweaked a ligament, I'm not so worried.
He seems to be getting more praise than anyone else at this point.

 

Carter's medical history makes me pretty gunshy. He has some tools we could use though. I hope he holds up, for his sake as much as ours.

 

How about 3 torn acl's?

Panthers rookie Carter tears knee ligament
NFL.com wire reports

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (June 2, 2004) -- Rookie wide receiver Drew Carter of the Carolina Panthers tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee, the third such injury of his career.

The injury came on the first day of the Panthers' minicamp.

Carter, a fifth-round draft pick from Ohio State, injured himself while running during June 2's morning's practice. It was the second time Carter has torn his left ACL. He also had the same injury on his right knee.

The previous tear to Carter's left ACL happened in October before a game against Indiana. He had surgery and was sidelined for the remainder of his senior season.

He showed good progress in rehabilitation and was running well in the weeks leading up to the NFL draft, which helped persuade the Panthers to spend a fifth-round pick on him. He participated in the team's rookie minicamp in late April.

http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/CAR/7384330

Oh, and that's 3 times as many torn ACL's as TD catches since high school.