|
Tight End - Carolina
made a major error not grabbing
a tight end in last year's
draft. Michael Gaines has
physical ability but is unlikely
to ever develop, and Chris
Mangum isn't starter-caliber.
The Panthers got a total of 2
touchdowns and 316 receiving
yards out of the TE position for
the whole year. Completely
unacceptable.
Safety - Shaun Williams
and Mike Minter are
unspectacular, and the latter is
nearing the end of his career.
Age and a lack of depth are
beginning to take it's toll on
the secondary
Quarterback - Given the
talent around him, Jake Delhomme
had a very poor 2006. There's no
way around it. It's time to
bring in someone to groom as the
'quarterback of the future
Linebacker - The
Panthers draft 14th in the first
round and are in a great spot to
land the top linebacker in the
draft. Who that would be is up
for grabs right now but the top
LBs seem to be Paul Poluszny,
Patrick Willis and Lawrence
Timmons
Wide Receiver -
Keyshaun Johnson appears unhappy
with his role on the team and
it's uncertain how he will fit
into the Panthers plans. A
healthy Steve Smith and a happy
Johnson makes this position not
as much of a team need, but the
depth is pretty bad behind them.
Carolina Panthers Free Agency
Notes:
Linebacker has to be
addressed, with Draft and Diggs
free agents and uncertainty
surrounding Dan Morgan, who
hopes to return after multiple
concussions limited him to one
game last season.
New offensive coordinator
Jeff Davidson wants to run, and
Carolina may need upgrades at
tight end and on the offensive
line, which was devastated by
injuries last season.
Coach John Fox likes to
rotate DLs, but Mike Rucker is
recovering from a torn ACL and
Al Wallace was released.
S Williams had a subpar year
and Mike Minter turned 33 in
January. While No. 1 QB Jake
Delhomme is likely safe, backup
Chris Weinke could be replaced.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS:
Ss Shaun Williams and Colin
Branch; LBs Chris Draft, Na'il
Diggs and Vinny Ciurciu; Ts Todd
Fordham and Dave Kadela; DE
Kindal Moorehead; TE Mike
Seidman.
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS:
WR Drew Carter; TE Michael
Gaines; DT Jordan Carstens
|
