Carolina Panthers (Cat Crave)

Team MVP: Perhaps this is a no-brainer. The obvious answer is Steve Smith, isn't it? He's been to the Pro Bowl and, if anybody knows how to get back there it's him. However, there is something else at work in the Carolina Panthers' camp - a contract year. Early returns tell us that Julius Peppers is leaner, meaner and more ready than he's been in a long time for a big season. Jordan Gross has had glowing reviews of J-Pepp's abilities this summer and he lines up across from him everyday. He ought to know. There's a pot of gold waiting for Peppers at the end of this season. He'll earn it. Break-Out Player: After the debacle that was the Steve Smith/Ken Lucas brawl, my choice was made for me. Having Smith out of two games leaves DJ Hackett to start with Muhsin Muhammad. So often in situations like this, a player steps into the lineup due to circumstance and shines. Then it's hard to take them out of the game. This is Hackett's time to shine. While he's more suited to play the slot and has been doing so a lot during training camp in red zone situations, Hackett will get his opportunity full time. He could very easily exorcise the injury demons and prove that he was misused in Seattle. Biggest Disappointment: No. I'm not going to list Julius Pepper's name here too. There are potential disappointments on every roster and more on some rosters. The Panthers have a couple but I'll only single out one of them to protect their feelings. His name is - Travelle Wharton. This team went out with a goal this offseason - to become the big, bad, fat, McDonald''s Super Size Me, bullies that take the other kids' lunch money up front. They have accomplished one part of that - to be big. But big doesn''t necessarily mean that they'll be more physical. Does anybody remember Wharton last year playing the bull fighter in Atlanta resulting in a wincing Jake Delhomme? He's moving inside to guard but Wharton could be the weakest link in this offensive line - "good bye!" Fantasy Stud: Call me Dr. Obvious after all. Ask around. Who would you want on your fantasy football roster in '08 in a Panthers uniform? Why, Steve Smith, of course! Jake Delhomme looks at Smith more often than a red-blooded American male looks at hot women. Smith is the playmaker on this offense. Third-and-long - Steve Smith. Second-and-short - Steve Smith. Airing it out - Steve Smith. I expect no less than 90 catches (more like upwards of 100) and 1000 yards to go with no less than 10 TD's with Jake back in the huddle. Forget him missing two games. His numbers will still be excellent. Offensive Outlook: Change, change and more change. A new and improved offensive line that's supposed to be bigger and badder, a new weapon at running back in rookie Jonathan Stewart, the return of Muhsin Muhammad, the addition of D.J. Hackett - all pale in comparison to the return of The Jake! If that surgically repaired elbow holds up, this could be a very difficult bunch to defend. But, just as important, the group in the trenches must come together quickly since all five starters are either new to the team or are playing in a position other than where they ended '07. The weapons are there to control the clock and grind it out with the occasional downfield pass to the incredible Steve Smith. Now, offensive coordinator Jeff Davidson has to do his job to put it all together. Defensive Diagnosis: Want the name of a coach on the hot seat? Forget John Fox''s name, already. It's Mike Trgovac the Panthers defensive coordinator. Since the departure of Jack Del Rio something's been wrong. A lot of the blame has been placed on Trgovac's shoulders. His work didn''t get any easier this season with the departures of Mike Rucker and Kris Jenkins. The defensive line that once put pressure on QB's has undergone a tremendous amount of change, as a result. Julius Peppers moves to RDE, and the addition of a host of others provided more change in one offseason than this group has ever experienced. Their play will determine the success of a deep group of linebackers headlined by tackling machine Jon Beason. The secondary, while extremely gifted, will also be hoping for pressure up front. It's all in the numbers but the most critical one is the number of seconds opposing signal callers have in the pocket. "Red Letter" Game: I really hate to do this. I don't mean to put all of this pressure on my team this early in the season but the week one trip to the west coast to play San Diego will tell us a lot about this team. On the road, without Steve Smith, a rehabbed quarterback...how can it get any tougher than that? Playing easily one of the five best teams in the league under those circumstances will tell you a lot about your team - maybe more than you want to know. Projected Record/Outlook: At least on paper this schedule appears to be quite easy. If Steve Smith keeps his mitts to himself, the defense plays at least fair and Jake''s elbow holds up, this could be a double-digit win season. My guess? It''s 10-6 or 11-5. Call me a homer. Parting Smack: It's been all about a surgically-repaired elbow this offseason, hasn't it? Let 'em all forget that the Panthers have improved in nearly every area with the possible exception of the defensive line. Anybody who can't see that this is a team ready to bounce back has had too much of their team's Kool-Aid! OOOHHH YEEEAAAAAHHHH!!!! Atlanta Falcons: Talk about a team/organization grasping for straws! Chris Redmond? Excuse me? You draft Matt Ryan and expect Mr. Overpass to turn your floundering franchise around? Really? Michael Turner was a nice addition. Too bad he doesn't have an offensive line good enough to block anybody. The train wreck continues in the ATL. New Orleans Saints: How many times do I have to say it? Here! One more time with feeling - Reggie Bush is overrated and the most likely draft bust to come out of the NFL draft in the last five years! What has he done? A 3.5 YPC average is hardly what a number two overall pick should have listed by his name. Just like the Saints' defense, he gets a lot of hype only to let the team down when it counts. I still don't know what all the hub bub is about. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: I never liked Jon Gruden. I always thought he was a pompous ass. Then he goes and tells Chris Simms that the ruptured spleen is all in his head. Yeah right! Now he's a doctor? Gruden has always had this thing about building rosters full of aging players - Jeff Garcia, anyone? I fail to see how a 38 year old quarterback and 36 year old starting wide receiver can carry a passing game. Same old story, it's just another season. Gruden''s team will struggle because they can't pick up third-and-long. Mediocrity has marked most of Chucky's career and this season will be no different. - John White