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Now that the Carolina Panthers have closed training camp, Observer staff writer Charles Chandler presents five things learned about the Panthers during camp and five things to watch in the remaining weeks of the preseason:
FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED
1. Defensive end Julius Peppers looks better than ever. Coming off his worst season, Peppers might be primed for his best. He still has the speed and quickness that he brought into the NFL, but he's added strength and has shown a new capacity to overpower tackles and push them backward. If he's able to maintain that during the regular season, watch out.
2. Thomas Davis finally looks ready to have a breakout season. The Panthers loved his potential when they drafted him in 2004, but he's been adjusting to the pro game ever since. Team officials have been waiting for the “light bulb to come on” – which marks when what a player has learned becomes fully integrated into his play. Davis said this week that it definitely has happened. He loves playing weakside linebacker after switching from the strong side. If he's truly ready to play free, his explosiveness could add a new dimension to the defense.
3. There's a principle that kicker John Kasay has advocated for years: Conflict is the pathway to intimacy. What that means is relational troubles, if handled properly by all involved, can bring people closer together. That's true for marriages, friendships and football teams. The Steve Smith-Ken Lucas confrontation could have torn this team apart, but it doesn't appear that has happened. Three people led the way: Coach John Fox acted decisively in handing down Smith's two-game suspension, earning the respect of the other players. Smith didn't try to make excuses, owned up to his mistake, apologized, and vowed not to let it define him. Lucas took a selfless, team-first attitude and forgave Smith. That allowed all the other players to accept Smith, too.
4. Running back DeAngelo Williams has been dazzling in practice and the first exhibition against the Colts last week. He appears to be running more assertively and confidently. His quickness and cutting ability looks even sharper than last season. Coaches say he's matured and is working harder at his craft. It shows.
5. Two players who were never drafted – receiver Jason Carter and defensive tackle Gary Gibson – had outstanding camps and now have a reasonable chance not only to make the team but to get regular-season playing time. Carter looks like a true NFL receiver and also has gotten some turns returning kicks. Gibson is very strong and has put himself in position to get into the playing rotation on the defensive line.
FIVE THINGS TO WATCH
1. Running back Jonathan Stewart's toe still hurts him and you have to wonder if it's going to affect his play, especially early in the season. It's easy to understand why Stewart would be concerned about pain in the toe, which underwent surgery in March. But team doctors and officials have assured him the pain is not an indication of a heightened chance of re-injury, but instead is just a matter of scar tissue working itself out. The Panthers need their prized first-round pick to be at his best when the regular season begins, so they're being very careful with him now.
2. So far, so good regarding quarterback Jake Delhomme's recovery from offseason elbow surgery. Delhomme repeatedly has said he feels better than he has in several years after having the Tommy John operation, performed by team orthopedist Dr. Pat Connor. If Delhomme is truly as healthy as he feels, that'll go a long way toward helping the Panthers return to the playoffs.
3. Injuries have severely thinned the receiver position. Though each of these players are expected to be back when the regular season opens next month, it merits watching to see if their recoveries stay on schedule – Smith (concussion), D.J. Hackett (toe), Dwayne Jarrett (bruised leg) and Ryne Robinson (knee sprain).
4. The linebacker competition could get heated. Davis and middle linebacker Jon Beason are set on the first team, but holdover starter Na'il Diggs has a battle on his hands trying to hold off Landon Johnson, a former starter at Cincinnati. And rookie Dan Connor merits watching too. He had a smashing debut against the Colts and could climb up the depth chart.
5. Is the starting offensive line as good as it looked against the Colts? If so, the Panthers could do some serious damage this season, especially in the running game. Even though teams don't game plan in the preseason and defenses will be much more sophisticated in the regular season, exhibitions usually give a fairly accurate indication of a club's ability to either run the ball or stop the run.
