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QUARTERBACKS A healthy Jake Delhomme is better than most NFL starting quarterbacks. No, he's not the caliber of Peyton Manning or Tom Brady, but who is? Delhomme had eight touchdown passes and one interception before his season-ending elbow injury in the third game last season. He looks healthy and ready to resume being perhaps the most important player in a Carolina uniform. Friday's trade for veteran backup Josh McCown was a smart move. The Panthers simply didn't have enough insurance behind Delhomme, and they sure didn't want to be scrambling like last year if Delhomme gets hurt again. McCown has 31 NFL starts and fits the Panthers' system. Matt Moore didn't play as well as expected in the preseason, then went down Wednesday with a broken fibula. That leaves Brett Basanez, who's on the practice squad, as the only other healthy quarterback.
STRENGTH QUOTIENT: 8
RUNNING BACKS Jonathan Stewart is the real deal. If you picked him to be on your fantasy football team, you're going to be happy. He has power, speed and a burning desire to be one of the NFL's best. He's not starting yet, but watch out if – er, when – he gets on a roll. DeAngelo Williams is plenty good, too. He looks much better than in his first two seasons and figures to begin the year as a starter. There are some devoted Memphis fans who watched him play in college who insist Williams can be one of the NFL's elite backs. Together, Stewart and Williams should give the Panthers one of the most explosive 1-2 running back tandems in the league. Nick Goings is a capable backup and Brad Hoover is a bruising blocker from the fullback position.
STRENGTH QUOTIENT: 9
RECEIVERS This grade would be higher if Steve Smith weren't suspended for the first two games. He remains one of the league's most dynamic playmakers and, given what should be a much more balanced offense this season, should have one of his best seasons. At 35, Muhsin Muhammad looks ready to resume his role as Smith's sidekick after three years with the Bears. D.J. Hackett has the talent to be an excellent No.3 receiver, but his knack for injuries would lessen any team's confidence that he can be reliable. Dwayne Jarrett might actually be ready to contribute after a lackluster rookie season. He seems to have matured, partly because of mentoring from Muhammad. Jarrett doesn't appear to get much separation from defensive backs, but has outstanding size, reach and hands, making him dangerous as a possession receiver and in the red zone.
STRENGTH QUOTIENT: 6.5
TIGHT ENDS Don't come here looking for dazzle, but there's plenty of diversity. Jeff King seems like a Kris Mangum clone – a capable receiver and willing blocker. Dante Rosario is beginning to show more explosion and body control in his route running and ability to make difficult catches. Rookie Gary Barnidge was hampered by a preseason injury, but could develop into a factor in the passing game.
STRENGTH QUOTIENT: 5.5
OFFENSIVE LINE If the preseason is any indication, the Panthers' offseason remaking of their blockers was a success. The starting unit opened huge holes at times for Williams and Stewart. Though it was only the preseason, there have been plenty of seasons when the exhibitions were an excellent foreshadowing of how the Panthers' line wound up performing in the regular season. There appears to be a significant drop-off when the starters are out, so keeping the first five healthy is essential.
STRENGTH QUOTIENT: 8
DEFENSIVE LINE Julius Peppers looks ready to have a monster season, but there are plenty of questions about the rest of this group. They've gotten smaller but quicker than last season and must prove they can hold up against the run. Depth is scarce, especially at defensive tackle. On a positive note, starting tackle Damione Lewis and backup end/tackle Charles Johnson had moments in the preseason when they looked ready to emerge as legitimate playmakers.
STRENGTH QUOTIENT: 6.5
LINEBACKERS There is so much talent and depth here that the second team would be a respectable starting unit, with Adam Seward in the middle and Dan Connor and Landon Johnson on the outside. The first-teamers, however, could be extra special. Middle linebacker Jon Beason looks ready to emerge as one of the league's elite defenders. He's flanked on the outside by ultra-athletic Thomas Davis and veteran Na'il Diggs.
STRENGTH QUOTIENT: 9
DEFENSIVE BACKS The secondary should be solid enough to give the defensive line time to make a vast improvement on last season's disappointing pass rush. Cornerbacks Ken Lucas, Chris Gamble and Richard Marshall are all starting-caliber defenders. Strong safety Chris Harris is very physical and has become one of the team's locker room leaders. Rookie Charles Godfrey must proves he's ready to start at free safety, but team officials are rightfully optimistic based on his preseason play.
STRENGTH QUOTIENT: 8
KICKING GAME The Panthers have made the rare investment of keeping two kickers plus a punter on their roster. But if you watched Rhys Lloyd kick off during the preseason, you know why. He regularly boomed kicks into or out of the end zone. If he continues that, it should dramatically affect where opponents start their drives. John Kasay is one of the league's most reliable field-goal and extra-point kickers, but his reduced length on kickoffs in recent seasons forced the Panthers to find an alternative. Punter Jason Baker and snapper Jason Kyle are established pros.
STRENGTH QUOTIENT: 8.5
RETURN GAME The preseason took a heavy toll on the Panthers' aspirations to improve on what last season was an anemic kick return squad. Ryne Robinson, in his second season, looked ready to be the kickoff and punt returner before a knee injury sidelined him early in training camp. He could be back soon, but is expected to miss at least the first game at San Diego. Receiver Jason Carter's season-ending knee injury and cornerback Ricardo Colclough's release left the Panthers scrambling for options. Stewart was a record-setting kickoff returner at Oregon, but does coach John Fox really want his first-round running back risking injury on special teams? The Panthers picked up former Tampa Bay return man Mark Jones this week, which was about as much as they could do under the circumstances.
STRENGTH QUOTIENT: 4.5
