CAROLINA PANTHERS
After Carrying His Team Last Season, Smith Finally Is Given a Lift
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Wednesday, September 6, 2006
The defining moment of last season for the Carolina Panthers came when Steve Smith single-handedly rolled the Bears in the second round of the playoffs.
After Chicago's defense spent the season bullying offenses around the league, the 5-foot-9 wide receiver caught 12 passes for 218 yards to push Carolina to the NFC championship game for the second time in three years.
But while Smith showed his maximum potential, the game underscored just how much Coach John Fox's team leaned on its talented wide receiver.
Sometimes, it was too much.
The Panthers realized a more balanced attack was needed, and spent the offseason making moves to supplement Smith. The result is a team many see as having championship potential.
Keyshawn Johnson comes aboard in an effort to provide Smith with more room to roam. Defenses will still double-team Smith, who led the NFL with 1,563 receiving yards and shared the lead with 103 catches and 12 touchdowns, but they'll at least think twice with Johnson on the field.
Running back DeShaun Foster gets the full-time job at last, though draftee DeAngelo Williams should be a strong reserve who could emerge to take on more carries.
Meanwhile, the Panthers' defense brings back a sizable contingent from the squad that finished in the top 10 in every major category.
The return of defensive tackle Kris Jenkins (Maryland) from an injured right knee drastically improves the front seven. That's good news for defensive end Julius Peppers, who won't face as many double-teams if Jenkins can prove he's still a threat on the inside.
The X-factor is quarterback Jake Delhomme, who looks more and more comfortable as a leader, though he has refused to renounce his gunslinging ways.
Delhomme now gets another target in Johnson, which means his completions should go up even after he eclipsed the 60 percent completion mark for the first time as a starter.
Another important piece is Foster. The running game is expected to generate enough yards per carry to keep Delhomme out of third-and-long situations, when he tends to make risky throws. Foster also will need to help restore some balance to the Panthers' attack, especially because teams will be paying extra attention to Smith.
After losing to Seattle in the NFC title game, the Panthers are poised for more playoff success.
