2011 Carolina Panthers NFL Expert Predictions, Picks, 2012 Vegas Super Bowl Odds and Schedule – Carolina Panthers NFL Football Season Preview: If franchises were allowed to erase seasons from their records books, the Carolina Panthers would do just that with the 2010-11 campaign. Their 2-14 record was the worst in the NFL, and the Panthers scored fewer points than any other team in the league. If there was a silver lining to the disastrous season, it was landing the top pick in April’s draft. After having the worst passing offense in NFL, the natural choice was a quarterback. However, selecting former Auburn star Cam Newton isn’t exactly a guarantee the fix. If Newton lives up to his immense potential, the Panthers will be in business. If struggles do adapt to the pro level, they will be in the same boat they were last year. Either way, it could be a few years down the road before the verdict on Newton is in.
It appears the Panthers are set on starting Newton from the get go. With his massive frame and ability to cause problems out of the pocket, Newton adds an element that few other quarterbacks can bring. The downside is that he is raw as a pocket passer. He didn’t call any plays at Auburn, and didn’t take many snaps from under center. Now, he has to be able to run an offense, change formations and read defensive coverages. Throw in his questionable accuracy, and the transition to the NFL won’t be an easy one.
The Panthers’ front office did their part to help Newton get comfortable in his new role. Tight ends Greg Olsen and Jeremy Shockey were added during free agency, giving Newton some bigger targets in the intermediate passing game. Carolina also resigned running back DeAngelo Williams, ensuring that he and fellow back Jonathan Stewart can continue the team’s run-first philosophy. The running game will be further bolstered by the return of right tackle Jeff Otah, who missed last season with an injury. Throw in Newton’s own ability to run, and the Panthers’ running attack should once again finish in the top half of the league.
The X-factor on offense could be receiver Steve Smith. After being one of the elite options in the NFL for years, he has been the victim of terrible quarterback play the last few seasons. While Newton’s inevitable inconsistencies are likely to keep Smith’s numbers down once again, his ability to take a short slant and break it for a big gain is going to help Newton and the Panthers’ offense.
Defensively, Carolina shelled out a lot of money to keep some of their top talent in house. Tackling machine Jon Beason is back at linebacker, along with Thomas Davis. Defensive end Charles Johnson was resigned as well, keeping the core of a strong front seven intact. The secondary could be a trouble spot, especially after losing cornerback Richard Marshall. However, the defenses’ biggest problem last year was being on the field too much while the offense struggled to move the ball.
In the end, throwing Newton to the wolves in his rookie year could speed up his development. That being said, he is still a year or two away from putting it all together as an NFL signal caller. His flashes of greatness will undoubtedly be followed be inexplicable mistakes, preventing Carolina from building a lot of momentum. In the meantime, the Panthers’ run-heavy offense is going to face eight and nine-man fronts on a repeated basis until the passing game can achieve respectability. Throw in the fact that the NFC South is one of the best divisions in football right now, and the Panthers will likely end up in the cellar again.
2011 Carolina Panthers NFL Football Schedule
1 Sunday Sep. 11 4:15 PM at Cardinals – – –
2 Sunday Sep. 18 1:00 PM Packers – – –
3 Sunday Sep. 25 1:00 PM Jaguars – – –
4 Sunday Oct. 2 1:00 PM at Bears – – –
5 Sunday Oct. 9 1:00 PM Saints – – –
6 Sunday Oct. 16 1:00 PM at Falcons – – –
7 Sunday Oct. 23 1:00 PM Redskins – – –
8 Sunday Oct. 30 1:00 PM Vikings – – –
9 Bye Week
10 Sunday Nov. 13 1:00 PM Titans – – –
11 Sunday Nov. 20 1:00 PM at Lions – – –
12 Sunday Nov. 27 1:00 PM at Colts – – –
13 Sunday Dec. 4 1:00 PM at Buccaneers – – –
14 Sunday Dec. 11 1:00 PM Falcons – – –
15 Sunday Dec. 18 1:00 PM at Texans – – –
16 Saturday Dec. 24 1:00 PM Buccaneers – – –
17 Sunday Jan. 1 1:00 PM at Saints – – –
Check out NSAwins.com’s official 2011 NFL Over Under Team Wins Odds and Predictions and 2011 NFC South Odds and Predictions articles.
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