Sizing Up the ‘09 Panthers

It’s not yet go time for the Carolina Panthers, but the team is already starting to draw comparisons to last year’s crop of talent. The Panthers have lost a significant number of players after trying to squeeze under the salary cap in the middle of the Julius Peppers situation, and while the Peppers fiasco is now ironed out (for this year, at least,) the Panthers are still in that rebuilding stage, though the team has picked up a significant number of talented rookies and veterans in the offseason, as well.

The biggest losses for the Panthers from last year include those of long snapper Jason Kyle (New Orleans), cornerback Ken Lucas (Seattle), wide receiver D.J. Hackett (UFA), tackle Jeremy Bridges (Washington), running back Nick Goings (UFA) , lineman Geoff Hangartner (Buffalo) and tackle Frank Omiyale (Chicago). On the flip side, however, Carolina has already signed undrafted rookie free agents Gerald Cadogan (OT), Marlon Favorite (DT) and Jamall Lee (RB), while drafted rookies Everette Brown (DE), Captain Munnerlyn (CB), Sherrod Martin (CB), Corvey Irvin (DT), Mike Goodson (RB), Tony Fiammetta (FB) and Duke Robinson (OG) are expected to fill in some of the holes, as well. The Panthers should be just fine in depth, and with QB Jake Delhomme at the throw and Julius Peppers handling the defense, this Carolina team should be just as tough as last year!

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