Players Added
LaBrandon Toefield/RB - He'll vie for a short-yardage role and also compete for
the No.2 role in back of starter DeAngelo Williams.
D.J. Hackett/WR - The former Seattle Seahawk is expected to handle the No. 2
role which was a big issue for the team the past two seasons. Hackett played in
the West Coast offense previously so he'll have adjust to Carolina's passing game.
Muhsin Muhammad/WR - He's back with the team that drafted him and Muhammad will
be expected to handle the No. 3 role.
Milford Brown/G - He'll compete against Vincent for the right guard job.
Keydrick Vincent/G - With the move back to a power running game, Vincent will
get another chance to revive his career at right guard.
Tyler Brayton/DE - He'll compete for the starting right end job but is more of a
rotational player.
Landon Johnson/WLB - The underrated linebacker should be able to beat out
veteran LB Na'il Diggs for the starting job.
Terrence Holt/S - He'll get a chance to compete for the free safety job against
Nate Salley.
Ricardo Colclough/CB - The former second-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers
will compete for a role in the dime defense.
Players Lost
David Carr/QB - He'll go down as one of the worst free agent signings in
recent team history. Matt Moore did a good job last season and could replace
Carr for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart.
DeShaun Foster/RB - The team signed Toefield to replace him.
Drew Carter/WR - He can get deep which is why the Oakland Raiders signed him.
Keary Colbert/WR - Despite underachieving mightily, the Denver Broncos signed
him for good money.
Christian Fauria/TE - The journeyman blocking tight end may be at the end of the
line of a long career.
Mike Wahle/G - LT Travelle Wharton is slated to move inside to replace him.
Wahle signed with the Seattle Seahawks and he'll compete for a starting job
against Rob Sims.
Justin Hartwig/C - He was pushed out of the starting job by former second-round
pick Ryan Kalil. However, Hartwig will get a chance to start with the Pittsburgh
Steelers who are looking for someone to compete against Sean Mahan.
Kindal Moorehead/DT - The career backup will get a chance at more playing time
with the Atlanta Falcons.
Kris Jenkins/DT - He hasn't been the impact player that he was earlier in his
career so the team dealt him to the New York Jets. Veteran DT Damione Lewis is
expected to replace him.
Mike Rucker/DE - He's expected to retire. Second-year DE Charles Johnson and
free agent signee Tyler Brayton will compete for playing time in Rucker's spot.
Dan Morgan/LB - The team couldn't depend on him because of concussion problems
so he was released. He's slated to play on the weak-side for the New Orleans Saints.
Deke Cooper/S - The journeyman safety should find backup work closer to training
camp.
Marquand Manuel/S - He didn't do much to impress the coaches last season and is
now with his fifth team in the last six seasons.
Pre-Draft Team Needs
1) Defensive End - The team got very little production from DE Julius
Peppers last season who enters 2008 on the final year of his contract and
veteran DE Mike Rucker is unsigned and is expected to retire. They did sign
former Oakland Raiders first-round pick Tyler Brayton but he's seen more of a
rotational player and they also have second-year DE Charles Johnson on the
roster. But the bottom line is the defense only produced a very weak 23 sacks
last season.
2) Right Tackle - With the expected move of RT Jordan Gross to left
tackle, the right tackle job is essentially open.
3) Defensive Tackle - With the trade of Kris Jenkins to the New York
Jets, that will push Damione Lewis into the starting lineup but he's best used
in a backup role.
4) Quarterback - Starter Jake Delhomme is coming off of major elbow
surgery and he turned 33 earlier this year. The team worked out University of
Delaware QB Joe Flacco out recently and it would probably be a smart move to
select a developmental quarterback who could start in a few years.
5) Free Safety - The team signed Terrence Holt but he was recently by the
Arizona Cardinals after a disappointing performance last season. Carolina also
has third-year S Nate Salley who was injured for most of last season. The bottom
line is the coaches are looking for more production out of this position and
what is on the roster may not provide good enough results.
Other Issues to Address
Running Back Depth
Offensive Line Depth
Safety Depth