|
|---|
Thursday, June 23, 2011
In the series finale of "The History of the Franchise," we cover the worst team from 2010. Besides a 2-14 record, the Panthers still had the bast backfield in the NFL with DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. They also had Patrick Willis look alike Jon Beason, who made his third Pro Bowl. In 2011, the Panthers will go into rebuilding mode with head coach Ron Rivera and QB Cam Newton, who they selected #1 overall. Now here is the series finale.
The Panthers were established in 1995 and have only had three head coaches since then. John Fox inherited the team after George Seifert led the Panthers to a 1-15 record the previous season. Fox snapped the teams 15 game losing streak by beating the Ravens 10-7 in Week 1 and the season ended with a 7-9 record. In 2003 Fox helped lead the Panthers to their only Super Bowl appearance. In Super Bowl XXXVIII, Carolina lost to the Patriots 32-29 on a last second Adam Vinateri field goal. While Fox did not win the Lombardi trophy, he does have something else in common with the legendary coach. Lombardi and Fox are the only two head coaches to take over a 1-15 team and then take their teams to the NFL Championship Game. Nearly two seasons later Fox coached the Panthers to another NFC Championship Game, but lost to the Seahawks. For the last five years of Fox's career, the Panthers would only get to the playoffs once. Carolina decided not to give Fox a contract extension at the end of last season, but unless Ron Riveria wins the team a Super Bowl, Fox will remain the franchises best coach.
Probably the second best undrafted QB, Jake Delhomme had one of the most inspiring careers then any other NFL player. After spending his rookie season on the Saints practice squad, Delhomme spent two years overseas playing for NFL Europe before finally being signed by the Saints as their back-up. Wanting to compete for a starting job, Delhomme signed with the Panthers in 2003. Delhomme might of only went to one Pro Bowl in Carolina, but leads the franchise in almost every passing category. In the 2003 season opener, the Panthers trailed 17-0 at halftime and Delhomme replaced starter Rodney Peete. What followed was Delhomme's most successful season as a Panther. Even though his numbers weren't that good (3,219 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions), Delhomme did lead the Panthers through a magic postseason which included a double overtime victory against the Greatest Show on Turf. Unfortunately, it ended with a loss in Super Bowl XXXVIII. While Delhomme set career highs in 2004 like pass attempts, completions, yards, and touchdowns, the Panthers missed the playoffs with a 7-9 record. Carolina released Delhomme after the 2009 season, but he is still in the discussion of one of the best QB's not to win the big one. Click here to look at Delhomme's stats.
I know I have said Steve Smith has a big mouth, but he is one of the best WR's of his era. Smith was drafted in the third round of the 2001 draft and no doubt plays with a chip on his shoulder. In his careers so far, Smith has made it to four Pro Bowls and has been a All Pro three times. Even though Smith spent much of his rookie season (his rookie card is the most valuable card I have) as a punt and kick returner, he eventually became a explosive playmaker and a menace to opposing CB's. Even though Smith helped the Panthers to a Super Bowl in 2003, he had his best season in 2005. On his way to a Co-Comeback Player of the Year award, Smith led the NFL in receiving yards (1,563), receptions (103), touchdowns (12) for the "Triple Crown" of receiving. Smith also joined fellow teammates Delhomme, Julius Peppers, and Mike Wahle in Hawaii that season. Smith might be known better for his altercations off the field which is disappointing considering this guy is one of the most talented WR's of all time (and at only 5'9). Click here to look at Smith's stats.
Try saying that name five times fast, but seriously this guy is one of the biggest busts in NFL history. Tim Biakabutuka was taken eighth overall in the 1996 draft thanks to his accomplishments in college. At Michigan, Biakabutuka rushed for 313 yards against Ohio State, which is the second most yards for a RB in school history. Biakabutuka also rushed for the most yards in a season with 1,818 yards which is the most in school history. That success didn't translate into to the next level as Biakabutuka spent most of his pro career on the sidelines. In his six year career with the Panthers, Biakabutuka never played over 12 games in a season. During that time, he also never went over 800 yards in a season. Probably the only accomplishment he had was becoming the first ever RB to run for two touchdowns of 60 yards or more in a single game. The Panthers had better options at #8 with the best RB in the draft, Eddie George, going just six picks later. Of course the guy they should of picked was Ray Lewis, who went to the Ravens late in the first round. While Biakabutuka didn't help the Panthers, he sure helped me make this article longer. Click here to look at Biakabutuka's stats.
In only their ninth year of existence, the Panthers made it to the Super Bowl. To put that into perspective, the Texans have been around for nine years and they haven't even been to the playoffs. In 2003, the Panthers vastly improved from the 1-15 record they achieved just two years earlier. Carolina was 11-5 and was the third seed in the NFC. In the playoffs, the Panthers rode the arm of the magical Jake Delhomme which was highlighted by a double overtime victory over the Rams in the divisional round. In Super Bowl XXXVIII, the Panthers were just 1:08 away from the first overtime Super Bowl. When the kickoff went out of bounds, New England got the ball at their own 40-yard line. Tom Brady then led the team down field so Adam Vinatieri could kick a game winning 41-yard field goal. Even though the talent remained in Carolina from that season, the team really has never clicked since then. Since the loss, the Panthers have only been back to the playoffs twice and have only been back to the NFC Title Game once.
0 Comments:
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
