Power Ranking Number 20: Carolina Panthers

The biggest question is when does the Jimmy Clausen era start in Carolina, true Matt Moore might start out training camp as the starter but Clausen is the future in Carolina and is possible a franchise quarterback. Another big question is this head coach John Fox’s last year in Carolina, he is on his final year of his contract and has been given a contract extension.

The Panthers have one of the best running back combinations in Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams and this season like in the past will focus their offense on running the football and they should be very effective doing so like always. Steve Smith is there only proven wide receiver but they did draft Brandon LaFell out of LSU who could be a good rookie wide receiver to keep your eye on.

On defense they lost defensive end Julius Peppers in free-agency and linebacker Thomas Davis could be out the season with a knee injury, but they still have linebacker Jon Beason who is one of the most productive linebackers in the NFL. The Panthers are hoping that second year player defensive end Everette Brown can take up some of the pass rushing slack from losing Peppers along with rookies Greg Hardy and Eric Norwood. Cornerback Chris Gamble is the leader and best player in the Panthers secondary and will need to have an outstanding season if the Panthers are able to compete in the NFC South.

News & Notes

Tulsa CB John Destin has received significant interest from the following teams, the Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Miami Dolphins, and there is a good possibility he will get drafted in the later rounds.

DB Dominique Daniels of Nicholls State had a personal workout with the Atlanta Falcons.

DB Dominique Daniels of Nicholls State had a personal workout with the New Orleans Saints.

QB Blake Joseph of Sam Houston State has significant interest from the following teams, the Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers, Tennessee Titans, New Orleans Saints, and Jacksonville Jaguars. Many scouts feel that he has a better arm then last year quarterback out of Sam Houston State, Rhett Bomar who was drafted in the 5th round by the New York Giants.

DE/FB James Peters of Abilene Christian at his Pro Day measured in at 6003, 259 pounds and the ran the 40 yard dash in 4.62 seconds. He measured a 9-foot-9 inch broad jump, a 39.5 inch vertical jump and did 44 reps of 225 pounds. He projects as a full back at the next level and did a personal workout for the Dallas Cowboy.

Coaches on the Hot Seat

Here are seven head coaches that are on the hot seat already six weeks into the NFL season.

1. Washington Redskins, Jim Zorn – Zorn has been on the hot seat since Week 1 of this season and most likely will have to make the playoffs to save his job. This week he has already lost his offensive play calling role to Sherman Lewis who was just brought in by the Redskins as a consultant and now is the offensive coordinator.

2. Oakland Raiders, Tom Cable – Cable has the Raiders 2-4, but the team has look horrible on offense and with his off the field issue where Randy Hanson reportedly told police that he punched him and broke his jaw. If he doesn’t show improvement on offense and win at least 5 games this season you could see Al Davis make another coaching move.

3. Buffalo Bills, Dick Jauron – Jauron like Cable has the Bills at 2-4 and his offense has also been bad, they fired their offensive coordinator before the season but that hasn’t improved the situation. The Bills might not fire Jauron because of the economics with the Bills and owner Ralph Wilson.

4. Tennessee Titans, Jeff Fisher – Fisher is the longest tenured head coach in the NFL, but with the Titans coming off a 13-3 season and starting the season 0-6, it doesn’t sit well with owner Bud Adams. Adams is thinking Fisher time might have run it course and it could be time to go in another direction.

5. Cleveland Browns, Eric Mangini – Mangini is in his first year in Cleveland, but things aren’t looking good for him. The team hasn’t performed and many players have complained about Mangini and the way he runs a team. Former Cleveland Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar has joined the team as a consultant, and will help evaluated Mangini performance.

6. Carolina Panthers, John Fox – Fox has guided the Panthers to two straight wins, but will need to keep the wins coming, because it is public knowledge that former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher has a home in Charlotte, NC and would like to get back in to coaching that the Panthers seem to be a perfect fit for him.

7. Dallas Cowboys, Wade Phillips – Phillips will need to get the Cowboys into the playoffs or owner Jerry Jones will fire him and bring in a big name head coach like Mike Shanahan, Bill Cowher, or Mike Holmgren to guide the Cowboys in the 2010 season.