Training camps have wrapped up, the NFL season is right around the corner, and it's still hot as sin outside. But instead of cooling you off with a warm island song, FanHouse break out ye old heat check for our 2009 NFL Season Previews. We'll rate each club in 5 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.It's a day that haunted the Carolina Panthers and quarterback Jake Delhomme all offseason. The Panthers posted a 12-4 regular-season record and a well-earned NFC South title, plus the right to host a divisional round playoff game. On January 10, the Cardinals came to Carolina -- and Delhomme imploded. He committed six turnovers (five interceptions and a fumble) to help Arizona roll to a 33-13 win. The whole 2009 season will be Carolina's effort to wipe that horrible memory away.
Offense: What this unit is truly capable of lies with Delhomme's ability to put the past behind him. He was unspectacular but steady in the regular season, throwing for more than 3,000 yards with 15 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. Even with his playoff meltdown, and the Panthers' pickup of Josh McCown, Delhomme's the guy and has to prove he's worth the long-term investment Carolina made in him during the offseason. The good news for Delhomme is that he has maybe the best 1-2 running back punch in the league to hand the ball to. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart combined for nearly 2,400 yards rushing and 28 touchdowns last season -- Williams is primed for another great year, but Stewart missed the preseason with a nagging Achilles injury. Delhomme's also got the ultra-reliable Steve Smith and Mushin Muhammed at receiver, and the same offensive line that protected him in 2008. This is all on Delhomme. Heat Index: 8
Carolina Panthers Photos
CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 3: Muhsin Muhammad #87 of the Carolina Panthers is wrapped up by Anthony Madison #37 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during their preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on September 3, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Rex Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mushin Muhammad;Anthony Madison
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CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 3: Jamall Lee #22 of the Carolina Panthers carries for a first down against the Pittsburgh Steelers during their preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on September 3, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Rex Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jamall Lee
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CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 3: Head coach John Fox of the Carolina Panthers looks on during the loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers during their preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on September 3, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Rex Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** John Fox
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CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 3: Charles Johnson #95 of the Carolina Panthers runs down Mike Reilly #13 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during their preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on September 3, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Rex Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Charles Johnson;Mike Reilly
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CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 3: Charles Johnson #95 of the Carolina Panthers runs down Mike Reilly #13 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during their preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on September 3, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Rex Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Charles Johnson;Mike Reilly
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CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 3: Kelvin Smith #46 of the Carolina Panthers attempts to fight off this block as Justin Vincent #28 of the Pittsburgh Steelers picks up the first down during their preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on September 3, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Rex Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kelvin Smith;Justin Vincent
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CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 3: DeAngelo Williams #34 of the Carolina Panthers is brought down by Andre Frazier #54 of the Pittsburgh Steelers during their preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on September 3, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Rex Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** DeAngelo Williams;Andre Frazier
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CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 3: Justin Vincent #28 of the Pittsburgh Steelers picks up a first down against the Carolina Panthers during their preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on September 3, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Rex Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Justin Vincent
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CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 3: Josh McCown #12 of the Carolina Panthers releases this pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during their preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on September 3, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Rex Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Josh McCown
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CHARLOTTE, NC - SEPTEMBER 3: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers drops back to pass against the Carolina Panthers during their preseason game at Bank of America Stadium on September 3, 2009 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Rex Brown/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ben Roethlisberger
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Defense: Julius Peppers' dance with Carolina continues -- Peppers tries to get out, the team talks about moving him, then he comes back and dominates. Last year, he produced 14 1/2 sacks, while left ends Tyler Brayton and Charles Johnson combined for 10 1/2 sacks opposite him. Damione Lewis is a rock inside, but the Panthers need Nick Hayden to excel on the interior, too. Na'il Diggs, John Beason and Thomas Davis are back to form the three-man linebacker group, but Dan Connor -- who missed last year with injury -- could be the rising star in there. The secondary's probably the defense's question mark: Chris Gamble and Richard Marshall start at cornerback, with Chris Harris and Charles Godfrey at safety. Gamble's a big-play type of guy, but he needs to get support from the other three. Heat Index: 8
Special Teams: John Kasey's been Carolina's kicker since about the time George Washington's crossing of the Delaware, and he is showing no signs of slowing down. Last year, Kasey hit on 28-of-31 field goals and missed just one inside 50 yards. He's backed up by kickoff specialist Rhys Lloyd, who has a monster leg. Punter Jason Baker returns as well -- he dropped 30 kicks inside the opponent's 20-yard-line in 2008. A pair of draft picks, Captain Munnerlyn and Mike Goodson could boost the return game. Both possess huge speed. Heat Index: 9
Coaching: John Fox is in his eighth year leading Carolina, and this team has his stamp all over it -- good in the trenches, very strong in the run game. Despite that, Fox has struggled to recreate the magic of the 2003 season, when Carolina lost in the Super Bowl to New England. Fox's offensive coordinator, Jeff Davidson, has produced a good product on the field, save for Delhomme's postseason bomb. Defensive coordinator now belongs to former Colts coach Ron Meeks, who replaces Mike Trgovac. It shouldn't be a huge issue, but anytime you change a coordinator, there is the potential for problems. Heat Index: 7Intangibles: It will be mostly a mental game for Carolina in 2009, and the schedule will punish them for any lapses. Last year's playoff loss can either serve as a motivator or a confidence-killer -- but, even in a best-case scenario, it's at least a nuisance. Heat Index: 5
Total Heat Index: 37/50 -- Aside from the rebuilding Buccaneers, the NFC South could easily land with any of the other three teams. Carolina's got to be considered in the mix, even if Delhomme's a bigger question mark than Drew Brees in New Orleans or Matt Ryan in Atlanta. If the Panthers can somehow traverse a brutal first eight weeks with an above-.500 record, a return playoff trip -- and even a repeat division crown -- is well within reach.
