Carolina (Defense / Car)

Latest News:

02.26.12

Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said Sunday that Jimmy Clausen is "in the mix in terms of coming back next year and competing," the Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact:
The Panthers would owe Clausen nearly a million dollars if he's still on the roster next month. In 2010, Clausen replaced Matt Moore and proceeded to lose nine of 10 starts, and he posted the league's worst passer rating. In 2011, he was inactive for every game. The Panthers clearly have their quarterback of the future in Cam Newton, and while Rivera didn't close the door on Clausen's return, the hefty roster bonus may be too much for a third string quarterback.

02.22.12

Jimmy Clausen, who is owed nearly $1 million if a roster bonus hits in March, will likely be released because of it, the Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact:
With Cam Newton firmly solidified as the starter in Carolina, there aren't many reasons to keep Clausen around on his existing deal. It's possible that the team could bring him back, but no one would be surprised if he tried to win a starting job elsewhere.

02.20.12

Jon Beason (Achilles') continues to rehab from surgery and while he was cleared to resume activities on January 1, he is taking it slow to avoid any setbacks, the Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact:
Beason said he's not sure if he will participate in team workouts in May but may be able to do so in June. The team will likely let him take his time so that he's fully ready for the season, especially given the large contract they gave him before last season.

01.02.12

Greg Olsen failed to catch a pass during Sunday's loss to the Saints.

Impact:
Olsen went catch-less over the last two games of the season, as Jeremy Shockey got a lot more action from the tight end position. Olsen finished the year with 45 catches for 540 yards and five touchdowns, a decent total in a run-heavy offense. That being said, he could have been better if Shockey wasn't on the team but that could very well be the case next season.

01.02.12

Jeremy Shockey had three catches for 18 yards Sunday against the Saints.

Impact:
Shockey hasn't been a great fantasy option for years and he didn't change that much this season. He finishes with 37 catches for 45 yards and four touchdowns although he was usually playing behind Greg Olsen. Neither player did enough this year to warrant a lot of early fantasy consideration next year, especially if both stay in Carolina.

01.02.12

Brandon LaFell had two catches for 27 yards Sunday against the Saints.

Impact:
LaFell finished the season on a bit of a low note, although his overall season exceeded many expectations. The second-year wideout had 36 catches for 613 yards and three touchdowns this season mostly as the No. 3 wideout for the Panthers behind Steve Smith and Legedu Naanee. LaFell moved into the starting job toward the end of the season although his stats didn't change too much with the switch. Depending on what the Panthers do in the offseason, LaFell will likely get another chance to earn his way into a starting job and another year with Cam Newton will only benefit him moving forward.

01.02.12

Jonathan Stewart had nine carries for 79 yards and a touchdown, as well as two catches for seven yards, during Sunday's loss to the Saints.

Impact:
Stewart ends the year on a high note although he rushed for a career-low 761 yards this season. He constantly split carries with DeAngelo Williams, which was interesting after the Panthers gave Williams $21 million guaranteed this past offseason. Stewart matched him in yards per carry and had an impressive 1,174 total yards from scrimmage, 203 more than Williams. His five total scores were up from last year, although this is the same player who scored 21 total touchdowns in his first two years in the league. As long as both are splitting time in the Carolina backfield, it's tough to see either breaking out for a big season especially with Cam Newton also taking a few carries for himself. Stewart could be an every down back but it won't likely happen with the Panthers.

01.02.12

DeAngelo Williams had seven carries for 53 yards and two catches for 20 yards during Sunday's loss to the Saints.

Impact:
Williams finishes the season with another disappointing performance for a player who signed a massive contract in the offseason. In fact, if it weren't for Chris Johnson, Williams could arguably be considered the most overpaid running back in the NFL this year. After getting a five-year, $43 million contract that included $21 million guaranteed, Williams rushed for 836 yards and seven touchdowns this year. His 5.4 YPC was a solid figure, although Jonathan Stewart matched that while accumulating 761 rushing yards for himself. The Panthers knew what they had in Stewart but gave Williams his massive deal anyway and it's tough to see the timeshare changing next season unless Stewart is sent packing. If that is the case, then Williams could have some good upside next to Cam Newton.

01.02.12

Steve Smith had six catches for 86 yards and a touchdown during Sunday's loss to the Saints.

Impact:
Smith had quite the resurgent season, finishing fifth in the NFL in receiving yards with 1,394 and moving into first place on the Panthers' all-time receptions list. He quickly developed a great relationship with Cam Newton and greatly benefitted fantasy owners who took a flier on him at draft time. He has one year left on his contract and it wouldn't surprise anyone if he started asking for an extension thanks to his steller season this year, a far cry from his offseason trade request and retirement rumors.

01.02.12

Cam Newton completed 15-of-25 passes for 158 yards with one touchdown and one interception Sunday against the Saints. He also added six carries for 32 yards.

Impact:
Newton's magical season ended with a bit of a dud, although that shouldn't take away from how good his rookie campaign was this year. He finishes with 4,051 passing yards with 21 touchdowns and 17 interceptons to go along with 706 rushing yards and 14 scores on the ground. The passing yards set a new rookie record and the 14 rushing touchdowns set the all-time single season record for a quarterback. Newton developed much faster than even the most optimistic pundits expected and he will be a great fantasy option next season.

12.30.11

The Panthers placed Legedu Naanee (foot) on IR on Friday, Panthers.com reports.

Impact:
Naanee can't be a great bet to remain in the top three of the Carolina wideout rotation next year. Even after starting 10 games in a prolific passing attack, Naanee finishes the year with just 44 catches for 467 yards and a touchdown.

12.26.11

Legedu Naanee broke a small bone in his foot in Saturday's game against Tampa Bay, Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact:
Naanee won't play in Sunday's season-finale against the Saints, which could lead to Brandon LaFell seeing some extra looks in Week 17.

12.24.11

Jeremy Shockey had two catches for 14 yards and a touchdown Saturday against the Bucs.

Impact:
Shockey has only two catches in each of the last three games, although he's gotten into the end zone in each contest. He still doesn't have a ton of upside given the presence of Greg Olsen, although he's is getting end zone looks.

12.24.11

Steve Smith had one catch for nine yards and one rush for 23 yards Saturday against the Bucs.

Impact:
For fantasy owners who rode Smith to the championship round, his performance Saturday couldn't have come at a worse time. He posted a season-low in catches and receiving yards, as the Panthers dominated the Bucs and relied heavily on the run. For fantasy owners who count Week 17, Smith should certainly have a better performance this he did this week.

12.24.11

Brandon LaFell had three catches for 103 yards and a touchdown Saturday against the Bucs.

Impact:
A solid game, although his touchdown was on a 91-yard reception, which was a bit fluky and not something fantasy owners can depend on in the future. He was only targeted three times Saturday, not an unusual number for him this season.

12.24.11

Jonathan Stewart had seven carries for 88 yards and an 11-yard touchdown catch Saturday against the Bucs.

Impact:
Stewart got the same number of carries as DeAngelo Williams and ran for 22 more yards, although the latter scored two TDs. The two men would be great fantasy options if they weren't taking carries away from one another. With DeAngelo Williams signed for big money, the Panthers could look to move Stewart during the offseason if the price is right.

12.24.11

DeAngelo Williams had seven carries for 66 yards and two touchdowns, as well as two catches for 18 yards, Saturday against the Bucs.

Impact:
Williams scored from eight and 22 yards, although he had the same number of carries as Jonathan Stewart, who ran for 88 yards. For fantasy owners that stuck with Williams for a championship match up, he surely paid some dividends. Unfortunately, his prospects for a repeat performance next week are hindered by Stewart likely getting half of his touches.

12.24.11

Cam Newton completed 12-of-17 passes for 171 yards and three touchdowns, as well as six carries for 65 yards and another score Saturday against the Bucs.

Impact:
Newton's magical season continued Saturday and he now owns the single-season rookie passing yards record, previously held by Peyton Manning. He has 34 total touchdowns this season (20 passing, 14 rushing), as well as 4,567 total yards (3,893 passing, 674 rushing).

12.24.11

Legedu Naanee suffered a foot injury in Saturday's win over the Bucs, Joe Person of the Charlotte Observer reports.

Impact:
Naanee managed two catches for 12 yards prior to his departure Saturday. For now, the severity of his injury is undetermined.

12.24.11

Jeremy Shockey (rest) is active for Saturday's game against the Buccaneers.

Impact:
Shockey has scored touchdowns in each of the last two games, but he is really not very reliable these days.

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