Season Recap - 2010 Carolina Panthers

Final Record: 2-14
Finished: 4^th Place in the NFC South
2011 Draft Position: 1st

Preseason Ranking:  14
Preseason Letter of Misfortune:

The quarterback struggles continue in Carolina. Matt Moore, named the starter after the Panthers released Jake Delhomme during the offseason, has had his share of difficulty during the preseason. His production against the New York Jets last Saturday was downright offensive. For the second straight preseason game Moore failed to lead his team to any points and managed only to complete 6 of the 17 passes he attempted. He has only hit 42% of his passes in two preseason games, been sacked three times and thrown one interception. Not the kind of numbers the coaching staff is looking for from their young starter who finished the 2009 season strong after replacing Delhomme in the lineup. Granted, the Panthers faced two of the league’s stronger defenses so far in their preseason schedule, but even considering that, Moore’s play has not been up to par.

If Moore continues to underperform, the Panthers have little depth behind him to step in and take the reins. Rookie Jimmy Clausen hasn’t performed much better. He’s shown a bit more accuracy than Moore has, completing 17 of 27 passes so far (45%), but he has also been picked off in each game he has seen action. The two quarterbacks have combined to throw three interceptions and no touchdowns. They face a strong Tennessee defense in week 3 of the preseason, so these numbers may not improve.

Hampering the young quarterbacks for Carolina is the lack of depth and skill at wide receiver. Steve Smith should be back in time for the regular season opener, fully recovered from his broken arm, but there is nobody else on this team able to challenge defensive secondaries. The receivers, excluding Smith, on Carolina’s roster have a combined 48 catches in the NFL.

With young quarterbacks, young receivers and a running game trying to reassert itself, Carolina faces an uphill battle in the division in 2010 and will be fighting for the scraps from the tables of Atlanta and New Orleans.

Week 1: Lost at New York Giants, 31-18

Ranked – 26

The Cardiac Cats had a chance in this one before they let it slip away in the second half. As such, their ranking slips as well.

Week 2: Lost to Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 20-7

Ranked – 28

Delhomme was jettisoned during the off-season because of turnovers. Two games into the young season, Matt Moore has been saddled with the same disease. Over/under on Clausen generated turnovers in week 3? That's what I thought.

Week 3: Lost to Cincinnati Bengals, 20-7

Ranked – 29

Jimmy Clausen wasn't the answer on Sunday, though it is still too early to tell how his career will play out. For now, the Panthers are up the creek without a paddle and have already lost all hope during what should have been a promising season.

Week 4: Lost at New Orleans Saints, 16-14

Ranked – 29

You had your chance to steal one from the defending champions, but let them get just enough yards to allow a 46-year-old kicker to knock you out for good. 

Week 5: Lost to Chicago Bears, 23-6

Ranked – 32

How bad are you if you can hold the opposing quarterback to 32 yards passing, snag 4 interceptions and still end up losing by 17?

Week 6: BYE WEEK

Ranked – 32

It's difficult to improve over a bye week, but maybe the Panthers found some magic while idle.

Week 7: Defeated the San Francisco 49ers, 23-20

Ranked – 31

Yay! You beat the 49ers.

Week 8: Lost at St. Louis Rams, 20-10

Ranked – 31

The rumors of Matt Moore's resurgence must have been greatly exaggerated.

Week 9: Lost to New Orleans Saints, 34-3

Ranked – 32

As bad as Dallas' season has gone, Carolina has far less talent.

Week 10: Lost at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 31-16

Ranked – 32

I challenge you to name five active, non-injured players on this roster not named Steve Smith. Go.

Week 11: Lost to Baltimore Ravens, 37-13

Ranked – 32

Not much can be said about a team just running out the clock on the season.

Week 12: Lost at Cleveland Browns, 24-23

Ranked – 32

The Panthers showed a lot of spirit this past week and nearly upset the Cleveland Browns. Maybe the players realized they don't want to see their position drafted #1 overall in the 2011 draft.

Week 13: Lost at Seattle Seahawks, 31-14

Ranked – 32 (ROCKY WEEK!)

Announcer: Now entering the field, a team that calls themselves 'The Dirty Birds', the NFC's best... THE ATLANTA FALCONS!

Jimmy Clausen: Wow, they're awful big. Hey, Coach Fox, how much do you think they eat?

            Coach Fox: About 222 pounds.

Announcer: And now, starting at quarterback for your Carolina Panthers, weighing in at 222 pounds...

Week 14: Lost to Atlanta Falcons, 31-10

Ranked – 32

The losses and injuries keep piling up.

Week 15: Defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 19-12

Ranked – 31

Good news- The Panthers won't finish the season 1-15 again. Great News- Cincinnati, Buffalo and Detroit all won, so Carolina maintained their hold of the #1 draft pick for next year.

Week 16: Lost at Pittsburgh Steelers, 27-3

Ranked - 32

The season mercifully comes to an end after one last beat down in Atlanta.

Week 17: Lost at Atlanta Falcons, 31-10

Final Rank - 32

Tomorrow, the 2010 Denver Broncos...