Panthers 2019 Season Review

by Crimsion | 8 years ago | 1 Comments

The 2019 season was a very bumpy ride for the Carolina Panthers and their fans. Sporting a 3-13 record the Panthers' not only tied for dead last within the NFC South, but also failed to make an appearance in the post season for the 2nd consecutive time.

Like they always say though, there's a light at the end of the tunnel and for Panther Nation it has come in the form of the 7th overall pick. Carolina has some very glaring needs on the offensive side of things when it comes to their offensive line, but could also use some pass rushing help once again.

As the season came to a close the Panthers would have to say goodbye to one of their longest tenured players. Centre Ryan Kalil decided he's had enough and hung up the cleets, which was unfrotunate for Carolina seeing as they could use some veteran leadership in the trenches. 

Though they faced their fair share of ups, with injuries to a handful of their offensive players, the Panthers did find some bright spots to take away from this past season.

Offensive Key Players

HB - Thurman Thomas - 254 Att., 704 Yards (2.8 AVG), 4 TDs - 40 Rec., 309 Yards, 4 TDs

In his first year as a Panther the FIU product had proven he was a key both on the ground and through the air. His rushing numbers may not have been anywhere close to where they once were coming out of Buffalo last season, but with a line like Carolina's no one can be surprised. Thomas provided a rushing threat that the Panthers had not shown since Jonathan Stewart's departure in 2017 and will likely be one of Cam's favourite targets going into the 2020 campagin.

WR - Darqueze Cooley - 55 Rec., 1,077 Yards, 4 TDs

Cooley burst onto the scene here in 2019, becoming a full time starter after totaling 17 receptios in the two seasons prior. Cooley is built much like his teammate Kelvin Benjamin, but hosts more speed at the cost of his hands. The now 4th year man out of Utah will take on an even more expanded role this upcoming season with Benjamin showing signs of slowing down after suffering a broken rib in week 15.

WR - Bruce McClellin - 26 Rec., 517 Yards, 4 TDs

It's always welcome when a rookie can step in and step up in a crucial situation as filling in for an injured star. That's exactly what the Panthers got out of McClellin this year, filling in for Benjamin and receiving starter like snaps for the final 3 weeks the 6'1" rook made a name for himself. McClellin brought an added element of speed to the table and gave Cam Newton yet another target to hit deep down the field.

Defensive Key Players

FS - Tre Boston - 86 Tackles (47 solo), 6 Interceptions

Boston once again was the man on the moon that the Panthers needed to limit the deep balls thrown on this defense. The Carolina man was able to make quarterbacks pay for taking a shot and was able to secure the bag a total of 6 times this season, it's safe to say Boston isn't going anywhere for the time being.

CB - James Bradberry - 83 Tackles (52 solo), 5 Interceptions, 20 Pass Deflections

The Panthers looked to Bradberry back in 2016 to be their replacement for Josh Norman, and he may have not shown truly what he could do out the gate but it looks like he's ready to step up to the plate going into 2020. Bradberry recorded a career-high in both interceptions and pass deflections and earned himself a 4 year extension worth a total of $25 million.

CB - Daryl Worely - 64 Tackles (25 solo), 1.5 Sacks, 7 Interceptions, 10 Pass Deflections

Worely played a crucial role alongside Bradberry this season as Carolina's primary nickle back. The WVU product also played well enough to earn himself a solid payday earning just $1 million more than Bradberry, but the Panthers wanted to keep their secondary of Bradbery, Worely and Delfonta Rossum intact so they did what they needed.

LE/OLB - Trey Beriault - 73 Tackles (32 Solo), 15 TFL, 8.5 Sacks

Beriault once again lead the team in sacks but that's no surprise as the Panthers are without many solid pass rushers on their roster. This could very well change as Beriault will likely make the move to OLB, which he played in college, to make Carolina's transition to a 3-4 defense in 2020 much smoother.