Rucker Rahabbing

It would be nice for Ruck to return from his injury, play a full season at a high level and go out a winner. Then he could stop talking about retirement.

"I look at this as a mission you go after," he added. "That is what's fueling me — to not let an injury beat me."

You have to love his attitude. I think we'll be pretty good at DE this year.

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Options at Four Key Positions

Pat Y puts forth a pretty good article on 4 Key Positions the Panthers will focus on in TC. I disagree with Jenkins being a key player. I think the Panthers DL has enough talent and depth to overcome his loss. Why do you think the Panthers dangled him prior to the draft? So there were no takers, yet. The other positions Pat highlighted were TE, OL and obviously...safety. No argument there.

The position I think Pat overlooked is WR. The Panthers have to develop other options beyond Smith. That is still one of my primary memories from the playoff loss to Seattle. As much as I would like to think Drew Carter will step up, or Jarrett will have a Marques Colston-like rookie year, there is quite the chance it will remain Steve Smith and everyone else. One of these three people will have to step up: Jarrett, Carter or Keary Colbert. I’ve blogged before that I thought this year is Carter’s year. He has the height and speed to make plays, and now he has experience. They always say a WR’s 3rd year should be the breakout year (Ok, its Drews 4th, so he's due). On the other hand, word from OTC’s is that Colbert looks better than ever, focused and catching everything thrown his way. Throw in the rookies, yes Robinson may be the x-factor here, and I think we have one of the more competitive position battles brewing.  

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Panthers Sign Zwick

The former OSU starter who lost his job to Troy Smith after an injury has been signed by the Panthers. What that says to me is Basanez may be gone. He will at least have to battle for his spot with Zwick and Dalton Bell (UDFA).
I’ll bet Zwick ends up on the practice squad. You never know where the next QB phenom is going to come from.