10 Most Valuable Panthers All Time
Blazerfan's post got me thinking about who are the most valuable individual Panther contributors of all time. I'm sure this has already been done many times, but... What else am I to do mid-June??? This is not just players, but anyone who has made the team great. How would your list differ?
1. Steve Smith
Smitty is the only Panther I can remember who could not only take over a game, but a whole season! In 2005 and 2006 if teams stopped Smitty, then they stopped the whole team. But despite this, in '05, he still pretty much by himself took the team all the way to the NFC Championship. He was an integral part of the '03 Superbowl run. He made the pro-bowl as a rookie, and has been an all-pro almost every year since.
2. John Fox
Gotta give Foxy some love. Since the teams inception nothing much changed until he came. He took a 1-15 team, that had only one playoff appearance in its existence, and led it to 3 playoff appearances, 2 NFC Championships and a Superbowl. He is the 2nd most tenured coach currently in the NFC. And with the exception of '06 has had success every year the team wasn't overcome by injuries.
Davis is the closest thing I can think of to Smith's '05 performance. In that much of the teams success in '03 was due to him carrying it with consistent running. One difference was that when the running game was shutdown, Jake and company did a good job of moving the ball through the air. However after Davis went down to injury the following year, the team's running game took 4 years to recover.
Pep has the ability to be a Hall of Fame DE. The only thing stopping him is whether or not he has the determination.
5. Sam Mills
We all know the story... #51 is the only retired Panther's number. Even in his absence he has done much for the team.
I cannot comment much because I am still bitter from the Arizona game. But Jake deserves to be up here somewhere. We would not have came so close to a Superbowl win without him.
7. Jerry Richardson
In a city abused by the George Shins and Bob Johnsons of Charlotte Pro Sports, Jerry deserves some credit for creating a great organization.
8. Muhsin Muhammed
The Panthers best all-time receiver until Smith came along. Also one of the best blocking receivers in the league. I don't think it a coincidence that the Panthers running game never recovered until he returned. A skill often over looked.
Ok, maybe this one is a little premature. But what he did last year deserves some props! In his first year as a starter he amassed 1500 yards, 18 TDs and 5.5 yard average! And all while splitting time with JStew! Even if he is traded tomorrow his records will still stand.
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27 comments
Comments
I'd put either Mike Minter
or maybe Kerry Collins in instead of D-Will, at least for another season. Minter was a staple of our secondary for a long time and Collins took us to an NFC Championship game.
by Flowing Willow on Jun 21, 2009 2:33 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dom Capers deserves a spot on this list.
He took the team from non-existent to championship-calibre in two seasons, and set a high standard of play that we have come to expect over time. Sure, he made a few bad (awful) decisions, and had a couple of bad seasons that got him fired, but he did a great job initially and was invaluable for the first three/four years he was here.
As for Kerry Collins, I’d argue that his self-destruction overwhelmed whatever positives he’d brought to the team.
by r3 on Jun 21, 2009 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Eh...
I don’t know if the championship caliber business had as much to do with coaching as it did with the way the team was built from the front office. They made a conscious decision to go with veterans who could make the team competitive immediately rather than building a solid core of young players who could grow into it. As far as I’m concerned, it wasn’t a great decision, and we paid for it from 97-01. Maybe it could be argued that it helped build early fan support, but we’re still not one of the best fan groups going.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 21, 2009 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Collins???
He could have been great. But instead he boneheaded his way out of town.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Jun 21, 2009 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah...if he wasn't a drunk and a racist, he probably could have had a lot more staying power.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 22, 2009 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Jerry Richardson
He made this team possible and has been the leader to get these young men on track on and off the field after the Rae Carruth/Fred Lane problems.
Will Parker
by WillParker81 on Jun 21, 2009 11:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
+1
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 22, 2009 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just saying
Collins was pretty effective, NFC Championship, Pro Bowl. But I agree, his boneheadedness costs him a place on this list. Jerry Richardson should be on instead.
by Flowing Willow on Jun 22, 2009 2:35 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Richardson is on there at #7
Will Parker
by WillParker81 on Jun 22, 2009 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought Kevin Greene brought a lot when he came
He wasn’t here long but he had quite an impact.
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
by Jaxon on Jun 22, 2009 9:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
+1
Kevin Greene should be on the list. He was the heart and soul of the defense that carried us in 1996. That’s also the season we went undefeated at home. And Greene’s relentless style of play and constant pressure on the QB was the primary reason.
by NSpicer on Jun 25, 2009 8:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
...one of the seasons. :)
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 25, 2009 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
He had David Carr at #9 but I redacted him
Just kidding….
I blog the Carolina Panthers at www.catscratchreader.com
by Jaxon on Jun 22, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I guess guys who can't count shouldn't be writing articles
It’s a little sad when most of your top 10 list is currently on your roster. I have a new appreciation for this current team.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Jun 22, 2009 10:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You gotta go Smith or Richardson
Although I don’t think Richardson is fair because of course the only owner of the team during its entire existence is gonna be the most valuable Panther. However, as a player, Smith has been our only legitimate superstar whom has transcended Panther fame into nationwide fame. He has been considered one of the best at his position for years and no one has ever questioned his effort like other players (Peppers). He takes over games and single handedly beats defenses.
Jake is wouldn’t look near as good as he does without Smith. I have no clue why Davis is ranked that high. He had one good season and it wasn’t even as good as D. WIlliams season last year. If anything Deangelo should be higher. John Fox has been huge for us, but its tough to say he’s been our most valuable Panther considering he hasn’t even posted back to back winning seasons before.
by pancanbra on Jun 22, 2009 6:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Davis might be a little high
But he did carry us in ‘03. In my opinion he did more than anyone else to get us to the Superbowl… Although Jake and Smitty really took over late in the Playoffs. But without Davis we wouldn’t have made it there… And that Superbowl is all we have to hang our hats on.
on behalf of tha dirty south: soul food, carolina blue, southern hospitality, and tha queen city
by southtunnel on Jun 22, 2009 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Would Smith look as good without Jake?
His numbers have always been down with another QB throwing him the ball.
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 22, 2009 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Reminds me of a certain Bojangles ad
Smith to Delhomme, “You complete me.”
by Flowing Willow on Jun 23, 2009 6:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That’s not saying much when you look at the “other” QB’s throwing to him.
by pancanbra on Jun 23, 2009 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Strikes me Andre Johnson had a few good seasons under David Carr...
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 23, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
One could make the argument that Andre Johnson is the best overall receiver in the league. I would have to agree. Although Steve Smith is my favorite player ever.
by pancanbra on Jun 23, 2009 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But is the gap between them enough to suggest Carr should look like a competent QB with Johnson and not Smith?
Remember, kids...don't ever let facts get in the way of your argument.
by MichaelProcton on Jun 23, 2009 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Steve Beuerlein
All you have to do is compare his last season with the memorable Chris Weinke season. If the Panthers had had a semblance of defense in those years they’d have been a playoff team every year Beuerlein started.
by kilgore_trout on Jun 23, 2009 10:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree, I was a huge fan of Beuerein. Remember how he had to wear a protective chest plate because of how often he was hit? I like your handle btw. Fan of Vonnegut?
by pancanbra on Jun 23, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

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