1) Deangelo’s Production - They believe he’s better than their original estimates, based on the production they got out of him over the past two seasons. He didn’t have much experience during all those seasons he sat on the bench or played sparingly behind DeShaun Foster. But now he does have that experience. And he’s produced at a Pro Bowl level (two years in a row, despite getting picked only once).

2) Running Style - Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like Deangelo has better breakaway speed once he gets in the open. He’s not going to win every footrace with a DB, of course. And Stewart can flat motor over them. But I think if you polled a lot of opposing defensive coordinators, they’d tell you they fear Deangelo in the open field…a lot. At the same time, you have to recognize that both guys can run between the tackles, but they bring different running styles. From what I’ve observed, the Panthers seem to like throwing Deangelo at defenses early on so every can chase him all over the place…which wears down the defense. Then, late in the 4th quarter when they need to control the clock, they hit them with more of Jonathan Stewart when they’re already tired and have trouble slowing him down as a result. The bottom line is that it’s somewhat important to have two RBs who can give you that mix of running styles, so you can take advantage of it at the opportune times during the flow of any given game.

3) Financial Aspect - This move will certainly help the Panthers achieve a stronger financial position whereby they can keep Double Trouble intact for several years. This will let them lock up the backs necessary for a potent running game and, at the same time, it lets them then turn their attention to ensuring the O-linemen are in place for great blocking…and so they can find enough pieces at the QB and WR positions to keep the passing game honest…and so they’ll have enough room to bring in (and retain) talented guys on defense that will help them play ball-control both on offense and defense. Plus, if you’re gonna chop up some of those millions you recoup by letting Julius Peppers walk, why not spend it on keeping Double Trouble together. The Panthers have already shown they can endure a single guy absorbing a tremendous amount of their salary cap. Is it really any different to have Deangelo and Stewart doing something similar on the offensive side of the ball? And, once Jake Delhomme’s salary hit disappears (which won’t be immediate), the impact of putting that much money into two starting-caliber RBs will become even less.

4) Trade Flexibility - In the event a trade opportunity emerges (whether on draft day this year, or later on during Deangelo and Stewart’s contracts), the Panthers will be better positioned to take advantage of it by having both RBs still on the roster. Until that time comes, however, they’ll also have the luxury of having two really good RBs at their disposal on actual game day. Each of them also helps extend the longevity of the other by splitting time…and that puts pressure on opposing defenses because the offense will have fresh legs coming in every other down.

5) Injuries - We’ve already seen how limited Stewart has been in terms of practice time because of his Achilles and toe issues. Deangelo also suffered his first major injury and went on IR for the last part of the season. As such, keeping them both is like an insurance policy. You know either one could be the starter. And, because of the heavy amount of running the Panthers do, you know they’re both going to take a beating throughout the season that will raise their risk of injury…and that risk will continue into the post-season as well, if the Panthers should be fortunate enough to make it in again.

Anyway, that’s just my nickel’s worth,
—Neil

P.S. Just to add one more penny…

6) Fan Favorite - Deangelo (unlike Julius Peppers) enjoys the support of all Carolina fans. And, given the amount of volatility we’ve seen with the off-season purging of so many veterans, it’s a good PR move to lock up Deangelo. The timing is also good because of the looming uncapped season. Once again, this is smart money-management and personnel management on the part of the Panthers. Letting Peppers walk was more of a financial decision. And, parting ways with Delhomme (in my opinion) was more of a “listening to the fans” decision. Retaining both Deangelo and Stewart (at least in the interim) is also a bit of a “listening to the fans” decision.