Panthers New Coaching Staff Inherits Several Player Projects

With every coaching change comes hope for the future. That hope is never more present than in the players deemed 'projects', players with tons of potential yet unrealized when it counts. The Panthers have a few of these projects, some in critical starting positions and others in key back-up roles. Whether these players realize their potential or not will hinge on how well this new staff coaches them up. So are they up to the task? Let's take a look at who might finally realize all that untapped potential:

QB Jimmy Clausen

Whether the Panthers pick up a vet QB to lead the team in the immediate future or not new QB coach Mike Shula has to figure out if Clausen can develop into even a serviceable back-up, much less a franchise quarterback. Based on 2010's results Shula might have the biggest project on the team. So can the kid from Alabama get through to a California golden boy? Shula will bring a whole new approach as compared to former Panther QB coach Rip Scherer; an approach that will hopefully allow this 2nd year QB to realize his potential.

WR Armanti Edwards

We've heard the kid has learned all three WR positions and is surprisingly smart. So will that translate to the field in 2011? New WR coach Fred Graves has done it before:

Armed with a reputation as a stickler for precision, Fred Graves is challenged with developing one of the NFL's youngest wide receiving corps. However, the task is not unlike the one he successfully met as wide receivers coach for the Tennessee Titans for the past four seasons.

Taking over Tennessee's wide receivers in 2007, Graves took an unproven group of wide outs and groomed them into reliable targets. Justin Gage emerged and tied for the team lead with a career-high 55 catches. The next year, Gage evolved into a big-play threat, ranking third in the NFL with an average of 19.1 yards per reception.

In 2009, the Titans selected Kenny Britt in the first round of the NFL Draft and added Nate Washington in free agency. Graves helped Britt compile a team-high 701 yards to become the first rookie to lead the team in receiving yards since 1995. In Washington's first season as a full-time starter in the NFL, he established career bests for catches and touchdowns.

Graves instead inherits three 2nd year WRs that, hopefully with his tutelage, becomes the core of the WR position for years to come.

DE Everette Brown

New DC Sean McDermott will begin in earnest deciding which of his young DEs will be the guy opposite Charles Johnson. I'm sure he's looking for a Trent Cole clone; a three down DE that can shoot the designed gaps with speed. Is Everette Brown that guy? Brown was considered a tweener when drafted by the Panthers; not quite big enough to play DE three downs but too big to play LB and drop into coverage. If Brown continues to add weight this offseason similar to last he could be a serious force for the Panthers off the edge (or from anywhere for that matter) and play a key role in McDermott's pressure defense.

DE/LB Eric Norwood

Drafted into a similar role as Brown, Norwood might instead be destined to play LB. Even if that happens he will still specialize in bringing pressure, whether that means he has his hand in the ground or he's standing up. LB coach Warren Belin is making his NFL debut. Fitting Norwood into a spot on the defense will be one of his first challenges.

DT Corvey Irvin

With all the talk of DT being the weakest unit on the team it's easy to overlook the potential in Irvin. The former 3rd round pick is hoping he can finally launch his career after two lost seasons. At 6'3" 300lbs Irvin has the speed to be the one-gap penetrator the Panthers defensive line coach Eric Washington is sure to be looking for. The question is whether Irvin's knee is finally 100%.

TE Gary Barnidge

A top priority for the Panther offense is finding a three down TE. Could he already be on the roster? TE coach Pete Hoener will have to make a quick evaluation of Barnidge because the Panthers brass may not want to risk waiting another season to see if Barnidge can rise to role needed. Based on what I've seen in prior preseason I think he deserves a chance.

G Duke Robinson

This 6'5" 330 lb mauler would seem to have all the tools to be the Panthers missing piece at RG. For get the injury prior to the 2010 season; its what is going on between the ears that seems to be the problem. Will the 59 yr old coaching veteran be able to shape him up? This is probably the one project I'm not so confident will be successful.