Which Panther Will Have His Number Retired Next?

by Disciple of Carolina on Jul 2, 2011 11:49 AM EDT

During the month of June, the readers of CSR were able to vote for the Greatest Panther of All Time. When the voting got underway, I found myself asking would the GPOAT have his jersey number retired? I will admit I had my own personal list of candidates before the voting ended this past week, but the final rounds featured players I felt were worthy of having their numbers retired and each one makes a strong case for themselves. Granted, having a number retired is kinda tricky in professional sports. Some teams base it on performance, while others use that along with tenure with the team as prerequisites. Please note, these are my personal opinions and if I unjustly miss anyone please let me know.

John Kasay #4 - The Original Carolina Panther. He has been durable, clutch and reliable during his 16 seasons with the Panthers. His (Panther) stats are as follows: 351FGM/424FGA/83% a career long of 56 yards. He was named to the 1996 Pro Bowl. Its difficult to imagine anyone else wearing this jersey. Alot of people have said that regarding many players but very seldom do you have a player which everyone identifies as "an original" or are accustomed to seeing one player wear the same number for many years.

Jake Delhomme #17 - Probably the best QB the franchise has seen during its short history. His stats with the Panthers: 1580 completions, 19,258 yards, 120 TDs 84.9 QB rating. He appeared in one Pro Bowl (2005). Delhomme gave us alot of memories and alot of heartburn or heartache. He established himself as a leader and guided the Panthers to multiple come from behind wins as well as three trips to the playoffs (Super Bowl XXXIII in 2004, NFC Conference Championship in 2006 and the NFC Divisional Game in 2009). *Note - the games played are not a representation of the season but year it was played; Super Bowl XXXIII was played in February 2004. Many people in Panthers Country want to see a return (I'm one of them) of Jake to the Carolinas but I know I would be satisfied if he came back just to retire a Panther.

Jon Beason #52 - I know it seems kind of soon to have his name on this list. However, this team has long been defined by defense and those leading that defense. Beast has made noise in his first five years at the pro level. His stats thus far: 540 Tkls, 4.0 Sacks and 8 INTs. His accolades include being a three time Pro Bowler (2008, 2009, 2010) and an All Pro for 2008 and 2009. Beason is very much still in his prime and has yet to touch the pinnacle of his career. I would imagine that if he maintains the same type of leadership, skill and on field tenacity that a former Carolina MLB showed, he could very well rank up their not only as one of the greatest defensive player but the greatest Panther of all time.

Steve Smith #89 - Small, fiery and always playing with a chip on his shoulder, Smitty has given defensive coordinators headaches with his competitve play and amazing pass catching ability. He has been slowed in recent years due to lackluster QB play and double/triple team coverage. He has amassed 620 receptions, 8884 yards and 52 TDs. His best season was no doubt 2005 winning not only the Comeback Player of the Year Award but the WR Triple Crown. He has been to the Pro Bowl four times (2001, 2005, 2006, and 2008) and voted an All Pro three times (2001, 2005, 2008). Personally, I hope he returns for another year. I REALLY hope he finishes out his career as a Panther; but time will tell.

Honorable Mention

Julius Peppers #90 - No one doubted his ability to play the game. He reinvented the DE position but some accused him of taking plays off. Unsatisfied with his role and wanting to play in a 3-4 defense, he left Carolina for the Chicago Bears at the end of the 2009 season. Accolades: 2002 Defensive Rookie of the Year, five time Pro Bowl Selection (2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009), five time All Pro (2004, 2006, 2008, 2009), 2004 NFL Alumni Defensive Player of the Year, named Defensive Player of the Month twice (11/2004 & 11/2008) and named to the NFL All 2000 Decade Team.

Muhsin Muhammed #87 - Moose never showed the ability and flash of his WR counterpart Steve Smith, but he was reliable. He started and ended his career with Carolina with a three year detour with Chicago in between. His best season would be 2004 where he caught 16 TDs and had 1405 yards receiving. He would go on to be selected to two Pro Bowls (1999 and 2004), named an All Pro in 2004 and be the NFL Alumni's WR of the Year for 2004. Additionally, he was on the receiving end of Jake Delhomme's record setting 85 yard TD pass in Super Bowl XXXIII; the longest in the event's history.

So what do you think CSR faithful? Do you agree with my list or did I leave off someone who is deserving of having their number retired? Remember, these are my opinions based on some of the best players who have made huge contributions to the team.

Poll

Which Panther do you think should have his number retired next?

John Kasay #4

383 votes

Jake Delhomme #17

33 votes

Jon Beason #52

10 votes

Steve Smith #89

60 votes

Other

14 votes

500 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

I really don't want anyone else to wear any of these numbers again. I'd like to see them all retired eventually.

But I have to go with my man Kasay first. He’s likely going to be the first out of this group to retire (well, Jake might retire first, but I doubt it), and yes, because he’s the last original Panther. I think it’s fair for some sentimentality to be involved in retiring a number.

Further down the line, I hope to see #17, #52, and #89 all retired. They’ve all had huge impacts on the team. But I just can’t fathom how you could retire any of those before #4 – the guy who has been there and has been reliable from the beginning. This isn’t the GPOAT debate where many think it’s just wrong for a kicker to legitimately be in the running. I don’t see any reason why a kicker’s number shouldn’t be retired, and I think Kasay’s earned it. Beason has many years ahead of him. Smitty probably has around 5 years ahead of him (give or take). And Jake certainly had his impact and took the team to surprising, unexpected heights, which is why I think #17 should be retired eventually. But those heights weren’t consistent over the course of nearly two decades, which is why I couldn’t retire #17 before #4.

As to the honorable mentions, Clowney wore #87 last year, which I really wish he hadn’t. I will always think of #87 being Moose’s number. Nothing against Clowney,

"One play can win a game, but one play cannot lose a game." - Coach Peterson, Boise St.

"When you get into coaching, you strive to be a Super Bowl-winning head coach. That’s what my goal is, to come here and become a Super Bowl-winning head coach and to sustain an atmosphere of winning." - Ron Rivera

by jamiedk on Jul 2, 2011 3:05 PM EDT reply actions

I see your point of view

I doubt any of us can see those numbers being worn by anyone else. My thought on the issue is simple. If the number isn’t retired, then make sure its worn by someone deserving of it; not someone buried on the depth chart. That leads me to Clowny. He never should have worn #87. He wasn’t making an impact and surely wasn’t putting up the numbers Moose did.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained...sometimes you have to go against the grain.

by Disciple of Carolina on Jul 2, 2011 3:38 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

The year Moose left for Chicago, we had that free agent from the Redskins wearing 87

I can’t remember his name, but he even looked like Moose in uniform. I remember thinking then that it wasn’t right, particularly in just the following season. We must never have a kicker wear #4 after the original cat retires. We should have retired Minters as well. Do we have a list of numbers that have been retired? The only one I’m aware of is Mills’ 51.

by DesertCat on Jul 3, 2011 8:53 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Just the #51

Though my understanding is #1 will never be officially issued to a player. If I am not mistaken, its the number reserved for the fans.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained...sometimes you have to go against the grain.

by Disciple of Carolina on Jul 3, 2011 9:05 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

My Opinion

I feel that for a players number to be considered for retirement, two things must happen:
1) The player must have shown outstanding talent thru the course of his career, and
2) The player must retire as a Panther.

Right now I see the Moose as #1, and Kasay next in line when he retires.

Jim

by goofygolfer on Jul 2, 2011 4:19 PM EDT reply actions

none of these guys

I think they are all great, but teams usually retire the numbers of only the best of the best. I mean, there are plenty of hall of famers who do not have their numbers retired by their teams. I doubt we retire anyone’ number who doesn’t get to the HoF first. Dez Bryant is wearing Michael Irvin’s number for example.

by usana_gaines on Jul 2, 2011 6:07 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I did not know that

However, that ties into what I had said about good players who don’t have retired numbers. Irving was a great receiver and Dez was taken in the first round after a great college career at Oklahoma State. So it makes sense.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained...sometimes you have to go against the grain.

by Disciple of Carolina on Jul 2, 2011 7:27 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

If Smith stays and retires, #89. Otherwise, its gotta be Kasay, if anyone.

by ppalm on Jul 2, 2011 9:11 PM EDT reply actions

This, but this way...

Its gotta be Kasay, then If Smith stays and retires, #89.

It's not what you've done but what you are doing that matters.

Maybe next year the Ice Surface at Jobing.com should be frozen with the tears of Winnipeg. - TimmyHate of FiveForHowling to a troll after it was alleged Coyote fans do not know how to ice skate.

by AlabamaJammer on Jul 3, 2011 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions

Valid point

Lasagna makes a compelling case, but only way Smitty gets a shred of consideration is if he STAYS & RETIRES A PANTHER.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained...sometimes you have to go against the grain.

by Disciple of Carolina on Jul 3, 2011 9:08 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Thats suppose to be Kasay, not Lasagna

Stupid EVO keypad and auto spell check

Nothing ventured, nothing gained...sometimes you have to go against the grain.

by Disciple of Carolina on Jul 3, 2011 9:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

LOL, Kasay spell checkes into Lasagna?!

by ppalm on Jul 3, 2011 9:19 PM EDT up reply actions

I think we have a potential new nickname...

One cries because one is sad. For example: I cry because others are stupid, and it makes me sad.

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by BW Smith on Jul 3, 2011 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe some photoshopping to accompany the nickname?

I’m so kidding. I’d find that disturbing. =)

"One play can win a game, but one play cannot lose a game." - Coach Peterson, Boise St.

by jamiedk on Jul 3, 2011 11:32 PM EDT up reply actions

lol

Yeah the EVO has some goofy suggestions when typing in names or slang terminology. I tried to stop it before sending it out but figured that leaving it would be a lot more amusing.

Nothing ventured, nothing gained...sometimes you have to go against the grain.

by Disciple of Carolina on Jul 4, 2011 10:29 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

LOL that's the funniest thing I've read in a long time.

Kasay = Lasagna…who knew? LOL

One cries because one is sad. For example: I cry because others are stupid, and it makes me sad.

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by BW Smith on Jul 3, 2011 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I want to know how on earth Kasay becomes lasagna???

Wait until I finish rolling on the floor laughing though so I can hear. XD

Yes I'm a dude.

by Flowing Willow on Jul 3, 2011 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions

kasay okay

i say notho the rest. if you retire numbers at the rate some are suggesting, 17,87, sooner or later you will run out of legitimate numbers. while i do love all those players, i think retirement should be reserved for players who spent their entire career in one place and had a long term impact for their team, not just good players, but great players. look at the steelers, all those hofers but not one retired number. my point being even if your number is not retired it doesnt mean that you were not appreciated and valuable to your team.

by brass bonanza on Jul 4, 2011 9:38 AM EDT reply actions

Kasay is more then just another kicker.

There is no question that Kasay will have his number retired the moment he does. The man has endeared himself to the Panther faithful, through his play on the field and life off. The first few years in Carolina there were games in which he was called upon to be the scorer. A 9-6 Tampa game comes to mind, a seven field game in his first or second season here does as well.
What I remember most early on is during a preseason game he kicked a booming 63 yard field goal that few remember because it was preseason. He had at one point one of the strongest legs in the NFL. Granted that was the season he injured his leg tackling on a kickoff, but even that showed his heart.
The only real blemish in his career was shank in the SB, in which he kept us in with a few clutch kick. Compared for what he has meant to this franchise that is a flea bite. John Kasay is who you point at when you want to give a example of what you want a Panther player to be like. Beason tweeted it the when he said John was the man. When Kasay goes they will have to put a mascot of him on the field.

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by bigred28655 on Jul 4, 2011 10:23 AM EDT reply actions

I’ll just say that… they’re just numbers. Sure we get used to seeing the same number on a player for years.. like 89 and Smitty or 87 and Moose… but, the franchise is less than 20 years old and it’s got to be looked at for the lonbg haul.

If a number is retired every few years because of a really good player or a fan favorite, there won’t be many numbers left before too long…

The team needs to look waaaay down the road… like a few decades and determine whether a player’s number is that important to retire.

How many numbers have been retired by teams that are 40 years old or more?

by scorpion12 on Jul 5, 2011 7:15 AM EDT reply actions

i agree

51 was retired more for what he meant to the team than for his level of play. I’m not saying he wasn’t awesome, but you have to be truly special to get your jersey in the rafters. My rule of thumb is this: When a number is retired, if there’s a dry eye in the house, then it was a mistake.

by Floods on Jul 6, 2011 12:36 AM EDT reply actions