This is where it starts to get a little dicey, folks. With MLB Jon Beason and OLB Thomas Davis coming off major injuries, the Panthers jumped at the chance to draft another linebacker who happened to also be the best player available at #9.

Enter OLB/MLB Luke Kuechly. With Kuechly and OLB James Anderson in the fold, the LB corps--almost regardless of what happens with Beason and Davis--will at least be serviceable in 2012. But if Beason, Davis, Anderson and Kuechly are all healthy for 16 games, this group should be dominant.

We've heard some chirping from fans about how the Panthers should play a 3-4 defense since they have four capable LBs with a mediocre defensive line. Two things make this unrealistic to someone capable of tying his/her own shoes...

First, you are working under the assumption that all four LBs will stay healthy all season long. One of them had his achilles snap in half last September and another popped the ACL in his right knee for the third time. It would probably be wise to afford them some rest during games by putting only three of them on the field at the same time.

Second, Ron Rivera and Sean McDermott are 4-3 coaches. Marty Hurney is much more familiar with 4-3 personnel and the Panthers have signed a 4-3 DE to a $72 million contract. Like it or not, this defense will be a 4-3 defense for the foreseeable future.

It actually kind of works. The Panthers have four LBs who must fill three starting spots. The extra man allows for some rotation without any drop-off in play. Aside from the top four LBs on the depth chart, the Panthers will probably keep another four LBs who will be injury insurance and special teams regulars.

Let's examine what might happen with the top four LBs (Beason, Kuechly, Anderson, Davis) and then take a stab at predicting how the roster shakes out with LBs five through eight.

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This is probably not worth an entire story but it is the offseason and this is just too funny not to discuss. It seems 49ers QB Alex Smith decided to use Cam Newton in his defense of having low stats, essentially saying Newton had great stats but no wins to show for it:

"I could absolutely care less on yards per game," Smith said. "I think that is a totally overblown stat because if you're losing games in the second half, guess what, you're like the Carolina Panthers and you're going no-huddle the entire second half. Yeah, Cam Newton threw for a lot of 300-yard games. That's great. You're not winning, though."

I think anybody taking shots at this Panther team might now know Jon Beason won't stand for it quietly. Beason shot back earlier today via Twitter:

"Alex smith, don't hate on Cam Bc your stats would've gotten u cut if Peyton decided to come 2 San Fran.Truth b told..That's after a 13-3 yr," Beason wrote.

Wham! So yeah Alex, in spite of going 13-3 your team would have cast you off in a skinny second if the 34 year old QB coming off neck surgery had picked your team instead of the Broncos. That zinger goes from coast to coast! Sheeze, I'll bet Jimmy Clausen is feeling bad for Smith after that one. The icing would be for the 49ers to trade for Clausen this preseason. Smith would be competing with the 3rd stringer behind Newton.

I would say Beason now plays defense both on and off the field!

"What if Jerry Richardson and Bill Polian parted ways amicably?"

Fans of the Carolina Panthers have a lot to thank Bill Polian for. Jerry Richardson and his PSL plan depended on generating early hype and excitement to support the adoption of the franchise by potential fans. To this end it was Polian who was charged with executing this plan, and he did so to a tee. This is what brought in Kevin Greene, Sam Mills, Wesley Walls- some of this franchise's best players were acquired during this initial push to win the hearts and minds of fans in the area.

Even fifteen years later we're not sure how things soured, but we know there was a power struggle and a falling out between Polian and Richardson. From what we can piece together it seems that Polian wanted more control over the organization, and JR (like most business owners) didn't want to relinquish it- this was coupled with personnel upheaval and drama that caused things to go badly quickly. In 1997 Bill Polian left the Carolina Panthers to join the Indianapolis Colts where he got full power over football operations, and played a major role in the financial direction of the franchise.

Despite the early success it was time for Polian and the Panthers to part ways- that much is known, and there was a good chance this could have ended amicably because of the Colts' offer that was on the table. Now as we reflect on this breakup there's one thing that stands out... the Panthers could have had Peyton Manning.

More after the jump

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hehehe..... I hatched this little nugget of an idea whilst bored on a night shift. We fans are keen to review and critique players, offer criticism where we feel appropriate and even defend Matt Moore to the death on some occasions.... well one or two of us. With that in mind I thought it might be fun to review the brains and heart of this community..... those who have the power to put PT on the naughty step, those who wield the ban hammer, those who keep us informed on all things panthers....... THE MANAGEMENT. 16 people are charged with maintenance, upkeep and keeping the peace (sometimes harder than others *cough* *cough* Matt Ryan) on this site and obviously to review them all would take hours of my time, therefore I will be looking at a few of the regulars who rule over the rest of us peons to give the new bees an idea of who they are going up against. Who you say?..... Find out after the jump I say.

Obviously this article is tongue in cheek so as usual take nothing I say seriously. My favourite aspect of CSR is that we reguarly take the piss out of each other and return to fight another day with a smile on our faces.

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The Swamp Panther's typical seat location.

via t3.gstatic.com

The 2012 schedule has been announced and just like all fans of this great sport, we've all spent time dissecting it. Which are the easy games, which ones are a challenge, how do primetime games factor in, what will our final record be? These are all questions that naturally come this time of the year. I'm looking at two more questions myself, what game will be the most intense and which game(s) will I be trying to attend?

Certainly our one home primetime game will be the most popular choice. Not only do we play the defending Super Bowl champions but there is just something about a night game in an outdoor NFL stadium that is special. If you haven't had the opportunity to experience it I suggest trying to get tickets. I'm actually looking forward to one game in particular this year, one that I would gladly pass up the Thursday Night Game to attend. Which game and why after the jump...

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Anybody can stand around and view what is happening, but we like to take it a step further here on CSR and give fans analysis, not just observation. Today in Charlotte was a chance for the media to take a look at the Carolina Panthers, a witness the seeds of the offense and defense being installed. Across several different sources we got a good look at the 'what' was going on, but nothing about the 'why' or 'how'... so we're here to fill in the gaps.

Brandon Hogan getting second-team Reps behind Captain Munnerlyn at corner.

- Joe Person

Ron Rivera said as much leading up to the OTAs, and he's a man of his word. It's important to note that as the day went on Hogan began taking first team snaps. We're discussed it a lot here, but Munnerlyn is a natural nickel back and can still thrive in that role, whereas Hogan is much better in man coverage, and a more naturally athletic corner. You'll also note that Darius Butler didn't figure into these 1st team reps, so for now it looks like it's Captain's job to lose, and from early perception it seems Hogan could very well take it from him.

Jeff Otah working second team behind Byron Bell at RT. Rookie Amini Silatolu working first team at LG between gross and Kalil.

- Steve Reed

Nobody will mistake Byron Bell's talent level for Jeff Otah's, but nobody will confuse Otah's health with Bell's either. This is an example of how the team is run under Rivera. Every player, even the most talented will need to earn their spot on the team. With Otah in a contract year he'll need to show up, earn the job and stay healthy if he's to remain in the NFL beyond his initial deal. Also noticeable is Silatolu indeed playing LG as projected. The pulling guard role is the best spot for him, and it makes the left side of the line very solid in the running game.

More after the jump

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Can you see the invisible player that Martin is tackling behind Kevin Smith? Me neither. The cover picture would be funny if it weren't so sad. This image really is a glimpse of the season as a whole for the Panthers starting safety tandem. To say that the back line of the Panthers defense was abysmal in 2011 might be an understatement. Every game seemed to be rife with fundamental mistakes. If Martin wasn't missing tackles, he was inexcusably getting beat on a last second first half touchdown. If Godfrey wasn't taking the wrong angles in both pass coverage and run support, he was dropping easy interceptions. There is no doubt that the first two lines of defense weren't holding up their end of the bargain and our safeties were pushed to the limit more than they ever had been before, but that is no excuse for completely falling apart at times.

I guess it wasn't all bad because they individually and collectively had their moments. A late interception against Indy to seal the game may have been the finest moment of the season for starting free safety Sherrod Martin, but overall, he regressed more than anyone else on the team last season. Godfrey, the Panthers veteran strong safety, played better than Martin, but that isn't saying very much. They may have started over the past several seasons, but they will have their work cut out for them if they want to keep that streak going. After the jump, we'll take a look at some of the newcomers who will get a chance to supplant the incumbents.

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