By 
The Carolina Panthers haven’t started their 2009 season as well as they had hoped, to be sure. Nothing went as planned, Jake Delhomme isn’t productive, the wide receivers haven’t impressed much, the defense isn’t what it used to be, the whole team is down. As strong as the NFC South is now with the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints, they better start making things happen before looking at a 6-10 season.
The Panthers’ second-half season schedule is brutal: at the New England Patriots, at the New York Giants, at the New York Jets and at the New Orleans Saints. While the Carolina Panthers weren’t the heavy favorites to win the NFC South, no one expected them to play so poorly and disorganized. When teams start this badly, they will battle the rest of the season to catch up with the division leaders.
Can the Panthers turn their season around? Yes they can because they have the talent to do it. The Panthers need to generate more turnovers on defense and give Jake Delhomme more opportunities to use WR Steve Smith, as of right now Steve Smith isn’t even on the radar as one of the best wide receivers in the league. It was just a couple of years ago when Steve Smith was an MVP candidate.
If the Panthers hope to compete in the division, they must improve the defense or else quarterbacks Drew Brees and Matt Ryan will destroy the Panthers defense.
The Panthers have had great seasons or terrible seasons, looking back over the course of their history since 1995. Panthers fans hope that the 2009 season will not be a disaster but a season of redemption. Jake Delhomme can’t keep throwing interceptions and putting his team in a hole if they hope to win football games.