Top 10 Carolina Panthers

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For a team that began their on field existence in 1995 the Panthers have had quite a bit of success, appearing in two Super Bowls.  Their success is evident in the quality of the players on this top ten list.  Look for Christian McCaffery to be on this list when it’s revised.  And here we go:

10.  Charles Johnson:  Charles provided the Panthers with a strong pass rush for many of his 11 seasons with the Panthers.  In all Johnson recorded 67.5 sacks with the Panthers.  Charles had three seasons with double digit sacks with a career high of 12.5 in 2012.  Though Johnson never was named to a Pro Bowl, he makes this list by virtue of longevity and production.

9. Kevin Greene:  Kevin spent only three of his 15 seasons in the NFL but he was very impactful while he was with Carolina.  Kevin rang up 41.5 sacks while with the Panthers.  He led the NFL in that category with 14.5 in 1996.  Kevin was named to the Pro Bowl and All Pro team that season.  He also made the Pro Bowl in another one of his seasons with the Panthers.  In addition to the sacks Greene picked of two passes, forced three fumbles, recovered seven and returned one for a TD.  Kevin had a short, but productive stint with the Panthers.

8. Thomas Davis:  Davis began his career with the Panthers 2005 and he was still active through 2018.  Thomas actually had his best seasons relatively late in his career.  From 2015-17 Davis was named to the Pro Bowl.  In addition, he was named to the All Pro team in 2015.  Thomas had a balanced game, putting up 28 sacks, forcing 18 fumbles and recovering 11 and returning one for a TD.  He also intercepted 13 passes.  Thomas was also named to the NFL’s Top 100 players three times.

7. Muhsin Muhammad:  Moose was a big time wide receiver who spent the first 11 of his 14 seasons in the NFL with the Panthers.  In 2000, Moose led the NFL in catches with 102.  In 2004 Muhsin led the league in receiving yards with 1405.  Muhammad was named to the Pro Bowl and All Pro teams that season.  He was also named to the Pro Bowl in 1999.  For his 11 seasons in Carolina his totals were 696 catches good for 9255 yards and 50 TDs.  His top season for TD receptions was again 2004 when he led the NFL in that category with 16.  In 11 playoff games with the Panthers, Moose caught another 20 passes for 407 yards and a couple of TDs.

6. Jordan Gross:  Gross spent all 11 seasons of his NFL career cementing the Panthers offensive line.  Most of his time was spent at left tackle.  Gross was named to the Pro Bowl three times and was named All Pro for his work during the 2008 season.  Jordan is the only Panthers offensive lineman to make this list.

5.  Wesley Wells:  Before Greg Olson was catching passes from the TE slot for the Panthers, Wesley Wells was doing the same thing.  Wells was good enough to be named to the Pro Bowl in five of his seven seasons with the Panthers.  In all Wesley caught 324 passes for 3902 yards and 44 TDs.

4. Cam Newton:  Cam has had his ups and downs in his eight seasons as the Panthers starting QB, but the ups have really been high.  In 2011 he was the NFL’s Offensive Player of the year.  In 2015 he was the league’s MVP.  Cam has been voted to the Pro Bowl three times and All Pro once.  While Newton’s passer rating is only 86.4, he supplements the Panthers offense with his running ability.  In all, he’s rushed for 4808 yards and 58 TDs.  He ran for 14 TDs in his rookie season alone.  Newton has thrown for 182 TDs against 107 picks, which doesn’t jump out at you.  But once again, in Newton’s case, there’s more there than just passing numbers.

3. Steve Smith:  I would call Steve competitive, but that doesn’t come close to describing him.  Fierce is closer but I’m not sure even that is strong enough.  Smith’s time with the Panthers spanned 13 seasons.  He had a monster season in 2005 when he led the NFL in receptions with 103, receiving yards with 1563 and TD receptions with 12.  Steve was a five time Pro Bowler with the Panthers and was twice named to the All Pro team.  In addition to his pass receiving, Steve returned four punts for TDs and did the same with two kickoffs.  In nine playoff games for Carolina Steve caught 51 passes for 856 yards and eight TDs.  Smith was obviously one of the most, if not the most dynamic offensive players in Panthers history.

2.  Julius Peppers:  For 10 seasons Julius Peppers made big plays for the Panthers from his defensive end position.  He accounted for 97 sacks, forced 34 fumbles and recovered 10.  He also intercepted six passes and returned two of them for scores.  His time with the Panthers was punctuated by being named to five Pro Bowls and two All Pro teams.  Julius was named the NFL’s 2002 All Rookie team and the Defensive Rookie of the Year.  He was also named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s All 2000 Second team and the Pro Football Reference All 2000s first team is one of the best defenders the NFL has seen in the last 25 years.

1. Luke Kuechly:  Simply stated, Luke has been one of the best defenders in the NFL since his career with the Panthers began in 2012. That year he was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year.  Of course he was named to the NFL All Rookie team that season.  The following season he was named the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year.  In all, Luke has been named to six Pro Bowls and five All Pro teams.  Twice he’s led the league in tackles.  Kuechly isn’t a huge pass rusher, accounting for 12.5 sacks. He’s also intercepted 16 passes, returning one of them for a TD.  Luke has forced seven fumbles and recovered nine.  Kuechly is in the midst of a hall of fame career.

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