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Categories

Panthers Super Bowl contenders again

9:09 AM Fri, Mar 24, 2006 |
Amy Lehtonen
 E-mail

Chuck Howard

6NEWS Sports Director



In recent years the Carolina Panthers have rarely let a big name free agent come to town without signing them to a contract. The deal with Keyshawn Johnson’s deal keeps their recent streak in tact.


The team and veteran wide receiver coming to contract terms early Thursday night and the signing of Johnson, in my opinion, truly does make the Panthers a very legitimate Super Bowl contender once again.

Heading into this off-season the Panthers number one priority was locking down running back Deshaun Foster to a new contract and the team did that early. They then shored up the defensive line by signing big Maake Kemotatue. They improved the offensive line by inking center Justin Hartwig from the Titans.

The only remaining piece to the Panthers off-season puzzle was trying to lock-down a wide receiver to help free up Steve Smith a little more. The team did just that in signing Johnson.

Of course many fans are leary of the old Johnson coming out. While Keyshawn has never been a problem off the field, he has been rather vocal in the past in regard to his perceived lack of involvement with the offenses in New York and Tampa. However, during his two year stint with the Cowboys he was nothing but a leader for that team on and off the field. In fact, he lead the Cowboys in receptions with 70 and 71 catches respectively in each of his seasons working for Bill Parcells.

Johnson, who will turn 34 in July, apparently has taken his maturity pill and is now at the point of his career where winning a Super Bowl is probably the only thing lacking from what has been a very good career. His future presence on the field for the Panthers makes the Panthers a serious threat to get back to the Super Bowl.



14 Comments

Michael Edwards said:

First off,I would like to thank Mr. Scott Fowler and Mr. Chuck Howard for all the fine work that they have done.I've been a Panthers fan since their 1995 season.Like Mr Howard said,the Panthers are in content for a Super Bowl run and,I trully know with all of my heart that,the Panthers will make it back to the Super Bowl.I would like to welcome all the new players to the team and,I wish them luck in the coming months.All of us Panthers fan need to stay behind our team and help them in anyway.I wish the Panthers the best of luck and,I can not wait until the first kick off of the season.Please keep up the good work Mr. Fowler and Mr. Howard.

Charles Nelson said:

While I appalud the Panthers on taking a chance with Keyshawn Johnson and admit that he will do a lot towards taking some pressure off of Steve Smith, I am still concerned with the running game. Deshaun Foster is good when he isn't hurt, but you just know that before the season is over, he'll be out. Is Eric Shelton reliable enough to pick up the slack when that happens.

J.Davis said:

Didn't Keyshawn win a Superbowl with Tampa Bay?

Robert Dean said:

Keyshawn Johnson will not get that many looks because Steve Smith will cry if the ball gets thrown in someone else's direction. He is a ball and glory hog, just wait and see. He had a good tandem with Mushim Muhammad and he messed that up. Steve Smith is about stats and nothing else.
Keyshawn Johnson should have went on to Seattle, they will have a better shot at the Super Bowl.

Justin said:

Yes he Charles Nelson he did when a championship with Tampa Bay...and hold your horses- we still lack two linebackers...

J. Stablein said:

"Johnson... is now at the point of his career where winning a Super Bowl is probably the only thing lacking from what has been a very good career."

Oops! Did you forget about that Super Bowl ring he got in Tampa Bay?

BHiott said:

I hope he is the "Key" to returning to the superbowl, but my concern is how do we replace our top two tacklers from 2005? McCree and Witherspoon were #1 and #2 in tackles last year and I think we need solid replacements before we can hope to return to the big game. We only have $5 million left against the cap to secure quality linebacker(s) and a proven safety.

penny jones said:

panthers and their fans are a bunch of losers

littledejr said:

Guys just remember this! KJ CAN CATCH THE DAMN BALL!!!!

J Reid said:

Mr. Davis
If you have been reading the headlines Steve Smith had a major role in KJ coming to the Panthers. We will win two Super Bowls with these two receivers. If you have ever played ball before and you know that you are the best player on the field. What would you do? Smitty & KJ are going to be better than moose and Smitty, just wait and see. GO PANTHERS!!!!!!

Shirley said:

Well, I think we will be going to the Super Bowl and coming home with a win! I am so happy that we have John Fox for a coach for another five years. He is great and I just love watching him "almost" as much as the game...note: I said "almost." I also think Steve Smith & KJ are men and will work out fine together for the Panthers! I hate we lost Will...he will be missed!

Robert Dean said:

Mr. Davis did not write that comment, I did. When Steve Smith starts crying during next season. I will had to this blog or another saying "I told you so". He cried when Dallas shut him down and that is what got him thrown out of the game. Seattle shut doen also, they must have watched footage of the Dallas game and learned how to shut him down.

Mike Dixon said:

Call me crazy...I love my Panthers, but if I know people saw where we might need some back up help out at. At that is at QB. There were times I'd watch and wonder which Jake is gonna show up for the game!!! Jake's my man, but sometimes you have to say what is!!! The seahawks game was one game that I just didn't know what was he thinking!!! Thanks

Mike Dixon said:

Oh Boy, I hope and pray KJ comes out an attitude this year!!! A Super Bowl bound attitude!!! Mike Fox got what he deserved by getting his new contract,,great coach!!! We lost some great players, by the Panthers see that we need another Mushin M, and went out and got KJ!!! Let's just he turns out to be what Mushin did for us!!!


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