2008 Carolina Panthers

Carolina had an outstanding NFL draft on the defensive side, picking up instant contributors in defensive back Charles Godfrey and linebacker Dan Conner. We’re expecting the Panther defense to rebound from an uneven 2007 season, based on an improved outlook for the rush (and a return of Pro Bowl performances from defensive end Julius Peppers). On the offensive side of the ball, the Panthers have made some upgrades to support the Jake Delhomme-Steve Smith attack. Big things are expected from first-round draft pick Jonathan Stewart, who needs to rebound from a pre-season turf toe injury in order to contribute. Get your tickets to Bank of America Stadium and help cheer the Carolina Panthers on to a winning 2008 season!

Some Carolina Panthers history: When the National Football League expanded to the southeastern coast, it did not take the Carolina Panthers long to prove that the NFL had made the right decision. In 1995, the team won seven games—the most ever by an NFL expansion team. During the season the Panthers defeated the San Francisco 49ers to become the first expansion team ever to beat a defending league champion.

In 1996 the Panthers stunned the NFL by winning 12 games and capturing the NFC Western Division title. Quarterback Kerry Collins and running back Anthony Johnson anchored the offense. Carolina put together the second-best defense in the NFC, featuring three Pro Bowl linebackers: Kevin Greene, Lamar Lathon, and Sam Mills. Michael Bates was the league's top kickoff returner, averaging 30.2 yards per return. Placekicker John Kasay led the league in scoring, converting on a league-record 37 field goals. Capers was named coach of the year. After capturing the division title, Carolina defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs before losing the NFC Championship Game to the eventual Super Bowl champions, the Green Bay Packers.

The 2003 season was as exciting as one can get, with the Panthers dispensing with the Dallas Cowboys, the St. Louis Rams and the Philadelphia Eagles to grab the conference crown. It took a New England field goal with nine seconds to play to cost the Panthers a Super Bowl XXXVIII championship in Houston: final score 32-29.