Professor

Charlotte Observer | 08/11/2007 | These 4 Panthers<br />have something to prove

excerpt:

Keary Colbert

The fourth-year receiver has been working with the first team the past couple of days and could get a start. That might be only temporary. Rookie Dwayne Jarrett was drafted to fill the starting spot opposite Steve Smith, but he's being brought along slowly and the Panthers might feel more comfortable going into the season with a more experienced receiver starting.For that to happen, though, Colbert needs to show the form of his rookie season when he caught 47 passes. After making only five catches last season, Colbert is fighting to win back the confidence of the coaching staff, and a few catches in traffic could help.

David Carr

Jake Delhomme will start at quarterback, but he's likely to get only a series or two. The Panthers know what they have in Delhomme, but this will be their first look at Carr in game conditions.

A starter in Houston, Carr has accepted a backup role. Whether he plays much in the regular season will depend on Delhomme's performance and health, but this could be a big step for Carr as he tries to recover from the beating he took, mentally and physically, during five seasons behind a poor offensive line in Houston.

Eric Shelton

In 2005, Shelton was a second-round draft pick with high expectations. Two years later, he is likely down to his last chance with the Panthers.DeShaun Foster and DeAngelo Williams are the top two running backs and Nick Goings is a special-teams regular. The Panthers might keep only three running backs.

Shelton came into the league with a reputation for being a big, powerful runner, and the Panthers are switching to an offensive scheme that relies more on speed. His best chance to stick is if he shows he can be a short-yardage and goal-line specialist, but there haven't been many signs of that in his first two seasons.

C.J. Wilson

You might not see Wilson until later in the game, but the coaches want to give this seventh-round draft pick from Baylor a long look. The Panthers appear to be ready to go with Chris Harris, Deke Cooper and Nate Salley as their top three safeties. There is a fourth spot available, and Wilson has a chance to earn it, as well as a role on special teams.

Wilson has had a good training camp, showing a nose for the ball and good tackling ability, but this will be his first real test.

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