About Carolina Panthers
Panthers were established in 1993 year as a part of expansion of NFL league and joined in the season 1995.
The team had a fair share of postseason success and have also appeared in Super Bowl in 2003 but it lost the game to Patriots.
Franchise’s colours are Panther Blue, Black, Silver and White and the mascot is called Sir Purr. The mascot caused some a bit of a stir when during a game in 1996, he jumped on a ball during punt return causing a touchback.
Carolina are coached by Ron Rivera, a first Puerto Rican who won a Super Bowl. He did it in 1985 playing for Chicago Bears as a line-backer.
He’s been Panthers coach since 2011 and he’s been awarded AP NFL Coach of the Year in 2013.
Carolina’s main motor is well known for his superman celebrations, Cam Newton, a quarterback the franchise picked with overall number 1 pick in 2011 draft.
Cam is the rare double threat quarterback who despite his young age already hold a NFL record in most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a single season.
He is also skilled in passing game and his overall athleticism is a major reason for opponent’s coaches’ headaches.
He’s joined by Jonathan Stewart in the back, whose experience and power relying type of play go well along Carolina’s ground and pound approach to the game.
The team might be lacking big names offensively but it definitely doesn’t lack in talent as the offense is bolstered with a tight end Greg Olsen who is a workhorse and rarely misses a snap nowadays. Greg is one of the best pass blocking tight ends in the league but he is Cam’s one of favourite targets too.
Defensive side has also a bright star to show for, it’s middle line-backer Luke Kuechly who was chosen in first round in 2012 NFL Draft and had an instantaneous impact on the team and the league, leading the NFL in tackles and also becoming third youngest Defensive Rookie of the Year. It didn’t stop there, as only a year later Luke became the youngest recipient of the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award.
He’s joined by a very experienced outside line-backer Thomas Davis who spent his whole career with Panthers since they picked him in first round of 2005 NFL Draft.
On special unit the team has a Scottish Man Graham Gano who holds Redskins’ record in longest field goal at 59 yards and played for couple of other teams but since 2012 he’s been a reliable force for the Panthers, who are poised to reach the Super Bowl sooner than later.
