PREVIEW

[ibeckhami]

By Gil Brandt:

Carolina Panthers
It's hard to believe, but the NFC Champions may have upgraded themselves from last year. The team added offensive linemen Adam Meadows and Travis Claridge and will move Jordan Gross to left tackle (he played right tackle as a rookie last year). Mark Fields is also back to provide physical and inspirational help defensively. They open with a very tough schedule: At home against Green Bay on Monday night, followed by a road game at Kansas City.

[HeHateMe]

They have definitely been upgraded.. minus the loss of Reggie Howard and Jeno James. :(

[Black Knight]

I'd say neither Howard nor James are "great losses." I'd say Howard is on par with Tyrone Poole, and that's not saying a lot. James was just a big body who isn't worth the kind of money Miami threw at him. Deon Grant, on the other hand, was a big loss.