The Carolina Panthers last took the field in the NFC divisional game against the eventual Super Bowl bound Arizona Cardinals. They left that field with a horrible taste in their mouth, and an eye towards the 2009 season. After the game, the team was in a state of flux due to the possible loss of All Pro tackle Jordan Gross and All Pro DE Julius Peppers to free agency. Also, Panthers fans had no idea if the team would bring back Jake Delhomme after a horrid performance in the final game.

Those questions are now answered…mostly.

Tackle Jordan Gross was resigned much to the relief of fans everywhere. Jake Delhomme was resigned to a five year deal and will be the quarterback of the immediate future barring injury. The only real question going into training camp left unanswered is the status of Julius Peppers.

Peppers has been a Panther his entire career. After the season ended last year, he surprised many within the organization by requesting to leave the only team he has known in his NFL career. Whether it was for a change of scenery, or because he wanted to try out a new defensive scheme, Peppers wanted out. The Panthers responded by putting the franchise tag on him, and then shopping him around a bit. Nobody offered enough for the Panther’s taste, and now Peppers is holding out of mini-camp. How this will play out will surely be a huge part of the Panther’s storyline in 09.

The offense looks to be in top notch condition as the offensive line comes back intact. This is the same offensive line that opened holes for DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart to each have breakout seasons in 08. Both running backs are only scratching the surface of the potential they have, and that has to be a scary situation for the rest of the NFL. The running game is in great hands in Carolina.

The passing game is a bit more up in the air in spite of all world receiver Steve Smith returning to once again lead the Panther aerial attack. Gone is injury prone D.J. Hackett, and in his place slides Dwayne Jarrett. Jarrett is the wild card in the Panther passing game as he showed flashes last season of why he was so highly drafted a couple years ago. Veteran Mushin Muhammed returns as well to give stability.

The defense for the Panthers is a bit on the confusing side. On one hand they can dominate a game, and on the other they can completely disappear for long stretches. That inconsistency will need to be remedied quickly if the Panthers hope to defend the NFC South championship. Peppers may or may not be on the field, but the Panthers will certainly be a decent defense either way. With him in the lineup, however, it allows the defense that big play ability that is part of their tradition.

Though their are some questions marks in Carolina, they are primed to make a run at the NFC South title. They will almost certainly get some stiff competition against upstart Atlanta, and they will need to answer those questions early to overcome them. The Panthers also have the toughest schedule in the league this season to go up against.

Expect the Panthers to win the NFC South, and reenter the playoffs for the second straight year for the first time under coach John Fox. They will not win 12 games like last year with that schedule, but they will win enough in the NFC South to make the playoffs.