FanHouse CharlesJohnson

Training camps are underway, the NFL season is a month off, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Quarterback: Jake Delhomme is coming off Tommy John surgery so no one knows what to expect. At the end of 2006, some fans wanted someone new at quarterback. Before he was injured in 2007, he was off to a white-hot start. How he recovers will go a long way to a successful Panthers season. Matt Moore filled in nicely late last season and may be the team's future. Brett Basanez isn't ready for prime time. No more Vinny or Mr. Mittens. Heat Index: 5

Running backs: The Panthers have been looking for a Stephen Davis type back and may have found one in rookie Jonathan Stewart. He's the kind of bull coach John Fox likes to center his offense around. DeAngelo Williams will be more efficient as a change-of-pace back. Brad Hoover is back again as an effective fullback. Nick Goings is always around to back up anybody. Heat Index: 5

Training camp is finally here and FanHouse breaks down the most important position battles heading into the season, team by team.

The Carolina Panthers go into training camp with several key positions on the line. Muhsin Muhammad, D.J. Hackett and Dwayne Jarrett are all fighting for the chance to start with Steve Smith at wide receiver. Rookie Charles Godfrey and free agent acquisition Terrence Holt will likely compete for the free safety spot. The right guard competition is full of big boys -- Keydrick Vincent, Toniu Fonoti, and Milford Brown weigh a combined 1000 pounds -- who look like they could out-eat Joey Chestnut. (Looks can be deceiving, of course.)

Perhaps the most closely watched position battle in Spartanburg this year, though, will be the defensive end battle. The Panthers lost much of its once-potent pass rush last year when Julius Peppers fizzled and Mike Rucker looked less-than-fully recovered from knee surgery in 2006. Rucker is retired, while Peppers will try to prove last year was an anomaly.

So who starts opposite from Peppers?

Mike Rucker's retirement left a gaping hole at the right defensive end spot for the Carolina Panthers. The team thinks, however, that they have just the man to fill Rucker's shoes, and he's been on the roster all along.

Julius Peppers, who has lined up at the left defensive end spot for his entire career in Charlotte, is getting looks on the right side during the offseason. Peppers actually lined up on the right side when he played at UNC, and the thinking is that moving back to his preferred spot will help him overcome his horrific 2.5-sack season, by far his worst as a pro.

Here's what makes this move interesting. During last year's late-season game against Dallas, rookie Charles Johnson lined up at left DE in place of an injured Peppers, and while he didn't have a brilliant game -- what rookie defensive end in his first start does -- he looked like he had potential to be a disruptive force.

Of course, Johnson is expected to compete with free agent signing Tyler Brayton for a starting job, but if Johnson wins, don't be surprised to see Peppers take Rucker's old spot. Anything that helps him get back on track at this stage is a good thing for Carolina.

Earlier this week, rumors floated around the internets that Browns' tight end Kellen Winslow might miss all of 2007 recovering from off-season knee surgery. NFL.com's Adam Schefter writes that "neither Winslow's doctors, trainers or the tight end himself believes that his 2007 season will be curtailed."

For the sake of discussion, let's assume Winslow can't play next season. Does that change Cleveland's thinking with the third-overall pick? Instead of, say, quarterback Brady Quinn, would it make more sense to draft wide receiver Calvin Johnson? Just to give the Browns another downfield threat? I know Johnson and Winslow play different positions, but I think it's easy to argue Johnson's upside seems boundless.

Former first-rounder Braylon Edwards had an up-and-down 2006 (mostly down), but he vowed to re-commit himself this off-season. A wide receiver corps including Edwards, Johnson and Joe Jurevicius could be formidable -- at least on paper -- and would lessen the need for a big-play tight end. The trouble, of course, is that with or without Winslow, left tackle Joe Thomas might fill the biggest need, and the team still needs to find long-term answer at running back. Also compounding things: there's a good chance another team trades up and takes Johnson before Cleveland goes on the clock.

This is all hypothetical -- Winslow plans on being ready for the regular season -- but the Browns have so many needs, almost anyone they select will add quality depth at key positions.

Good news Marlins fans, your team is celebrating the tenth anniversary of their first ever championship with a series of events to commemorate their magical season. Never you mind that half the starting lineup is still active, and that their throwback uniforms don't really look that different than what they wear now. It's time to celebrate!

For the April 6 home opener against the Phillies, two members of that championship team will take part in the ceremonial first pitch. Alex Fernandez will be throwing that pitch to Charles Johnson.

As part of Interleague Play, the Marlins fittingly will be playing their '97 World Series opponent, the Cleveland Indians, at Dolphin Stadium from June 12-14. The June 14 game, which falls on a Thursday, will feature the Marlins wearing throwback uniforms -- a replica teal-striped uniform they sported in Game 7 of the 1997 World Series.

No truth to the rumor that Jose Mesa is throwing out the first pitch to Edgar Renteria for the June 14th game.

What do you think the Marlins will do next to commemorate that season?

• Trade Charles Johnson to the Dodgers immediately following the ceremonial first pitch?
• Trade Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera to Arizona for Livan Hernandez and the Yakima Bears?
• Hang a life size Wayne Huizenga in effigy?
• Hang Wayne Huizenga in effigy?
  
• Create a giant "1997" out of cartons of Pall Mall, and then have Jim Leyland flown in to smoke it?