FanHouse Chris Gamble

With Fantasy Football season ready to kick in high gear, FanHouse is here to preview each and every team -- one per day until we've done them all.

Meet the ...
Home of Smash and Dash. Why is that important? Because that's the nickname of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, one of the most prolific running back combinations in the NFL last year. Oh, yes, and in case you didn't see the Jake Delhomme Meltdown Party against the Arizona Cardinals in the playoffs last year, the running game is mildly important to the Panthers success.

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Texans cornerback Dunta Robinson is the last franchise-tagged player to neither agree on a long-term deal nor sign his tender. Wednesday was the deadline for franchise players to sign long-term deals with their teams. This could get ugly.

So far, both Robinson and the Texans have failed to comment on the deadline passing. Negotiations had been mostly quiet, but the last time Robinson spoke about his contract, he said if a long-term deal couldn't be reached, he wasn't going to be around until sometime during the season.

For every game missed, Robinson would lose $585,705.

Who moved to the head of the NFL class during the draft? Find out with FanHouse's team-by-team 2009 Draft Grades.

John Fox and Marty Hurney have always done a good job selecting first-round talent. Since Fox took over the coaching reins in 2002, they've picked Julius Peppers, Jordan Gross, Chris Gamble, Thomas Davis, DeAngelo Williams, Jon Beason, Jonathan Stewart and Jeff Otah. So, yeah, not too shabby. This year, the Panthers didn't have a first-round pick, but somehow managed to stumble into first-round talent anyway, landing Everette Brown with the 43rd-overall pick in the draft.

Because the NFL season never ends, we present our 2009 Offseason Roadmaps for front offices to navigate through the summer.

John Fox and Marty Hurney headed into 2008 with their jobs on the line after an underwhelming 2007 that featured a whole lot of Mittens and not a lot of excitement in Charlotte. They decided to throw caution to the wind and play for "now" by trading their 2009 first-round pick for a chance to pick up both Jeff Otah and Jonathan Stewart in the first round of the draft.

With a healthy Jake Delhomme, Julius Peppers finally deciding to care, a road-grading offensive line and a rejuvenated Smash and Dash running game that featured DeAngelo Williams and Stewart, the Panthers surprised some people by winning the NFC South and looking like a Super Bowl-caliber squad.

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

Missed this for last week, but we're back for week 13. Here's how former Buckeyes fared in NFL action this past weekend:

• Tim Anderson (BUF): 4 tackles
• Nate Clements (BUF): 7 tackles, 2 pass deflections
• Donte Whitner (BUF): 7 tackles, 1 pass deflection
• Simon Fraser (CLE): 1 tackle, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble
• Mike Vrable (NE): 7 tackles, 2 INT, 2 pass deflections, 1 fumble recovery
• Mike Nugent (NYJ): 1-1 FG (24), 5-5 PAT
• Santonio Holmes (PIT): 1 reception for 18 yards, 2 returns for 12 yards
• Matt Wilhelm (SD): 5 tackles
• Ben Hartsock (TEN): 1 reception for 16 yards
• Michael Jenkins (ATL): 4 receptions for 43 yards and 1 TD
• Drew Carter (CAR): 1 reception for 5 yards
• Na'il Digs (CAR): 2 tackles, 1 pass deflection
• Chris Gamble (CAR): 3 tackles, 1 pass deflection
• Bobby Carpenter (DAL): 3 tackles
• Terry Glenn (DAL): 4 receptions for 52 yards
• A.J. Hawk (GB): 8 tackles, 1 pass deflection
• Ryan Pickett (GB): 3 tackles, 1 pass deflection
• Will Allen (TB): 2 tackles
• Joey Galloway (TB): 3 receptions for 37 yards

Former Buckeye of the Week is a pretty easy decision this go round. Mike Vrable had an absolutely monster game for the Patriots, participating in three turnovers, while also recording seven tackles and breaking up a couple of passes. Very impressive game, and a very impressive season so far for Mike Vrable.

A little late this week, but here's how former Ohio State Buckeyes did in the NFL for week 11:

• Tim Anderson (BUF): 3 tackles
• Nate Clements (BUF): 4 tackles, 3 pass deflections, 1 INT
• Donte Whitner (BUF): 7 tackles
• Mike Vrable (NE): 6 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 pass deflection, 1 forced fumble
• Santonio Holmes (PIT): 5 receptions for 75 yards and 1 TD, 2 returns for 13 yards
• Michael Jenkins (ATL): 3 receptions for 23 yards and 1 TD
• Na'il Diggs (CAR): 2 tackles
• Chris Gamble (CAR): 4 tackles, 3 returns for 13 yards
• Bobby Carpenter (DAL): 1 tackles
• Terry Glenn (DAL): 6 receptions for 78 yards
• A.J. Hawk (GB): 12 tackles, 1 fumble recovery
• Ryan Pickett (GB): 5 tackles
• Darrion Scott (MIN): 3 tackles
• Antoine Winfield (MIN): 4 tackles, 2 pass deflections, 1 INT
• Will Smith (NO): 4 tackles, 1 sack
• Will Allen (TB): 3 tackles
• Joey Galloway (TB): 4 receptions for 64 yards and 1 TD
• Shawn Springs (WAS): 7 tackles, 3 pass deflections, 1 INT

Lots of touchdowns for former Buckeye receivers, but the former Buckeye player of the week has to go to Mike Vrable. Vrable had a pretty big game and was instrumental in the Patriots blowout of Green Bay.

Here's how former Ohio State Buckeyes fared in week 10 of NFL action:

• Tim Anderson (BUF): 1 tackle
• Nate Clements (BUF): 5 tackles, 2 pass deflections, 1 forced fumble
• Donte Whitner (BUF): 4 tackles
• Simon Fraser (CLE): 1 pass deflection
  
• Dan Wilkinson (MIA): 1 tackle
• Mike Vrabel (NE): 1 tackle
• Mike Nugent (NYJ): 1-1 FG (34), 2-2 PAT
• Santonio Holmes (PIT): 2 receptions for 57 yards
• Matt Wilhelm (SD): 1 tackle
• Michael Jenkins (ATL): 2 receptions for 17 yards and 1 TD
• Na'il Digs (CAR): 5 tackles
• Chris Gamble (CAR): 3 tackles, 3 returns for 20 yards
• Bobby Carpenter (DAL): 1 tackle
• A.J. Hawk (GB): 13 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble
• Ryan Pickett (GB): 3 tackles
• Darrion Scott (MIN): 2 tackles
• Antoine Winfield (MIN): 7 tackles
• Will Smith (NO): 2 tackles
• Joey Galloway (TB): 5 receptions for 87 yards
• Shawn Springs (WAS): 4 tackles, 1 pass deflection, 1 forced fumble

Kind of a down week for most former Buckeyes, but A.J. Hawk had a monster game. I think it's clear that he's the former Buckeye Player of the Week.

Here's how former Ohio State Buckeyes fared in NFL action for week 8:

• Mike Doss (IND): Placed on IR
• Mike Vrable (NE): 7 tackles, 1 INT, 1 pass deflection
• Mike Nugent (NYJ): 2-3 FG (27, 47), 1-1 PAT
• Santonio Holmes (Pit): 2 receptions for 43 yards, 3 returns for 33 yards
• Michael Jenkins (ATL): 3 receptions, 53 yards, 1 TD
• Na'il Digs (CAR): 8 tackles, 1 pass deflection
• Chris Gamble (CAR): 5 tackles, 1 INT, 1 pass deflection
• Terry Glenn (CAR): 4 receptions for 52 yards
• A.J. Hawk (GB): 9 tackles
• Ryan Pickett (GB): 4 tackles, 1 pass deflection
• Darrion Scott (MIN): 1 tackles
• Antoine Winfield (MIN): 2 tackles
• Will Smith (NO): 6 tackles, 1 forced fumble
• Will Allen (TB): 2 tackles
• Joey Galloway (TB): 4 receptions for 32 yards

Tough break for Mike Doss getting placed on injured reserve and seeing his season come to an early end. You never like to see that happen to former Bucks.

Michael Jenkins, Chris Gamble, and A.J. Hawk all had solid weeks this week, but I think the former Buckeyes player of the week goes to Mike Vrable. He had a great game against the Vikings Monday night on a national stage so he gets the nod.

Here's how former Ohio State Buckeyes fared in week 7 of NFL action:

• Nate Clements (Buf): 4 tackles, 1 pass deflection
• Donte Whitner (Buf): 5 tackles
• Mike Doss (ind): 5 tackles
• Dan Wilkinson (Mia): 1 pass deflection
• Mike Vrable (NE): 7 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble
• Mike Nugent (NYJ): 1-1 FG (33), 4-4 PAT
• Santonio Holmes (Pit): 5 receptions for 91 yards, 4 returns for 88 yards
• Michael Jenkins (Atl): 2 receptions for 25 yards, 1 TD
• Na'il Digs (Car): 5 tackles
• Chris Gamble (Car): 7 tackles, 1 pass deflection
• Terry Glenn (Dal): 4 receptions, 41 yards
• A.J. Hawk (GB): 12 tackles, 1 sack, 1 pass deflection
• Ryan Pickett (GB): 5 tackles
• Darrion Scott (Min): 3 tackles, 1 sack, 1 pass deflection
• Antoine Winfield (Min): 4 tackles
• Will Allen (TB): 8 tackles
• Shawn Springs (Was): 6 tackles, 1 pass deflection

Player of the week honors goes to A.J. Hawk for his 12 tackle performance. I read some of the game reports from Green Bay's win, and all were pretty flattering for A.J. It's looking like he's a fast learner.