The Panthers will likely see a changing of the guard at running back this season as DeAngelo Williams is likely to beat out DeShaun Foster for the starting job this season.  Williams played in 13 games (2 starts) as a rookie last season and he carried the football 121 times for 501 yards (4.1 ypc) with 1 TD run and he caught 33 passes for 313 yards (9.5 avg) with 1 TD grab.  He also returned 32 kickoffs for 623 yards (19.5 avg) with 0 TD returns and he likely won’t get many returns this season because he will be needed more on the offense.

Foster had his big chance to seize the starting job last season but he didn’t perform that well.  He played in 14 games and he carried the ball 227 times for 897 yards (4.0 ypc) with 3 TD runs and he caught 32 passes for 159 yards (5.0 avg).  Foster has had problems staying healthy in his NFL career and that is a shame because he’s a talented back.  He has played in 47 games (24 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 604 times for 2,460 yards (4.1 ypc) with 7 TD runs and has has caught 101 passes for 814 yards (8.1 avg) with 3 TD grabs.

Nick Goings is the #3 running back for the Panthers.  He’s a dependable guy to have on the roster but he just doesn’t have the speed needed to take on more of a role with the team.  He played in 11 games last season for the Panthers and he carried the ball 11 times for 52 yards (4.7 ypc) with 0 TD runs and he also caught 10 passes for 107 yards (10.7 avg) with 1 TD grab.  Goings also returned 9 kickoffs for 218 yards (24.2 avg) last season.  Goings has now played in 85 games (13 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 391 times for 1,460 yards (3.7 ypc) with 6 TD runs and he has caught 107 passes for 879 yards (8.2 avg) with 3 TD grabs.  He also has returned 10 kickoffs for 239 yards (23.9 avg) in his NFL career.

The Panthers had high hopes for Eric Shelton when they drafted him but he hasn’t done much to justify their faith in him on the field.  Shelton did not play a game as a rookie and he didn’t do much last season either.  Shelton played in 9 games last season for the Panthers and he carried the ball 8 times for 23 yards (2.9 ypc) and he caught 1 pass for 6 yards.  Don’t expect much out of Shelton this season.

The Panthers have released cornerback Dion Byrum to make room on their roster for new addition Chris Harris.  Byrum played in 3 games last season for the Panthers and he made 8 tackles, defensed 1 pass and forced 1 fumble.  Safety Mike Minter is also reconsidering retirement after the Panthers have added Harris to compete with him for the starting job.

The Panthers have acquired safety Chris Harris from the Bears for an undisclosed draft pick.  Harris is a good football player and the Panthers definately need help at safety.  He played in 11 games last season for the Bears and he made 54 tackles, had 2 interceptions and defensed 3 passes.  In his two seasons in the NFL he has played in 25 games and made 112 tackles, has 1 sack, 5 interceptions, defensed 8 passes and recovered 2 fumbles.  This was a good move for the Panthers as Harris will make the back of their defense much better in 2007.