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10 Greatest Carolina Panthers Of All Time

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10 Greatest Carolina Panthers of All Time

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Through the first 20 years of Carolina Panthers history there have been many highs and lows, although mostly lows. The team has made the playoffs in six of those 20 seasons, and made it to one Super Bowl, losing Super Bowl XXXVIII to the New England Patriots, 32-29, on a last-second Adam Vinatieri field goal. Although there hasn't been consistent success, there have been some great players. Here are the top 10 greatest Panthers of all time.

10. LB Luke Kuechly, 2012-Present

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10. LB Luke Kuechly, 2012-Present

Luke Kuechly Panthers
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Although Luke Kuechly has only been with the Panthers for three years, he has accomplished so much in his short time with the team, that he had to make this list. Kuechly has 306 career solo tackles and 196 assisted tackles, for a combined 592 tackles. He has been the unquestioned leader on defense since his arrival in Charlotte, and he has improved every single year. By the end of his career, Kuechly will be much higher on this list.

9. OT Jordan Gross, 2003-2013

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9. OT Jordan Gross, 2003-2013

Jordan Gross Panthers
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Jordan Gross is the greatest Panthers offensive lineman in history. Gross was selected No. 8 overall in the 2003 NFL Draft, and he started every game that season at right tackle, only allowing three sacks the entire year, including the Super Bowl. In 2004, he moved to left tackle and spent the last 10 years of his career at that spot. Gross was a three-time Pro-Bowler, one-time All-Pro, and won the 2010 Ed Block Courage Award.

8. TE Wesley Walls, 1996-2002

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8. TE Wesley Walls, 1996-2002

Wesley Walls Panthers
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Although Greg Olsen may eventually catch him, Wesley Walls is the Panthers career receiving leader for tight ends. Walls finished his career with 324 receptions for 3,902 yards and 44 touchdowns. With the quarterbacks he had throwing to him, it's hard to believe that Walls put up those type of numbers. He was a great team leader, and was one of the best blocking tight ends in the NFL, as well.

7. K John Kasay, 1995-2010

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7. K John Kasay, 1995-2010

John Kasay Panthers
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John Kasay was the longest tenured Panther in history, playing 15 years for the black and blue. Kasay made 351 of his 424 career field goal attempts for the Panthers, good for an 82.7 percent clip. He holds almost all of the Panthers' kicking records, and is the team's career scoring leader, finishing with 1,482 points. It's hard putting a kicker on this type of list, but Kasay deserves the nod.

6. RB DeAngelo Williams, 2006-2014

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6. RB DeAngelo Williams, 2006-2014

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DeAngelo Williams is the Panthers career rushing leader, with 6,846 yards on 1,432 attempts, good for a 4.8 YPC average. Williams is third on the all-time scoring list, with 322 points and 53 touchdowns, 46 rushing and seven receiving. His departure has left a sour taste in a lot of fans' mouths, but the guy to blame is former general manager, Marty Hurney. Hurney gave Williams and Jonathan Stewart huge extensions, which the team couldn't afford.

5. QB Jake Delhomme, 2003-2009

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5. QB Jake Delhomme, 2003-2009

Jake Delhomme Panthers
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If it weren't for his propensity to turn the ball over, Jake Delhomme would probably be No. 2 on this list, instead of No. 5. In Delhomme's first game with the Panthers, he replaced Rodney Peete at halftime down 17-0, and led the team to victory on a touchdown with 16 seconds left in the game. Delhomme would start every game after, and lead the Panthers to their only Super Bowl appearance. He is also the Panthers' career passing leader.

4. WR Muhsin Muhammad, 1996-2004, 2008-2009

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4. WR Muhsin Muhammad, 1996-2004, 2008-2009

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Muhsin "Moose" Muhammad was the most well-rounded receiver the Panthers have ever had. He was a prolific pass-catcher, while also being one of the best blocking wide receivers in the history of the NFL. Muhammad finished his Panthers career with 696 catches for 9,255 yards and 50 touchdown catches. He was a two-time Pro Bowler, and made the NFL All-Pro team in 2004, when he lead the NFL with 1,405 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns.

3. WR Steve Smith, 2001-2013

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3. WR Steve Smith, 2001-2013

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The circumstances surrounding Steve Smith's release from the Panthers still burn me to this day. Smith is an all-time Panthers great, and GM Dave Gettleman didn't even tell him to his face -- Smith found out through the media. For a guy that finished his Panthers career with 836 catches for 12,197 yards and 67 touchdowns, that's just unacceptable.

2. DE Julius Peppers, 2002-2009

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2. DE Julius Peppers, 2002-2009

Julius Peppers Panthers
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The Panthers were elated when Julius Peppers landed in their lap in the 2002 NFL Draft. Peppers was and is one of the most freakish athletes to ever play the defensive end position. He could beat a tackle with speed, power, or technique, and he could also drop into coverage and make plays on passes. Peppers is the Panthers' all-time leader in sacks with 81, and should have his number retired when he hangs up his cleats.

1. LB Sam Mills, 1995-1997

Sam Mills Panthers
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1. LB Sam Mills, 1995-1997

Sam Mills Panthers
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One of the original Panthers, Sam Mills will be remembered for the guy that he was off the field, as much as what he accomplished on the field. Mills made the Pro Bowl in 1996 at age 37, and retired the following year. Mills became a coach for the Panthers in 1998, and in 2003 he was diagnosed with intestinal cancer, but chose to continue coaching as the Panthers made the Super Bowl. Mills' "Keep Pounding" mantra will live forever in Charlotte.

Jason Fletcher is a MLB Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google+.

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