Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
The Carolina Panthers released their franchise leader in rushing yards, DeAngelo Williams, and now the onus falls on Jonathan Stewart‘s shoulders to carry the running game. Stewart has spent the majority of his career splitting carries with Williams, but after Williams missed the final five games of the 2014 NFL season, Stewart took advantage of the opportunity, as the Panthers led the NFL in rushing over that stretch. Stewart accumulated 486 yards on 91 carries, a 5.34 YPC average, as the lead back during those last five contests, which showed the organization that he was ready to handle the load of a number one running back.
The biggest knock on Stewart has been his inability to stay healthy. He is entering his eighth NFL season, and Stewart has only played all 16 games in three of his previous seven seasons. The Panthers are hoping that all of the time missed will lead to fresher legs for the 28-year-old running back, but it could also mean that Stewart’s legs will break down sooner considering most of the injuries have been to the lower-half of his body.
Stewart rushed for 809 yards in 2014, which was his highest total since 2009 when he and Williams became the first running back duo to rush for 1,100 yards while teammates. Stewart finished that season with 1,133 yards and 10 touchdowns, which helped lead him to receive his current massive contract.
The Panthers are looking to run the ball a lot more than they did in 2014, so Stewart will be given every opportunity to have a career year for the Panthers. He does, however, have some stiff competition from fifth-round pick, Cameron Artis-Payne from Auburn, who comes in with a familiarity with the Panthers’ run game. Artis-Payne played for Gus Malzahn at Auburn, who was Cam Newton‘s offensive coordinator in 2010, when the Tigers won the national championship. The Panthers’ option run game was implemented by Newton, who brought the same concepts from college.
If he stays healthy, Stewart will have a career year in 2015, and the Panthers will win their third consecutive NFC South title. If the injury bug gets Stewart again though, it could mean the end of his career in Charlotte, as I firmly believe Artis-Payne would take the opportunity to be the lead back and cash in, leaving Stewart as a disposable piece. It’s a make-or-break year for the former Oregon standout.
Jason Fletcher is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google+.
