Coach John Fox can start the beginning of the 2008 season giving a sigh of relief. Quarterback Jake Delhomme is back from Tommy John surgery and is behind center for the Carolina Panthers looking to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2005.

After the third game last season, Delhomme was out for the rest of the year thanks to an injury normally reserved for pitchers. It was too bad, because the Louisiana born quarterback looked like he was going to have an MVP season. In the first three games, he threw for 617 yards, eight touchdowns, and one interception. At that pace, Delhomme might have finished with Tom Brady like numbers (3,290 yards, 42 touchdowns and 5 interceptions). Instead, Fox was forced to play three different starters, including pulling 44-year-old Vinny Testaverde out of retirement. The three quarterbacks finished the season with 2317 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions.

Now Delhomme is back and AccuScore forecasts a successful season for the eight-year signal caller, finishing the season with 3,114 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions.

No one could be happier to see Delhomme back than receiver Steve Smith. The Utah alum saw his numbers drop nearly under 1,000 yards receiving last season, something he has not seen since 2002 (not including 2004 when he was out the entire season with injury). But unfortunately, Smith is starting the season on the bench due to an altercation with a teammate and that will hurt his numbers. Smith is projected to fall under 1,000 yards this season, finishing with 922 yards and 6.7 touchdowns.

A reason for the decline in Smith’s numbers may come from the emergence of a running game. In Carolina’s 13-year existence, the franchise has only had two 1,000-yard rushers (Stephen Davis in 2003 and Anthony Johnson in 1996). Rookie Jonathan Stewart looks to be getting a bulk of the carries and AccuScore projects the Oregon graduate to finish the season with 1,061 yards and at least six touchdowns. Fellow running back DeAngelo Williams is forecasted to compliment Stewart nicely, with 834 yards.

The defense is going to need to play tough and rely on more players than just Julius Peppers. Last season, the defense was in the middle of the pack in points per game (15th) and yards per game (16th). This year, despite Peppers projected to get 10.5 sacks, the defense is once again just average, even though they are forecasted to allowed less points per game (20.8) than last year (21.7).

In the end, Fox’s team is looking at missing the postseason for the third year in a row. The Panthers are projected to finish with 8 wins, only have a 28.8 percent chance to win the division behind New Orleans and Tampa Bay, and a 39.4 percent chance of making the playoffs.

For more information on the Carolina Panthers, click here to see how Delhomme and his team will fair against the AFC West Champion San Diego Chargers.