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{{Infobox NFL season
{{short description|NFL team season}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox NFL team season
| team = Carolina Panthers
| team = Carolina Panthers
| helmet=
| year = 2002
| year = 2002
| record = 7–9
| record = 7–9
| division_place = 4th [[NFC South]]
| division_place = 4th [[NFC South]]
| owner = [[Jerry Richardson]]
| owner = [[Jerry Richardson]]
| general manager = [[Marty Hurney]]
| coach = [[John Fox (American football)|John Fox]]
| coach = [[John Fox (American football)|John Fox]]
| stadium = [[Bank of America Stadium|Ericsson Stadium]]
| stadium = [[Bank of America Stadium|Ericsson Stadium]]
| playoffs = ''Did not qualify''
| playoffs = ''Did not qualify''
| pro bowlers =DT [[Kris Jenkins]]<br>P [[Todd Sauerbrun]]
| pro bowlers = DT [[Kris Jenkins]]<br>P [[Todd Sauerbrun]]
| AP All-pros = DT Kris Jenkins ''<small>(1st team)</small>''<br>P Todd Sauerbrun ''<small>(1st team)</small>''
<!-- Commented out: | uniform = File:NFCS-Uniform-CAR2.PNG -->
| uniform =
| shortnavlink = Panthers seasons
| shortnavlink = Panthers seasons
}}
}}
The '''2002 Carolina Panthers season''' was [[Carolina Panthers|the franchise's]] 8th season in the [[National Football League]] and the 1st under [[List of Carolina Panthers head coaches|head coach]] [[John Fox (American football)|John Fox]]. They tried to improve upon their 1–15 record in [[2001 Carolina Panthers season|2001]], and make it to the playoffs for the second time in franchise history.
The [[2002 NFL season|2002 season]] was the [[Carolina Panthers]]' eighth in the [[National Football League]] and their first under [[List of Carolina Panthers head coaches|head coach]] [[John Fox (American football)|John Fox]]. They tried to improve upon their 1–15 record in [[2001 Carolina Panthers season|2001]], and make it to the playoffs for the second time in franchise history.


The Panthers would improve six games, but they still failed to make the playoffs, despite moving from the [[NFC West]] to the more geographically accurate NFC South, finishing 7–9, five games behind the division champion [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]].
After moving from the [[NFC West]] to the more geographically accurate NFC South, they improved by six games to finish 7–9, but were still five games behind the division champion [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]] and failed to make the playoffs. Their Week 12, 41–0 loss against the Atlanta Falcons was the Panthers' last shutout [[2023 Carolina Panthers season|for 21 years]].


==Offseason==
==Offseason==
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
! Signings || Departures
!Additions || Subtractions
|-
|-
|DE [[Shane Burton]] (Jets) || WR [[Donald Hayes]] (Patriots)
| DE [[Shane Burton]] (Jets) || WR [[Donald Hayes]] (Patriots)
|-
|-
|CB [[Terry Cousin]] (Dolphins) || FB [[Chris Hetherington]] (Rams)
| CB [[Terry Cousin]] (Dolphins) || FB [[Chris Hetherington]] (Rams)
|-
|-
|LB [[Mark Fields (linebacker)|Mark Fields]] (Rams) || DE [[Jay Williams (American football)|Jay Williams]] (Dolphins)
| LB [[Mark Fields (linebacker)|Mark Fields]] (Rams) || DE [[Jay Williams (American football)|Jay Williams]] (Dolphins)
|}
|}


===NFL Draft===
===NFL Draft===
{{main article|2002 NFL Draft}}
{{main article|2002 NFL Draft}}
The [[2002 NFL Draft]] took place at [[Radio City Music Hall]] in New York City on April 15 and April 16, 2002. The Panthers selected nine players in seven rounds.
The [[2002 NFL draft]] took place at [[Radio City Music Hall]] in New York City on April 15 and April 16, 2002. The Panthers selected nine players in seven rounds. Despite having the worst record in the league the previous season, the Panthers picked 2nd overall due to the [[Houston Texans]] picking first overall in their inaugural draft, as is tradition (under NFL rules) with expansion teams.


===NFL Draft===
===NFL Draft===
Line 43: Line 46:
| pick = 2
| pick = 2
| player = [[Julius Peppers]]
| player = [[Julius Peppers]]
| position = [[Defensive End|DE]]
| position = [[Defensive end|DE]]
| college = [[2001 North Carolina Tar Heels football team|North Carolina]]
| college = [[2001 North Carolina Tar Heels football team|North Carolina]]
| notes =
| notes =
| maderoster = yes
| maderoster = yes
| probowl = yes
| probowl = yes
| hof =
| hof = yes
}}
}}
{{NFL team draft entry
{{NFL team draft entry
Line 54: Line 57:
| pick = 34
| pick = 34
| player = [[DeShaun Foster]]
| player = [[DeShaun Foster]]
| position = [[Running Back|RB]]
| position = [[Running back|RB]]
| college = [[2001 UCLA Bruins football team|UCLA]]
| college = [[2001 UCLA Bruins football team|UCLA]]
| notes =
| notes =
Line 64: Line 67:
| round = 3
| round = 3
| pick = 73
| pick = 73
| player = [[Will Witherspoon ]]
| player = [[Will Witherspoon]]
| position = [[Linebacker|LB]]
| position = [[Linebacker|LB]]
| college = [[2001 Georgia Bulldogs football team|Georgia]]
| college = [[2001 Georgia Bulldogs football team|Georgia]]
Line 99: Line 102:
| player = [[Kyle Johnson (American football)|Kyle Johnson]]
| player = [[Kyle Johnson (American football)|Kyle Johnson]]
| position = [[Fullback (gridiron football)|FB]]
| position = [[Fullback (gridiron football)|FB]]
| college = [[2001 Syracuse Orangemen football team|Syrscuse]]
| college = [[2001 Syracuse Orangemen football team|Syracuse]]
| notes =
| notes =
| maderoster =
| maderoster =
Line 109: Line 112:
| pick = 174
| pick = 174
| player = [[Keith Heinrich]]
| player = [[Keith Heinrich]]
| position = [[Tight End|TE]]
| position = [[Tight end|TE]]
| college = [[2001 Sam Houston State Bearkats football team|Sam Houston State]]
| college = [[2001 Sam Houston State Bearkats football team|Sam Houston State]]
| notes =
| notes =
Line 148: Line 151:


| front_office =
| front_office =
* Owner/Founder – [[Jerry Richardson]]
* Owner/founder – [[Jerry Richardson]]
* President – Mark Richardson
* President – Mark Richardson
* General Manager – [[Marty Hurney]]
* General manager – [[Marty Hurney]]
* Director of Player Personnel – [[Jack Bushofsky]]
* Director of player personnel – [[Jack Bushofsky]]


| head_coach =
| head_coach =
* Head Coach – [[John Fox (American football)|John Fox]]
* Head coach – [[John Fox (American football)|John Fox]]
* Assistant Head Coach/Special Teams – [[Scott O'Brien]]


| offensive =
| offensive =
* Offensive Coordinator/Quarterbacks – [[Dan Henning]]
* Offensive coordinator – [[Dan Henning]]
* Running Backs – [[Jim Skipper]]
* Running backs – [[Jim Skipper]]
* Wide Receivers – [[Richard Williamson (American football)|Richard Williamson]]
* Wide receivers – [[Richard Williamson (American football)|Richard Williamson]]
* Tight Ends – [[Don Breaux]]
* Tight ends – [[Don Breaux]]
* Offensive Line – [[Paul Boudreau|Paul T Boudreau]]
* Offensive line – [[Paul Boudreau]]
* Offensive Assistant – [[Mike McCoy (American football coach)|Mike McCoy]]
* Offensive assistant/quarterbacks – [[Mike McCoy (American football coach)|Mike McCoy]]


| defensive =
| defensive =
* Defensive Coordinator – [[Jack Del Rio]]
* Defensive coordinator – [[Jack Del Rio]]
* Defensive Line – [[Mike Trgovac]]
* Defensive line – [[Mike Trgovac]]
* Linebackers – [[Sam Mills]]
* Linebackers – [[Sam Mills]]
* Secondary – [[Rod Perry]]
* Secondary – [[Rod Perry]]
* Defensive Assistant – [[Alvin Reynolds]]
* Defensive assistant – [[Alvin Reynolds]]
* Defensive Assistant – [[Sal Sunseri]]
* Defensive assistant – [[Sal Sunseri]]


| special_teams =
| special_teams =
* Special Teams Assistant – [[Darrin Simmons]]
* Assistant head coach/special teams – [[Scott O'Brien]]
* Assistant special teams coordinator/assistant strength and conditioning – [[Darrin Simmons]]


| strength =
| strength =
* Strength and Conditioning – Jerry Simmons
* Strength and conditioning – [[Jerry Simmons (American football coach)|Jerry Simmons]]
* Assistant Strength and Conditioning – Darrin Simmons
}}
}}
<ref>{{cite web |title=Assistant Coaches |url=http://www.panthers.com/team/history/assistant-coaches.html |work=Panthers.com |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115220107/http://www.panthers.com/team/history/assistant-coaches.html |archivedate=January 15, 2013 |accessdate=January 3, 2014 }}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web |title=Assistant Coaches |url=http://www.panthers.com/team/history/assistant-coaches.html |work=Panthers.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130115220107/http://www.panthers.com/team/history/assistant-coaches.html |archive-date=January 15, 2013 |access-date=January 3, 2014 }}</ref>


===Roster===
===Roster===
Line 197: Line 199:


| running_backs =
| running_backs =
{{NFLplayer|22|Dee Brown|d=American football}}
{{NFLplayer|22|Dee Brown|d=American football|KR}}
{{NFLplayer|37|Nick Goings}}
{{NFLplayer|37|Nick Goings}}
{{NFLplayer|42|Skip Hicks}}
{{NFLplayer|42|Skip Hicks}}
Line 206: Line 208:
| wide_receivers =
| wide_receivers =
{{NFLplayer|83|Nathan Black|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|83|Nathan Black|rookie=y}}
{{NFLplayer|82|Isaac Byrd}}
{{NFLplayer|82|Isaac Byrd|KR/PR}}
{{NFLplayer|88|Karl Hankton}}
{{NFLplayer|88|Karl Hankton}}
{{NFLplayer|87|Muhsin Muhammad}}
{{NFLplayer|87|Muhsin Muhammad}}
{{NFLplayer|89|Steve Smith|d=wide receiver, born 1979|RS}}
{{NFLplayer|89|Steve Smith|d3=Sr.|KR/PR}}


| tight_ends =
| tight_ends =
Line 219: Line 221:
| offensive_linemen =
| offensive_linemen =
{{NFLplayer|65|Kevin Donnalley|G}}
{{NFLplayer|65|Kevin Donnalley|G}}
{{NFLplayer|74|Derrick Fletcher|G}}
{{NFLplayer|74|Derrick Fletcher|G/T}}
{{NFLplayer|78|Jeno James|G}}
{{NFLplayer|78|Jeno James|G}}
{{NFLplayer|60|Jeff Mitchell|C}}
{{NFLplayer|60|Jeff Mitchell|C}}
{{NFLplayer|63|Jamar Nesbit|G}}
{{NFLplayer|63|Jamar Nesbit|G}}
{{NFLplayer|76|Tutan Reyes|T}}
{{NFLplayer|76|Tutan Reyes|G/T}}
{{NFLplayer|75|Todd Steussie|T}}
{{NFLplayer|75|Todd Steussie|T}}
{{NFLplayer|73|Melvin Tuten|T}}
{{NFLplayer|73|Melvin Tuten|G/T}}
{{NFLplayer|66|Louis Williams|d=American football|C}}
{{NFLplayer|66|Louis Williams|d=American football|C}}


Line 241: Line 243:
{{NFLplayer|52|Brian Allen|d=linebacker|OLB}}
{{NFLplayer|52|Brian Allen|d=linebacker|OLB}}
{{NFLplayer|58|Mark Fields|d=linebacker|OLB}}
{{NFLplayer|58|Mark Fields|d=linebacker|OLB}}
{{NFLplayer|50|Brad Jackson|MLB}}
{{NFLplayer|50|Brad Jackson|OLB}}
{{NFLplayer|52|Kory Minor|OLB}}
{{NFLplayer|52|Kory Minor|OLB}}
{{NFLplayer|53|Hannibal Navies|OLB}}
{{NFLplayer|53|Hannibal Navies|OLB}}
Line 247: Line 249:


| defensive_backs =
| defensive_backs =
{{NFLplayer|35|Deke Cooper|SS}}
{{NFLplayer|35|Deke Cooper|FS}}
{{NFLplayer|21|Terry Cousin|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|21|Terry Cousin|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|36|Brad Franklin|link=no|rookie=y|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|36|Brad Franklin|d=American football|rookie=y|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|27|Deon Grant|FS}}
{{NFLplayer|27|Deon Grant|FS}}
{{NFLplayer|23|Reggie Howard|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|23|Reggie Howard|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|25|Emmanuel McDaniel|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|25|Emmanuel McDaniel|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|30|Mike Minter|SS}}
{{NFLplayer|30|Mike Minter|SS}}
{{NFLplayer|39|Damien Richardson|d=American football|FS}}
{{NFLplayer|39|Damien Richardson|d=American football|SS}}
{{NFLplayer|29|Dante Wesley|rookie=y|CB}}
{{NFLplayer|29|Dante Wesley|rookie=y|CB}}


|Special Teams =
| special_teams =
{{NFLplayer|11|Shayne Graham|K}}
{{NFLplayer|11|Shayne Graham|K}}
{{NFLplayer|56|Jason Kyle|LS}}
{{NFLplayer|56|Jason Kyle|LS}}
{{NFLplayer|10|Todd Sauerbrun|P}}
{{NFLplayer|10|Todd Sauerbrun|P}}


|Reserve Lists =
| reserve_lists =
{{NFLplayer|46|Rashard Anderson|CB|Susp.}}
{{NFLplayer|46|Rashard Anderson|CB|Susp.}}
{{NFLplayer|24|Michael Bates|d=American football|RB|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|24|Michael Bates|d=American football|RB|IR}}
Line 275: Line 277:
{{NFLplayer|71|Fernando Smith|DE|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|71|Fernando Smith|DE|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|26|Lamar Smith|d=American football|RB|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|26|Lamar Smith|d=American football|RB|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|&nbsp;3|Ryan Tolhurst|link=no|rookie=y|WR|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|&nbsp;3|Ryan Tolhurst|d=American football|rookie=y|WR|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|57|Lester Towns|LB|IR}}
{{NFLplayer|57|Lester Towns|LB|IR}}


|Practice Squad =
| practice_squad =
{{NFLplayer|15|Rob Johnson|link=no|WR}}
{{NFLplayer|15|Rob Johnson|d=wide receiver|WR}}
{{NFLplayer|12| Chris Robinson |link=no|S}}
{{NFLplayer|41|Julian Jones|S}}
{{NFLplayer|62|Tim Stuber|link=no|G}}
{{NFLplayer|59|Terrance Simmons|DE}}
{{NFLplayer|62|Tim Stuber|d=American football|G}}
{{NFLplayer|18|Bashir Yamini|WR}}
{{NFLplayer|18|Bashir Yamini|WR}}
|Active=53|Inactive=14}}
}}


==Regular Season
==Regular season==
===Schedule===
===Schedule===
Under the NFL’s new scheduling formula put in place for this season, the Panthers would play two games each season against their [[NFC South]] division rivals. A schedule rotation would see them play the [[NFC North]] in full in 2002 and every three seasons subsequently, and the [[AFC North]] in 2002 and every four seasons subsequently. As the Panthers had the worst record in the NFL in 2001, they would also play [[2002 Arizona Cardinals season|the Arizona Cardinals]], who had the worst 2001 record amongst teams in the reconstituted [[NFC West]], and [[2002 Dallas Cowboys season|the Dallas Cowboys]], who had the worst 2001 record amongst teams in the [[NFC East]].
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
|-
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Carolina Panthers|year=2002|border=2}}"| Week
| Date
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Carolina Panthers|year=2002|border=2}}"| Date
! Week
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Carolina Panthers|year=2002|border=2}}"| Opponent
! Opponent
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Carolina Panthers|year=2002|border=2}}"| Result
! Result
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Carolina Panthers|year=2002|border=2}}"| Record
! TV Time
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Carolina Panthers|year=2002|border=2}}"| Venue
! TV Commentators
! style="{{NFLPrimaryStyle|Carolina Panthers|year=2002|border=2}}"| Attendance
! Stadium
|- bgcolor="ddffdd"
! Record
! 1
! Attendance
| September 8
|-bgcolor="ddffdd"
| [[2002 Baltimore Ravens season|Baltimore Ravens]]
| 9/8/2002
| '''W''' 10–7
| 1
| [[Baltimore Ravens]]
| W 10–7
| CBS 1:00pm
| [[Gus Johnson (sportscaster)|Gus Johnson]] & [[Brent Jones]]
| [[Bank of America Stadium|Ericsson Stadium]]
| 1–0
| 1–0
| <center>70,386</center>
|-bgcolor="ddffdd"
| 9/15/2002
| 2
| [[Detroit Lions]]
| W 31–7
| FOX 1:00pm
| [[Kenny Albert]] & [[Tim Green]]
| [[Bank of America Stadium|Ericsson Stadium]]
| [[Bank of America Stadium|Ericsson Stadium]]
| 70,386
|- bgcolor="#ddffdd"
! 2
| September 15
| [[2002 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]]
| '''W''' 31–7
| 2–0
| 2–0
| Ericsson Stadium
| <center>71,951</center>
| 71,951
|-bgcolor="ddffdd"
|- bgcolor="#ddffdd"
| 9/22/2002
| 3
! 3
| September 22
| at [[Minnesota Vikings]]
| at [[2002 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]]
| W 21–14
| '''W''' 21–14
| FOX 1:00pm
| [[Curt Menefee]] & [[Tim Ryan (American football, born 1967)|Tim Ryan]]
| [[Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome]]
| 3–0
| 3–0
| [[Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome]]
| <center>63,945</center>
| 63,945
|-bgcolor="ffdddd"
|- bgcolor="#ffdddd"
| 9/29/2002
| 4
! 4
| September 29
| at [[Green Bay Packers]]
| at [[2002 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]
| L 14–17
| '''L''' 14–17
| FOX 1:00pm
| 3–1
| [[Pat Summerall]] & [[Brian Baldinger]]
| [[Lambeau Field]]
| [[Lambeau Field]]
| 3–1
| 63,329
|- bgcolor="#ffdddd"
| <center>63,329</center>
! 5
|-bgcolor="ffdddd"
| October 6
| 10/6/2002
| [[2002 Arizona Cardinals season|Arizona Cardinals]]
| 5
| '''L''' 13–16
| [[Arizona Cardinals]]
| L 13–16
| FOX 1:00pm
| Curt Menefee & Tim Ryan
| [[Bank of America Stadium|Ericsson Stadium]]
| 3–2
| 3–2
| Ericsson Stadium
| <center>72,286</center>
| 72,286
|-bgcolor="ffdddd"
|- bgcolor="#ffdddd"
| 10/13/2002
| 6
! 6
| October 13
| at [[Dallas Cowboys]]
| at [[2002 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]]
| L 13–14
| '''L''' 13–14
| FOX 1:00pm
| Pat Summerall & Brian Baldinger
| [[Texas Stadium]]
| 3–3
| 3–3
| [[Texas Stadium]]
| <center>61,773</center>
| 61,773
|-bgcolor="ffdddd"
|- bgcolor="#ffdddd"
| 10/20/2002
| 7
! 7
| October 20
| at [[Atlanta Falcons]]
| at '''[[2002 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]]'''
| L 0–30
| '''L''' 0–30
| FOX 1:00pm
| [[Ron Pitts]] & [[Marv Levy]]
| [[Georgia Dome]]
| 3–4
| 3–4
| [[Georgia Dome]]
| <center>68,056</center>
| 68,056
|-bgcolor="ffdddd"
|- bgcolor="#ffdddd"
| 10/27/2002
| 8
! 8
| October 27
| [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]
| '''[[2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]'''
| L 9–12
| '''L''' 9–12
| FOX 1:00pm
| [[Dick Stockton]], [[Troy Aikman]] & [[Cris Collinsworth]]
| [[Bank of America Stadium|Ericsson Stadium]]
| 3–5
| 3–5
| Ericsson Stadium
| <center>72,892</center>
| 72,892
|-
|-
! 9
| 11/3/2002
! colspan="6"| [[Bye (sports)|Bye]]
| 9
|- bgcolor="#ffdddd"
| Bye
! 10
|
| November 10
|
| '''[[2002 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]]'''
|
| '''L''' 24–34
|
|
|-bgcolor="ffdddd"
| 11/10/2002
| 10
| [[New Orleans Saints]]
| L 24–34
| FOX 1:00pm
| Kenny Albert & Tim Green
| [[Bank of America Stadium|Ericsson Stadium]]
| 3–6
| 3–6
| Ericsson Stadium
| <center>72,566</center>
| 72,566
|-bgcolor="ffdddd"
|- bgcolor="#ffdddd"
| 11/17/2002
| 11
! 11
| November 17
| at [[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]
| at '''[[2002 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]'''
| L 10–23
| '''L''' 10–23
| FOX 4:05pm
| Curt Menefee & Tim Ryan
| [[Raymond James Stadium]]
| 3–7
| 3–7
| [[Raymond James Stadium]]
| <center>65,527</center>
| 65,527
|-bgcolor="ffdddd"
|- bgcolor="#ffdddd"
| 11/24/2002
| 12
! 12
| November 24
| [[Atlanta Falcons]]
| '''[[2002 Atlanta Falcons season|Atlanta Falcons]]'''
| L 0–41
| '''L''' 0–41
| FOX 1:00pm
| Curt Menefee & Tim Ryan
| [[Bank of America Stadium|Ericsson Stadium]]
| 3–8
| 3–8
| Ericsson Stadium
| <center>72,533</center>
| 72,533
|-bgcolor="ddffdd"
|- bgcolor="#ddffdd"
| 12/1/2002
| 13
! 13
| December 1
| at [[Cleveland Browns]]
| at [[2002 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]]
| W 13–6
| '''W''' 13–6
| FOX 1:00pm
| Curt Menefee & Tim Ryan
| [[Cleveland Browns Stadium]]
| 4–8
| 4–8
| [[FirstEnergy Stadium|Cleveland Browns Stadium]]
| <center>72,718</center>
| 72,718
|-bgcolor="ddffdd"
|- bgcolor="#ddffdd"
| 12/8/2002
| 14
! 14
| December 8
| [[Cincinnati Bengals]]
| [[2002 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]]
| W 52–31
| '''W''' 52–31
| CBS 1:00pm
| [[Bill Macatee]] & [[Craig James (running back)|Craig James]]
| [[Bank of America Stadium|Ericsson Stadium]]
| 5–8
| 5–8
| Ericsson Stadium
| <center>66,799</center>
| 66,799
|-bgcolor="ffdddd"
|- bgcolor="#ffdddd"
| 12/15/2002
| 15
! 15
| December 15
| at [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]
| at [[2002 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]]
| L 14–30
| '''L''' 14–30
| FOX 1:00pm
| [[Sam Rosen (sportscaster)|Sam Rosen]] & [[Bill Maas]]
| [[Heinz Field]]
| 5–9
| 5–9
| [[Heinz Field]]
| <center>58,586</center>
| 58,586
|-bgcolor="ddffdd"
|- bgcolor="#ddffdd"
| 12/22/2002
| 16
! 16
| December 22
| [[Chicago Bears]]
| [[2002 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]]
| W 24–14
| '''W''' 24–14
| FOX 1:00pm
| Pat Summerall & Brian Baldinger
| [[Bank of America Stadium|Ericsson Stadium]]
| 6–9
| 6–9
| Ericsson Stadium
| <center>72,602</center>
| 72,602
|-bgcolor="ddffdd"
|- bgcolor="#ddffdd"
| 12/29/2002
| 17
! 17
| December 29
| at [[New Orleans Saints]]
| at '''[[2002 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]]'''
| W 10–6
| '''W''' 10–6
| FOX 1:00pm
| Sam Rosen & Bill Maas
| [[Louisiana Superdome]]
| 7–9
| 7–9
| [[Louisiana Superdome]]
| <center>66,946</center>
| 66,946
|-
| colspan=7| '''Note''': Intra-division opponents are in '''bold''' text.
|}
|}

===Game summaries===
===Game summaries===
====Week 2: vs. Detroit Lions====
{{Americanfootballbox
|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Carolina Panthers|year=2002|border=2}};text-align:center;
|state=autocollapse
|title=Week 2: Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers
|Road=Lions
|R1=0|R2=0|R3=7|R4=0
|Home='''Panthers'''
|H1=0|H2=10|H3=14|H4=7
|stadium=Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
|date=September 15, 2002
|time=1:00&nbsp;p.m.
|weather=Cloudy, {{convert|72|F|C}}
|TV=[[Fox NFL|FOX]]
|TVAnnouncers= [[Kenny Albert]], [[Tim Green]], and Paul Butler
|referee=[[Gerald Austin]] (34)
|attendance=71,951
|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/lions-at-panthers-2002-reg-2 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/18112/CAR_Gamebook.pdf Game Book]
|scoring=
'''First quarter'''
*''No scoring plays.''
'''Second quarter'''
*CAR – John Kasay 23-yard field goal, 3:27. ''Panthers 3–0. '''Drive: 5 plays, 19 yards, 2:09.'''''
*CAR – Muhsin Muhammad 22-yard pass from Rodney Peete (John Kasay kick), 0:16. ''Panthers 10–0. '''Drive: 5 plays, 69 yards, 0:46.'''''
'''Third quarter'''
*DET – [[Mike McMahon (American football)|Mike McMahon]] 11-yard run ([[Jason Hanson]] kick), 8:21. ''Panthers 10–7. '''Drive: 5 plays, 76 yards, 3:10.'''''
*CAR – Lamar Smith 3-yard run (John Kasay kick), 6:44. ''Panthers 17–7. '''Drive: 4 plays, 77 yards, 1:37.'''''
*CAR – Mike Minter 40-yard interception return (John Kasay kick), 5:49. ''Panthers 24–7''.
'''Fourth quarter'''
*CAR – Lamar Smith 1-yard run (John Kasay kick), 9:43. ''Panthers 31–7. '''Drive: 10 plays, 71 yards, 5:44.'''''
|stats=
'''Top passers'''
*DET – Mike McMahon – 9/23, 95 yards, INT
*CAR – Rodney Peete – 21/32, 310 yards, TD
'''Top rushers'''
*DET – [[James Stewart (American football, born December 27, 1971)|James Stewart]] – 12 rushes, 53 yards
*CAR – Lamar Smith – 20 rushes, 60 yards, 2 TD
'''Top receivers'''
*DET – [[Scotty Anderson]] – 2 receptions, 31 yards
*CAR – Muhsin Muhammad – 8 receptions, 107 yards, TD
}}

====Week 3: at Minnesota Vikings====
{{Americanfootballbox
|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Carolina Panthers|2002|border=2}};text-align:center;
|state=autocollapse
|title=Week 3: Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings
|date=September 22, 2002
|time=12:00&nbsp;p.m.
|Road='''Panthers'''
|R1=0|R2=0|R3=7|R4=14
|Home=Vikings
|H1=0|H2=7|H3=0|H4=7
|stadium=[[Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome]], [[Minneapolis, Minnesota]]
|attendance=63,945
|weather=None (indoor stadium)
|referee=[[Bernie Kukar]] (86)
|TV=[[FOX NFL|FOX]]
|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/panthers-at-vikings-2002-reg-3 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/18129/MIN_Gamebook.pdf Game Book]
|scoring=
'''First quarter'''
*''No scoring plays.''
'''Second quarter'''
*MIN – [[Michael Bennett (running back)|Michael Bennett]] 1-yard run ([[Gary Anderson (placekicker)|Gary Anderson]] kick), 12:58. ''Vikings 7–0. '''Drive: 4 plays, 17 yards, 2:02.'''''
'''Third quarter'''
*CAR – Steve Smith Sr. 14-yard pass from Rodney Peete (Jon Hilbert kick), 5:14. ''Tied 7–7. '''Drive: 2 plays, 28 yards, 0:47.'''''
'''Fourth quarter'''
*CAR – Lamar Smith 12-yard run (Jon Hilbert kick), 13:28. ''Panthers 14–7. '''Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards, 3:38.'''''
*CAR – Lamar Smith 24-yard run (Jon Hilbert kick), 7:54. ''Panthers 21–7. '''Drive: 8 plays, 48 yards, 4:42.'''''
*MIN – [[Chris Walsh (American football)|Chris Walsh]] 4-yard pass from [[Daunte Culpepper]] (Gary Anderson kick), 3:29. ''Panthers 21–14. '''Drive: 9 plays, 89 yards, 4:25.'''''
|stats=
'''Top passers'''
*CAR – Rodney Peete – 20/30, 221 yards, TD, 2 INT
*MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 19/30, 191 yards, TD, 4 INT
'''Top rushers'''
*CAR – Lamar Smith – 30 rushes, 154 yards, 2 TD
*MIN – Daunte Culpepper – 4 rushes, 32 yards
'''Top receivers'''
*CAR – Steve Smith Sr. – 5 receptions, 81 yards, TD
*MIN – [[Moe Williams]] – 4 receptions, 66 yards
}}

====Week 4: at Green Bay Packers====
{{Americanfootballbox
|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Carolina Panthers|2002|border=2}}; text-align:center
|state=autocollapse
|title=Week 4: Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers
|date=September 29, 2002
|time=1:00&nbsp;p.m.
|road=Panthers
|R1=7|R2=0|R3=0|R4=7
|home='''Packers'''
|H1=3|H2=7|H3=0|H4=7
|stadium=[[Lambeau Field]], [[Green Bay, Wisconsin]]
|attendance=63,329
|weather=Overcast, {{convert|65|F|C}}
|referee=[[Bill Carollo]] (63)
|TV=[[Fox NFL|Fox]]
|TVAnnouncers=[[Pat Summerall]] and [[Brian Baldinger]]
|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/panthers-at-packers-2002-reg-4 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/18142/GB_Gamebook.pdf Game Book]
|scoring=
'''First quarter'''
*GB – [[Ryan Longwell]] 30-yard field goal, 8:52. ''Packers 3–0. '''Drive: 11 plays, 73 yards, 5:07.'''''
*CAR – Lamar Smith 3-yard run (Shayne Graham kick), 0:23. ''Panthers 7–3. '''Drive: 8 plays, 83 yards, 4:50.'''''
'''Second quarter'''
*GB – [[Donald Driver]] 31-yard pass from [[Bubba Franks]] (Ryan Longwell kick), 1:43. ''Packers 10–7. '''Drive: 6 plays, 70 yards, 2:04.'''''
'''Third quarter'''
*''No scoring plays.''
'''Fourth quarter'''
*CAR – Lamar Smith 2-yard run (Shayne Graham kick), 12:55. ''Panthers 14–10. '''Drive: 5 plays, 53 yards, 2:51.'''''
*GB – Donald Driver 22-yard pass from [[Brett Favre]] (Ryan Longwell kick), 4:10. ''Packers 17–14. '''Drive: 4 plays, 65 yards, 2:19.'''''
|stats=
'''Top passers'''
*CAR – Rodney Peete – 10/24, 202 yards
*GB – Brett Favre – 18/32, 200 yards, TD, INT
'''Top rushers'''
*CAR – Lamar Smith – 22 rushes, 66 yards, 2 TD
*GB – [[Ahman Green]] – 17 rushes, 73 yards
'''Top receivers'''
*CAR – Steve Smith Sr. – 5 receptions, 116 yards
*GB – Donald Driver – 5 receptions, 97 yards, 2 TD
}}

====Week 16: vs. Chicago Bears====
{{Americanfootballbox
|titlestyle={{NFLPrimaryStyle|Carolina Panthers|2002|border=2}};text-align:center;
|state=autocollapse
|title=Week 16: Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers
|Road=Bears
|R1=7|R2=0|R3=0|R4=7
|Home='''Panthers'''
|H1=0|H2=21|H3=0|H4=3
|stadium=Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
|date=December 22, 2002
|time=1:00&nbsp;pm
|weather=Sunny, {{convert|56|F|C}}
|TV=[[Fox NFL|FOX]]
|TVAnnouncers= [[Pat Summerall]], [[Brian Baldinger]], and [[Dan Jiggetts]]
|referee=[[Terry McAulay]] (77)
|attendance=72,602
|reference=[https://www.nfl.com/games/bears-at-panthers-2002-reg-16 Recap], [https://nflcdns.nfl.com/liveupdate/gamecenter/18322/CAR_Gamebook.pdf Game Book]
|scoring=
'''First quarter'''
*CHI – [[Dez White]] 76-yard pass from [[Chris Chandler (American football)|Chris Chandler]] ([[Paul Edinger]] kick), 14:13. ''Bears 7–0. '''Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 0:47.'''''
'''Second quarter'''
*CAR – Dee Brown 2-yard run (Shayne Graham kick), 12:12. ''Tied 7–7. '''Drive: 6 plays, 85 yards, 2:33.'''''
*CAR – Dee Brown 1-yard run (Shayne Graham kick), 8:38. ''Panthers 14–7. '''Drive: 3 plays, 11 yards, 0:51.'''''
*CAR – Muhsin Muhammad 3-yard pass from Rodney Peete (Shayne Graham kick), 3:52. ''Panthers 21–7. '''Drive: 4 plays, 41 yards, 1:54.'''''
'''Third quarter'''
*''No scoring plays.''
'''Fourth quarter'''
*CHI – Dez White 5-yard pass from [[Henry Burris]] (Paul Edinger kick), 11:48. ''Panthers 21–14. '''Drive: 3 plays, 8 yards, 1:32.'''''
*CAR – Shayne Graham 25-yard field goal, 5:16. ''Panthers 24–14. '''Drive: 4 plays, -1 yard, 2:08.'''''
|stats=
'''Top passers'''
*CHI – Chris Chandler – 7/8, 113 yards, TD
*CAR – Rodney Peete – 18/35, 179 yards, TD
'''Top rushers'''
*CHI – [[Leon Johnson (running back)|Leon Johnson]] – 16 rushes, 29 yards
*CAR – Dee Brown – 23 rushes, 55 yards, 2 TD
'''Top receivers'''
*CHI – Dez White – 2 receptions, 81 yards, 2 TD
*CAR – Steve Smith Sr. – 4 receptions, 97 yards
}}


==Standings==
==Standings==
===Division===
{{2002 NFC South standings}}
{{2002 NFC South standings}}
===Conference===
{{2002 NFC standings}}


==References==
==References==
Line 483: Line 617:
[[Category:2002 National Football League season by team|Carolina Panthers Season, 2002]]
[[Category:2002 National Football League season by team|Carolina Panthers Season, 2002]]
[[Category:2002 in sports in North Carolina|Carolina]]
[[Category:2002 in sports in North Carolina|Carolina]]
[[Category:2000s in Charlotte, North Carolina]]

Latest revision as of 04:28, 4 November 2024

2002 Carolina Panthers season
OwnerJerry Richardson
General managerMarty Hurney
Head coachJohn Fox
Home fieldEricsson Stadium
Results
Record7–9
Division place4th NFC South
Playoff finishDid not qualify
Pro BowlersDT Kris Jenkins
P Todd Sauerbrun
AP All-ProsDT Kris Jenkins (1st team)
P Todd Sauerbrun (1st team)

The 2002 season was the Carolina Panthers' eighth in the National Football League and their first under head coach John Fox. They tried to improve upon their 1–15 record in 2001, and make it to the playoffs for the second time in franchise history.

After moving from the NFC West to the more geographically accurate NFC South, they improved by six games to finish 7–9, but were still five games behind the division champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers and failed to make the playoffs. Their Week 12, 41–0 loss against the Atlanta Falcons was the Panthers' last shutout for 21 years.

Offseason

[edit]
Signings Departures
DE Shane Burton (Jets) WR Donald Hayes (Patriots)
CB Terry Cousin (Dolphins) FB Chris Hetherington (Rams)
LB Mark Fields (Rams) DE Jay Williams (Dolphins)

NFL Draft

[edit]
Main article: 2002 NFL Draft

The 2002 NFL draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 15 and April 16, 2002. The Panthers selected nine players in seven rounds. Despite having the worst record in the league the previous season, the Panthers picked 2nd overall due to the Houston Texans picking first overall in their inaugural draft, as is tradition (under NFL rules) with expansion teams.

NFL Draft

[edit]
Main article: 2002 NFL Draft
2002 Carolina Panthers draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 2 Julius Peppers * †  DE North Carolina
2 34 DeShaun Foster  RB UCLA
3 73 Will Witherspoon  LB Georgia
4 100 Dante Wesley  CB Arkansas-Pine Bluff
5 137 Randy Fasani  QB Stanford
5 145 Kyle Johnson  FB Syracuse
6 174 Keith Heinrich  TE Sam Houston State
7 213 Pete Campion  G North Dakota State
7 258 Brad Franklin  CB Louisiana-Lafayette
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

Personnel

[edit]

Staff

[edit]
2002 Carolina Panthers staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

  • Assistant head coach/special teams – Scott O'Brien
  • Assistant special teams coordinator/assistant strength and conditioning – Darrin Simmons

Strength and conditioning


[1]

Roster

[edit]
2002 Carolina Panthers roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
53 active, 14 reserve, 5 practice squad

Regular season

[edit]

Schedule

[edit]

Under the NFL’s new scheduling formula put in place for this season, the Panthers would play two games each season against their NFC South division rivals. A schedule rotation would see them play the NFC North in full in 2002 and every three seasons subsequently, and the AFC North in 2002 and every four seasons subsequently. As the Panthers had the worst record in the NFL in 2001, they would also play the Arizona Cardinals, who had the worst 2001 record amongst teams in the reconstituted NFC West, and the Dallas Cowboys, who had the worst 2001 record amongst teams in the NFC East.

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Attendance
1 September 8 Baltimore Ravens W 10–7 1–0 Ericsson Stadium 70,386
2 September 15 Detroit Lions W 31–7 2–0 Ericsson Stadium 71,951
3 September 22 at Minnesota Vikings W 21–14 3–0 Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome 63,945
4 September 29 at Green Bay Packers L 14–17 3–1 Lambeau Field 63,329
5 October 6 Arizona Cardinals L 13–16 3–2 Ericsson Stadium 72,286
6 October 13 at Dallas Cowboys L 13–14 3–3 Texas Stadium 61,773
7 October 20 at Atlanta Falcons L 0–30 3–4 Georgia Dome 68,056
8 October 27 Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 9–12 3–5 Ericsson Stadium 72,892
9 Bye
10 November 10 New Orleans Saints L 24–34 3–6 Ericsson Stadium 72,566
11 November 17 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers L 10–23 3–7 Raymond James Stadium 65,527
12 November 24 Atlanta Falcons L 0–41 3–8 Ericsson Stadium 72,533
13 December 1 at Cleveland Browns W 13–6 4–8 Cleveland Browns Stadium 72,718
14 December 8 Cincinnati Bengals W 52–31 5–8 Ericsson Stadium 66,799
15 December 15 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 14–30 5–9 Heinz Field 58,586
16 December 22 Chicago Bears W 24–14 6–9 Ericsson Stadium 72,602
17 December 29 at New Orleans Saints W 10–6 7–9 Louisiana Superdome 66,946
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

[edit]

Week 2: vs. Detroit Lions

[edit]
Week 2: Detroit Lions at Carolina Panthers
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Lions 0 0 707
Panthers 0 10 14731

at Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

Week 3: at Minnesota Vikings

[edit]
Week 3: Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Panthers 0 0 71421
Vikings 0 7 0714

at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Date: September 22, 2002
  • Game time: 12:00 p.m.
  • Game weather: None (indoor stadium)
  • Game attendance: 63,945
  • Referee: Bernie Kukar (86)
  • TV: FOX
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Week 4: at Green Bay Packers

[edit]
Week 4: Carolina Panthers at Green Bay Packers
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Panthers 7 0 0714
Packers 3 7 0717

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Game information

Week 16: vs. Chicago Bears

[edit]
Week 16: Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bears 7 0 0714
Panthers 0 21 0324

at Ericsson Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

Standings

[edit]

Division

[edit]
NFC South
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(2) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12 4 0 .750 4–2 9–3 346 196 W1
(6) Atlanta Falcons 9 6 1 .594 4–2 7–5 402 314 L1
New Orleans Saints 9 7 0 .563 3–3 7–5 432 388 L3
Carolina Panthers 7 9 0 .438 1–5 4–8 258 302 W2

Conference

[edit]
NFC
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV
Division leaders
1[a] Philadelphia Eagles East 12 4 0 .750 5–1 11–1 .469 .432
2[a][b] Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 12 4 0 .750 4–2 9–3 .482 .432
3[a][b] Green Bay Packers North 12 4 0 .750 5–1 9–3 .451 .414
4 San Francisco 49ers West 10 6 0 .625 5–1 8–4 .504 .450
Wild Cards
5 New York Giants East 10 6 0 .625 5–1 8–4 .482 .450
6 Atlanta Falcons South 9 6 1 .594 4–2 7–5 .494 .429
Did not qualify for the postseason
7 New Orleans Saints South 9 7 0 .563 3–3 7–5 .498 .566
8[c] St. Louis Rams West 7 9 0 .438 4–2 5–7 .508 .446
9[c] Seattle Seahawks West 7 9 0 .438 2–4 5–7 .506 .433
10[d] Washington Redskins East 7 9 0 .438 1–5 4–8 .527 .438
11[d] Carolina Panthers South 7 9 0 .438 1–5 4–8 .486 .357
12 Minnesota Vikings North 6 10 0 .375 4–2 5–7 .498 .417
13[e] Arizona Cardinals West 5 11 0 .313 1–5 5–7 .500 .400
14[e] Dallas Cowboys East 5 11 0 .313 1–5 3–9 .500 .475
15 Chicago Bears North 4 12 0 .250 2–4 3–9 .521 .430
16 Detroit Lions North 3 13 0 .188 1–5 3–9 .494 .375
Tiebreakers[f]
  1. ^ a b c Philadelphia finished ahead of Tampa Bay and Green Bay based on conference record (11–1 vs 9–3/9–3).
  2. ^ a b Tampa Bay finished ahead of Green Bay based on head-to-head victory.
  3. ^ a b St. Louis finished ahead of Seattle based on division record (4–2 to 2–4).
  4. ^ a b Washington finished ahead of Carolina based on common games (2–3 to 1–4)
  5. ^ a b Arizona finished ahead of Dallas based on head-to-head victory.
  6. ^ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Assistant Coaches". Panthers.com. Archived from the original on January 15, 2013. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
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