Best of the Panthers in 2004 season

Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) congratulates wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad (87) after Muhammad caught his touchdown pass against the New Orleans Saints in the first half in the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans on Sunday, Dec. 5, 2004. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Carolina Panthers' DeShaun Foster (26) dives for a 1-yard touchdown through the grasp of Atlanta Falcons' Bryan Scott (24) in the first quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 3, 2004. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)

The crowd engulfs Carolina Panthers receiver Mushin Muhammad (87) after his touchdown in the first quarter of the Panthers' 20-7 win over the St. Louis Rams in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Dec. 12, 2004. (AP Photo/Rick Havner)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme looks for a receiver during the fourth quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 26, 2004, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. Delhomme completed 19 of 24 passes for 214 yards. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 37-20. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)

Carolina Panthers' Mushin Muhammad (87) runs in for a 14-yard touchdown as St. Louis Rams' Travis Fisher (22) falls during the first quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Dec. 12, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Carolina Panthers' Brad Hoover (45) breaks the tackle of San Diego Chargers' Terrence Kiel (48) in the first quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 24, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Carolina Panthers safety Mike Minter (30) drops the ball thrown to Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens, right, in the end zone as Panthers cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. (24) defends in the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 17, 2004, in Philadelphia. Two plays later, the Eagles settled for a field goal on the drive. (AP Photo/Miles Kennedy)

Carolina Panthers' Nick Goings (37) dives over St. Louis Rams' Adam Archuleta (31) for a one-yard touchdown during the first quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Dec. 12, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Oakland Raiders quarterback Kerry Collins (5) throws a pass as Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) is upended during the first quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Nov. 7, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Carolina Panthers' Muhsin Muhammad gets lifted by teammate Brad Hoover (45) after scoring during the first quarter against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Sunday, Dec. 26, 2004, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Carolina Panthers players Dan Morgan, back, and Brandon Short (53) celebrate Morgan's interception in the fourth quarter of the Panthers' 20-7 win over the St. Louis Rams in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Dec. 12, 2004. Morgan had two of the Panthers' six interceptions. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Carolina Panthers' Ricky Manning Jr (24) runs past St. Louis Rams' Arlen Harris (33) after intercepting a pass during the first quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday Dec. 12, 2004. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Carolina Panthers' Keary Colbert reacts after catching a 40-yard touchdown pass with 20 seconds to play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2004, in Charlotte, N.C. The Panthers won 21-14. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Carolina Panthers' Karl Hankton (88) reaches for the ball after a punt attempt by Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Josh Bidwell (9) was blocked during the first quarter Sunday, Dec. 26, 2004, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)

Denver Broncos running back Reuben Droughns, left, is tackled by Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers after a 32-yard run in the first quarter in Denver, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Carolina Panthers' Nick Goings (37) runs into the end zone past Arizona Cardinals' David Macklin (27) for a 2-yard touchdown in the second quarter in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 21, 2004. Panthers' Brad Hoover (45) blocks Macklin. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Denver Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams (52) dives as he tries to stop Carolina Panthers quarterback Jake Delhomme (17) from scoring on a 1-yard touchdown run during the third quarter in Denver, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Carolina Panthers receiver Muhsin Muhammad, left, celebrates after a touchdown reception in front of San Francisco 49ers cornerback Shantae Spencer during the second half Sunday, Nov. 14, 2004, in San Francisco. Carolina won, 37-27. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Carolina Panthers' Nick Goings (37) stiff-arms Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety John Howell during the first half Sunday, Dec. 26, 2004, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

Carolina Panthers' Nick Goings (37) runs past the bench en route to a 57-yard touchdown during the first quarter against the Arizona Cardinals in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 21, 2004. (AP Photo/Rusty Burroughs)

Carolina Panthers' Mushin Muhammad scores a touchdown past Seattle Seahawks' Ken Hamlin, right, in the second quarter in Seattle, Sunday, Oct. 31, 2004. Seattle won, 23-17. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Carolina Panthers' Julius Peppers (90) runs an interception 46 yards for a touchdown as Panthers coach John Fox, back left, celebrates in the third quarter of the Panthers' 21-14 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2004, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rusty Burroughs)

San Francisco 49ers running back Kevan Barlow (32) is tackled by Carolina Panthers' Colin Branch (28) and Eddie Jackson (34) in the first half Sunday, Nov. 14, 2004, in San Francisco. Carolina won, 37-27. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Carolina Panthers defensive end Julius Peppers (90) looks back over his shoulder as he heads downfield after intercepting a pass in the endzone and returning it 101 yards to the opposite 3-yard line during the third quarter Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004, in Denver. Denver Broncos fullback Kyle Johnson (39) chases him. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Carolina Panthers Muhsin Muhammad (87) makes a catch as Atlanta Falcons DeAngelo Hall (21) defends during the second quarter at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Saturday, Dec., 18, 2004. (AP Photo/John Amis)