Steve Smith
The Panthers had high hopes in 2004 but it all fell apart out of nowhere. Everybody expected them to bounce back from their Super Bowl defeat with a vengeance. But a series of injuries meant that they suffered a serious hangover. Smith’s broken leg in their first game of the season was a massive blow.
He was Jake Delhomme’s most important weapon and his absence blunted Carolina’s attack. It ruined games because fans didn’t get to see the Panthers at their best. Meanwhile, their much-vaunted defense deteriorated as they started 1-7 in one of the most disappointing years ever (via ESPN).