C A R O L I N A   P A N T H E R S
Go-To Guy | Weakest Link | Burning Question | Offseason Movement

Glance Head coach: John Fox 2001: Results 2002: Draft picks Training camp: July 26 at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C.  2002 Schedule Date  Vs.  Time  Sept. 8  BAL.  1 p.m.  Sept. 15  DET.  1 p.m.  Sept. 22  at Min.  1 p.m.  Sept. 29  at G.B.  1 p.m.  Oct. 6  ARI.  1 p.m.  Oct. 13  at Dal.  1 p.m.  Oct. 20  at Atl.  1 p.m.  Oct. 27  T.B.  1 p.m.  Nov. 3  Open     Nov. 10  N.O.  1 p.m.  Nov. 17  at T.B.  4:05 p.m.  Nov. 24  ATL.  1 p.m.  Dec. 1  at Cle.  1 p.m.  Dec. 8  CIN.  1 p.m.  Dec. 15  at Pit.  1 p.m.  Dec. 22  CHI.  1 p.m.  Dec. 29  at N.O.  1 p.m.

By B. Duane Cross, CNNSI.com

The first game of the Chris Weinke era was a resounding success; Carolina defeated Minnesota 24-13. The rest of the season was forgettable; the Panthers staggered to the finish line 1-15. The Panthers scored more than 24 points in a game only three other times, while being held to a single-digit five times.

Out with the old (George Seifert) and in the with new (John Fox).

Other than that, these look to be the same Carolina Panthers with a few notable exceptions. Gone are defensive starters Doug Evans and Jimmy Hitchcock, along with Donald Hayes and Chris Hetherington on offense. To boot, Rashard Anderson is suspended for violating the NFL's drug policy.

In short, 1-15 would be something to shoot for. Anything after that will be gravy for this crew.

Evans, Hitchcock and Anderson were part of a unit that ranked 28th against the pass last season and 31st overall. Their replacements -- Fred Vinson, DeRon Jenkins and Terry Cousin -- are considered stop-gaps, not improvements.

"At this point, it's a huge question mark," Fox said during May's minicamp. "We think we've got capable guys. Somewhere in their careers, somebody viewed them as capable. It's just a matter of them adapting to what we do.

"I like what I've seen from our new corners," Fox said, "but until we get out there and the bullets start flying in game conditions and the preseason and training camp, the jury's still out."

Fox is known for his enthusiastic approach and his ability to relate to players, but even this team may challenge his get-it-done attitude. Defensively, new coordinator Jack Del Rio will have to stop the run. Offensively, veteran coordinator Dan Henning will have to find a running game.

For Henning's part, he'll start with free-agent RB Lamar Smith, who replaces the injury-prone Tim Biakabutuka. And the free-agent loss of Hayes is magnified now that Patrick Jeffers has been slow to recover from offseason knee surgery.

Henning says the continuity of the line will be the key to the offense's success. "With 12 players coming back and the same offensive line coach, that's a positive any place," he said. "Our two tackles [Todd Steussie and Chris Terry] are smart, big and mobile, and that's a plus because everybody doesn't have two tackles like that. If you were going to put two together, we would match up with just about anybody in the league."

Another plus is that for all the talk of "mobile" quarterbacks such as Donovan McNabb, Kordell Stewart, etc., the 29-year-old rookie Weinke did lead all QBs with six rushing TDs.

Del Rio has the task of molding first-round draft pick Julius Peppers into an NFL pass-rushing demon. Some scouts wondered how Peppers would handle the increased speed and size of pro linemen; he has struggled in minicamp, if that's any indication.

"I told our people before the draft this year that you're not going to meet all of our needs in one season," Fox said. "You've got to take it year by year." Carolina did a commendable job taking Peppers, RB DeShaun Foster and LB Will Weatherspoon in Rounds 1-3.

Still, Carolina can take pride in leading the NFL in at least one category: allowing the fewest first downs via penalty (11, if you're wondering). ... Well, it is something to build on.

Fact Muhsin Muhammed's first name is Arabic for "charitable" or "one who does good deeds." His M2 foundation raises money to fight muscular dystrophy.

Muhsin Muhammad, WR -- Entering his seventh season, it may sound like a stretch to say a guy coming off an injury-shortened 50-catch, one-TD season is "the" guy, but Muhammad is the only threat Carolina possesses on the outside. Isaac Byrd is merely a possession receiver, and Steve Smith has question marks surrounding his diminutive size.

Backup QB Rodney Peete likes what he has seen from his new teammate. "Obviously, Moose has the most experience out of the guys who are out there. He's a great player. I've watched him from afar, and he's every bit as good up close as he is from afar. The other guys are coming along really well. I think we've got a good group, and once we totally get this offense down, I think it's going to be exciting to watch."

However, Muhammad does have issues of his own. He was charged with carrying concealed weapons (two 9mm handguns) and possession of marijuana after a traffic stop in January.

Turf toe and shoulder injuries limited Muhammad last year on the heels of two Pro Bowl-caliber seasons. He combined for 198 catches, 2,436 yards and 14 TDs in 1999-2000.

Muhammad -- like many other Carolina players -- also will benefit from every day that separates them from last season's off-field stories: the shooting death of former teammate Fred Lane by his wife and the murder conviction of Rae Carruth in connection with the death of the mother of his child.

"We're turning a new page," Muhammad said in April. "This is a new chapter. The guys who are here and the fans are looking for a new team, a fresh new start. It's kind of like a breath of fresh air. After 1-15, you've got a bitter taste in your mouth and you're ready to win."

Fact If history -- or numerology -- is any indication, John Fox can expect to win nine games this season. Dom Capers was 7-9 in 1995, Carolina's inaugural season. George Seifert was 8-8 in 1999 after replacing Capers.

Fox is under the spotlight for the first time at any level, but he has surrounded himself with a veteran staff that should help ease his transition from coordinator to head coach.

Del Rio, who played 11 seasons in the NFL, had coached the Ravens linebackers since 1999, including Baltimore's Super Bowl championship. As a Ravens assistant, he oversaw the development of Peter Boulware, Jamie Sharper and Ray Lewis, who was the NFL's Defensive Player of the Year in 2000.

"Jack has been associated with outstanding defenses, both as a player and as a coach," Fox said. "He brings a vitality and knowledge that will enable him to successfully make the step from position coach to coordinator."

Henning served as offensive coordinator for Washington's Super Bowl champs of the 1980s and most recently oversaw the resurgence of Vinny Testaverde as quarterbacks coach of the Jets.

"Dan Henning is viewed as one of the best offensive coordinators in the NFL. He has knowledge and experience and will be a great asset to our offense," Fox said. "He has worked with a variety of quarterbacks and offensive styles, which will provide great flexibility to what we are able to do offensively, and most of all, he has been productive."

Fox was Carolina's third choice, hired after the Panthers were spurned by Steve Spurrier and Tony Dungy. But a glowing recommendation from Giants owner Wellington Mara sealed the deal. Mara reminded Panthers owner Jerry Richardson he had also recommended Vince Lombardi and Tom Landry for head-coaching jobs during their careers.

No pressure, John; those two combined to win four Super Bowls. But they did what good coaches do -- got out of the way and allowed their assistants to do their jobs. So far, Fox seems to be hot on their trail.

Can Wesley Walls return to pre-injury form?

Fact Wesley Walls shares the NFL record for most TDs in a season for a TE: 12, tied with Mike Ditka, Jackie Smith and Todd Christensen.

After missing eight games in 2000, Walls missed two last season. After a career-high 12 TDs in 1999, he has seven total in the past two seasons -- the lowest two-season totals since he became a starter in 1994 with New Orleans.

Walls had surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament Jan. 7, after having a similar surgery and rehabilitation last offseason.

"I thought about it hard," Walls said of retirement. "I really had two weeks to decide whether I was going to continue playing or have the surgery. So when I decided to have surgery, I said, 'I'm not retiring. Not if I'm going to go through the surgery, rehab and a 1-15 season. There's no way I'm going to walk off this field 1-15.

"That's part of the deal [retiring] I knew that I would be facing in the offseason," Walls said. "I was not going to finish my career with a season like that, so I set my mind to it probably about two weeks after I got hurt. I said, 'Hey, I'm going to do what it takes to get this done.' So far, I'm on track."

Fox admires Walls' mental toughness, and it played a part in his decision to keep the veteran while the Panthers are retooling with younger players and smaller salaries. Fox also understands Walls can provide leadership.

"He's challenging us," Walls said of Fox. "He's going to find out how tough we are. He's already brought it up a few times. He doesn't know how tough we are as a football team.

"After looking at the film from last year, I don't blame him for saying that. We've got a lot of new players and a lot of enthusiasm. You see a lot of participation and excitement for the season and energy, but we've got to prove how tough we are to coach Fox. We take that attitude from him. It feeds down to us, and starts with him. And if we carry it out onto the football field, we're going to be a tough football team."