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Carolina Panthers Improving on last season looks suspect at best
Carolina opens its training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., on July 22. By Rich Loup, CNNSI.com Playing in the NFC West, no division game is a gimme (Carolina was 4-4 last season). The Panthers are banking that quarterback Jeff Lewis can at least duplicate the numbers of departed Steve Beuerlein (3,730 yards and 19 touchdowns). If Garcia doesn't, last season 7-9 mark could be eclipsed for the worse. The Panthers can make the playoffs if ... Lewis proves reliable and they find an answer to their defensive woes. Lewis has attempted only 54 passes since entering the NFL in 1996. Defensively, the Panthers were a mess in 2000, finishing 27th in total yards allowed and 26th against the run and pass. Pivotal games: If Carolina isn't buried early, a four-week stretch against each of its division rivals beginning Nov. 11 -- at St. Louis, play host to San Francisco and Atlanta, at New Orleans -- could determine the Panthers' fate. Up-and-coming: Wide receiver Donald Hayes had a breakout season (66 receptions, 926 yards) in 2000. The Panthers will count on first-round draft pick Dan Morgan out of Miami to fill a hole at outside linebacker. On the hot seat: Head coach George Seifert had the Panthers within a points-tiebreaker of the playoffs two years ago, but Carolina slipped to 7-9 in 2000. Each of the NFC West's five teams have won the division in the past five years, but the Panthers haven't claimed it since 1996. Sports Illustrated's season preview will post Aug. 29.
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