ESPN.com - Panthers try youth for a change

ESPN.com: NFL Preview 2001

Monday, August 27, 2001
Panthers try youth for a change

By Scott Fowler
Pro Football Weekly

	2001 PANTHERS

	Muhsin Muhammad had 102 grabs for 1,183 yards in 2000.
	Head coach: George Seifert (3rd year). 2000 record: 7-9. NFC West finish: 3rd. 2001 preseason: 1-2. Season opener: Sept. 9 at Vikings. Schedule \| Depth chart

In Year Seven of their existence, the Panthers are starting over.

The Panthers insist they will be patient this time. They are going to get substantially younger, no matter what it costs them in the standings in 2001.

The Panthers are planning for the seasons of 2002 and beyond. If they suddenly rebottled lightning and made a playoff run, great. But what is most expected from this team is to finally learn how to run the ball, stop the run and, most importantly, find a quarterback.

The Panthers' 7-9 season a year ago had its moments, including two wins over the Rams, but ultimately was a disappointment. Carolina has finished over .500 only once in its previous six seasons. So head coach George Seifert and team owner Jerry Richardson decided in the offseason to let go most of the team's expensive veterans -- even the productive ones like cornerback Eric Davis, quarterback Steve Beuerlein and kick returner Michael Bates -- in favor of youth.

Carolina is likely to struggle early unless either Jeff Lewis or Chris Weinke suddenly morphs into Kurt Warner. Neither Lewis nor the 29-year-old rookie Weinke -- the likely Week 1 starter -- played very well in the first half of the preseason.

The Panthers did get out of training camp this season without a single major injury. That was a blessing. And their defense -- which may start as many as six players age 24 or younger -- has looked more fiery and faster in the preseason.

Offseason
Quarterbacks: Carolina will be the only team in modern NFL history to not have a single quarterback on the roster with starting experience. Following the preseason win over the Ravens -- in which Weinke brought Carolina back from way behind after Lewis continued to really struggle in a starting role (three interceptions) -- the QB situation was more up in the air than ever. Lewis still looks skittish. But he is far more mobile than Weinke and knows the playbook better. Weinke has an above-average arm that won him a Heisman Trophy at Florida State, and he has also won respect quickly from his teammates. Expect each of them to get starts this season, especially when and if the year begins to slip away. Weinke is the fan favorite for now. Both quarterbacks are head and shoulders above Dameyune Craig and Matt Lytle, the players competing for the third QB job.
Grade: D-plus.

Running backs: Running back Tshimanga Biakabutuka won't be with the Panthers much longer if he can't soon muster an injury-free year in which he can approach 1,000 yards. Biakabutuka, drafted eighth overall in '96, still shows flashes of ability but has never rushed for 750 yards in a season because of his fragility. The Panthers are using him more on pass patterns this season, and he has a better offensive line, but the only good thing you can say about his preseason is that he's stayed healthy. Richard Huntley, who backed up Jerome Bettis for the Steelers last season, has some straight-ahead talent but has been hampered by injuries this preseason. At fullback, Chris Hetherington replaces William Floyd, who never was the same after blowing out a knee in San Francisco. Hetherington is a decent blocker in the Panthers' scheme with a little pass-catching ability.
Grade: C-minus.

Receivers: The Panthers' best position is fortified by wide receiver Muhsin Muhammad, who has averaged 99 catches each of the past two seasons. Muhammad isn't a game-breaker, but he can outfight smaller defensive backs for receptions over the middle and is Carolina's finest overall player. Donald Hayes is the Panthers' naturally talented second receiver, a former basketball player who can really leap on a jump ball to the end zone. He gets deep well but needs to prove himself on intermediate routes. Tight end Wesley Walls, now the oldest player on the team at 35, has always had soft hands and a knack for the end zone. How much he will be able to get open after major knee surgery derailed half of his 2000 season is the big question. Patrick Jeffers continues to have problems with both knees, and it's unlikely he will have a significant impact this season.
Grade: B-plus.

With Steve Beuerlein no longer in Carolina, the quarterback situation is the key for the Panthers. Will it really be Chris Weinke, and not Jeff Lewis, as the starter once the preseason ends?

We know Weinke, the Heisman Trophy winner, has the maturity and the leadership ability, but despite being 29, he's still an NFL rookie. That means teams will still be able to confuse him and exploit his professional inexperience. That could be a problem for the Panthers, who still have a weapons outside in Muhsin Muhammad.

Offensive linemen: A substantial upgrade over a terrible unit in 2000 that allowed 69 sacks, this line must jell quickly if the Panthers are going to score. New left tackle Todd Steussie will be a key with his blindside protection. Feisty right guard Kevin Donnalley and smart center Jeff Mitchell also came on board via free agency at the one position where Carolina spent a good deal of money in the offseason. Right tackle Chris Terry suffered from the sophomore jinx in 2000 and needs to learn to play with better leverage. The left guard spot will probably go to Jamar Nesbit, who is average at best.
Grade: C-plus.

Defense
Defensive linemen: Rookie defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, Carolina's second-round pick, really needs to inject some life here. This unit was a disaster last season, when Reggie White, Eric Swann and Chuck Smith were a high-profile free-agent trio that flopped badly. Jenkins will play alongside veteran Sean Gilbert, the team's best lineman but a far cry from being worth two No.1 draft picks. Brentson Buckner, a free-agent pickup, may help some inside. The ends are questionable. Jay Williams, on the left side, led Carolina in 2000 with a modest six sacks. Michael Rucker, on the right side, has decent pass-rush ability but struggles some against the run. Former first-round pick Jason Peter has never played up to his draft position and has yet to crack the starting lineup.
Grade: C-minus.

Linebackers: This could be a good unit if it can manage to get better in the right places. No.1 draft choice weakside linebacker Dan Morgan is extremely quick -- the Panthers hope he will be their Zach Thomas. Middle linebacker Lester Towns was the team's best rookie last season and can really hit. Strongside linebacker Hannibal Navies will get a major role for the first time, probably staying on the field in the dime package because of his size-speed ratio. Dean Wells, a veteran who can play any linebacker position, may stick to provide some reserve help.
Grade: C-plus.

Defensive backs: Strong safety Mike Minter has very good speed and hits hard for his size. Free safety Deon Grant is being thrown to the wolves with his starting job. He showed great ball-hawking ability in college but is shy about run support. Right cornerback Doug Evans is relatively solid, but left corner could be a major problem. Rashard Anderson, the team's No. 1 draft pick in 2000, has been switched back to corner but has struggled in the preseason. Jimmy Hitchcock may start there. He gives up some big plays but is more consistent than Anderson.
Grade: C.

Special teams
Some good news here. Third-round pick Steve Smith has been a revelation in the preseason, with a 52-yard TD run on a double reverse and several kickoff returns he nearly took all the way. He will return punts as well and could factor into the offense as a fourth or fifth receiver. Placekicker John Kasay's second major rehabilitation from a knee injury has worked well so far -- he nearly made a 60-yard field goal attempt in Carolina's first exhibition. Punter Todd Sauerbrun is unpredictable but has a leg like the Panthers have never seen before.
Grade: B-plus.

Scott Fowler covers the Panthers for the Charlotte Observer.

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