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Wednesday, July 18
Updated: July 19, 4:10 PM ET
 
Panthers: Youth movement
By Tom Oates
Special to ESPN.com

If it wasn't apparent before, the Panthers' new direction became painfully obvious when they released aging quarterback Steve Beuerlein during the offseason. The Carolina franchise, which adopted a "win now" philosophy from its birth in 1995, has seen the strategy backfire ever since it went to the NFC championship game in its second year. By constantly thinking they were one or two players away, the Panthers never laid a solid foundation of young talent and have been in slow and steady decline since 1996.
 
CAMP AT A GLANCE
 George Seifert
George Seifert enters his third season in Carolina.
  Location: Wofford College, Spartanburg, S.C.
Rookies report: July 22
Veterans report: July 25
Preseason schedule:
 Aug. 10: at Jacksonville
 Aug. 18: New England
 Aug. 23: at Baltimore
 Aug. 31: Cleveland

Last year, coach George Seifert tried to patch up the defense with a slew of aging stars and it didn't work. In fact, it failed so miserably the team didn't come close to making the playoffs. Now the Panthers have cut ties with nine players 30 or older and the emphasis, for the first time in franchise history, is to build with youth.

Man in the spotlight
Seifert is a brilliant, though somewhat meddlesome coach who should be credited for nursing the injury ravaged Panthers to 8-8 and 7-9 records in his two seasons. Last year was the first time in Seifert's 10 NFL seasons that his team finished below .500. Owner Jerry Richardson says he's on board with the youth movement, but Richardson isn't known for his patience and it will be interesting to see what happens if Seifert can't find a quarterback and the Panthers don't win right away.

Key position battle
When he released Beuerlein, Seifert said it was time to see if the Panthers' investment in Jeff Lewis was worth it. The question now is whether Lewis can even hold onto the No. 1 job he won by default. None of the Panthers four quarterbacks -- Lewis, Dameyune Craig, Matt Lytle and rookie Chris Weinke -- has started an NFL game. Lewis, mobile and athletic, has been unable to win over his teammates because he lacks composure. Weinke, the Heisman Trophy winner, has a realistic chance to start despite being taken in the fourth round. He's mature for a rookie because he has oodles of big-game experience and will turn 29 in August.

Biggest adjustment
Last year, the Panthers gave up a league-high 69 sacks and their rushing game ranked 29th in the NFL, both indictments of the offensive line. This year, right tackle Chris Terry might be the only returning starter up front. The Panthers dipped into free agency for a necessary quick fix, landing tackle Todd Steussie (Vikings), guard Kevin Donnalley (Dolphins) and center Jeff Mitchell (Ravens). Along with new line coach Paul Boudreau, a high-energy sort, they could give Carolina a respectable line for the first time since Seifert arrived.

Rookie report
First-round pick Dan Morgan is being counted on not only to start at middle linebacker but to provide big plays, too. Second-rounder Kris Jenkins, a 300-pound defensive tackle, will battle free agent Brentson Buckner for a starting job. Morgan and Jenkins are expected to help the Panthers overcome their long-standing problem with stopping the run. Steve Smith, a wide receiver taken in the third round, won't find much playing time in a deep receiving corps but might be the replacement for departed return specialist Michael Bates.

Offseason moves
Players signed Players lost
TE Luther Broughton (signed as free agent)
WR Donald Hayes (re-signed)
RB Richard Huntley (signed as free agent)
S Mike Minter (re-signed)
C Jeff Mitchell (signed as free agent)
P Todd Sauerbrun (signed as free agent)
OT Todd Steussie (signed as free agent)
 RB Michael Bates (signed with Redskins)
QB Steve Beuerlein (released)
CB Eric Davis (released)
FB William Floyd (released)
K Joe Nedney (signed with Titans)
DT Eric Swann (retired)
DE Reggie White (retired)

  • Panthers' complete offseason moves







    •  More from ESPN...
    Falcons: Taking the next step
    While he won't have too much ...

    49ers: Youthful enthusiasm
    Bill Walsh left the 49ers ...

    Rams: Getting defensive
    After a dismal defensive ...

    Saints: Repeat performance?
    After last year's surprise ...

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