2003 PANTHERS
	Former 'Skin Stephen Davis missed four games last year.
	Head coach: John Fox (2nd year). 2000 record: 7-9. NFC West finish: 4th. Season opener: Sept. 7 vs. Jacksonville. Schedule | Depth chart

You will not find the Panthers playing on "Monday Night Football" this season. They are strictly an under-the-radar team -- one without splashy offensive stars or cool nicknames.

What the Panthers can boast, however, is one of the NFL's finest defenses. Carolina ranked No. 2 in the NFL in total defense in 2002, trailing only Tampa Bay. That defense returns just about everybody, save one crucial player. Veteran Mark Fields, the linebacker who led the team in tackles (127) and forced fumbles (seven) last season, will miss the 2003 season after being diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease in mid-August. But if head coach John Fox's defense can overcome Fields' loss, it should remain as one of the NFL's best.

DE Julius Peppers recorded 12 sacks in 12 games last year as a rookie and got serious about weights for the first time in his career this offseason. Defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, linebacker Dan Morgan and defensive end Mike Rucker all are legitimate Pro Bowl candidates if they stay healthy.

If this team falters, it probably will be the fault of the offense. The acquisition of former Redskins running back Stephen Davis should give Carolina the second 1,000-yard rusher in team history. But the quarterback situation remains murky. Ranked 31st in team offense last season, Carolina still doesn't have enough weapons.

Offseason
Quarterbacks: At age 37, Rodney Peete is the oldest player on Carolina's roster. Originally signed as a backup, he wrested the starting job away from Chris Weinke just before the 2002 regular season and set career highs in touchdowns (15) and passing yardage (2,630). Peete likely will open the season at No. 1 for Carolina, but he's being hotly pursued by backups Jake Delhomme and Weinke. Delhomme was signed away from New Orleans during the offseason with the idea that he finally could be a starter. But his preseason hasn't been as impressive as Weinke's, the former Heisman Trophy winner who started during Carolina's dreadful 1-15 season in 2001 and then rode the bench all last year. With Peete nursing an injured finger and not playing that well in the preseason, either or both might get an opportunity before this year is over. Weinke has the strongest arm and Peete makes the fewest mistakes, but Fox thinks Delhomme could be a good leader.
Grade: C-minus.

Running backs: In Davis, Fox hopes he has found the workhorse back that can keep the defense off the field in the fourth quarter. The Panthers were thrilled to sign Davis as a free agent. He has exhibited surprising speed and also will be utilized as a pass catcher. The Panthers would love Davis to get the ball 25 times a game and give backup DeShaun Foster another 10 carries, but it's no cinch that Foster will be back from the serious knee injury that forced him to miss his rookie season. Carolina believes Foster could be wonderful if he stays healthy, but who knows? He is the wild card. FB Brad Hoover has become good at everything but isn't great at anything.
Grade: B.

Receivers: Muhsin Muhammad has shown renewed vigor in the preseason and seems destined to be Carolina's No. 1 receiver in this average corps. Muhammad is a bull who can sometimes overpower cornerbacks. His starting counterpart is 5-foot-9 Steve Smith, who has good breakaway speed. Carolina added savvy veteran Ricky Proehl in the offseason to be their slot receiver, and he will help a lot when it's 3rd-and-long. TE Wesley Walls, a fan favorite, was a salary-cap casualty, and it's questionable whether Kris Mangum can fill Walls' shoes. Rookie Mike Seidman, a third-round pick, will get some chances in two-TE formations.
Grade: C-minus.

Offensive linemen: Carolina devoted its top two draft picks to O-linemen. First-round choice Jordan Gross is starting right away at right tackle and has impressed with his quickness and ability to pick up the offense. In a few years, Gross may move to left tackle, but for now that position is ably manned by Todd Steussie. On a line with average athleticism, Steussie stands out. OGs Kevin Donnalley and Jeno James and C Jeff Mitchell are a decent nucleus. Bruce Nelson, the team's second-round pick in 2003, is valuable because he can play all five positions.
Grade: C.

Defense
Defensive linemen: This group thinks it is the best in the league, and DT Brentson Buckner was brave (or foolhardy) enough to say so in the preseason. Buckner specifically said Jenkins was already better than Bucs defensive tackle Warren Sapp because Jenkins was more versatile. Jenkins didn't argue, but Sapp did. Peppers is a huge pass-rushing force at left end and is determined to prove that last year's four-game suspension for violating the league's banned-substance policy didn't have anything to do with his 12 sacks. Rucker is less spectacular than Peppers but outworks people. Buckner makes it work inside, playing a coach-on-the-field role and telling Peppers and Jenkins where they need to be. Backups Al Wallace and Shane Burton both have resurrected their careers, and it's possible Kavika Pittman will do the same. This position is Carolina's biggest strength.
Grade: A.

Linebackers: Losing Fields hurts, but the Panthers will do their best to adjust. Greg Favors will step in as the starter at strong-side linebacker, but he can't match Fields in pure speed. Morgan can match Fields in terms of speed, but he's injury prone. Carolina would love to see him play in every game. weak-side linebacker Will Witherspoon also has serious speed, and Brian Allen is a capable backup. Someone -- it really needs to be Morgan -- needs to pick up Fields' knack for making so many big plays.
Grade: B-minus.

Defensive backs: Carolina will win games with its front seven, but the secondary is losing fewer than it used to. Hard-hitting strong safety Mike Minter is the best of the bunch. Cornerbacks Terry Cousin and Reggie Howard both are battlers who played much better than expected in 2002 -- they are speedy enough to make up for some of their mistakes. The question mark is free safety Deon Grant, who is talented but often unfocused. He has to pick it up this season. Rookie cornerback Ricky Manning Jr. showed some promise during the preseason and will get some time in passing situations.
Grade: B-minus.

Special teams
Todd Sauerbrun has the curious distinction of becoming the first punter ever to hold an NFL franchise tag. His lively leg always helps in the field-position battle. Veteran John Kasay, the last remaining original Panther, beat out Shayne Graham for the placekicking job. Smith is a serious threat as a punt returner and uses his speed well in the open field. Kickoff returner Terrence Wilkins also can be dangerous.
Grade: B-plus.

Scott Fowler covers the Panthers for the Charlotte Observer.

Material from Pro Football Weekly.
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