National Football League

Hard to predict how young Panthers will fare

Published Jun. 16, 2010 6:41 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Carolina Panthers spent the past month focusing on their quarterbacks and passing game, mourned Thomas Davis' untimely knee injury and spoke with guarded confidence about the upcoming season.

With so many unknowns and a roster full of new faces, there was really no other way for the players and coaches to think as they wrapped up a month of voluntary workouts on Wednesday and began a six-week break before the start of training camp.

``We've got a lot of work to do, there is no doubt,'' coach John Fox said.

Added quarterback Matt Moore, the front-runner for starting job despite just eight career starts: ``Like everyone has been saying, we're a young team. But we're going to try to use that to our advantage.''

An offseason that saw numerous veterans released, not re-signed or allowed to leave in free agency claimed another starter last week when Davis tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

It marred the beginning of Carolina's youth movement, leaving a giant hole at weakside linebacker and raising questions if Davis came back too soon from his first ACL tear in November.

But not two hours after the Panthers scattered for their vacation, well-known orthopedic surgeon James Andrews indicated Davis' second ACL tear in seven months was a ``fluke'' after speaking at the Charlotte Touchdown Club luncheon.

``ACLs, they can do the same maneuver two million times without an injury,'' Andrews said. ``And all of a sudden the same little maneuver, sometimes not much of anything, they can tear their ACL.''

Davis' agent consulted with the well-known Andrews before deciding to have Panthers team doctor Pat Connor perform the surgery on Saturday. Andrews defended Connor and trainer Ryan Vermillion for Davis' speedy rehab process and downplayed the significance of him not wearing a brace when he was hurt while backpedaling.

``I have all the confidence in the world with how this guy was taken care of,'' Andrews said.

Without its speedy playmaker, Carolina is contemplating major changes at linebacker. Two-time Pro Bowl selection Jon Beason could move to Davis' old spot, with inexperienced Dan Connor taking over in the middle. The Panthers could also keep Beason in the middle and insert recent acquisition Jamar Williams outside.

That decision may be overshadowed when training camp begins, however, because of the uncertainty and intrigue at quarterback.

Moore was named the starter after Jake Delhomme was jettisoned after a miserable 2009 season. But the dynamic changed when Jimmy Clausen of Notre Dame dropped into Carolina's lap with the 48th pick after his stunning fall in the draft.

While Moore looked shaky at times during the workouts, he's not willing to give up his promotion to a rookie.

``I'm going to try to be in the best shape I've ever been in and come in mentally ready to go,'' Moore said.

Moore praised Fox's decision to focus exclusively on passing early on in the voluntary workouts. It was understandable, since while DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart each rushed for over 1,100 yards last season, the Panthers ranked 27th in passing as they slipped from NFC South champions to 8-8.

``We were lacking in the passing game area,'' Fox said. ``Some of that is communication, some of it is skill set, some of it is just timing among players. Those are things you work on in the offseason to try to improve on.''

While Moore and Clausen showed their inexperience at times, rookie receivers Brandon LaFell and Armanti Edwards had impressive stretches and could challenge for the No. 2 receiver job left vacant after Muhsin Muhammad wasn't re-signed and retired last week.

``The passing camp the first three days were big,'' Moore said. ``I know everybody in the passing game, the receivers, running backs, everybody, loved it. We've been motoring around and playing fast.''

The Panthers still must break in a new fullback and right guard. The defense must make up for Julius Peppers' departure in free agency. Both starting defensive tackles, strong safety and strongside linebacker from last season are gone, too.

``There is no question we are younger, but with that comes a lot of energy,'' Fox said.

Fox takes over this remade roster while entering the last year of his contract. Just a little more intrigue to spice up what figures to be an interesting training camp.

Players report to Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., on July 28.

``These guys are willing to work,'' Fox said, ``and they'll be as good as they work to be.''

NOTES: Panthers owner Jerry Richardson watched a portion of the final spring workout while zipping around in a golf cart. ... The workout ended with a conditioning test that called for players to do sets of laps across the width of the field. Fox said all players passed. Rookie DE Greg Hardy bolted ahead of the rest of linemen when he ran.