By Mike Cranston
AP Sports Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- John Fox knows the Panthers are faster. The Carolina coach isn't ready to say they're better.
And he doesn't have a lot of time to figure it out.
Forgive Fox if he might have forgotten the names of a few players at last weekend's minicamp. Of the 85 players on the field, 36 weren't with the team for the final game of the 2009 season.
Counting restricted free agent cornerback Richard Marshall, who skipped the workouts because he's upset with his contract situation, 67 of Carolina's 86 players are 25 or younger.
It's not necessarily the best scenario for a coach entering the last year of his contract and coming off an 8-8 season.
"I think we've increased our team speed some," Fox said. "We've got a lot of youth and with youth comes energy, so that's the good news. Now we've just got to direct that energy in the right way."
With his future uncertain past 2010, Fox's challenges are numerous thanks to owner Jerry Richardson's decision to shed payroll ahead of the expiration of the collective bargaining agreement after this season.
Quarterback Jake Delhomme, fullback Brad Hoover, receiver Muhsin Muhammad, right guard Keydrick Vincent, defensive tackles Damione Lewis and Maake Kemoeatu and linebacker Na'il Diggs were either cut or not re-signed. Five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Julius Peppers was allowed to leave in free agency.
The latest salary dump came last week, when starting strong safety Chris Harris was traded to Chicago for backup linebacker Jamar Williams.
"We've got a budget and that had something to do with it," said Fox in his brief explanation of the deal.
What's left over is some promising talent, but strikingly little experience.
The four quarterbacks have a combined eight NFL starts, with rookie Jimmy Clausen figuring to challenge Matt Moore for the starting job after Delhomme was released.
"He's a sharp guy. He's picked things up very fast. He's sharp in football, and I think that's key at the quarterback position," Fox said of Clausen. "He's swimming right now. It's still new. You have to get a feel for everybody."
The receiver position is almost as green. After Steve Smith, the 10 other receivers on the roster have combined to catch 40 passes in the NFL. Third-round pick Brandon LaFell is a candidate to start opposite Smith. Fellow rookie and converted quarterback Armanti Edwards could be in the mix for the No. 3 role.
"Right now they're quiet. I'm hardly getting any questions," Smith said of the young group. "They're just quiet and working through it, trying to figure it out and should I say something. I think when we come back in June they'll be more wide open and feel a little bit more comfortable."
Second-year safety Sherrod Martin is expected to replace Harris, while there's a crowded competition for the strongside linebacker and right guard jobs.
Second-year defensive end Everette Brown is expected to replace Peppers on the line, while Tank Tyler, Louis Leonard and Corvey Irvin and Ed Johnson compete at defensive tackle.
The Panthers have had success in the draft in recent years, and have focused on bringing in speedy, athletic players. Now Carolina expects many of them to contribute right away.
"I'll be anxious to see how we play the game," Fox said. "I think track speed right now we're faster, but we've got to learn how to play football fast."
Fox has resisted talking about being denied a contract extension just as the Panthers begin a youth movement. While it will be difficult, Fox could be one of the top coaching free agents in the NFL if he can make this unit successful in 2010.
"A lot of those guys have added juice," Fox said. "We'll see how they when they start playing real football."
