Dan Pompei

The same old, same old won't cut it anymore for the Panthers. That was obvious from the way the Panthers approached the offseason, turning the page on what had once been a winning formula.

Gone were one-time Panther mainstays such as defensive tackle Kris Jenkins, middle linebacker Dan Morgan, defensive end Mike Rucker and safety Mike Minter.

If 2008 isn't the beginning of a new era in Panthers football, it certainly is a transition year. The Panthers are trying to bounce back from losing seasons in three of their last four years.

The Panthers are operating like there is no tomorrow, as evidenced by their decision to trade their 2009 first round pick in order to acquire a second first round pick in April, which they used to select offensive tackle Jeff Otah.

Much of their turnaround plan depends on the ability of quarterback Jake Delhomme to bounce back from an elbow injury that kept him out of all but three games last season. At 33, Delhomme has to prove he still has it.

Without him, the Panthers clearly did not have it, as they struggled with David Carr, Vinny Testaverde and Matt Moore trying to take Delhomme's place. It did not help that the team also was inconsistent running the ball.

The offensive struggles helped pave the way for the releases of guard Mike Wahl and running back DeShaun Foster, both of whom figured prominently in the Panthers' plans in the past.

Frst round pick Jonathan Stewart should upgrade the running game and help give the Panthers the new identity they are searching for.

Hot seat
The Panthers' renewed sense of urgency might have something to do with the fact that 2008 will be coach John Fox's seventh year in Carolina. Fox has three years left on his contract, but there were rumors near the end of last season that he could be on thin ice.

If the Panthers don't win this year, he surely will be under fire.

He and general manager Marty Hurney know the score, and subsequently are trying to win now.

Overheard at camp
Julius Peppers has been a left end his entire NFL career, but the Panthers are experimenting with playing him on the right side. Peppers had played on the right side in college.

Given the way Peppers played last season, a change can't be bad. He had just 2.5 sacks last season after having 11, 10.5 and 13 in the previous three seasons. In 2007 he did not play with the same intensity and explosiveness he had in the past, and no one was quite sure why. As the season went on, opponents stopped double teaming him.

Peppers has plenty of motivation to bounce back this season, as his contract is up after the year. If he wants to be paid like one of the top defensive ends in football, he's going to have to play like one.

Comings and goings
It seems like the Panthers have been searching for a complementary receiver to Steve Smith ever since Muhsin Muhammad left three years ago. Well, they might have finally found one—Muhammad.

After being released by the Bears, Muhammad re-signed with his old team. At 35, Muhammad is not the player he was the last time he wore Carolina blue, black and silver. But he will give the team a veteran presence and a reliable, physical receiver.

The team also signed free agent D.J. Hackett, who should push holdover Dwayne Jarrett after a disappointing rookie season.

Predictions
Fox is always at his best when his back is against the wall and when his team is written off. He has changed some of the faces but maintained the formula that has seen him win 56 games as the coach in Carolina.

The Panthers are capable of playing much better football in 2008 than they did in 2007. All they really need is for Delhomme to stay healthy and for Stewart and DeAngelo Williams to form a one-two punch in the running game.

This has the look of a 10-6 team.

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