What about defense?

Seifert's arrival may help Panthers offensively

George Seifert won 98 regular season games and two Super Bowls with the 49ers. AP

The Carolina Panthers, who opened camp July 26, finished fourth in the NFC West last season and were a major disappointment. Here are a few questions from Sports Illustrated's Dr. Z, followed by CNNSI.com's perspective on some of the issues facing the Panthers this season. SI's season preview will post August 24.

Dr. Z wants to know:

1) Dom Capers' 3-4 zone blitz wowed 'em for a while, now George Seifert's return to the 4-3 is supposed to set our hearts aflutter. It's the old accordion deal; expand, contract, and what comes out is a lively polka. Do formations really mean that much when you've inherited the worst defense, statistically, in the NFL?

2) Do you agree with me that the defense has been a rudderless ship ever since Sam Mills retired?

3) I read that Jeff Lewis should mount a "stiff challenge" to quarterback incumbent Steve Beuerlein. Does this mean that someone doesn't really understand the meaning of the word "stiff," or that people are unaware of the fact Lewis has thrown only 19 passes in three NFL seasons?

4) End Shawn Gilbert is the only big-name player on the D-line. Unhappy with the Rams, unhappy in Washington, and I would assume unhappy in Carolina last year after a six-sack output. Yet here's a guy who earned three million bucks. My question: What does it take to make him happy?

The Panthers might make the playoffs if: New head coach George Seifert is able to install the West Coast offense successfully, and if a more mobile quarterback than first-teamer Steve Beuerlein steps up. Seifert, of 49ers Super Bowl fame, already has acquired Jeff Lewis from Denver and also signed veteran Steve Bono. He's a long shot, but Dameyune Craig, who played well in NFL Europe, could enter the picture.

Pivotal games: Oct. 17th at San Francisco. Coming after an open week, this will be Carolina's first real test of the season. The Panthers' schedule ranks 20th in the league in terms of strength. New Orleans visits January 2. If the Panthers remain in the playoff hunt at this late date, this intra-divisional matchup obviously becomes a must win.

On the hot seat: Running backs Tshimanga Biakabutuka and Fred Lane, and defensive end Sean Gilbert. Biakabutuka and Lane must be better receivers and blockers in Seifert's new scheme. Free-agent acquisition Gilbert struggled mightily last season and is coming off offseason rotator cuff surgery. After lobbying for a change to the 4-3 scheme, Gilbert gets his wish and will be expected to produce.

Up-and-comers: Chris Terry, a draft pick out of Georgia, should contend for a starting offensive tackle job. QB Jeff Lewis, entering his fourth year in the league, could assume the starter's role.

Player Movement Unrestricted Free Agents Restricted Free Agents Players Lost Steve Bono, QB, from Stl. Antonio Edwards, DE, from Atl. Clarence Jones, T, from N.O. Donta Jones, LB, from Pitt. Brian Kinchen, TE, from Bal. Todd Kinchen, WR, from Atl. Roderick Mullen, CB-S, from G.B. Mike Scurlock, S, from Stl. Steve Tovar, LB, from S.D. Dean Wells, LB, from Sea. Klaus Wilmsmeyer, from Mia. Patrick Jeffers, WR, from Dal. Mike Dulaney, RB, re-signed Tim Morabito, DE, re-signed Bryan Stoltenberg, C, re-signed Blake Brockermeyer, T, Chi. Shane Matthews, QB, Chi. Raghib Ismail, WR, Dal. Shawn King, DE, Ind. Lenny McGill, DB, Sea.

1999 Draft Picks Round Overall Pick Player Pos School 2 34 Chris Terry OT Georgia 2 38 Mike Rucker DE Nebraska 4 100 Hannibal Navies OLB Colorado 6 175 Robert Daniel DE Northwestern St. 7 211 Tony Booth S James Madison