It’s a new season, but there aren’t many newcomers on the Carolina Panthers’ roster.

That’s rare in the franchise’s 13-year history, and it’s far different from last season, when the Panthers went heavily into the free-agent market and kept every rookie they drafted.

There was definitely turnover. Gone from last year’s team are Mike Minter, Keyshawn Johnson, Kris Mangum, Shaun Williams, Chris Draft, Karl Hankton, Al Wallace, Chris Weinke, Kevin McCadam, Colin Branch and others. But the team chose to stay out of the free-agent sweepstakes for the most part and primarily filled holes through the draft.

The hope is that some of the younger players who were backups last season will move into bigger roles, and that addition will come in the form of added experience.

In general, that’s the way General Manager Marty Hurney and Coach John Fox want the roster to be built.

“When John came in and we started this five years ago, we said that our philosophy for building a team would revolve around drafting well,” Hurney said. “Our philosophy is all about drafting well and then targeting our core players and trying to keep our core together as well as we can, and then using every avenue we can to improve our team.

“Last year, we broke from that trend a little bit because we felt we had some needs we needed to fill and the right fits came up in free agency, with guys like Justin Hartwig and Maake Kemoeatu. But really this year, what we did this offseason is really the blueprint for what we thought we would do when we started this. David Carr was probably the free-agent signing that got the most attention. We felt it was a good opportunity. To get a quarterback with his ability in free agency doesn’t come up very often. We were aggressive, and we made a move there. And then our pro department and our coaches did a very good job of getting other free agents that can play roles on this team that weren’t necessarily the big-name, high-profile free agents. But they fit our team very well.

“And we feel very good about this draft class and last year’s draft class. I think there will be a sizable number of players from the last two draft classes combined that will make this team. That’s the way we want it. We feel like we’re developing young players that are going to play some roles for us this year.”

Here’s a look at the most significant newcomers, mindful that final cuts this weekend and additions off the waiver wire could lead to changes before opening day.
Veteran free agents

? David Carr, quarterback: Carr was the marquee free-agent addition, signing a two-year, $6.3-million deal after spending his first five seasons as the starter in Houston. He was signed to back up Jake Delhomme and revive his career after being the face of the franchise and the object of scorn in Houston despite solid numbers. He led the NFL last season in completion percentage (68.3) and threw for 2,767 yards and 11 touchdowns. He wants no part of a quarterback controversy for now, having lived that life in Houston, but he probably will be in one at some point.

? Curtis DeLoatch, cornerback: DeLoatch signed after spending last season with New Orleans and the previous two seasons with the New York Giants. He started 13 games for the Giants in 2005. His claim to fame came when he recovered a blocked punt and returned the ball for a touchdown in the Saints’ heralded season-opening win over Atlanta last year, the first touchdown in the refurbished Superdome. He’s an Ahoskie native who played at N.C. A&T.

? Dave Ball, defensive end: Ball is trying to jump-start his career in his fourth season after stints with San Diego and the New York Jets. He was a fish out of water playing in 3-4 schemes with both teams, and he feels better suited to the Panthers’ 4-3 defense. He should provide stability as a veteran backup, especially because Stanley McClover and Charles Johnson are so young. He’s not an upgrade over Al Wallace, but an insurance policy.

? Kenyatta Walker, tackle: Walker signed as a free agent after training camp started. He was released by Tampa Bay in the offseason after starting 73 games there, including all 16 in 2005. He spent the final 13 games last season on injured reserve with a knee injury and is trying to bounce back from that. He’s an interesting addition because he had a long-running feud with several of the Panthers’ defensive linemen during his days with the Bucs.
Veteran acquisitions

? Chris Harris, safety: Harris was acquired from Chicago for a fifth-round pick during training camp, shortly before Mike Minter retired. In the time since, he has moved into Minter’s starting spot and will most likely stay there. Harris had 20 starts in two seasons with the Bears and had an interception in the Super Bowl loss to Indianapolis last February.
Back for a second stint

? Deke Cooper, safety: Cooper spent the 2002 season with the Panthers, playing in 10 games as a backup. He has bounced around the NFL throughout his career, spending last season with San Francisco and three seasons before that with Jacksonville. He also has been in camps with Arizona and Cleveland, and he played in NFL Europe in 2001. Projected to be a backup, he has started in the preseason after the retirement of Mike Minter and injuries to Nate Salley.
Rookies

? Jon Beason, linebacker: Beason was a first-round draft pick (No. 25 overall) after a standout career at Miami, and the Panthers like his versatility. He’s already the starter at weakside linebacker and has the ability to move inside to middle linebacker. He missed the early days of training camp because of a contract holdout but adjusted quickly in moving into the starting lineup. He’s an essential component, as all first-round picks are, because of the health and depth concerns among the linebackers.

? Dwayne Jarrett, wide receiver: Dwayne Jarrett was a second-round draft pick (No. 45 overall) after setting school records with 216 receptions for 3,138 yards in three seasons at Southern California. He’s the big (6-4, 219) receiver who fits the mold of a Keyshawn Johnson, who was released shortly after draft day. Dwayne Jarrett has been slow to progress in training camp, partly because of injuries, but should play a vital role in the long-term plans, making his development a significant story line this season.

? Ryan Kalil, center: The Panthers drafted Kalil in the second round with the extra pick that they received from trading down with the New York Jets in the first round. He’s the biggest value pick among the draftees after an All-America career at Southern Cal. The Panthers have used Kalil at center and guard in the preseason, and there’s little question that he’s going to be part of the offensive-line rotation. He also will play a big role in the long-term plans.

? Charles Johnson, defensive end: Johnson left Georgia after his junior season and was drafted in the third round as the Panthers - mindful that Mike Rucker’s career is winding down - tried to fill a need. However, Johnson hasn’t done much to impress in the preseason and might not figure into the immediate plans as much as some had hoped.

? Ryne Robinson, return specialist: Robinson was drafted out of Miami (Ohio) in the fourth round. At 5-9, 179, he fits the mold of a wide receiver who got his start with the Panthers in similar fashion, Steve Smith. The Panthers can only hope he’s as good. If so, Robinson would shore up an area that was a major problem last season, but there has been little indication in the preseason that he’s going to make a dramatic impact.

? Dante Rosario, tight end: Rosario played tight end and fullback at Oregon, and although he’s slotted into a backup’s role at tight end, he does offer options in blocking schemes with his versatility. For now, he’s clearly third-team behind Jeff King and Michael Gaines, but he seems a lock to make the team.

? Tim Shaw, linebacker: Shaw, a fifth-round draft pick, started 32 games at Penn State and played four different positions during his college career, starting at tailback. He has some athleticism, and there’s a chance he can contribute on special teams even if he’s down the list on the linebacker depth chart. He’s likely to stick just because of all the uncertainty at linebacker

See more at www.journalnow.com