So with the market for the gimpy-kneed defensive tackle going soft, the Panthers moved again to toughen up a defensive line that should now be Carolina's most improved unit. SportsLine.com confirmed Monday evening the club signed Swann to a one-year contract that will have him in the Panthers' training camp by Tuesday morning.

Swann will earn a base salary of just $440,000, the veteran minimum, and there is no signing bonus. He can earn more in incentives and the Panthers are contractually precluded from naming him as a franchise or transition player next spring, meaning he will be a free agent.

Eric Swann has not started a game since Oct. 4, 1998. The Panthers will probably use him in pass-rush situations.(AP)

Carolina began the day just $172,000 under the salary cap, according to league figures obtained by SportsLine.com, and probably will have to create some more room by Tuesday.

Carolina has dramatically revamped a front four that in 1999 accounted for just 16 of the club's 35 sacks. But coach George Seifert indicated he will have no problem finding ways to utilize the veteran linemen acquired during the offseason.

"History shows you can never have enough defensive linemen," said personnel director Jack Bushofsky, whose team last week lured Reggie White out of retirement. "We should certainly be able to pressure the passer now."

In addition to Swann and White, the Panthers also added defensive ends Chuck Smith (Atlanta) and Jay Williams (St. Louis) during the offseason.

They join a group that includes former Pro Bowl tackle Sean Gilbert and 1998 first-round end Jason Peter, among others. Panthers officials were on the phone already Monday night contacting other NFL teams about possibly trading for one or more of the Carolina defensive linemen.

Swann, 29, had indicated all along his preference for signing with the Panthers and returning to his home state to perhaps finish a career he hopes he can resurrect there. But he also fielded offers from Denver and Jacksonville, and visited with Chicago officials over the past two weeks. Swann declined agent Steve Zucker's advice to visit with Baltimore officials.

One of the few players in NFL history to succeed despite never playing in college, Swann was born in Pinehurst, N.C., and is building a home in Charlotte.

"The money wasn't as big an issue as being comfortable, and (Carolina) was where I wanted to be," Swann said. "If I get back to playing like Eric Swann can play, the money will take care of itself."

The Bears, fearing the instability of Swann's often-injured knees, abandoned the pursuit of the defensive tackle last week. Sources also told SportsLine.com that Swann did not want to play for Jacksonville coach Tom Coughlin, whose practices can be lengthy and grueling. While Denver was the one team in the Swann Sweepstakes with sufficient salary cap room , the Broncos were $4.49 million under the spending limit on Monday morning and did not offer much more than the minimum contract.

That left Swann with very few options and he publicly reiterated on Sunday his desire to play for the Panthers. "His workout for us was disappointing," said one Carolina source. "But how can you pass up a guy like him, a power rusher who was a dominant player before all the injuries, when you're getting him for next to nothing? He's probably three weeks away from being in condition, but if he's ready for the season, he's a steal."

Seifert acknowledged after Swann's workout for the Panthers that he regarded the nine-year veteran as a situational player at this point in his career. A source said the Panthers envision Swann lining up on the center in pass-rush situations, with Gilbert over a guard. That would probably preclude offenses from double-teaming White and Smith on the outside.

Certainly the Panthers will attempt to maximize Swann's snaps and minimize wear and tear on his tender knees.

In all, Swann underwent seven knee surgeries in his stint with the Cardinals, including operations in October and December of 1998. Those procedures were controversial in that Swann chose to go with the opinion of his personal orthopedist and ignored the recommendation of the Cardinals physicians. The knee problems forced Swann to miss 21 games over the past three seasons and he played in just 16 contests the last two years, including only nine in 1999.

Swann has not started a game since Oct. 4, 1998.

The more significant of Swann's physical woes began after Arizona designated him a franchise player in 1998 and signed him to a five-year, $25 million contract. Because his release from the Cardinals came after June 1, the team avoided a huge salary cap hit this season, but must count some of the prorated share of his signing bonus against the 2001 spending limit. Swann will still count $1.5 million against this year's cap and $3 million against the 2001 cap.

Swann was the Cardinals' first-round choice in the 1991 draft, the sixth overall player chosen that year. In nine seasons, he had 552 tackles, 45½ sacks, eight fumble recoveries, two interceptions and three blocked field goals. Swann played in two Pro Bowls.