1999 record: 8-8, second in NFC West.

Last five years: 38-42.

Coach: George Seifert (8-8 in first year with Carolina, 106-38 overall).

Playoff past: In 1996, the Panthers reached the NFC title game, the only year they made the playoffs.

Outlook

Al Davis, Buddy Ryan and Tom Coughlin are in Panthers quarterback Steve Beuerlein's rear-view mirror.

He doesn't have to convince his former bosses and skeptics he is good enough to start in this league after being the NFC's second-most efficient passer last year to St. Louis' Kurt Warner, the league's Most Valuable Player. But Beuerlein, entering his 13th season, has to show he can do it two consecutive years, and he's coming off five surgeries in the offseason -- knee, ankle, shoulder, hernia and groin.

He has fought battles his entire career.

Panthers quarterback Steve Beuerlein has missed the preseason games, prompting some criticism.(AP)

In 1990, Davis wouldn't let Raiders coaches play Beuerlein because of his contract dispute with the team.

Beuerlein threw for more than 3,000 yards in Arizona in 1993, but Ryan was hired the next year and benched him, calling Beuerlein one of the worst quarterbacks he had ever seen.

He went to Jacksonville in the expansion draft but lost his job to Mark Brunell and wound up signing as a free agent in 1996 with Carolina. But even after his best season a year ago, Beuerlein was involved in controversy.

He accused Coughlin, coach of the AFC's Pro Bowl team, of illegally blitzing him in the game. Then, when Beuerlein didn't play against the Jaguars in last week's preseason opener, some speculated it was because he was afraid of being blitzed again.

"You don't play in this league 13 years and not play in a game because you're afraid of getting blitzed," he said. "Blitzes don't scare me."

His age (35) makes some wonder if Beuerlein can have back-to-back big seasons. Still, he's three years younger than defensive lineman Reggie White, who has come out of retirement because he couldn't get playing football out of his system.

White, defensive tackles Sean Gilbert and Eric Swann and defensive end Chuck Smith all will be in their 30s when the season opens. Gilbert and Smith, a free-agent acquisition who formerly played for the Falcons, will start. White and Swann, still bothered by a knee injury, will be on the bench.

Some have suggested if this were 1995, the Panthers would have the most dominant defensive line in the league. Beuerlein doesn't agree. In fact, he thinks White will wipe off the rust by the start of the regular season.

"Whether Reggie is 38 and maybe not in his prime or 28 and right in the middle of his prime, the bottom line is that if you don't account for him, he's going to make you pay," Beuerlein said.

Schedule preview: They will know how good they are in a hurry because the Panthers open at Washington, considered by many to be the NFC favorites. There is a tough stretch in the middle of the season in which the Panthers play three of four games on the road, including Oct. 29 at Atlanta and Nov. 5 at St. Louis against the Rams, their NFC West rivals who were the NFC champions the past two seasons.

1999 offensive ranking: No. 6 overall, No. 2 passing, No. 20 rushing.

1999 defensive ranking: No. 26 overall, No. 23 vs. pass, No. 24 vs. rush.

Key players lost from 1999: LB Mike Barrow (to New York Giants), OL Norberto Davidds-Garrido (to Arizona), LB Kevin Greene (to retired), RB Fred Lane (to Indianapolis, now deceased), WR Rae Carruth (released).

Key additions for 2000: DE Chuck Smith (Falcons), DE Reggie White (out of retirement), DT Eric Swann (Cardinals), DE Jay Williams (Cardinals), LB Lee Woodall (49ers), CB Jimmy Hitchcock (Vikings), RB Natrone Means (Chargers), OG James Dexter (Cardinals).

Rookies to watch: First-round pick Rashard Anderson will start at free safety. Second-round pick Deon Grant was expected to compete with Anderson for the job but suffered a season-ending fractured hip in training camp.

Offensive line: This group is a bunch of no-names, which is exactly how coach Tony Wise likes it. Only starting right tackle Chris Terry, last year's second-round pick from Georgia, is heralded. Clarence Jones will start at left tackle, a position the Panthers likely will upgrade next season. Left guard Matt Campbell has been slowed by injuries much of his career. James Dexter was brought in from Arizona to start at right guard but will be out for another month with a triceps injury. As a result, second-year pro Jamar Nesbit, a second-year pro who was undrafted a year ago, will start there.

Wide receivers/tight ends: Despite Carruth's arrest for murder at mid-season, this position was a strength for the Panthers last season. Muhsin Muhammad is coming off his best season with 96 catches for 1,253 yards. Patrick Jeffers came out of nowhere to have a spectacular second half of the season but is now lost for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament suffered in a 13-0 exhibition loss to Pittsburgh. More than ever, Donald Hayes now needs to be more consistent.

Running backs: Tshimanga Biakabutuka finally was healthy last year and showed why he was a top 10 pick. But the Panthers want to be careful and not give him more than 15 carries a game, which is why they added Means as his backup. But there also will be times when the two are in the backfield at the same. How that will work is uncertain because Means never has been a good blocker.

Quarterbacks: The big question is at the No. 2 spot. Jeff Lewis was brought in from Denver to eventually be the starter, but he is having trouble holding off Dameyune Craig, who rose from the ranks of NFL Europe. If anything happens to Beuerlein, the Panthers could be in trouble. Neither has any experience in the league as a starter.

Defensive line: Don't expect the Panthers to start the four thirtysomethings. Jason Peter, who has been slowed by injuries, or Williams will start at left end. Run stopper Tim Morabito and the high-priced Gilbert will be the tackles. The Panthers hope Smith can have another 10-sack season. White and Swann were added for depth.

Linebackers: Middle linebacker Dean Wells is the only returning starter. Woodall is expected to start at one outside spot, but he slipped badly the past two seasons at San Francisco and 49ers coaches aren't sure he'll ever regain form. Donta Jones likely will be the other starter, but he could be pushed by second-year pro Hannibal Navies.

Secondary: This could be a trouble spot. Hitchcock failed when given a chance to start at New England and Minnesota. Now, he's expected to start at cornerback opposite Eric Davis, who faded last season. At free safety, the Panthers hope Anderson is ready as a rookie. They have few other options there.

Special teams: Former Pro Bowl kicker John Kasay fractured his kneecap during practice and will be out for the season. Punter Ken Walter has a big leg but lacks consistency. Nobody in the NFL is better on kickoff returns than Michael Bates, a perennial All-Pro who might see action as a punt returner this season as well.