Sports - Panthers

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Jeff Davidson's first year with the Carolina Panthers included an almost comical carousel of four quarterbacks.

One week into his second training camp as offensive coordinator, Davidson found out that top receiver Steve Smith would miss the first two regular-season games for breaking teammate Ken Lucas' nose in a fight.

The hulking, ex-NFL offensive lineman has learned his job has become all about improvising.

"I firmly believe the plan has to match the personnel. It's not so much the personnel matches the plan," Davidson said Thursday. "I think we have a number of directions we can go with the type of players we have on the field. We want to make sure the guys we have on the field, we're giving them the best opportunities to execute.

"The plan may have to change a little bit week to week depending on how our guys are going."

Davidson, who played briefly for Denver and New Orleans, had big plans for Carolina's bumbling offense when he took over the fired Dan Henning last year. He installed a zone blocking scheme, was determined to get Smith more involved in the offense and make the running game consistent.

Then Delhomme was lost to an elbow injury in Week 3, and the season was effectively lost. The Panthers averaged only 16.7 points per game and finished 7-9.

"I think one of the things we talked about a lot last year was, if you have one quarterback and one solid core group of guys, you can start with your fundamentals and grow and expand in directions that your team takes you," Davidson said. "I don't know that we had a great opportunity to expand last year."

Since then, Delhomme has returned, but the Panthers have also overhauled the offensive line, bringing in big bodies in hopes of opening holes for a new backfield that includes first-round pick

Jonathan Stewart.

"Our big focus has been to move the line of scrimmage," Davidson said. "There's not a lot of teams that truly do that. We want to be closer to having a chance to run downhill."

Davidson also has new weapons at receiver with the offseason signings of Muhsin Muhammad and D.J. Hackett, who replaced the ineffective Drew Carter and Keary Colbert.

"I've actually been pleasantly surprised with what Moose has brought to us, not only in the blocking, but the route running," Davidson said. "But I think the most important thing we've gotten out of him is what he's done for us off the field. I think he brings a tremendous leadership and presence that we need on our team."

But questions remain for an offense that hasn't been properly balanced since the Super Bowl season of 2003. Recent draft picks also need to increase their production, specifically receiver

Dwayne Jarrett.

"Dwayne, each day we try to make steps with him. Some days we feel better than others," Davidson said. "We need to get to where -- and he and I have had this conversation, so I'm not uncomfortable talking about it -- but he's got to get a level of consistency that we're all comfortable with, including himself."

The Panthers may need Jarrett early when Smith, the team's top receiver the past three seasons, is serving his two-game suspension.

"I guess it would set us back some, but right now we're not focusing on that," Davidson said. "Right now we're trying to figure out scheme-wise what we're going to be Week 1, understanding the personnel will have to change some, but that's something we'll deal with at that time."

Until then Davidson has plenty to do. He plans to spend the rest of the preseason testing different plays, formations and styles, hoping to find the right combination to end Carolina's two-year streak of offensive ineptitude.

"One of the things we have to do as coaches is figure out what we do best, and try to do more of that," Davidson said. "So throughout preseason, we'll be experimenting a little bit with the type of plays we're running and throwing, and seeing which ones we're best at, and then trying to find more ways to do those and expanding on that. Right now, we're trying to find our course."