Offseason Breakdown: Carolina Panthers

Luke Kuechly is known for his sideline-to-sideline range and ability to play the pass and run with equal effectiveness. (Getty Images)

With NFL training camps just around the corner, were taking a team-by-team look at how the offseason played out and what you can expect in 2012. Click here to read them all.

We obviously didnt know it at the time, but the Panthers Week 1 28-21 loss to the Cardinals last year would serve as a pretty good microcosm of the first season of the Cam Newton/Ron Rivera era.

Newton, you may remember, dazzled with a then-rookie-record 422 passing yards in the game, his first as a pro (a record hed go on to top the next week). But the Panthers lost the game in the second half, thanks in part to an 89-yard punt return touchdown by Patrick Peterson.

Thats the story of the 2011 Panthers: some highlight plays, thanks almost entirely to Newton, but not enough especially in the second half to overcome terrible special teams and run defense units. Still, the team improved by four wins from its 2010 edition, and Newtons quick takeover of the NFL gave fans hope that playoff contention would come sooner than expected as well.

2011 Record: 6-10 (third place, NFC South) Key Additions: RB Mike Tolbert, G Mike Pollak, G Amini Silatolu, LB Luke Kuechly Key Subtractions: TE Jeremy Shockey, WR Legedu Naanee, G Travelle Wharton Team Strengths: QB, RB, LB Team Weaknesses: OL, DL, DB

Three Things to Watch:

1. Can the defense improve despite limited upgrades?: The Panthers had two clear-cut spots of need coming into the offseason: defensive tackle and in the secondary. And yet, they added no significant free agents at either position. Then, the Panthers opted to draft Luke Kuechly at ninth overall, despite Stephon Gilmore, Fletcher Cox and Dontari Poe, among others, still being available. The team did get great value in picking cornerback Josh Norman in the fifth round. He will grow into a worthy contributor, but wont make enough of a difference right away to help the Panthers pass defense in 2012.

In fairness, Kuechlys three-down prowess will help a defense that finished 28th overall, as well as 32nd in both pass and run defense efficiency, according to Football Outsiders, and many would argue that he was the best player available at the pick. Still, the lack of attention paid to the aforementioned weaknesses, especially at defensive tackle, could come back to haunt the Panthers. The team is hoping that Ron Edwards return after missing all of 2011 to injury, along with improvement from 2011 rookies Terrell McClain and Sione Fua, will be enough to solidify the middle of the line.

2. Will the offense strike a better balance?: Alex Smith was misguided to call out Cam Newton, and the unit took a huge leap in 2011 thanks to Newtons addition. While he surprised us all right away with how well he could throw the ball at the NFL level, Newtons greatest contribution to the Panthers in 2011 was on the ground. His 706 yards were third on the team (just 130 yards behind team-leader DeAngelo Williams), and helped the Panthers lead the league in rushing efficiency, again according to Pro Football Outsiders.

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Offseason Breakdown: Carolina Panthers