CHARLOTTE - DeShaun Foster, Dan Morgan, Mike Wahle and David Carr were sent packing. Jordan Gross received the franchise tag so he wouldn't leave. Muhsin Muhammad was signed to shore up the receiving corps.

Now the Carolina Panthers, determined to return to the playoffs after two dismal seasons, begin the second leg of their busy offseason as free agency starts today.

"We have a lot of needs," general manager Marty Hurney said. "We have a lot of areas that we want to improve in. It's just what comes up and is the right fit."

Already this offseason is much different from last year when the Panthers, content with 21 of 22 starters returning, did little with their roster.

The plan didn't work. Carolina finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs for a second straight year. Though Hurney and coach John Fox were retained by owner Jerry Richardson, they face pressure to turn things around in 2008.

Hence a slew of moves so far. Carr, the only major offseason acquisition last year, was jettisoned after being so ineffective he ended up the No. 3 quarterback. Injury-prone Morgan was let go after seven seasons of unfilled expectations at middle linebacker. Foster was cut after averaging 3.5 yards a carry. Wahle, the starter at left guard, was released to clear salary-cap space.

It leaves the Panthers looking to fill holes on the offensive line, at defensive end, running back and maybe defensive tackle, with Carolina probably shopping Kris Jenkins again.

The question is money. They don't have much room under the $116 million salary cap. Some of the big names available in a largely unattractive class -- including running back Michael Turner of the San Diego Chargers and Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Justin Smith -- will command big money.

The Panthers kept their biggest name from becoming an unrestricted free agent when they placed the franchise tag on Gross, their right tackle.

Travelle Wharton, who started at left tackle last season, was re-signed. But the team could move Wharton to left guard to replace Wahle, opening a spot at tackle.

The Panthers re-signed fullback Brad Hoover to a three-year deal late Thursday, keeping him off the free-agent market. The team offered tenders to restricted free agents Geoff Hangartner and Evan Mathis, both offensive linemen, and linebacker Adam Seward, and all three probably will return.

Among Carolina's unrestricted free agents are receivers Keary Colbert and Drew Carter, defensive end Mike Rucker and fullback Brad Hoover. Muhammad's signing Wednesday means Colbert and Carter may not return.

It's uncertain if Rucker, who turned 33 on Thursday, will be brought back. It may be in a backup role, forcing the Panthers to bring in a defensive end to start opposite Julius Peppers.

The Panthers apparently won't be pursuing a quarterback.

"We're always going to look at every spot, but we feel like with Jake [Delhomme] and Matt [Moore] and Brett [Basanez] that we have three guys who have now been here, know the system and we are very happy with," Hurney said.