With new starters at seven positions this year, not much has been expected of Carolina's defense this year.

But in preseason games against the Ravens, Jets and Titans, the Panthers have been lights out.

They rank first in overall defense -- and it's not even close -- and second in fewest points allowed. They also have a league-high 18 sacks, despite losing Julius Peppers to free agency and parting ways with long-time starters like Damione Lewis, Nail Diggs, Chris Harris and Maake Kemoeatu this offseason.

Preseason or not, the fact that Carolina's defense is allowing just 174 yards and 10 points per game is impressive.

It's been the one highlight for the Panthers in a preseason marred by inconsistent special teams play and a flailing passing game led by young quarterbacks Matt Moore and Jimmy Clausen. While the offense was viewed as the strength of this team entering the season, it now looks as though the Panthers will need their defense to carry them if they're going to have a winning season. The offense failed to score a touchdown in its first 42 possessions in the preseason.

"I wouldn't say I'm surprised, but I would say I'm happy with the way we've played," linebacker Jon Beason said of the team's defensive effort.

And why not?

On Saturday night, the Panthers limited the Tennessee Titans to 50 yards on 24 plays in the first half and held Vince Young and Chris Johnson scoreless for three quarters en route to their first win of the preseason -- 15-7 at Bank of America Stadium.

Led by defensive end Charles Johnson, the Panthers had seven sacks and forced two turnovers.

"The thing we preached this summer was playing fast and doing your assignment and not trying to do someone else's assignment," cornerback Richard Marshall said. "And that's what we've been doing the last three weeks -- everyone doing their own jobs to their best ability. Everything is working right now."

Especially the pass rush.

Carolina's 18 sacks have come from a variety of players, with six players having multiple sacks led by their new leader -- Charles Johnson.

"Charles is playing over the top along with all of the defensive ends," Beason said. "It's hard to single out one guy. He's doing his job. The good thing about it is he's being greedy out there, so to speak, every play is a new opportunity to go out there and make a play."

Added linebacker Dan Connor: "The D-line did a great job with keeping us free on some of those plays; we could just read and react and we didn't have to worry about any blockers or anything. We could just hit our gap."

Everette Brown, who has three sacks, said the continuity on defense has been amazing.

"The most important thing is we're playing fast," Brown said. "Everybody is just playing their position fast and its allowing us to go out there and be successful."

Even coach John Fox has been pleased.

"They've been pretty salty all three preseason games so far," Fox said of his defense. "We are getting a look at a lot of different players. That one touchdown, we had a group in there that got a little discombobulated as far as matchups. Overall I thought it was a pretty strong outing again on first, second and third down."

COACHING
John Fox, 9th year, 9th with Panthers (76-60).

REMEMBERING
2009 record: 8-8 (3rd in NFC South); did not make the playoffs.

PREDICTING
2010 regular season record 6-10: (3rd in NFC South).

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