PANTHERS' COACHING CAPER DRAWS TAGLIABUE'S INTEREST

     In the wake of Dom Capers' agreement to become the Panthers'
first head coach, team officials will meet today in New York with
NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue to address allegations that they
breached league anti-tampering policies in their "courtship" of
the Steelers Defensive Coordinator.  The team interviewed Capers
for the job last Tuesday, but the interview took place without
the permission or prior knowledge of Steelers President Dan
Rooney.  Panthers GM Bill Polian had gained permission from
Steelers coach Bill Cowher.  NFL Dir of Communications Greg
Aiello confirmed the Panthers could be fined a minimum of
$100,000 and/or forced to forfeit draft choices if Tagliabue
rules that the team violated league rules.  "Privately, Panthers
officials concede that they thumbed their noses at the rules
because they felt they could get away with the illegal contact"
(Len Pasquarelli, ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 1/3).