For Carolina Panthers cornerback James Bradberry, nothing has come easy, even if it's looked that way from the outside. From the playbook to his on-field vision, everything has been an adjustment for the second-round rookie.

On Sunday against the 49ers, Bradberry's emotions ran the gamut.

It started in the second quarter when Bradberry was in man-to-man coverage against receiver Torrey Smith, whose 28-yard touchdown gave the visitors a 10-7 lead. Although coach Ron Rivera implied safety Tre Boston should have been back there to help in coverage, Bradberry was kicking afterward.

"When I gave up that touchdown," he said. "I had my eyes in the wrong place."

But that was pretty much the only notable mistake by Bradberry, who capped off his first game at Bank of America Stadium in style.

With 49ers quarterback Blaine Gabbert again targeting Smith late in the fourth quarter, Bradberry snagged his first interception since Samford's season finale last November.

"Score," Bradberry said when asked what went through his mind during his first pro pick. "That's what we always practice — any time we get a fumble or interception, get up and score.

"I remember I heard Thomas Davis in my ear saying, 'Get down! Get down!"

After 16 yards, that's what Bradberry did at the 49ers' 27-yard line. He did, though, keep the ball.

"I'm going to get it painted," he said, "and then I'm probably going to put it in a little case."