The media frenzy of Super Bowl Week can be taxing on both players and the media and probably even the fans who hear the same storylines over and over again.
In honor of the anticipation coming to an end, here’s a compilation of Carolina Panthers’ thoughts from the week.
Panthers Head Coach Ron Rivera
(On what it will be like in the final days before the Super Bowl)
“It’s going to be interesting to see how things are. The thing I’ve been really pleased of is how we’ve prepared so far. I really liked last week. I thought, us as coaches, game planning, putting things in place that we needed. The players working with the coaches all week last week in terms of that preparation. So we’ve put all that to bed. Now we start working and focusing in on the things we need to in terms of refining the game plan. I’ve been really pleased with that. I liked (Wednesday’s) practice. I thought the tempo was exactly what we’re looking for. We made few mistakes, things we have to get corrected, but, for the most part, we’re pleased with what we’ve got from our guys.”
Panthers QB Cam Newton
(On battling through the long day that is the Super Bowl)
“I think we just got the plan today as far as it’s going to be 15 and 30 minutes, in that span, of extra long, longer periods of time on the field pregame. You have to stay in the locker room longer, because of the halftime festivities. I was teasing (Panthers Head) Coach (Ron Rivera), ‘You need to let us out early so we can go see Beyoncé,’ you know what I’m saying? Nope. Just trying to find any way to stay on rhythm as possible, I think that’s going to be key. Like I said, a lot of people that’s here on the Panthers’ side are the minority that has never been here, and also the majority of us, it’s just all new. Of course you’ve got Michael Oher, we’ve got Ed Dickson, Ted Ginn, guys like that, but yet they’re taking it all in as well.”
Panthers WR Corey Brown
(When asked Thursday about his thoughts on being here, Philly Brown was just “okay”. He’s much better now)
“Once I get the chance to put my cleats on and get to Levi Stadium I think it will be much better.”
Panthers WR Devin Funchess
(On getting the media availability behind him)
“With us and our group, we don’t worry about things like this. As soon as we step on the field we get out game faces on. We try to have fun with everything else but at the end of the day this is not a distraction really for us.”
Panthers TE Ed Dickson
(On being one of the few who has gone through this process before, as a Baltimore Raven for Super Bowl XLVII)
“It felt like a marathon because the lights went off and everything like that. The beginning of the game is longer. Halftime is longer. Then, when you take into consideration that the lights went out like an extra halftime, it felt like a marathon. We came out firing on all cylinders. We got out to an early lead and then the lights went off and we kind of stumbled a little bit. Give the 49ers credit, they bounced back and made it a closer game and we ended up winning by a few points, but it was all crazy.”
Panthers G Trai Turner
(on trying to look at the bright side of the extended lead-up to the Super Bowl)
“It’s one of those things where you feel like that, but you still have time to prepare, so you definitely want to take advantage. You definitely have to look at everything that you have to do. It can be overwhelming. It can be a lot. Again you have to focus in and realize what you’re really here for.
“I think we’ve been doing a good job of that. Everybody is just staying focus knowing that we have practice right after this. We can’t control it. We have to do it and we understand that. We’re just going to make the best of it.”
Panthers G Andrew Norwell
(on how much of a change this week is from a normal one)
“The only difference really is the amount of media that is here. We’ve had a fairly successful season and with that, we have gained more and more press. They ask all types of questions but we just kind of embrace it. You have to educate them. They ask so many questions and you just have to tell them how it is, what you’re going to do and how you’re going to execute it.”
Panthers CB Josh Norman
(on where his mindset will be the night before the Super Bowl)
“I don’t know. I couldn’t tell you. I got my own routine that I always do. So nothing goes in my mind other than visualizing me making those plays. Making plays. Making big plays. Plays that change the game. Being a game changer and that’s the thing that really I look at the most and try to visualize. When all the lights are cut off, that’s what I visualize. Sometimes I even throw the football up at myself when the lights cut off. I did that when I was back in college and try to keep it going when I’m in the league. But yeah that’s what goes through my mind.”
Panthers CB Cortland Finnegan
(On being tired of the media availability leading up to Super Bowl 50)
“Yeah, we’re ready. Let’s roll it out there. The anticipation is great for you guys to make stories. I love it and everybody’s got a job, I get that. But, let’s just roll it out there, baby. The sooner the better. That’s one of those things that Sunday will get here and that will be a blessing in itself. So yeah, let’s do it.”
Well, Cortland…it’s finally game day and we’re less than 3 hours from the start of Super Bowl 50. No more media talk for the next four hours, just the game.