Gloves On, Hands Off

Antoine Cason and Josh Norman were among the defensive backs wearing boxing sparring gloves during portions of Tuesday’s practice.

“We have to emphasize that we have to keep our hands off the receivers. It’s going to be one of the points of emphasis the league has talked about this year, and we’re going to make sure we’re doing things the right way,” head coach Ron Rivera said. “They’re using their arms and hands the right way, and they’re developing some good habits. And we’re trying to break some old and bad habits.”

The Heat is On

The high temperature of 91 degrees in Charlotte Tuesday was slightly higher than normal this time of year. So what did new Panthers’ receiver Jason Avant, who grew up in Chicago, went to college at Michigan and played eight seasons in Philadelphia think of the heat?

“This is the worst day you’ll get in training camp in Philly. I’ve been up north my whole life. If it’s going to get hotter than this I don’t know what I’m going to do. I just have to prepare mentally because this is my first time actually being south,” Avant said, jokingly.

For what it’s worth, Tuesday’s high in Philadelphia was 93 degrees.

Olsen’s Old?

After two record-setting seasons in Carolina, it seems like Greg Olsen has a good number of years left in him. But of the six tight ends on the Panthers’ roster, the 29 year old has at least two years on everyone else in the group.

“Just try to keep getting better, try to not get old, try to stay as young as possible to keep up with these new guys,” Olsen said with a smile, when asked what he’s been working on this offseason.

Coach Kuechly

When he’s done playing football, Luke Kuechly is going to make a heck of a coach, right?

“(Coach) Rivera talks about don’t count the reps, make the reps count. That’s 100 percent correct. You can’t count how many you get, you just have to get in there and make the most of the opportunities you do have.”

A Couple From Kelvin

By now you know quarterback Cam Newton and receiver Kelvin Benjamin have become fast friends. But it’s not just because they like to play Madden.

“I wanted get around the older guys that have been under the program and have been here in the limelight. He’ll be able to teach me to stay out of trouble, to do the right things and hang out with the right people,” Benjamin said.

When the first-round wideout was asked to share his rookie-year goals, Benjamin answered, “Win a Super Bowl, add onto my national championship ring.”
The reporter who asked the question, curious about the Super Bowl aspirations followed with, “Is that possible with this team?”
Benjamin quickly responded with a perplexed look and said, “What? We’re a football team, right? It’s possible.”

Confident Kids

Benjamin wasn’t the only confident youngster around Tuesday. When newly-signed Panther George Gring was asked how his team may do this year, the six year old answered, “They might win the Super Bowl.”