After six practices in pads, including Saturday’s relative slugfest, head coach Ron Rivera delivered on his promise to make Sunday a lighter day. Not many players had a chance to truly shine in shorts and shells, but here are some observations from what Rivera described as “a big-time tone down.”

• When the offensive line shifted under the shade for a drill, assistant coach Ray Brown wondered aloud, “What’s happened to the NFL? Shade, then y’all get water. Modern day NFL!” A few moments later, Brown was handed a water bottle. He took a big chug.
• QB Cam Newton continues to play with the crowd whenever he can. At one point Sunday, when he wasn’t necessarily involved in consecutive plays, he looked at the fans gathered on the hill and flexed, drawing a big reaction.
• WR Kelvin Benjamin received the day’s biggest applause, for a ball he caught out of bounds. On a 3rd-and-eight call, Newton tried to hit Benjamin on an out. After he went high and extended to make the catch three yards outside the chalk, the crowd went wild.
• WR Jerricho Cotchery is four inches shorter than Benjamin, and that may be one of the reasons why his connection with Newton isn’t yet on point. During one of the team periods, Newton overthrew the 11-year veteran. A few plays later, the two connected for a red zone touchdown in the back of the end zone.
• WR Toney Clemons had a third straight practice with an impressive catch. Despite being flipped by CB Josh Thomas on the sideline, Clemons held on to the ball.
• WR Tiquan Underwood not only needs to start making more plays, but he needs to make them more consistently. During the final team period, he made a nice sliding catch in the middle of the field. Two plays later, Underwood could have hauled in a deep pass from QB Derek Anderson, but it was knocked away by CB Josh Norman.
• WR Marvin McNutt also appears to be facing an uphill climb. He started practice with a great grab in traffic, but he was quiet the rest of the way.
• WR Marcus Lucas, who had quieted down recently, was noticeable again.
• TE Ed Dickson continues to show soft hands. A couple nice snags highlighted his day, but it could have been even better if safety Robert Lester hadn’t broken up what looked like a sure touchdown pass on the final play of practice.
• LB Luke Kuechly showed some hops while batting down a pass Newton was attempting to fire into the end zone.
• CB Carrington Byndom is making an argument for a practice squad spot. The undrafted rookie from Texas has settled down after struggling in coverage during offseason workouts and the early part of camp.