Joining local reporters on a conference call three days after the Panthers picked him up off waivers, offensive tackle Jonathan Martin field a handful of questions about his potential role in Carolina. But unfortunately for Martin, he’ll always have to face some non-football questions.At least he’s well-prepared to answer them by now.

During the seven-and-a-half-minute call Monday, the central victim in the Dolphins’ 2013 bullying scandal used the phrase “looking forward” six times, “moving forward” three times, and “in the past” twice.“That situation’s in the past. I don’t think about it. I try not to pay attention to headlines, positive or negative, either way,” Martin said.”My focus has always been moving forward to what’s next. After I’ve spent a year in San Francisco, I’m now with the Panthers, and I’m looking forward to my opportunity and making the most of it.”For both Martin and the Panthers, opportunity is the key word. After his forgettable stay in Miami, he was released after one season with the 49ers. But when the Panthers looked at the waiver wire Friday, they saw a 2012 second-round pick who could help at one of their biggest positions of need.Martin has played in 38 games during his three-year career, splitting his experience with 27 appearances at right tackle and 11 on the left side. And while the Panthers added him to help their depth, he’ll also provide improved competition for presumed starters Michael Oher and Mike Remmers. “I think [becoming a starter] is always your intention as a football player. If your goal isn’t to be the best every time you step on the field, then you really have no business being in this business. I’m looking forward to competing with these guys and showing them what I can do,” Martin said.Pro Football Focus ranked Martin 60th among tackles last season. That’s not great, but it’s better than where Oher (75th) and former left tackle Byron Bell (83rd) wound up.Like Oher, Martin may not work out. But if he does, the Panthers will have taken a low risk on a potential good value that just needed a third stop to be the charm.“It’s been kind of a whirlwind to bounce from place to place,” Martin said. “But I’m just lucky to be a member of the Panthers, to have been picked up by a team so quickly, and I’m looking forward to moving forward with this team.”