Panthers head coach Ron Rivera

On Cedrick King attending practice
“It is an inspiration, I really do believe that. His message to the players was, don’t let it get in the way. Plain and simple, don’t let it get away. He is training for the Boston Marathon right now and he came out and did some of his workout and when we got ready to get started he broke the guys. He shared a few words and it was awesome.”

On questions about Peyton Manning’s arm strength
“You see the same guy. That’s the biggest thing what people have to understand, he’s a consummate pro, he’s going to know you, he’s going to understand you, he’s going to attack you the best way he knows … I think it really is a great chess match and not necessarily coordinator against coordinator but it’s quarterback against defense.”

On Manning and his line calls
“I told him one time I hope he writes a book and tells us all the truth. He does so much and it’s hard, it really is. I had the fortune of competing against him a couple times when I was in San Diego and as a coach you try to get past that because he does so many things. Really just try to play based on what you feel as the coordinator. I was calling defenses against him and I had to pay attention to situational football with him, I think that’s probably the most important thing you have to do, understand the personnel but then the situation.”

On former GM Marty Hurney
“He gave me my opportunity. There are a number of players that are here because of him. Drafting the quarterback obviously, drafting the middle linebacker, you can point to them. But then you turn around and look at what Dave (Gettleman) has been able to do with the salary cap and how Dave (Gettleman) has been able to lock up the franchise players. To be able to lock up Luke and to be able to lock up Cam. You can say the stamp was Marty (Hurney) getting them here and then you can look at Dave (Gettleman) and Dave (Gettleman) has gotten these guys here for good. That’s a great combination.”