1. The biggest news gleaned from Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera at the NFL combine Thursday was Bené Benwikere's permanent move outside.

 

2. Rivera confirmed linebacker Luke Kuechly and defensive ends Mario Addison and Ryan Delaire all recently underwent successful shoulder surgery. Each are likely on a five-month recovery plan, which would get them back on the field in time for training camp.

 

3. Because they want to let their guys recover after a long season, the Panthers will start their offseason workouts one week after teams are allowed in April.

 

4. Rivera expects quarterback Cam Newton to handle his offseason the same as last year. That's when he worked with offensive coordinator Mike Shula and quarterbacks coach Ken Dorsey to come up with a list of what Newton needed to improve.

"It worked last year, it really did," Rivera said. "We talked about the things he felt really strongly about getting better at. One of the things that we talked about as a coaching staff was improving in the red zone, which he got better at."

 

5. Like general manager Dave Gettleman, Rivera isn't down on right tackle Mike Remmers.

"Most certainly," Rivera said when asked if Remmers was his starter heading into the summer. "He's going to compete, too. Nothing's guaranteed to anybody — there's probably a couple positions, obviously — but he'll compete just like everybody else. But right now, he is our starter."

 

6. Like Gettleman, Rivera didn't have many glowing things to say about defensive end Charles Johnson.

"I think he can contribute for what we do. I mean, he's a solid football player who's done a lot of good things for us."

To be clear, the Panthers want Johnson back. They just aren't going to heap praise on him publicly in the middle of a negotiation.

 

7. More confirmation that cornerback Josh Norman will be back, one way or the other.

"I’m excited that Dave has talked about what they’re going to try to do and the direction they’re going to try and head with that whole situation," Rivera said. "We’ll see how it all unfolds, but I’m pretty optimistic."

 

8. With 33-year-old Roman Harper a pending free agent, Rivera expressed confidence in his younger safeties:

"I thought Kurt (Coleman) had the type of year that was way beyond expectations. We knew he's a good football player, for him to have that type of year was outstanding. (I) feel real good about what Tre Boston is becoming in his development. (I'm) excited to see Dean Marlowe. Here's a young guy that's an explosive, good size football player."

 

9. The Super Bowl loss was obviously still a hot topic.

 

10. The draft's deepest positions?

"What I've heard from our scouts, they feel strongly about the offensive and defensive line. They feel strongly about the corners."