导出博客文章CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Ron Rivera isnt giving his team a free pass this offseason
when it comes to hard work.In fact, the Carolina Panthers coach is pushing his
players to work even harder after a 24-10 loss to the Denver Broncos in the
Super Bowl.Just look at the teams recent minicamp, where Rivera brought his
players together at midfield on multiple occasions to let them know their
concentration level just wasnt there and they were making too many mistakes.The
truth is you can never be satisfied, said Rivera, a two-time NFL Coach of the
Year. If youre satisfied, its time to move on because youre done. And again, we
didnt win the Super Bowl. So that right there is enough for us to stay motivated
and keep moving toward our goal.Riveras goal is simple: Avoid complacency.Hes
well aware it has been 23 years since an NFL team that lost the Super Bowl got
back to the big game the next season.The one thing Ive found that people talked
about is being complacent -- that they let some things slip and slide, Rivera
said. Im trying to make sure to take that away and make sure we have a sense of
urgency and remind them that the season is coming fast.Thats why Rivera has
steadily reminded everyone of how many days it is until the Panthers open the
regular season against the Broncos in a Super Bowl rematch.The Panthers, who
finished 17-2 last season, should be in good shape to challenge for another NFC
championship.They return the bulk of their roster -- with All-Pro cornerback
Josh Norman being one notable exception -- and will get wide receiver Kelvin
Benjamin back from a knee injury.Cam Newton, the NFL MVP last season, anchors
the top-scoring offense in the league. The games most versatile quarterback
threw 35 touchdown passes and ran for 10 more TDs in his fifth season, helping
the Panthers to a 15-0 start. But Newton was left stunned after the teams poor
showing in the Super Bowl.Thats why hes out to get better.I havent peaked,
Newton said. I always can find ways to take my game to the next level.Here are
five things to watch entering training camp:REPLACING NORMAN: The most
intriguing position competition at training camp should be at cornerback.The
Panthers have parted ways with Norman and veteran Charles Tillman, leaving both
starting spots in flux. Bene Benwikere, who is coming off a broken leg, is
expected to be one starter, while the other will likely go to one of the three
cornerbacks the Panthers drafted -- James Bradberry, Daryl Worley or Zack
Sanchez.The secondary could be a concern given the Panthers play in the
pass-happy NFC South that includes quarterbacks Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Jameis
Winston.BENJAMINS RETURN: The Panthers are anxiously awaiting the return of
Benjamin, who is expected to be at full speed when training camp begins.Benjamin
established himself as the teams No. 1 receiver in 2014 as a rookie with 1,008
yards and nine TD catches. But the 6-foot-5, 245-pound former first-round draft
pick tore his ACL last summer in training camp and missed the teams Super Bowl
season.With Jerricho Cotchery gone, Benjamin is expected to return to the
starting lineup alongside last years rookie Devin Funchess, who had a strong
minicamp.REMMERS AT RIGHT TACKLE: The Panthers will have to decide whether Mike
Remmers, who gave up two costly sacks to Von Miller in the Super Bowl, will be
the teams starting right tackle this season.All signs point to yes, considering
Carolina is 22-4 overall when he is the starting right tackle. However, hell
receive competition from last years rookie Daryl Williams.ON THE SHORT LIST: The
Panthers are still looking to extend the contract of defensive tackle Kawann
Short, who was the NFC Defensive Player of the Month twice last season. Its
expected that Short will attend training camp rather than hold out even if he
doesnt have a new deal.KUECHLY READY TO ROLL: Former NFL Defensive Player of the
Year Luke Kuechly is expected to be back on the field for the start of training
camp following offseason shoulder surgery. The three-time All-Pro has become the
heart and soul of the Panthers defense and is considered by many to be the NFLs
top linebacker.---Online:AP NFL website:
www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter
feed:
http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Under
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Manager of the Carolina Hurricanes, announced Wednesday that the team would
assign Swedish forward Elias Lindholm to his nations team for the upcoming
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of the week honours after winning in his first three appearances of the season.
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.Y. -- The Buffalo Sabres have recalled forward Kevin Porter and defenceman
Chad Ruhwedel from the minors as part of a five-player roster shuffle made by
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.Y. - New Orleans forward Anthony Davis was chosen Friday to replace the injured
Kobe Bryant in the NBA All-Star game that will be played in his home city.
HATTIESBURG, Miss. -- Nick Mullens threw for 591 yards and four touchdowns and
Southern Mississippi set a school record with 702 yards of total offense in a
44-28 win over Rice on Saturday night.On Nov. 15 last year against Rice,
Southern Miss (4-1, 2-0 Conference USA) set the previous school record for total
offense with 682 yards.Mullens broke Austin Davis previous school record of 461
passing yards in a game he set against the Owls on Oct. 18, 2008.Allenzae
Staggers had six receptions for 292 yards and touchdowns of 75, 811 and 93
yards.ddddddddddddHis yardage effort broke the previous record Kendrick Lee set
against Houston on Nov. 11, 1996 with 260 yards.Staggers 93-yarder is the
third-longest TD reception in school history and put the Eagles up 27-14.Tyler
Stehling threw a 7-yard TD pass to Samuel Stewart to give Rice (0-5, 0-3) its
only lead of the game at 7-3.Stewart had 19 carries for 132 yards and two
scores. ' ' '
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