“My understanding is that they’ll be ready”, Rivera said after the team completed a three-day minicamp. “For what it’s worth, I’m here trying to get better”. I thought there were a lot of positives and pluses.
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While the Panthers are still looking to reach their ultimate goal, Rivera has them close to where they want to be.
“We’ve done a good job with what you can accomplish just in helmets”. “Now, will we handle each guy differently? It was also part of our conditioning, too”.
“I haven’t peaked, I haven’t climaxed as a player, and that’s what I need to get better at”, Carolina’s quarterback said after the Panthers finished their final minicamp practice.
The league’s MVP said he’s all about the present – and improving as a player and team leader before the 2016 season begins.
In five seasons with the Panthers, Rivera is 47-32-1, and has led the team to the playoffs for three straight years, including a berth in Super Bowl 50 last season. “The Super Bowl is in 2017 and we still have a lot to do in 2016”. “The one thing I found was that people talked about not being complacent, about not letting some things slip and slide”, Rivera said.
“The season is coming fast”.
“When we first got started I said he’s got room to grow, and it’s not just about his base fundamentals as an athlete but his base fundamentals as a mental athlete, understanding the mental aspects of the game. Going into training camp, I’ll continue to push it”.
Rivera is hoping it all sends a message about focus. And I think that, more so than anything else, is what drives us.
“I don’t need to keep talking about things that happened in the past”, he repeated.
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The Panthers report to training camp at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., on July 7.
