After surgery, Panthers’ Newton ready to go
Cam Newton is ready to roll at training camp.
Head coach Ron Rivera said he’s excited to see a lighter, more confident Newton test his surgically repaired throwing arm when the Panthers take the field Wednesday night for practice.
Newton reported to training camp Tuesday at Wofford College at 246 pounds — he has weighed as much as 260 in the past — and Rivera said the league’s 2015 MVP is on schedule in his rehab from surgery to repair a partially torn rotator cuff.
“Cam had a good week last week (throwing) from what I understand,” Rivera said. “So I am excited to see him in action.”
Look for Newton to be on a pitch count.
Rivera said head athletic trainer Ryan Vermillion has a plan for Newton this summer, but wouldn’t elaborate on the details. It’s clear the Panthers will limit his reps in some capacity, at least at the beginning of training camp.
Rivera wouldn’t say if he expects Newton to play in the preseason or if he’ll hold him out until the regular season.
“The doctors will see how he is after every day” of practice, Rivera said.
Owner discusses ‘Pacman’:
Bengals owner Mike Brown is defending his decision to keep cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones despite another arrest, saying he has been “punished enough” for his latest troubles.
The NFL suspended Jones for the season opener because of his altercation with a hotel security employee and his profane outburst at police following his arrest in January. Jones pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge to settle the case.
Brown intimated at the team’s annual preseason luncheon that there was discussion in the front office about releasing Jones, but he was against it.
“I’m not going to say something wasn’t discussed, something wasn’t considered,” Brown said. “But what we did is what we did, and I’ll take responsibility for it. We’ll see how it turns out in the end. It if turns out well, I’ll be pleased. If it doesn’t, then blame me.”
After his arrest, Jones told one of the officers taking him to jail that “I hope you die tomorrow.” The Bengals apologized for Jones’ conduct soon after his arrest, and then decided to keep him on the team.
Kubiak back with Broncos:
Gary Kubiak is returning to the Broncos in a scouting capacity seven months after retiring as their head coach over health concerns .
Kubiak will serve as a senior personnel adviser, scouting college and pro players. He’ll be based out of his Houston home and make periodic trips to Broncos headquarters for personnel meetings, general manager John Elway said.
Kubiak went 24-11 in two seasons as Denver’s head coach, guiding the team to a win over Carolina in Super Bowl 50 in Levi’s Stadium in his first season. Kubiak suffered a complex migraine last season and turned over offensive play-calling duties to his staff. He retired after the Broncos finished 9-7 and missed the playoffs. Elway hired first-time head coach Vance Joseph, a Kubiak protege, as his replacement.