Carolina Panthers

Sporting a blonde-tinged goatee and his ever-present smile, QB

Cam Newton reported to training camp saying he had become a “better person” in the wake of his team’s crushing loss to the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50.

While Newton did not share with reporters those lessons learned from that 24-10 defeat nor address why he walked out of the postgame news conference, the league’s reigning MVP said,

“We have passed that bridge, and I have learned from it.

“It’s nothing about encores or looking back. It’s about living in the moment. I have been counting the days just to get back with the guys.”

Rookie watch: First-round DT Vernon Butler needed an IV after cramping up in the saunalike conditions Friday at Wofford College in Spartanburg, S.C., where the heat index reached 105. Butler, 6-4, 323 pounds, is expected to play in a rotation that features Star Lotulelei and Kawaan Short. Rookies James Bradberry (second round) and Daryl Worley (third round) opened camp as the team’s starting cornerbacks. Bradberry is projected to fill a void created by the departure of shutdown CB Josh Norman. Worley likely is keeping the other spot warm for Bene Benwikere, who is recovering from a broken leg. Noteworthy: While much attention has been focused on the return of No. 1 WR Kelvin Benjamin, reserve WR Stephen Hill also is trying to overcome a sea- son-ending right knee injury suffered during training camp a year ago. ... MLB Luke Kuechly emerged unscathed from his first hit in pads after offseason shoulder surgery.