While NFL owners were busy unanimously approving the sale of the Carolina Panthers to hedge fund owner David Tepper in
Atlanta
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together this season 250 miles away in Charlotte.
Tepper inherits a team that will have a noticeably new look for 2018.
Sure, many of the veteran core players including Cam Newton, Luke Kuechly, Thomas Davis, Greg Olsen, Ryan Kalil and Kawann Short are back, but Carolina has
an unusually high influx of new players this offseason via free
agency
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which they lost in the first round of the playoffs to New Orleans.
The Panthers replaced all-time leading rusher Jonathan Stewart with free agent C.J. Anderson from the Broncos and added three wide receivers. They
acquired Torrey Smith in a trade with the Super Bowl champion Eagles, signed
free agent Jarius Wright and drafted D.J. Moore from Maryland in the first
round.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera hopes free agent Russ Cockrell and second-round pick Donte Jackson provide long-term stability at cornerback while Da'Norris
Searcy can fill the shoes of Kurt Coleman at safety. Carolina also invested $28
million in free agent defensive tackle Dontari Poe to replace Star
Lotulelei.
"We wanted some veteran guys who have a feel for what it takes," Rivera said Tuesday.
That includes Smith and Anderson, who recently won Super Bowls.
It's early yet, but Rivera likes what he's seen from the newcomers.
"I feel very comfortable about the veteran guys that we brought it and now it's about the young guys," Rivera said. "Not just this year's rookie class but
last year's rookie class. A group of those guys have got to step up."
Tepper stepped up and bought the Panthers last week for an NFL-record $2.2 billion in cash, setting the stage for a new era to begin in Carolina.
The hedge fund owner was formerly a minority owner with the Pittsburgh Steelers
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that he is running the Panthers. His agreement to purchase the team ended a
five-month search for new ownership after franchise founder Jerry Richardson
announced he was selling amid allegations of improper sexual and racial behavior
at the team's headquarters in Charlotte.
"For a lot of people I am sure they are ready for some closure and for that transition to start," Olsen said. "... I think this transition has been
inevitable for a little while since it was announced that the team would be
sold. I think for a lot of people in the building, the players, the team, just
to put all of this to rest and move forward in the new direction that the team
is going with."
Rivera said he's met Tepper a couple of times in passing and presented a formal presentation to him ??and other potential owners ??during the bidding
process.
He likes that Tepper has been around the NFL as a part owner.
"He has a sense and a feel for football and he has been around it," Rivera said. "... Eventually I know we will sit down and talk some football and talk
about this team."
Meanwhile, Newton was the on the field throwing during the first day of OTAs. He missed all of the spring workouts last year because of surgery on his right
shoulder.
Rivera said having a healthy Newton for these camps is essential because he sets the tone and tempo for the team during practice. He also said it is
"critical" that he has a chance to get on the same page with his new group of
receivers.
"I am excited about having him out here and throwing the ball and developing that" chemistry
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Newton is in the midst of learning a new offensive system.
Norv Turner replaced Mike Shula as offensive coordinator this offseason. Shula was Newton's coordinator since 2013 and had a close relationship with him.
Rivera said at first Newton was nervous about the change, but has now started to
settle down.
The quarterback seemed relaxed Tuesday, running and smiling and trading his normal barbs with linebacker Thomas Davis after big plays.
"I think Cam gets that Norv is here to help," Rivera said.
Steve Pearce has joined the Boston Red Sox and doubled in his first at-bat as the cleanup
hitter for the team with the best record in the majors.
Pearce doubled in the second inning Friday night on the first pitch he saw from CC Sabathia at Yankee Stadium. Pearce played first base against New
York.
The Red Sox got the 35-year-old Pearce and cash on Thursday from Toronto for minor league infielder Santiago Espinal.
Pearce has a career average of .255 and 83 career home runs and 268 RBIs. He was hitting .291 with four homers and 16 RBIs for the Blue Jays. The Red Sox are
his seventh team, including all five in the AL East.
Boston manager Alex Cora said Pearce gives the team more options at first base, where Mitch Moreland is having a good season, and as a designated
hitter.
Pearce’s cost to the Red Sox is $1.5 million. The Blue Jays will give Boston $1
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to cover part of the $3,158,602 remaining in his $6.25 million
salary.
.
