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Panthers: The Real Work Begins on Thursday

By Stone Samuels

Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) stiff arms Denver Broncos inside linebacker Danny Trevathan (59) in Super Bowl 50 at Levi
Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen (88) stiff arms Denver Broncos inside linebacker Danny Trevathan (59) in Super Bowl 50 at Levi /
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The real work begins as the Carolina Panthers prepare for the defending Super Bowl Champions…

The Carolina Panthers have made their cuts and the team is set as Thursday night starts the 2016 season. Their first game is against the Super Bowl Champion Denver Broncos who Carolina lost to in Super Bowl 50.  The Broncos are not the same team, but Carolina still has to put in work to come away with a victory.

Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (right) greets Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton following Super Bowl 50 at Levi
Feb 7, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning (right) greets Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton following Super Bowl 50 at Levi /

Advertised as a Super Bowl rematch, it’s not – considering that the Broncos no longer have the now retired Peyton Manning who was a big part of their success. The Broncos also parted ways with quarterbacks Mark Sanchez or Brock Osweiler. Both are with other teams. The Broncos will start second year quarterback Trevor Siemian who has proven himself to be a valuable asset during the preseason.

The Panthers are going to have to game plan differently while maintaining their style of football. Cam needs to do the things  that put Carolina at the top of the NFC and made him a household name.

Carolina’s defense will need to be on track from the opening kickoff. They cannot take any chances and let Trevor Siemian  and the Broncos establish their offense.  Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis will have to exert their dominance over the Denver offense.

The Panthers also have two rookie cornerbacks in Daryl Worley and James Bradberry who will be tested right away by the Broncos offense. These two will have to grow up quickly under the bright lights of a national television audience. With the release of Josh Norman and the retirement of Charles Tillman the Carolina defensive backfield has a totally different look.

Next: Panthers Game Day: Denver Broncos - Week 1

Coach Ron Rivera made his choices of who will be in his starting lineups and those choices seem to be good ones, but we will have to wait until Thursday evening to find out what kind team the Panthers will field for the 2016 season.  They have laid the foundation and now it is time to go to work.

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