SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Seldom does training camp begin without at least one Carolina Panthers player predicting a trip to the Super Bowl.
That honor went to defensive end Mario Addison on Thursday.
Addison wasn’t aware of a couple of changes to the roster over the past few days, but he was ready to predict a trip to the big game before the first practice.
“There ain't no limits,’’ Addison said as players reported to Wofford College. “We're going all the way. We have all the tools and all we have to do is put it together.
“I see a Super Bowl. I feel it, man.’’
Tight end Greg Olsen wasn’t so brash. He understands after going 12-4 in 2013 and then 7-8-1 last season – despite a 4-0 finish and second straight NFC South title – that it’s way too early to talk about the playoffs.
“I’m not a big bold predictor, a quote machine,’’ Olsen said. “Listen, we have a long ways to go. ... For us to sit here today and when we’re just moving our bags in we’re going to make it ... would I be surprised if we did? No. But do we have a ton or work that needs to go in and ton of things to fall into place before we put ourselves in a position to accomplish those type of things? Yes.’’
Prior to the 2012 training camp, center Ryan Kalil purchased a full page ad in the Charlotte Observer guaranteeing a Super Bowl victory.
“One hundred-percent, sterling silver victory. The Lombardi Trophy,’’ Kalil said in the ad.
The Panthers went 7-9. Kalil hasn’t been so brash since.
Olsen sees no need to be brash now. Addison hasn’t learned that lesson yet.
“We got better at everything,’’ he said. “Everybody is grinding and there is nobody left behind. We have our mind set that this is what we want, and this is what we’re going to get. Everybody is on the same page.”
