The Carolina Panthers made a concerted effort in improving their special teams in the offseason.

Ron Rivera said he feels “much better” about the Panthers' special teams units in 2012 than in 2011.

The Panthers gave up a franchise-worst three punt returns for touchdowns, including an 89-yarder by Arizona’s Patrick Peterson that was the difference in a 28-21, Week 1 loss.

The Panthers hired Richard Rodgers, Rivera’s teammate at Cal, to assist special teams coordinator Brian Murphy, while also signing fullback Mike Tolbert, safety Haruki Nakamura and linebacker Kenny Onatolu.