The Carolina Panthers open training camp in two weeks and Cam Newton says the reigning NFC champions will be "favorites" for the first time in quite a while.

"For the first time in a long time, I think for me, this may be the first time ever since I've been affiliated with the Panthers that we're favorites, not necessarily to go far in the playoffs but just winning games and being favorites to win those games," Newton said. "One thing that Coach Shula (offensive coordinator Mike Shula) as well as Coach [Ron] Rivera shared with us is that nothing is promised.

"Just because we went 15-1 in the regular season doesn't necessarily mean we're going to go 16-0 in the next season. For us, I think our main focus right now is starting from scratch and understanding that and maximizing every opportunity and every person's responsibility and for us as players, coming together to make each other better."