5 questions for the Carolina Panthers as we wait for training camp to begin

The Carolina Panthers exited Bank of America Stadium en masse last week, headed to various beaches, lakes and sites unknown to grab some vacation time.

Commissioner Roger Goodell is doing his best to keep the NFL on a 365-day news cycle. But unless you're Tom Brady, Greg Hardy or one of their lawyers, this is as close as it gets to a quiet period around the league.

The Panthers report to Spartanburg in 32 days for the start of training camp. That gives us four weeks to bat around popular storylines and intriguing position battles to watch at Wofford.

But why wait?

Here's one reporter’s take on five questions for the Panthers to answer at training camp as they try to make it three years in a row as NFC South champs.

Will Kelvin Benjamin show up in shape?

Panthers GM Dave Gettleman seems to think so, suggesting the media made too much of the hamstring injuries that sidelined Benjamin for most of OTAs and minicamp.

But, unprompted, Ron Rivera brought up the wide receiver's weight – he reportedly arrived in April for offseason workouts 8-9 pounds overweight. Rivera is refreshingly candid with reporters, and it's doubtful he was trying to send a message through the media.

But intentional or not, it reached Benjamin, who spoke with Gettleman, Rivera and a couple of other coaches the day after Rivera's comments were published.

If Benjamin works hard this summer, the weight talk will go away. But the reason it's a topic is because Benjamin is too important to the Panthers' offense to be sidelined with a preventable injury.

Can Michael Oher protect Cam Newton's blind side?

After 14 spring practices in shorts and helmets, we still don't know.

Speed rusher Mario Addison blew past Oher during one of the OTA practices. But again, it's tough to put too much stock in drills in which live contact was prohibited.

Panthers offensive line coach John Matsko, who was Oher's position coach in Baltimore, will get a better idea in camp whether Oher looks like the mostly dependable tackle from his Ravens' days or the guy who struggled mightily in Tennessee last year before having surgery on his toe.

The Panthers have a lot more depth than they did a year ago. But neither Jonathan Martin nor Nate Chandler has proven he can be effective as a starting left tackle.

This is Oher's job. We'll find out soon enough whether he's up to it.

Will the new contract change Cam's approach?

The Panthers brought Newton along slowly at camp last year following offseason ankle surgery. That's a good approach to take with their franchise quarterback every summer, regardless of his six-year, $118 million contract.

Carolina's defenders are smart enough not to go hard at Newton. But Rivera better make sure he has a quick whistle when the Panthers practice against the Miami Dolphins for two days in August.

No one is suggesting the Panthers put bubble-wrap around the newly minted Newton. The zone read is a big part of Mike Shula's offense, and should continue to be.

But Newton can help himself, particularly in the preseason, by avoiding unnecessary shots like the rib-cracking hit he took on a scramble in an exhibition against New England last year.

Can Charles Tillman stay healthy?

That's a question you could ask of any 34-year-old player. But it takes on added importance with Tillman, the veteran cornerback whose last two seasons were cut short by torn triceps muscles.

Tillman played at least 14 games in nine of his first 10 seasons in Chicago, and earned a reputation as one of the league's best ball-hawks. But he played just 10 games the past two years, and sat out the final 14 weeks in 2014.

Tillman, the NFL's Man of the Year in 2013, wasted no time becoming the leader of the secondary. He could be heard shouting instructions to defensive backs during OTA practices – and also barking at offensive players.

The Panthers signed Tillman in part so they could slide Bene' Benwikere inside to nickel. The contingency plan likely would send Benwikere back outside if Tillman gets hurt.

So what about that other defensive end position?

Rivera has made it clear he would prefer to get away from the committee approach the Panthers used last year in Greg Hardy's absence. Yet, the Panthers will go to Spartanburg still looking for someone to emerge opposite Charles Johnson.

Frank Alexander, suspended 14 games last season, was in the midst of a productive spring before injuring his groin. Kony Ealy came on strong at the end of his rookie season, while Addison finished with 6.5 sacks as a situational player.

Then there's Wes Horton, who's toughest against the run. Unless Ealy grabs the position with a strong camp, this again could be a group effort.

This story was originally published June 27, 2015 at 2:00 AM with the headline "5 questions for the Carolina Panthers as we wait for training camp to begin."