Chris Hogan knows a thing or two about what it takes to reach the Super Bowl, having gone the past three seasons with the New England Patriots.
The 31-year-old wide receiver believes his new team, the Carolina Panthers, has the talent to get there — this season.
“Oh, yeah!” Hogan said Thursday as the Panthers wrapped up a three-day mandatory minicamp, their final practice before they gather for training camp July 24. “It seems like to me all the tools are there.“cheap nfl nike jerseys china
What the Panthers don’t have is Tom Brady, a six-time Super Bowl champion, a four-time Super Bowl MVP, a three-time NFL Most Valuable Player and a 14-time Pro Bowl selection.
Carolina quarterback Cam Newton is coming off his second shoulder surgery in three offseasons. Although all signs point to him being ready for the regular season, he threw on a limited basis in minicamp and didn’t throw at all during team drills.
Much of how Carolina does this season depends on Newton staying healthy. The same could be said about Brady and New England.cheap nike nfl jerseys wholesale
Hogan said Newton and Brady are two “totally different players” in their day-to-day routine and approach to practice. Newton is more kidlike, running 50 yards downfield to hip-bump a teammate after a big play and yelling like he’s on a schoolyard all the way.
Brady has a more businesslike approach.
But the two quarterbacks, Hogan said, have one thing in common that gives Carolina a chance.
“That competitive nature, it’s there,” Hogan said. “When it comes time to strap on the pads and play football, their focus is on one goal and that’s winning football games.
“Cam wants to win. You can tell that right away from talking to him and being around him.”
Hogan likes the pieces around Newton, starting with running back Christian McCaffrey, who fell just shy last season of becoming the third back in NFL history to have 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same season.
