SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- Thomas Davis stood a few feet away, like a predator surveying his prey, as Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton danced and pranced during warmups.
“Trust me, I’m not even listening to what’s going on," the outside linebacker said. “I’m just trying to get Cam ready for practice."
Newton barked back, “You ain’t getting me ready. I’ve got auto-starter."
Davis turned and said, “Just my presence alone changes his whole mood."
No two members of the Panthers talk more trash than these two. They began training camp by taking pokes at each other -- Davis telling Newton he was too old for a blond goatee and the NFL MVP telling Davis he was too old for a Mohawk.