CHARLOTTE -- The Carolina Panthers' locker room is a fun place. Many players are experiencing a championship run for the first time. Everyone is loose, confident.
Five years ago, the stench of awfulness overwhelmed this place.
The holdovers from the Panthers' historically bad 2-14 team believe the losing that year built resolve that positively influenced the current team.
And, oh yeah, it got them Cam Newton.
"It certainly allows you to appreciate these years more, because you know it's not easy," long snapper J.J. Jansen said. "It makes it that much sweeter.