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Panthers to shorten offseason program after lengthy playoff run

Grant Halverson / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Looking to build on his team's success heading into 2016, Ron Rivera is doing everything he can to ensure the Carolina Panthers enjoy the necessary down time in the coming weeks.

The head coach told reporters Tuesday that he's planning to delay the start of the team's offseason program to get the players some much-needed rest after an extensive playoff run.

"We've checked with the league and we're gonna be able to do some things a little bit differently as far as when we can start," Rivera said, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. "We checked with the league, the league checked with the Players Association. Because of finishing as late as we did, we're going to start a little later. I am going to eliminate a little bit of the time, as far as what the OTAs and the offseason program brings."

Having taken part in Super Bowl 50, the Panthers' practice and game schedule stretched more than a month beyond that of teams who didn't qualify for the playoffs.

That additional work, Rivera indicates, should be more than enough to compensate for the missed reps some younger players would otherwise require in the early stages of offseason work.

"The whole idea is that we've had five extra weeks of work, our young guys have gotten five more weeks that they normally wouldn’t have gotten, or may not have gotten. So that I think is important. And, again, the idea right now in talking with the trainers, the doctors, the strength and conditioning staff, it's about rest right now. ... It does complicate things, but it's a great problem to have."

The unique strategy would ideally pay off through having the players feel refreshed when it comes time to report for OTAs.

With plenty of young talent in place throughout the roster, and a full offseason still ahead to address any weaknesses, the Panthers will have every opportunity to remain among the league's strongest teams next year.

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