The Facts: After one practice, Cam Newton already has found a way to help make McCaffrey look pretty good. First, the QB handed off to the No. 8 draft pick a handful of times early in Wednesday evening's session. McCaffrey burst through the line, juked defenders and dashed all the way to the end zone. Then, Newton tossed the first of back-to-back screen passes to McCaffrey in what appears to be a new, successful wrinkle for the Panthers' offense. "We're just working a lot of different things, different ways to get the ball in his hands," HC Ron Rivera said. "The screen pass obviously is one of them. It's a weapon, it's a tool we've used in the past. But we do know it's something he runs very well."

Diehards Line: Newton might have set up McCaffrey, but Panthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula said the speed and agility he showed on the field was pure skill. "His instincts show up on the field naturally," Shula said. McCaffrey missed all but the last day of OTAs and minicamp because of the NFL rule prohibiting rookies from schools with quarter systems from participating until classes are over. But he's catching up. "He hasn't been here. He's got to get used to the timing, the speed, where he's got to be, when he's got to be there, making quicker adjustments," Shula said. "But he's another one for the first day, I think we were pleasantly pleased. ..." It'll be interesting to see how McCaffrey's role develops in a backfield led by Jonathan Stewart -- at least for now.