Greg Olsen could be steal for offense

CHARLOTTE — Rookie quarterback Cam Newton completed two passes to wide receivers in the Panthers' first two preseason games—both to Armanti Edwards.

And while that stat speaks to Newton's struggles with his accuracy on longer throws, it also reflects the expanded role of tight ends in the passing attack of first-year offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski.

Chudzinski had a pair of two-year stints as the tight ends coach in San Diego, where tight end Antonio Gates was the Chargers' leading receiver for six consecutive seasons (2004-09). And while Panthers new tight end Greg Olsen might not be in the same class as Gates, don't be surprised if the former Bear puts up big numbers under Chudzinski, his coach for a year at the University of Miami.

Olsen is big (6-5, 255 pounds) and fast and has good hands. He has caught five passes for 77 yards and a touchdown in the first two exhibitions, and has quickly gained the confidence of Newton as a safety valve for the No. 1 overall pick.

Olsen was not being used much by coordinator Mike Martz in Chicago, which traded him to Carolina last month for a third-round pick. By the end of Olsen's first year in Charlotte, that deal could look like a steal for the Panthers.

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(sportingnews.com)