CHARLOTTE - Linebacker Jon Beason didn't think he'd be a participant at the Panthers three-day camp.
"When you first hear about a rookie camp being a six-year vet," Beason said, "you say, 'why me?'"
But after suiting up for the first practice session Monday, Beason is excited about the benefits that will follow.
"You think about the process -- being able to get out here early and get your feet wet, get the calls and work the kinks out," Beason said. "There are some cobwebs, believe it or not."
The three-day camp allows Beason to shake off some rust after recovering from a torn left Achilles that ended his season in Week 1 last year.
Plus, Beason is able to get a head start, as the full roster won't take the field for training camp until July 28 at Wofford College in Spartanburg, SC.
"The first couple days of training camp are always the hardest, and this (camp) helps you get acclimated to playing football again," Beason said. "I've got a faster start than the other guys."
Two other linebackers joined Beason Monday – Thomas Davis and rookie Luke Kuechly – and the group is taking advantage of this chance to iron out some details before training camp gets underway.
"We're getting on the same page, getting the terminology down," Beason said, "and we understand that's important."
