CHARLOTTE, N.C. _ Aaron Donald, the NFL's back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year, can't just be the offensive line's problem Sunday.
Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen says it's as much on the receivers to get open quickly in the season-opener, as it is on the pass protection, in the face of Donald's exceptional rushing ability for the Los Angeles Rams.
"They're saying, 'We're going to get up in your face and challenge you. We're going to get our pass rush there,'" Olsen said of the Rams.
"As receivers and backs and tight ends, we've got to do a good job of getting separation; winning early in the routes and keeping their hands off ya. Giving Cam (Newton) somewhere to go with the ball."
The Panthers' offensive line received a makeover this offseason. Former Denver Bronco Matt Paradis was signed as a free agent to replace center Ryan Kalil, who directed traffic for more than a decade. Daryl Williams, returning from a major knee injury, starts at left tackle.
The starting offensive line got less than a full game's worth of reps together in the preseason (third game against the New England Patriots). There has been abundant scrutiny in the preseason as to how the line will hold up protecting Newton, who is coming off a shoulder injury that required offseason surgery.
"Everyone makes such a big deal out of the O-line, but it's a complete team effort offensively: Understanding your hot (routes), understanding blitz protections," Olsen said.
"It's so much more than the O-line blocking the D-line."
Donald led the NFL in sacks last season with 20 {. He had 11 sacks in 2017. The Panthers must be constantly aware of his presence, but as guard Greg Van Roten described, you can't become so preoccupied _ so psyched-out by the damage Donald can wreak _ that it becomes defeatist.
"He's disruptive, he's dynamic, he's explosive _ he's everything you would want in a defensive lineman, and you're definitely aware of where he is at all times," Van Roten said. "I wouldn't say that you change everything you're doing."
Van Roten isn't dreading Sunday; he's fired up for the challenge:
"I don't think you should shy away from it by any means. I kind of am excited to go against him."
