CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Thoughts and observations from the first day of the Carolina Panthers' voluntary offseason workouts:

Quarterback Cam Newton didn't speak to reporters but he was in the stadium despite splitting time between Charlotte and Auburn, where he is wrapping up his degree in sociology. He must be in pretty good shape, too. New left tackle Michael Oher called him a "specimen." That's more than anybody could say this time a year ago when Newton arrived with a walking boot after undergoing offseason surgery on his left ankle.

While the Panthers generally expect full participation in the voluntary workouts, two players had good excuses. Strong safety Roman Harper was married this past weekend in Asheville and wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. was married a week earlier.

Nobody was more excited for offseason workouts to begin than middle linebacker Luke Kuechly, who compared Monday to the first day of school. "I was excited to wake up because I got to see everybody again." Kuechly also is excited the Panthers plan to pick up his fifth-year option, guaranteeing he will be on the roster through 2016. If the Panthers get a long-term deal before then, all the better, but he's not worried. "That stuff will take care of itself," the NFL's 2013 Defensive Player of the Year said. "I'm just here to run around and play football."

Wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin isn't concerned that he didn't get to spend time catching passes from Newton prior to OTAs. "He had his own thing going on," last year's first-round draft pick said. "But that's what this is for."