Play-calling duties have Ron Rivera focusing on defense

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Ron Rivera's focus is a little different this summer in his ninth training camp with the Carolina Panthers.

Along with being the team's head coach, Rivera enters the season as the full-time defensive play caller — a commitment that has changed how he's approaching his day-to-day operations at Wofford College.

"The biggest thing for me is my attention isn't split truly in half; it does favor the defensive side," Rivera said. "There are some things I am doing a little bit more of."

So when quarterback Cam Newton and the offensive players head in one direction for individual drills, Rivera is often moving with the linebacker Luke Kuechly and the defense to the other side of…