The Carolina Panthers have been penalized 65 times, fourth-most in the NFL, for 560 yards.
As far as Ron Rivera is concerned, his status as a first-year head coach has played a big role in that total.
"I will be honest with you, I feel as a first-year head coach, you're not getting the calls that you would like," Rivera said Monday.
"You get balanced out, but that's kind of the way it is. As we become the type of team where people pay a little more attention to us and respect what we do, we'll get some breaks."
Rivera added that "certain coaches do get a little more toward their way."
Before Monday's intense practice, Rivera made cutting down on those penalties a point of emphasis for his 2-6 Panthers during the second half of the season.
"It's been disappointing," he said.
Still, he said, the Panthers have to go out and earn it.
And that's what Monday was all about.
"We got back to work and put the pads on we were really hitting," linebacker Dan Connor said. "You don't see that much coming off a bye week. I like it. You have to keep a routine, and when you're off a few days, your body starts to ache. You need to get back into it and feel like you've played a percentage of a game at least."
Notes: Rivera said the Panthers will make a decision Tuesday on whether or not to bring rookie cornerback Brandon Hogan off the physically unable to perform list. Hogan returned to practice three weeks ago after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee last December while playing for West Virginia.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
