Rivera wants to avoid fights with Dolphins in scrimmage

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (AP) — Panthers coach Ron Rivera says the goal of this week’s scrimmages against the Miami Dolphins is for both teams to get better, not start brawls.

The Dolphins and Panthers will scrimmage Wednesday and Thursday at Wofford College in advance of their Saturday night preseason game in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Rivera wants to avoid the scenario that happened last week between the Redskins and Texans where coaches had to call off the final scrimmage because of a sideline-clearing brawl.

Rivera says he’s talked with Dolphins coach Joe Philbin about preventing fighting.

Rivera says, “The idea is they’ll manage the whistle and if things start we’ll nip it in the bud. If we have to take guys off the field, we’ll do it.”

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