Black and Blue Review
CAM CRAM
While the defense had its own issues, the glaring deficiencies were on offense. There wasn’t one person or unit to blame. Cam Newton, the running backs, the offensive line — they all had a hand in an uninspiring performance.
So instead of watching Thursday’s preseason finale from the sideline in Pittsburgh, the starting offense will play. How much they’ll be out there is unclear, but it’s obvious they need more work together.
“It was very evident that we’ve got to get (Newton) out there,” Ron Rivera said. “We’ve got to get our quarterback out on the field, and he’s got to get some timing with those guys.”
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INJURY REPORT
Cam Newton was not available to the media afterward because he had been sent to the bus to wait for the rest of the team. He wasn’t in trouble; he was in pain.
Newton took a shot to the back/ribs while being tackled after a second-quarter scramble. He had the wind knocked out of him, according to head coach Ron Rivera, and had to come out for one play because the clock had stopped for an injury.
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WHERE’S THE RUSH?
“I’m disappointed in the pass rush,” Ron Rivera said. “Give them credit, they protected their quarterback, their quarterback got the ball out when he needed to. We did blitz, the timing of the blitz wasn’t very good.”
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FROM A PATRIOTS PERSPECTIVE
Question to Tom Brady: Is this game a confidence builder?
Answer: “Well, we could have lost 30-7 and none of it’s going to matter two weeks from now.”
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OBSERVATIONS
RECEIVERS
- Kelvin Benjamin looked great again … so there’s that. Five receptions, 47 yards, including a ridiculous snag on a slant. He has eight catches and no drops in the preseason.
- Jason Avant and Jerricho Cotchery were shut out. They’ve combined for two receptions and 33 yards through 3 games, which probably shouldn’t be pinned on them.
- The Legend of Brenton Bersin grows. Two more catches, 42 more yards.
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PHOTOS
