Black and Blue Review
In the Carolina Panthers’ two preseasons games since top wideout Kelvin Benjamin was lost to a season-ending knee injury, quarterback Cam Newton has attempted 38 passes.
When targeting tight end Greg Olsen, Newton is 6-of-9. When targeting his receivers, Newton is 9-of-20:
- 4-of-7 to Ted Ginn
- 4-of-4 to Jerricho Cotchery
- 1-of-1 to Brenton Bersin
- 0-of-8 to Corey Brown
Yeah, it’s impossible to miss that last one.
Going back to the opener in Buffalo, Newton and Brown have gone 0-for-9 this preseason. Overall, Brown has caught one of his 11 targets for five yards.
That breakdown goes something like this:
- 5 drops
- 2 Newton misfires
- 2 good plays by defense
- 1 slip
- 1 reception
Here’s a closer look at all 11 targets:
1.) 1st qtr vs. Bills; 1st-and-10 at CAR 27
Four plays into the Panthers’ preseason, Carolina WR Corey Brown had a step on Bills S Kenny Ladler, but QB Cam Newton was just a bit long.
2.) 1st qtr vs. Dolphins; 2nd-and-9 at CAR 8
Two plays into the game No. 2, Newton was again off target as Brown caught the pass out of bounds.
3.) 1st qtr vs. Dolphins; 3rd-and-9 at CAR 21
This is when Brown’s troubles began. A drop on what should have been a first-down reception.
4.) 2nd qtr vs. Dolphins; 1st-and-15 at MIA 28
It’s tough to tell if CB Zack Bowman got a hand on the ball, but the second replay makes it look like more of a drop.
5.) 1st qtr vs. Patriots; 1st-and-10 at CAR 16
Brown’s first chance on his disastrous night against the Patriots. CB Tarell Brown was there, but it should have been a catch.
6.) 1st qtr vs. Patriots; 3rd-and-10 at NE 48
Brown slips on an out route.
7.) 2nd qtr vs. Patriots; 1st-and-10 at NE 30
Brown beats Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler for what should have been a touchdown.
8.) 2nd qtr vs. Patriots; 3rd-and-4 at NE 12
Same drive, two minutes later, good play by Tarell Brown on a ball Newton could have thrown a bit further ahead of his receiver.
9.) 2nd qtr vs. Patriots; 4th-and-4 at NE 12
Next play, the wheels have fallen off.
“It’s just me body catching, not with the hands,” Brown said afterward.
10.) 3rd qtr vs. Patriots; 1st-and-10 at NE 47
With Derek Anderson at QB, Brown breaks his slump on a short hitch.
When asked what he thought when he caught the pass, he said:
“Shoot, finally. You get to a point where you’re like, you can’t buy – especially on an easy 5-yard out like I had tonight.”
11.) 4th qtr vs. Patriots; 2nd-and-7 at CAR 31
With Joe Webb at QB, Brown could have done a better job going up to get the ball, but it was also solid coverage by DB Dax Swanson.
Coach Ron Rivera:
“We are sticking with Corey. This is what the preseason is for … I believe he has what it takes and that he is going to go out and correct these things and make these plays.”
Newton:
“I don’t want to make this about Corey. We lost a football game that we should’ve won and Philly knows what he has to do. My confidence is not altered by any means.”
Brown:
“It’s good when you’ve got people on your side. Everybody here knows, they see me everyday and I know I’m going to be fine. I’m going to relax and start playing like myself again, just trusting my hands and stop using my body … This has never been me and it’s not going to continue.”