Black and Blue Review
OBSERVATIONS AND QUOTES
- Quarterback Cam Newton was rusty, just like when made a surprise return during the final day of minicamp. Head coach Ron Rivera indicated Thursday he believes Newton will go through training camp without restrictions, but considering the franchise’s most important player is still not completely healthy after offseason ankle surgery, the team may want to be a bit more cautious with him.
“I can’t stress enough that I’m not 100 percent yet … It’s just going to take treatment and time.” — Newton, after Fan Fest.
“He struggled in terms of his quarterback-to-running back exchange on one play in particular. But it’s the first time he’s had to work on those techniques.” Rivera, on Newton.
- Newton wasn’t sharp, but he still gave the estimated crowd of 36,315 fans what they came for. At one point he kept leaving a drill to lead fans in The Wave. Afterward, he was the final player to leave the field after circling the lower bowl while signing autographs and taking pictures with screaming fans.
- One of Newton’s best passes of the night came on the first play of team drills when he threw a perfect deep ball to a first-round pick Kelvin Benjamin. After a frustrating offseason for the fan base, their chance to cheer that connection was the signature moment of the night.
“Cam and I are trying to get that connection down. I know they want to see that. They expect that. I like it though, expectations. That’s what you want.” — Benjamin
- Tight ends D.C. Jefferson and Greg Olsen were neck and neck for “Catch of the Night” honors, but then the local kid did good. Receiver Brenton Bersin, who grew up in Charlotte, adjusted on an underthrown ball from quarterback Derek Anderson, turning what looked like a surefire interception by cornerback Carrington Byndom into a touchdown.
“It’s an awesome feeling playing on this field. I grew up sitting up in the stands watching Steve Smith and Coach (Ricky) Proehl. Just being out here playing, it’s a dream come true.” — Bersin
- Cornerback Charles Godfrey made the night’s biggest fashion statement, wearing bright orange cleats with lime green Nike checkmarks on the side. He left practice with ice wrapped around his foot, but that’s just something he has to do after recovering from a torn Achilles tendon.
“It’s just maintenance. I feel good, I feel great.” — Godfrey
- Receiver Tiquan Underwood was finally in on kickoff returns. Considering he has previous experience, it was surprising coaches didn’t put Underwood back there during offseason workouts. But he admitted he was a little banged up at the end of OTAs and minicamp, and he certainly got more reps Friday than he did back in May and June.
“Minicamp is just everybody getting their feet wet. We know training camp is what really counts, and the regular season. When you’re getting the reps then, that’s when it really counts.” — Underwood
- Cornerback Josh Norman sat out the second half of Friday’s practice after tweaking his hamstring while diving for a pass in coverage against Underwood. Talented photographer Jeremy Igo from Carolina Huddle captured the play perfectly.
- After catching a pass over the middle, tight end Ed Dickson sent safety Thomas DeCoud to the turf with a forearm shiver, a rare physical moment during a mostly non-contact practice.
“That wasn’t right, man. I thought we were cool. No, it’s all in good fun. It’s part of the game.” — DeCoud
- Oft-injured running back Jonathan Stewart spent his night on the sideline doing rehab work with safety Tre Boston. Stewart recently tweaked a hamstring, and while many fans are understandably pessimistic, Stewart is adamant he’ll be back soon.
“It’s nothing major. I’ve dealt with my ankles the last couple years, and it’s nothing to that level at all. If my ankles are good, that’s all I’m worried about.” — Stewart
