Black and Blue Review
- QB Cam Newton: One of his better days so far throwing the ball. Made his biggest attempt yet to scramble, but he won’t be running much this preseason.
- QB Joe Webb: With Newton essentially banned from using his legs, the offense needs someone to simulate plays like the read-option. Webb got a chance to do that Friday, taking some reps with the ones. Head coach Ron Rivera said coaches also wanted to give Webb an opportunity to show what he could do in those sets.
- QB Matt Blanchard: He would have been sacked on the first, but for what it’s worth, Blanchard completed two straight deep balls — one to WR Brenton Bersin, the next to WR Toney Clemons.
- RB Kenjon Barner: Held out. Rivera said he’s dealing with sore legs and a sore lower back.
- RB Darrin Reaves: With Barner out, had his best practice this summer. The short and stocky undrafted free agent runs powerfully, but he also showed off some elusiveness.
- WR Kelvin Benjamin: Had some padding and ice on his bruised knee, but he also ran through some plays during installation. Rivera expects the rookie to practice Saturday, as long as he wakes up feeling fine.
- WR Jason Avant: Caught long completion from Newton on the first play of the first team period. Later dropped a pass and was called for offensive pass interference.
- WR Tavarres King: A day after he caught a one-handed touchdown pass, he made an even more impressive one-hander, flicking the ball out of the air after coming across the middle. Even though he had a bad drop in 7-on-7s, King has had four straight good practices.
- WR Toney Clemons: They weren’t as jaw-dropping as King’s, but Clemons made two tremendous catches with defenders draped on him. On the first, he dove to grab a bomb from Blanchard against safety Tom Nelson. Then, on the final play of practice against cornerback Bene Benwikere, he laid out in the end zone to catch a touchdown pass from Webb.
- WR Brenton Bersin: Another solid day included the opening reception during the second team period of practice. It may end up being an overplayed story, but it’s still cool the Wofford product is catching passes from Newton at Gibbs Stadium. Newton threw a pass his way in the end zone during red zone drills that fell incomplete, but officials threw a flag on CB Charles Godfrey.
- WR Kealoha Pilares: It wasn’t a big play, but after making a diving catch during red zone drills, he heard “Nice catch K!” from receivers coach Ricky Proehl.
- WR Marcus Lucas: A quiet day after a couple big practices. Only memorable catch came near the end.
- WR Marvin McNutt: Came up short on a couple touchdown chances during red zone drills. Feels like he’s falling further behind.
- T Garry Williams: Sat out with knee inflammation.
- LB A.J. Klein: Has been getting more snaps with the ones, especially when the offense goes into the two-minute drill.
- LB Denicos Allen: Knocked away a pass at the goal line during red zone drills.
- DE Wes Horton: Held out again with a groin injury.
- DE Craig Roh: Held out again with a sore ankle.
- DT Linden Gaydosh: Per Rivera, badly twisted an ankle and is out at least a week.
- CB Bene Benwikere: What a day. He had one interception as a nickel back, and a second as an outside corner. The fifth-round pick also had at least three pass breakups. With CB Charles Godfrey struggling, it may be a matter of time before Benwikere takes over at No. 1 nickel.
- CB James Dockery: With CB Josh Norman and CB Josh Thomas struggling with injuries, he seems to making the most of his snaps. Broke up a pass in the end zone intended for TE Ed Dickson, and drew an offensive pass interference flag on Avant.
- S Thomas DeCoud: Was out for the third straight practice. Rivera hopes to get him back Saturday morning. S Colin Jones filled in.
- S Russell Anderson: Stood out with a couple pass breakups. Also getting a shot on first-team kickoff right now, so he’s a guy to keep an eye on.
- Montreal Alouettes general manager, and Mooresville, N.C. resident Jim Popp, watched practice from the sideline.