2.) During player introductions the following afternoon, defensive back Bené Benwikere carried the bat as he walked out of the tunnel. He took a mock swing and then held it during the national anthem. The bat spent the rest of the game on the bench.
3.) Benwikere broke his left leg in the fourth quarter of the Panthers' blowout win.
4.) After the game, I asked cornerback Josh Norman what the bat symbolized.
"We were going to hit and stick everything we see," he said. "We get a big play; we're going to try to get a home run."
5.) With 'Big Play Bene' staying back in Charlotte, the Panthers brought the bat up north with them this weekend.
6.) The bat made an appearance ahead of Sunday's game at MetLife Stadium.
7.) Norman and Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. combined for five personal fouls in what was the NFL's ugliest one-on-one battle in recent memory.
8.) All hell broke loose Monday afternoon.
Odell didn’t look threatened when he was over with Cam dabbing. This is just a middle school act of when one kid gets in trouble, they point and whine about “Well they did this or he stuck his tongue out at me first.” Odell speared Norman, he targeted Norman. Odell’s dark side was exposed and he needs to get control of it. Norman does it own series of out bursts but never targeted and launched himself to purposely hurt another player.