Black and Blue Review
It’s one of the biggest stories for a game that doesn’t actually count in Panthers’ history. Will Cam Newton play in Friday’s preseason opener?
It’s highly unlikely the quarterback will test his surgically repaired left ankle against the Bills, but as of late Thursday, there was still no confirmation. Head coach Ron Rivera put the final decision in the hands of the team’s trainers, who have been methodical with Newton since his surgery in March.
“We all have to understand that we are going through this process that we’ve mapped out,” Rivera said. “We want to make sure that when we get our guy on the field, he’s ready to roll.”
Of course, if it were up to Newton, he’d give himself an all-clear.
“Do I want to play? I do. But at the end of the day, I’m sticking to the program. I’m sticking to what the coaches and R.V. (head athletic trainer Ryan Vermillion) are asking me to do,” Newton said.
At least twice this week, the Panthers’ most-important player hopped around in pain after planting his left foot while following-through on throws. He didn’t miss a single rep after either instance, but he’s clearly not yet 100 percent.
“It’s like a thump from your mom,” Newton said when asked to describe the pain. “When you say something you weren’t supposed to say she would thump you right in the ear or your head, and it hurts for that little second, but will go away in two or three seconds.”
A second of pain in practice is a lot different than what could happen during a game against a proper opponent, even in the preseason. And while it may be hard to keep their star sidelined, the Panthers no doubt realize a significant tweak in a mostly insignificant game isn’t worth the risk.
“The big thing is he’s got to be able to protect himself. If something breaks down or something wrong happens, he has to be able to
“The other thing, too, is if he takes a hit on it. That’s the other thing we’ve got to make sure of, that it’s structurally sound.”
Johnson will be replaced in the starting lineup by Frank Alexander. The third-year player, who has to sit out the first four games of the regular season for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, is again flashing some of the potential he showed as a rookie.
“Frank has earned it,” Ron Rivera said. “Frank has gotten an opportunity, and he has grabbed it.”
Robert Lester will likely start for Harper, but that’s not yet official. Byron Bell starting at left tackle is. He’s been first in line to take over Jordan Gross’s former role all summer, but Nate Chandler will also get a shot sometime Friday and/or against the Chiefs.
And kicker Graham Gano may have to sit this one out with a sore back. If Gano can’t go, backup punter Jordan Gay will take care of any kicking needs.
Instead of enjoying a nice, relaxing massage indoors on a 90-degree day, the cornerback laid on a table in the middle of a Wofford College parking lot. Cason’s masseuse came in from Asheville, about an hour away from Spartanburg, to work on the sixth-year veteran.
While it may not have been the most traditional setting, most would likely agree that a massage anywhere is better than no massage at all.
From first-round pick Kelvin Benjamin to second-year wideout Tavarres King, Rivera shared this message:
“I said, ‘Today, a bunch of you guys looked like you were tight. Part of that is not knowing what to expect, and part of it is probably being concerned about whether you know what you need to know.’
“I told them the best thing they could do was continue to study and prepare. If you’re prepared, you’ll play a lot more relaxed.”
While sitting in with Chris Kroeger and Darin Gantt during ‘Prime Time,’ we chatted with fullback Mike Tolbert, receiver Jerricho Cotchery, linebacker Chase Blackburn, cornerback Bené Benwikere, and safety Thomas DeCoud.
Among the highlights: Tolbert claimed linebacker Thomas Davis has been cheating at spades, and DeCoud proved he’s better at imitating southern drawl than Boston accents. Also, Cotchery shared how he tried to pick up Kelvin Benjamin’s spirits.
The rookie, who previously had zero drops in team drills, actually let a few balls hit the ground Thursday. Coincidentally, Benjamin’s first camp practice as a mortal came on the same day his best bud Cam Newton left midway through to rehab.
“I was joking with (Kelvin), saying his brother wasn’t out there. He was feeling a little lonely today,” Cotchery said with a laugh. “Usually he’s over there talking, joking around, messing with everybody. As soon as Cam leaves, he’s like a sad little puppy.”
Shortly after we talked with Cotchery, Newton met with the rest of the media, where he further explained his friendship with Benjamin.
“He’s my little big brother,” Newton said. “I’m trying to tell him, ‘Look, I know what you’re about to go through. This is the best time in your life. Appreciate it. When you come out on this field, love it …. God has blessed you with having physical specimen-like features, and shame on you if you don’t use those to the best of your ability.'”
So did the fifth-round pick realize how well he was practicing while he was dominating?
“You always know and feel when you’re on,” Benwikere recalled Thursday. “That was definitely a day when I felt in the zone, and I had no problem with anything. You probably could have thrown the ball my way all day I was going to get to it somehow.”
