3 takeaways from the Panthers' 19-17 preseason loss to the Patriots.
A 2010 Flashback
Sure, it's just the preseason, but what a dreadful performance by the first-team offense.
QB Cam Newton, who was an efficient 13-of-18 against the Ravens and Titans, struggled from the start. In 43 snaps, Newton led the offense to just 160 total yards. Five of his 10 drives finished as 3-and-outs, while two others ended with interceptions. That was as many picks as Newton threw in his first five and a half preseasons.
It wasn't all his fault, of course.
Newton's 13-of-29 for 100 yards line would've looked much better if his receivers didn't drop at least four catchable passes. Two of those came on third down by Ted Ginn Jr. Another went off Brenton Bersin's hands on 4th-and-2. The most glaring was a should've-been touchdown to Ed Dickson.
"I’m glad it happened. I’m not glad we lost but I’m just glad that we had an understanding that we’re not that good yet," Newton said. "We will be better."
Punter Problems
Mike Scifres' preseason debut lasted one punt. Actually, it was two after Patriots' DB Brandon King ran into Scifres and gave the Panthers a redo. With his kicking leg hurting, Scifres stayed out there and shanked a 21-yarder.
After the 14-year veteran limped off, the rest of the night belonged to Kasey Redfern. He wound up punting seven times with mixed results. The Wofford product had to make a touchdown-saving tackle after outkicking his coverage, and what's been a messy punter situation has become even worse.
When It Rains ...
It didn't actually rain, but things started going downhill quickly late in the third quarter.
First, LB Thomas Davis walked to the locker room with ice on both knees. Then, RB Fozzy Whittaker and RG Trai Turner came out at the same time to have their right shoulders looked at (Panthers TV later reported Turner suffered a stinger). Moments later, LG Andrew Norwell had ice wrapped around his right ankle. Minutes after that, LB Jeremy Cash went inside to be evaluated for a concussion.
Yea, preseason?
The good news afterward is none of the injuries appeared serious.
When I first heard we had the Patriots in preseason game 3, I was pleased because I knew it’d let us do exactly what we’re going to do, learn where we still need to do some work and sort it out before the regular season. Keep Pounding.
That was just plain awful. Bad. Gross. Yuck. No way Carolina beats Denver week 1 playing like that. I will say this, though, at least they’re a team. It wasn’t just one guy who stunk it up last night. The ENTIRE offense was bad, start to finish (well, at least 1st team anyway). If you’re going to do something, do it 100% and together I guess.
It reminded me too much of the SB, honestly. I know it’s only the preseason, but it’s supposed to be a yardstick in Game 3, and if that’s so, it’s not encouraging. It’s not the result – the Baltimore loss bothered me not at all – it’s HOW they got to the result that gives me pause. They did not look at all like a well-coached, professional team that had a game plan going in. Things happen, for sure, people have off nights, but I don’t understand how everyone on one side of the ball can have such a totally horrible night all at once.
Injuries weaken the very core of this team.