Observations: Panthers vs. Chiefs

QB Cam Newton: Rusty, as expected; rough first three drives, followed by two scoring drives; most importantly, made some cuts and ankle held up ok.
WR Brenton Bersin: Blister on foot slowed him down recently, but he blew up Sunday; great catch near end of first half, then third-quarter touchdown; after score, made tackle on ensuing kickoff.
QB Derek Anderson: Sharp again; his preseason numbers are 10-15, 156 yds, 2 TDs, 3 carries, 12 yds.
P Jordan Gay: First punt went 8 yards; second punt went 25 yards.
P Brad Nortman: Bombed his first punt 74 yards into end zone; other two punts went for 59 yards.
K Graham Gano: No field goal tries, but made all four of his 33-yard extra points.
WR Tiquan Underwood: Can’t see him making the roster at this point.
WR Tavarres King: After great preseason opener, dropped pass and came up injured on same play.
WR Kelvin Benjamin: Got open on a go route, but was overthrown by Newton; finished with a couple catches for 41 yards; made first big rookie mistake, headbutting CB Chris Owens after a play; got an earful from head coach Ron Rivera as they walked in for halftime.
WR Philly Brown: Conservative on punt returns, but looked quick on kickoff return; drew Chiefs flag as a receiver.
WR Kealoha Pilares: Sat out with ankle injury; tough break for a bubble guy.
CB Antoine Cason: Had been frontrunner for a starting role, but likely locked it up; racked up six tackles in the first half.
CB Josh Thomas: Good stick to force incompletion in the fourth quarter.
CB Melvin White: Wasn’t able to haul in possible interception, but may have sealed starting job with strong night that featured a couple solid hits.
CB Josh Norman: Yapped a lot with WR Dwayne Bowe; after LB Thomas Davis tried to settle him down, Norman was pulled by the coaches.
RB Kenjon Barner: Better than last week, but in major roster trouble.
RB Jonathan Stewart: Welcome back; sent reminder he’s best RB on roster; first two-touchdown game since 11/15/09.
CB Bené Benwikere: May have been lost in coverage for Chiefs big-gainer in third quarter.
CB Charles Godfrey: Seemed to be out of place a few times again, but may have been result of more communication errors in secondary.
S Anderson Russell: Got his chance to start at SS in place of Roman Harper; may not have done enough to permanently leap ahead of Robert Lester.
RB DeAngelo Williams: After being held out vs. Bills, was given just three carries.
S Roman Harper: Went through some light drills before the game; said there’s still some pain, but he felt good.
RB Fozzy Whittaker: Like Darrin Reaves vs. Buffalo, ran hard, especially when compared with Barner.
LB Ben Jacobs: Looked like victim on Chiefs long TD pass.
LB A.J. Klein: Played longest of the starters; may get some ribbing for not turning interception into touchdown.
LB Adarius Glanton: A couple tackles and a sack; could be making an argument for a practice squad spot.
LB Thomas Davis: He’s just not aging.
LB Luke Kuechly: Four tackles, a sack, and acted as a sideline greeter during the second half.
T Garry Williams: Got a chance with the ones, was … eh.
DT Casey Walker: Carted off after taking a hit to the ribs in the second half.
G Chris Scott: See: Garry Williams.
T Byron Bell: Appeared to do fine, likely officially winning LT job.
T Nate Chandler: Beaten on Chiefs sack of Anderson.
WR Jason Avant: Helped calm Newton down with 25-yard catch; drew flag on Chiefs secondary that set up a Panthers touchdown.
WR Jerricho Cotchery: Timing still not great with Newton; two targets, no receptions.
TE Brandon Williams: Impressive tackle while covering an early punt; added a 31-yard reception; nearly scored for second straight week, but he did draw a flag in the end zone.
TE Greg Olsen: Held out with a sore calf.
DE Frank Alexander: Quietly racked up four tackles.
DE Kony Ealy: Got some early action with the starters; wasn’t as effective as he was vs. Bills.
DE Charles Johnson: Looked good after returning from a hamstring injury, but tweaked the hamstring late in the first half.
DE Wes Horton: No sacks to show for it, but did a nice job getting pressure.
DE Mario Addison: Ditto.
DT Star Lotulelei: Sack; the defensive line may be ok.