Charlotte, NC — Four seconds away from sending this game into over time with a last second 48 yard field, Graham Gano’s kick is UP…. and it is NO GOOD, just short, just short of an amazing comeback from a game that they had no business even being in. Points where hard to come by for this offense on Sunday, Besides the lackluster run game, 3 carries for 8 yards by Cameron Artis Payne, Cam Newton threw for only 254 yards 2 touchdowns and 4 interceptions, yes F O U R! Newton looked uncomfortable from the start failing to hit receivers in stride and on target. Today’s game against division rival New Orleans Saints could have sent a message to the rest of the division and especially the up and coming Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They could have went to 5-2 on the year and 2 games up on those Bucs who they beat the previous week. Right after the game our reporter Spring, Chicken got to ask Newton if the pressure of this big match got to him.
“Absolutely not, I mean it’s not any bigger of a game than any other this early in the year. I just have to do a better job of protecting the ball, and make smart decisions, whether that be audible to a run, or not trying to make the home run every time and just take what the defense is giving me. I’m not worried about this team. We are on top of the division and we are only going to get better, especially with J Stew coming back soon.”
It doesn’t seem Newton is worried at all, but I don’t know if he knew that slot receiver Ted Ginn Jr, their speed machine, and big play threat is dealing with a broken collarbone after taking a vicious hit in Sunday’s game and will miss at least 4 weeks. They will need second year man Philly Brown to step into Ginn’s roll, which he is more than capable of doing. With better hands and just as fast, the bye week couldn’t have come at a better time for this team. Chicken than got to ask Brown if he is ready for his expanded role.
“Yes, I mean this is why you work so hard, for this type of opportunity, to show your skills and try to claim a bigger role week to week. I wish nothing, but the best for Ginn and hope he comes back healthier the before. I just want to show the guys that i got there back and we wont skip a beat with me in the starting lineup now.”
It sure sounds like he is confident and so am I. I believe that this game was just a bad game and a division rival just having your number that day. I think they come out firing on all cylinders next week and put stomping on the Arizona Cardinals 27-13, Newton finds his groove back and Cameron Artis Payne hits pay dirt twice (Start him in your Fantasy Lineups). This defense will make Palmer wish he was in the old folks home instead of on the Football field.