The sun was relentless at the start of the day. The players looked fresh and very alive. Coach Rivera seems to have the team geared and ready to play in the Rivera Era! The veterans seemed to mesh well with the rookies, and believe it or not one of those rookies was Cam Newton, and Cam Newton's attitude seemed contagious! Mr. Newton got the crowd into the spirit, bounding around the field like a young buck and flailing his arms up and down to pump up the fans, and then he got the receiving core fired up. Cam was giving out high fives and motivating fellow rookies and vets alike. Yes, including one Steve Smith.
Moving onto the other QB's (quarter backs)... Clausen showed some good signs, but on the down side he showed signs of the same rookie mistakes that he manifested from last year. Clausen was still hesitant, but not horrible. He tried to force a few passes (a couple of potential interceptions), but did manage to find Steve Smith on a pass or two where Smith erased the young QB's mistakes by making some circus snags.
Anderson took limited snaps, and appears to be the clear cut starter. He has the NFL experience, but is he the guy that you want guiding your younger and rookie QB's?
Newton didn't look bad, appeared a bit rattled when blitzed in passing drills, but showed his strength and his touch on numerous occasions. He looked good throwing to Steve Smith and had a sixty yard strike to Clowney, which seemed to please the crowd -including yours truly- and allowed Clowned to redeem himself. Newton seemed to make the pass with ease!
Stewart and Williams looked poised and ready to return healthy and in peak form. If the offensive line stays healthy and makes lanes for the S&W Express then it should also open up lanes for the receivers and buy Anderson the time that he needs to deliver. I don't expect a Super Bowl run this year for the Panthers, but certainly not another 2-15 season either!
Eric Norwood looked as if he has bulked up even more, and the stand out from South Carolina looked faster in drills. He broke up a few pass plays and got to each QB in drills. He is not Peppers at 6'0" and not a prime Dwight Freeney, but he is a good football player and seems to be an even better person.
Should be a good season and the beginning of a very successful Rivera Era!
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