5 major observations from Cam Newton’s performance at the Dolphins
By Dean Jones
Cam Newton’s important 1st quarter drive
Things got off to the worst possible start for the Carolina Panthers. A couple of drops by D.J. Moore resulted in a three-and-out, which was swiftly followed by a blocked punt that saw the Miami Dolphins recover and score.
An absolute disaster whichever way one looks at it.
But one thing the Panthers now have is a quarterback in Cam Newton who’ll be unfazed by anything going on around him.
This was evident on the very next drive. One that Carolina had to steady the ship on.
It all started with a huge third-down gain when Newton’s audible pre-snap proved successful, with the signal-caller protected well and unleashing a dime to Moore as the wideout atoned for his earlier errors.
Just a few short plays later, Newton ran the football in for a touchdown after a head’s up play from right guard Trent Scott to level things up.
Momentum was slipping away from the Panthers even at this early stage. However, Newton’s control under center is a calming influence that simply wasn’t there when Sam Darnold manned the plate.