As a trash-talk connoisseur, I appreciate Richard Sherman. And as someone that can back up his talk, I appreciate him even more, but Carolina isn’t intimidated by the self proclaimed best cornerback in the league and Cam Newton says he won’t avoid throwing the ball to his side.
“If the play is called for me to read it to Richard’s side, by all means I’m going to do it,” Newton said Wednesday. “And I’m going to give each and every receiver an opportunity to make plays.
“I’m not going to force it. I’m not going to be an idiot. I’m going to do a great job of protecting the football and be aggressively patient in taking what the defense gives me.”
“They have a very dominant secondary, physical secondary that does not hesitate to come downhill and play with reckless abandon and do bodily harm to the opposing team,” Newton said. “As a fan of the game, you kind of like watching that from your TV.
“But when you’re out there playing the game, you’ve got to make sure your chin strap is tightened up a little tighter and [you] understand executing the game plan is going to be at a premium this week more than any other week.”
Rookie wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, who will undoubtedly be lined up across from Sherman during times of the game, says that he will neutralize Sherman by matching his intensity.
“You can tell he loves the game,” said Benjamin, whose 34 catches for 477 yards and five touchdowns lead all Carolina wide receivers. “He brings the passion to it. He has fun. He talks a lot of smack out there, but this is football.
“I’m just going to come out there and match his intensity, play fast and be sound in all my assignments.”
While the “smack” might bother some receivers, Benjamin welcomes it.
“I might come off a little harder and block him a little harder, but that’s on him — how much he talks,” he said.
With both teams still reeling from disappointing losses last week and 3 games in the “L” column, this will be a critical week for Carolina and Seattle.
After uncharacteristic back to back losses and the unceremonious departure of Percy Havin, a loss to Carolina could lead to a complete downfall for this Seahawk team.
The Panthers, on the other hand, have always been able to rely on their stout defense, but this season it is one of the worst in the league. A win against the reigning Super Bowl champs could give the Panthers the confidence boost needed to continue to maintain the lead in this year’s disappointing NFC South.
Sunday’s game should be a good one.
[ESPN]
UNC Continues to Shine into the Final Stretch