WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

Notes, Quotes

The Sports Xchange

October 25, 2018 at 12:12 am.

–Quarterback Cam Newton has excelled in the hurry-up offense this season and it’s something the Panthers might explore implementing more often.

“It’s situational,” head coach Ron Rivera said. “Circumstances dictate a lot of things that happen.”

Rivera said new offensive coordinator Norv Turner sensed a groove and he kept going with that during the fourth quarter in Philadelphia. It also was out of necessity as the Panthers trailed, needing to score on three possessions. Newton threw for 201 yards in the fourth quarter.

“When you get a rhythm, it really helps,” Rivera said.

Yet it’s not part of the regular offense and a complete overhaul to a faster tempo probably isn’t in the works.

“Do we need to look at it? Most certainly,” Rivera said. “I don’t think that’s going to drive what we do as an offense.”

–The Panthers figure they’re making good use of special teams, particularly with coverage units.

That paid off against Philadelphia, which had an average starting position for possessions at about its own 20-yard line. So even as the defense gave up long and often time-consuming drives, there was some opportunity to recover.

“Our punt coverage was outstanding,” Rivera said. “It really helped.”

Punter Michael Palardy pinned the Eagles inside the 20-yard line three times. This season, he has 13 punts inside the 20 with only three touchbacks.

–The Panthers dealt with the first real distraction involving safety Eric Reid when he became involved in some pregame back and forth with Philadelphia’s Malcolm Jenkins.

Carolina head coach Ron Rivera said he doesn’t think it’s a problem.

“We talked later on,” Rivera said.

Reid, who has taken a knee during the playing of the national anthem, has played in three games for the Panthers since he was signed as a free agent. He’s connected with ex-NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick in bringing awareness to social injustices.

The Panthers are concentrating on what Reid can do to help the defense. Rivera said Reid graded high in the Philadelphia game.

“I thought he handled himself on the field the way he needed to,” he said.

BY THE NUMBERS: 65 fourth-quarter points – That’s an overage of more than 10 points per game in the final quarter for the Panthers this season after putting up 21 against Philadelphia. The 21 points in the final quarter were the team’s largest total in more than two years.