Kelvin Benjamin caught a touchdown. The Panthers offense moved the ball, with more than 200 yards of offense in the first half alone. And Christian McCaffrey (who was trending on Twitter all night) showed why everybody who saw him in camp has been talking about him.
Here’s what social media had to say about Carolina’s first exhibition game against Houston Wednesday. The Panthers won 27-17.
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Let’s start with McCaffrey. He showed off the quick burst and good vision -- and was able to get down quickly to not take a lot of punishment.
Every time he did anything -- and we mean anything -- Twitter lost its social media mind.
"Christian McCaffrey rushes for 5 yards"
— Carlton (@SlopingGiraffe) August 10, 2017
Panthers fans: pic.twitter.com/joSOe5Pz0E
Here's that 12 yard Christian McCaffrey run again pic.twitter.com/FZI5jlUWu4
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) August 9, 2017
Smitty’s back
Former Panther Steve Smith drew some media attention (and hugs from Cam Newton) for his return to Bank of America stadium for Wednesday’s game. Smith was working for NFL Network. Before the game, Smith put out an interesting tweet pregame pictured with Panthers interim GM Marty Hurney.
Smith, of course, had major issue with former Panthers GM Dave Gettleman, who ushered him out of Carolina. When Gettleman was fired about a week before Panthers training camp, Smith trolled him hard with this tweet that went viral.
Its Okay! Dave I know how you feel..... #agent89 #stevesmithsr pic.twitter.com/czlwuG92Ck
— Steve Smith Sr (@89SteveSmith) July 17, 2017
You had to wonder was the Hurney tweet Wednesday night another (slight) shot?
Look who I found walking on the sidelines ! #agent89 #stevesmithsr @NFL @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/621ApTXb1c
— Steve Smith Sr (@89SteveSmith) August 9, 2017
Oh, and here’s the hug scene with Cam.
Our @89SteveSmith & @AndrewSiciliano are in Carolina for #HOUvsCAR!
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 9, 2017
featuring hugs from CAAAAMMMMM @CameronNewton pic.twitter.com/q2BMPh6RWG
On Cam and Deshaun
As for Newton, he didn’t play, but he made sure to give another warm NFL welcome, this one to former Clemson national champion Deshaun Watson.
Respect between QBs @CameronNewton & @deshaunwatson pic.twitter.com/lJIhZ4i4IG
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) August 9, 2017
Speaking of the former Clemson star, there’s been a lot of good reports from Texans’ camp about Watson’s play. And, sure enough, Watson had some good moments. At the end of the third quarter, for example, he led a long Texans’ touchdown drive and finished it with a 15-yard scramble.
All night, Watson’s name was plastered all over Twitter.
Like this:
Deshaun Watson already extending plays pic.twitter.com/0XgVH5em1s
— SCRATCHED STARTER (@TrillBuckner) August 10, 2017
And this:
"Who is: Deshaun Watson?"#JeopardySports #Texans pic.twitter.com/Jae6B2s4Ei
— Jeopardy! Sports (@JeopardySports) August 10, 2017
TOUCHDOWN #HOUvsCAR pic.twitter.com/REBWAmPXiR
— Couch Rider Report (@CouchRR) August 10, 2017
The return of the Luke
While Newton didn’t play, Carolina’s other big star did. Linebacker Luke Kuechly got his first on-field action since that scary concussion he suffered against the Saints last year. Kuechly played two series and, sure enough, he laid a Luke Kuechly type hit on Texas running back Lamar Miller for a three-yard loss early.
The sound you heard? LUUUUUUUKKE!!!
LUUUUUKKKEEEE!#HOUvsCAR pic.twitter.com/0ZrNptZb6i
— NFL (@NFL) August 9, 2017
The Webb-Byrd Connection
Panthers backup QB Joe Webb had some nice moments, including tossing two TD passes to Damiere Byrd. A Saints fan chimed on Twitter to drop a sarcastic, if not humorous, shot at Newton. But Webb got his fair share of Twitter-love.
To wit:
Thank heavens the Panthers starting QB is Cam Newton & not Joe Webb. (Saints fan here!) #WhoDat
— Patrick Michael (@patmichael84) August 10, 2017
"Joe Webb deserves to be the starter for the Panthers over Cam Newton."--what I assume Skip Bayless will say tomorrow
— Dan Parzych (@DanParzych) August 10, 2017
And Byrd got some love, too, with Panthers fans thinking he may deserve a roster spot.
Byrd has officially claimed his spot for this season! #Panthers pic.twitter.com/OZzEz5etDC
— Megan Emerson (@megemerson21) August 10, 2017
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