Cam and most of the starters will play 1st quarter vs. Texans

[CatMan72 4,431]

Panthers coach Ron Rivera said he expects quarterback Cam Newton to play the first quarter in Saturday's exhibition opener against Houston before turning it over to backups Derek Anderson and Jimmy Clausen.

Rivera said Newton and most of the starters would be in for the first quarter before the reserves take over.

Read more: http://blogs.charlot...-vs-texans.html

[Guest Bwood]

Nice I was hoping they would play him for more than a couple series.

[Mage 1,513]

He says that now. Newton takes one big hit or the offensive line is struggling and he's out of there.

[CatMan72 4,431]

Rivera confirmed Beason and TD are out and Josh Norman will play.

[CarolinaPanthers8789 4,525]

Jason Phillips starting in Beason's place?

[rayzor 10,000]

don't like it but whatever.

[Guest Bwood]

Hurney spoke highly of Phillips recently. I'm surprised Kuechly didn't get a shot at starting in the middle though.

[Floppin 5,415]

Hurney spoke highly of Phillips recently. I'm surprised Kuechly didn't get a shot at starting in the middle though.

Why would they start him in the center? He's going to be playing on the outside so long as Beason plays this year, and at this point there is no reason to think that he won't. Playing him in the middle would be unnecessarily robbing him of reps at the position that he's going to be playing.

[CatMan72 4,431]

Will be interesting to see if Houston wants to play most of it's starters for the 1st quarter...

[rayzor 10,000]

yeah, kuechly is the guy they are planning on keeping at WLB at least this season. no sense in moving him to another just for a practice game or two.