Carolina Panthers: The Debut of Kevin Norwood

By Raphael Garcia | Sep 4, 2015

The Carolina Panthers closed out their preseason campaign with a 23-6 thumping of the Pittsburgh Steelers. It was an enthusiastic win that was needed to help push the Panthers into their season opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In this victory, the team and fans were able to watch the debut of the latest addition to the team’s receiving core: Kevin Norwood.

Also On Spin Zone: Who Are The NFL’s Most Overpaid Players?

Norwood was traded from the Seattle Seahawks to the Panthers via a trade on August 31 as reported by David Newton of ESPN. The Panthers gave up an undisclosed draft pick for the former fourth round draft pick. Due to the injury of Kelvin Benjamin the Panthers’ receiving team is a major question mark that hangs over the organization leading into the 2015 season.

More from Carolina Panthers

In his first game as a Panther Norwood caught both of the passes that were thrown his way. He ended the night with two catches for 40 yards with a long of 27. While some may not consider that a major contribution, Norwood is an interesting piece to the puzzle that has collapsed early in the year for Carolina.

“The kid has exceptional hands,” said Dave Gettleman as quoted by Mark Inabinett of AL.com. “He’s a big, strong wide receiver. We feel he’s talented, and it was a chance to get him and work with him. A lot of the pass-game verbiage that Alabama uses, we use as well.”

That size is what makes Norwood an important part of this roster. Benjamin, standing at 6’5 and weighing 245 pounds, was a big target for Cam Newton. Norwood is listed at 6’2 and 199 pounds. This is important as his size has the potential to create the match-up problems for defenses that Benjamin brought to the table. At the same time, his addition may open up doors for Ted Ginn, Jr., Greg Olsen and Jerricho Cotchery in the passing game.

Norwood wasn’t a major contributor to the Seahawks offense. As a rookie he ended his first year with 9 receptions in 9 games for 102 yards. At Alabama he was the model of consistent improvement. After four years he closed out his college campaign with 81 catches for 1275 yards and 12 touchdowns.

His numbers do not jump off of the page, but Norwood brings key intangibles to the field. For example, he has sure hands to catch the passes that are thrown his way. This is a trait that the Panthers need at this point in time as Corey Brown continues to struggle with dropped passes. In the game against the New England Patriots Brown caught only one of the seven passes that were thrown his way.

The Carolina Panthers need to find a way to solidify their passing game right now. The addition of Norwood doesn’t seem like a cure, but it’s clearly a bandage as the team continues to develop both Brown and Devin Funchess into the players they need. Hopefully, Norwood’s consistent play is the catalyst that brings change across the board for this team’s offense.

Next: Can The Panthers Mimic The 2014 Patriots?

More from NFL Spin Zone

Home/Carolina Panthers