Ex-Alabama wide receiver Kevin Norwood journeyed from the west coast to the east coast Sunday, as Seattle traded him to the Carolina Panthers. He has to battle for a starting spot, yet Norwood made a strong first impression Thursday night against Pittsburgh.
He was targeted twice and caught both passes for 40 yards.
Carolina defeated the Steelers 23-6, improving its preseason mark to 3-1. Opportunities for Norwood may be better in Carolina than Seattle. The Panthers will be without Kelvin Benjamin (knee) this season, and second-round pick Devin Funchess is still learning the system.
Jerricho Cotchery and Ted Ginn, Jr., are both veterans, but Norwood can provide fifth-year quarterback Cam Newton a safety valve on third down.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine and SB Nation. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
