Lanschaften » The Panthers are looking to find ways to get the bal

l into Christian McCaffrey's hands as much as possible this season.It's easy to see why.The second-year back had 120 yards from scrimmage in the first half Michael Deiter white jersey , including a 71-yard touchdown run as Carolina defeated the Miami Dolphins 27-20 Friday night in a preseason game.McCaffrey had 92 yards rushing on five carries and caught four passes for 28 yards for Carolina (2-0).Panthers coach Ron Rivera recently said he wants to get McCaffrey "25-30 touches" per game this season and find ways to get him the ball in space.On the second play from scrimmage, McCaffrey slipped through a big hole up front and then shifted to another gear outracing several defenders to the end zone."I saw a heck of a gap," McCaffrey said. "The offensive line did a great job. ... It's just my job to hit the hole, find the crease and go. It was a great play."It's the type of big play the Panthers were missing from McCaffrey last season — his longest carry went for 40 yards — and one of the reasons offensive coordinator Norv Turner was brought in to replace Mike Shula.Rivera said the Panthers have always believed the 5-foot-11, 205-pound McCaffrey has what it takes to run between the tackles based on what he did at Stanford."We feel like he has the kind of quickness that he can pop one and make something happen," Rivera said." So we are very comfortable and confident with what we think he can do."Cam Newton overcame an early interception and two sacks by Robert Quinn to finish 9 of 12 for 89 yards, including a 27-yard touchdown pass to speedy rookie tight end Ian Thomas to give Carolina a 13-9 lead before exiting near the end of the first half.Miami quarterback Ryan Tannehill was an effective 14 of 17 for 100 yards despite playing without wide receivers DeVante Parker and Kenny Stills, but the Dolphins (0-2) struggled to finish drives and settled for three field goals in the first half. Kenyan Drake had 54 yards rushing on eight carries."We're moving the ball but we're getting field goals," Dolphins coach Adam Gase said. "We had a great opportunity after a turnover to put it in the end zone and we didn't do it; we had negative plays (and penalties). We have a lot of things to clean up."Gase did like what he saw out of the Dolphins pass rush, particularly from Quinn ."That was one of our problems last year when we came here," Gase said. "We couldn't get the quarterback down. I thought the guys harassed (Newton) and did a good job of causing some pressure."Miami's only touchdown came with 29 seconds left when fourth-string quarterback Bryce Petty scored on a 15-yard run.THOMAS TIMEFor Carolina, Thomas could be Carolina's next big producer on offense.He's been having a good training camp and the 260-pounder showed impressive speed catching a pass from Newton on a crossing route and turning up the right sideline with a head of steam and racing to the end zone untouched."It felt good knowing that my teammates had confidence in me in running the play and showing the fans what they can expect for the season," he said.NATIONAL ANTHEMDolphins wide receiver Albert Wilson took a knee and Quinn held up his right hand during the national anthem. Last week in the preseason opener against Tampa Bay Michael Deiter Miami Dolphins Jerseys , Wilson kneeled and Quinn stood and raised his right fist.HANGING OUT WITH FANSNew Panthers owner David Tepper tailgated outside the stadium with fans prior to his first home game. Tepper, who bought the team from Jerry Richardson for $2.2 billion earlier this summer, was seen out and about with fans wearing shorts, a Panthers golf shirt and sneakers while enjoying a beverage. That's a stark contrast from the straight-laced Richardson, who regularly wore slacks and dress shirts to games.INJURIESDolphins: Frank Gore had been expected to see his first action of the preseason, but the Dolphins declared him a healthy scratch.Panthers: Starting safety Da'Norris Searcy suffered a concussion after delivering a vicious hit on Drake near the sideline. Searcy was flagged for lowering his head and the Dolphins picked up a first down on the play. ... Rookie guard Brandon Mahon left the game with a calf injury.NEXT UP:Dolphins: Host the Ravens on Aug. 25.Panthers: Host the New England Patriots on Aug. 24. Moments after becoming a Miami Dolphin, defensive tackle Christian Wilkins nearly sacked Roger Goodell.Wilkins gleefully leaped into the commissioner on the draft stage in Nashville, Tennessee. The Dolphins hope it was the first of many NFL celebrations by Wilkins, a 315-pound lineman from Clemson with an outsize personality to match.“Very charismatic,” Miami general manager Chris Grier said with a chuckle. “He told us it was the best decision we ever made when we picked him.”A rebuilding project has left the Dolphins perceived as the league’s lightweights, and to help change that, they used the 13th overall pick on the bulky Wilkins.More Miami Dolphins newsDolphins sign veteran lineman Jordan Mills to 1-year, $3 million contractJosh Rosen believes he can be Dan Marino-type franchise quarterback with DolphinsDolphins new QB Josh Rosen bids goodbye to Arizona Miami Dolphins Jerseys Stitched , congratulates Kyler MurrayDolphins bolster defense, provide Josh Rosen with another shot to be franchise QBDolphins acquire QB Josh Rosen from Cardinals for 62nd pick, 5th-rounder in 2020The Dolphins went 7-9 in 2018, and after shedding numerous veterans from the roster this offseason, they’re widely expected to be worse this year under new coach Brian Flores. Their odds for winning the Super Bowl are 250 to 1, longest in the NFL.Even so, Wilkins was thrilled to be Miami-bound, as Goodell could attest after being targeted with a flying shoulder bump.“He wasn’t too upset about it,” Wilkins said with a laugh. “He wished me good luck. I’m surprised he didn’t hit back or anything. I did get him kind of hard. My shoulder is actually hurting a little bit from how hard I bumped him, but I was just so excited.”Miami passed on Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins, and instead attempted to shore up a defense that last year allowed 6,257 yards, most in franchise history.The draft was deep in defensive linemen Michael Deiter black jersey , and some projected Wilkins as a top-10 pick. Last year the first-team All-American had 15 tackles for a loss and six sacks.The Dolphins had an extensive scouting report on Wilkins because their new defensive line coach, Marion Hobby, was his position coach at Clemson.“A very smart, versatile player,” Grier said. “Highly productive. I love the size, the athletic ability. For us it was an easy decision.”Wilkins helped the Tigers win two national titles, and became their first scholarship player to earn a degree in 2 1/2 years. He’s optimistic he can excel with the Dolphins.“I know about the history — guys like Dan Marino and Jason Taylor who put on that uniform,” he said. “I want to work hard so I can get to the point where I can be considered great like those guys.”While Wilkins was in a celebratory mood, he turned reflective when asked about his grandfather, killed in 2011 when a SWAT team rifle accidentally discharged during a raid.“My grandfather meant everything to me,” Wilkins said. “He was the most influential person in my life.”In opting for a lineman, Miami has still used a first-round pick on a quarterback only once since 1983. Well-traveled veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick signed with the Dolphins in March, and they’ve acknowledged he’s merely a caretaker Michael Deiter Jersey Mens , but the draft wasn’t deep at the position.The Dolphins might pursue Arizona quarterback Josh Rosen, who is on the trade market after the Cardinals used the No. 1 overall pick to take quarterback Kyler Murray of Oklahoma. Arizona took Rosen with the 10th overall pick last year, and the former UCLA star had a rocky rookie season.“We’re investigating all avenues,” Grier said.With a multitude of needs still to be addressed, the Dolphins have one pick in the second round and another in the third round Friday. They’ll be in the market for an edge rusher and right tackle, among other positions.“Where we are, we’ve got to build the roster up and create depth and competition everywhere,” Grier said.