It didn't take long for Patriots tight end Scott Chandler to make his presence felt in his preseason debut.
As time wound down in the first half, it was Chandler who was on the receiving end of a perfectly-thrown 18-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Tom Brady to give the Patriots a 7-6 lead.
Chandler has worked diligently with Brady during training camp to improve their chemistry on the field, and despite an injury that kept Chandler out of the first two preseason games, it appears as though the tight end still has a solid rapport with his new quarterback.
* Interesting to watch the Patriots third-down back battle continue to develop. Veteran Brandon Bolden has seen reps in that role tonight.
* New Patriots receiver Reggie Wayne saw his first target of the night in the second quarter but could not reel it in. He's played in 12 of a possible 27 snaps according to ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss.
* Malcolm Butler had a strong first quarter at corner for the Patriots, but his second quarter left something to be desired. He was beaten by Panthers wideout Corey Brown for what should have been a touchdown, but brown dropped it. Butler was also called for an illegal contact penalty, which wiped out a James Morris sack.
* Patriots second-year defensive lineman Dominique Easley has shown up consistently in the first half. He recorded his first sack of the preseason and has shown good strength and athleticism on the interior. Easley has also seen time as a defensive end this preseason.
New England Patriots
* Brady finished the half 7-of-13 for 83 yards, with 1 touchdown, two interceptions and 18 yards rushing.