Cam Newton says he will start week 1
By Hayden Kane
Carolina Panthers’ quarterback Cam Newton enters the 2014 season surrounded by a whole lot of uncertainty. He started the preseason with new wide receivers and a depleted offensive line. Now he leaves the preseason with a fracture to his ribs.
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That injury cast some uncertainty on Newton’s status for the regular season, but it sounds like Carolina’s franchise quarterback will be ready to go for the opening of the 2014 season. As reported by David Newton of ESPN.com, Newton is sure he will start week 1:
"“There’s no doubt in my mind,” Newton said Wednesday.“My body feels better,” said Newton, who added he’s had more painful injuries during his career. “It’s obvious my ribs [were] hurting. I’m moving forward trying to stay positive and optimistic about this whole process. It’s given me even greater focus on trying to heal my ankle at the same time.”"
It is interesting to consider Newton’s theory that having two injuries might allow him to divide his focus on healing one while playing through the other. Or something like that. Presumably Newton was focused on healing his ankle even before he had also sustained fractured ribs.
The nature of this injury stands to have a different impact for Newton than it might for other quarterbacks because of how much he runs the football and how he runs the football. Through three seasons he has 2,032 yards rushing, many of those yards earned with a more bruising style than most quarterbacks.
Normally, Newton has the build to take that beating, but that might not be the same as he plays through this injury, making this a story to watch as the Panthers try to build on the success of their 2013 campaign.