Fansided

5 NFL teams with the biggest concerns for 2014

By Andrew Garda

Aug 8, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh McCown (12) calls an audible during the first half of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 8, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Josh McCown (12) calls an audible during the first half of the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 17, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) looks to pass the ball during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 17, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) looks to pass the ball during the first quarter against the Kansas City Chiefs at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

Carolina Panthers

Prior to training camps, this section would have talked about either Cam Newton’s health or his wide receivers, but it’s the offensive line which is the cause for concern.

Watching the Panthers tangle with the Kansas City Chiefs, you can see the line is still giving up too much pressure (Newton was sacked twice and Derek Anderson once) and both Nate Chandler and Garry Williams struggled at right tackle.

That’s two weeks in a row where this line has exposed the quarterback too much. At least this week Byron Bell played well at left tackle.

ESPN’s David Newton had reported last week that Cam Newton (no relation) would play as long as the offensive line didn’t put him in danger—as he played for most of the first half, it’s clear the team felt comfortable either with the line play, his ankle or both.

Still, you watch this offensive line and hope that it can pick itself up soon, so as not to force Newton to scramble on every down even if he has the skill to make it work.

The receiving corps is still an issue (though rookie Kelvin Benjamin looks great) but if Newton is under pressure all day, it won’t matter because he may never have time to throw the ball.

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