Fansided

Why the Carolina Panthers need to give Cam Newton Help

By DJoumbarey A. Moreau

Nov 3, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates after a touchdown during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) celebrates after a touchdown during the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no its Super Cam.

The Carolina Panthers treat Cam Newton as their very own kryptonian secret, because they handle him as if he is the son of Jor-El.

There has been no help on the offensive side of the ball.

Nov 3, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is introduced before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 3, 2013; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) is introduced before the game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Why do the Carolina Panthers continue to insist that Newton can do it by himself?

Since 2012 there has only been one skill position player that has helped Newton reach his potential, Steve Smith.

This season Smith Sr (pretty catchy name) is on the Baltimore Ravens. Whoops.

There have only been three offensive players that have made the Pro Bowl since Newton has joined the Panthers. Two are offensive lineman (which is always helpful) Ryan Kalil and Jordan Gross. The other is the bruiser fullback, Mike Tolbert.

Newton too often needs to go inside of the telephone booth and reach superhuman lengths for the Panthers to succeed.

During his rookie year, Newton had to do it all. He became the first rookie quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards, rush for 500 yards, and score 10 rushing TD’s.

Entering the fourth year in his career, Newton is the first player in the NFL with 10,000 passing yards and 1,000 rushing yards in his first three seasons. In addition, he also is the first player in NFL history with 50 passing TD’s and 25 rushing TD’s in his first three seasons.

The irony of this is Newton has thrown the football and rushed a lot less each season which has resulted in more wins and a playoff appearance for the Panthers.

So why would he need more weapons?

In this day in age in football, the offense is carrying teams to victory. Unless you have a prolific scoring defense such as the Seattle Seahawks, most teams are relying on their offense to score a bunch of points to win games.

How can Newton score points if the receivers he is throwing to are not getting separation?

Are we really willing to risk a championship run on the teeth of an unproven defense, instead of a golden armed Superhuman quarterback, as Newton?

Jan 12, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs against San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) during the second half of the 2013 NFC divisional playoff football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2014; Charlotte, NC, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) runs against San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker NaVorro Bowman (53) during the second half of the 2013 NFC divisional playoff football game at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports /

The Panthers ranked last season 29th in passing yards per game and their flaws came to light. The Panthers managed to score 10 points in their home loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional Playoffs.

10 points.

Again, 10 points.

Newton combined for 321 yards of offense for the Panthers but it resulted in only 10 points. So how did the Panthers address their offensive woes this offseason?

They signed, Jerricho Cotchery, Tiquan Underwood and Jason Avant.

Seriously?

It’s not that these players are bad, it’s when you look at the supporting cast of other quarterbacks they have so much more to work with, and it helps their teams have success.

  • Peyton Manning: Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, and Julius Thomas
  • Andy Dalton: A.J. Green, Mohammed Sanu, Jermaine Greshman
  • Jay Cutler : Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery
  • Andrew Luck: Hakeem Nicks, Reggie Wayne, T.Y. Hilton

Even Ryan Tannehill has a lot more to work with in Mike Wallace, Brandon Gibson and Brian Hartline.

Thankfully, the Panthers brought in some more new blood through the draft in Kelvin Benjamin. Offensively, the Panthers are still far from what they need.

Newton might have the size and strength of Superman, but I doubt he can line up under center, hike the ball, throw it up to Krypton and run and catch it in the end zone. He might be able to do just about anything on the field, but he can’t do that.

The bigger question is, if Newton gets injured (God forbid) how much more difficult will it be for Derek Anderson to play in an offense that features no one?

In the beginning of the NFL season, Newton will be playing with a hairline rib fracture. It is already looking like Anderson might want to start warming up.

For this team to have won 12 games in the NFC South last season is impressive. If they can repeat this feat with the same offensive philosophy, it will be a miracle.

Newton needs help ASAP, because they are wasting away his career having a mediocre offense scheme.

Carolina Panthers management need to start reading more comics, because even at one point, Superman got help. That’s why there was a Justice League.

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