Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
The Carolina Panthers decided to hitch their wagons to quarterback Cam Newton this offseason by giving him a five-year, $103 million extension that will keep him with the organization through 2020. There are still plenty of questions surrounding Newton, including accuracy and footwork, that he will have to answer in 2015 and beyond. It’s how Newton responds that will determine his legacy with the Panthers.
In 2014, Newton finished with 3,127 yards passing, 18 passing touchdowns and 12 interceptions, to go along with a 58.5 completion percentage. As a runner, Newton rushed for 539 yards on 103 attempts, a 5.2 YPC average, and he scored five rushing touchdowns, despite not being 100 percent recovered from offseason ankle surgery.
Newton led the Panthers to a 7-8-1 record last season, which was good enough to win a weak NFC South division for the second year in a row. If he’s going to lead the team to a three-peat in the division, Newton is going to need to have a much improved 2015 season. The Atlanta Falcons are going to push the Panthers in the division all season long, and Newton will need to be at his best to take the Panthers to the playoffs for the third consecutive year.
Entering training camp, Newton has a number of areas in his game he needs to work on. His footwork is the biggest issue keeping him from being a more accurate and deadly quarterback. Newton tends to throw off his back foot, or throw without planting his feet, which causes him to airmail receivers on a regular basis. If quarterbacks coach Ken Dorsey can work with Newton and get him to be more consistent with his delivery, the Panthers offense could become extremely dangerous.
General manager Dave Gettleman should be expecting a big year from Newton after the GM finally was able to give Newton a more improved receiving corps. Gettleman signed both Ted Ginn Jr. and Jarrett Boykin in free agency and then selected 6-foot-4, 225-pound receiver Devin Funchess in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. With Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen already in tow, Newton won’t be able to use having no options to throw to as an excuse any longer.
Gettleman also made a big upgrade to the offensive line, as he brought in veterans Michael Oher and Jonathan Martin before adding Oklahoma tackle Daryl Williams in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Starting right tackle Mike Remmers returns, so if any of the three new options can play a solid left tackle, Newton could be in for a huge 2015 season.
Newton will obviously have no competition, but the Panthers do return their solid veteran backup QB Derek Anderson, who went 2-0 in Newton’s absence last season.
If Newton can make a few adjustments, the Panthers have the talent to be Super Bowl contenders in 2015. The Panthers’ success lies squarely on his shoulders, and I believe Newton will have the best season of his career.
Jason Fletcher is a Featured Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google+
