Cam Newton seems to be drifting further and further from that magical 2015 season when the Panthers were Super Bowl contenders and he was supposed to take the torch from Tom Brady as the new face of the NFL. His offense has been suspect, hes taken a pounding in recent seasons, and he’s lost the support of former owner Jerry Richardson who was like a father to Cam. Richardson was forced to sell the team after it was discovered he had created a culture of sexual harassment during his tenure as owner.
As the NFL season approaches things aren’t getting much better. The Panthers players are battling a slew of injuries to key guys.
Turnt Sports News on Twitter
Panthers’ Julius Peppers fails physical, will start season on PUP list | NFL – https://t.co/F9L7Zb2bqt
Future Hall of Fame defensive end Julius Peppers, No. 4 on the NFLs all-time sacks list, is one of four Panthers players who will start on the PUP list as he continues to recover from offseason labrum surgery on his right shoulder. Peppers, 38, missed all of OTAs and minicamp during the spring.
Second-year WR Curtis Samuel is also ailing and was placed on the non-football injury list after developing soreness in his surgically repaired ankle during summer workouts. Thats another lost weapon for Cam if he doesnt return soon.
As if the injuries arent enough, the Panthers are investigating a situation involving DT Vernon Butler, who is accused of pushing a woman and throwing a drink in her face at a Dallas nightclub earlier this month. Police are also investigating the incident as a potential Class C assault, which is a misdemeanor in Texas.
All of these setbacks present obstacles to Cam’s comeback season. The three-time Pro Bowl QB is at a crossroads in his career. Are his best days behind him? Or is he still “something that the league has never seen before.”
David Newton on Twitter
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton ranks 25th on the NFL Network’s top 100 players for 2018. It is his third-highest ranking since arriving in the league in 2011. He was No. 1 in 2016 coming off his 2015 MVP season and 24th in 2014. He was 44th last season. https://t.co/4DdwRCD1zI
Cam is entering his 8th season in the NFL and still seeking that elusive Super Bowl ring. Preseason predictions and the pessimism of some analysts have fans thinking Cam wont even be in contention this season.
ESPN analyst Colin Cowherd basically predicted Armageddon for Cam and The Panthers. In a segment where he was predicting the top 10 potential NFL dumpster fires, Cowherd said he didnt think the 2018 season would be pretty for Newton or his teammates.
Theyve never had back-to-back winning seasons under Cam, Cowherd said. Theyre getting frustrated with Cam. They called him out before last year. Now, they bring in Norv Turner to help Cam. And their divisions really, really good.
Atlanta is the best team, I think, in their division, maybe the best team in the NFC after Philadelphia, and New Orleans is really good. What if they finish third (in the NFC South) and the Norv thing doesnt work? And … then halfway through the season, theyre 3-5, deep third place. Atlanta is like 6-1, 7-1 and New Orleans is 6-2, and people are bailing on Cam Newton because even Norv Turner cant help him? Watch out for Carolina.
Despite going 11-5 in 2017, Cams last two campaigns have statistically been the worst of his career. After blasting out of the shoot in 2011 with a rookie record 4,051 passing yards and then putting up a Peyton Manning style 35 TDs and 10 picks in 2015, Cams public image and overall game have lost some juice.
The Shadow League on Twitter
Cam- “I realize that the joke is really on me. And I’ve learned a valuable lesson from this” https://t.co/NZvyotbWFB https://t.co/obnB2DmvFS
That, however, doesn’t stop him from opening his heart to others and understanding the power and depth of his celebrity.
Cameron Newton on Twitter
Football + pizza party = a great day. Big thanks to @MakeAWish_CWNC for connecting me w/ 3 incredible kids, & @HawthornesPizza for the pies!
Cam needs a serious comeback year to re-establish himself as one of the games elite signal callers and its not starting off smoothly, but there’s a long way to go.
