Bill Voth breaks down Cam Newton's season

[Mr. Scot]

...and points up some things pretty much everyone has missed.

 

Panthers Need to Learn From Cam Newton’s Two-Seasons-In-One

 

 

Few could argue the top of Carolina’s list of changes this coming offseason should be topped by at least one offensive tackle and more weapons for Newton. It may also be tough for offensive coordinator Mike Shula to survive the dreadful numbers his unit has produced. But none of that will matter much if the Panthers head into Newton’s fifth season without understanding who he should be going forward. And what he should be is more of a pocket passer.

That is not a term he likes, and it is something that has been debated for years inside the organization. But plenty of evidence can be culled from his two-seasons-in-one this year.

 

When trying to figure out what went wrong so quickly, the sacks jump out as an obvious reason. It is no coincidence the troubles started after injuries turned the offensive line into a game of musical chairs after Week 6. No quarterback in the league would be able to withstand the type of pressure Newton has faced since then.

But something else happened in Week 6. That is when the Panthers ‘took the chains’ off their quarterback.

During the first half that day in Cincinnati, Newton rushed twice for six yards. That upped his total to 16 carries and 48 yards through four and a half games. Then in the second half and overtime, Newton ran 15 times for 101 yards.

Despite the eventual tie, it was a performance that excited not just the Panthers’ fanbase, but media around the country started falling for Newton:

    “Cam Newton is playing like a top-five quarterback.” – NFL.com

    “Newton is currently our top-graded QB with a +14.6 overall grade.” — Pro Football Focus

    “You know who might represent a pretty good competitor for [Aaron] Rodgers? Cam Newton.” — Grantland

    “Newton is growing into a quality pocket passer.” — CBSSports.com

That last quote is vital. Newton appeared to be growing into a quality pocket passer until he was ‘unleashed.’

 

Through four and a half games, Newton was a better passer than he had ever been because he had focused on just one thing all spring and summer. Unable to run, he was locked in on making sure his mechanics were right. Things fell apart when he started running again.

There is a chance Newton reinjured his ribs and/or ankle against the Bengals. And again, the injury-plagued offensive line has contributed plenty to his problems, perhaps even affecting him mentally while in the pocket. But his performance early this season proved he is better when he is committed to staying inside the pocket.

 

The only way he will change is if coaches make him change. Rivera has long said he wants Newton to take fewer hits, yet little has been done to make that happen. Scrapping the zone read and designed runs would be a good start.

 

Playing as a pocket passer does not have to be as boring as it sounds. Newton can and should use his legs on scrambles, just like Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. But someone needs to convince Newton he is a better player when he is a better passer. And he can be a better passer if he is not essentially encouraged to run whenever he likes.

If that someone is not Rivera, then it needs to be Shula or whoever is in his place if he is eventually replaced.

The Panthers will likely add more parts around their quarterback this offseason, and they may even give him a big, new contract. But before they do, they better decide which kind of quarterback they want Newton to be.

 

 

[Nick_81]

Great article.  I was just about to post the link to it as well.  Glad I refreshed before doing so.  Everything makes sense, and there's some pretty good underlying information in there as well.

[Mr. Scot]

Great article.  I was just about to post the link to it as well.  Glad I refreshed before doing so.  Everything makes sense, and there's some pretty good underlying information in there as well.

 

Agreed.  Voth makes his argument extremely well, and adds a couple of graphics for good visual evidence.

 

Now I can predict that some folks will respond "but Newton running is the only thing that's consistent;y effective in our offense", and that point is, sadly, a valid one.

 

The problem though is that using him that way is hurting his development as a passer.

 

So the question right now becomes this: Do you want to win games this year, or do you want to save Newton from taking any further damage and start working on making him the kind of passer that's going to be effective into his 30s?

 

[CelibatePimp]

I made a thread about this before it got this bad. Of course I was flamed for it because I dared to say Newton was playing bad because he was running.

[TheRed]

Rivera: "Yeah I would like to see him take less hits". Yet he proceeds to leave Newton on the field all game in a blowout loss to Philly.

 

I agree with many of Voth's points. Newton looked spectacular from the pocket early on.

 

The problem is, with Rivera at the helm, I fear that further development for Newton may not happen. Ron is simply clueless.

[Mol3m4n]

Agreed. Voth makes his argument extremely well, and adds a couple of graphics for good visual evidence.

Now I can predict that some folks will respond "but Newton running is the only thing that's consistent;y effective in our offense", and that point is, sadly, a valid one.

The problem though is that using him that way is hurting his development as a passer.

So the question right now becomes this: Do you want to win games this year, or do you want to save Newton from taking any further damage and start working on making him the kind of passer that's going to be effective into his 30s?

Cam running the past 3 years have been a must due to a horrible running game. However, this year I have witnessed a change in Jonathan Stewart and I don't think it's necessary to run Cam anymore.

[Darth Biscuit]

As usual, Voth is right on point.

 

Cam does need to be a "pocket passer" that is mobile... not a "mobile QB" that can pass...

[TheRed]

Since we hired Rivera, he has been more focused on getting by on Newton's athletic ability than maximizing his raw talents.

 

We basically hired just about the absolute worst guy we could pair with a player like Cam. It's sad.

[Darth Biscuit]

Since we hired Rivera, he has been more focused on getting by on Newton's athletic ability than maximizing his raw talents.

 

We basically hired just about the absolute worst guy we could pair with a player like Cam. It's sad.

 

I was skeptical about Chip Kelly coming out of college to the NFL, but damn... can you imagine what a guy like that could have done with Cam's athletic ability?

[UKPanther94]

Cams best runs are when it's scrambles and instinct, if he wasn't an athletic animal in terms of the way he's built, he'd have gone full RG3 on us because he's getting run into the ground, literally.

[TheRed]

I was skeptical about Chip Kelly coming out of college to the NFL, but damn... can you imagine what a guy like that could have done with Cam's athletic ability?

 

I was as well, but we had our chance to get him. He could have done wonders for Newton's development. But our FO doesn't take chances.

[t96]

Amazing article and it's absolutely the truth. Rivera's problem is he trusts all his coaches with his life and doesn't second guess them, despite their massive struggles. I think he could be a good HC if he stepped up and did something on offense/special teams and if he hired better coaches around him, but at this point we need to let him go. I love elite defense play more than anybody but with Cam on our team we NEED an offensive minded HC and a OC who can actually work with and develop Cam. Last year made me want to keep Rivera longterm, build around the defense and let Cam manage/carry the offense but this year has shown me that that won't work (even if we had the 2nd best defense this year we'd still be below .500 with our bad our offense is). We need to do with Cam what Indy has done with Luck. Let the defense hover around middle of the pack. Cam has the ability to carry this team to a Super Bowl if he has the pieces and staff around him. I think Gettleman is the right guy to come to this realization and I think he's shown so far that he is one of the best drafters in the NFL. I just really really hope Cam doesn't walk out on us if we don't get everything fixed this offseason.

[beastson]

 

“It’s all about the moving parts. I could sit here and name names, but I’m not gonna. We’re going to look at what we do and who’s doing it and try to get those things corrected,” Rivera said Monday. “There are a lot of things that have happened this year that have made things different and difficult.”

 

 

I mean you've put the blame on everyone else. Why not?

[teeray]

I am not sure it is nothing more than a coincidence lined up with things going on around him.

 

I would like to see an offensive coordinator that can utilize his skills effectively both as a passer and a runner.  I don't think they are mutually exclusive and an issue that is this simple.  And  Shula is not that guy

 

ETA:  Bill Voth is awesome and Black and Blue Review is a must visit for all Panthers fans