USA Today: 5 biggest questions facing the Panthers

[panthers55]

The reason we have the toughest schedule is because our division opponents all.had winning records and they have us on their schedule. Otherwise they have the same schedule. The good news is that historically we have always done well input division and will be muched improved. Something has to give. If we go even.6-10 it will be at the expense of our division rivals.

[Lumps]

The NFL lockout has dampened the usual offseason analysis of each team's comings and goings. But, lockout or not, the league will still be moving on at some point -- hopefully in time for the regular season to start on time Sept. 8. And during the labor impasse, USA TODAY will focus back on the field by breaking down the five biggest questions facing each team for the 2011 season.

Up today: The Carolina Panthers.

1. Will rookie QB Cam Newton be the starter this season?

Cam Newton was the draft's No. 1 pick, but will he be the Panthers' No. 1 QB by Week 1?

CAPTION

By Bob Leverone, AP

At some point, Newton -- the new face of the Panthers after being drafted No. 1 overall -- will be handed the starting job because the position is one of the weakest areas for the NFL's worst team (Carolina was 2-14 last season). In workouts organized by the players during the lockout, Newton has impressed teammates with his work ethic, personality and skill. And he's saying and doing all the right things. Panthers CB Captain Munnerlyn told the Mobile (Ala.) Press-Register recently: "I'd say he's a workaholic. I didn't think he could throw at first, but I was wrong. I watched him in the seven-on-seven drills, and he looks great. He's a big dude and a great athlete. I hope we can make something happen with him." But don't expect Newton to start the season because the lockout has stripped his opportunities to learn the offense, study film, work with coaches and get his reps in real practices. Either second-year QB Jimmy Clausen, who was treated like a human pinata (33 sacks in 11 starts) last season and could be trade bait, former starter Matt Moore (who is unsigned) or a veteran free agent (maybe Marc Bulger and Kerry Collins?) will likely be the Week 1 starter.

[rayzor]

don't post whole articles.

[SorthNarolina]

too late the black heliocopters are already coming.

[rayzor]

crap.

everybody run.

[Future of the Funchise]

5. Can the Panthers escape the NFC South cellar?

Carolina should be improved, but unless injuries and free-agent defections plague their division rivals, it's unlikely this season. This is one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL. The Falcons (13-3) and Saints (11-5) were playoff teams, and the Buccaneers (10-6) just missed out by a tiebreaker. Each of them has a Pro Bowl-caliber quarterback and far more offensive weapons than the Panthers. They all were better than the Panthers defensively in 2010 as well. Add to that the fact the Panthers have the league's toughest schedule next year (142-114 opponents' record), and chances of escaping the cellar look dim.

I agree with the statement on the QB, but when it comes to weapons I think all the teams are about equal. We just needed to get a QB in there that could utilize the weapons around him. For one I know for a fact that we have the best back field in the South if not the league. D-Will and J-Stew are a deadly combo and with the Mikey played last year he could be stepping into a bigger role this year.

[Lumps]

That wasn't the whole article, I erased a word.

[Ivan The Awesome]

Find it funny that all of you, well most of you, are giving Cam the starting job already. Without even knowing the vet that will come here.

[Future of the Funchise]

well it wont be Kerry fckin Collins

[rayzor]

Find it funny that all of you, well most of you, are giving Cam the starting job already. Without even knowing the vet that will come here.

it's really only a matter of when he starts this year.

if he has a solid grasp of the playbook (which he apparently does), his teammates respond to him (which they are), and no one on the roster is significantly better than him (and there are no FA vet QBs who would be significantly better than him) then there is no reason for him to not get the start right out of the gates.

it's a pretty safe assumption to make that he will be starting early this year. quite likely from week one. no later than the bye week.

[DaCityKats]

Find it funny that all of you, well most of you, are giving Cam the starting job already. Without even knowing the vet that will come here.

what is funny is that statement you just made. it does not matter, you dont use the #1 pick on a guy to sit him.

[Ivan The Awesome]

what is funny is that statement you just made. it does not matter, you dont use the #1 pick on a guy to sit him.

Well, other than Bradford, who played in a weak division. I don't recall a QB that came out as a #1 and absolutely dominated the competition in camps. In retrospective, they should've sat and learned. A lot of them turned out to be busts. Just saying. I personally hope cam doesn't become a bust. But I'm not handing him the starter job just because he was the number one pick. I'm sure the coaches think the same.

[SorthNarolina]

Well, other than Bradford, who played in a weak division. I don't recall a QB that came out as a #1 and absolutely dominated the competition in camps. In retrospective, they should've sat and learned. A lot of them turned out to be busts. Just saying. I personally hope cam doesn't become a bust. But I'm not handing him the starter job just because he was the number one pick. I'm sure the coaches think the same.

i think rayzor explained pretty clearly why most people think he will be the starter. Whether it sounds unethical or not, Cam's status as the #1 pick will put pressure on the entire organization to get him into the starting spot as soon as possible.

On top of that there hasn't been a single discouraging incident yet. The teamates like him, he's getting strong endorsements from his coaches, and he interviews very well. It's not signifigant compared to actually getting on the field, but for now it's reasonable to assume he will be a week 1 starter.

[beastson]

If Cam start off bad, they gonna say maybe we should have bought in a vet and let Cam sit

If we let him sit and we do bad, they gonna say they should have started Cam

They have to make the best decision for our franchise, which is option 1. Cam not leading us to the playoffs if he start, so what's the damn rush. 1 year, huge deal