Pat Yasinskas "unleash Newton"

[Mr. Scot]

There are also folks who say "Why do we need two big running backs? Let's just pick one and stick with him."

Nothing fearful about being smart when it comes to your players' health.

[Pox 08]

Yeah, I agree.. if he stays in the pocket, he has a better chance of getting injured.

300+ pound DTs don't play. Neither do some of the bigger DEs. I'd rather he get hit by LBers (with the exception of the Packers and Steelers), Safeties or Dbs while trying to run, than be constantly hit by DTs and DEs while staying in a failing pocket, if I had to choose.

[PanthersPhan18]

Plus who is to say that Luck even comes out next year?? He is only a Junior in terms of eligibility. We all know how much he loves college.

Now whether he's lying is a different story.

[Pox 08]

Now whether he's lying is a different story.

Besides.. would you really want to be drafted #1 by a team that just drafted a qb #1 overall the previous year and has already given up on that qb? (in this rare scenario)

[TheRealDeal]

I didn't mean to suggest that he wouldn't get hit more. I was suggesting that the hits would get aren't going to suddenly be 10x more devastating than they were last year. In most cases when Cam is in the open field he will be tackled, not hit from behind or blindly. In a lot of ways because the LBs are faster and more fundamentally sound it will actually protect Cam because NFL LBs aren't as reckless, they have to actually tackle. As far as taking really, really big hits, that is actually more likely to happen inside the pocket than out of it.

The point is that linebackers don't suddenly become supermen by getting drafted in the NFL. He will be able to take some hits form NFL linebackers and not "be carried off on a stretcher"

So you admit he'll be hit more, but because none of them are "really, really big hits" you think he'll be fine?

RBs don't lose productivity because they got hit really, really big, it's the constant pounding of getting hit over and over again.

Not to mention safeties and corners that are coming full speed at him.

We saw what that measly Oregon safety did, I don't want to see what a bigger, faster, meaner, smarter safety can do.

[PanthersPhan18]

Now whether he's lying is a different story.

Haha, forgot the link.

http://www.mockingthedraft.com/2011/7/26/2295551/andrew-luck-all-but-declares-for-2012-nfl-draft

[teeray]

So you admit he'll be hit more, but because none of them are "really, really big hits" you think he'll be fine?

RBs don't lose productivity because they got hit really, really big, it's the constant pounding of getting hit over and over again.

Not to mention safeties and corners that are coming full speed at him.

We saw what that measly Oregon safety did, I don't want to see what a bigger, faster, meaner, smarter safety can do.

Hopefully Cam won't be running in between the tackles very often the way most RBs do.

And it won't be 20+ times a game. Plus RBs don't slide or run out of bounds very often.

He will be fine. You need to utilize his unique gifts in order for him to be the player that I think he can be.

If I didn't think we were going to utilize those strengths I would have been a hater and not a hugger.

[TheRealDeal]

I think he has unique gifts other than being a runner which he should utilize to be successful.

I don't mind him running/scrambling, but to think it doesn't come with an increased risk of injury just because he is big is silly.

[carpanfan96]

I think he has unique gifts other than being a runner which he should utilize to be successful.

I don't mind him running/scrambling, but to think it doesn't come with an increased risk of injury just because he is big is silly.

There is definitely an increased risk of injury, but as a few analyst have said. NFL DB's don't want to tackle Cam Newton and will shy away from it. I think you'll see a large amount of arm tackle attempts and so forth from DB's.

[TheRealDeal]

I don't know, there are some mean ass safeties out there

[carpanfan96]

I don't know, there are some mean ass safeties out there

I wasn't talking about all DB's, but I'd wager a large amount of DB's "especially CB's" don't want to tackle Cam.

[panthers55]

Nice to see all this concern about Newton getting hurt. Of course with our track record with injuries to quarterbacks the past few years, it is no wonder the fans are leary of newton running. I agree with those who say lets not run the option with him 20 times a game. But as a rollout passer, using the naked bootleg, etc. we will have a series of plays designed specifically to take advantage of his mobility.

[teeray]

I think he has unique gifts other than being a runner which he should utilize to be successful.

I don't mind him running/scrambling, but to think it doesn't come with an increased risk of injury just because he is big is silly.

If my vision of Cam Newton (which means poo) was that of being nothing more than a drop back passer me and you may have been best friends and not bitter rivals :D

A big reason why I advocated for Cam is because I felt he had unique abilities as a runner and a body to withstand some punishment that past QBs with similar abilities could not.

I envisioned him as a true dual threat QB which means he would run the ball more than a normal QB would. I don't want him carrying the ball 20 times a game like he did at Auburn. But at the same time his ability to run could be a nightmare for a defensive coordinator and should be worked in especially during these developmental stages.

Perhaps in time he becomes a more traditional QB but until then I think we would be making a mistake if we didn't incorporate one of his strongest attributes into the offense.

[King Taharqa]

Cam Newton is the only NFL QB to score a rushing TD in the preseason.