Newton fuels Panthers' optimism

[mav1234]

http://espn.go.com/nfl/trainingcamp12/story/_/id/8217416/nfl-cam-newton-fuels-carolina-panthers-optimism

SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- In July, every team is undefeated. Every team is optimistic. Every team is bullish on the upcoming season, on draft picks panning out, on players progressing from Year 1 to Year 2 and beyond, on schemes and schedules and game plans.

In July, dreams haven't been dashed by the realities of an arduous season. Injuries. Losses. Mistakes. Blown opportunities.

It is part of the beauty of the game, this July exuberance. Sometimes it is real. Sometimes it is manufactured. In the case of the Carolina Panthers, there is no pretense. Their optimism is real and unfiltered, and no one will apologize for it. The team went 6-10 last season and hasn't sniffed the playoffs since it last won the NFC South in 2008, yet to a man, everyone affiliated with the team contends that it can make the postseason.

The reason is simple: Cam Newton.

One man can't lead a franchise on his own, but one man can infuse a team with hope, swagger and belief that finally, after 2-14 and 6-10, with a coaching change in between, this thing is heading in the right direction. A break here, a made play there, and 6-10 can turn into 10-6, and if the New York Giants can make the playoffs with a 9-7 record and do what they did last season, why can't the Newton-led Panthers?

He is that talented.

Not a bad article, though the author closes thinking we have another year until the playoffs.

[Panthro]

She was there on Sunday

[nickzz]

only ashley fox can make me not like a cam newton article

[mav1234]

I like the Smitty quote at the end, even if it is floating around in other articles, too.

[Chaos]

Get back in the kitchen.

[Hotsauce]

Ashley Fox....sounds hot....pics

[TruCatzFan]

[BountyHunter]

Ashley Fox....sounds hot....pics

Now don't you hate that you asked?

[Ivan The Awesome]

......I still hate Colin Cowherd. Elitist pig.

[Pejorative Miscreant]

Now don't you hate that you asked?

I will not take shots at anyones personal appearance. The real question is... Can she make a samich?

[panthers55]

I don't know if we are a year away from the playoffs or not. Lets be honest, who thought we would go to the Superbowl in 2003 after finishing 7-9 in 2002, losing Del Rio and picking up a castoff in Stephan Davis and a nobody in Jake Delhomme. Once the season starts and a team gets on a roll, anything can happen. Look at San Fran last year.