WS Chronicle

The Carolina Panthers have decided to shut down Cam Newton for the remainder of the 2018 season, due to the team’s disappointing record and injury concerns.

The Panthers began the year looking like one of the teams to beat in the NFC. Unfortunately for Panther fans, Carolina has lost six games in a row and Newton’s sore throwing shoulder might be worse than the team originally thought.

Carolina is in the hunt for a playoff spot, albeit a long shot at 6-8 on the year. Panther head coach, Ron Rivera, said there is a chance Newton will play in the team’s final game if Carolina has a chance to make the playoffs.

“He’ll be on the 53 man all the way through,” Rivera said.  “Crazy enough, things can happen and we’ll see from there.”

The team started second-string quarterback Taylor Heincke against the Atlanta Falcons last Sunday. Kyle Allen served as the team’s backup. It would be in the best interest of the Panthers to not let Newton play another snap this season.

Newton is one of the most dynamic players ever to play under center in the NFL. On the flip side, he is turning 30 on his next birthday and father time is still undefeated. The way Cam plays the game with such reckless abandon, his body is more like 35 or older.

Newton has suffered a number of injuries throughout his career. I think it may be time for the Panthers to possibly start exploring new options at the position. I know that sounds like blasphemy for Panther fans, but if they were honest with themselves, they would realize Newton might not be the quarterback that will lead them to a Super Bowl victory.

When I look at Cam Newton, he reminds me of the NFL version of Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder. Both players are extremely talented, but they both seem to be missing that ingredient that makes them a champion.

That was not a shot at Westbrook or Newton, it’s just an opinion from an observant fan of both games. It quite possibly could be too late in the game for either one of them to change the way they play the game.

Throwing from the pocket has never been Cam Newton’s strongest asset. He has made a name for himself by using his legs to escape pressure to find an open receiver or by running when the play breaks down. As he continues to age he will not be able to do that as much and opens himself up to even more injuries.

There have been running quarterbacks in the past that have changed their style of play later in their careers to become pocket passers. John Elway, Steve Young and Randall Cunningham all became Pro Bowl players after playing more from the pocket.

As Newton gets more into his 30s, Panther fans can only hope he follows suit. I am just wondering to myself if it is worth the wait. He has been an erratic passer his entire career, so if I am the Panther front office, I start to look for other options. It’s better to get rid of a player too early, rather than a year too late. Look at how successful New England has been by living by that rule.

Think about it.