Daily Links & Banter 7/29: Newton Throwing Without Limits?
By Joseph Ochoa
Cam Newton is Taking the Training Wheels Off, But Will Be On a Pitch Count
Throughout much of the offseason, the Panthers were keeping quarterback Cam Newton on a throw only when necessary approach, since they did not want to risk re-aggravating his surgically repaired shoulder. As of this weekend, it seems that the plan will no longer be necessary.
Newton was seen during the start of camp throwing deep ball after deep ball to the like of D.J. Moore and Curtis Samuel. Despite looking like they are taking the training wheels off the nine-year veteran, the Panthers will be keeping Newton on a pitch count during the early days of training camp.
The Panthers seem to be following the playbook the Colts were using the 2018 offseason when their quarterback Andrew Luck was recovering from extensive shoulder surgery, one which many thought could end up ending his career.
I like the fact that, for what seems like the first time, they are taking some serious precautions with Cam this season. Many of us can’t forget what we have seen during the last five years where the former Heisman Trophy winner is taking shot after shot behind a porous offensive line.
The Panthers have made some efforts to try and help Cam on the line, such as the signing of Matt Kalil in 2017, but that was the equivalent of putting a Bandaid on a stab-wound.
The threat of Newton’s career-ending prematurely finally got it into the Panthers’ heads though as the team took his rehab very seriously and invested heavily in the offensive line this offseason by signing Matt Paradis and drafting Greg Little.
The Panthers will more than likely keep Newton out of most preseason action, but it would be a good idea to keep him in for a few series during the team’s third preseason game, as that is the game that is often considered the dress rehearsal for the season for most teams, and it will give us all a better chance to see how well the shoulder was repaired.
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