►Panthers primed to hang around,
MVP Newton likely to keep getting better
SANTA CLARA, CALIF. Breaking down the five biggest questions for the Carolina Panthers in the future.
Can quarterback Cam Newton continue to improve?
Thanks to his evolution as a pocket passer and continued effectiveness in short-yardage situations, Newton is redefining what it means to be a quarterback. The scary part is he’s still getting better. As Newton’s private quarterback coach, George Whitfield, told USA TODAY Sports recently, “I don’t think he’s anywhere near where he’s going to be, which is scary. I think he is still scratching the surface.”
Newton accounted for a careerhigh 45 total touchdowns in 2015 and was one off the league lead in rushing scores with 10. Despite his struggles in the Super Bowl, he’ll continue to grow and have a greater understanding of what opposing defenses are doing to try to stop him. The 2015 season showed Newton is quickly becoming one of the league’s most dangerous threats — at any position. As long as the Panthers can keep him healthy, he should take the next step next season.
How does a healthy Kelvin Benjamin fit in Carolina’s offense?
It’s amazing to think Newton posted the numbers he did in 2015, en route to his first career MVP award, without his best weapon. Benjamin, Carolina’s No. 1 receiver, tore his anterior cruciate ligament in training camp, leaving the Panthers with Ted Ginn Jr., Jerricho Cotchery and Corey Brown as the top receivers. With a recovered Benjamin in 2016, Carolina and Newton are that much more dangerous.
Benjamin is a 6-5, 245-pound target who broke into the NFL in his rookie season in 2014 with 73 receptions for 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns. This season was supposed to see Benjamin show gradual improvement, but the knee injury derailed that. It might take work at the beginning of next season for Benjamin to get back in a rhythm with Newton and the Panthers offense, but his presence alone should not only give Carolina a surge in pass production but also help keep the running game productive.
Are the Panthers the NFL’s new power?
Carolina rolled through the regular season behind a collection of young stars with veterans sprinkled in. The best news is that free agency should be kind to the Panthers. Starting right tackle Mike Remmers’ contract expires March 9, though he’ll become a restricted free agent.
Otherwise, the team needs to figure out how to lock up or replace starting fullback Mike Tolbert and starting safety Roman Harper, who is one of the most vocal and respected leaders in the locker room. Salary cap space should be tight, but the team could try to rework veteran contracts to free up room. Better yet for the Panthers, the team dominated the NFC South this season and could emerge as the next big power in the NFC, with the Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers remaining as Carolina’s main competition.
Can the running game continue to be so productive?
Anytime a team has success in one area of the offense, opposing teams suddenly have a wealth of film on what it does best. The Panthers ranked second in the NFL’s regular season, averaging 142.6 yards a game behind the three-headed attack of Newton, running back Jonathan Stewart and Tolbert.
Part of what makes Carolina’s rushing offense so dangerous, however, is its versatility. The team constantly changes the way it lines up on rushing plays, using power formations, the read option, jet sweeps and others. The rushing game was instrumental in opening up what Newton could do in the passing game. With the team’s offensive line expected to remain intact, the ground game could be in good shape.
How can the Panthers keep their coaching staff together?
They probably can’t. Offensive coordinator Mike Shula and defensive coordinator Sean McDermott will be back for 2016, but both figure to be heavily pursued when head coaching vacancies pop up at the end of next season. Losing one or both could be a big disruption, but Carolina does have several talented young assistants working under them who could be candidates to replace Shula and McDermott.
Quarterbacks coach Ken Dorsey, who has been exceptional in Newton’s coaching and development, is the strongest candi- date on offense, while assistant head coach and secondary coach Steve Wilks could be next in line for the defense.