Carolina Panthers: Is Cam Newton Superman or Clark Kent in 2017?

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton had an injury plagued 2016. Will he protect himself more in 2017 by running less or be the Superman we’ve come to know?

We’re used to seeing Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton doing his Superman touchdown celebration by pretending to tear open his shirt to show an imaginary Superman logo. But for now, Cam Newton is still rehabbing from shoulder surgery he had this off-season.

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He’s been restricted from throwing during mini-camp but might be cleared to throw by the time the Carolina Panthers training camp rolls around. Newton is one of the most dynamic players in the NFL having won the MVP award for the 2015 season.

However, that’s part of the problem. Newton often puts his body on the line to make spectacular plays but more importantly to win. The result is that his team wins but his body gets so banged up where he has to play injured most of the season.

Some suggest that Cam Newton must tone down his game to try to stay healthy. In other words play more like Clark Kent. stop taking so many hits and use the weapons around him more. As opposed to absorbing major hits when he plays like Superman.

But let’s face it, we’ve never seen a quarterback like Cam Newton. A quarterback with his size and his athleticism. He’s built like a defensive end, runs like a wide receiver but he’s a quarterback.

Should he not take advantage of that? Playing like Superman is what won him the MVP. It’s what helped get the Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl. Running over tacklers and doing somersaults into the end zone is what’s made Cam Newton the player he is.

So Clark Kent or Superman?

As much as I love the Superman in Cam Newton, I’m afraid I’m going to have to go with Clark Kent. First of all the Panthers are going to have to protect him better in the pocket, as Cam has taken a pounding over the years.

So one thing the Carolina Panthers did is sign a top free agent left tackle in Matt Kalil to help address that problem. The second thing the Panthers did was select perhaps the best all-around running back in the draft in Christian McCaffrey.

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Running backs have never been that involved in the Panthers passing game during the Cam Newton era and that needs to change starting this season. Cam Newton needs to start checking down more and protecting his body from the hits he absorbs running the ball.

Of course I don’t expect Cam to stop running completely, he just needs to pick his spots better. When the game is on the line, then by all means rip the shirt open. Otherwise, check the ball down to McCaffrey, that’s what they drafted him for.

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Cam Newton is entering his seventh season. If he wants to play seven more, then the amount of punishment his body is taking has to come down significantly. Because as mighty as Superman is, if he’s not careful he can still fall prey to Kryptonite and so can Cam Newton.

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