I am shocked so many Huddlers are falling for Rivera's gamesmanship with Cam's injury

[Sam Mills Fan]

There is a 0.0% chance of Cam not playing Sunday. It's possible he'll go out there and suck, but he'll play. Sitting out a game because of a hairline rib fracture and a slightly less than 100% ankle is what you do in high school. This is the NFL. This is Cam Newton, someone who I don't think has ever missed a game due to injury in his life. He will absolutely play. The fact that so many people are starting to doubt this shows how far Rivera has matured as a coach in playing this injury game. Lovie Smith is now obligated to waste time on Derek Anderson prep. Smith is smart enough to see through this, but *any* extra time spent on Derek Anderson is a win for the Panthers because it only costs us about 3 seconds of Rivera's time when talking to the media.

 

 

[Ruff]

There is a 0.0% chance of Cam not playing Sunday. It's possible he'll go out there and suck, but he'll play. Sitting out a game because of a hairline rib fracture and a slightly less than 100% ankle is what you do in high school. This is the NFL. This is Cam Newton, someone who I don't think has ever missed a game due to injury in his life. He will absolutely play. The fact that so many people are starting to doubt this shows how far Rivera has matured as a coach in playing this injury game. Lovie Smith is now obligated to waste time on Derek Anderson prep. Smith is smart enough to see through this, but *any* extra time spent on Derek Anderson is a win for the Panthers because it only costs us about 3 seconds of Rivera's time when talking to the media.

So, what you're saying, is that if Cam was hurt enough to play but suck enough because of the injury, we should still play him because this is the NFL, even if he doesn't give us the best shot to win?

Ok.

[therealmjl]

While I agree with this, I do think there is a slight chance he won't play.

[Mr. Scot]

I don't necessarily buy that it's 'gamesmanship' on Rivera's part, but I do believe Newton plays on Sunday.

[therealmjl]

I mean I will be shocked if Newton doesn't play.

[Peppers90 NC]

cam comes out to stretch yesterday, leaves field and not practice to take fake out the other team?  if thats the case, riverboat really living up to his name

[Ruff]

I don't necessarily buy that it's 'gamesmanship' on Rivera's part, but I do believe Newton plays on Sunday.

I'm in the same boat. Why would Rivera, who is notorious for being candid with his answers, try to hide this like it's some big secret?

[Sam Mills Fan]

So, what you're saying, is that if Cam was hurt enough to play but suck enough because of the injury, we should still play him because this is the NFL, even if he doesn't give us the best shot to win?

Ok.

 

 

I like Derek Anderson just fine, but a Cam Newton at 90% is better than Derek Anderson at 100%. Maybe a Cam at 50%. My point is that Cam Newton is a very good quarterback yo. It's rough this is happening before Week 1 as opposed to Week 12, but you still play your stud if you think he'll be effective.

[Peppers90 NC]

it makes total sense.  hold cam out of yet another practice just to try and fool the buccs who are expecting him to play anyway.

[Sam Mills Fan]

I don't necessarily buy that it's 'gamesmanship' on Rivera's part, but I do believe Newton plays on Sunday.

 

I just think he's getting better at using talks with the media to his advantage. Whether if it's to motivate a specific player or to do something like make the Bucs waste a little time.

[Sam Mills Fan]

it makes total sense.  hold cam out of yet another practice just to try and fool the buccs who are expecting him to play anyway.

 

This happens literally all the time around the league. We're just not used to it because it's so rare that we've had a quarterback that is both a.) great and b.) banged up. You need both of those criteria to be able to do this wink wink nudge nudge stuff effectively.

[csx]

it makes total sense. hold cam out of yet another practice just to try and fool the buccs who are expecting him to play anyway.

He wasn't held out of practice.

[Peppers90 NC]

He wasn't held out of practice.

i meant yesterday, and you're right.  he left while stretching to go to the medical facilities and didnt return.

[Guest Irv]

Does this look like a man in pain?