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On Cam Newton's Playing Status...

Jeremy Igo

By Jeremy Igo,
in Carolina Panthers

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Jeremy Igo Newbie

Jeremy Igo

Posted
Posted

There has been lots of speculation on Cam Newton's status for Sunday.

 

Scott Fowler believes Newton will start.

 

Bill Voth is leaning towards Cam not playing

 

JJ is on the fence

 

Why the differing opinions? Well, probably because the source, namely Ron Rivera, is actually being honest (as he has always been) and isn't sure himself if Cam will play Sunday.

 

As for me, I am split. My heart says he plays, my head says he sits.

 

Yes, I know Cam was dancing in practice. I was there watching it first hand. He danced around pain free while waiving his arms and singing "Kings of the South". When I saw that, I was sure Newton would be playing on Sunday. Since then, and after talking with people in the know, I am not so sure.

 

Yes, I am aware of the keyword of the week "gamesmanship". I get it. This could all be a huge conspiracy to make Lovie Smith's Bucs watch more film. Preparing for Cam Newton and Derek Anderson is twice the amount of work. But this angle doesn't really match up with Ron Rivera's history. There have been numerous occasions over the past three years when we all assumed an injured player was playing, but ended up inactive on gameday. Then again, this matchup with Tampa Bay and Lovie Smith seems very personal given Rivera and Smith's past. Rivera could possibly be stepping up the game in his gamesmanship.

 

But, from the whispers I have heard from within the team, sitting Cam makes sense for the right reasons.

 

1. Cam is injured, but could still play if it was necessary. However, the worry is that Cam would play hesitantly. When a player like Cam plays with hesitation other injuries occurring are much more likely. Cam is one good hit to the ribs away from being completely unable to play for a few weeks.

 

2. Rivera plans to shut down the Bucs offense completely. Make no mistake, if this is personal between defensive minded head coaches Lovie Smith and Ron Rivera, making a point on the defensive side of the ball is how to take your best jab. A win is great. A win and a shutout all while proving your superior defensive coaching....that is pure gold.

 

3. The Panthers absolutely believe they can win this game with Derek Anderson. Anderson had the best camp and preseason of his career as a Panther. They have no doubt that he could come in, manage a run first attack and complete the play action passes. Although he is not as mobile as Cam, Derek does have plenty of legs to run some of the bootlegs we saw in preseason should the pass rush be too much for the Panthers OL to handle. Bottom line, the Panthers are confident they can win Sunday with Derek Anderson under center.

 

Sitting Cam has less to do with Cam not being able to play. He absolutely could play on Sunday. It has more to do with the confidence they have in the team as a whole an Cam not needing to play and allowing Cam to heal another week for the home opener.

 

So, here we are on Friday morning with Cam missing the last two practices (for the most part). If nothing changes and Cam's ribs do not feel considerably better today, he won't play. It isn't a smokescreen.

 

 

 

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Kelbin Venjamin Newbie

Kelbin Venjamin

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Hey...you guys know something? The situation that we have at quarterback is the most unique in the NFL. We essentially have THREE, count  'em ,THREE guys who could conceivably competently start for us at the position. Consider how that fact could be to our advantage in this situation with the Bucs. How about this remote possibility, and I do stress the word remote. We blow smoke about Cam starting in spite of his obvious injuries. (possibly already being done ).    CHECK!!!       The Bucs blow smoke back saying that they are preparing for Cam to start regardless of Cam's condition. (a la McCoys recent remarks) They are blowing smoke too, and though preparing for Cam to a small degree, are concentrating more on Anderson.      COUNTERCHECK!!!     This diabolical ploy by the Bucs is in vain though because we secretly  prepare Joe Webb for the start.      CHECKMATE DAMMIT!!!!     AND THE SHEER GENIUS OF RON RIVERA AS HEAD COACH IS ENHANCED TO GREATER HEIGHTS SIMPLY BECAUSE HE READ UP AND TOOK THE ADVICE OF THE PANTHERS GREATEST RESOURCE FOR NEWS, IDEAS AND INFORMATION.....THE CAROLINA HUDDLE.                  Duz ya hear me Ron?    Errrr...Could I be serious????

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