Which path for Newton?

[Mr. Scot]

3 minutes ago, thefuzz said:

I like the path we are taking now, and to honestly answer the question, I'm in for 10, not 5.

Elway never got his SB wins until the end, Manning didn't get his first until year 9 (IIRC), and it may take all of Cam's career to get him one.  Wean him, and Ron/Shula off the power run tit, and get Cam's full potential, by using that aspect very sparingly.

I'm never one to think that a team is "one piece away", or that it's a good idea to go "all in" on a year or two.  Be consistently good to great, make the playoffs year in and year out, and you will finally get a trophy at the end....that's what I want.

Manning never had to change his style though.

I'm honestly not sure Elway completely changed either.  He had a big run in his first Super Bowl victory, and he finished it head first rather than sliding.

Heck, I don't remember if I ever saw Elway slide.

[joemac]

I cannot remember Cam ever taking huge hits while running. He's gotten very good about sliding when faced with any kind of contact. He takes much much more brutal hits in the pocket. I don't think limiting him running will do anything to further the length of his career. If anything he just needs to continue to be a smart runner. We cannot lose the edge that Cams legs give us. It's probably our greatest asset on offense.

[thefuzz]

4 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

Manning never had to change his style though.

I'm honestly not sure Elway completely changed either.  He had a big run in his first Super Bowl victory, and he finished it head first rather than sliding.

Heck, I don't remember if I ever saw Elway slide.

I wasn't really trying to make the connection between Cam changing and Manning or Elway doing the same....was just trying to say that sometimes, no matter how great you are, it takes time.

 

Took Elway making the playoffs 9 times before he broke through, I'm just saying it may take that many for Cam as well, or possibly more...and I want to keep him around and effective until then.

Now when it's playoff time....cut Cam loose to do whatever he needs to do to win...but let's try to protect him during the regular season as much as possible. 

 

[thefuzz]

5 minutes ago, joemac said:

I cannot remember Cam ever taking huge hits while running. He's gotten very good about sliding when faced with any kind of contact. He takes much much more brutal hits in the pocket. I don't think limiting him running will do anything to further the length of his career. If anything he just needs to continue to be a smart runner. We cannot lose the edge that Cams legs give us. It's probably our greatest asset on offense.

You remember this one?

 

It's not about the backbreaking hits that he takes while running, it's the cumulative effect of all of those hits received in the pocket, and outside.

Over time, Cam will take longer and longer to be ready to go after these games, he isn't getting younger.

 

As to losing the edge...that isn't ever going to happen, as Cam will likely be as athletic as any QB in the league as long as he plays...what we cannot keep doing is the power runs with Cam like we did in years past...that will 100% shorten his career.

[Mr. Scot]

6 minutes ago, thefuzz said:

I wasn't really trying to make the connection between Cam changing and Manning or Elway doing the same....was just trying to say that sometimes, no matter how great you are, it takes time.

Took Elway making the playoffs 9 times before he broke through, I'm just saying it may take that many for Cam as well, or possibly more...and I want to keep him around and effective until then.

Now when it's playoff time....cut Cam loose to do whatever he needs to do to win...but let's try to protect him during the regular season as much as possible.

Valid points, and varying the approach from regular season to the playoffs is an interesting idea,

[csx]

I hope he evolves in to a super savvy pocket passer over time.

[Mr. Scot]

One note that I'd add about Cam sliding: I'm glad he's doing it more, and maybe he is doing it better than before, but I've still seen Little League players do it better

Sliding just ain't his thing.

[thefuzz]

11 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

Valid points, and varying the approach from regular season to the playoffs is an interesting idea,

I've always had a bit different look at things once you are in the dance.

For instance, unless it's a must win during the season, I'm not much on QB's trying to tackle guys that are returning fumbles and INT's...just not worth it in the long run.

This year may turn out good, but 17 could have been derailed because of Cam chasing down that Chargers DB after KB decided he didn't want to break a nail after the INT...just not worth it.

Same with Cam, and his running.  I don't like seeing us run him on designed runs 10 times a game during the regular season...during the playoffs...all bets are off.

[Peppers90 NC]

Cam is a pocket passer, no question. Only the simple fan would suggest otherwise. He has the capability to extend plays or move the pocket but others do it more, especially Rodgers. 

What people get confused by is that we have more called QB run plays than any other team and it is too much for people to understand that has nothing to do with what kind of passer he is.

[t96]

Cam can reach his full potential with all his strengths utilized AND last a long time in the league. It'll just take a coaching staff that isn't so bad/lazy that they ride Cam to death like he's John Riggins and build the run game and pass game entirely around him. This year isn't a bad start, but I'd like to see us have a run game that sustains itself without Cam. We've tried it so far this year but the run game has been horsesh*t. 

[t96]

38 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

One note that I'd add about Cam sliding: I'm glad he's doing it more, and maybe he is doing it better than before, but I've still seen Little League players do it better

Sliding just ain't his thing.

Guys that big just aren't built to slide...

[JakeDel5674]

1 hour ago, Mr. Scot said:

Right now, the team's focus with Cam Newton is to turn him into more of a pocket passer and in doing so extend his career to maybe another ten years.

But I've heard some folks on radio, TV and elsewhere suggest they'd rather the Panthers just keep him as he is, even if it means he only plays another five years or so (or less).

If you had to choose one, do you change him to keep him longer or leave him alone knowing that he won't last as long?

Quality or quantity?

I would say let him play how it works, Scot.  If he gets injured, so be it.  Keep his run attempts to 8-9 times a game.  And keep him doing what he's been doing, be creative with the play calls, make the Offensive side of the football enjoyable, if they can.  Simple as that.    

[L-TownCat]

If I had my way, I'd ask Cam to stay within himself and limit the big hits.

Wont happen, so gimme the Cam that is the best player on the field instead of a chained and muzzled beast locked in a cage.

[Cyberjag]

2 hours ago, Mr. Scot said:

Right now, the team's focus with Cam Newton is to turn him into more of a pocket passer and in doing so extend his career to maybe another ten years.

But I've heard some folks on radio, TV and elsewhere suggest they'd rather the Panthers just keep him as he is, even if it means he only plays another five years or so (or less).

If you had to choose one, do you change him to keep him longer or leave him alone knowing that he won't last as long?

Quality or quantity?

Cam already is a pocket passer.  However, he's also willing to be the runner on select plays, which is what makes him so dangerous.  I've seen him beat up far more often and far worse when he stays in the pocket trying to make plays, so I kind of dispute the premise of this entire question.  Let him play the style he's playing, and he's going to last longer than he would if you try and make him play like Brady.