Who's the villain in the story?

[top dawg]

46 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

I'm wondering who people feel shoulders the majority of the blame for the way Cam Newton's Panthers career is ending.

The viable candidates...

Ron Rivera - accused by many of misusing Newton and wasting his career

Marty Hurney - never built a winning roster around him, but was reported to have wanted to extend him

Dave Gettleman - built the rosters that supprted Newton's most successful seasons before Jerry Richardson let him go

Matt Rhule - gave plenty of lip service to wanting to coach Newton but ultimately was on board with moving on

Joe Brady - gave the Panthers a viable alternative in Teddy Bridgewater and effectively backed him.over Newton

Jerry Richardson - team owner over most of Newton's career; enabler of mediocrity for the entire franchise existence up to his departure

David Tepper - stifled efforts by Hurney and Rivera to offer Newton an extension; used the phrase "if healthy" ad infinitum

Cam Newton - hid injuries that ultimately helped derail his career, something that (let's be real) all athletes do, and it's not like nobody could see he was hampered

 

You've seen the choices. So in your mind, who's the real villain here?

Make your case.

SHOULDERS the blame...

Funny poo, Scot! Funny poo!

[Mr. Scot]

Just now, top dawg said:

SHOULDERS the blame...

Funny poo, Scot! Funny poo!

Unintentional, but yeah. Probably not the best choice of words 

[Cary Kollins]

If you had to pick one, it’s Ron.

 

As head coach Ron ultimately had the final word to sit or play Cam when he was clearly injured, going all the way back to what, 2016(?), when he started Cam with virtually no shot at the playoffs when it was clear Cam’s shoulder was fugged. 

[Mr. Scot]

Just now, Cary Kollins said:

If you had to pick one, it’s Ron.

 

As head coach Ron ultimately had the final word to sit or play Cam when he was clearly injured, going all the way back to what, 2016(?), when he started Cam with virtually no shot at the playoffs when it was clear Cam’s shoulder was fugged. 

Even over Tepper?

[Jeremy Igo]

The human condition . Bodies break down and don't always allow us to do what we want. That is the antagonist.

[j2sgam]

Ed Hochuli... ever since the “too young” comment, officiating seemed a bit more biased....

[Navy_football]

Cam's career as a Panther is his own doing. He really can't blame anyone but himself. I just hope he's learned this is truly a business, just like corporate America. The moment you stop producing results is the moment you become expendable. Everyone can be replaced. Everyone. Even the damn owner. Look out for you and your family first. 

He shouldn't have played injured. Not one play. That's on him. I know his intentions were from a good place - for the team. But it hurt him and his family in the long run. He delayed surgery this season hoping he could heal for the playoffs. Should have had surgery as soon as he realized it was a legit lisfranc injury. 

Not trying to beat up Cam. I think he's all heart and as competitive as they come. In the end, those traits were his downfall. I think he has as much talent and potential as any player that has ever stepped on an NFL field. With that being said, it's his responsibility to make that come to fruition. Unfortunately, I think he'll figure that out after leaving my team. And some other goober fan will reap the benefits of this tough lesson. 

[SOJA]

The panthers are collectively for failing to put a an offensive line/weapons around Cam consistently for his career while simultaneously asking him to carry us for years. Oh and the Panthers for absolutely botching his departure

[trueblade]

If Cam was willing to play out his contract, he'd still be. I can't say that would have been there smartest thing for him to do.

Marty botched the trade. Asked too much in the beginning, and got nothing in the end.

[Mr. Scot]

5 minutes ago, trueblade said:

If Cam was willing to play out his contract, he'd still be. I can't say that would have been there smartest thing for him to do.

Latest word was that he was willing.

The Panthers are letting him go anyway. And to be honest, the more I read the more I think that was always the plan.

[Pimpdaddy]

Id say Rivera - he always reminded me of a stir cook trying to perform brain surgery.... he also didn't raise anywhere near enough hell for the shots Cam took to the head.... who knows what would have happened if Cam would have sat out that preseason game...like most all starters did that were valuable to the team.

Rivera is stoonadda...

It's all gonna work out tho.... just sad its the end of a really fun era in panther football..

[Black&BlueBubba]

I may have a different take.  But in regards to the outright release I would say COVID-19 is to blame.  It’s the fact that teams can’t determine his health.  And they aren’t gonna trade anything if they have to pay 20 mil for something they are not sure is even in working order.  
If he could get a physical someone would trade at least something.  
 

What a shame. 

[Mr. Scot]

Just now, Black&BlueBubba said:

I may have a different take.  But in regards to the outright release I would say COVID-19 is to blame.  It’s the fact that teams can’t determine his health.  And they aren’t gonna trade anything if they have to pay 20 mil for something they are not sure is even in working order.  
If he could get a physical someone would trade at least something.  
 

What a shame. 

The timing was absolute sh-t for all involved.

[Cary Kollins]

41 minutes ago, Mr. Scot said:

Even over Tepper?

I mean, Tepper can share the blame for how this was executed but Cam was healthy for about six out of 32 games since he became owner. 
 

QB1 was broken by the prior regime.