Newton is a band aid over how bad we really are.

[ncbobcat]

So his hail mary pass with 4 secs left in which maybe 6 guys were all bunched up in the end zone waiting for the pass was squarely on Cam?

Statements like this make it hard to take your other points seriously.

I didn't realize a 20 yard or so pass is considered a hail mary. Secondly, that pass was a duck, pure and simple. It was a rookie mistake thinking he could lob it over the corner not realizing safety help was there. The intercetor cut across the field and wasn't even in the play initially, but still had time to beat the safety to the ball.

Again, the first INT was a fluke, the other two were not. Cam needs to change his name to Teflon. Even his errors aren't really errors.

[hepcat]

ahem, the Colts are the same way. They go from being one of the best teams in the league with Peyton and one of the worst without him. I'd be willing to bet the Chargers, Packers, Saints, even the Ravens would fall apart without their QB's. Perennial contenders rely on their star QB. Main exception being the Patriots...who have the coach to save them. Some teams might be able to scrape something together, but they aren't nearly as lethal without their QB. Every team is one or two injuries away from falling apart.

[Gazi]

You crazy MONGS. Have you noticed that every 3rd down, even if it's 10 yards, is manageable? how many times did he bail us out by running for that first down and in the end we ended up getting points.

I enjoy watching games when I know that 3rd down does not mean "go to the fridge the punt is coming" like it did in the past.

If we had last year's D and ST I believe we would have won 2 more games, at least. This year we have no hope in winning. We can only hope that Cam and Co puts us up front by a large margine early and forces the other team to be one dimensional.

[MadHatter]

I didn't realize a 20 yard or so pass is considered a hail mary. Secondly, that pass was a duck, pure and simple. It was a rookie mistake thinking he could lob it over the corner not realizing safety help was there. The intercetor cut across the field and wasn't even in the play initially, but still had time to beat the safety to the ball.

Again, the first INT was a fluke, the other two were not. Cam needs to change his name to Teflon. Even his errors aren't really errors.

he took a chance on a meaningless pass with 4 sec left.....big deal.

[Herb]

Because of Cam I actually have confidence that we have the ability to pick up 3rd and longs with ease all season long. I don't remember the last time I could say that about our Panthers, hah.

[Happy Panther]

Basically we stunk so bad last year that having a chance on third down is exciting.

[mick eye]

Optimism. Amen. Yes, third downs are converted, draw plays on said thirds are over and Jimmy Pickles is on the bench. People we need to look at things objectivly. Band Aid or not Cam has made us relevant. Also think what you want of Ron, Chud and McDermott but at least it's not FOXBALL. Not only that i bet the Eagles wish they still had McDermott. Their Defense is looking sad with a oline coach calling the plays. Hell they added two top corners and can't get it done.

Everyone needs to stop belly aching and realize we are a team on the rise. If Hogan, Butler, Edwards, TD, and Beason can all come back from injuries and play to potential or usual style (Beaston) our maligned defense becomes a strength.

As far as offense Smith is back in a big way. Gettis will come back. We got a top flight TE for a 3rd round pick. Good luck doing that in the actual draft. The oline is kinda influx with the news Otah is once again on IR but we could find his replacement on the roster (Bell) or in the next draft. We found our franchise QB. Read that back if you need to. That is no easy task. Ponder, Dalton, and Gabbert might be the answer for their particular teams but mark my words NONE will be as good as CAM. Look at the Raiders. Pryor as the developmental and overpaying for Palmer. Or the Redskins. Beck, Rexy and who? Phins - our throw away, Henne. I mean i get the point of what the OP is trying to say that Cam is making us look good and we still suck. But i disagree i think we are learning to play together and our coaching staff is learning also. Getting frustrated with our slowly developing team is like getting mad at kindergarten kids for not understanding 5th grade math. It won't help and is UNREALISTIC.

[Happy Panther]

We are a team "on the rise" because we were one of the worst teams in league history last year.

Kind of a low hurdle.

Only this complacent franchise would revel in a 1-5 start.