Cam Newton is going to do something this season that no quarterback in the history of the franchise has ever done

[PhillyB]

Last night, desperate to avoid writing a 20-page paper that's due a few hours from now, I started browsing Panthers statistics from 1995-present. I compared Cam's stats this year to passing statistics over our franchise's history, and noticed something.

 

In all of franchise history, none of our quarterbacks have ever thrown 500+ yards to four receivers.

 

If you expect me to draw up a statistical spreadsheet with receiving yards you've underestimated how lazy I am. (Go here and look yourself, you lazy entitled fuck.) It's there waiting to be uncovered. Current projections have our final receiving totals at:

 

Steve Smith:   845

Greg Olsen:    765

Donald LaFell: 720

Ted Ginn Jr. :  614

 

A glance at Panthers history shows that a a combination of Kerry Collins and Steve Beurlein is the only tandem that came close to tossing 500+ to four receivers (and that was split between two guys.) Most of the receiving statlines reflect a long and sordid history of big numbers to Steve Smith and fragments to whatever other potted plant was starting across from him.

 

 

 

What does all this mean, you ask? In fact, it means three things:

 

(1) The Panthers have good receivers, finally. Steve Smith is complemented by bigass redzone threat and seam-raper Greg Olsen, sneaky possession receiver Donald Lafell, and essential deep threat Ted Ginn Jr. (who might be leading that group in yards right now if not for two deep home run drops in two games [he had an 80-yarder in his hands against the Bucs a few weeks ago.])

 

(2) Cam Newton is spreading the ball around. His first two years earned him criticism for constantly locking in on Steve Smith and ignoring everyone else. Now he's spreading the ball around better than any quarterback in franchise history.

 

(3) The New Orleans Saints are really gonna miss Jabrari Greer. Who you gonna cover bitches?

 

 

 

The future is bright. On to the Bucs!

 

 

 

 

[Snake]

I still say WR or TE is our biggest concern. Im not sold on LaFell and I think there are better options out there. There have been many times Cam has had to throw the ball away or force a pass because no one was open.  Other than that Oline Oline Oline.

[Awesomeness!!]

Pretty impressive considering our WR core is pretty mediocre (Olsen isn't even a WR).

[Mr. Scot]

Beuerlein was in a WCO. Stats are always inflated in that offense.

I don't know how much I buy the 'good receivers' argument. 'Adequate receivers' is probably about as high a praise as I'm willing to offer.

[PhillyB]

yep. cammy cam is on pace to throw for about 600 yards less than his career average, but in all relevant categories he's having the best season of his career.

[bababoey]

I like Donald Lafell.  He's is right up there with Steven Smith. 

[Montsta]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, people think #2 receivers these days should have 1,200 yards and 7 touchdowns. LaFell is fine. He's gotten better every single year and although he's had some tough drops, he's made some fantastic plays.

[nickzz]

I still say WR or TE is our biggest concern. Im not sold on LaFell and I think there are better options out there. There have been many times Cam has had to throw the ball away or force a pass because no one was open.  Other than that Oline Oline Oline.

 

agreed. we won't ever be an elite offense with the receivers we have right now.

[LinvilleGorge]

Hope Smitty can have a couple of big games to push him over the 1000 yard mark.

[The Huddler]

Ginn needs to catch the ball is he's going to be considered a deep threat. Right now hes basicly a decoy

[jtnc]

I really hope Gettle doesn't believe he's fixed the WR position because of the improvement of Ginn, but I have a feeling he just might do that and believe Corner and line depth is our only needs.

[Awesomeness!!]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, people think #2 receivers these days should have 1,200 yards and 7 touchdowns. LaFell is fine. He's gotten better every single year and although he's had some tough drops, he's made some fantastic plays.

Lafell is more of a 3 honestly. He is ok. We could do better.

[LinvilleGorge]

Ginn needs to catch the ball is he's going to be considered a deep threat. Right now hes basicly a decoy

 

He's really not much of a deep threat to be honest.  He just doesn't have the ball skills to locate the ball and make a play on it unless he's streaking down the field wide ass open.  He's actually much better working underneath and then using his speed after the catch.

[Mr. Scot]

yep. cammy cam is on pace to throw for about 600 yards less than his career average, but in all relevant categories he's having the best season of his career.

That's no shock.

Rule changes have made the whole league more pass friendly overall. But I've often found that winning doesn't necessarily go hand in hand with bombastic stats.

Heck, sometimes it seems almost like an inverse relationship.