Cam Newton proved to be quite the entertainer, not to mention a pretty darn good quarterback, during a dazzling and historic pro debut.
And if the electrifying young playmaker's encore can propel the 2012 Carolina Panthers into the playoffs after an extended absence, he'll no doubt be an icon in an area where college basketball traditionally is king.
Newton instantly dispelled the prevailing notion that the 2011 No. 1 overall draft choice would face a steep learning curve in his transition to the pro game by producing the most prolific season by a first-year signal-caller the NFL has ever witnessed, overtaking such legendary names as Manning and Graham in the record books by throwing for 4,051 yards and accounting for 35 touchdowns (21 passing, 14 rushing) to add an Offensive Rookie of the Year award alongside the Heisman Trophy in the former Auburn University sensation's personal accomplishment case.
The magnetic 23-year-old's immediate impact showed up in the standings as well, with the Panthers upping their 2011 victory total to six after gaining the right to take Newton with a 2-14 disaster the year before.
With the dangerous dual threat even more comfortable at the controls of a potentially lethal offense that also counts premier wideout Steve Smith, running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart and emerging receiver Brandon LaFell among its arsenal of weapons, Carolina is expecting another giant step forward to take place during Newton's follow-up.
"We're only scratching the surface," Newton said. "We went 6-10 last year. That's nothing to be happy about. But at the same time, there's a buzz about the potential this team has."
Newton's teammates seem to share that sentiment, with center Ryan Kalil going as far as taking out a full-page ad in a Charlotte newspaper predicting a Panthers' win in Super Bowl XLVII.
For Kalil's bold statement to come to fruition, however, Carolina will need to engineer a stark reversal of fortune on defense like the offense put forth a year ago, when the unit rose up from the bottom of the NFL rankings in nearly every major category during the 2010 debacle to finish fifth in points scored (406), third in rushing and seventh in total yards under Newton and the creative play-calling of coordinator Rob Chudzinski.
The defense, crippled by injuries to accomplished linebackers Jon Beason and Thomas Davis and run-stuffing tackle Ron Edwards, failed to hold up on its end, placing an unwanted 27th in total yards allowed and 26th in points surrendered.
All three of those above-mentioned players return, though Beason has missed a good portion of camp with leg problems and Davis is attempting an unprecedented comeback from a third ACL tear in his right knee. The defense also may have found its own rookie savior with this year's first-round selection of linebacker Luke Kuechly, an incredibly instinctive tackling machine at Boston College who's displayed signs of having a Newton-like effect on the other side.
"We're taking the right steps," said strong safety Charles Godfrey. "We admitted that we didn't do well [last season]. We owned up to that. We corrected what we needed to correct and we're fixing it.
"We will be better. We will hold up this year."
Below we take a capsule look at the 2012 edition of the Carolina Panthers, with a personnel evaluation and prognosis included therein:
2011 RECORD: 6-10 (3rd, NFC South)
LAST PLAYOFF APPEARANCE: 2008, lost to Arizona in NFC Divisional Playoff
COACH (RECORD): Ron Rivera (6-10 in one season)
OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Ron Chudzinski (second season with Panthers)
DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Sean McDermott (second season with Panthers)
OFFENSIVE STAR: Cam Newton, QB (4051 passing yards, 21 TD, 17 INT; 706 rushing yards, 14 TD)
DEFENSIVE STAR: Jon Beason, MLB (121 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT in 2010)
2011 OFFENSIVE TEAM RANKS: 7th overall (3rd rushing, 13th passing), tied 5th scoring (25.4 ppg)
2011 DEFENSIVE TEAM RANKS: 28th overall (25th rushing, 24th passing), 27th scoring (26.8 ppg)
KEY ADDITIONS: LG Amini Silatolu (2nd Round, Midwestern State), WLB Luke Kuechly (1st Round, Boston College), FS Haruki Nakamura (from Ravens), K Justin Medlock (free agent), P Brad Nortman (6th Round, Wisconsin), FB Mike Tolbert (from Chargers), WR Louis Murphy (from Raiders), WR Joe Adams (4th Round, Arkansas), OG Mike Pollak (from Colts), OT Bruce Campbell (from Raiders), DE Frank Alexander (4th Round, Oklahoma), OLB Kenny Onatolu (from Vikings), OLB David Nixon (from Rams), S Reggie Smith (from 49ers)
KEY DEPARTURES: WR Legedu Naanee (to Dolphins), TE Jeremy Shockey (free agent), LG Travelle Wharton (to Bengals), RT Jeff Otah (released), K Olindo Mare (released), P Jason Baker (released), RB Mike Goodson (to Raiders), OG Mackenzy Bernadeau (to Cowboys), OG Geoff Schwartz (to Vikings), DE Eric Norwood (released), DT Jason Shirley (to Colts), MLB Dan Connor (to Cowboys), MLB Thomas Williams (to Buccaneers), OLB Omar Gaither (to Texans), CB Cletis Gordon (free agent)
QB: To say Newton (4051 passing yards, 21 TD, 17 INT) was a difference-maker in his initial season would be an understatement. The gifted young triggerman became the first rookie in NFL history to eclipse 4,000 passing yards while establishing a new league standard for a quarterback with 14 rushing scores, and he had a hand in 35 of the offense's 47 touchdowns. Newton also led all players at his position with 706 rushing yards, and his exceptional mobility out of the pocket makes him even more difficult for opponents to neutralize. With a full offseason of preparation, a luxury he wasn't afforded due to last year's lockout, the sky's undeniably the limit for Carolina's franchise face if he can cut down some of the understandable mistakes he made during his introduction. Backup Derek Anderson flopped in a starting opportunity in Arizona two seasons back, but sports a big arm and experience in Chudzinski's system, having delivered a 3,787-yard, 29-touchdown campaign when the two were together in Cleveland in 2007. He's entrenched as Newton's stand-in after onetime starter Jimmy Clausen, one of the main culprits of Carolina's 2010 offensive fiasco, failed to show significant progress in an extended look in the preseason. The former second-round pick could be a candidate for release, though his guaranteed salary for this year may keep him from the chopping block.
RB: The terrific tandem of Williams (836 rushing yards, 7 TD, 16 receptions) and Stewart (761 rushing yards, 47 receptions, 5 total TD) combined for nearly 1,600 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns to help give the Panthers one of the league's most potent ground attacks, and the duo will be joined by another capable option after the team signed ex-Charger Mike Tolbert (490 rushing yards, 54 receptions, 10 TD) in March. The 245-pound bruiser brings tremendous versatility, as he can block, catch and excels as a short-yardage pounder, and will be deployed in a variety of ways. Carolina mainly targeted him to play fullback, however, where he'll help pave the way for Williams, the fastest member of the stable who offers legitimate home-run ability, and Stewart, perhaps the most complete back on the roster who's the superior inside runner between the two. Richie Brockel proved to be serviceable lead blocker as last year's primary fullback and stands a good chance of being kept around, which would allow Tolbert to be used as a ball-carrier at times.
WR: The longest-tenured current Panther, Smith (79 receptions, 1394 yards, 7 TD) silenced the critics suggesting prior to his 11th season with the organization that the 33-year-old was in decline after generating pedestrian 2010 numbers that were solely attributed to the poor quarterback play. The hard-nosed veteran bounced back by finishing fifth in the league in receiving yards and averaging almost 18 yards per catch while clearly being rejuvenated by Newton's arrival, and he should have plenty left in the tank for this year's hopeful playoff run. Smith will be flanked once again by the rising LaFell (36 receptions, 3 TD), a big and strong target with the ability to gain yards after the catch whom the staff believes may be primed for a breakout in his third pro season. Fellow third-year man David Gettis had been slated to be the No. 3 receiver, but will miss at least the season's first six games with a hamstring injury and is still on the mend from a torn ACL that kept him out all of last year. That prompted the team to trade for speedster Louis Murphy (15 receptions) in July. Although the former Raider's career has been marked by inconsistency, he's blazing fast and demonstrated an aptitude for working out of the slot. Second-year slot man Keloha Pilares and rookie Joe Adams (4th Round, Arkansas) will make their contributions mostly on returns, with Adams' addition possibly meaning the end of the line for two-time Walter Payton Award winner Armanti Edwards, a third-round pick in 2010 who's been very slow to develop.
TE: Chudzinski is a proponent of using two tight-end sets and got good production out of the combo of Greg Olsen (45 receptions, 5 TD) and Jeremy Shockey last year, with the pair amassing 82 catches and just over 1,000 yards along with 10 touchdowns. The Panthers elected not to retain Shockey, but believe they've got a fine replacement for the outspoken veteran in Gary Barnidge. Injured all of 2011, the 26-year-old is younger and faster than his predecessor and gives the position more of a downfield threat. Olsen, acquired from the Bears prior to last season, is sure-handed and a proven factor in the red zone, having come up with 23 touchdown grabs over the past four seasons while averaging 50 receptions during that span. The pure blocker of the group is Ben Hartsock, who serves essentially as an extra offensive tackle either at the goal line or in pass protection.
OL: A front wall renowned for its strength in moving the pile in the running game fields two standouts in Kalil and left tackle Jordan Gross as well as a potential one in rookie Amini Silatolu, a second-round selection out of Division II Midwestern State who was immediately installed as free-agent departure Travelle Wharton's successor at left guard. Though still quite raw, the small-school find's above-average agility and nasty demeanor give him a chance for a very bright future. He'll be situated between two high-quality players in Kalil, a master technician named to his third consecutive Pro Bowl last season, and the two-time all-star Gross, among the league's upper crust of blind-side bodyguards. Right tackle holds more uncertainty, though new full-timer Byron Bell did a credible job there after being forced into 12 starts when making the team as an undrafted rookie. He'll have the position all to himself after Carolina cut ties with the chronically injured Jeff Otah just prior to camp. If Bell shows to be inadequate, the Panthers could turn to Garry Williams, an 11-game starter in Otah's absence in 2010 who spent all of last year on injured reserve with a broken ankle, or athletic but also unproven offseason pickup Bruce Campbell (from Raiders). Steady veteran Geoff Hangartner will once again main right guard, with former Colts starter Mike Pollak the top interior backup who can also play center in a pinch.
DL: The torn triceps Ron Edwards sustained in last year's preseason turned out to be a major blow, as the rookie interior pairing of Sione Fua and Terrell McClain (19 tackles, 1 sack) took their lumps before both landed on IR later on. As a result of the depleted tackle depth, the Panthers allowed an average of 130.8 rushing yards per game (25th overall). With Edwards back to handle nose tackle duties and McClain expected to improve in his second-go around, the outlook is better in 2012. The Panthers also want to generate more of a pass rush and find someone to complement reliable right end Charles Johnson (40 tackles, 9 sacks), who's piled up 20 1/2 sacks over the last two seasons and is also strong against the run. Third-year pro Greg Hardy (50 tackles, 4 sacks) has the talent to be that guy and had a solid first trial as a starter on the left side this past season, but the team believes he's capable of far more. Carolina does have a pretty good situational edge rusher in returnee Antwan Applewhite (25 tackles, 2 sacks) and added prospect Frank Alexander (4th Round, Oklahoma) in April's draft, while Thomas Keiser (13 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 INT) showed some promise in the second half of last season after being promoted from the practice squad. Fua and sophomore Frank Kearse (10 tackles, 0.5 sacks) will rotate in at the interior, as will intriguing youngster Andre Neblett (23 tackles, 2.5 sacks) once he returns from a four- game suspension to start the year after testing positive for a banned substance.
LB: Injuries ravaged what had been the defense's source of strength in 2011, with three-time Pro Bowl participant Beason rupturing his Achilles tendon in the season opener and the hard-luck Davis once again tearing up his knee one week later. The Panthers had no choice but to get by with marginal talents alongside unheralded stalwart James Anderson (145 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 2 INT), but they should be far better prepared to withstand any sort of catastrophes this time around. As long as Beason's preseason hamstring ailment isn't a long-term issue, he'll again roam the middle of a high-end three-man crew that will also contain the pro-ready Kuechly (1st Round, Boston College) on the weakside and Anderson at the SAM position, with Davis providing a starting- caliber outside reserve if he can stay on the field and reclaim his prior form. All four members are adept in coverage, a definite plus for a team that has to face the high-powered passing offenses of New Orleans and Atlanta twice a year. Jordan Senn (71 tackles, 1 INT) earned his stripes by making seven emergency starts between the middle and the outside last season and was retained to bring further insurance, with 2011 waiver claim Jason Phillips likely cementing a roster spot as Beason's backup after a good preseason. Holdover Jason Williams (25 tackles) and free-agent pickup Kenny Onatolu (14 tackles with Vikings) are vying to stay on as special-teams contributors.
DB: A dreadful overall performance by the secondary was also a significant factor in Carolina's defensive downfall, and how a unit which stands as the Panthers' most pressing area of concern fares this year could ultimately determine the team's fate. There are no worries at the cornerback flank where Chris Gamble (45 tackles, 3 INT, 12 PD) resides, however. The ninth-year veteran was the backfield's unquestioned bright spot, putting together a Pro Bowl-worthy season in which opposing quarterbacks managed only a 53.3 passer rating when throwing in his direction. The other side was a mess, however, as usual starter Captain Munnerlyn (58 tackles, 2 INT) is an undersized player best suited to work the slot and former Patriots high draft pick Darius Butler (32 tackles) wasn't very effective in six starts. Munnerlyn is the favorite to begin the season as a regular but may eventually relinquish the role to high- upside rookie Josh Norman, a fifth-round project with excellent size and movement skills who amassed 13 interceptions and 35 pass breakups in four years at FCS-level Coastal Carolina. The safety play needs to improve as well after Godfrey (84 tackles, 1 sack, 2 INT) regressed after a five-interception campaign in 2010 and counterpart Sherrod Martin (68 tackles, 3 INT) was responsible for allowing too many big plays. The club brought in free agents Haruki Nakamura (12 tackles with Ravens) and Reggie Smith (15 tackles, 1 INT with 49ers) in the spring, with the former likely to push Martin into a reserve capacity and Smith a candidate to supplant incumbent Jordan Pugh (18 tackles) as Godfrey's understudy at strong safety.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Considerable turnover is taking place in this department, with new faces set to take over at kicker, punter and punt returner. The Panthers handed established kicker Olindo Mare his release late in preseason after the 39-year-old lost a battle with Justin Medlock, a failed draft pick of the Chiefs in 2007 who resurrected his career in the CFL. The lefty capped an outstanding three-year stint in Canada by drilling 49-of-55 field goal attempts with a long of 57 yards this past season. Longtime punter Jason Baker received his walking papers after the club drafted Wisconsin product Brad Nortman, who averaged an impressive 47.2 yards per boot during the exhibition schedule, in the sixth round of the draft. Adams, a stellar punt returner who led the nation with four touchdown runbacks as a senior at Arkansas, will take over for the underachieving Armanti Edwards, with Pilares maintaining his hold on the kickoff return job after averaging a very respectable 25.7 yards per attempt as a rookie, highlighted by a 101-yard touchdown in November. Long snapper J.J. Jansen also survived the purge and will be back for a fourth season in Charlotte.
PROGNOSIS: Newton's skills and exploits have made the Panthers exciting again, the question is now whether the budding star can make them relevant once more. The task won't be as easy as he made the game seem during his stupendous debut, as Carolina still enters the season with a few unsettled positions and a schedule that includes tough non-division road stops at Chicago, Philadelphia, Kansas City and San Diego and home dates with the world champion Giants, Dallas and Denver could be a minefield. The Panthers do have the ingredients on offense to compete with anyone they'll face, but their hopes of emerging as a viable playoff contender will rest on a defense that needs to prove that it's a profound upgrade over last year's model.
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