The Panthers host the Rams this week in their first game of 2019. We have already examined several key matchups that may determine the outcome. Now, lets take a look at some larger stories about where the team is heading into this season and where it’s going.
Here are four we will be following come Sunday.
Cam Newton turns the page
This year represents a major fork in the road for the foundation of the franchise. Starting quarterback Cam Newton is entering his ninth season in the NFL and he turned 30 years old earlier this offseason. That means it’s time for Newton to embrace some inevitable changes to his game. While he remains an extraordinary athlete capable of winning games with his arm and leg talent alone, Newton has to prepare for father time and a ton of QB hits taking their toll.
The work is already well underway, of course. Quarterbacks coach Scott Turner has helped streamlined Newton’s studying habits, which was detailed in a great piece by Albert Breer at Sports Illustrated earlier this week. Newton has also made some dramatic changes to his mechanics, featuring a tighter passing motion that should take some stress off his twice-operated on throwing shoulder.
Most athletes begin to decline at the age of 30, especially in football. However, if Newton sticks with his new mechanics and begins processing the game the way you’d expect from a quarterback who’s been in the league for almost a decade, he could be entering the peak of his career rather than a decline.
Assuming he stays healthy, about a year from now we’ll be talking about Newton’s third and likely last contract in the NFL. If he navigates this transition to an “old” quarterback well, the Panthers offense should remain competitive for the duration.
Panthers offensive line: A paper tiger or a real upgrade?
Quarterback success never happens in a vacuum, though. Newton needs his coaching staff and teammates to help him out as he begins the third act of his pro career – especially the offensive line.
To their credit, the front office invested significant resources in upgrading the unit this offseason. General manager Marty Hurney replaced Ryan Kalil at center with Matt Paradis at a bargain price and found a future starter at left tackle in Greg Little in the second round of the draft.
Expectations are high for the front line going into 2019. Pro Football Focus has them ranked a surprisingly high No. 10 in the league right now. However, the group struggled during the preseason, raising questions about whether the unit has only improved on paper.
Offensive line coach John Matsko needs to get this group performing at a high level, or Carolina’s 2019 season may wind up resembling the 2018 campaign.
The Ron Rivera era on the line
Ron Rivera’s fate has been tied to that of Cam Newton since they both arrived in 2011. Together, they have accomplished a great deal. Newton has been to the Pro Bowl three times and won an MVP award. Rivera has been named the coach of the year twice. They have won three division titles and made it all the way to the Super Bowl once.
All that being said, Rivera’s seat may be as hot as any head coach in the league this year. Carolina has not won the NFC South since that special 2015 run and has been dominated by both the Saints and the Falcons over the last few seasons.
While he has shown a preternatural talent for maximizing profits, owner David Tepper has made it abundantly clear this his top priority is winning. That means Rivera needs to get his team back to the playoffs this year, or we may see a new coach in 2020.
Rivera’s first test will provide a stark contrast in philosophies and strategy. Rams coach Sean McVay represents the future of the sport, while Rivera is about as old-school as they come. How Rivera matches up against the innovative McVay will set the tone for the season, one way or another.
Brian Burns is here and there’s nowhere to hide
Question marks about Cam’s future, the state of the offensive line and the legacy of the head coach are enough to make any Carolina fan nervous. Let’s close out on a positive note.
If there’s one thing that the Panthers should be excited about going into 2019, its the potential of first-round pick Brian Burns.
Burns fell into Marty Hurney’s lap at No. 16 overall in this year’s draft, and during the preseason he proved that he has as much upside as any rookie in this class. After three games, PFF had Burns graded out as the second-best first-round pick of 2019.
The one big critique about Burns coming into the NFL was his size. Some wondered if he’d be able to make a difference as a pass rusher without adding on a lot more bulk. So far, that’s proven to be a silly concern. Burns has already demonstrated a remarkable talent for getting around offensive linemen who are bigger than him by using his speed, arms, legs and leverage.
It might be too early to compare Burns with Von Miller, who has wrecked more than one game-plan for the Panthers. However, the similarities in their athletic profiles and the way they move are undeniably striking. Burns looks ready to not only start, but possibly play at a Pro Bowl level right away. He could be an early favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year.
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