Young Panthers Close, But Can't Close

by Bill Voth on Oct 7, 2011 12:21 PM EDT

(Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)

What do you tell a guy who isn’t used to losing? Someone who had never lost two games in a row before coming up short in three of his first four games as a pro? Good luck trying to make Cam Newton feel better about the Panthers 1-3 start.

When asked this week if he’s received advice on how to better handle losing, Newton quickly replied, "I don’t think anybody could, unless it’s coming from a world-class loser - ‘Let me tell you how to lose.’"

While Newton’s answered questions about his NFL-readiness at a record-breaking pace, he’s still not completely ready to emotionally handle the Panthers growing pains.

After each loss, the rookie's quietly stewed at his locker. His body language in postgame press conferences resembling a child who had his favorite toy taken away. It’s pretty much the opposite of a man many wrongly assumed only cared about his own numbers.

The thing is, those numbers have mostly been chunks of yards that haven’t turned into piles of points for the Panthers.

"I think we leave so many points out there on the field, it’s not even funny," Newton said. "Golly, we just hurt ourselves."

Newton’s led a total transformation of an offense that found itself at the bottom of most statistical categories last year. Through the first quarter of this season, the Panthers boast the NFL’s third-highest average of yards per game (440). The problem is, they’re ranked 17th in points per game (22.2).

In-between the big yards and points lies the biggest issue: the Panthers are having a hard time getting from the red zone, into the end zone. The NFL's third-best yardage offense is ranked just 18th inside the red zone.

"Whether it be a penalty or we line up wrong, I don’t know exactly what it is," Panthers running back DeAngelo Williams said. "Whether we run the ball and we miss a hole, or the quarterback just overthrow a receiver, or a receiver dropped it. We can’t just pinpoint what the issues are, we just gotta fix them."

Of course, the points problem isn’t the only reason for the 1-3 start. The Panthers defense and special teams have developed a disturbing knack for allowing big plays.

In Arizona, it was Jeff King, Early Doucet and Patrick Peterson. Versus Green Bay, it was Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson. Against Chicago, it was Devin Hester and Matt Forte.

Take away big plays from each, and the Panthers record looks a heck of a lot better.

"We’ve been playing well enough to win, but we’ve been playing well enough to lose too," Panthers cornerback Darius Butler said. "We’ve gotta stop beating ourselves. I don’t think it’s been the other teams just lining up and whupping us."

Unfortunately for the Panthers, it’s not as simple as saying "take away big plays" or "put more points on the board." This young team has to eventually learn how to do and not just say.

"We’ve been in each game, but that’s not an excuse," Newton said. "We’ve gotta find a way to win, somehow, someway."

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"We’ve gotta find a way to win, somehow, someway."

That’ll all come together this Sunday, don’t worry Cam

by EyeSack on Oct 7, 2011 12:36 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, I really hope we can win on Sunday

"Men, I want you just thinking of one word all season. One word and one word only: Super Bowl." - Bill Peterson

by hyphenate on Oct 7, 2011 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions

note the royal "we"

since I won’t be anywhere near the field

"Men, I want you just thinking of one word all season. One word and one word only: Super Bowl." - Bill Peterson

by hyphenate on Oct 7, 2011 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions

Exactly.

by Blacmomba on Oct 7, 2011 12:44 PM EDT reply actions

When you’re within 7 points the difference between winning and losing is very slim. I expect us to lose nearly all our games this year by small margins. Next year will be a different story though.

by TylerA7707 on Oct 7, 2011 12:49 PM EDT reply actions

WOW!!!

with my mouth still open…

"It is now official... Cam Newton is now the face of our franchise.

by Caro2daheart... on Oct 7, 2011 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions

...

This is exactly what i predicted after we drafted him. I had no doubt in my mind he would transition to the NFL easily, i said from the get go the only thing that will be hard for him to adjust to would be losing. Whenever someone tells me “Cam might have good stats but hes still 1-3 as a starter” I simply come back and say, ‘Peyton Manning’s rookie year, 3-13.’ That shuts people up real fast.

Speaking of Peyton Manning, I wonder if Cam is somewhat bothered that Manning most likely wont play when we face the Colts. Sure hes probably glad it makes his job of winning easier without Manning, but the way Newton is real competitive and how he always says he idolizes Manning, you have to wonder if deep down hes upset Manning will be out.

by NewtoniumPanthers57 on Oct 7, 2011 12:51 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Manning's rookie year

After going 3-13 as a rookie, the Colts drafted Edge James, one the three best RBs of all time not in the HoF (Terrell Davis and Eddie George are on that list). They were also able to trade away Marshall Faulk for some picks and build long-term success. The truth is, if we only win 3 or 4 games, no one else in the league wants to see us add the top DT, OL or LB in the draft. The same thing happened with the Lions getting Stafford and then Suh.

by usana_gaines on Oct 7, 2011 10:33 PM EDT up reply actions

This will be a big test

I’m sure the coaching staff preached doing your part (on defense being 1/11th). This is a big test this week because the Saints are a veteran team and I’m sure their determined… i.e. no TRAP game here – And I wouldn’t want it to be. Our players playing their best against theirs. I think this game will come down to 3 things:
1)Special Teams
2)Red Zone
3) Linebackers

I almost added clock management (sustaining longer drives to keep Brees off the field) but we already do a good job of that (wouldn’t be surprised to see added emphasis on the run game though). Most of all, our linebacker by committee thing we have makes most of uncertain of what used to be the strength of our D but the coaches know what they’ve got and it sounds like the front seven (backers especially) took last weeks rushing totals to heart. I’m excited to see how our defense (players and coaches) respond. GO Panthers

"When I've arrived, close my eyes"

by mcdonaldwr on Oct 7, 2011 12:58 PM EDT reply actions

lol, I laugh at this picture everytime I see it. Its just funny because he looks so serious anf mad like hes about to go on a rampage but hes also wearing that pink towel which makes it funny for some reason. Btw Im all for breast cancer awareness but cant they pick another color other than that fugly pepto bismol..

by NewtoniumPanthers57 on Oct 7, 2011 12:58 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs

I don't think that's the pink we normally see

for breast cancer awareness; maybe UA has a slightly different take on the color

"Men, I want you just thinking of one word all season. One word and one word only: Super Bowl." - Bill Peterson

by hyphenate on Oct 7, 2011 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I think that color is refered to as "titty" pink !

Jim

by goofygolfer on Oct 7, 2011 1:29 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs

Save the boobies!

by TodaysTomSawyer on Oct 7, 2011 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions

for some reason i always thought “save the ta tas” was somehow classier

"I kinda just sling it" -Jake

by bleed_in_blue on Oct 7, 2011 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions

I love the fact...

That Cam hates losing with such a burning passion. This is something that all truly great athletes share. Michael Jordan was much the same way. I’m not comparing the two, but the trait undeniably lives in both of them and cannot be coached.

Cam has ALL the physical and mental tools to be one of the greatest of all time. It will be a lot of fun to see how it actually turns out.

by patosan on Oct 7, 2011 4:22 PM EDT reply actions

Jordan’s drive to win and hatred for losing is what lead to his greatness. His basketball skills wasn’t so beyond everybody elses. Especially coming out of UNC but his heart and desire drove him to all time greatness…if Cam can be a 1/10th of that id be ecstatic

Proud member of the Panthers Mafia!

Saving The Environment One Green Comment at a Time

'We're the little brothers getting punched in the head. Pretty soon, we're gong to learn to punch back.'" - Ron Rivera aka BAMF

by MMA_PITBULL on Oct 7, 2011 5:56 PM EDT up reply actions

NEGATIVE

Jordan’s skills>>>>>>> almost anyone else, much beyond. That is a terribly wrong and false statement to make man

"What up? We're three cool guys looking for other cool guys who wanna hang out in our party mansion. Nothing sexual. Dudes in good shape encouraged. If you're fat, you should be able to find humor in the little things." Again, NOTHING SEXUAL

"I'd rather jerk off a tiger in a phone booth than draft Cam"
-Mel Kiper, Jr.

you guys are like a bunch of pirahnas
by chop goes da weazel on Mar 31, 2011 12:32 PM PDT

by MikeTrain on Oct 8, 2011 3:05 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

you really going to tell me coming out of college Jordan was looked at as the best college player skills wise to ever play the game? he wasn’t even the best player on his team at UNC. His heart and drive lead him to become the great player he was which was my point. Talent matters but if you have the heart and drive to go along with it then you can be a legend. I wasnt knocking MJ or denying he was the greatest but he didn’t start out that way

Proud member of the Panthers Mafia!

Saving The Environment One Green Comment at a Time

'We're the little brothers getting punched in the head. Pretty soon, we're gong to learn to punch back.'" - Ron Rivera aka BAMF

by MMA_PITBULL on Oct 8, 2011 10:08 AM EDT up reply actions

let's take a step back for a moment.

sure, michael isn’t the best college player ever to suit up, but to say he all of a sudden emerged in the nba is disingenuous at best. was he the one man show that he became? no. was he voted national player of the year twice by the sporting news (first as a Sophomore over a senior sampson)? yes.

people seem to forget that he was used as a system player and being as such there’s not much to look back on except box scores and videos of “the shot”. he was one of those special package players that had an excitement to him that had Heels fans giddy and the rest of the country nervous. hell, throw in a healthy Kenny Smith and the heels would have been favored for the old back-to-back.

my 2 cents. Go Cam!

by Lost_terrapin on Oct 8, 2011 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions

I remember Ralph Sampson playing -- Virginia, wasn't it?

God, if that doesn’t date my childhood (along with the GI Joe and Transformers cartoons of the 80s), I don’t know what will.

by NX75649 on Oct 8, 2011 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions

that guy wasn't a bball player

he was an unstoppable monster. probably the most dominant player the acc will ever see (will accept arguments regarding David Thompson, but that’s about it.. )

by Lost_terrapin on Oct 8, 2011 4:32 PM EDT up reply actions

I will step in on the side of Thompson, as far as college goes. He was magnificent. So was Len Bias for that matter.

So much to be done, and so few people willing to do it for me.

by Rick Bates on Oct 8, 2011 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions

im not saying he emerged from nowhere..neither would Cam all im saying is he was a good prospect coming out of school but nobody expected him to be the greatest basketball player ever…i mean hell Portland drafted Sam Bowie above him for god sake. Jordan went to the bulls lost for the first few seasons then busted his ass and became a legend. Cam has traits to do the same

Proud member of the Panthers Mafia!

Saving The Environment One Green Comment at a Time

'We're the little brothers getting punched in the head. Pretty soon, we're gong to learn to punch back.'" - Ron Rivera aka BAMF

by MMA_PITBULL on Oct 8, 2011 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions

think we agree, just in a roundabout way. :)

what really happened with michael after the first few years is that he got a supporting cast. think a healthy defense, and one more legit target is the needed parts for Cam. it’s only time after that.

sorry for jumping in the jordan subthread, one of my weaknesses is defending his pro prospects in the pretty common assumption that he was a mystery prospect. not trying to hijack :)

by Lost_terrapin on Oct 8, 2011 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions

+1000

so true, and I love it!

"Men, I want you just thinking of one word all season. One word and one word only: Super Bowl." - Bill Peterson

by hyphenate on Oct 7, 2011 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions

I would think the entire team hates losing

but some (minus Steve Smith) may have started to accept it over the past couple years. I think that more than anything probably pisses off the Newt. I think as his intolerance for losing spreads and BAMF weeds out those who can’t hack it this team starts to get scary. Is anyone else as excited as me to see the Panthers take out some of the frustration from last weeks game on the Taints?!

by Swamp Panther on Oct 7, 2011 6:00 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

were you

referring to the Ain’ts?

whistles innocently

"Men, I want you just thinking of one word all season. One word and one word only: Super Bowl." - Bill Peterson

by hyphenate on Oct 7, 2011 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Taints, Aints they both work.

by Swamp Panther on Oct 7, 2011 8:45 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

now this is pure comedy from Cam

gotta love it:

When asked this week if he’s received advice on how to better handle losing, Newton quickly replied, “I don’t think anybody could, unless it’s coming from a world-class loser – ‘Let me tell you how to lose.’”

"Men, I want you just thinking of one word all season. One word and one word only: Super Bowl." - Bill Peterson

by hyphenate on Oct 7, 2011 7:37 PM EDT reply actions

Exciting.
Cam could be great. Hates losing? Separates him from VY, Jamarcus, and all the other lazy busts.
You guys could have a future all-time great on your hands.

BuffaloRumblings sucks. I got banned because I used to shred their crappy articles in the comments section. Plus I would present the best arguments and make the best points, just to have them "warn" me for being "aggressive" and then they would make articles using the very substance of my posts...Wow Rumblings, you guys suck and can't handle having someone who isn't a mindless drone that agrees with everything you spew.

by ItsDoomsDay on Oct 8, 2011 12:30 PM EDT reply actions