I'm sure you're thinking it's just Homer Jaxon again daydreaming about a Panther SB berth again. Usually you would be right but this time it comes from outside the Panther fanbase.
Before I get into that though I want to backtrack a bit on a post I put up two days ago about the Newton WCCB-TV interview a few days earlier. I completely took the media bait and addressed the implication 'Newton was bragging again'. The Mac Attack, an AZ Cardinals beat writer instead thinks the interview was more of a PR piece by the Newton camp. I'm guessing the motive would be to add some pressure to the Panther brass to get a deal done? Mac does also state that is could actually be Newton waiting to see what Russell Wilson and Andrew Luck whereas I had assumed it was the Panthers.
I'm betting it's a little of both but that doesn't change the possibility the interview was a calculated move by Newton. If Newton's statement was directed at the Panthers then I send a hat tip his way for 'selling it' in typical Newton fashion. As I mentioned in the earlier post Newton was once again a little clumsy in his words but he got his point across. Like me, Mac found his statements fairly factual, boasting or otherwise. Now if you haven't seen he piece linked below please resist the initial urge to think 'How dare they think we are going to let Newton walk'. Don't take that bait just yet either. I'm instead focused on the fact we have another team's beat writer essentially spelling out why the Panthers should get a deal done for Newton sooner than later:
The Mac Attack: Could Cam Newton be the Cardinals' next franchise quarterback?
But the Panthers could pass. Given that he's had an up-and-down career thus far – he's 30-31-1 as a starter – they might be more than willing to let him go the offer-sheet route. That way, they have the right to either match the terms of the offer and retain Newton or let him walk and collect two valuable first-round draft picks as compensation.And yes, those two first-round picks would come from the team that signs Newton. Would that be something the Cardinals would consider if such a scenario were to occur?
They'd be crazy not to.
At 6-6, 260, Newton is bigger than most edge rushers who try to bring him to the ground. His upside is tremendous. Newton's full talents haven't been allowed to shine in Carolina because the Panthers simply haven't done enough to protect him and they haven't put the proper personnel around him to truly let him succeed. The Cardinals have the surrounding cast to take Newton's game to the next level. They are built to win now and adding a quarterback like Newton in another year, maybe two, extends their window of opportunity by another seven to eight years instead of the one or two they presently have with Palmer. For that, I'd be happy to part with a pair of first-round picks.
Heck, I'd trade draft picks for Super Bowl rings any day of the week. It's worth it.
So there it is. Another team's beat writer stating what has been obvious to most Panther fans for a while. Cam Newton has what it takes to win a SB, he just needs a supporting cast around him. I agree completely. I also agree with his comment about the Panthers not providing an adequate offensive line to protect him that is a rabbit hole I'm going down today.
He goes further by saying the loss of the two 1st round draft picks (on top of the huge contact) would be worth it. Again I agree completely and we get to keep our draft picks. Mac sure thinks Newton is the missing piece in Arizona. He is our vital piece in Carolina. All we have to do is show Newton we believe it by giving him a fair contract.
By fair I mean somewhere close to the middle of what both sides are asking at the moment. I don't know what those numbers are and I don't care. All this waiting for Andrew Luck and Russell Wilson deals gets done seems to be an excuse really. I'm betting they are not really that far apart but are choosing to slow roll this.
Forget that...the team and the fan base need to know the Panther brass would not be so stupid as to let this turn into a franchise tag situation. While I'm not saying this could end up like the Julius Peppers fiasco but that event still weighs on my mind. Newton obviously wants to stay here, we all want him to stay and letting him walk is the dumbest idea since....I can't really think of a proper analogy or example.
So pay the man!
Seriously, is $5 or $10M (or whatever the difference is between their offers) really worth risking watching Newton bring a SB trophy to another team? All but a few teams would seriously consider going after Newton. That is a fact though many might deny it publicly.
So take the poll to send a message to both parties to drop the PR campaign, stop waiting for the market to be set and get back to the table and get a deal done. Then we can all start focusing on the end goal.
So take the poll below and let's see how many of you agree with me or instead agree with the Panthers or even an alternative course.