I was inspired to write this post in response to the one linked below. The author of that article thinks these three players are prime to step back even further in 2017. I don’t think so.
3 Panthers Primed To Decline In 2017
Like Newton, Kuechly didn’t make this list solely because of injury concerns, although his concussion issue remains a major one. Kuechly has suffered a concussion in each of the last two seasons, and while he now says he was ready to play late last year, missing six games suggests the odds of playing 16 games this year are stacked against him.
This article is obviously not written by a Panthers fan or at least anyone who has studied the Panthers. No it is written by Bucs beat writer Roy Cummings which now makes sense. This article is more about wishful thinking than it is on any actual analysis. These are three players Bucs fans wish take a step back in 2017.
LB Luke Kuechly
For Kuechly it’s going to be about avoiding concussions. If anyone is capable of doing it it is Kuechly. Of the three players listed I think Kuechly is the most likely to return to form. Cummings essentially says so.
If the Panthers can’t generate a strong pass rush from their front four and shore up the weak play of their secondary, opponents will once again throw at will against Carolina. That in turn will negate Kuechly’s effectiveness, which could result in another good but not great year for one of the league’s best players.
Of course if you are going to wish bad things on the Panthers then you have to start at the top.
QB Cam Newton
The growing possibility of yet another concussion and the fact he’s never been mechanically sound both lend credence to the idea that in 2017, Newton could struggle to complete 60 percent of his passes and keep his passer rating above 80.
Actually Newton has struggled to achieve 60% passing his entire career. He completed 59.8% in his 2015 MVP season. His best season was slightly over 61% in 2013. The Panthers don’t need him to tear it up passing the ball to win in 2017. He just needs to stay upright and take what the defense gives him. Plus I think it is going to be a lot easier given the new weapons he has been given in RB Christian McCaffrey and WR Curtis Samuel.
WR Kelvin Benjamin
While Cummings makes some sense with his analysis of the blitzes that worked against the Panthers his analysis of Benjamin is shallow at best.
Another reason for Benjamin’s presence on this list is, of course, Benjamin himself. His lack of consistency as a pass catcher and route runner suggests he should probably be the Panthers’ No. 2 wideout, but he’s still No. 1. All the attention tight end Greg Olsen gets (and wisely so) isn’t going to make Benjamin any better.
I think more options for Newton will cut into Benjamin’s targets, that is likely. But Benjamin could still have a solid season as he will always be a red zone target. Plus the addition of more weapons means less coverage over the top against the wideouts.
The one thing Cummings could have said about Benjamin was his weight issues. If Benjamin shows up to camp over weight and out of shape then all bets are off. Slow wide receivers don’t see the field much. But Cummings didn’t go there so he gets no credit.