Cam Newton is back, y’all. I’m not talking about Cam as a runner, although that Cam is certainly here, too. I’m also not talking about Cam as a passer, although he proved today that his shoulder concerns are lingering no longer. I’m talking about the Cam that, in 2015, pumped so much swagger into the Panthers that they believed themselves all the way to that franchise-best 15-1 record. Tonight, he led a team that shook off all of its questions and doubts on the way to a franchise-best 548 yard performance. Cam Newton is back and I hope he is here to stay.
What I liked. . .
Cam Newton - Extremely optimistic
What more is there to say? Cam didn’t just look good today, he looked in command. We have complained time and again here about how often the Panthers’ offense winds the play clock to the brink of penalties before snapping the ball. Cam Newton, clearly calling an audible, gave us what felt like it was going to be a prime example of the Panthers shooting themselves in the foot when he finally snapped the ball with 2 seconds to spare. Despite my nerves, the play transformed into a screen that Devin Funchess sprinted 28 yards down the field for a touchdown. If you are going to take your sweet time doing something then you might as well do it right. Cam did that and more last night.
Luke Kuechly - Extremely optimistic
Here’s another guy who has put a lot of mileage on his superlatives. Kuechly has already been comfortably in the conversation for greatest middle linebacker of all time, but now he is trying to run away with the title by developing a knack for interceptions. We, as Panthers fans, need to appreciate our luck in having Kuechly and Cam on the team at the same time.
Panthers running game - Somewhat optimistic
“Somewhat optimistic” seems like a poor review given the team just posted back-to-back 200 yard rushing performances and Jonathan Stewart broke 100 yards rushing for the first time this season. The surprisingly good blocking up front against the Dolphins had everything to do with Stewart, Christian McCaffrey, and Cameron Artis-Payne’s successes. I’m going to have to see the offensive line block like that for a couple more games before I’ll be comfortable feeling extremely optimistic about the future of our running game.
That said, I am going to be pulling crow off the rotisserie all day tomorrow for anybody who said that Stewart was done.
Curtis Samuel - Cautiously optimistic
The rookie looked like a heck of a playmaker last night. Hopefully this is only a sign of things to come for the Ohio State running back that the Panthers are turning into one of their receivers of the future.
What I didn’t like. . .
Injuries - Somewhat pessimistic
Tonight could have been a whole lot worse. Injuries to Tyler Larsen and Kevon Seymour tested already-shaky depth at key positions. Fortunately, both players were able to return to the game while Greg van Roten amd Daryl Worley played well, more or less, in relief.
The greatest concern with injuries came when Samuel fell to the ground after diving at an incompletion. In going to the ground, he got underneath a falling Miami defender who accidentally rolled up on Samuel’s ankle. It didn't look good.
There is no official word yet on either of these two injuries, but there are reports that Samuel left the stadium on crutches. Any extended absence would be less than ideal for a rookie whose only notability prior to last night was the amount of time he has missed due to injury.
Russell Shepard’s hands and feet - Mildly pessimistic
Shepard ran some great routes last night, finding himself wide open on several occasions. He also, however, dropped several perfect passes and tripped once, nearly allowing a Miami interception in the first half. Shepard had by far his worst day at a time when the Panthers offense was running like clockwork. It wasn’t promising, but we won’t get too far down on him after such a big team win. With Benjamin gone, every receiver on the roster has a chance to step up and make a name for themselves. Shepard almost did that last night. He’ll get another chance.
What’s next. . .
The Panthers get a week of rest before heading to New York to face a surprisingly competent Jets team. Greg Olsen is due back for that game and the Panthers will be hoping to get good news on the recent injuries to Curtis Samuel and Tyler Larsen. Maybe we’ll even hear positive news on Ryan Kalil’s mysterious neck injury.
Carolina is now past the midpoint of their season and are sitting on a 7-3 record. Their late bye could prove a boon for a team that is really only mildly nicked up. If the Panthers can get healthy and maintain the momentum their offense generated last night? Well, we could be seeing the start of something very special.