Panthers quarterback Cam Newton appeared to have made serious progression as a passer earlier this season, but he’s come crashing back to earth the last month.Newton’s numbers over his last three games are dreadful. He has just one touchdown, while throwing three interceptions and completing only 48.1 percent of his passes.Naturally, many are wondering what’s happened to Newton. But the answer isn’t a simple one.A closer look at the film reveals some of the biggest issues.
We’ve seen Newton miss high many times over the years. And in this example from Thursday night’s loss to the Saints, the throw looks like it just gets away from Newton:http://i.imgur.com/sLuGpCl.gifvUsually, when Newton overthrows a target, the problem isn’t with his arm. It’s with his feet.On this play, he initially has a decent pocket. And that’s one thing to notice about the Panthers’ offensive line. They don’t necessarily struggle getting into position. Instead, they struggle holding blocks.
Right guard Fernando Velasco is bullrushed right back into Newton’s face. And since he can’t step into the throw, he’s off balance when he launches the eventual incompletion:
While watching the game, it’s easy to see the above pass and blame Newton for another high throw. But there were several instances on film where he couldn’t use proper mechanics due to poor play by the offensive line.Newton used to make such mistakes in a clean pocket, but those problems appeared to have disappeared early in the season. Issues with his makeshift line seem to have brought his old bad habits back.While the offensive line shoulders a good chunk of the blame, so does the Panthers’ below-average receiving corps and offensive coordinator Mike Shula. But it’s not like Newton’s completely innocent. He simply hasn’t been playing well.In this next example, it looks like wideout Jerricho Cotchery is mostly at fault for dropping a contested pass:http://i.imgur.com/tSvvHD7.gifvWhen Cotchery breaks on his post, he’s wide open in the middle of the field. The safety trailing him has completely lost leverage, and the cornerbacks are too far on the outside. If Newton fires a dart, it’s a potential score. Instead, it’s an incompletion.
While Cotchery creates more separation as the route develops, Newton’s pass hangs in the air and gives the defensive backs time to converge. There’s little reason for the left frame to have devolved into the right image:
So, why did Newton miss this routine big play? Once again, we need to look at his work in the pocket.The first thing to notice is a lack of pressure. Newton actually had ok time on this play. His overall mechanics are the culprit.Newton doesn’t step up, and he instead throws off his back foot. That means he’s only getting power with his arm, and not his lower body:http://i.imgur.com/MK6Kehd.gifvA split second after the ball leaves his hand, we can clearly see how fundamentally poor the execution was:
A quarterback falling away from a pass makes the ball hang in the air. So in this case, Cotchery has to slow up, and the result is a massive missed opportunity.There’s plenty of blame to go around for the sudden collapse of the Panthers’ offense. The offensive line fell apart, and that’s had a direct affect on the quarterback and his substandard weapons.Not only has Newton’s mechanics regressed, but head coach Ron Rivera has admitted after each of the last two losses that his most-important player is pressing.Newton wants to win so badly, he often ends up putting too much on his plate. And with some of the guys in front of and around him, that’s understandable.Somehow, Newton has to regain confidence in his line while also letting some of the other Panthers’ playmakers take some of the burden off his shoulders.[author title=”About the Author”]
BlackBlueReview MattHarmon_BYB Another great article Matt! Thanks guys.
BlackBlueReview MattHarmon_BYB Another great article Matt! Thanks guys.
Great analysis
Great analysis
Great read. How can Newton trust the line when they continue to disappoint?
Great read. How can Newton trust the line when they continue to disappoint?
Nick45223266 BlackBlueReview Thank you for reading. Glad you like them.
Nick45223266 BlackBlueReview Thank you for reading. Glad you like them.
Love the breakdown, thanks!
Love the breakdown, thanks!
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roycedanall you tweeted the N F L word of the day Cam Newton u are getting a jersey of your fav player To claim go here Jersey_Now
Solid post. I think Cam is starting to have some issues with “phantom pressure” like David Carr who was shellshocked early in his career. Even on plays where he has a relatively clean pocket he’s still not stepping into his throws and delivering accurate passes.
Solid post. I think Cam is starting to have some issues with “phantom pressure” like David Carr who was shellshocked early in his career. Even on plays where he has a relatively clean pocket he’s still not stepping into his throws and delivering accurate passes.
CP_CSR Luckily, its not that bad yet. And I don’t really think that’s an acquired trait (to react poorly to pressure), more of an ingrained part of a player’s psyche. Cam has never had those sorts of issues before this year, so I am not worried as long as the line gets fixed. But all of that is just one guy’s opinion.
CP_CSR Luckily, its not that bad yet. And I don’t really think that’s an acquired trait (to react poorly to pressure), more of an ingrained part of a player’s psyche. Cam has never had those sorts of issues before this year, so I am not worried as long as the line gets fixed. But all of that is just one guy’s opinion.
Good stuff, thank you for posting. The oline is the team’s #1 need, clearly. I hope Gettleman has a plan because he talked big game about “Hog Mollies” then proceeded to field a sub-NFL talent level oline this year. Very disappointing work from the GM.
Good stuff, thank you for posting. The oline is the team’s #1 need, clearly. I hope Gettleman has a plan because he talked big game about “Hog Mollies” then proceeded to field a sub-NFL talent level oline this year. Very disappointing work from the GM.
JustPanthers appreciate it man.
JustPanthers appreciate it man.