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[/vc_raw_html][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner]When the general manager admits “our wide receiver group will be a work in progress” just days before the start of the season, it’s fair to wonder about a team’s weapons.

So as the Panthers get ready to open the new year Sunday in Jacksonville, the biggest question in Carolina is whether quarterback Cam Newton has enough around him to be successful this season.

Being without leading wideout Kelvin Benjamin doesn’t help and a preseason plagued by drops hasn’t inspired much confidence. Yet when asked Wednesday what those drops do to his psyche, Newton turned the question around:

“What’s it do to my psyche when I throw a not-so-good pass from the pocket? You can’t just sit up there and point out the things of mishaps when it goes both ways.”

Good point.

Yes, he hasn’t a marquee receiving corps or offensive line since he’s been in Carolina, but Newton has been far from perfect. It may not be a coincidence that during the past two drafts, the Panthers spent high draft picks on tall receivers who have a better chance to catch passes that sail high.

It’s not a secret the Panthers want Newton to become more consistent and efficient in his fifth season. For his part, Newton has set a goal of completing 65 to 70 percent of his passes.

How does a guy with a 59.5 percent career completion percentage make that leap? By taking what the defense gives him.

“Consistency is key, as is accuracy and finding those checkdowns, finding completions,” Newton said. “Calling a play is not like playing a game of Madden, when you’ve got a lot of bullets out there. You’ve got to find a completion. That’s something I’m maturing into that I’m working to as a player, that when all hell breaks loose, no matter what the situation is at hand, you’ve just go to keep the bus going forward.

“If you hit a beep sound on the bus, that’s not a good sign, and that’s just up to me to get the offense to the last triangle on the field.”

All of that sounds nice, but when those bullets start flying, it may be tough for the ultracompetitive Newton to ignore the voice in his head that says he has to make a play. That’s why coaches have been pounding the word “efficient” into his head all spring and summer.

“His timing is a lot better in terms of getting the ball out sooner, getting the ball out on time and getting the ball out where it needs to be,’’ Rivera said. “Those decisions are coming a lot quicker and that comes from getting familiarity within the system.

“He’s done a real nice job in terms of the situation where Kelvin is not in, but he’s still working with everyone and not favoring anybody and spreading the ball around as much as possible.”

Newton still has his security blanket in tight end Greg Olsen, but without Benjamin, there are legit questions about where else he’ll be spreading the ball. Or more specifically, to whom.

But when asked if he was concerned about Newton’s targets, Rivera said:

“There’s no concern. There’s no reason to be concerned right now. The concern comes from you guys in terms of what’s been written and what’s been said.”

Rivera may be proven right starting Sunday. Philly Brown could grab everything thrown his way in Jacksonville. Ted Ginn may break loose on a couple deep routes and Jerricho Cotchery could haul in a handful of receptions. Devin Funchess may light it up in his debut, even though he, like Kevin Norwood, have never caught a pass from Newton in a game.

It’s time for the Panthers’ franchise quarterback to go to work, even if what surrounds him is a work in progress.

“I’m ready to go,” Newton said.

“It’s about guys living up to their potential. We have to be able to live up to it. As long as we do our job the way we know how, it’s going to be fun.”[vc_row_inner no_margin=”true”][vc_column_inner width=”1/1″][vc_raw_html]

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