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W hen LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh concocted, and then executed, a successful plan to join forces in Miami, it gave hope to players and fans everywhere. And not just in the NBA.

If Cam Newton and DeSean Jackson are friendly, they could pair up in Carolina?!

But while fans pay to watch players, front offices still make the majority of calls. Few have been able to repeat the James-Wade-Bosh strategy since the summer of 2010.

Anyway, that’s a long way of saying guys who play sports are often friends. Sometimes they take pictures together. Oftentimes folks read too much into those pictures.

So we’re going to try and nip this one in the bud before it escalates into anything relevant.

Newton has spent some time at Under Armour’s headquarters recently. Last week, he announced — from Baltimore — he had been cleared to work out. This week, Ravens’ receiver Torrey Smith posted this picture on Instagram:

Smith and Newton apparently worked out with some high school football players, plus Panthers first-round pick Kelvin Benjamin (not pictured) and Packers receiver Randall Cobb.

Smith and Cobb are both entering the final year of their rookie contracts. The Panthers need receivers. Newton and Benjamin worked out with two potential 2015 free agents. O!M!G!

But this is the part where we ask you to think this through before getting too excited. The Ravens have made it clear they want to sign Smith to an extension before this season starts. Cobb’s situation is murkier, but it’s hard to see the Packers letting him get away.

Oh, and there’s this — Newton, Smith and Cobb are all Under Armour guys.

Of course, neither Smith nor Cobb could get deals done. Perhaps one or both could be options for the Panthers next spring.

We may look back at the Smith picture as an incredible case of social media foreshadowing. Or it could just be a few football players getting a workout in while visiting a sponsor.

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