Many who read this post will make it about Mike Shula’s abilities — or inabilities — as an offensive coordinator. But it’s just a quick story Shula shared Monday to help showcase Cam Newton’s involvement on the sideline late during Sunday’s win over the Bucs.

Clinging to a two-point lead, the Panthers got the ball back with 3:05 left. In similar situations previously, that have often tried to milk the clock with a run play on first down. But this time was different. Shula was thinking pass. So was Newton, who was standing next to quarterbacks coach Ken Dorsey on the sideline.

“I actually heard him through Dorsey’s mic. He wasn’t really saying,’ Hey, let me talk to Mike.’ He was just kind of talking,” Shula said.

And what he heard was Newton suggesting a play-action pass that featured receiver Kelvin Benjamin on a deep slant.

“That was one we had hit earlier to [Jerricho] Cotchery, and we got Kelvin on that one,” Shula said.

The play gained 12 yards, and the Bucs took their first timeout. The Panthers picked up another first down on the drive before punting with less than 30 seconds left. Two plays later, linebacker Luke Kuechly intercepted Josh McCown, sealing the win.

While Newton had a successful cameo as an offensive coordinator, the hope is he’ll be well enough to be back on the field this week against the Browns.

“I know he’s feeling a lot better than he was a lot better Friday and Saturday,” Shula said. “He’s moving around the building a lot better, so that’s good.”

---

---