Panthers have renewed hope, NFL power rankings and Zach Orr coming back

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After going 15-1 and reaching the Super Bowl with their MVP quarterback, the Carolina Panthers cratered in 2016. Which group should http://www.officialvikingssale.com/shop-by-players-harrison-smith-j... be expected moving forward?
The Carolina Panthers were terrible last season, one year after ruling the NFC with an iron fist. In 2015, Cam Newton was a first-team All-Pro and the league MVP, accounting for 45 touchdowns. Last year, he was the fourth-best quarterback in his own division, an individual showcase of the NFL’s annual volatility.
Carolina experienced a nine-game regression in 2016, finishing 6-10. The reasons for this are many, perhaps beginning with the puzzling move by general manager David Gettleman to rescind the franchise tag from All-Pro cornerback Josh Norman. Norman quickly signed a five-year, $75 million deal with the Washington Redskins, leaving the Panthers with a starting duo of Bene Benwikere and rookie James Bradberry at corner. The result was stark. Carolina ranked 29th in pass defense one season after checking in 11th.
With that said, the secondary should be much better. Bradberry, 23, took his lumps early in the season, but the film shows a player who rapidly improved. By season’s end, the youngster ranked 20th among all corners with a Pro Football Focus grade of 82.6. A second-round pick out of small-school Samford, Bradberry is a rising star who Carolina hopes will replace Norman’s role as a shutdown corner on the boundary.
“He has the potential to be that player,” said Jourdan Rodrigue, the team’s second-year beat writer for the Charlotte Observer. “His youth and quiet manner have people fooled a little bit when they look at or speak to him. Watching him in space and his awareness of the quarterback, and how he can envelop a receiver, he’ll be really fun to watch this year.”
Additionally, the fifth-round selection of Corn Elder this spring should also factor into this revamped group. Elder has been http://www.armacan.com/derek-anderson-jersey-c-1_13.html getting rotated into the first team during OTAs and minicamp both on the outside and in the slot. Captain Munnerlyn will receive most of the inside snaps in the regular season, but Elder’s versatility is a key component in reversing the defense’s alarming problems last year.
“The defense is really going to carry them early in the season,” Rodrigue said. “We’ve already seen crazy intensity from these guys this spring.”
Offensively, ample questions loom. For starters, which version of Newton — who is coming off rotator cuff surgery — should be expected after the skill sets around him were largely overhauled?
In 2016, the former Heisman Trophy winner saw significant dips in completion percentage (59.8 to 52.9), yards per attempt (7.75 to 6.88), touchdowns (35 to 19) and an increase in interceptions (10 to 14). Newton’s legs were also less impactful, gaining 359 yards compared to the 636 yards in 2015.
While these numbers may surprise some, perhaps they shouldn’t. Newton has been much more his 2016 season than the MVP campaign throughout his career. Over his first four years, Newton averaged a 59.5 completion rate while throwing for 3,607 yards and 21 touchdowns against 14 interceptions. Other than his Devin Funchess Womens Jersey career-low completion percentage in 2016, many of Newton’s numbers are almost identical to the previous norm.
To understand why Newton’s numbers decreased so sharply, other factors have to be included. The offensive line was largely a sieve, due to a mix of poor play and rampant injuries.
In the offseason, Gettleman attempted to address the issue by signing left tackle Matt Kalil to a much-maligned five-year, $55 million deal with $24 million guaranteed. Kalil, 27, was a Pro Bowler as a rookie in 2012 but has seen the quality of his play drastically diminish.
In the draft, the Panthers selected Taylor Moton with the last pick of the second round. Moton, a 6-foot-5, 365-pound behemoth out of Western Michigan, could find a starting job at right tackle, alongside standout guard Trai Turner. Andrew Norwell is an athletic guard on the left side, while while Ryan Kalil remains a top center. With better health, the interior should be excellent.
Gettleman also upgraded the supporting cast around Newton. Carolina drafted do-it-all weapon Christian McCaffrey in the first round and followed him up with wide receiver Curtis Samuel in the second. McCaffrey will immediately become a staple of Carolina’s attack, while Samuel figures to take over Ted Ginn Jr.’s role in the slot.
The rookie additions will add speed to a previously plodding offense. Kelvin Benjamin is a massive target at 6-foot-6, 245 pounds, but he won’t outrun any defensive back. Tight end Greg Olsen is an exceptional route-runner with superb hands, but he’s limited in vertically stretching a defense. McCaffrey and Samuel should open up space for Benjamin, Olsen and third-year receiver Devin Funchess, another big-bodied type.
“They helped out their line and Newton but picking up Curtis and Christian,” Rodrigue said. “Gadget guys keep the defense on their heels with quick outs and quick throws, and they can make some guys miss on the second and third tiers.”
However, short passes call for timing and accuracy, two talents that have bedeviled Newton at times. In 93 career regular-season games, the former Auburn star has completed at least 65 percent of his throws on 17 occasions. Last year, Newton didn’t hit on 63 percent of his throws once.
At this juncture, Newton has little excuse not to perform weekly as an elite quarterback. Few teams have more talent at multiple skill positions, a fact that also puts the impetus to succeed on offensive coordinator Mike Shula. Shula, who has been in his current position since 2013, has yet to guide his offense to a top-10 ranking.
“Can he get the offense firing on Ernie Stautner Authentic Jersey all cylinders?” Rodrigue said. “He has an enormous tool belt at this point. … If he can’t figure out a way to make it work I think he’s gone.”
For Shula and the Panthers, time is of the essence. Carolina has an opportunity to prove that last year was nothing more than a mirage, a mere blip on the radar from a team with an upward trajectory.
If they fail to do so, the Panthers force much deeper questions about their future.