Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers need to better handle, answer physicality

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:52 p.m. ET

Fansided, Raphael Garcia/FanSided via NFL Spin Zone

Physical defensive play took its toll on Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers last season, so now they must learn to deal with it.

The Carolina Panthers are looking to rebound from a mediocre 2016 campaign. One of the driving forces behind those expectations is former league MVP, Cam Newton. Last season was not kind to the former top pick and he's looking to show everyone that the 2015 season wasn't a flash in the pan. While things are shaping up nicely during the offseason, fans should still curb their expectations.

Newton's 2016 season was a 180-degree shift from his performance in 2015. He ended the season with his lowest touchdown to interception ratio of his career, and suffered so many hits that experts and fellow players were concerned for his health.

Something was very off from the start of the year as it seemed like the progression as a quarterback that he exhibited in 2016 disappeared as he regressed to his lowest QBR and QB Rating points of his career. The criticisms that haunted the early part of Newton's career came roaring back by the time last season ended.

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During the offseason, Carolina retooled its offense, adding key players that should have a positive impact. Using the draft the team leadership filled needs at wide receiver, running back and on the offensive line. The addition of Curtis Samuel and Christian McCaffrey create a dynamic backfield with speed and versatility, playing right into some of the strengths that Newton presents.

However, the successful equation still starts with Newton. In 2016, the pressure that he faced in the pocket not only caused him to throw the second highest amount of interceptions in his career, but he also had his lowest output of rushing yards in his career. The 359 yards that he earned on the ground is nearly 200 yards lower than his previous total of 539.

It seems as if opposing defense found a way to impact Newton both through the air and on the ground that limited his abilities to break open big plays.

The challenge in 2017 is for the Panthers offense to respond to the blueprint that was created in 2016. Teams took to a physical approach to deal with Newton and the offensive weapons on the field. The team has added some players that have the potential to make an immediate impact, but the question still remains as to how the offense will deal with teams looking to play smash-mouth football. On paper, this Panthers unit is a dangerous offensive threat that can present a number of different looks to defenses.

Newton is the driving force behind the Panthers offense. Physicality was Superman's Kryptonite in 2016. As the Panthers head into the 2017 season, they will have to contend with teams willing to put the hits on their quarterback and other players as that tactic has proven successful in the past.