Carolina Panthers

Ron Rivera would prefer if QB Cam Newton would run less

Published Sep. 17, 2015 1:42 p.m. ET

foxsports

Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera knows quarterback Cam Newton is going to run the ball. The question is, was 14 times too many? Well, according to David Newton of ESPN, when Rivera spoke with Sirius XM NFL radio, he opened up about Newton's heavy run load.

"You're really talking about eight plays where he decided to keep the ball and run it," Rivera said Tuesday on Sirius XM NFL radio. "On those, obviously they're reads. He's got to make the read.

"The thing I really liked is he's learned to get down. He knows when to take it and slide. He knows when to dive for it. He knows when to run out of bounds. Do I really want him running the ball 14 times? No."

Well, the good news is that Newton is doing better at avoiding taking big hits. The bad news? He still rushed 14 times last game. For those hoping to see Newton slow down the running, he's still going to utilize his legs when he sees the opening, which is simply a part of his game.

Rivera doesn't want his franchise QB getting hurt, but unfortunately, Newton is just the definition of a dual-threat.

(h/t ESPN and Sirius XM NFL radio)