National Football League

Cam Newton's lack of running big part of Panthers' offensive woes

Published Oct. 1, 2014 6:57 p.m. ET

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- While the offense hasn't been anywhere near what would be considered explosive the last two seasons, even by Carolina Panthers standards it's lacking thus far this season. 

The Panthers (2-2) rank 28th in scoring at 18.3 points per game, while ranking 29th in rushing at just 71 yards per game. The woeful running game speaks volumes about Carolina's offense, which is the basis of its offense.

Yes, the offensive line hasn't been good, and, yes, the running backs have been hurt. Even so, many point to fourth-year quarterback Cam Newton's lack of rushing attempts as the primary reason why the offense has been stagnant.

Newton said the offense has shown glimpses of being productive like last season, but nowhere to the extent that it needs to be.

"I think we just need to do a better job of executing on offense," he said. "We have more flashes than anything. We start a drive, get a couple of first downs, and then all of a sudden we stall out. We have to keep that focus throughout the drive to put up six points rather than just settling for three, or getting out of field goal range."

But it still goes back to Newton and his legs.

During his first three seasons with the Panthers, Newton averaged 7.6 carries per game and 5.6 yards per carry, which equates to 42.6 yards a game. Many of those runs came on third downs that resulted in first downs to keep drives alive. 

That's not happening this season.

In three games, Newton has rushed eight times for 33 yards.

Does he not want to rush because his ankle's not fully healed? Are the coaches protecting him? Is he worried he'll reinjure his ankle? These were the questions asked to Newton Wednesday at his weekly press conference.

"Whatever coach asks me to do," Newton said. "That's pretty much been my mentality each and every week. And if it calls for me to run, block, throw or run off, it doesn't matter. It's my job to do and I'm going to do it well."

However, Newton did say that he's not going to force the situation just for the sake of running.

"What I'm not going to do is put myself in a vulnerable situation to just run when the defense is not dictated for me to (run), or the play is not set up for me to run," he said.

It is that obvious pain from his ankle surgery back in March to "clean up ligaments" is still lingering, though he added that he's not second-guessing the decision to have the surgery.

Whether he's being truthful or not is difficult to tell, but Newton says his body, including his cracked rib, is getting better.

"My ankle is getting back and is starting to feel stronger than ever," he said. "Hopefully, I will be able to display my running talents here soon. ...

"My body is mending up, slowly but surely. It's given me a lot of great confidence to when I am thinking about running the football and throwing the football, as well."

Even with a healthy ankle and rib, Newton said there's another factor that plays into whether he runs or not.

"I just feel like these last couple of weeks that I haven't had the opportunity to run," he said. "With the defenses we've been facing, they haven't given me any holes to run. "

Follow Brett Jensen on Twitter at @Brett_Jensen 

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