Newton, Rivera headline 5 post-draft Panthers questions to ponder
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The NFL draft is over, along with the free agency signing period for the Panthers.
So, what does it all mean for the Carolina? Did the club address and solve its ills left over from last season?
Here are five questions facing Carolina as it heads into next week's Organized Team Activities:
1. WILL CAROLINA SIGN ANY MORE QUALITY FREE AGENTS?
At the end of last season, Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said they would be active in free agency and sign better players than the previous two years.
However, it's highly debatable whether or not that occurred.
Yes, they re-signed star tight end Greg Olsen -- a paramount move -- but other than bringing in special-teams assets, like combo receiver Ted Ginn, Jr., there wasn't a big-splash signing.
So, could there be more?
Yes. It's almost expected that Carolina will sign released players from other teams during the extent of training camp. The Panthers have been rather adept at picking up the scraps of others and having them play quality minutes.
In the case of defensive tackle Dwan Edwards, whom Carolina signed four seasons ago after being dropped by Buffalo, it meant someone who's been a starter his entire time with the team.
That's exactly what could happen at receiver and maybe on the offensive line, but it's doubtful they will sign anybody else at other positions -- unless they're too good to pass up.
It just seems unlikely that Carolina will stand pat with what it has and not look to improve in vital areas, especially if there are available players.
2. HOW MUCH BETTER IS THE OFFENSIVE LINE THAN LAST SEASON?
It must be restated -- just so others don't forget -- how atrocious the offensive line was during the first half of last season.
In fact, to say the offensive line was merely painful to watch during that stretch ... would be an understatement.
Get the picture?
But midway through the season, due to injuries and grasping at straws, the Panthers found an offensive line that was very serviceable. They replaced the right tackle and left guard with nobodies.
However, those nobodies became quality starters.
Mike Remmers at right tackle showed flashes of starter potential, but he was badly exposed against the Seattle Seahawks during the playoffs. He looked like the guy that had been cut by four teams in one calendar year.
However, the news at left guard was much better, as Andrew Norwell, an undrafted rookie, finished the season as one of the NFL's top guards -- from an analytics standpoint.
The Panthers improved by getting rid of left tackle Byron Bell. It doesn't matter who they signed to take his place. Anybody would be an improvement, as Bell ranked as the second-worst tackle in the league last season.
Carolina brought in Michael Oher as the replacement, though he may not be a prize, either. Oher has been cut by two teams over the last two seasons.
The Panthers will have three new starters when they begin the season, compared to Week 1 last September. And in every single case, it's a vast improvement. There's even a chance that rookie Daryl Williams (fourth-round pick from Oklahoma) will start in place of Remmers.
Regardless of who starts at right tackle, this line is vastly improved over last season, which should give quarterback Cam Newton apologists one less excuse on why his passing remains erratic -- after four years at the helm.
3. SPEAKING OF CAM NEWTON, IS HE FINALLY HEALTHY AND WILL HE IMPROVE?
The national press started criticizing Newton last season, due to his poor passing and the regression of mechanics when throwing the football.
However, those defending Newton attributed the decline to a poor offensive line, while also having few quality options in the passing game (after Olsen and rookie Kelvin Benjamin).
News flash: There are more empirical reasons why Newton cannot throw a 15-yard out with accuracy on a regular basis.
By all accounts, Newton is healthy. His surgically repaired ankle should be 100-percent healed come training camp. So should his back, after sustaining a hairline fracture during the preseason.
The O-Line has quality pieces, and Gettleman has addressed the receiver situation by bringing back Ginn and drafting Devon Funchess (Michigan) in the second round.
Despite the criticism of the local media, Gettleman has played the contract situation perfectly with Newton, who is under a one-year deal this season. If he wants, Gettleman can place the franchise tag on his quarterback next season.
There's no need to give Newton a huge contract if he cannot improve. That's why this year is critical to prove he's the guy going forward. And it starts with being a better passes.
There are no more excuses.
4. HOW MUCH OF AN IMMEDIATE IMPACT WILL THE ROOKIES HAVE?
There's a chance at least two of the five players drafted could make an immediate impact.
The best chance may involve the aforementioned Williams, whom the Panthers traded up 22 spots to select. He could be the starter at right tackle on opening day.
Middle linebacker David Mayo (5th-rounder) should see immediate playing time on special teams.
One would think Funchess could have an impact, too. He's big and strong, like Benjamin, and Funchess has a reputation for scoring inside the red zone.
The one that may not have a big impact could be first-round selection Shaq Thompson, an undersized weak-side linebacker.
The problem: Star linebacker Thomas Davis plays at that position; so in order for Thompson to crack into the starting lineup, that means either moving Thompson to an unfamiliar position or moving Davis, who thrives at that position.
Moving Davis would be like taking a stud outside receiver and making him a slot receiver ... just so a lesser talent could play outside.
If Thompson does start right away, it will be interesting to see how he adapts to the size of the NFL.
He is truly the big question mark among the rookies.
5. IF THE PANTHERS HAVE ANOTHER BAD SEASON, IS COACH RON RIVERA SAFE?
Coach Ron Rivera has been through the gamut during his four seasons with Carolina.
He was named the NFL Coach of the Year in 2013 after his team went 12-4. But he's also had three losing seasons out of four.
On the plus side, the Panthers have claimed back-to-back division titles over the last two seasons.
Rivera signed a three-year contract extension a year ago (through 2017), which is reportedly worth between $4 and $5 million a year.
Thus, not matter what, it's very unlikely he will get fired at the end of the season.
Yes, general managers generally like to hire their own coach, which wasn't the case with Gettleman. However, Rivera has the full support of owner Jerry Richardson, as well as the players, who truly like and respect him.
Should the Panthers finish with another losing season, making it their fourth in five years under Rivera, then 2016 might be a make-or-break campaign.
But as far as this season goes, Rivera is safe and rightly so.
Do you honestly think Richardson would pay at least $8 million to Rivera, while paying another head coach, too?
Hardly.
