Just two days ago, Cam Newton put a spin on the Panthers’ record — and chose not to make it a positive or negative one. “The optimism of it is we are 5-3. The negative of it is that we are 5-3,” he said after a 17-3 win over the Buccaneers that raised as many questions as answers about the offense he’s running.
On Tuesday, right at the NFL trade deadline, word got out that the Panthers had depleted Newton’s cache of offensive options even more. No. 1 wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, out, to the Bills. Two draft picks, in. Technically, it was a trade; “theft” or “giveaway” would have fit, too.
Go figure. There were teams with extra receivers either being shopped around or drawing interest (hey, Steelers and Dolphins). The team that barely has any to spare lets one of its more important ones go.
TRADE DEADLINE: Who's on the move, who stayed put
Benjamin never turned into the next Megatron, for sure, and losing a year to an ACL tear didn't help. But having him looks, on the surface, better than not having him. Sean McDermott and Brandon Beane, who were on site in Carolina when Benjamin was drafted, seemed to think the Bills were better off with Benjamin than without. They’re 5-2 with their sights set on more.
The Panthers are 5-3. Their sights are set on … what, exactly? The negative is pretty obvious, to borrow Cam’s phrase. The optimism, not so much.
How this helps Newton? Same. The optimism about playing without Benjamin the second half of the season is not clear — not as clear as the negative, at least.
Newton is aware of that, it’s safe to guess. The last time someone mentioned the Panthers' offense breaking big plays more often, the week before that same Buccaneers game — and following a loss to the Bears in which they failed to score a touchdown — Newton threw down the “next question” card, followed by the “exit, stage right” card.
'MADDEN' IMPACT: Eagles, Bills get a lot better
In terms of giving legitimate on-field help to Newton, their $60 million franchise cornerstone, the Panthers seem to still be making it up as they go along. They act as if they’re allergic to keeping receivers around, no matter their productivity, potential, age, contract or overall value. Steve Smith got the boot long ago. Ted Ginn Jr. left after last season. Greg Olsen wrestled with them for a new contract before getting just a tweaked one.
Olsen missed the first half of the season with a broken foot. When he returns, Benjamin won’t be there. Olsen, Ginn and Benjamin were their three leading receivers last season.
Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel were drafted this year to help. By the time they start helping, will they be sent away, too? Will there ever be a full complement of weapons with whom Newton can operate?
By the time they’re assembled, will the Panthers’ feeble attempts at protecting Newton from more abuse take their toll? At times, it seems as though it’s already too late — times like, for instance, when he underwent shoulder surgery last offseason.
PLAYOFF PICTURE: Panthers, Jags on the prowl
Back when that was announced — back when it became clear they had let him play the last three games of 2016 with a developing rotator cuff tear — the question was asked: Do the Panthers even like Cam Newton? With the Panthers sending away Benjamin, flaws and all, someone explain why that question shouldn’t be asked.
The Panthers are one loss behind the Saints in the NFC South, and one win ahead of next week’s opponent, the defending NFC champion Falcons. How they got better in their quest to overcome both of them is terribly unclear.
“Terribly unclear” should be the team slogan. Newton recognized it Sunday. The Panthers reinforced it Tuesday by giving him a lesser team to be optimistic about.
