Cam impresses with deep throws in camp opener

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — Cam Newton admittedly could not throw greater than 30 yards on the finish of final season as a result of a sore proper shoulder, so two completions of 40-plus yards within the first observe of coaching camp have been a optimistic signal for the Carolina Panthers’ ninth-year quarterback.

“He is wholesome and able to go,” quarterbacks coach Scott Turner stated Thursday evening. “He appeared good. We are going to take a look at the movie, however I felt good about it.”

In January, Newton underwent shoulder surgical procedure for the second time in three offseasons after being shut down for the ultimate two video games of the 2018 season. This surgical procedure was not as concerned because the one in 2017, which repaired torn rotator cuff. Medical doctors used an arthroscopic process to wash up scar tissue that was inflicting extreme soreness.

Newton stated on the time he felt fast reduction.

When gamers reported to Wofford School on Wednesday, Panthers coach Ron Rivera stated Newton can be on a pitch depend early in camp. Turner stated Newton, 30, took on a standard load Thursday, throwing about 40 passes throughout crew and particular person drills.

“If we have been doing one thing like the place we have been in a two-minute [drill] or one thing the place it was loads, possibly we might reduce, however immediately, in case you watched our first observe from coaching camp final yr, it will be just about the identical, precise quantity,” Turner stated.

A protracted landing go to huge receiver Curtis Samuel that lined 40 yards within the air and a 45-yarder to tight finish Chris Manhertz have been the clearest indicators Newton was feeling good.

“Whoever is open, he is throwing him ball,” Turner stated. “There aren’t any limitations. He’s out right here practising like several of our individuals.”

Newton was not as flamboyant as he usually is within the first observe at Wofford’s Gibbs Stadium. He didn’t ham it up with the gang throughout downtime for the quarterbacks as a lot as he has in previous years.

He put all of his power into staying unfastened and centered, and appeared most excited in regards to the lengthy passes that turned a battle for him in the course of the second half of final season.

Newton didn’t converse with the media afterward, however others on the crew had loads to say.

“Every little thing we have been informed and the whole lot we noticed pointed towards him being able to go,” Rivera stated. “It did loads for not simply us, nevertheless it did loads for him, simply uncorking one like that.”

Added tight finish Greg Olsen, who’s coming off his second foot surgical procedure in two years: “For the primary evening, it was what everybody hoped for.”

Having Newton again on the sphere wholesome introduced power to the crew and the gang, which watched the Panthers lose seven straight after a 6-2 begin in 2018.

“He is simply comfortable to be out right here along with his guys once more enjoying and wholesome and really feel snug doing it,” Turner stated. “I don’t worry about Cam’s confidence an excessive amount of.

“I stated after observe, ‘Hey, it is good to have you ever again.’ He stated, ‘It is nice to be again.”’