Hurtin’ Cam Newton
September 4th, 2014
Stinking Panthers QB Cam Newton was held out of practice due to his sore ribs.
It wasn’t long ago that Joe and all Bucs fans learned Stinking Panthers franchise quarterback Cam Newton has a hairline fracture in his ribs. This is a downright painfully injury. Joe only had bruised ribs once and just taking a deep breath or coughing was an adventure.
It seems Newton’s rib may be bothering him more than expected.
As Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer reported, Newton was held out of practice.
Newton sat out after experiencing soreness in his cracked ribs, and Panthers coach Ron Rivera is uncertain whether Newton will practice Thursday.
Newton said last week “there’s not a doubt in my mind” he would play against the Bucs. And while Rivera shares Newton’s confidence, he made no guarantees.
“I’m optimistic. I expect him to be there, and we’ll see how it all unfolds,” Rivera said. “We’ve got to look at this as we go through it day by day.”
But it may not be just ribs holding Newton back. Rivera, speaking via teleconference to the Tampa Bay pen and mic club yesterday, offered other dings that Newton is dealing with.
“He had the ankle surgery that he’s recovered from and it was all part of his development through training camp, just rehabbing it, taking the snaps that he needed to take, doing the things he needed to do with the trainers,” Rivera said. “Then, unfortunately, in the New England game, he took a shot to the ribs and there’s a contusion there, a hairline fracture on his ribs. It’s been painful, but he’s worked his way through it. He’s been working in the different drills that he’s done, gone through our walk throughs, he’s done the things that he’s been allowed to do with the trainers right now. We’ll see how he is and how he progresses day by day.”
Now a cynic could say Rivera is setting up the Bucs by holding Newton out of practice and talking about how he’s a member of the walking wounded. Joe very, very much doubts any coach would hold out his starting QB to try to pull the wool over someone’s eyes via some stupid gamesmanship stunt.
No, it sounds like Newton really is hurting. Oh, Joe expects him to start, no doubt. Now if anyone other than Gerald McCoy can breathe on Newton, maybe it’s time to see how those ribs hold up to a couple of shoulder jolts and turf slams come Sunday.
September 4th, 2014 at 9:56 am
Stickin Panthers! I’m so stoked to see this D play
September 4th, 2014 at 9:59 am
Best news Ive heard all day
September 4th, 2014 at 10:12 am
He will play. The Bucs defense should show no mercy. Hit him all day in that little rib.
September 4th, 2014 at 10:13 am
Smash fig newton [Super Boy] to the ground, Mama says alligators are so angry because they have all them teeth and no toothbrush..
September 4th, 2014 at 10:17 am
I hate to wish this…..but it would be worth 15 yds on a crushing cheap shot to put Cammy out…..
Of course I would rather do it legit…..but I want him gone!!!
September 4th, 2014 at 10:18 am
El-oh-el @ Scam
September 4th, 2014 at 10:19 am
Hey….Don’t count on any of this….I recall a rookie for the Lions startig against the Bucs @ Home….and beating the Bucs….those ribs work hurt after they are “shot up”….Cam is a big tough SOB…..he’ll play !
September 4th, 2014 at 10:24 am
Charlie Batch was the Lions rookie
September 4th, 2014 at 10:24 am
Hate to hear of any one injured first off.
But every team gets them.
And every one else takes advantage of them too.
Go get ’em.
Reminder Brad ‘teh bull’ Johson won a super bowl with cracked ribs, just sayin.
GO BUCS!!!!!!!!
September 4th, 2014 at 10:31 am
If my franchise qb had some smoked baby back ribs, I wouldnt be putting him on a field with GMC. The Bucs D will feast this Sunday. I just hope theres enough bbq sauce to go around.
September 4th, 2014 at 10:38 am
I’m fine if he plays. I’m fine if he doesn’t.
Their backup is Derek Anderson. I’m fairly certain he’ll get playing time Sunday, because even if Newton starts he’ll be pulled because of the hits he will be taking. Derek Anderson is very beatable.
I suspect Cam will throw picks because he’ll be trying to get rid of the ball to avoid hits.
Love Smith has done a masterful job of covering up everything about the Bucs. The Panthers may have researched Tedford’s college offense. They may have researched Lovie’s Chicago defense. But both had a year off the make improvements.
There is no way to predict what is coming and be completely accurate. Heck, Lovie is even trying to maintain the mystery of whether Tedford will be at the game.
September 4th, 2014 at 10:42 am
Tampabaybucfan Says
“I hate to wish this…..but it would be worth 15 yds on a crushing cheap shot to put Cammy out…..”
That is below you, Tampabaybucfan. Not very smart either.
Although Dereck Anderson sucks, I would prefer Cam remain in the game. Why? Because the more he’s pounded, the more he’ll fear getting injured worse and the more mistakes he’ll make.
And what if the game is on the line in the last 2 minutes and you get your wish? Karma sucks. That 15 yards could lose us the game.
Better to keep him in and slowly torture him. Like cooking a frog in a pot of water. Gradually increase the heat.
September 4th, 2014 at 10:44 am
Glodson is my concern. His bonehead plays cost us games in the past. He’s been invisible throughout the preseason. I hope that is a good sign. No refs targeted him.
September 4th, 2014 at 10:58 am
@ Bonzai
Very little is beneath me when it comes to wanting the Bucs to win ….and I would want the hit early in the game. So, I’m guilty of openly expressing what most think privately!!!
September 4th, 2014 at 11:37 am
Sore ribs is a big problem for a QB. Even if he’s not getting hit. His throws won’t be as crisp, etc.
As for refs targeting us, I think it’ll be a little better this season. I don’t think refs respected or liked Schiano and that plays a larger part than you think when it comes to teams getting/not getting calls. At least in my opinion.
September 4th, 2014 at 11:46 am
It’s just a built in excuse if the Panther’s “franchise QB” doesn’t live up to all the hype.
Monday, after the Panther’s loss, we will be reminded by the press that Newton’s bad game was due to the the pre-hairline rib fracture. It will be used as the sole reason why he committed 5 turnovers.
It won’t be because he was smoked by our opportunistic, and smothering defense. It’s so predictable, it’s almost laughable, when you factor in the media’s bias behavior for certain coveted players.
Just like last year’s Atlanta squad when Matt Ryan sucked. We were told he sucked because of his porous offensive line, or why Eli Manning sucked because he had to learn a whole new system (unlike Freeman did for 4 straight years) but then with the same baited breath we were told that “rookie” Mike Glennon sucked, well, because he sucks. Not because of his crappy offensive line, or lack of consistent playmakers.
McCown will statistically keep pace or even out duel Newton come Sunday, but all we will really hear about come Monday, will be all the Newton apologies.
September 4th, 2014 at 12:57 pm
take him out, but do it legally. we need the rest of the D line to step up cause GMC will be in a threesome
September 4th, 2014 at 2:08 pm
A hurten Cam Newton is better than no Cam Newton for Carolina. Even hirten he is still very dangerous.
September 4th, 2014 at 2:10 pm
I’d rather beat the kitties at their full strength, no excuses.
September 4th, 2014 at 2:13 pm
All McCoy needs to do is drive him from the pocket into the waiting arms of Lavonte David! Should do the trick!
September 4th, 2014 at 2:23 pm
We have about as much control over Cam’s condition as we do Tedford’s. It really doesn’t matter!
The Bucs need to line up and play tough, smart, mistake free football. BTW, clean too. Nothing worse than a cheap shot team. We are not the Saints.
September 4th, 2014 at 3:44 pm
Why is hitting Cam in the ribs a cheap shot? It’s not the head and it’s not the knees. That said I’m with Cobraboy, lets beat them straight up and send a message !!!!!!! GO BUCS !!!!!!!
September 4th, 2014 at 5:00 pm
Smashmouth is our best bet in this game. Hit them hard, a lot!