Objective: Keep Cam Newton Lassoed
September 5th, 2014
Buccaneers Radio Network analyst and former TE Anthony Becht believes Gerald McCoy will have plenty of reasons to smile Sunday afternoon. Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.
While Stinking Panthers quarterback Cam Newton practiced, and threw passes, today in Charlotte, he is listed as questionable for Sunday’s season opener with the Bucs at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway. That’s because he has messed up ribs.
Injured ribs are one of the most painful injuries a player can have. First, coughing or sneezing provokes a new world of pain, much less running around and throwing a football. There is a chance Newton won’t run much. Aside from just the pain of running, getting blasted after the run could put Newton out of the game.
Former Bucs TE Anthony Becht, now a regular-season weekly analyst for Buccaneers.com, offers up both a video and an article about how the Bucs can beat the Stinking Panthers. And one way Becht believes is to bottle up Newton. Given the fact he may not run (much), this plays right into the hands of Gerald McCoy, Becht believes.
FIND ME SOME CAM NEWTON: Cam Newton might be one of the finest athletic quarterbacks in the NFL. His ability to throw and run give him a deadly combination to deal with on Sundays. There’s one problem with Newton. He’s got bruised ribs. QB’s that play like Cam will sometimes do some protective playing when they have sore ribs. Enter Gerald McCoy and Lavonte David. Not sure if I’ve been more excited to see a better one-two punch since Sapp and Brooks. McCoy has dominated his opponents each and every snap during the preseason.
It’s been a while since we’ve seen a defensive tackle take over a game like him. Lavonte David has taken the league by storm. He’s been quiet during the preseason, but I can’t remember a game last year we didn’t mention his name. There’s not a linebacker in the league that can match the versatility of David. Carolina Panthers have a rookie right guard and an unproven right tackle. GOOD LUCK.
Joe can’t remember the reader who commented on this, but it makes all the sense in the world: The Bucs should do to Newton what Chucky and Monte Kiffin did with Derrick Brooks when they faced Michael Vick and the Dixie Chicks. Just put David in the middle as sort of a spy. He would take away the short passes or short runs over/up the middle. If Newton decides to try to run for it, David will chase him down.
A less than mobile Newton with a young Stinking Panthers front line really does play into the Bucs’ hands.
Oh, and you really should click the link. Becht is excellent and what a great move by Buccaneers.com to utilize his services.
September 5th, 2014 at 5:11 pm
Cam will probably start, but he won’t be in for the 2nd half after we take care of him.
September 5th, 2014 at 5:24 pm
Totally agree, Joe. The ol’ DB55 “spy” on Vick was my first thought, too! Hopefully we can give Cammie the same-sized (or bigger) knot on his head and give the Kittens the same type of beatdown. GO BUCS!!
September 5th, 2014 at 5:27 pm
That’s exactly what Seattle did that also kept Rodgers from stepping up into the pocket. A spy on the line of scrimmage.
September 5th, 2014 at 5:43 pm
All week we’ve been hearing “how are you going to stop Cam” and not ONE words been said about HOW SOMEONES GONNA STOP THIS DEFENSE! Best speech EVER! GO BUCCANEERS!
September 5th, 2014 at 5:54 pm
Love it!
September 5th, 2014 at 6:29 pm
Make the stinking panthers walk the plank, throw em in Tampa Bay. Hey!!
September 5th, 2014 at 6:36 pm
I don’t think you spy Newton until he proves you need to. Go get him with 4 behind zone with 14 eyes on him, send 5 and put him on the ground.
September 5th, 2014 at 8:03 pm
It’s funny how u all only talk about how ur defense is going to stop the Panthers offense and cam, but what is the bucs offense guna do against the Panthers D and the reigning dpoy, I guess no one wants to talk about that, nervous?
September 5th, 2014 at 9:36 pm
The Panthers are going to throw everything but the kitchen sink into establishing the run against the Bucs. While nobody seems to remember – they did fairly well last year in getting the second levels with their RB’s, and of course Newton. Don’t automatically assume the Bucs are going to have a cakewalk stopping Carolina’s backfield. If they want to protect Newton, they’ll do everything they can to establish the run first. Bucs need to be ready for that – because my memory of them running through the Cover 2 schemes of old like a hot knife through butter is still burned into my skull. That needs to stop.
September 5th, 2014 at 9:38 pm
Becht is NOT excellent. he said the other day Michael Johnson is 1 dimensional, and can only rush the passer. he clearly is oblivious to the fact that Johnson has been one of the better run stopping ends in the league the past few seasons. kind of hard to maintain credibility if he ignores something like that.
September 5th, 2014 at 11:29 pm
@JT We’re going to stop the Panthers defense with our……”Mystery Offense”
September 6th, 2014 at 12:32 am
So were done talking about Bennett, and the game last night… Right?
September 6th, 2014 at 11:36 am
@Brandon, Cam proved we need to put a spy on him last October, see the rushing touchdown he embarrassed our stunting Clayborn with. He will run, and when he does Lavonte should be licking his chops in anticipation.
September 6th, 2014 at 12:38 pm
Ask Michael Vick, Keeping a running quarterback contained was never an issue in Tampa until mark Dominick and his thorough coaching searches which led to two garbage hires. No coincidence it was easy to hire a top tier coach once he’s out of the picture
Bucs fan stop your worry because we never worried about players like cam before and besides if we can’t beat him with cracked ribs coming off ankle surgery our season is over, well pick in the top 10 again
September 6th, 2014 at 12:54 pm
@Former Bucs TE Anthony Becht
McCoy has dominated his opponents each and every snap during the preseason.
It’s been a while since we’ve seen a defensive tackle take over a game like him.
So obvious media in Tampa all talk like they learned from the same school except you Joe, you gotta be from out of town.
No clue what you’re talking about. Joe has archives here filled with accolades of McCoy. –Joe
Yes McCoy dominated in the preseason but why talk like he wasn’t a probowler last year, like he hasn’t dominated the last two years. He’s never been a big sack guy but if you redirect run plays or make the qb throw faster or scramble that’s dominating. This rookie guard is gonna need help all game so Clayborne and Johnson on the ends will be the key to victory.