Carolina Panthers: Making a case for Cam Newton to stay in Carolina

Long term answers have arrived…

In the first two weeks of the 2019 regular season the Panthers allowed six sacks. Three of them came from an edge rusher who exploited the left side of the line during week two. The Panthers couldn’t give rookie LT Greg Little his first regular season start until week four, and they didn’t want to start sixth-round pick, Dennis Daley, after signing veteran offensive tackle, Darryl Williams, to a “prove it” deal in the offseason.

Then, in week five, Dennis Daley got his first start and turned out to be an enviable talent. He earned PFF recognition the following week after holding down the same edge rusher who exploited the Panthers in week two. His only fudge since then was a poor performance against the undefeated 49ers, which was a game he did not start. Notwithstanding the game against San Francisco, Daley has shown that he can hold down the left side. When Little clears the concussion protocol, the Panthers will have two starting-caliber rookie left tackles.

How many times have we seen the Panthers with two rookie left tackles to be excited about in the history of the franchise? Now, how many times have we had two rookie left tackles to be excited about in the Cam Newton era? Having a long term answer to protect Cam’s blind side would have been ideal a long time ago. Now there’s two and he didn’t even get a chance to play with either of them starting for him.

Next year we could have access to a healthy dual threat quarterback with playoff experience, viable protection and depth across the entire offensive line, and a running back who is already making a case for Canton in his third year. Additionally, they’ll be complemented by a defense that could potentially have three franchise defensive tackles all starting on the same line backed up by one of the best defensive backfield combinations the Panthers have had in years.