<
        >

          NFL Nation

          Panthers mailbag: Questions on Cam Newton, etc., Part II

          • David Newton, ESPN Staff WriterMar 29, 2015, 08:00 AM ET
            Close
              David Newton is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the Carolina Panthers. Newton began covering Carolina in 1995 and came to ESPN in 2006 as a NASCAR reporter before joining NFL Nation in 2013. You can follow Newton on Twitter at @DNewtonespn.
            Follow on X

          CHARLOTTE, N.C. – As promised, here is Part II of my weekend Carolina Panthers mailbag as I attempt to answer more of your questions than ever.

          Let’s get right to it.

          @DNewtonESPN: Coach Ron Rivera was asked that specifically during the owners meeting in Phoenix. His response? He believes something "positive" will get done between Cam Newton 's representatives and the Panthers. Odds are nothing will get done until after Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson signs a new deal to set new market for franchise quarterbacks. Newton appears happy in Carolina and has given no indication he wants to look elsewhere. The Panthers can always use the franchise tag on him in 2016 if a long-term deal isn't reached, but I believe it will happen before the season begins.

          @DNewtonESPN: Healthiest he's been since arriving at Carolina in 2011. The ankle that was an issue coming out of Auburn is fully healed after surgery last year. All the other aches and pains from the season appear gone.

          @DNewtonESPN: Not at all, as long as doctors give their OK before the draft. Todd Gurley would be a perfect fit for what the Panthers do offensively and give the Panthers potential long-term stability at running back. Remember, linebacker Thomas Davis had ACL surgery on his right knee three times and is more productive than ever.

          @DNewtonESPN: I agree, unless it is Gurley. You probably can fill the need in the second or third round, but Gurley has the potential to be a special player. Hard to ignore that kind of talent.

          @DNewtonESPN: They did by signing Ted Ginn Jr. during the offseason and by the list of rookies they're looking at for the draft. They don't hide the fact that if an elite speed guy is available at No. 25, he'll get consideration. They also don't feel that sense of urgency with the addition of Ginn and potential of Stephen Hill, a second-round pick out of Georgia Tech in 2012, after a year on the practice squad.

          @DNewtonESPN: I'd say the signing of Michael Oher to play left tackle. Assuming that works out, that lessens the urgency to select a tackle in the first round of the draft or overspending on another free agent in a market in which there really weren't any proven left tackles.

          @DNewtonESPN: I'm a bit surprised myself that the Panthers haven't restructured the contract of defensive end Charles Johnson. He's scheduled to make $20,020,000 this season, which is by far the biggest salary-cap hit on the team. Perhaps they're waiting to see if something needs to be done there to extend Newton's contract and possibly even Luke Kuechly. Otherwise, the team is in decent shape under the cap. You also have to consider that Johnson has restructured his deal the last two years. Asking for a third straight year might be a reach. Kalil's number isn't too out of whack, so it's no surprise he hasn't been renegotiated. As for Thomas Davis, general manager Dave Gettleman gave every indication that the team planned to take care of their defensive leader. I suspect he's next in line, but there isn't really a rush to get it done.

          @DNewtonESPN: This will be interesting. Kony Ealy, last year's second-round pick out of Missouri, will be the front-runner going into training camp. Gettleman couldn't say enough about how much Ealy improved by the end of his rookie season. He has the skills to play end and tackle, as Greg Hardy did. But don't forget about Frank Alexander. He was suspended for most of last season for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy. This came after being named Ron Rivera's MVP of training camp. Alexander has some of the same physical attributes that made Hardy such a pass-rushing force. Whether or not he can turn that into productivity, as Hardy did, remains to be seen.

          @DNewtonESPN: I wish I had a good answer for you other than owner Jerry Richardson likes the blue, silver and black. I like the all-black combination you mentioned. Saw a model black helmet that I really like.