NEW YORK (AP) — Comments on the Carolina Panthers by the AP Pro32 panel (ranking in parentheses):
CAROLINA PANTHERS (20)
Alex Marvez (Foxsports.com, 14): Should I say Cam-olina Panthers? 2011 NFL Offensive Rookie of Year Cam Newton is just scratching surface of how good a quarterback he can become.
Bob Glauber (Newsday, 18: Sophomore slump for Cam Newton? He’s about to find out. Would help this kid if his defense plays the run even moderately better.
Ira Kaufman (Tampa Tribune, 14): Blessed with powerful line in front of dynamic Cam Newton.
John Lynch (Fox Sports, 16): Cam Newton is even better in Year 2 and defense that struggled mightily in 2012 gets some help from Jon Beason, Thomas Davis and rookie LB Luke Kuechly. Consistent pass rush must emerge to become a force as defense and as team.
Rick Gosselin (Dallas Morning News, 18): With Cam Newton, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart and now Mike Tolbert, Panthers should have best rushing attack in NFL.
Cris Collinsworth (NBC Sports, 19): Cam Newton was stunning last year. Defense needs help.
Dan Pompei (Chicago Tribune, 20): If Cam Newton takes another step, and if defense makes strides, Panthers will be far from an easy out.
Pat Kirwan (SiriusXM NFL Radio/CBSSports.com, 22): Panthers’ offense will not suffer from second-year setback by Cam Newton, but can defense come through? Still questions at defensive tackle and in secondary.
Chris Berman (ESPN, 22): Year 2 of Cam Newton like looking forward to Christmas.
Clark Judge (CBSSports.com, 23): Still third-best team in its division.
Rich Gannon (CBS Sports/SiriusXM NFL Radio, 25): Cam Newton is special but the D is ordinary.
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