The Carolina Panthers begin training camp Thursday night at Wofford College and, like every other NFL team, they are full of optimism.
In 2018 the Panthers finished 7-9 after a 6-2 start. But if Cam Newton's surgically repaired throwing shoulder can hold up, fans could see a great season from the 2015 NFC champions.
Here are 5 predictions for the team's training camp.
1. Cam Newton will prove that "all is well"
Newton and the Panthers feel great about the quarterback's recovery from a second shoulder surgery in three years. Characterized as a clean out, the now 30-year-old veteran has had ample time to rest, recover, and begin throwing again ahead of training camp. Using his early work with coordinator Norv Turner, and son Scott (QB coach), Newton should be in line for a good start to the season. Last year he completed a career-high (by a mile) 68 percent of his passes.
2. Will Grier will emerge as the backup quarterback
The Panthers need this to happen after drafting Grier in the third round. The Charlotte native is the only quarterback the Panthers have taken in the draft since selecting Newton No. 1 overall in 2011. Grier had incredible numbers, and a winning attitude at West Virginia (by way of Florida), and seemed to get more comfortable in the team's minicamp and OTA's. This means Taylor Heinicke or Kyle Allen will be let go.
3. There will be a significant injury
Brace yourself. This is just the nature of training camp. It seems like the last few years we've seen more devastating injuries at this time of year. Last season the Panthers lost CB Ross Cockrell, RB Elijah Hood and LT Daryl Williams to devastating injuries during camp (Williams came back for Week 1, but re-injured his knee). The Atlanta Falcons lost two players in their first training camp practice on Monday. It happens. You just hope it doesn't happen to someone really significant.
4. The team will sign a safety
One of the biggest question marks coming in to camp is who the Panthers starting free safety will be. Carolina let 38-year-old Mike Adams walk after two seasons, leaving his heir apparent as second-year CB/S hybrid Rashaan Gaulden. The third-round selection from 2018 has potential, but is lean on experience (15 games, 17 tackles), and the coaching staff might want a more trustworthy veteran. What could help Gaulden is his versatility, as well as the team's switch to a more multiple 3-4/4-3 hybrid defense, which would allow them to be more flexible with how they utilize Gaulden and fellow safety Eric Reid.
5. Fight! There will be one
There have not been many training camp scrapes since the epic battle between Cam Newton and Josh Norman in 2015, but the team will throw down this year -- with the Buffalo Bills. Former Carolina defensive coordinator Sean McDermott brings his team to Spartanburg on Aug. 13-14. Familiarity breeds contempt. And scorching hot temperatures in Spartanburg will only add fuel to the fire.
