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Peter King on SI.com: 8-8, 3rd in NFC South
“Though I believe long term it’s very dangerous to have our quaterback run 128 times in a season, and those I think the numbers will be diminishing for Cam Newton, he’s such a presence in the pocket and out of the pocket, that he’s going to make the Panthers a threat to win every game they’re going to play.”
Don Banks on SI.com: Ranked No. 17 in his NFL Power Rankings
“The Panthers will be a surprise 10-win team behind second-year quarterback Cam Newton, nudging out division rival Atlanta for a wild-card slot.”
Bucky Brooks on NFL.com: 9-7, 2nd in NFC South
“With a full offseason to master the nuances of playing quarterback at the NFL level, it is scary to imagine how good (Newton) will be in his second season as the Panthers’ starter.”
Daniel Jeremiah on NFL.com: 8-8, 3rd in NFC South
“I don’t anticipate a sophomore slump from Cam Newton. In fact, I think he’ll be even better in 2012.”
Adam Schein on NFL.com: 5-11, 4th in NFC South
“I’m guessing this wasn’t what Ryan Kalil had in mind when he predicted a Super Bowl. They are thin at receiver and on defense.”
Sam Wyche on NFL.com: 8-8, 3rd in NFC South
“Cam Newton and this offense could end up dominating the NFL and the Panthers could be the surprise team of the NFL. That means getting through New Orleans and Atlanta.”
Andy Benoit on NYTimes.com: 3rd in NFC South
“Cam Newton is a rare enough talent to make the Panthers playoff contenders one day. It’s possible that day can come in 2012, though he’d have to overcome a middling defense and receiving corps.
John Kryk for Toronto Sun: 8-8, 3rd in NFC South
“Hard to get excited about playoffs when team’s success rides so much on just one player.”
Mike Wilkening on ProFootballWeekly.com
No record, 2nd in NFC South. “Such an enjoyable team to watch. Panthers improved by leaps and bounds last season and still have upside.”
Hank Gola for New York Daily News: 7-9, 3rd in NFC South
“The Panthers’ defense was always pretty good under John Fox, but it could hardly stop anyone last year under Ron Rivera, a defensive-minded coach. If Carolina is to turn that around, it’s going to have to start with a linebacking corps that has the potential to be very good.”
John Clayton on ESPN.com: No record, 3rd in NFC South
“Cam Newton works too hard to have a sophomore slump. For the Panthers to become a .500 team or better, Ron Rivera must make this defense better, which he should.”
Adam Schefter on ESPN.com: No record, 2nd in NFC South
“If Cam can duplicate what he did last season, the Panthers will make the playoffs.”
Pat Yasinskas on ESPN.com: No record, 3rd in NFC South
“This team is ready to slip through the door in the NFC South, but I’m not sure the Saints and Falcons will leave it open.”
Ashley Fox on ESPN.com: No record, 3rd in NFC South
“After having the best season a rookie quarterback has ever had, what will Cam Newton 2.0 do?”
Jeffri Chadiha on ESPN.com: No record, 2nd in NFC South
“Carolina won four of its last six games in 2011. Expect Newton and a healthier defense to keep that momentum alive this season.”
Lance Zierlein for Houston Chronicle: No record, 3rd in NFC South
“The Panthers are on the way up, but they aren’t quite ready.”
Compiled by Jonathan Jones
