How the Cardinals will pressure Panthers QB Cam Newton

A quick look at where the Arizona Cardinals’ pressure on Cam Newton could come from:

The defensive line

Biggest threats: Defensive ends Calais Campbell and Frostee Rucker.

How they’ll attack: Campbell, who has five sacks this season, is a classic bull rusher of Pro Bowl quality. At 6-foot-8 and 300 pounds he’s as big – if not bigger – than the offensive linemen blocking him. Rucker, with three sacks this season, is a bit smaller at 6-3 and 280 pounds. He’s more of a stunt rusher with good quickness.

Watch for: Campbell said this week Newton’s tight end-like dimensions and strength are something you can’t really mimic on a scout team for practice.

The linebackers

Biggest threats: Outside linebackers Dwight Freeney and Markus Golden get plenty of pass-rush opportunities in the Cardinals’ 3-4 scheme.

How they’ll attack: Freeney was a bit undersized as a defensive end for the Indianapolis Colts but he’s just right as an outside linebacker, and quick and nasty.

Watch for: Freeney has had quite a renaissance since coming out of retirement. His eight sacks in 11 games as a Cardinal are twice as many as he had over two seasons with the San Diego Chargers.

The secondary

Biggest threats: Linebacker-safety hybrid Deone Bucannon.

How they’ll attack: Bucannon was drafted out of Washington State as a safety and he’s flip-flopped of late between safety and inside linebacker for the Cardinals. He’s known as their best tackler, which is a key in dealing with Cam Newton.

Watch for: Bucannon’s mobility will play a big role in whether the Cardinals can get to Newton. He finished the season with 17 tackles for loss and three sacks.

This story was originally published January 22, 2016 at 10:30 AM with the headline "How the Cardinals will pressure Panthers QB Cam Newton."