Panthers look to put 2016 behind them

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Panthers look to put 2016 behind them,Authentic Sammy Watkins Jersey,Cam Newton, return to top

Cam Newton had a sickening feeling in his stomach as he walked out of Tampa Bay’s Raymond James Stadium last January.

The Panthers had just lost to the Buccaneers in Week 17 to finish 6-10,Authentic Connor Barwin Jersey, last place in the NFC South — a marked dropoff after reaching the Super Bowl the year before.

No NFC championship to defend. Not even a trip to the playoffs. Just heartbreak,Authentic Andrew Whitworth Jersey, frustration and disappointment over a season that started with a loss to the Broncos in a Super Bowl rematch and never got on track.

“I can’t ever let that happen again — ever,” Newton said of Carolina’s first non-playoff season since 2012.

The league’s 2015 MVP is on a mission to get the Panthers back on top after battling through the worst statistical season of his six-year NFL career, then having offseason surgery to repair a partially torn rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder. He played just one series in the preseason but the Panthers aren’t worried about him heading into the season.

The good news for Newton is he won’t be expected to do it alone.

and Ohio State wide receiver Curtis Samuel in the second. They already have wide receivers Kelvin Benjamin and Devin Funchess and Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen. They drafted tackle Taylor Moton with their other second-round pick and gave free agent left tackle Matt Kalil a five-year,The Panthers have taken some of the pressure off Newton running the ball by adding rookie running back Christian McCaffrey form Stanford in the first round, $55 million contract.

lining up in a number of positions, including running back,McCaffrey in particular has been impressive during training camp and the preseason,womens Shane Lechler Jersey, the slot and even quarterback.

he can get out in space and run routes and catch passes,“He showed that he can run the ball from the backfield,Authentic Robert Quinn Jersey,” Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. “He showed that he can be a threat. He looked good returning the punts.”

Samuel and free agent pickup Russell Shepard bring top-end speed at wide receiver that should help offset the loss of Ted Ginn Jr.,Authentic Robert Woods Jersey, who signed with division rival New Orleans.

With all of the new pieces in place, Newton feels like the Panthers have what it takes to win their fourth NFC South title in five years — and avenge last year’s awful season.

“I took last year personally,” Newton said at the start of training camp. “I took it extremely personally and I knew that something had to change.”

Some things to watch with the Panthers this season:Authentic Shane Lechler Jersey,

KUECHLY’S HEAD: Luke Kuechly hasn’t played in a regular-season game since sustaining a second concussion midway through the 2016 season. While the three-time All-Pro said he feels great and has no concerns about suffering a third concussion, nobody wants to talk about it — especially Kuechly.womens Andrew Whitworth Jersey,”

it’s worth paying attention to,Of course, especially after Kuechly was carted off last year during a game sobbing uncontrollably in one of the scariest brain trauma incidents NFL fans have witnessed on television.

The Panthers had just lost to the Buccaneers in Week 17 to finish 6-10, last place in the NFC South — a marked dropoff after reaching the Super Bowl the year before.womens Robert Woods Jersey

No NFC championship to defend. Not even a trip to the playoffs. Just heartbreak,Authentic Kareem Jackson Jerseyfrustration and disappointment over a season that started with a loss to the Broncos in a Super Bowl rematch and never got on track.

“I can’t ever let that happen again — ever,womens Ryan Griffin Jersey,womens Robert Quinn Jersey,womens Sammy Watkins Jersey,' Newton said of Carolina’s first non-playoff season since 2012.

The league’s 2015 MVP is on a mission to get the Panthers back on top after battling through the worst statistical season of his six-year NFL career, then having offseason surgery to repair a partially torn rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder. He played just one series in the preseason but the Panthers aren’t worried about him heading into the season.,womens Connor Barwin Jersey,'

The good news for Newton is he won’t be expected to do it alone.,Authentic Ryan Griffin Jersey,