Ron Rivera stands by Cam Newton as Panthers' QB of the future

Carolina's head coach doesn't believe the criticism of Newton is fair.

In part due to a series of injuries and a weakened supporting cast, Cam Newton has failed to replicate last year's success this season. His shortcomings have attracted criticism, but Carolina Panthers head coach Ron Rivera still thinks Newton is the team's future, according to Dave Newton of ESPN.

The Panthers, who haven't won since Week 5, have been fraught with issues everywhere on offense. Top receiver Steve Smith was released this offseason, replaced by rookie Kelvin Benjamin and little else. Left tackle Jordon Gross retired, diminishing an already depleted offensive line. Then during the season, Carolina's top three running backs all missed time to injury. The end result has been a 3-8-1 record and pedestrian offense that can't overcome the Panthers' likewise middling defense.

Rivera understands this and believes that Newton is shouldering too much of the blame for the team's disappointing season. He sees plenty of parallels between their situation and that of the Atlanta Falcons.

"You go back and look at some of the teams that have struggled in the past that had great years [before]," Rivera said on Monday when defending Newton's performance. "One that pops to mind right away was what happened at Atlanta last year.

"A couple of years ago they go to the NFC Championship Game and the next thing you know they're struggling because they had a lot of things happen."

When the Falcons were in the conference championship game following the 2012 season, few doubted their ability to compete for a title. In the years since when the team was decimated by injuries, the Falcons have barely been able to keep their head above water. Still, few blame Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan for the team's shortcomings, and Rivera thinks the same approach should apply to Carolina's signal caller.

Rivera's support comes at a critical time in Newton's career. Now in his fourth season in the NFL, the quarterback has only one year remaining on his deal. Newton indicated in the offseason that he wouldn't shortchange himself in his upcoming contract negotiation. His poor season isn't helping matters, but Rivera campaigning for him could.

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