CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton missed his normal Wednesday media opportunity because he stayed after practice to work on a few things.
The numbers say Newton has a lot to work on. Statistically, he's in the midst of his worst season, having completed only 57.9 percent of his passes for a passer rating of 78.9.
But the season didn't begin that way for the first pick of the 2011 draft. In his first four and a half games after returning from a preseason rib injury and offseason ankle surgery, Newton was throwing better than at any moment of his career.
Then, in the second half against Cincinnati, he was turned loose to run.
That's when the numbers took a big dip.
So if you're looking for a specific moment for when Newton's accuracy started to tumble, look no further than halftime of a 37-37 overtime tie at Cincinnati in Week 6.
Newton completed 13 of 17 pass attempts (76.4 percent) for 110 yards in the first half against the Bengals. He ran twice for six yards. His season completion percentage was at 63.02 with six touchdowns to only one interception at that point. His passer rating was above 92.
He completed 16 of 29 attempts (55.1 percent) in the second half after the coaching staff deemed his ankle was well enough to run. He ran 15 times for 101 yards against a defense that hadn't prepared for that. His completion percentage from that moment until now is 54.5 with seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His passer rating is below 66.
In Newton's first four and a half games, he carried 16 times for 57 yards. In his last six and a half he has 48 carries for 294 yards.
Offensive coordinator Mike Shula doesn't believe Newton's passing statistics are at an all-time low because he's running more now. That's understandable since Newton completed a career-best 61.7 percent of his passes last season for a career-best passer rating of 88.8 while rushing for 585 yards.
There are no indications Carolina plans to back off the read-option or cut back on Newton's running that has been a big part of his game throughout his career. There are no indications the Panthers want Newton to be more like Aaron Rodgers or Andrew Luck and run only when the situation calls for it.
But there's no denying Newton's decline in passing efficiency this season began when he was turned loose to run.
