Off-Field Distractions With Cam Newton, Greg Hardy Could Hurt Panthers’ Current Season

By Danny Cox

The Carolina Panthers are sitting at 3-5-1 and in second place in the NFC South. Lucky for them, the rest of their division isn’t playing too well, but if they don’t win the crown, then they’ll likely end up out of the playoffs. Out of their last seven games, they’ve lost four of them and finished with a tie in another. The season is quickly being lost from their grasp and off-field distractions are starting to show their faces.

In week 10, the Panthers will be at home, but they’ll be on a national stage as the Philadelphia Eagles come to town for “Monday Night Football.” The very same Eagles that are 6-2 and sitting on top of the NFC East as a very successful season continues.

The focus of the Panthers should be on getting their season back on track and taking down the Eagles, but other things are creeping in. Right now, they really shouldn’t.

One of the issues at hand is that there are current negotiations going on between the team and quarterback Cam Newton on a long-term contract. While he is locked in place through the 2015 season, it is probable that Carolina is already looking to cement him in place for years to come. Well, they may not be doing that too much longer if the season keeps going the way it is.

Against the New Orleans Saints this past Thursday, Newton had nine overthrows. He’s thrown for less than 1800 yards and has just eight touchdown passes. Newton also has five interceptions and five fumbles. He’s on track to have his worst season ever, and that is something that could seriously hurt his contract negotiations with the team.

At this point in time, it may not be worth the distraction considering how badly the team has been playing as a whole. Still, that’s not the only thing that is throwing a wrench into the focus of the Carolina Panthers.

Now that the domestic violence trial of defensive end Greg Hardy has been postponed back into early 2015, players and coaches are going to have to wonder if their star player will ever suit up in black and blue again. There has not been a specific date set for the trial, but it won’t happen until at least playoff time in the NFL.

It also creates some tension for team management. Hardy had agreed to be placed on the Commissioner’s Exempt List which meant he would be unable to play but would still be paid his full $13 million salary until the legal issues were settled.

Now, the team isn’t going to want to continue to pay someone $13 million if they aren’t going to even be able to suit up for practice or games. Depending on if the Panthers are still playing or not in “early 2015,” they may be looking at contract extensions or offers for players and $13 million tied up in someone not even playing may deem to be too much.

Head coach Ron Rivera has pressure coming at him from all sides right now, and he’s got to get his mind right and refocus his team on the task at hand. There is just currently one task at hand and that’s beating the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night. Another loss would simply add more pressure and create a whole slew of new problems that will snowball into worse situations.

For more Carolina Panthers news and updates, visit Carolina Panthers Central.

Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. Danny is a freelance writer covering all things NFL. His work can be found on Examiner.com.