But that’s where the team’s franchise quarterback found himself Monday after getting into a scuffle with cornerback Josh Norman.
Advertisement
Nine days before Josh Norman ended up on the ground during a fight with Cam Newton at training camp, the cornerback was completely complementary of the Panthers’ quarterback.
In the dustup, Newton called Norman a “pissant” and said to Norman: “Hit me like that again and you’ll know something”, according to ESPN.
Norman, as all defensive backs are taught to do, got up and ran toward the end zone at the urging of his teammates and coaches.
Carolinas Cam Newton and Josh Norman (24) scuffle during the teams training camp session Monday in Spartanburg, S.C. Results – No injuries reported, but Newton says he’d do it again, adding “it’s football”. Granted, we don’t really encourage them, but they’re going to happen. Newton’s offense in the situation was understandable, as potentially harming your own signal-caller during a team practice does seem a bit precarious.
McDermott then admitted that he even encouraged Newton to keep pushing and challenging Norman.
I think we’re making a big deal out of nothing. “I thought my knee would hold up, but I wasn’t sure”.
If Smith’s jaw didn’t underscore what might have happened to Norman or Newton had the fight carried into the locker room or the Wofford dorms, it at least removed the Panthers from Position A in the 24-hour sports news cycle. “Emotion’s going to flare”, Newton said Tuesday. While some love the quarterback’s tenacity and guts, other don’t believe he is franchise material. “I see guys that’s getting better”. General manager Dave Gettleman declared at that time Newton is the guy to lead the Panthers to the “Promised Land”.
The problem is some don’t let it go.
“They are always chirping, but that is part of the competition”, Rivera said. “That’s the way I’m going to look at it. That’s my spin on it”.
Advertisement
Bradford has torn the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee twice in the past two years, and he has played in a total of seven games during that span. The results after a week of training represents another major step for Bradford.
