Saving Superman

Ron Rivera’s plan to protect Cam Newton and return Carolina to the Super Bowl is simple: have him run less and distribute the ball more. But will his QB buy in?

- David Fleming

THERE’S A DEFINITE Monday-morning vibe going on inside coach Ron Rivera’s training camp office. The mustard-colored walls are blank. His desk is devoid of personal items, save for one small packet of Skittles. The only books on the long shelves behind his desk are the 2017 Panthers training camp guide and the playbook. And the one small window in the corner of the room is blotted by dark clouds and thick raindrops. Held captive by the storm, Rivera, dressed in a worn gray T-shirt that reads “Control Your APE (Attitude-Prep-Effort),” has agreed to share his thoughts and insights on a little plan he’s cooking up that will save his job, transform Carolina’s roster and protect Cam Newton’s body, brain and legacy.

The plan has already cost Rivera plenty. This offseason the team shelled out $55 million for free agent left tackle Matt Kalil (to protect Newton’s blind side); used early round draft picks on play makers (the eighth pick for Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey, the 40th for Ohio State speedster Curtis Samuel); and, in July, fired general manager Dave Gettleman, in part because of his failure to secure a contract extension for Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen, one of Newton’s favorite targets. But it’ll all be worth it if Rivera can get the 2015 NFL MVP to evolve into more of a pocket passer willing to distribute the ball to a few play makers other than himself.