Cam Newton, offense expected to ramp it up

Aug 18, 2013

Through two preseason games, the Carolina Panthers offense hardly resembles itself from the previous two seasons.

There have been no read options, no quarterback keepers, zero Wildcat formations and barely any play action.

But this isn’t what the Panthers’ offense under Mike Shula is predicted to look like in his first year as offensive coordinator after taking over the position vacated by Rob Chudzinski. Instead, Carolina – like every team in the NFL – is running a vanilla brand of its playbook, using what quarterback Cam Newton calls its “bread and butter” plays and apparently leaving out the jelly.

Fantasy Impact:

Newton has had just four play-action snaps in his 45 total plays this season. That's not how the season should play out, but the team does want to keep Newton in the pocket more. That hasn't really affected his draft rank. He sits behind the top-three Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees and Peyton Manning as pretty much the fourth-best option for QBs in drafts. With an ADP of the fourth round, if you really want Cam you should have a shot at getting him.

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Chiefs WR Hollywood Brown's practice window to open "Friday or Monday"

Ian Rapoport

2 hours ago

Chiefs WR Hollywood Brown has received final clearance to practice, paving the way for him to play before the regular season ends.

Brown, who is recovering from surgery to repair his SC joint, should have his window opened Friday or Monday. The team will be cautious.

Fantasy Impact:

If Brown were cleared by Week 17, he would be incredibly tough to start in pretty much any sort of fantasy league with Championships on the line. However, he could be an interesting click for Playoff-only leagues if he can ramp up in time.

Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker misses second straight practice

Adam Schefter

2 hours ago

For a second straight day today, Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III didn’t practice due to his calf injury.

Related Players: Zach Charbonnet, Kenny McIntosh

Fantasy Impact:

Looks like things should be cleared out for Charbonnet once again in what could be a very close game against the Packers. If Walker misses Week 15, fire Charbs up as a high-end RB2.

49ers RB Isaac Guerendo, Nick Bosa, and Dre Greenlaw active for Week 15

Lindsey Pallares

3 hours ago

In Week 15, the red and gold have defensive lineman Nick Bosa and linebacker Dre Greenlaw active and ready for the team's second meeting with their NFC West rival, the Los Angeles Rams.

On the other side of the ball, the 49ers will have rookie running back Isaac Guerendo available against the Rams. He was listed as questionable on Wednesday on account of a foot sprain but was given the green light to play ahead of "Thursday Night Football."

Fantasy Impact:

We do expect Guerendo to handle the majority workload for TNF, but you do have to wonder if he gets the same type of workload he would have, had he avoided the injury report all week. Consider him closer to an RB3 than a locked-in RB2 he otherwise would have been.