The 2015 league MVP joked that Panthers offensive coordinator

CHARLOTTE Trai Turner Color Rush Jersey , N.C. (AP) — Cam Newton thinks he knows why the Panthers aren’t throwing more deep passes.The 2015 league MVP joked that Panthers offensive coordinator Norv Turner must have Christian McCaffrey on his fantasy football team, a reference to the Carolina running back getting the bulk of action in Week 1 and racking up 209 yards from scrimmage and scoring two touchdowns — on 29 total touches — in Carolina’s 30-27 loss to the Los Angeles Rams.Newton, meanwhile, did not throw or run for a TD against the Rams and only attempted one pass of longer than 20 yards.“I think that is what it is,” Newton said with a big smile. “Doggone Norv gone and picked CMAC for fantasy, man. I should have went over and seen who he was drafting in his league.”Then Newton paused and continued joking Taylor Moton Jersey , “That’s probably why we ain’t throwing no deep passes, right? He didn’t pick me for his quarterback! Now it’s all making sense.”All kidding aside, there is some question about why Newton still isn’t throwing deep even though he’s supposedly healed and under no restrictions from the coaching staff following arthroscopic surgery in January.Newton attempted 38 passes against the Rams, but most were check-downs or passes underneath the coverage. His only attempt beyond 20 yards was a ball that sailed 25 yards through the air and over the head of wide receiver Curtis Samuel.That’s reminiscent of last season when Newton struggled through a lingering shoulder injury that limited his arm strength. He rarely threw a pass of more than 20 yards in the second half of last season.Newton has insisted his shoulder is fine entering Thursday night’s game against Tampa Bay and that it didn’t bother him in Week 1.The 30-yard quarterback said he’s grown tired of people asking him questions about it, and his standard answer has been that he’s “taking what the defense gives him.”Still, the questions will continue until he proves he can throw deep in a real game.“You are only asking me because of my shoulder Wes Horton Color Rush Jersey ,” Newton said. “How about this, talk to the defensive coordinator for Tampa and ask if they don’t think I can throw the ball over 20 yards and see how far that gets you.”Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians said he believes Newton.“I don’t believe there is any doubt about it or he wouldn’t be playing,” Arians said. “Yeah, he has all of his tools and he’s ready to go.”Arians said the Bucs won’t defend Newton any differently on Thursday night.“I don’t want to find out in a game,” Arians said. We are considered the voice of the fan here at Cat Scratch Reader and we talk every day about how the Panthers are doing—whether they’ll win their upcoming game or how Panthers fans feel about that awful call from the referees. This year we’re continuing our FanPulse polling project that will pull together the insights of the most *plugged-in* Panthers fans. If that describes you, then SIGN UP HERE to join me and other *knowledgeable* fans (including some other Cat Scratch Reader contributors) on SB Nation FanPulse.If you sign up Stephen Curry Jersey , you’ll be among a hand-selected group from Cat Scratch Reader who answers quick polls each week developed by SB Nation. We want to continue building the definitive polls of *informed* Panthers fans, and that includes you. Your votes will be anonymous—though if you join, you’re welcome to tell anyone you like. The results of each poll will be published by Cat Scratch Reader, and may end up on SBNation.com also along with the results from other team sites.Ready to sign up as a Cat Scratch Reader FanPulse participant? CLICK HERE. Note: If you signed up for FanPulse last year you do not need to sign up again.