The 2015-2016 MVP of the NFL, Cam Newton, had an outstanding season. His level of performance carried the Panthers to their second NFC title. However, Newton still has more room to grow. That’s according to Panthers head coach Ron Rivera.

The statement might have raised some eyebrows, but Rivera was correct. Newton acknowledged that sentiment and declared that he hasn’t peaked.

Newton still has inconsistencies in his lower body mechanics, but given his penchant for breaking off big plays despite those shortcomings I’m sure the Panthers can live with it. So what can the MVP improve on? One area where Newton struggled compared to his peers in the NFC was third down passing percentage. This percentage does not include the scrambles and designed runs he used to convert third downs. These are only pass attempts and he ranked ninth in the NFC. Carson Palmer and Russell Wilson, two elite quarterbacks he is typically compared with, ranked first and second respectively.

The table below represents a breakdown of the routes and receivers he had the most success with. The article on the next page uses the all 22 film to detail how and why the conversion took place.

Routes

This table breaks down the conversions by route.

Recipients

Here is a table that breaks down his targets on the third down conversions.

Let’s view six of the plays that worked well for Cam Newton on third downs last season.

Down & distance: 3rd and 8
Result: 37 yard reception by Ted Ginn
Offense Personnel/formation: 12 Personnel/twins right
Defense: Cover 1 man

The pass concept the Panthers run is a dagger concept. Panthers tight end, Ed Dickson, runs a seam down the middle of the field to carry his defender and the single high safety. The Jaguars cornerback matched up versus Ginn is taught to open up outside leverage. Ginn’s inside breaking route allows him to separate from the cornerback. The safety keys in on Dickson and Ginn has the entire middle of the field to catch the ball and gain yards after catch. Yards after catch were a rarity in the Panthers offense last season, so hopefully they can attack more cover 1 defenses with this concept.

Down & distance: 3rd and 8
Result: 15 yard reception by Greg Olsen
Offense Personnel/formation: 11 Personnel/trips left
Defense: Cover 3

The Saints bring both of their inside linebackers to the A Gap, but both retreat into their zones after the snap. The Panthers are attacking the zone by running an all vertical concept with drag concept. The three receivers clear out and Greg Olsen runs an underneath drag. Newton immediately hits Olsen once he realizes that the linebackers will not match him. Olsen cleanly catches the ball and has plenty of space to gain yards after the catch.

Down & distance: 3rd and 16
Result: 59 yard reception by Jerricho Cotchery
Offense Personnel/formation: 11 Personnel/slot left empty
Defense: Cover 3 buzz

The Panthers are faced with a third and long. It only makes sense to run a vertical concept to attack the Packers cover 3 and put stress on the single high safety. The double post concept is intended to target the deep zone. The Packers single high safety makes his intention to follow the outside receiver, which clears the middle of the field for Cotchery. In addition, the cornerback on the opposite side of the field pattern matches the deep out by the wide receiver. Cam does a great job of avoiding the rush, stepping up, and delivering the pass to Cotchery. Kudos to Mike Shula for the design of the play call.

Down & distance: 3rd and 7
Result: 12 yard reception by Jerricho Cotchery
Offense Personnel/formation: 11 Personnel/trips right
Defense: Cover 2

The Panthers call an all hitch concept. The concept is a quick passing game that spaces the underneath zones and gets rid of the ball quickly. The Cowboys are in straight cover 2. If they pick up on the route quickly enough it could be disastrous for the Panthers. However, Cam Newton takes a three step drop and immediately hits Cotchery in the middle of the field.

Down & distance: 3rd and 4
Result: 6 yard reception by Ted Ginn
Offense Personnel/formation: 12 Personnel/bunch trips right
Defense: Cover 3 fire zone blitz

The Titans are bringing an overload fire zone blitz from the left side. However, the Panthers sail concept on the left is a three level combination that targets cover 3. The target should be the 7 or corner route run by Greg Olsen, but the Titans do a good job of pattern matching. Newton realizes this and hits Ginn in the flat for the first down. The sail concept is a route that the Panthers have run out of bunch formations consistently.

Down & distance: 3rd and 8
Result: 9 yard reception by Corey Brown
Offense Personnel/formation: 11 Personnel/slot left
Defense: Cover 3

This is a route combination that is common throughout football. Corey Brown is aligned in a plus formation so he has enough room to run the inside slant. Greg Olsen runs to the flat, which puts stress on the cornerback to make a decision. Newton takes a three step drop and delivers a perfect throw to Brown to move the chains. The Falcons are a heavy cover 3 team and this concept is a common beater. The Panthers had multiple successes running this exact play in week 14.

The Panthers are fortunate to have an elite quarterback in his prime, but he has potential to grow. If Mike Shula and Newton improve their passing offense on third downs, then he might hit another level. Scary thought for the rest of the NFL.