Runner or passer? Cam Newton blurs line, rules

The NFL long has protected itsquarterbacks, even when the league showed little interest in the health of players at other positions. There is a financial incentive: the quarterbacks usually are the marquee names, they are the highest-paid players on average and they are the most difficult players to replace.

But there didn’t seem to be much protection for Panthers quarterback Cam Newton when the Broncos bludgeoned him during the first game of this NFL season.

The Broncos delivered at least four head shots against Newton. Only one of them resulted in a penalty—and that was offset by an intentional grounding infraction against Newton.

“That was close, for sure,” NBC commentator Cris Collinsworth…