TAMPA BAY, Fla. -- The evolution of quarterback Cam Newton officially began on Sunday.
It wasn’t particularly pretty.
The reigning NFL MVP threw three interceptions in the regular-season finale at Tampa Bay, including one returned for a touchdown. He almost was intercepted two or three other times.
But that had more to do with an ailing right shoulder that was aggravated early in the Panthers' 17-16 loss than it did the evolution.
The evolution began, though.
“There were some things that we did talk about that we did throw into the mix," Carolina coach Ron Rivera said after his team finished 6-10.