Donovan McNabb is worried about Cam Newton.
Primarily because he sees so many parallels to his own career.
The former Eagles quarterback, who rarely had sufficient weapons around him in the passing game, said the Panthers are running a huge risk after releasing Steve Smith and letting the rest of their receivers walk in free agency.
“Oh, I would be worried,’' McNabb told David Newton of ESPN.com. “First of all, I didn’t have a top wide receiver until pretty much T.O. [Terrell Owens] got there.
“For him, I’m just wondering what they are doing to build around him? You lose Brandon LaFell, you lose Steve Smith, Ted Ginn [Jr.'s] gone. All you have at this point is Greg Olsen.’'
It was then mentioned that the Panthers had signed Jerricho Cotchery, and McNabb replied: “Greg Olsen.”
Panthers coach Ron Rivera has downplayed the need for a true number one receiver, but McNabb wasn’t buying that.
“I hate when teams [say] that,’' McNabb said. “Who are they, Bill Belichick and the Patriots now?’'
“But you’ve still got to give him some help,’' he said of Newton. “The quarterback is only as good as the people around him. If you don’t ever want him to throw to a player that can create big plays out of the passing game, it’s not going to go well.’'
So there you go, Panthers fans. Sign Owens, and it’s all better.