CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The New England Patriots might be the only team in the NFL that truly reloads ever year. Eighteen straight years of nine or more wins and nine trips to the Super Bowl during that stretch is evidence enough.
The common ingredient, at least in terms of players, is quarterback Tom Brady.
How Cam Newton's right shoulder responds to whatever treatment is chosen for the 2015 NFL MVP is key to whether this is a rebuilding or reloading year for the Carolina Panthers.
If Newton comes back 100 percent, there are enough pieces in place to consider this a reloading process even though the Panthers have had losing records in two of the past three seasons.