CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Few outside the medical profession probably understand what Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton faces after undergoing rotator cuff surgery more than Chad Pennington.
The former New York Jets and Miami Dolphins quarterback had two rotator cuff surgeries on his throwing shoulder and four total shoulder surgeries during his 11-year (2000-2010) NFL career.
"I feel like a Ph.D. in this thing," Pennington told ESPN.com with a laugh.
Pennington said Newton's biggest challenge will be mental, understanding the throws he can and can't make, that there may be inconsistencies from one throw to the next, that he may not feel 100 percent until the 2018 season.