Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) reacts after running for a touchdown against the New Orleans Saints during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012. The Panthers won 35-27. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

Carolina Panthers' Luke Kuechly hits Houston Texans' Arian Foster (23) who fumbles during the first half of a NFL preseason football game in Charlotte, N.C., Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012. At rear, Panthers' Charles Johnson (95) and Charles Godfrey (30) assist. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)

Carolina Panthers' Charles Johnson (95) runs past New Orleans Saints' Zach Strief (64) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

New Orleans Saints' Pierre Thomas (23) is tackled by Carolina Panthers' Josh Norman (24) during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

Carolina Panthers defensive end Charles Johnson (95) walks out of the tunnel before the first half of an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Charlotte. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Doug Martin (22) runs as Carolina Panthers' Thomas Davis (58) defends during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Louis Murphy, center, pulls in a pass as Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, right, and free safety Kurt Coleman defend in the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Michael Perez)

Carolina Panthers fullback Mike Tolbert scores against the San Diego Chargers during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Carolina Panthers' Luke Kuechly, right, tackles Oakland Raiders' Terrelle Pryor, left, during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)

Carolina Panthers' Steve Smith (89) is tripped up by New Orleans Saints' Patrick Robinson (21) after a catch during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2012, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)

Carolina Panthers' Cam Newton (1) celebrates his touchdown run against the Oakland Raiders during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 23, 2012. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)

Carolina Panthers outside linebacker James Anderson (50) runs onto the field before an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Atlanta Falcons' Tony Gonzalez (88) gets tackled by Carolina Panthers' Luke Kuechly (59) as Carolina Panthers' Thomas Davis (58) moves in to help during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. The Panthers won 30-20. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)

Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams (34) leaps high as he is hit by Atlanta Falcons' Stephen Nicholas (54) and Dunta Robinson (23) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) dives over the goal line for a touchdown against the New York Giants during the third quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) hurdles Philadelphia Eagles strong safety Nate Allen (29) to score a touchdown in the second half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

San Diego Chargers' Quentin Jammer and Eric Weddle watch as Carolina Panthers' DeAngelo Williams (34) and Cam Newton (1) celebrate their 45 yard touchdown pass during the first half of a NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 16, 2012, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (10) is sacked by Carolina Panthers defensive ends Greg Hardy (76) and Charles Johnson (95) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Richard Lipski)

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith (89) stiff-arms New York Giants safety Antrel Rolle (26) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 20, 2012. The Giants won 36-7. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)

Carolina Panthers free safety Haruki Nakamura (43) jumps over the pile during a goal-line stand in the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Dec. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Dwan Edwards lunges for Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, in Landover, Md. (AP Photo/Richard Lipski)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) dives into the end zone for a touchdown as Atlanta Falcons' Chris Owens (21) pursues during the second half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)

Carolina Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart (28) runs against Dallas Cowboys cornerback Orlando Scandrick (32) during the first half of an NFL football game on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) scrambles past Atlanta Falcons' Chris Hope (24), Kroy Biermann (71), and Sean Weatherspoon (56) during the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Dec. 9, 2012. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)

Carolina Panthers wide receiver Brandon LaFell (11) heads into the end zone for a touchdown as Dallas Cowboys cornerback Brandon Carr (39) defends during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Chuck Burton)