I don't know who wrote this article but I stumbled upon it today.
My biggest concern right now is our starting quarterback, Cam Newton. Newton has only played in the NFL for one season but he has had a huge impact. He has set numerous records including: most passing yards for a rookie, most total touchdowns for a rookie, most passing yards in one game for a rookie, most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a single season, along with many other records. So was the rookie season a success for Mr. Newton? Yes. Was the rookie season a success for the Panthers? Not quite. The team went 6-10 and looked bad for most of the season. The team won 4 of the last 6 games but none of the games were competitive. The best win of the season was in week 15 when the Panthers beat the Texans (a team who had already clinched a playoff spot and rested most of their starters). The other 3 wins came against the Colts (1-15) and the Buccaneers (4-12). At the end of the season I was not satisfied with the results. My team had a "strong" finish to a mediocre season.
Perspective is a wonderful thing right? I was satisfied that they turned it around and didn't end up with a top 3 pick..
In the Pro Bowl I think Cam Newton embarrassed himself. In a game where the corners can't press the receivers, blitzes can't be called, and there is no intentional grounding, Cam Newton managed to throw 3 interceptions and get sacked twice. Now I know the Pro Bowl is meant to be fun but his performance was dreadful. As a rookie, you need to pay your dues to the league. You need to work hard to show your peers that you are serious about being a Pro Bowl player. Andy Dalton, also a rookie, took his role seriously. He went 7-9 with 2 touchdowns. Eric Weddle, another first-time Pro Bowler, played his heart out. He didn't go out and treat the Pro Bowl as a joke; he went out to prove himself to his peers. Newton, on the other hand, seemed content to play for fun and take this experience for granted. Newton should have made the most out of this experience especially under the circumstances. He was a replacement for Eli Manning who couldn't participate since his team was playing in the Superbowl. Cam Newton was lucky to escape with only 3 interceptions. Many of his passes were not accurate and the defense had their hands on the ball before the receivers did. Newton was not prepared for the Pro Bowl. He was hoping to use this as a platform to prove how great he was but instead he made a fool of himself. If Newton makes it to the Pro Bowl again, I certainly hope he takes it seriously (and tucks in his shirt). I have come to two conclusions based off his Pro Bowl play. Either Cam Newton thinks he has already "made it" in the NFL and has nothing to prove or Cam Newton isn't good enough to play with the best players in the NFL. (I find this unacceptable. Where is the intensity or your competitive side?)
...wow. The pro bowl is the be all end all of your career apparently.
Right now, I am not sold that Cam Newton is a great quarterback. His passing yardage and rushing numbers were good during his rookie season so maybe he should be used as a running back who can throw or even a tight-end. I am concerned that the fans in Carolina are willing to sit through 6-10 seasons as long as they have an exciting quarterback to watch. I am concerned that Newton will not respond well if things do not go his way. I am concerned about the future of my team. I know this is not the popular opinion right now but there is an argument to be made. You can't only look at the good in a player and refuse to see their faults. Good stats aren't the only thing that matter (Look at Lebron James. ZING!). I think there is a spot for Cam Newton on this team but I do not think it is at quarterback.
That last sentence baffles me. Who else would you want to play QB? I'm trying to understand his logic, but I just cannot. Clausen? Anderson? Armanti? lol wut?!
