Sophomore Slump unlikely for Cam

[Jackofalltrades]

Interesting read that sheds some light of the theory of the dreaded sophomore slump.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/09/08/cam-newton-escapes-numbers-dispel-idea-of-sophomore-slump/

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Cam Newton avoided one jinx when he didn’t win the voting to be on the Madden video game cover.

He may be about to dodge another one, as statistical evidence points to the idea of a sophomore slump being a myth.

According to research by the Charlotte Observer, quarterbacks since 2000 who started at least half their games as rookies saw steady statistical improvements their second year.

So while the idea that a lap around the league makes it easier to game-plan a player such as Newton, the numbers don’t back that up.

Of the 13 quarterbacks since 2000 who started at least eight games in their rookie and second seasons, only two – Sam Bradford of the Rams and Matt Ryan of the Falcons – saw a decrease in quarterback rating. At the same time, seven saw their quarterback rating jump more than five points in their second year. There were similar increases in completion percentage, touchdowns and yards, and decreases across the board in interceptions, sacks and fumbles.

“History shows there’s been situations (where second-year quarterbacks struggled) – the sophomore slump was created somehow some way, right?” former Panthers quarterback Chris Weinke said. “But I think the important thing when you’re talking about the quarterback position, the first year is always the toughest. You would think that second year, because of the experience, that you’re going to be better. …

“Now at that position, a lot more’s predicated on your supporting cast, too. And I think that’s the one thing that gets overlooked every once in a while.”

It’s no accident that Weinke mentioned that, as he took way too much blame for the Panthers 1-15 record with him at the trigger in 2001, since he was surrounded by a cast that looked more like an expansion team.

Likewise, Bradford can explain his dip, as he changed offensive systems from Year 1 to 2 (trading Pat Shurmur for Josh McDaniels).

Newton won’t have to worry about that, as the Panthers were able to keep play-caller Rob Chudzinski, though that might be a temporary condition, as he becomes more visible for head coaching jobs.

Still, it broke a streak of four new systems in as many years for Newton, who bounced from Florida to Blinn Junior College to Auburn to the Panthers, and didn’t have the benefit of a normal offseason last year.

[LelouchBritannia]

Screw stats. For me a sophmore slump is Cam Newton not taking the next step in the passing game. Yea,yea he can run the ball, and I like the fact that he is very good at it. But can he quickly diagnose and read defenses, and can he take the easy throw and pick up yardage. At the beginning of his rookie season he stood in the pocket and kept his eyes downfield for the big play when scrambling, but at the end and in the preseason the second it's not there he seems to want to tuck it and run.

[BigFan12]

Found this on web:

Cam Newton came out of the gate on fire, passing for 854 yards in his first two games and he would win his first game of the year in week 3 vs. The Jacksonville Jaguars.  Newton would go on to complete the first half of the season as the lead passer in 6 of the 8 games.  Newton set the tone early in the season that he is for real.  While The Panthers would finish the first half 2-6, Cam Newton would have higher game totals in passing yards than opponents Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan and Jay Cutler. However, Newton would have no victories over their teams and his week 8 match up vs. The Minnesota Vikings would be the last time he was a game’s passing leader.

Newton’s led Panthers would finish the second half of the season going 4-4 but only one season win over a team with a winning record.  The Panthers beat The Houston Texans in week 14 minus key offensive players including Texans starting quarterback Matt Schaub. That’s right; T.J. Yates had more passing yards than Cam Newton in their match up.  While The Panthers were winning, defending Cam Newton was becoming a challenge more easily accomplished than in the first half of the season.

In the second half of his rookie season, Newton’s passing yards per game totals would leave him runner up to the leader in all eight games.  Matt Hasselbeck, Chris Painter, T.J. Yates and both Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ quarterbacks, Josh Freeman and Josh Johnson would out pass Cam Newton.  Of Cam Newton’s 4051 passing yards, 34% would be achieved in games 1-4.  In games 5-8, Cam would amass another 25% of his season total, followed by 22% in games 9-12, and finishing the final four games with only 19% of his rookie season’s total passing yards.

Maybe it was the mental game wearing down on Newton but when we see his best games coming in September following an off season with a lock out, Cam Newton’s sophomore slump seems highly possible. In Week 1 Newton matched up against Kevin Kolb and The Arizona Cardinals, followed by The Green Bay Packers’ high powered offense and then The Bears’ week 4 match up, going toe to toe with what was still a Mike Martz ran offense at full strength.  If we take out those three games, Cam Newton’s record improves to a .461 win percentage as opposed to .375 but he would only have an average of 217 passing yards per game.  Newton’s touchdown to interception ratio and total rushing touchdowns were identical in both halves of the season. However, in addition to his victory over T.J. Yates and The Texans, Newton’s wins came against extremely inferior opposition as his passing yards per game declined throughout the season.

[TruCatzFan]

I really get a kick out of this whole sophomore slump garbage! I really do. Every time I hear of it on TV or the radio all I can do is laugh out loud, or at the very least let out a little chuckle.

Anybody who even thinks that this would be a remote possibility... And I'll go on record with this next statement... Is a Complete fuggin Moron!

I created a thread Months ago about Dan Marino's second year in the League... It was honestly ridiculous, and it's the year he set the ydg record that wasn't broken until this last year with Brees. While I don't think that he will do it, I'd be willing to bet that he's closer to Marino's records than he will be to a "sophomore slump"

I can't wait for the commentators during tomorrows game talk about it per game... So that Cam can crush them 20 min later.

The thing of it is... Cam won't have to throw nearly as much this year. He has the most talented backfield in the NFL hands down. His recieving corps is far better than it was last year...

None of us here are capable of predicting the future (and if someone can I'm pissed... I need some lotto #'s via pm) but in my attempt at doing so, I'll also go on record saying that this offense has the potential to be one of the League's most prolific in history, and personally I don't give a damn how many of u disagree with me on it! (drops mike)

[Floppin]

Pat you fat donkey bitch. You linked that poo article from Duanescorner months ago. .

It was just as much retarded garbage then as it is now. Are you seriously this fuging retarded?

[pepaw]

Found this on web:

Cam Newton came out of the gate on fire, passing for 854 yards in his first two games and he would win his first game of the year in week 3 vs. The Jacksonville Jaguars. Newton would go on to complete the first half of the season as the lead passer in 6 of the 8 games. Newton set the tone early in the season that he is for real. While The Panthers would finish the first half 2-6, Cam Newton would have higher game totals in passing yards than opponents Aaron Rodgers, Matt Ryan and Jay Cutler. However, Newton would have no victories over their teams and his week 8 match up vs. The Minnesota Vikings would be the last time he was a game’s passing leader.

Newton’s led Panthers would finish the second half of the season going 4-4 but only one season win over a team with a winning record. The Panthers beat The Houston Texans in week 14 minus key offensive players including Texans starting quarterback Matt Schaub. That’s right; T.J. Yates had more passing yards than Cam Newton in their match up. While The Panthers were winning, defending Cam Newton was becoming a challenge more easily accomplished than in the first half of the season.

In the second half of his rookie season, Newton’s passing yards per game totals would leave him runner up to the leader in all eight games. Matt Hasselbeck, Chris Painter, T.J. Yates and both Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ quarterbacks, Josh Freeman and Josh Johnson would out pass Cam Newton. Of Cam Newton’s 4051 passing yards, 34% would be achieved in games 1-4. In games 5-8, Cam would amass another 25% of his season total, followed by 22% in games 9-12, and finishing the final four games with only 19% of his rookie season’s total passing yards.

Maybe it was the mental game wearing down on Newton but when we see his best games coming in September following an off season with a lock out, Cam Newton’s sophomore slump seems highly possible. In Week 1 Newton matched up against Kevin Kolb and The Arizona Cardinals, followed by The Green Bay Packers’ high powered offense and then The Bears’ week 4 match up, going toe to toe with what was still a Mike Martz ran offense at full strength. If we take out those three games, Cam Newton’s record improves to a .461 win percentage as opposed to .375 but he would only have an average of 217 passing yards per game. Newton’s touchdown to interception ratio and total rushing touchdowns were identical in both halves of the season. However, in addition to his victory over T.J. Yates and The Texans, Newton’s wins came against extremely inferior opposition as his passing yards per game declined throughout the season.

That article kind of makes good points but the writer did not watch us last year. The reason the yards went down for Cam the second half of the season is due to the improved running game as the season progressed.

We were a more balanced offense and were scary as fug. Cam can throw for 350 if he wants to. Chud found ways to utilize our badass backfield as the season progressed and it showed in our efficiency and Cams drop in pass yards per game.

[Marguide]

Cam threw less the last half of the year because our running game got going. It had nothing to do with him being less effective; he was just more efficient, and it led to more wins.

Without looking up the numbers, I'm pretty confident Brady threw for more yards the 1st half of the year than the last half. Maybe defenses figured him out, and maybe he'll slump this year.

Seriously, this whole sophomore slump thing is kinda silly, and unsupported by the facts.

[TheOracle]

Cam Newton is too talented to have a slump UNLESS HE GETS INJURED.

For the one millionth time, all Panthers fans have to be worried about is whether Cam can stay healthy. Beyond that, there's nothing to talk about. It's ALL that matters.

[Jackofalltrades]

Anyone who actually watched the Panthers play know Cam got better as the season wore on, you could see him settle in. It was a new offense installed by a new OC who didn't run much in the beginning, as the weeks passed Chud realized what he had on the field and used it, rather than just using Cam.

I've never worried about a sophomore slump because Cam had the humility to know he has a lot to work on, as well as the intelligence, drive and work ethic to get better.

[Care-Oh-Linuh]

Every rookie in the NFL doesn't slump. This is just buzz because Cam is fuggin beast and everyone knows it, EVEN Cam! His TALENT+SWAG combo threw a slump out the window the minute he was drafted. New thread.

[Care-Oh-Linuh]

Plus, he put those numbers up with ZERO prep.

[frash.exe]

Sophomore what?

[The_Mango55]

I think there might be a possible sophomore slump in fantasy points. But not one in real game performance.

[TruCatzFan]

Beyond the first few posts... Honestly this site and these threads are a joke!

Let's make lil quirky comments and see how much Pie I can get without really knowing anything about the game of football... "I'm pretty much a loser who loves Carolina, but I'll just post anyways..."

If this fits your profile, please leave the huddle. If not, then just disregard. But there are plenty that fit the bill