There are so many things that come to mind when the name Cam Newton is brought up. Immaturity, sophomore slump, selfish, “Scam” Newton — but almost no one associates him as “leader”. It’s fair to not say that because up to this point the perception has been otherwise. The team leaders on the offense have been veterans Steve Smith and Jordan Gross, but from what I can tell, Gross is going to step back in his last year and Cam will easily step up in his place.
Deshaun Foster gets set to run for enough yards to put my Fantasy team over the top for this week’s matchup – great to watch him do it person. Monday Night Football, Charlotte, NC. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
If you only paid attention to the first ten games last year where the Panthers started off 2-8, then you missed what seemed to be a bonding of our offense. The game plan that “mad scientist” Rob Chudzinski had been shoving down everyone’s throats was scaled back, allowing for more play-action passing and downhill running. Instead of a base offense in the read-option, Newton flourished in a power formation where he set a franchise record of 152 pass attempts without an interception. Even more impressive was his improvement of 11TDs-2INTs in the last 6 games over his 8TDs-10INTs in the first 10 games
Coming into his third year, I think it will surprise everyone who is not a Panthers fan to see Cam wearing the C on his jersey. But if you have followed them this offseason.. if you saw those last six games and how the team bonded with him.. if you heard what his teammates have been saying.. if you saw or read the speech he gave in week 17 after the team saved Rivera’s job.. — then come September you won’t shocked at all.
Related articles
- Panthers going somewhere with Rivera, Newton (panthers.com)
- Cam Newton is a leaner leader in 2013 (catscratchreader.com)
- NFL.com Ranks Cam Newton #12 QB in NFL (catscratchreader.com)
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