Three in the books: How is Cam Newton looking after his third start?

Sure, some detractors will say that we’re 1-2 instead of 3-0 and we should have taken a DT since this season is a losing season anyway, but we made the right choice in taking Newton. He’s far and away better than any QB we’ve had, even with his flaws.

and developing Cam Newton than it is winning games. We are trying to win every game, but the bigger picture is the development of Cam and the rest of our young players. I think we will be active in free agency again next year and we will probably look much different.

I’m stoked about the future of our young, franchise quarterback.

…especially on his reads, progressions, and decision-making. But I think the same could probably be said of all the rookie QBs compared above. For him to be 300+ yards (an entire game’s worth of passing yardage for most QBs!) above all those guys is pretty significant at this point in his rookie campaign. The TD-INT ratio is pretty notable, too…especially for a QB everyone expected to have “accuracy” problems and to struggle adjusting to NFL speed. His completion percentage is far and away better than anyone thought it would be. And, he’s faced at least two high-caliber defenses (Green Bay and Jacksonville) in compiling those numbers. Even Arizona tried to blitz the crap out of him to force him to errant throws. But he just stayed poised and burned them instead.

So, Cam’s a winner. And I think we all knew that even before he was drafted (due to the national championships). The only question was whether all of that was a by-product of the lesser competition he faced in college (which is debatable since the SEC is like a junior-NFL these days) and the schemes his coaches used to maximize his inborn talent (i.e., the spread offense)…or, if it was because Cam just has an inner drive to win, doing whatever it takes to do so (whether on the field or in pre-game preparation, practice, and workouts). At this point, I think we can all say it’s the latter.

The kid can obviously play at the NFL level. He’ll have growing pains like any other rookie QB. But, he seems to “get” it. And, he seems to have “it.” That’s the difference between a true franchise QB and someone you use as a stop-gap QB until you can find one. There’s also a lot to be said for Cam’s charisma. His attitude is infectious. He doesn’t back down from big games or big situations. That’s why he’s so poised as a rookie on a team trying to improve itself. He doesn’t have a “deer in the headlights” bone in his entire body. You might confuse him with a disguised coverage…or pressure him with a blitz package…but, he doesn’t rattle in the face of those things. He adapts. He prolongs plays, whether with his feet or his size in the pocket, somehow finding a way to keep the chains moving. And to win. And, even though we’re only 1-2, we were competitive in every game so far. I believe a lot more of that is due to Cam than any other single thing in the makeup of this team.

That’s a lot of weight to heap on one guy’s shoulders. But, Cam’s got some pretty big shoulders and the exact kind of mental makeup you want in a QB entrusted with that much responsibility for a team’s success. And, for him to have that as a rookie with all the doubters and haters that even now continue to question his ability, I just think it’s pretty amazing. He’s an inspirational guy to watch on the field. And he’s an inspirational guy to watch how he handles himself off the field in terms of interacting with his teammates. I don’t think anyone else could have rejuvenated Steve Smith the way this rookie QB has…and that, too, is pretty amazing in its own right.

Bottom line for me: I had my doubts. I took a wait-and-see approach when we drafted Cam…thinking it might have been better to build up the defense (to hang with our rivals in the NFC South) and look for a better QB (maybe Andrew Luck, maybe not) in the following year’s draft. In other words, a slow-and-steady approach to help Rivera’s coaching staff ease into installing their philosophy and putting their stamp on this team. But Cam (and Rivera) have completely won me over. They saw something in this guy that convinced them he’s a franchise QB. And they were right. Even more importantly, they surrounded him with the right kind of guys to develop him. I think that’s been a huge difference-maker. We’ve got a coaching staff that knows how to teach and how to game-plan and play-call to the strengths of our players.

All of that gives me (and obviously the team) tremendous hope for the future no matter how this season turns out.

But that’s just my two cents,
—Neil

He is going to continue to get more comfortable with trusting his receivers, TEs, and offensive line.

Next season, I hope we get him another weapon in Alshon Jeffery. In theory, by the time Smitty is ready to retire, Cam would be able to pick up right where he leaves off (as Jeffery would, theoretically, be in his 3rd or 4th year by this time). From everything I have seen of the young SC product, he is a 100% lock to come in and fit the big, fast, strong WR mold that is proving effective in the NFL today a la Megatron, Andre Johnson, V-Jax, etc.

in spite of what some may believe. We had more yards, sacks, first downs, a better third down conversion percentage, and less turnovers. These are always excellent indicators of a win. Don’t let anyone, including yourself, convince you that the Panthers should have lost.

though he came a lot closer (387). Too bad so sad…

Yeah he was playing against college and not NFL defenses. But there is a flipside, his teammates were not NFL players either. No one seems to think that maybe now he has players that are up to his personal level, he is really showing what he can do.

if we dont make it to the playoffs this year I hope we follow the exact way the Lions have built their team through the draft.

2008 they get C Johnson, 2009 they get Stafford and 2010 they get Suh and 2011 they are 3-0. Lions are the poster boys on how to flawlessly build a team.

Oh and BTW we NEED Dre Kirkpatrick in this draft! a great, solid shutdown corner.

Are their any Suh like DTs projected for this next draft?

First game great. Second game outstanding. Third game a little shaky but I blame that on the weather

so i appreciate the compares james

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!