This time last year I remember (no link) that Cam Newton was ranked last in the NFL among starting QBs before he went on to shatter several rookie (and NFL) QB records. Even just a few months ago some pundits still had him in the lower teens when compared to the other QBs in the league. SBN's Ryan Van Bibber on the other hand seems to have given Newton some actual credit for what he did as a rookie QB without the benefit of an offseason:

11. Carolina Panthers

Cam Newton established a new ceiling for rookie quarterbacks. Dare I say he even entertained us? Experience should only benefit him this year. His 14 rushing touchdowns get all the attention, but Newton had the pocket presence of a veteran. Carolina added Mike Tolbert to take some of Newton's running off his list, setting him up to do even more passing this year. He could be the biggest riser on this list when it's all said and done.

A big riser he shall be if you ask me and yes Ryan, you may dare to say he was entertaining, in a Cardiac Cat kind of way for sure. Though entertaining let's hope he puts our opponents away in the 3rd quarter.

Look at the some of the names Bibber has ranked below Newton: Ryan, Cutler, Flacco, Schaub and....and.... Andrew Luck! Say it isn't so! How can he rank Newton ahead of the next coming of ...the greatest QB ever! No previous QB can be compared to the neck bearded one. I could argue with a couple names above him like Vick and Romo but given those two have a more extensive resume I'll leave it alone for now.

I have to agree for me at least that his pocket presence and ability to go down field with success was the most pleasant surprise. We knew he could run the ball and we knew he would be hard to tackle given his incredible size for the position. But I never expected him to be able to hang in the pocket like he did and deliver the ball to the open man. I'm looking forward to a lot more of that.