The writing was on the wall. As the first overall pick of the 2011 NFL Draft, Cam Newton was supposed to take the Carolina Panthers to new heights. Through two seasons Newton showed flashes of individual brilliance but not the leadership capabilities required from a signal caller.
Time-and-time again his leadership was questioned by critics, some of them being in-house. After a 36-7 blowout loss to the New York Giants, star receiver Steve Smith was displeased with Newton sulking on the bench after he was sat down late in the fourth quarter, after his third interception of the night.
Derek Anderson played the remained of the game while Newton sat from the bench not paying attention. Smith, the longtime face of the franchise, walked over to Newton and demanded the former Heisman winner to stand from the sideline and watch the game.
Via ESPN.COM: “I said, ‘Get up and learn from this,’ “Smith said. “I watched DA (Anderson) and Jimmy (Clausen) observe from the sidelines the last 20-something games and try to get mental reps. This is an opportunity for you to get some mental reps. Don’t just sit on the bench and sulk. I know you feel bad, but that isn’t going to help us.”
The press is always going to kick a player when he’s down, that’s the way of sports. But, when your biggest weapon is voicing his displeasure, it’s time for Newton to lead and better himself.
Through his first two seasons Newton was unable to duplicate his college success. The Panthers struggled to an overall record of 13-19 while the seat for Newton and his head coach Ron Rivera were scalding. To make matters worse the team limped out to a 1-3 start for the 2013 season.
In a win-now league the clock was ticking and Newton’s job security was dwindling. In order to secure his position and Rivera’s, he needed to lead.
After a debilitating loss to the Arizona Cardinals, Newton not only lifted his performance, but the performance of his organization. The Panthers have won three games in a row while scoring more than 30 points in all three games. The defense replicated Newton’s success and held opposing offenses to an average of 12 points per game.
Newton’s performance in the three games fortified why the Panthers selected the Auburn product first overall back in 2011. During the three game winning streak his completion percentage is nearly 80 percent and most importantly he has refrained from turning the ball over. He is learning to let the game unfold before him instead of forcing the action and trying to make a big play, every play.
Newton’s physical abilities are second-to-none, he has the speed of an elusive running back and an arm that can be stacked up with the best of them. His decision making has been his biggest liability. Key word: has.
Some athletes learn best through devastating losses while others buckle under the pressure. Cam’s inception into the NFL is beginning to replicate his college career. While most know Newton as the National Championship winning quarterback, few know of the struggles that came before his time as a Warhawk.
Newton’s career began at the University of Florida as Tim Tebow’s backup. A five-star prospect coming out of high school, Newton played sparingly in his freshman season while redshirting his sophomore year because of an ankle injury.
During that sophomore year Newton made a decision that would forever change his life. A stolen laptop was found in his possession by the campus police. The redshirt sophomore was immediately suspended by Urban Meyer and three days before their national championship game Newton announced he was to transfer from Florida.
Newton left Gainesville for Blinn College in Texas. He was coached by former Alabama and Texas A&M head man Dennis Franchione. It was at the little known Blinn College where Newton flourished and was ranked as the number one quarterback in the country.
He was courted by many teams and eventually signed with Auburn University. Newton went on to win the Heisman trophy and lead the Tigers to a national championship win over Oregon.
During his successful season at Auburn negativity continued to follow Newton. Reports began to swirl that Cam’s father, Cecil Newton, was shopping his son to colleges during his recruitment process while at Blinn. Cecil and former Mississippi State player Kenny Rogers allegedly sought $120,000 to $180,000 from Mississippi State for Cam’s services.
Newton had to play through the biggest games of his college career with this dark cloud hanging over his head. The NCAA later found that Auburn did not engage in any illegal activities and that Rogers and Newton Sr. acted alone and only with Mississippi State.
It was through these trying times that Newton experienced the low of lows. He left a perfect situation at UF where he was learning from arguably the best college football player and one of the most innovative college coaches to a little known JUCO that offered him a second chance.
The difficult times have shaped Newton into the man he is today. If it wasn’t for the mistake at UF it’s unknown if his career could have panned out the way it did at Auburn. Newton had to work even harder to get back and prove the critics wrong. The ability to point back at the critics has driven Newton to move mountains.
It’s becoming clear that the Panther’s quarterback thrives when the masses doubt his abilities. His NFL career has been full of individual highlights and statistical achievements. But, his team has been marred by underperforming and in the NFL it’s the sole responsibility of the quarterback to lead.
The times of Newton being photographed on the bench with a towel over his head in defeat are over. Though 24, the franchise is in hands and the days of being focused on individual accolades are over.
Courtesy: Sports Illustrated/CNN
Newton has finally come to terms that the elite quarterbacks are not at the peak of the position because of their ability to have statistical breakthroughs. The Brady’s, Roethlisberger’s and Manning’s of the world are valued because of their ability to win the big game and lead their team to unthinkable heights.
Learning to win in the NFL is of the utmost importance. The Panthers winning streak is in part to inferior competition but too many times a strong team plays down to its opponents. The schedule will not get easier though as the Panthers are set to face in-conference foe Atlanta Falcons along with the San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots.
Newton has made leaps and bounds to improve as a quarterback and a leader. With his physical prowess, his potential is uncapped. The critics will continue to chirp and as history has shown, Newton will rise to the occasion.
