Is Cam Newton Flying Under The Radar?

[PlayTheGame]

Last football season, we may have witnessed the best QB play ever, and it will probably only continue to get better. While some of the younger QB's (like Cam Newton) got some attention last year, most of the attention understandably fell on the likes of the stalwarts of the position: Brees, Brady, and Rodgers. Right up there with them was Eli Manning, Romo, Rivers, Roethlisberger, Stafford, and others. Arguably the biggest QB-related headline of last season was the race to beat Marino's passing yards record for a sesaon, which Drew Brees ending up doing in order to set the new record with well over 5,000 yards.

However, even with all of the attention on the QB's, I still can't help but feel that Cam Newton's being overlooked a bit. Not in the sense that no one's paying attention or that he's getting snubbed, as he rightfully won ROTY. He's certainly receiving attention and turning heads to an extent. But even so, I can't help but feel that even with this attention, he's still flying under the radar all things considered.

Why? Just take a look at all of the rookie records he broke. Here's a list, and this isn't even counting all of the numerous Panthers franchise records he broke in just one season:

-Most passing yards by a rookie in a game (432), September 18, 2011 vs. Green Bay Packers (first career game)
-Most passing yards by a rookie in a season (4,051), 2011
-First rookie in NFL history to pass for more than 400 yards in back to back games, September 11, 2011 vs. Arizona Cardinals and September 18, 2011 vs. Green Bay Packers
-First rookie in NFL history to throw for 10 touchdowns and run for 10 touchdowns in a season.
-Fourth rookie quarterback to throw for 3,000 yards in a season. (He threw for over 4,000)
-Third most pass TDs (21) in a rookie season.
-Most total touchdowns by a rookie NFL player: 35 (21 pass, 14 rush).
-Most rushing yards by a rookie quarterback: 706
-Most rushing touchdowns by a rookie quarterback: 14
-Along with Andy Dalton, the two make the first pair of rookie QB's to make the Pro Bowl

Besides his talented running stats and the beast that he is on the goaline, I think his most impressive stat is his ability to move the ball in the air, amassing over 4,000 passing yards in his rookie campaign (practically unheard of for a rookie). Keep in mind, besides Steve Smith, he didn't have much else to work with at all.

Despite the fair amount of attention Newton has gotten for his unbelievable rookie year, I still think this guy's flying under the radar in a sense. Because while the buzz is mostly kept on Brady, Brees, the Mannings, and Rodgers, the truth is, if Newton keeps up these numbers (and who knows about that), he has the potential to be one of the greats. Not sure if it's likely, but the potential is obviously there. I didn't like Newton coming out of college, but he has proven me wrong. I hope he can keep it up.

What do you think?

 

[Moon Knight]

They were kissing his butt all season, so no. He gets plenty of respect for what he did. Others give him less respect because it's easier to gain yards via the air now then it was before.

 

[PlayTheGame]

I think he's unbelievable. I wonder if hegets even better.

 

[Unsold Bacon]

Not really, I here some talk he could end up bring this year's MVP and I can't say I really disagree with that.

 

[Slyfox696]

Just ask Alex Smith.

 

[PlayTheGame]

If Cam Newton can get some more offensive talent... imagine if he had Rodgers' weapons.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

Should be interesting to see how he develops. If I remember correctly a lot of his stats came early in the season. The Panthers biggest concerns right now is beefing up that defense. Unfortunately for them, I think they've dropped too much money on not enough talent under the guise of being loyal. Losing Peppers a couple of years ago was a huge blow to the Panthers talent and phyche.

 

[Cena's Little Helper]

I'll agree with GSB and elaborate: the Panthers will only be as good as their defense. Given how fucking huge he is, Newton will be able to score rush TDs well into his thirties. However, I don't see him ever being a QB with a huge TD/INT differential (a la Rivers before this previous season); when all is said and done, Newton will probably have 275-325 TDs with about 250-275 INTs. In the end, defense will be the deciding factor in whether or not the Panthers win or lose (i.e., can they prevent other teams from capitalizing on Newton's turnovers?).

That being said, as long as he has a decent to good O-line, Andy Dalton's a perennial All-Pro in the making.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

I'll agree with GSB and elaborate: the Panthers will only be as good as their defense. Given how fucking huge he is, Newton will be able to score rush TDs well into his thirties. However, I don't see him ever being a QB with a huge TD/INT differential (a la Rivers before this previous season); when all is said and done, Newton will probably have 275-325 TDs with about 250-275 INTs. In the end, defense will be the deciding factor in whether or not the Panthers win or lose (i.e., can they prevent other teams from capitalizing on Newton's turnovers?).

That being said, as long as he has a decent to good O-line, Andy Dalton's a perennial All-Pro in the making.

His height and running in the red zone made me think of something. Newton is a huge guy who you really want to hit at the waist and legs to bring him down. I kind of wonder if he can keep his legs healthy with all of those big guys in the front seven trying to stop him from getting an extra yard and those fast flying corner backs going low trying to knock him back. We spend so much time focusing on a QB's arm strength and forget that the position is equally if not harder to play with injured or worn out legs.

I can't predict injuries but I know pocket passers that rely on the power RBs to get a yard or two tend to stay healthier. Along with helping their defense, Carolina may want to seriously consider taking Newton out of all of those short yardage situation and work on their power running game.

All in all though, I like the guy. He seems like someone that is really maturing in to a great teammate.