Thursday, October 6, 2011

5 things I've noticed about Cam Newton

After observing Cam Newton up close for a few months now, here are a couple of things I've noticed that aren't terribly significant but still interest me.

1) Newton likes to boil things down to absolutes: Wins, losses, successes, failures. He is a pretty bad loser at the moment, in part because he hasn't had much practice.

It is a plain and simple approach, although Newton would call it a "simple and plain" approach. He loves that phrase, using it at least once in every press conference. For instance, he said this week: "We could actually be 4-0, simple and plain."

2) The Panthers have drastically changed their offense to suit Newton, which makes a ton of sense. Notice how much they are in the shotgun now? Third-and-1, second-and-2, it doesn't seem to matter -- they will use it at anytime.

I went back to the play-by-play last week and counted it up. It turns out Newton was in the shotgun on about 65 percent of the Panthers' offensive snaps. Newton obviously sees the defense better from the shotgun since he played practically the entire year that way at Auburn in 2010.

I still wish Carolina would run him a little less at the goal line and their two highly-paid running backs a little more, though. That's quite a beating Newton is taking on every carry in the red zone. But it has worked out decently so far.

3) I asked Newton this week about what he does after scoring a touchdown when he puts both hands near his chest and then pulls them away. It's basically meant to be a takeoff of the way Superman rips open his shirt to reveal his Superman costume.

"My little brother likes it, so I'm going to keep doing it," Newton said.

The first time Newton did this, in the Arizona game, he got penalized 15 yards because he went to his knees first, and that's a no-no in the No Fun League.

But as far as TD celebrations go -- and Newton also does the Clark Kent/Superman thing when he gets introduced in the pregame -- this one fits. For now, Newton is the Panthers' Superman. And he also has a pair of glasses that he wears on occasion that look like they came straight off of Kent himself.

4) "Cam Mania" has, almost singlehandedly, made the Panthers relevant in the national football conversation again. He's already had a glowing feature about his play as a rookie in "Sports Illustrated," and unless things go south fast he's going to ultimately sweep the Rookie of the Year awards.

The other day I went on a radio show that was broadcast on 220 National Public Radio stations to talk about Cam -- and Cam only -- for 6-8 minutes. I've done a lot of radio and TV interviews about the Panthers over the years, but I can honestly say that's the first time I ever discussed the Panthers on NPR. Everyone notices this guy.

5) And speaking of noticing No.1: Everyone that sees Newton up close and in person for the first time remarks on how big he is. This is a given, much like a 7-footer guy walking through an airport and being asked if he plays basketball.

Newton is listed at 6-5 and 248 pounds, but he somehow comes off as larger than that. I don't know if it's good posture or what exactly. But he's forever drawing comparisons to guys like Julius Peppers, who in reality is at least two inches taller and 40 pounds heavier (Chicago coach Lovie Smith made that analogy last week).

But Newton looks bigger and thicker than most tight ends and some defensive ends. and When you see him up close, if you haven't already, you'll say something like that, too -- simple and plain.

48 comments:

Anonymous said...

Texas home grown genius Drew Brees will be conducting a clinic Sunday for all scamming pretenders.

6' 210 lb Brees has won about everything except Purdue didnt buy him a Heisman or NCAA. They cost millions these days under the table and they didnt want to cheat. Brees has a 4 year degree 4.0 GPA B.S. in Industrial Engineering and 3 time Academic All American and great family guy.

He won a couple 5A state titles in Austin going 30-0 his last 2 yrs and took Purdue to 3 BCS and 2 time Heisman RU and of course a Super Bowl with the Saints.

Stellar career of flawless integrity and moral character. A shining example of how to do things the RIGHT way. Everybody tell your kids to follow his lead.

Saints by 20

Anonymous said...

You would think with as much money Brees makes that he would get that big ugly fuzzy thing growing on the left side of his face taken off.

Anonymous said...

It's because of writers like yourself that gives these hotdogs a sense of someone caring about their celebration acts. I know, they just have to celebrate regardless if they are losing or not. That's just the way they are brought up.

Wade said...

To the first Anonymous poster. Please stop using drugs. You can get help. drugfree.org will provide the help you need. If you think the Saints are going to beat the Panthers by 20 when the Packers couldn't do that, they you must be on drugs. So please stop using drugs. Your health is important.

Anonymous said...

are people THAT stupid that they didn't know he's doing the Superman thing? Seemed obvious on TV what it is...

imronburgundy said...

Wow, some real haters here today. I think they just sit around waiting for a story about Cam Newton to show on the Observer, crack their knuckles and say "here we go, I'll show them all what a scam he is". Psssh. Cam Newton is great. Get over it.

Anonymous said...

Obviously a Saints fan as many keep rearing their heads on the Panthers forums.
They need to stay on their own papers and forums.

Newton is what all teams need and the Panthers got him. Its that simple. The guy has proved himself and that is all that is needed and he and Smitty can do any end zone dance they want to and anyone else for that matter. Smitty often did for his kids and Newton can for his little brother. So be that!

Anonymous said...

I like Brees & he has been great for the Saints but the NFC South's best QB will be Cam Newton sooner than later. My guess is as soon as next season. It is actually close this season. So my suggestion to saints fans is enjoy 2011 because that will be your last chance to win the division for the next 15 years or so.

Mexoplex said...

lol @ "good posture". Man, everybody would eat their vegetables and sit up straight like our mothers use to scold us if it would make us 6'5".

Anonymous said...

Cam is by far the best rookie quarteback in the history of the NFL.

With the Panthers being a bad team and building for the future, based on what Cam has shown so far, there's only one quarteback in the NFL I would trade him for, and that's Aaron Rogers.

And that's simple and plain.

Anonymous said...

I am a Baltimore Raven fan, and i have to say, i like Cam Newton. To me, he is bringing Panther football back from the dark ages, and if the Panthers do the right thing and maybe get him another receiver and get your money's worth out of those 2 sad RB's, this team will be a MONSTER. U have a very good defense already when your healthy. Cheer up Panther fans, if not this year, Cam will lead you to the promise land next year.

tony p said...

brees blows compared to cam we just need to pick up the d to stop the other team

Anonymous said...

"if the Panthers do the right thing and maybe get him another receiver and get your money's worth out of those 2 sad RB's, this team will be a MONSTER".............Hard to understand how you get Sad out of double trouble? Best tandem back in the NFL that is just not clicking right now. They will soon enough but to call them Sad is an injustice and doesn't fit based on their past performances. Agree, need another threat at WR and yes a Monster is born.

Anonymous said...

I just know that Newton has been better than Brees on my fantasy team 3 out of 4 weeks this year. So if Brees is putting on a clinic it must be about handing off.

Anonymous said...

so now its the team that sucks but the ex one hit wonder one season auburn qb is the the greatest in the history of the universe?

did he even go to a single class at auburn?

why not just put him in the nfl hall of fame in canton ohio now? just give him 10 super bowl rings up front.

le him be a real one man show and take his own snaps and go out for his own passes?

why does he even need any other inferior players? he is the whole team. right?

Anonymous said...

Anon at 9:37 and 7:07, obviously the same, please just go away. Your unwarranted Cam hater rants are not wanted here. You make no sense with your accusatory jibberish about Cam and Auburn and "buying Heismans..etc. My God, go away. You seem to know that the Saints are on the way out and the Panthers are on the way in and it is killing you.

freddy said...

"Simple and plain" is simply Cam Newton's new catch phrase. Apparently every Carolina quarterback has to have one. Jimmy Clausin's is "each and every day" which he inserts into literally every interview he does. Or did, seeing as how he's not being interviewed anymore. But if he was, he'd do it "each and every time".

Anonymous said...

It's funny how good the first poster said Brees is....He didn't show up in the NFL till the Chargers drafted Rivers. Then decided to play and get paid. Stop hatin' and get out of your momma's basement, she needs her PC back to check ebay.

anon said...

To the 1st poster gushing over Brees, a quick glance at purduesports.com will show you that:

-He played in 1 BCS game (Rose Bowl) not 3

-He never finished higher than 3rd in the Heisman voting and this occurred once not runner-up 2X

-He earned a degree in Industrial Management not Industrial Engineering

-GPA was 3.42 not a 4.0

-High School record was 28-0-2 not 30-0

Drew Brees appears to be a great guy but it helps to have actual facts when you are trying to make a case for somebody. Also, this article has nothing to do with role model NFL players, it was written to give insight into the most popular young player in the league. Try to follow along

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Think it's about time for me to return to my original team, The Green Bay Packers, and forget that I ever dared to call myself a Panthers fan...

Esteban said...

For all you Cam haters that have posted and will post. It's plain and simple. Either A you are a Bama fan, B you are an SEC fan that his team whooped up on yours last year or C you just are straight sipping haterade. Watch the games and you will see what everyone else is seeing.

Anonymous said...

As far as a TD celebration, wish Cam would take a page from Barry Sanders book and just hand the ball to the Ref. As Barry used to say about TD celebrations: "my father said to me son, act like you've been there before and you expect to be back."

Anonymous said...

Brees was Texas 5A Most Valuable Player in 1996 1997 and led Westlake to 2 state titles and AP National Player of the Year as senior. Brees had 11,461 AP yards with 80 AP TDs and 75% completion.

2× Heisman Finalist

Outback Bowl MVP

Alamo Bowl MVP

2xBig Ten Football MVP

Maxwell Award

2x NCAA All American

3x All American Academic 3.94 GPA


5× Pro Bowl selection 2004 2006 2008 2009 2010

3× All-Pro selection 2006 2008 2009

Super Bowl Champion XLIV

Super Bowl MVP XLIV

AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year 2008

2× NFC MVP 2008 2009

3× NFC Offensive Player of the Year 2006 2008 2009

3× FedEx Air Player of the Year Award 2006 2008 2009

AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award 2004

AP Male Athlete of the Year 2010

Gallop Player Award 2010

Sportsman of the Year 2010

Bert Bell Award 2009

Walter Payton Award 2006

CHARITY WORK:
As a result of both his on field success with the Saints and his extensive charitable activities since arriving in New Orleans Brees has become in the words of a 2010 Sports Illustrated profile "an athlete as adored and appreciated as any in an American city today". When Sports Illustrated selected him for the 2010 Sportsman of the Year award, it said the award was "for not only leading the New Orleans Saints to the first Super Bowl title in the franchises history but also for helping lead the city of New Orleans rebirth after the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina".

Brees has been involved in Hurricane Katrina recovery. Drew and Brittanys Brees Dream Foundation announced a partnership in 2007 with international childrens charity Operation Kids to rebuild and restore and recreate academic and athletic facilities parks and playgrounds after-school programs mentoring programs for the intellectually disabled neighborhood revitalization projects and child care facilities in New Orleans.

In February 2008 Brees signed a promotional deal with Chili's Grill & Bar. The promotion helped raise money for charity. In June 2008 Brees participated in the Pro Sports Team Challenge a competition for pro athletes to help raise money for charities. The charity Brees played for was Operation Kids.

In 2010 as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill Brees appeared in a commercial to raise awareness of the spill.

Brees was born in Austin Texas to Chip and Mina Brees who named their son after Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Drew Pearson. His uncle Marty Akins was an All-American starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns college football team from 1975 to 1977. Chip Brees played basketball for the Texas A&M Aggies mens basketball team, and Drew Breess grandfather Ray Akins had the third most victories as a Texas high school football coach.

Brees married his college sweetheart Brittany Dudchenko in February 2003. They both met and dated while attending Purdue University. They have 2 children 2 and 4.

Anonymous said...

Anon at 10:54am....Proficient at cut & paste are you?

KMAL said...

Hey, anonymous @ 7:25, were you watching the game when Cam scored a meaningless touchdown at the end of the game and just put the ball down, didn't even smile, and walked out of the end zone? I'm sure you didn't because it is obvious that you just want to hate Cam. He will do things never done before in this league. When the game begins to slow down for him, look out.

Anonymous said...

Wow, someone posted a resume. Is Drew looking for a job these days?

To the first poster, yes Breeze is a great QB. Saints by 20?? Repost that on Monday.

Mike said...

Wow, looks like someones got entirely too much time on their hands! (10:54) What did all that info prove?

gg said...

Good point about Cam running at the goal line. It's effective but does he really need to take those shots?

Anonymous said...

Scott "CamMan" Fowler - all Cam, all the time... at least you're pretending to do something original - I'm sure you made Charlotte look completely stupid on NPR

Anonymous said...

we inbred hicks know the smell of manure when we smell it.

Anonymous said...

Why all the hatred directed at Cam?

I can be a Panther fan and a Cam believer without trashing Drew Brees. Braes is a great QB and an equally good person.

Cam is going to be a great NFL QB and is a solid good person as well.

War Eagle! And Go Panthers!

anon said...

Anon @ 10:54, you are getting closer:

-1 HS State title not 2

-1996 AP player of the year (he was a senior in 1996 so he couldn’t have been named High School player of the year in 1997)

-1X All American not 2

-GPA is still 3.42

You failed to cut and paste accurate information about a player that has
nothing to do with this article.

Anonymous said...

To the cut & paste stat clown please get a few things in perspective. #1 Cam Newton winning the National Championship & the Heisman is better than Brees finishing in the running. Give Cam 10 years in the NFL & I would be willing to bet his resume looks like your resume up against Bill Gates. We all remember your Super Bowl but that will be the last one you win for a while. Cam Newton will probably bring multiple Super Bowls here in the next 10 years.

Anonymous said...

LMAO!! Wow, thank you posters for never failing to make my day, although some obviously really need to get a life!

By the way: He is who we thought he was!!

Anonymous said...

Somebody thinks Cam is going to mess up the gumbo. We ain't playing OldMaid on Sunday. I can assure you Drew has handed off or thrown to someone of questionable character. All that matters is the team gets the best out of its players on the field. If they get into trouble off the field than society should handle that. And none of us can pass judgement on anybody else. Light em up Cam!!

Scott said...

Why did the chargers dump BREES???

He is so over-rated....

On Sunday there will be only one franschise QB on the field and he will be wearing the home jersey....

Anonymous said...

Poor l'l aints fans....you are back to your normal place....bottom feeders i the NFL.

Anonymous said...

Why doesn't the Saints poster compare the first 4 rookie games of Brees vs. Newton? I believe if he did then he would see that Drew Brees, while a nice guy, doesn't even compare. Here's a good article for you Scott, show the first 4 games of all the top QB's vs. Cam Newton and see where he stands in the realms of the professional QBs.

Anonymous said...

Such delusions of grandeur bragging and narcisism never seen it defies logic. Naueating. Who do these Newton worshipers think they are to put some lowlife cheat thief felon up like a god after only 4 games and a 1-3 record going 0-3 in preseason? Laughable.

Newton couldnt hold Brees's jockstrap and never will in 10 yrs although he'll be in jail by then.

Its only a kids game played by adults and with absolutely no world competition except for Canada who has all US players.
The only 2 sports the Olympics refuse are American football and WWE.

America needs a 75% surtax on all pro athletes anyway after union heist scam extortion stole billions and got paid hundreds of millions in higher salaries for nothing as tv cable go to 200 a month and everything else rises to pay for these bandits.

Help reduce the 15 trillion deficit from the guy in the WH bankrupting America. Since pro athletes only "work" 25% of the year they should be paying 75% in taxes.

Hear that Obama? Tax these overpaid loafer millionaires.

Anonymous said...

3.42 in Industrial Engineering is like a 2.0 in any other REAL engineering major. IEs are a joke in the engineering profession.

Anonymous said...

Why are we even talking about Drew Brees? He's 100% irrelevant to this article. I get it, he's a good player who volunteers for stuff and has a tremendous mole on his face. I don't care about any of it.

You Better Watch Yourself Buddy said...

@ Anonymous - October 7, 2011 7:17 AM

Wow, just wow. Your previous "anonymous" posts were just silly and pathetic attempts at trash-talking, but this post makes me think you are a very sad, bitter, and possibly sick individual.

Does your problem with NFL salaries include your beloved Brees, who is in the final year of a contract 3x bigger than Cam's - and will sign maybe the biggest contract in NFL history before this season is over? If you are so angry about the players' salaries then STOP WATCHING THE GAMES.

But calling Cam Newton is a "felon" completely beyond the pale. That is slander my friend, "simple and plain". Hope you mask your IP address before making such libelous comments. Were you also the sicko who poisoned the Toomer's Corner oak trees?

Anonymous said...

Drew Brees was Texas 5A Most Valuable Players and led Westlake to state titles and AP National Player of the Year as senior with 11,461 AP yards with 80 AP TDs and 75% completion.

2× Heisman Finalist

Outback Bowl MVP

Alamo Bowl MVP

2xBig Ten Football MVP

Maxwell Award

2x NCAA All American

3x All American Academic 3.94 GPA


5× Pro Bowl selection 2004 2006 2008 2009 2010

3× All-Pro selection 2006 2008 2009

Super Bowl Champion XLIV

Super Bowl MVP XLIV

AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year 2008

2× NFC MVP 2008 2009

3× NFC Offensive Player of the Year 2006 2008 2009

3× FedEx Air Player of the Year Award 2006 2008 2009

AP NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award 2004

AP Male Athlete of the Year 2010

Gallop Player Award 2010

Sportsman of the Year 2010

Bert Bell Award 2009

Walter Payton Award 2006

CHARITY WORK:
As a result of both his on field success with the Saints and his extensive charitable activities since arriving in New Orleans Brees has become in the words of a 2010 Sports Illustrated profile "an athlete as adored and appreciated as any in an American city today". When Sports Illustrated selected him for the 2010 Sportsman of the Year award, it said the award was "for not only leading the New Orleans Saints to the first Super Bowl title in the franchises history but also for helping lead the city of New Orleans rebirth after the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina".

Brees has been involved in Hurricane Katrina recovery. Drew and Brittanys Brees Dream Foundation announced a partnership in 2007 with international childrens charity Operation Kids to rebuild and restore and recreate academic and athletic facilities parks and playgrounds after-school programs mentoring programs for the intellectually disabled neighborhood revitalization projects and child care facilities in New Orleans.

In February 2008 Brees signed a promotional deal with Chili's Grill & Bar. The promotion helped raise money for charity. In June 2008 Brees participated in the Pro Sports Team Challenge a competition for pro athletes to help raise money for charities. The charity Brees played for was Operation Kids.

In 2010 as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill Brees appeared in a commercial to raise awareness of the spill.

Brees was born in Austin Texas to Chip and Mina Brees who named their son after Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Drew Pearson. His uncle Marty Akins was an All-American starting quarterback for the Texas Longhorns college football team from 1975 to 1977. Chip Brees played basketball for the Texas A&M Aggies mens basketball team, and Drew Breess grandfather Ray Akins had the third most victories as a Texas high school football coach.

Brees married his college sweetheart Brittany Dudchenko in February 2003. They both met and dated while attending Purdue University. They have 2 children 2 and 4.

Anonymous said...

Excellent article on our great QB Drew. Go Saints.

Drew is THE MAN but he knows he must have Jimmy and Billy plus our wonderful defense guys like Tad and Jen.

Reduce those cheating losers to the lowlife rubbish they are.

We need a 2nd World Championship guys for this season. You can do it. We know you can.

Bourbon Street will party like Fat Tuesday again baby.

XXX Everyone at the Bourbon Street Bayou Bar and Grille. We love our Saints !!!!!

Jim & Nancy owners

Dargan said...

@Scott Fowler - When were you on NPR? Would love to hear that interview. Thanks.

Dargan said...

@Scott Fowler - When were you on NPR? Would love to hear that interview. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Word is that the Saint defense is undecided to help the rookie scammer with freebies like other teams have done trying to help him out.

Obviously teams saw what a pathetic inaccurate weak armed wantabe he was in pre-season going 0-3 and only 250 total yards so the 400 yard games are a fluke since the NFL players union is an elite members only club who are all friends and help each other when possible. Scam needs a lot of help and he got it. He was pathetic. Over the hill Smith got help too in the process.

Not only is the NFL a millionaires players club who help each other and young rookies and wash outs but it rigs games and outcomes like the WWE although its all sports entertainment. Showboating and pre-arranged outcomes makes it #1 and overall a trillion dollar business paid for by working Americans and even those worthless bums on welfare.