Panther quarterback Cam Newton knows that there are a lot of people playing and coaching for their jobs in this 3-9 Carolina organization right now. He even considers himself to be one of them.
When I asked Newton during his press conference Wednesday how he and the team will find motivation for the final month of another largely irrelevant season, the quarterback said: “First, personally, nothing’s in stone right now. We know what’s going on in this franchise, and we know that the head of the franchise [Panther owner Jerry Richardson] is in search of the formula to win.”
Newton continued that theme by noting that the final month of the season will be heavily evaluated by whomever is doing the judging at that point (it’s unclear whether Rivera will be fired or not, but the team certainly will have a new GM).
Said Newton: “With people knowing that, you better start putting something successful on film, personally, or the hourglass will be cut short for a lot of people. Nothing’s safe -- not even myself.”
Newton is actually as safe a bet as there is to return for Carolina in 2013, when he will enter Year Three of his original four-year rookie contract (with a club option for a fifth that will certainly be exercised). Somewhat lost in the debris of this 3-9 season is the fact that it’s been three games since Newton has committed a single turnover of any type.
The Panthers’ quarterback has had one of the best trio of games of his brief NFL career, throwing for six touchdowns and zero interceptions and running for two more TDs in the last three contests. Still, the Panthers have only gone 1-2 in those games.
His point about the roster churn is very valid. It’s generally accepted in the NFL that about 30-40 percent of a team’s roster changes over every season. But Sports Illustrated’s Peter King noted in a recent story on the Indianapolis Colts – who have been one of the biggest success stories of the 2012 NFL season – that the Colts’ overall roster is actually 69 percent different than it was in 2011.
Newton had a key fumble in the Panthers’ 30-28 loss at Atlanta on Sept.30 – a defeat Ron Rivera said Wednesday that Newton took very personally. Because Newton is from Atlanta and was a Falcons fan growing up, he places particular importance on beating the Falcons (11-1).
“It’s a rivalry game,” Newton said. “…. With me being from Atlanta, it’s even a more added dimension to the game. I want to win this game.”
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9 years ago
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15 comments:
I'd hate to think my job was to follow this guy around and write down what he say's as though anything he says is life altering...
Indy is an enigma. I remember Bobby Bowden saying that he didn't want to play a team "with a cause". Are they playing for their coach or are they that good? Getting the right leadership is critical to bring out the best in people.
The reporter has to eat and pay bills too...
4:46: The "right leadership?" Yes, and part of that starts with their #1 pick, the guy making more plays in the clutch than any other QB in the NFL. Basically, the opposite of what Newton has done in his time in the NFL.
Scott explain to the real fans why people keep blaming Cam for these losses? Comments on other articles had Einstein's saying Cam could of won the game on Sunday if he played like Wilson or Luck. Who is going to win with less than 20 seconds left in a game with horrible field position. Apparently some fans don't get that the Panthers are better off right now, I guess those same fans want Anderson or Clausen to start.
So Procton, who should start at QB for the Panthers since you are so concerned with leadership? Maybe you should take the lead and show leadership by supporting the teams in Charlotte you so happily like to criticize all the time.
Newton is not the problem with the Panthers. He has lost a key fumble and an interception at the wrong time but it's difficult to pass while running for you life play after play. The offensive line seems to made out of tissue paper and the defense is porous. All the people running Cam down all I can is smh at their posts. They are not living in the real world or haven't played sports before or something. One thing is certain, this city has not shortage of armchair quarterbacks seeking glory on a website, lol.
I think Cam has the intangibles to win but it does not look good when Luck, RGIII and Russell Wilson all have winning records. If anyone feels their job is safe, they have to look no further than the year prior to the lockout...Fox went, and so did a lot of veterans. And not all were bad ones either.
Michael Procton Andrew Luck and Wilson have offensive lines that protect them enough to give them the opportunity to fine someone open. They also have receivers that know how to came back to the ball when it's under thrown to keep it from being intercepted. Most Panther receivers simply stand there and watch. That's not Cam's problem. Neither is the bad offensive line that does not black and gets penalties at devastating times. Do you remember any of those things happening in the game. Cam starts a drive and is set back by penalties. I'll tell you what, put Andrew Luck and Wilson in cam's place and see if they as good as Cam does. On the other hand you put him where they are they would have won more games because of his ability to run and throw. Enough said.
Honestly if yo uare that guy who says QB's or any athlete in a team sport should be judged only by winning your understanding of team sports is extremely simplistic and you should refrain from commenting on what you do not understand. Cam Newton is 9-19. But then again Ron Rivera is 9-19. Steve Smith is 9-19 over the last two seasons. Assigning that record to one individual is simplistic and not relevant to reality. The reality is that Cam Newton had the best rookie season in NFL history. The Panthers from 2010 to 2012 made the biggest single season improvement in offense in NFL history. Almost all of that credit goes to Cam Newton. This year the Panthers are 3-9. Two of those losses Cam was awful but then again the entire team was awful. Really the Dallas game is the only game that the rest of the team played well but Cam didnt play well enough to win. To blame Cam for the teams record is to ignore, Ryan Kalil and Chris Gamble's injuries, Louis Murphy's rock hands, the worst special teams in the NFL, Nakumura's continued presence as worst secondary starter in the NFL, the lack of a 100 yard rusher all season, the simplistic and dumb play calling at the end of games, the continual lack of timeouts at the end of halves, and a million other factors that take more time to write then "Cam is 9-19". The NFL is the most complicated of all of sports. Maybe if you arent willing to understand that you should just watch the games on Sunday and refrain from commenting on that which eludes you so completely.
In the great game of football...No single part is greater than the whole...That includes coaches and players, at this point in time the Carolina Panthers Football Club as a whole is just not where a team needs to be to consistently win! It is about the team and this team needs to get better in many a area!
Cam has all the talent in the world. He just needs to grow up and change his attitude. Drop the superman routine and first down celebrations and celebrate with your teammates when they score.
Who out there thinks that Cam is going to sign a contract extension when the time comes? I think not....
If Cam Newton, was playing for the Colts or Seahawks, BOTH teams would be playing for the SUPER BOWL.
CAM NEWTON, won the National Championship. He has the GIFT, but the PANTHERS are just not a quality team.
Next year maybe Cam's last year as a Panther. He may REQUEST a trade. If I had his talent I would want a trade. Ask Deion Sanders how leaving a team can be good. He WON 2 Superbowls doing just THAT!
"Cam has all the talent in the world. He just needs to grow up and change his attitude. Drop the superman routine and first down celebrations and celebrate with your teammates when they score."
Seriously this is so insane. You want him not to do the Superman (which he does when they score) but you want him to celebrate with his teammates when they score??? What?? Quit blaming Cam celebrating for the Panthers losing. The defense doesnt let the Bears march down the field because Cam celebrated a touchdown. This sort of criticism is so inane and useless.
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