Coach Ron Rivera wants QB Cam Newton to make Pro Bowl – NFL News
Cam Newton is having a whirlwind rookie season even though his team the Carolina Panthers is struggling for wins.
With just three games left to play for each team in the National Football League regular season, Coach Ron Rivera has come out with high praise for his first-round draft pick. Rivera wants Newton to reach the Pro Bowl and start
the game where the best players from both the NFL conferences will face off.
"I think he's deserving, I really do," Rivera said. "In light of everything he's gone through I think the young man has proven himself. It's just another process in his development. I think there are a lot of deserving players
in this league and we'll see how it goes.”
Newton is competing with some of the NFL’s most decorated superstar quarterbacks such as Green Bay Packers Aaron Rodgers and New Orleans Saints Drew Brees. The rookie’s third position in the fan balloting for the Pro Bowl shows
how much he has impacted the league with his style.
Newton broke the record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback this season with his 13th rushing touchdown in a 38-19 win against struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The rookie also has 15 passing touchdowns for 3,573 yards
as he completed 270 out of 452 attempted passes. The rookie’s record, however, is marred by 16 interceptions he has thrown this season which has led some commentators to voice opinions against his inclusion.
Three quarterbacks from each conference are selected based on fans votes. As per current results, Newton will make the bench for the playoffs. Newton is far ahead of the likes of fourth most-voted Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford
and fifth ranked New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning.
Teammate and wide receiver Steve Smith also came out in support of Newton’s inclusion in the Pro Bowl squad, but maintained that the competition is tough.
"He's played extremely well as a rookie, but the NFC is a tight race," Smith said. "Sometimes as a rookie you get overlooked. People will say, ok, but let's see if you can do it again and then we'll pick him."
Smith is also annoyed by all the media attention being given to Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow who has led his team from the front to reach a the top of the American Football Conference West.
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