Rise and fall of Cam Newton and Carolina Panthers – NFL Feature
The 2010 National Football League (NFL) season was the worst for the Carolina Panthers, who were granted the first overall pick for the 2011 draft.
Using their first pick they selected quarterback Cam Newton, who turned the fortunes for Panthers and led the team to a better finish to the 2011 season.
The former Heisman Trophy winner stunned all the teams and fans by breaking Peyton Manning’s rookie record by passing 422 yards in his first career game. He scored 24 of 37 for 422 yards with two touchdowns and one interception against Arizona Cardinals.
Newton set a record in Week 13 game against Tampa Bay Buccaneers by scoring three rushing touchdowns. In Week 16 game against Buccaneers he broke Manning’s another rookie record by passing 3,739 yards.
In Week 17 game against the New Orleans Saints, he set the record of passing 4,000 yards and ended the season with a total of 4,051 yards.
In the 2011 season Panthers set the record of having three players who got more than 700 rushing yards in the same season. Newton got 706, running back DeAngelo Williams got 836 and running back Jonathan Stewart rushed for 761 yards.
It was also head coach Ron Rivera’s first year with the team. Due to sloppy performance from the defence, they won only six games, losing 10 under the new coach. Newton won the NFL Rookie of the Year award along with AP Offensive Rookie of the Year.
The beginning of the 2012 season was not good for the Panthers, as they lost 16-10 against Buccaneers, though Newton performed well in the game by completing 23 of 33 for 303 yards and one touchdown. The defeat was followed by a victory over Saints in Week 2.
Newton was 12 of 29 for career-lowest 141 yards in Week 5 defeat against Seattle Seahawks.
The quarterback received harsh response from the critics and fans after his bad performance in first five games of this season. In reply to the criticism he said:
"I just keep living life. I understand I'm not perfect. I'm striving to be great, whatever people may think or whatever other people might criticize me on, I take it for what it's worth but continue to try and make myself better each and every opportunity I get."
After discussing his performance with his father Cecil Newton, he felt better and said in a press conference:
"God gives only a few people opportunities like this and it's easy for people to take it for granted, it gave me time to reflect and appreciate this lovely, wonderful game that I play."
There was no dearth of Newton’s supporters. While some fans and critics continued to bring him in the line of fire, others, including his opponents, supported him. Denver Broncos defensive end Von Miller said about Newton:
“I am Cam’s biggest fan, if I had sons that play quarterback, I would tell them to watch Cam Newton."
After Panthers’ bye-week, Newton hoped to play a better game, but failed as his team lost against Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears.
Panthers managed to beat Washington Redskins 21-13 in Week 9. Newton again was not in form during this game either. In this season his overall score until Week 9 is 134 of 235 for 1,902 yards and six touchdowns.
It is not new to see any quarterback performing well in his rookie season and failing the next year. Newton must keep on fighting his poor form and get his rhythm back as soon as possible.
Disclaimer: The views do not represent editorial policy of bettor.com
Tags: