Greg Cosell's Week 5 analysis: Cam Newton's improvement is clear

[jtnc]

 

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has had to stay in the pocket more this season, because of ankle and rib injuries. And he’s becoming a better quarterback as a result.

 

Ultimately, you have to teach a guy everything about playing from the pocket, if you’re starting from the premise that the game is played at its highest level from the pocket. And to play the game really well from the pocket, you have to learn the subtleties from playing in the pocket. You never get to those subtleties if you leave the pocket at the first flash of color from the opponent's pass rush.

 

 

You can be a difficult player to defend even if you’re erratic from the pocket, but if you’re erratic from the pocket you’re an erratic player. That’s what Newton was before this year. Now, because he is tethered to the pocket because of injuries (and maybe a different approach from the Panthers' staff), he’s developing as a pocket quarterback.

In-depth analysis here:http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-shutdown-corner/greg-cosell-s-week-5-analysis--cam-newton-s-improvement-is-clear-175643535.html

[hepcat]

I've said it before and I'll say it again, Cam Newton is the LEAST of the Panthers worries.  Why the media continues to question him is beyond me.  There's so many other better stories to write.  He's easily one of the most consistent players on the team.  Once he finally gets healthy and heaven forbid gets a decent O-Line in front of him and healthy RBs behind him, look out.  His WRs are decent and he's got one of the best TE's in the game.  Anyone who questions his weapons is sorely misinformed.  

[PantherWake]

This is stuff we already knew but Cosell usually spot. Nice article.

[hepcat]

That's also an excellent writeup.  Shows the chemistry he and Olsen have built over the years.

[Lumps]

I'm glad Cam isn't taking off running anymore and is learning to work on passing with accuracy. He has the ability to become great and despite what the crowd wants, and stats, Cam running too much is only going to hold him back as a QB as he ages.

[fieryprophet]

What I've loved most about Cam this year is he is doing so much better with his eyes. It's one of the elite traits Drew Brees has used to kill defenses for years and Cam has integrated it into his game. That look off on the safety for Olsen's first TD was magnificent because there wasn't a receiver in that area at all, but it forced the safety to widen and got Olsen wide open.

[mbarbour21]

......how many times does this dude say pocket???

[Redaes]

Kaepernick & Wilson are so far behind Cam as a pocket passer it isn't even funny. They both either throw a quick screen, hit their 1st target, or immediately start scrambling.

Cam is sitting in the pocket, scanning the field, & delivering dimes; whether it's a laser bullet through coverage or a soft touch pass. He's made incredible strides. And honestly, I think it's something he's always been able to do, he just didn't have to because of his legs.

Scary when you think that healthy Cam is the most dangerous running QB to ever play the game. From now on he's gonna be able to sit in the pocket & throw, only using his legs when he absolutely has to.

Cam is right on pace to be exactly what everyone, even in the media knew & acknowledged, he had the potential to be, they just didn't think he would reach it; & that's the most dangerous, unstoppable QB the league has ever seen.

[CarolinaNCSU]

I've been beyond impressed with Cam as a passer this year. He's had one fluke INT on a tipped pass in the CHI game, has been finding WRs he didn't have much time to gel with, cut down on the high passes, and is a few drops from having a couple more TDs. When he gets fully "unleashed" as we've been hearing about lately, and in the future with a better OL...oooh wee mayne. 

[Mr. Scot]

Cosell is one of the best analysts out there.

[Kuhndog94]

Cam Newton is an ELITE QB.

Man, when he has the time to heal over the off-season, he's going to be a beast next year.

Pocket Passer or scrambler, he can do it all and he will.

[MadHatter]

good article.

 

My buddy and I on Sunday were agreeing that these injuries (and Cam being forced to stay in the pocket more) will be one of the best things to happen to him long term.  It is just improving his skills as a pocket passer.  Once he is healed and adds the mobility back to his aresenal, he will be even deadlier.

[Growl]

there was also a lot of praise for Cam from some of the better analyst sites on twitter this morning.

it's a shame that the national media continues to purposefully bury this so they can perpetuate the "SCAM=BUST?!" narrative theyve been begging and offering sacrifies for since Cam entered the draft four years ago.

he's one of the best QBs in the league, and he's still growing. let them pout because he refuses to fit into their traditionalist mold if they want.

[@bobbyagnese]

......how many times does this dude say pocket???

19 times.