Look at '11-'12 Rivers to know Newton will be fine; he is just shell-shocked

[Mage]

Kind of didn't want to make this its own thread but it has to be done.  I'm not a Newton apologist; as a quarterback, he has his flaws which is to be expected for a fourth year QB who wasn't polished coming out of college to begin with.  I think people forget that QBs tend to not hit their peak until they are around 28-29 years old; Cam Newton is still only 25 years old.  I'm not looking to make excuses for him but it is something people need to keep in mind.  When we decide to pay Newton, it should be for what we expect from him the next 6-7 years and I believe that is close to All-Pro caliber play if we get the rest of the team and coaching right.

 

Anyway, all last week I talked about how the main issue with Cam Newton was because he was shell-shocked due to the amount of times we were running him and the poor play of the offensive line.  A QB being shell-shocked is a real thing and we saw it recently with none other than Philip Rivers.  In 2011 and 2012, the San Diego Chargers were trying to run an offense that was heavy on downfield passing (sort of like us) despite having arguably the worst offensive line in the NFL.  It resulted in Rivers being sacked 79 times in 2 seasons and a lot of people questioning if he was still a top five QB.  His accuracy became erratic, his footwork inconsistent, and he was frantic in the pocket.  This is a guy coming off three straight seasons with above a 100 QB Rating playing solid football for the most part but nothing like usual.

 

If Rivers, an exceptional passer and top five QB has his play drop off considerably due to bad offensive line play and a poor scheme, then it should be clear that the same would happen to Cam Newton.  Newton is not so much regressing so much as he is rushing things in the pocket because he is taking a ridiculous amount of hits.  Injuries have played a HUGE role as well as he clearly isn't healthy but most importantly, Newton doesn't trust the offensive line.  He isn't setting his feet and he is firing the ball out.  It's exactly like Rivers in 2011 and 2012.   

 

The future should not be in doubt.  Cam Newton is a franchise QB.  A franchise QB with a couple of flaws and kinks that he needs to work out, yes, but we are NOT going to find a better option than Newton.  Not easily, anyway.  We need to start building around him and protecting him before he is mentally screwed.

[JawnyBlaze]

This sort of logic won't fly well with the lynch mob currently on the prowl.

[Oldmanrivera]

Thankkk youuuu for your level headedness

[The NFL Shield At Midfield]

i mean poo look no further than who the hell tore us a new asshole tonight

 

he was damaged goods-a massive bust who was useless and washed up supposedly.

[Ken]

This is a very good analogy. Rivers was awful that year but was able to rebound and be a Top 5 QB.

 

The burning question is, will or front office do what it takes to help facilitate Cam to be who we(well most of us) thinks he can be? Time will tell.

 

Have to start by addressing the coaching staff and the horrid O-line.

[TonyN]

In Phillip Rivers' "terrible years" of 2011 and 2012 he put up passer ratings of 88.7 and 88.6.

 

Cam Newton's BEST season has been 88.8.

 

Phillip Rivers passed for over 4600 yards in his "terrible" 2011 season...in Cam's "magical" season of 2011, he passed for 4000.

 

Meanwhile, Rivers has topped 100 in NFL passer rating 5 times in the last 7 years and led the entire NFL in passing in just his 3rd season as a starter.

[Mr. Scot]

i mean poo look no further than who the hell tore us a new asshole tonight

 

he was damaged goods-a massive bust who was useless and washed up supposedly.

 

Bad part about that analogy though: he's playing for a different team

 

[Kevin Greene]

Not taking anything away from Cam but Rivers is a grizzled warrior who has performed extremely well for many years and kicked ass in the Playoffs.

Cam is more Andy Dalton than Rivers at this point.

[shelbypanther]

Cam's being shell shocked looks more like David Carr than Phillip Rivers.

[PantherDynasty]

In Phillip Rivers' "terrible years" of 2011 and 2012 he put up passer ratings of 88.7 and 88.6.

Cam Newton's BEST season has been 88.8.

Phillip Rivers passed for over 4600 yards in his "terrible" 2011 season...in Cam's "magical" season of 2011, he passed for 4000.

Meanwhile, Rivers has topped 100 in NFL passer rating 5 times in the last 7 years and led the entire NFL in passing in just his 3rd season as a starter.

This x100000000

[KJ89]

Finally an intelligent thread. Thank you sir.

The future should not be in doubt. Cam Newton is a franchise QB. A franchise QB with a couple of flaws and kinks that he needs to work out, yes, but we are NOT going to find a better option than Newton. Not easily, anyway. We need to start building around him and protecting him before he is mentally screwed.

[TheRed]

Rivers is a grizzled warrior who has performed extremely well for many years and kicked ass in the Playoffs.

 

4-5 in the playoffs isn't exactly something to boast loudly about.

[Car123]

In Phillip Rivers' "terrible years" of 2011 and 2012 he put up passer ratings of 88.7 and 88.6.

Cam Newton's BEST season has been 88.8.

Phillip Rivers passed for over 4600 yards in his "terrible" 2011 season...in Cam's "magical" season of 2011, he passed for 4000.

Meanwhile, Rivers has topped 100 in NFL passer rating 5 times in the last 7 years and led the entire NFL in passing in just his 3rd season as a starter.

He had Vincent Jackson/Gates/Floyd

Who do we have?

You arent adding his rushing yards. I wonder why.

[Bj-Monster23]

All it took was for Phillip Rivers to get a oline, receivers, defense, special teams and a brand new coaching staff. Cam could sure use all of those.

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