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My first Cam Newton thread

sharkman

By sharkman,
in Carolina Panthers

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sharkman Newbie

sharkman

Posted
Posted

I was a hater.

First overall pick, and these types of reads...I'm starting to get on board.

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/story/2011-06-09/cam-newton-living-up-to-billing-in-teammates-eyes

CHARLOTTE -- Looking at the media presence at a high school campus for the Carolina Panthers' final day of two-week player-organized workouts, it would be easy to confuse the morning's balmy setting with the mode typically associated with the midsummer ritual of training camp. But with several observers on hand to get a good on-field look at No. 1 overall pick Cam Newton, it felt much more like a sequel to the rookie quarterback's pre-draft pro day.

Newton, clad in black and gray warmups, similar to what he wore when working out for coaches, general managers and scouts back at Auburn in early March, is now immersed in the process of successfully impressing another important group: His veteran teammates.

Some of those teammates, along with Newton, spoke to reporters Thursday for the first and last time during the workouts. They shared many reasons why Newton has quickly become the subject of their affections:

His physique. Even before he drops back to show his arm strength and athleticism, Newton looks the part of a statuesque starting quarterback, even more so without the pads and uniform. Consider the Panthers' defensive leader, three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Jon Beason -- well built himself at 6-0, 237 pounds -- used the word "specimen" to describe Newton's sleek 6-5, 248-pound frame.

A similar feeling was expressed by the team's offensive leader, left tackle Jordan Gross -- the chief organizer of the workouts. "He's just shown he's in shape and willing to work hard," Gross said of Newton.

His passion. Newton's conditioning and work ethic are critical for what he called "maximizing the potential" of a revamped Carolina offense. As the lockout has prevented Newton from getting much-needed instruction from the Panthers' first-year coaching staff, it's created a much bigger challenge for him in his transition.

In his first and only season playing at Auburn, Newton seemed he could do no wrong, rolling to a Heisman Trophy while leading the Tigers to a national championship. It's unreasonable to think he'll come close to that success if he ends up winning the starting job for an NFL team that finished 2-14 a year ago.

He has done his best to make the most of a tough and very uncertain situation by doing what's in his control. Earlier in first NFL offseason, Newton leaned on former Panther QB Chris Weinke to help him with individual workouts in Florida. He's now using the brightest of the current Panthers as his most valuable assets. In addition to Beason and Gross, that includes two important offensive targets, wide receiver Steve Smith and tight end Jeremy Shockey.

Smith said Monday how he has been impressed with Newton, who in turn has been wowed by Smith and his sure hands as two have gone through some passing drills together in previous workouts.

Meanwhile, Shockey, a fellow newcomer to the Panthers after signing as a free agent in early March before Newton was drafted in late April, provides a direct link to the scheme of offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski. With Newton having the combination of playbook and players available to him, he noted the progress is going well with Chudzinski's official instructions.

"I think I've got a grip on who we are as an offense," Newton said.

His presence. While Newton is back to being a student in learning the ways of the faster-paced NFL, he's doing what has help many make the grade in college -- just showing up to class every day. Newton was a consistent attendee of the workouts. He didn't even let a quick Wednesday afternoon trip to the White House to meet President Obama with his former Auburn teammates keep him from getting back to working with his Panthers' teammates early the next day.

"Cam has been present for everything we've done," punter Jason Baker said.

As much as Newton's physical skills will be scrutinized going forward in his rookie year, the other vital part of succeeding as an NFL quarterback is developing a cohesiveness and chemistry with the players, something that can't be taught by the coaches, anyway. Before he gets NFL game experience, Newton's bonding experience is a great start.

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chef17 Apprentice

chef17

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Good thread OP. Still waiting for some of the other "former haters" and scaredy cats to man up and admit they f**ked up. Panther nation is waiting to take you guys back in.

Not wanting to draft Cam equals leaving Panther nation :confused:

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PhillyB Grand Master

PhillyB

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Why didnt you want us to draft him?

i didn't want us to draft him because i wanted us to draft dareus and bolster the defensive line and pursue free-agent options at the QB position.

thank you sweet jesus that ron rivera makes the decisions and not me.

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