Reaction to Cam's comments

[csx]

he sounded like someone not making any sense\

Lions and safaris? wtf

[Snake]

I think we should cut Cam because the man does not know how to lose. I see Jimmy on the side lines and man, now that kid knows how to lose and is how you teach a team to do the same.

[dpm0409]

Yeah I was thinking that there was a possibility it could rub certain players the wrong way. Obviously each individual is part of the team, but just like coralreefer said, there are a lot of different personalities in each and every locker room.

I'm going to lean towards the conclusion that Cam isn't your average rookie and hopefully everybody on the team, including the vets, will embrace the fact that he was drafted to be a leader and that he's accepting that role/challenge wholeheartedly.

Oh and I hope his SWAG is contagious.

[SmootsDaddy89]

I wonder what pffl's opinion is

[PantherDrivel]

I already gave it. I will never change how I feel about rookies talking out of their role before they actually earn the right to say things like he does.

It's never a good thing. It's worse when the fans support it. You can say things like this after you prove yourself and set an example, and even then it's better to take the high road. But if you are the man, no one's going to give you hell about it.

If you just have the potential to be the man, you're setting yourself up for criticism and backlash. He's done it all year and it's no big deal when it's targeted outside the organization, but every time he's said something about the Panthers, I think it's completely classless that it's accepted.

Bandwagon fans and Cam homers will take up for it. People who respect achievement, proven veteran players, and understand what it means to be a great leader, will see problems with it.

It's not how you become a leader. Cam's not even close to playing at winning level consistently, and I'm becoming more and more convinced he has yet to get a grip on what it's required of the position. So to come out and say he wants other veteran players to play up to his level is the kind of thing that eventually ends up getting you owned or schooled by a vet.

It's the equivalent of a bunch of trolls here or bandwagon fans, that continuously ridicule or call other fans trolls who do their homework and have principles, when in reality they don't really understand what makes a troll in the first place and it's easy to see how they're just jumping on the bandwagon train, following right along like mindless dodo birds, without a single display of individual or independent thought.

[dpm0409]

I already gave it. I will never change how I feel about rookies talking out of their role before they actually earn the right to say things like he does.

It's never a good thing. It's worse when the fans support it. You can say things like this after you prove yourself and set an example, and even then it's better to take the high road. But if you are the man, no one's going to give you hell about it.

If you just have the potential to be the man, you're setting yourself up for criticism and backlash. He's done it all year and it's no big deal when it's targeted outside the organization, but every time he's said something about the Panthers, I think it's completely classless that it's accepted.

Bandwagon fans and Cam homers will take up for it. People who respect achievement, proven veteran players, and understand what it means to be a great leader, will see problems with it.

It's not how you become a leader. Cam's not even close to playing at winning level consistently, and I'm becoming more and more convinced he has yet to get a grip on what it's required of the position. So to come out and say he wants other veteran players to play up to his level is the kind of thing that eventually ends up getting you owned or schooled by a vet.

It's the equivalent of a bunch of trolls here or bandwagon fans, that continuously ridicule or call other fans trolls who do their homework and have principles, when in reality they don't really understand what makes a troll in the first place and it's easy to see how they're just jumping on the bandwagon train, following right along like mindless dodo birds, without a single display of individual or independent thought.

Dude, bottom line is this:

Varying personalities are going to respond differently to certain situations/statements. That's 100% fact, no denying that. Obviously you fall into the group of people who were rubbed the wrong way with certain comments Cam made, and I'm sure you're not alone. However, I think overall, meaning the majority of people, are o.k. with what he said and view it as Cam taking on the role of a leader/motivator. I mean after all, this organization has asked a LOT out of him very early in his career and he's handled it pretty well I must say.

As far as respecting achievement as you put it, I don't think Cam has any problem with that at all. Ask him his opinion on Aaron Rodgers. To get to the top you have got to have the drive and there is a big difference between being cocky and confident. The whole argument stems from the one comment he made: "I want everybody else to step up to my level." I don't think Cam meant physically or athletically; I'm pretty sure he just means having a winning mentality and never having the "we'll get em next time" attitude, which you have to love coming from your QB.

Honestly, I think we all know it's impossible to please 100% of people anyways, but I'd say Cam has pleased well over 75%....just sayin'

[Mr. Scot]

Yeah I was thinking that there was a possibility it could rub certain players the wrong way. Obviously each individual is part of the team, but just like coralreefer said, there are a lot of different personalities in each and every locker room.

I don't know that he was actually addressing anyone specific.

The whole discussion what a very hypothetical sound to me. A "what if" sort of tone.

Doesn't strike me as particularly controversial. Though I'll grant that mountains get made out of molehills all the time (especially on the internet).

[panthers55]

Seems to me that Rivera said the same thing in many ways. He said that the rest of the team needs to catch up with Cam and pull their weight.

Newton wants players to hate losing as much as he does. I don't know about everyone but Smitty has already said he likes that in Newton. I suspect the hard workers like it, and the slack players don't. With any luck the slack ones will be gone anyway so who cares what they think.

[Carl Spackler]

I like the competitive desire Cam wants all the Panthers to have, but I've had a feeling he doesn't really want to be here, and comments like those only encourage that feeling. A lot can change in 2-3 years but I'll personally be surprised if he re-signs with the Panthers.

[dpm0409]

Seems to me that Rivera said the same thing in many ways. He said that the rest of the team needs to catch up with Cam and pull their weight.

Newton wants players to hate losing as much as he does. I don't know about everyone but Smitty has already said he likes that in Newton. I suspect the hard workers like it, and the slack players don't. With any luck the slack ones will be gone anyway so who cares what they think.

Exactly, I agree with this.

I like the competitive desire Cam wants all the Panthers to have, but I've had a feeling he doesn't really want to be here, and comments like those only encourage that feeling. A lot can change in 2-3 years but I'll personally be surprised if he re-signs with the Panthers.

I don't know if I'd go as far to say I'd be surprised if he re-signs with the Panthers once he's deal is up, but I do agree that deep down I've had those same thoughts about whether or not he is 100% happy with where he landed. Hopefully he realizes that he has the opportunity to completely transform a franchise over the course of his career. And on top of that, if he were successful in doing so, it would only add to his legacy. As long as the wins come, I don't think a bigger market will snag him. After all we believed in him enough to take him #1 when tons of people said it was a mistake. Hopefully he'll remember that..

[panthers55]

I like the competitive desire Cam wants all the Panthers to have, but I've had a feeling he doesn't really want to be here, and comments like those only encourage that feeling. A lot can change in 2-3 years but I'll personally be surprised if he re-signs with the Panthers.

Actually we have him signed for 4 years, have an option for a fifth and after than can franchise tag him for as long as we want. He will be here as long as we want him to. When was the last time a QB left an organization because he was unhappy other than Carson Palmer who retired?? If in 6 or 7 years he wants to leave then we can worry about it.

[redbuddha]

I say people should overthink it and try to look at comments through a microscope.

Cam pretty much said Carolina has lost in the past.

Cam isn't going to accept losing.

Cam wants everyone to hate it to the degree he does.

Cam wants to be great in the near future and wants his team to be great.

Not sure how anyone can take issue with what he was saying. Simple and plain.

Almost... Cam wants to be great now!

dude is helping to set the tone. he's not doing it by himself, but he's turning into the biggest voice. i'm sure it's not something that hasn't been said to the rest of the team and im sure he's not alone in it.

only guys who would get pissed are guys who are in it for themselves and aren't giving the team 100%. they also won't likely be around next year.

I hope they cut those non-performing players. Send a message to the people. Non-greatness will not be tolerated.

If you don't know what Cam is talking about when he basically says we have some "losers" on the team that think its okay to just go out and get it the next play than you haven't been watching the games.

As far as the front office stuff, I sure we have PR people signing off on this kinda stuff before its run. So Im sure its no huge shock.

Cam is signaling those who are not contributing, if I have to carry this team myself, I will. Cam has more running yards, than several players on the team, cam has more receiving yards than several on the team. If Cam can take your spot, maybe you don't deserve your spot.

cam loves this organization and wants everyone to be as dedicated as he is to winning. He wants to help the Panthers win their first super bowl and several more. I have no doubt Cam will take us to a super bowl. I know that is a bold statement, but I KNOW he will.

Agreed!

I agree. He is too great of a talent, competitor and a passionate player to not lead us to the Superbowl. Of course, that is considering that we have the right talent around him.

It's not just about talent, it is about desire!

[blackcat22]

I like the competitive desire Cam wants all the Panthers to have, but I've had a feeling he doesn't really want to be here, and comments like those only encourage that feeling. A lot can change in 2-3 years but I'll personally be surprised if he re-signs with the Panthers.

Pretty much my thoughts. I'm just worried he thinks he's too big for this market. I know we can franchise tag him forever, but we won't force him to stay if he isn't happy. Disgraces like Lebron, Dwight, and Chris Paul are going to have major influences on how stars view small markets I'm afraid.

[fieryprophet]

Pretty much my thoughts. I'm just worried he thinks he's too big for this market. I know we can franchise tag him forever, but we won't force him to stay if he isn't happy. Disgraces like Lebron, Dwight, and Chris Paul are going to have major influences on how stars view small markets I'm afraid.

This is the NFL, not the NBA. Completely different mindsets involved, and a vastly different player system.

In the NBA, endorsement deals are closely linked to players in major markets, and players are generally coddled and pampered, with the ability to have coaches fired if they can complain enough.

In the NFL, any great player can garner national attention and endorsements no matter their franchise's market size, as long as that franchise is winning. If you're not winning, changing teams isn't going to help you in an 11-on-11 sport like jumping ship in basketball. Players know that if they don't produce, they can be cut at the drop of a hat, and coaches typically rule unchallenged.

The only way Cam is not a Carolina Panther is if this franchise decides not to attempt to put pieces around him and create a winning team. Now that we're past the CBA debacle, Big Cat has no qualms paying money when it's necessary, and he's brought in a very demanding coach and signed off on one of the most high-risk/high-reward draft picks of all time. I think it's safe to say Cam's bust in Canton will have a Panther jersey on ;-)

Besides, the #1 person Cam will hold accountable for losing will be himself.