That's right Peter King, open your throat. Yeah, just like that. Take it in.

[Fiz]

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/peter_king/12/25/week.16/index.html

Cam Newton is on his way to the best rookie season ever. By any player.

Many of us were skeptical of Cam Newton's ability to transition to the pro game so quickly, and without a full offseason program. But he's done a fabulous job in all ways of adjusting to the NFL. His confidence is off the charts for a young player. His hatred of losing, as I've written about before, is surprising for such a young player; after a loss, he's nearly inconsolable, even by respected opponents. He's more accurate in a complicated offense than anyone had a right to expect. And though he clearly wants to establish himself as a strong pocket passer with awareness to see the whole field, he knows when to take off too. And the results have been strong since the Panthers, on Thanksgiving Day, stood 2-8. Carolina is 4-1 since then (thanks, Bucs), and here are Newton's numbers: eight touchdown passes, two picks, five rushing touchdowns, 60 percent passing.

He already owns the rookie record for passing yards (3,893), and, obviously, will be the first rookie to pass for 4,000 with 107 yards against the Saints next week. Newton passed Payton Manning's record with his 478th throw Saturday; Manning threw 575 passes as a rookie in 1998. Newton's rushed for more touchdowns, 14, than any quarterback in any season ever. The NFL mark for rushing touchdowns by a quarterback is 43, by Steve Young ... and Newton's a third of the way there already.

Listen to these strong words from owner Jerry Richardson to me the other day: "As far as I'm concerned, he'll be the last quarterback we ever draft high in my lifetime. He is a very unusual young man, and I say that in a highly complimentary way. He does not complain. Ever. He's never in the trainers room. You watch him get hit out there and you think, 'He got to be hurting,' and then you see he's never with the trainers. The way he has adapted to our team and to the NFL has been tremendous. We couldn't be happier.''

GM Marty Hurney said before the draft that in order to compete in a quarterback-strong division, the Panthers had to take a quarterback and develop him quickly. He could never have imagined this. Who could? The most amazing thing is Newton having seven weeks of pro coaching before the real games began, and having a season like this one. Imagine when he has an offseason to work on the things he needs to improve. Which, from watching him, is not much.

[teeray]

This speaks volumes.

Listen to these strong words from owner Jerry Richardson to me the other day: "As far as I'm concerned, he'll be the last quarterback we ever draft high in my lifetime. He is a very unusual young man, and I say that in a highly complimentary way. He does not complain. Ever. He's never in the trainers room. You watch him get hit out there and you think, 'He got to be hurting,' and then you see he's never with the trainers. The way he has adapted to our team and to the NFL has been tremendous. We couldn't be happier.''

[dugbug]

So strange to go from years of game manager qbs to this kind of excitement

[chknwing]

u know the guy had to throw in the kick to the nuts didn't he. " Carolina is 4-1 since then (thanks, Bucs)" WTF, can he not just give them credit and leave it at that?

[dugbug]

Yeah. Probably preparing the saints "meaningless game" article too

But gives give him props for recanting his cam position and then complementing him in a big way (best rookie evar is not something I have ever heard debated befor cam)

[Chaos]

u know the guy had to throw in the kick to the nuts didn't he. " Carolina is 4-1 since then (thanks, Bucs)" WTF, can he not just give them credit and leave it at that?

Hell, people who frequent this site have discounted those wins.

[thefuzz]

So strange to go from years of game manager qbs to this kind of excitement

Jake Delhomme was not a game manager, not even close in fact.

[Moose87Banks]

I'm just glad we have him. It will be nice to see what he looks like with a whole offseason of workouts, and OTA's

[carolinarolls]

Jake Delhomme was not a game manager, not even close in fact.

I agree. That was always his role or his value as a limited athlete with great leadership skills yet he was also a gunslinger, a poor one at best. You can't be both.

[Darth Biscuit]

This is great... Teh Kurb was busting Kings ass all weekend on twitter... lol.

He admitted it but he should eat more crow about it. King was a complete dick about Cam.

[carolinarolls]

I would hate to have to go through life with a name like the Peter King. In this case it fits I guess.

[teeray]

I would hate to have to go through life with a name like the Peter King. In this case it fits I guess.

That was my wife's nickname in college.

[Brooklyn Bully]

So... do we need to start a Chris Weinke Appreciation thread?

[Delhommey]

I would say Randy Moss's 17 TD rookie year probably is as good if tnot maybe even better, but I'm glad for the recognition nonetheless.