Cutler, Newton's leadership under fire?

[JawnyBlaze]

http://www.nfl.com/videos/carolina-panthers/0ap2000000064722/Cutler-Newton-s-leadership-under-fire

Kind of annoying they didn't actually start talking about the two players in question til like the last 30 seconds, but Marshall Faulk really annoyed me and the whole thing annoyed me for one particular reason. The majority of the discussion was talking about their definitions of good leadership, and an example was given of Tom Brady yelling at receivers and coaches on the field then keeping it on himself in the press conference.

Keeping it on himself is exactly what Cam does! Cam has NEVER pointed a finger at anyone else, or yelled at anyone else or even passively aggressively tried to shift blame off himself. Say what you will about "Mr. Mopey Head", in my opinion that's a natural reaction of a 23 year old to the stress and disappointment to the situations that cause those reactions in him, but by all qualifiers given in that discussion Cam has been a fine "leader". And then Faulk saying "I can't give Cam a pass..." and no one mentions that that's exactly what he does. In his press conference he talks about what he could have done better and how he needs to improve. Not anyone else, he does exactly what a leader should do and that's bear the weight of the blame. Give me a 23 year old with the leadership Cam has displayed over a 35+ year old with Brees, Brady, etc any day. Cam's leadership is AT LEAST on track to be unquestionable by the time he's got their maturity and experience.

[jtnc]

I've told everyone the media is out for Cam's blood.

[carolina-chuck]

Cam's leadership will be fine and talks like this will be over after he quit the towel over the head thingy, the media interviews, and learns how to go over plays while waiting on the sideline.

Really wish Cam can learn from Vick. Anyone seen Vick yesterday even though loosing he was still going over things with the coaches?

I wouldnt say blame cam for it. Blame the coaches for acting so scare in trying to go over things with Cam on the sidelines (shula, Chud, RR). Heck, Peyton with a hall of fame career is still learning.

[JawnyBlaze]

I honestly don't understand why everyone has a problem with the towel on the head. As it has been said time and time again, he uses the towel in good times and in bad. It's not an indicator of his mood or anything other than practical use (and possibly part of a deal with Gatorade...) There's no reason to read into it unless someone is just TRYING to find something to fault him with.

I'm sure Cam will learn from Vick and all these other grown 30+ year old men in time. Very few of them were at the level of maturity they needed to be at 23...

[Kettle]

I don't see the towel ever going to the wayside, and I don't mind it. What I'd like to see is Cam interacting with coaches after every drive. Score or not.

[beastson]

Cam not paying these people no mind at all

[xav8tor]

Cam not paying these people no mind at all

He isn't paying attention to his coach either.

From a recent article, which is 100% correct...I noticed it too:

"The cameras showed him ignoring quarterbacks coach Mike Shula on the sideline."

[IGSaint]

Nice going steve smith, the media is on cam more because he had to mouth of to them about what should of been an inhouse thing.

[raleigh-panther]

It all comes out anyway.

Better it's out now, there is time to address it and move on.

It's not like everyone has not seen these things, week in and week out.

It's not news really.

The 'mind' coach is news and if it is true, good for the organization and Newton for doing it.

It's honestly a shame that Smith had to say something. I expect the leader, the HC to do these things; but, what do you expect from a HC who calls Newton 'Mr. Mopeyhead'. Give me a break. This isn't Mr Rogers Neighborhood.

[BANE]

Cam is fine and hes not going to change, so get over it. Few people in this league have had the success he's had coming into the NFL. Losing is just not something he knows how to deal with due to the fact hes never really had to deal with it. He's been asked to lead a basement dwelling team to the promised land and that is a LOT to put on one dudes shoulders, regardless of how great he can be. Cam won at the JuCo level, he won at the SEC level, he WILL win here(maybe its not with this team but he WILL win), he's FAR too great a talent not to.

[Brooklyn Bully]

I posted this in another thread...

All I have to say is. if anyone is upset that people are getting on Cam... tough. We want to be a bigger team, right? We want a top tier QB, right? Well we have one. And top tier QBs get criticism (see: Tony Romo).

Deal with it.

[hepcat]

Cam Newton can't overcome a defense that got sliced apart. Coaching is a bigger problem here than Cam himself.

[King Taharqa]

I posted this in another thread...

All I have to say is. if anyone is upset that people are getting on Cam... tough. We want to be a bigger team, right? We want a top tier QB, right? Well we have one. And top tier QBs get criticism (see: Tony Romo).

Deal with it.

What other 2nd year QB gets criticized as much as Cam?

[MadHatter]

Cam is fine and hes not going to change, so get over it. Few people in this league have had the success he's had coming into the NFL. Losing is just not something he knows how to deal with due to the fact hes never really had to deal with it. He's been asked to lead a basement dwelling team to the promised land and that is a LOT to put on one dudes shoulders, regardless of how great he can be. Cam won at the JuCo level, he won at the SEC level, he WILL win here(maybe its not with this team but he WILL win), he's FAR too great a talent not to.

If Cam does not understand that he needs to change, then he us doomed for failure. He does need to change his demeanor and actions on the sideline.

He does NOT listen to his coaches (been caught on camera often). He does sulk on the sideline. He does NOT get mental reps when not in the game.

These are all behaviors that he needs to change to become the leader and player that he has the potential to be.