Newton's Sophomore Slump - another look

[CRA]

Not disagreeing with that, just disagreeing that week 3 is the sole reason he was said to be in a slump.

Well you said week 1 could be debated as he completed 70% of his passes with literally no run game 0 yards from RBs.

Week 2 - he dominated. 70% completion

Week 3 - media jumped on him

Week 4- great game at Atl - one we should of won.

That was the first quarter of season.....slump talk was in full swing at that point. One game started it and no one paid attention to why we lost just eagerly jumped on the slump talk.

[mcdougal]

A light came on for Cam the past month or so...

Decision making, pocket awareness, play making....it's all coming together

Maybe the coaching letting him audible more?

[chef17]

Well you said week 1 could be debated as he completed 70% of his passes with literally no run game 0 yards from RBs.

Week 2 - he dominated. 70% completion

Week 3 - media jumped on him

Week 4- great game at Atl - one we should of won.

That was the first quarter of season.....slump talk was in full swing at that point. One game started it and no one paid attention to why we lost just eagerly jumped on the slump talk.

If you include week 1 that's 2 games out of 4 that he played bad. And weeks 5, 7, and 8 continued it. That was my point. Regardless of when it started, he had at least 4 bad games in the first half of the season.

[King Taharqa]

It was always a media created hoax which made for a convenient scapegoat that is the 2012 Carolina Panthers season. Did Cam have some bad games this year? Sure did. But when you look at the big picture and not just a game or 2 you could see Cam wasnt really playing far off from what he did last year, even when he struggled. And this is with less production from his supporting cast.

To put it in perspective, Cam has 6 games this year where he posted a QB rating higher than 100. That ties the most Delhomme ever had in a season in his tenure here including the years we went to the Super Bowl and playoffs. Cam still has a few more games to surpass that mark. He's raised the standards and expectations for QBing in Carolina.

[Rubi]

Maybe the coaching letting him audible more?

Maybe

[Herbert The Love Bug]

I do honestly think cams got the best arm in the league.

lol I remember watching ESPN recently and it was one of those shows where old football players sit around and try to act like they know what they are talking about and they got to saying how they all believe RG3 already has the best arm in the league. They are the people that also said today that Andrew Luck had an awesome game today when he only threw for 170 something yards with 1 TD and 2 INTs. How stupid are those guys. sheesh

[fieryprophet]

Maybe the coaching letting him audible more?

Exactly.

[carolina-chuck]

He probably actually gotten better this year than last year. He only started out slower.

[The_Mango55]

Cam definitely has one of the best arms in the league. Rodgers, Cutler, Vick, and Flacco are also up there.

As you can see, arm strength is not always the best indicator of QB ability, but it's obviously good to have a strong arm.

[CRA]

If you include week 1 that's 2 games out of 4 that he played bad. And weeks 5, 7, and 8 continued it. That was my point. Regardless of when it started, he had at least 4 bad games in the first half of the season.

Yes, but as you admitted....it is tough to say a QB played poorly when his RBs have literally 0 yards and he completes 70% of his passes. Being forced to gamble late bc you have zero help isn't poor QB play. 3 good vs 1 bad.

[CRA]

It was always a media created hoax which made for a convenient scapegoat that is the 2012 Carolina Panthers season. Did Cam have some bad games this year? Sure did. But when you look at the big picture and not just a game or 2 you could see Cam wasnt really playing far off from what he did last year, even when he struggled. And this is with less production from his supporting cast.

To put it in perspective, Cam has 6 games this year where he posted a QB rating higher than 100. That ties the most Delhomme ever had in a season in his tenure here including the years we went to the Super Bowl and playoffs. Cam still has a few more games to surpass that mark. He's raised the standards and expectations for QBing in Carolina.

In addition to those QB ratings....in 8 of 13 games he has more rushing yards than any of our RBs. That is sad.....horrible spot to put such a young QB in

[beastson]

The game is slowing down for him. He's reading defenses better. He's developing better chemistry with his receivers than in the beginning of the year

[Shonuff]

I don't post here often but stated it a while back. Cam is playing much better this year, he's actually had to play QB versus using a host of gimmick plays. I think Chud is adjusting, calling better plays, etc. I think they stuck with their initial game (season) plan (heavy read option) too long on the offensive side of the ball. It confused Cam a little, plays took too long to develop and Cam went into sack and scramble mode. Neither Stew or Angelo are read-option type RBs....it cost the Panthers a shot at the playoffs..

Cam still has trouble with short touch passes but anything across the middle, sideline or downfield is a laser and usually on target. A previous poster stated Cam has the best arm in the league, I disagree, he has the strongest arm which could be the best. A slight improvement in accuracy anbd he'll easily go over 60% completion rate. Can Cam be elite? Yes, let's not kid ourselves, he's got a ways to go just to make the team a playoff contender.

Lastly, if the team goes 2-1 or 3-0, Rivera should get another year...

[CRA]

I don't post here often but stated it a while back. Cam is playing much better this year, he's actually had to play QB versus using a host of gimmick plays. I think Chud is adjusting, calling better plays, etc. I think they stuck with their initial game (season) plan (heavy read option) too long on the offensive side of the ball. It confused Cam a little, plays took too long to develop and Cam went into sack and scramble mode. Neither Stew or Angelo are read-option type RBs....it cost the Panthers a shot at the playoffs..

Cam still has trouble with short touch passes but anything across the middle, sideline or downfield is a laser and usually on target. A previous poster stated Cam has the best arm in the league, I disagree, he has the strongest arm which could be the best. A slight improvement in accuracy anbd he'll easily go over 60% completion rate. Can Cam be elite? Yes, let's not kid ourselves, he's got a ways to go just to make the team a playoff contender.

Lastly, if the team goes 2-1 or 3-0, Rivera should get another year...

Stewart is an option RB....but he needs to be healthy. Even when "healthy" this year he was hurt.