In his first two seasons with the Carolina Panthers, quarterback Cam Newton had the big-time numbers but never the wins to go along with them.
Now, in his third year in the NFL, everything is starting to click for the 2011 first-overall pick, and that finally includes winning.
It’s been a slog for the young product out of Auburn.
Newton’s first year in the NFL saw the Panther’s go 6-10, good for third in the NFC South. In 2012, the Panthers again failed to manage a winning season, finishing second with a 7-9 record.
This was despite him putting up fantastic numbers. Needless to say, the losing wore on Newton, and he showed it on the field, on the bench and in the locker room.
In fact, his body language was so poor that in his rookie season Newton was confronted by teammates Jordan Gross and Ryan Kalil, who asked him to be more positive. Again, in 2012, he was called out for his sideline “sulking” by teammate Steve Smith.
Newton admitted he had problems with his body language towards the end of the 2011 season, saying “I have a bad tendency of showing my emotions on my face. I have to change it, and I’m trying to change it.”
The now-popular image of Newton sitting on the bench with a towel over his head dominated his narrative, and media and fans alike openly bemoaned his lack of leadership and toughness.
They considered him a waste of talent.
But with Newton – as it is with most players in the NFL – all that was required was patience, and the young Rookie of the Year has now clearly developed into a mature, experienced quarterback.
He’s been tested this season, and he came out on top.
After starting 2013 1-3, the Panthers have since won seven in a row, tying the franchise record.
That run has included victories over the rival Atlanta Falcons, the New England Patriots and San Francisco 49ers.
Those games and their close-fought win over the Miami Dolphins in Week 12 proves the hard-fighting Panthers are here to stay.
In Miami, Newton took the ball late in the fourth quarter with Carolina down 13-16. He drove the offence 80 yards down the field and scored what would be the game-winning touchdown on a short one-yard pass to tight end Greg Olsen.
The old Cam Newton wouldn’t have been able to do that.
That touchdown capped off the quarterback’s third game-winning drive of the season – and, remarkably, his third in a row – after only managing two total over his first two years.
Now, the Panthers stand at 8-3 and second in the NFC South (with the New Orleans Saints leading at 9-2).
They’re a lock for the playoffs, if not a wild card spot then potentially as division winners (they still have to play the Saints twice).
Of course a lot of credit must go to the Carolina defence that is only allowing 297 yards per game. They’re playing at an elite level in no small part due to the efforts of outstanding linebacker Luke Kuechly.
But it’s impossible to deny the quarterback’s impact over the last seven games. Aside from the game-winning touchdowns, he has managed 15 total touchdowns and just five turnovers during the run.
Notably, the wins have come at a cost, as Newton is actually in line for career lows in passing and rushing yards this season.
But that also signals a positive change in the signal caller.
It’s clear he doesn’t care about his numbers anymore and that it’s all by design.
He’s become more confident in the weapons around him, and is willing to hand the ball off to create offensive balance and help his team long term.
The Panthers are a rushing team first, and Newton knows the best thing he can do is distribute the ball to his playmakers and avoid turnovers.
Of course, that doesn’t mean we miss out on the odd circus play. He’s still good for those, but it’s clear the young quarterback has grown up, and now, he knows how to win in the NFL.
Suddenly the NFC South, and the league in general, is a whole lot more interesting heading towards January.
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