New Orleans Saints v Carolina Panthers

Being 1st in the NFC and 14-0 this season, it is hard not to say how much Cam Newton has made an impact on the Panthers organization. With his arrival to the Panthers back in 2011, I don’t think anyone expected this type of caliber he is portraying each and every game. But the question still remains. How good is Cam Newton?

When we looked back in his football college days, Newton seemed to have a roller coaster career all sparked from his sting with the Gators. After playing just a couple of games for the University of Florida, Newton’s immature behavior eventually led to a suspension from the team. It was then at the end of the gators national championship season where Newton decided transfer from the power house university to Blinn College in Brenha, Texas. While many people would see this as a huge fall, Newton saw this as an opportunity to rebuild his image and refine his technical skills as a player. During that season, he led his team to the 2009 NJCAA National Football Championships throwing 2,833 yards with 22 touchdowns and rushing for 655 yards. This eventually led to a number one quarterback ranking by Rivals.com and recruiting scouts from Oklahoma, Mississippi State, and Auburn. Cam eventually felt that Auburn University would provide him with the necessary team and skills to push him to the next level.

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In 2010, Cam was determined to make his mark and capitalize on that second chance to greatness. From his first game to the end of the season, Cam was able to make the impossible dream a possibility. On September 4, 2010, Newton accounted for five total offensive touchdowns and over 350 yards of total offense. On October 2nd, Cam led Auburn to a 52 to 3 victory over Louisiana-Monroe. Later on that month, Cam led the tigers to a 24 to 17 victory over the LSU Tigers. Eventually that game led to Auburn receiving its first place overall BCS ranking and Heisman moment for Newton. Even with all of this success, Cam knew there was more work to be done. On December 4th, 2010 Newton led the Tigers to an SEC Championship, their first since 2004 after defeating South Carolina 56 to 17. Newton was eventually named the 2010 SEC Offensive Player of the Year as well as the 2010 AP Player of the Year. Eventually this success led to a landslide victory for the illustrious 2010 Heinemann Trophy, a BCS National Championship Game win over the Oregon Ducks, and the first round pick for the 2011 NFL Draft.

Cam Newton

Similar to his collegiate career, Cam has showed a variety of both sides. The one thing to note beyond the gimmicked-up showboating and touchdown dancing is the growth and development he assumed as a quarterback. Watching Newton from his college years to his time in Carolina is absolutely incredible. The man is a machine. He is able to recreate, adapt, and transform his style and mentality so that he can develop every time he hits the field. Because of this, the numbers that he is producing is outrageously gaudy. Whether you are a fan or a rival, you have to give the man his respect. His vision of the game has become so much more of a weapon in the player people expected of him back in 2011. In addition, the quickness of his footwork has become his go to move now more than ever, impressing the fans and infuriating the haters. Now, with the 2015 season, Cam has shown an absolutely amazing run with an undefeated record of 14-0. While the season is not over, all I can said is “keep pounding.”