The current group of quarterbacks in the NFL is filled with youngsters with so much potential. It is an exclusive club, which currently includes Colin Kaepernick, Russell Wilson, Andrew Luck, Robert Griffin III, and Nick Foles. Even with those names, perhaps the club’s best member is Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton.
Newton, in his fourth year, had one of the greatest seasons for a young quarterback in NFL history in my opinion. After spending his first two years being ridiculed for not being able to get it done in crunch time, Newton proved every one of his doubters wrong in a season filled with thrills, comeback victories, and overall consistency.
Cam Newton Is The NFL’s Best Young Quarterback
In Cam Newton’s first two seasons, the young quarterback from Auburn clearly found success, but his biggest problems came from the lack of winning big games and leading his team to consistency in general. This actually has more to with him being on a sub-par team when he was first drafted, as the Panthers finished 2-14 in 2010, the season before he was drafted.
In 2013, that all changed. While admittedly, Newton threw for the fewest passing yards of his career (3,379 yards), and a lower average (7.14 Yards Per Pass), he improved in other aspects. Newton threw a career high 24 touchdowns, improved his TD-INT ratio to 24-13, won five games against .500 or better teams, delivered four comeback wins and four game winning drives (via Scott Kacsmar).
While you may think lowered stats mean a lowered performance, that is certainly not the case here. In a conversation with my NFL colleague at Last Word On Sports (@thisismofo), I was told that 2013 was Newton’s “best year as a player from his quality of play in the pocket, aside from stats.” In addition, he also said that “as a team, [the Panthers] rallied around [Newton] as an offensive leader and got as far as they did.” I couldn’t have put it any better myself if I tried.
Looking at Cam Newton’s breakthrough game during week 10 against the New England Patriots as an example, the Panthers converted on third down on eight of their eleven attempts, most of which were completed by Newton. His famous 14-yard run, where he managed to evade four Patriots defenders and run for a first down, was quite the spectacle when I first saw it. And when he completed the game-winning-drive with a touchdown pass to wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr, it confirmed that he was, in fact, a lot more comfortable in the pocket than he had been in the past.
Comparisons of Cam Newton to Colin Kaepernick and Russell Wilson have been made. All three quarterbacks are dual threats that can pass and run the ball. But while all three certainly play similar, Newton reigns as the best quarterback amongst the three. With the rushing stats listed below, I’ll explain why I believe this.
Rushing Yards
Newton: 585 yards
Wilson: 539 yards
Kaepernick: 524 yards
Touchdowns
Newton: 6
Kaepernick: 4
Wilson: 1
First Downs
Newton: 45
Wilson: 31
Kaepernick: 28
Fumbles
Newton: 1
Wilson: 2
Kaepernick: 4
When it comes to passing, Cam Newton is also the best of the three. His ability to create smooth evasiveness, create plays out of thin air, and find a comfortable spot in the pocket surpasses even what Kaepernick can do with his excellent stride. And while Wilson is certainly the more accurate passer, the Seattle Seahawks’ game isn’t built around him, mainly relying on running back Marshawn Lynch and an extremely good defense.
With Newston, this Panthers squad runs around him, and this was a significant part of the Panthers’ big success in 2013 (in addition to the improved defense). Newton is also 6’6″ and 250 pounds, and this size advantage allows him to better take hits than Wilson or Kaepernick.
As for comparisons to Andrew Luck and Nick Foles, I think Newton is slightly better than both due to his dangerous dual threat status. Having said that, Luck certainly possesses the skills of a great passing QB, and the excellent TD-INT ratio of Nick Foles is factor that needs to be looked at come 2014.
Cam Newton’s success in 2013 was one of the best stories that season. In addition to the help of head coach Ron Rivera and being a better passer in the clutch, his maturity and responsibility as a leader having given him an edge over the competition. There is little doubt in my mind that Newton could better himself and one day become elite if he keeps this up in The Queen City. Supercam may not be an elite QB yet, but there’s no kryptonite here to stop him from being one.
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(Stats via espn.com and @FO_ScottKacsmar. Special Thanks to @thisismofo for contributing)
