Cam…Oh, Cam...Panthers' signal-caller growing up quickly!

It sounds crazy to call Cam Newton’s Week 18 performance against the NFC South division rival New Orleans Saints ‘masterful’, but that’s just what it was despite the Panthers’ signal-caller going just 13-for-21 for 181 yards with one touchdown and one pick.

Newton was as ‘clutch’ as it gets down the stretch against the Saints, leading Carolina on a 65-yard game-winning drive that started with just 55 seconds remaining in regulation and concluded when Newton hit Dennis Hixon on a 14-yard strike with 23 seconds left.

Could it be the Panthers are more legitimate contender than Super Bowl pretender? Weigh in and let me know Eye On Sports NFL fans. 

BTW, Nolan Nawrocki’s still got a job…really?

PFW's Nolan Nawrocki, 

should have been out of a job after  

foolishly ripping Cam Newton a year ago. 

After writing my post about Dallas Cowboys’ rookie cornerback morris Claiborne and how idiotic some people were in trying to paint him as ‘dumb’ because of the fact bthat he didn’t want to take the Wonderlic test, I was reminded of a similar incident that occurred before last year’s 2011 NFL Draft.

It was just over a year ago, when Pro Football weekly senior editor Nolan Nawrocki wrote one of the most hateful, biased, (racially-motivated) and idiotic draft analysis pieces that I or anyone has ever read.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton made PFW  writer 

Nolan Nawrocki look like the idiot he is while destroying 

nearly every rookie NFL quarterback in league history.

Let’s go back and look at exactly what Nawrocki wrote about now, Carolina Panthers superstar signal-caller Cam Newton prior to the 2011 NFL Draft.

Newton is "Very disingenuous, has a fake smile, comes off as very scripted and has a selfish, me-first makeup. Always knows where the cameras are and plays to them. Has an enormous ego with a sense of entitlement that continually invites trouble and makes him believe he is above the law, does not command respect from teammates and will always struggle to win a locker room. Lacks accountability, focus and trustworthiness, is not punctual, seeks shortcuts and sets a bad example. Immature and has had issues with authority. Not dependable.” – Nolan Nawrocki

Wow!

Now that I have a more objective opportunity to look back on Nawrocki’s clearly, biased – and mostly crude – comments about the now proven Newton, I only have one question concerning the entire pre-draft incident.

How the hell does Nolan Nawrocki still have a job?

Cam’s Da Man!

I’ve got a question for NFL fans everywhere.

How many starting NFL quarterbacks are better than Carolina Panthers rookie signal-caller Cam Newton?

Really, think about how many other quarterbacks you’d take in the league right now over Newton.

Hmm, let me run down my list – though it’s probably much shorter than you think.

Let’s start with Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger.

I know Eli Manning won a Super Bowl, but I wouldn’t take him over Newton right now and I don’t suspect many people will.

Okay, there’s Matt Ryan and uh …. uh … hmmm. Okay, I think that’s it for me.

I couldn’t get into a knock-down, drag-out fight with a guy that said he’d take Matt Schaub, Matthew Stafford, Phillip Rivers, Michael Vick, Joe Flacco, Sam Bradford and Jay Cutler, but I’ll take my chances with Newton over each and every other signal-caller on this short list of potential quarterbacks that are ‘better’ than the multi-faceted Newton right now.

The fact of the matter is that no other quarterback on the list besides Vick can even come close to Newton’s running ability (okay, and Tim Tebow) and incomparable athleticism.

As far as passing ability, Newton’s howitzer arm ranks with any quarterback’s in the league – even if his accuracy doesn’t just yet.

The fact of the matter is that – there aren’t many quarterbacks in the NFL that I’d rather have than Cam Newton right now – and that’s saying something considering the gifted youngster is still – just a rookie! 

Steve Smith Says Cam's the Man, Not Tebow!

It was well over a week ago when Carolina Panthers veteran wide receiver Steve Smith threw his hat into the national debate on Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow – and for once – one of Tebow’s critics got it right.

Smith threw a zinger at the Broncos’ unique signal-caller – by praising his own – one-of-a-kind quarterback, rookie, Cam Newton.

"If Tebow is standing next to me I would tell it to his face - come check me out in five years, Jack, and you'll know who's the best quarterback," Smith said. 

"Everybody wants to crown Tebow as a versatile quarterback," Smith said. "Versatile to me means you can throw the ball very accurately, run the ball and create things. The only he can create is running. He isn't very accurate."

Tebow’s recent play have puts Smith’s assessments right on the mark.

"You can't compare Cam to Tebow. I think Cam's a more complete player," Smith said. "Tebow has the wins. But everybody wants to crown Tebow. Yes, he has the will to win. I think Tebow is no different than any other professional (in that way). But Tebow has a great opportunity to play behind a great defense."

Okay Steve, now, tell us how you really feel!