Cam Newton Gets High Marks From New Teammates

Added on Jun 10, 2011 by Jack Thurman in

NFL

The NFL labor situation has left former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton in a state of flux with his new team, the Carolina Panthers. Under the lockout he can’t communicate with coaches nor does he have a contract. He’s being forced to learn the team playbook on his own and has been practicing and training with teammates. Despite Newton’s tough introduction into NFL football, his teammates have praised him for the way he’s handled things.

The Carolina Panthers’ veterans have been impressed with his attitude, his work ethic and ability to fit in with his teammates. Linebacker Jon Beason had this to say about the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner:

“He showed up every day early. He’s working hard. He’s interacted well and he’s shown some great leadership.”

Newton knows that the NFL is entirely a different deal from even high level college football:

“Preparing as a quarterback in the NFL is completely different. The terminology, the blitz schemes, and at the end of the day, you’re not playing freshmen anymore. You’re playing grown men. This is where speed comes into play at all times.”

Newton got a playbook and met with coaches during the few days that the lockout was lifted. He’s been working with the team’s other quarterbacks, Matt Moore and Jimmy Clausen, trying to get up to speed. So far he’s happy with his progress:

“I think I’ve got a grip on who we are as an offense, what coach (offensive coordinator Rob) Chudzinski is trying to do.”

Newton isn’t sure if he’ll have Steve Smith in the lineup. So far Smith has equivocated on whether he’ll return to Charlotte though Newton has worked with him a bit:

“To some degree, he’s on a different level. I told him this. When I throw a three-step drop or an out-route, I’ve got to get back real fast to get it to him extremely quick because he’s that explosive as a player.”

Left tackle Jordan Gross says that Newton has worked hard and is in phenomenal shape:

“Cam has really just come in and kind of kept quiet. He had fun with the guys and tried to fit in and earn respect and doing things right. He’s thrown some great passes, gotten under center, been vocal with his cadence when we’ve done our team offense stuff. Overall, he’s just shown he’s in shape and willing to work hard.”

For now, Newton is excited to just be part of an NFL team:

“Everything has been great. We’ve been getting excellent participation from the team. We’re just out here every single day trying to do the best that we can with the material that we do have to try to learn and comprehend.”