Carolina Panthers QB Cam Newton Dazzles in Debut Loss to Cardinals

A couple of top notch rookies were on display when the Carolina Panthers took on the Arizona Cardinals in Cam Newton’s first NFL start in the regular season. Newton was joined by fellow top five pick Patrick Peterson, the cornerback and return specialist for the Arizona Cardinals.

While Newton dazzled with an NFL record-setting 422 yards passing and three total touchdowns on the day, but it was a return touchdown by Peterson that put the Cardinals ahead for good, giving them a 1 in the win column, which is what truly matters–but that doesn’t take away from what Cam Newton was able to accomplish today.

Newton completed 24 of 37 passes, eight of which went to Steve Smith who had a coming out party of his own. Smith’s eight catches went for 178 yards and two for scores, one a bomb from newton for 77. He was targeted 11 times on the day, or roughly for 33 percent of Newton’s throws.

The Heisman trophy winner did take four sacks on the day, but he showed great athleticism, much better than advertised accuracy, and excellent poise for how far behind the game so many scouts said he was. If time is the only thing this kid needs, sign me up. He showed on Sunday why I believed he was bar none the best quarterback in this draft, and why even as the number one pick he was wildly underrated by a lot of draft analysts.

I personally didn’t think he would show how good he can be this quickly either, but I knew he’d come in and start and play well for this team. There’s a reason he’s on about half of my fantasy football teams (perhaps that’s my own stupidity), but I see a lot of potential in Cam Newton and while there will undoubtedly be ups and downs in this rookie season, I think he is a superstar in the making, and his stock arrow is pointing up.

I’ll be glued to my TV next Sunday when Newton and the Panthers welcome the world champion Green Bay Packers into town for Newton’s first home start.

The NFL is back, and better than ever.