Carolina Panthers Cam Newton a Top 3 Quarterback Already?

Choo! Choo! The Cameron Newton hype train is in full steam. Last week NFLnetwork teased that Cam Newton was ranked in the top 50 players in the N.F.L.–ahead of quarterbacks like Philip Rivers, Tony Romo, Matthew Stafford, and Michael Vick and some guy named Peyton Manning  just to name a few, but now it has gotten even a bit crazier.

Now Daniel Jeremiah, a recent NFL.com addition tweeted that

I responded “He’s an executive from a bad team I presume?”, to which Jeremiah responded “no.” Look, I get it, Cameron Newton has all the tools and making of an elite N.F.L. Quarterback and is ability is tantalizing. In his rookie year he threw for 21 touchdowns and rushed for another14, all while throwing for over 4,000 yards and completing 60 percent of his passes which are remarkable numbers. But he did however have 17 interceptions. And most importantly in a league where the only thing matters is how much a quarterback wins football games–Newton is getting this kind of love after winning 6 games and losing 10 others.

The Panthers had a terrific offense and Newton has a world of ability, but just think about the insanity of the tweet from Mr. Jeremiah. Has Newton as a top three quarterback already. Already!

This has to be a case of a guy just blowing smoke, right?

Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Cam Newton? It does not have the right ring.

Where is Drew Brees? Drew Brees was also very impressive last year, and unlike the Panthers, the Saints won an awful lot of games. Where is Eli Manning? Manning set a record for most fourth quarter touchdown passes in one season in the history of the N.F.L.—Eli Manning also has not had a losing season since his rookie year when he went 1-7. Eli Manning has also won two Superbowl MVP awards. How can Newton be ahead of a guy like that?

Where is Matthew Stafford–Stafford carried the Lions to the playoffs despite a bad defense and put up mind-boggling numbers 41 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, while he threw for over 5,000 yards. If we’re basing careers off of one season, Staffords is more impressive.

Philip Rivers throw for 4,624 yards even in what could be considered an off year and has showed year in and year out that his team will win a lot of games and be in playoff contention.

There is also Big Ben, another two time Superbowl winner who has a long standing history of winning.

I recognize Newton’s enormous potential and Panthers fans have to be excited. Newton has all the ability in the world–a huge arm, better than advertised accuracy, the running ability of Michael Vick with the size of Ben Roethlisberger, and most importantly he says all the right things and appears to be on his way to becoming a tremendous leader. But he’s still green. He still has only won 6 N.F.L. games. He still hasn’t shown that when the chips are all in-he will lead his team to consistent victories.

Last year Newton threw 14 touchdowns in the first half to 6 interceptions and completed 62.2 percent of his passes. In the second half of games last year Newton threw 7 Touchdowns and 11 interceptions and only completed 57.8 percent of his passes.

In the last two minutes of a half, Newton has a 2 TD and 3 INT.  In fourth quarter situations when the Panthers were within 7 points Newton’s quarterback rating was only 68.6.  These are not the numbers of a top three quarterback in the league–and this is an area where Newton must improve his game.

Newton is a terrific young player who has enormous potential, but anointing him as a top three quarterback already is premature and irresponsible. He’s had one–pretty good year. Great statistic year, but since when has a quarterback ever been judged on how many yards he throws for? I recognize Newton did not take over a great team, but the league is about playing well and winning. Newton and the Panthers still have a lot of work to do–and I believe Newton will get there, but for now let’s dial down the hype and let the young man play. Let’s see what he can do. I’ve seen what players like Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Eli Manning, Big Ben, Tom Brady, Peyton Manning can do and  Newton’s not yet in their class.

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