This offseason, the Carolina Panthers selected Cam Newton with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft.  He was drafted as Carolina’s quarterback of the future. 

For the Panthers, the future is now.  Newton gives the Panthers the best chance to win and should start from Week 1.  Fans agree.

Newton buzz was all over Charlotte this past Saturday as they held their first preseason game against the New York Giants. 

New coach Ron Rivera elected to nab Jimmy Clausen as the Week 1 preseason starter.  On Clausen’s very first drive he threw a pick-six to linebacker Michael Boley.  Fans immediately started chanting, “CAM, CAM, CAM.”

Fans of the Carolina Panthers are tired of a bland offense and want a spark and excitement.  Newton offers that with his freakish athletic tools. 

Yes, he is untested. Yes, he is sometimes erratic. Yes, he is a showman.  Yes, he will have games where he will struggle.  However, what Newton offers more than anything is hope.

Newton, the former Heisman trophy and national champion has dynamic playmaking ability and has torched stingy SEC defenses like it was nothing.

Last season, the Panthers ranked dead last in total offense and points per game, only scoring 196 all season.  Compare that to the 518 points the New England Patriots scored. Wow. 

Let’s just go ahead and say it: Jimmy Clausen is not the answer.

Newton is the most dynamic and athletic quarterback the Panthers have ever had on their roster.  It was the first time the Panthers have used a first-round pick on a quarterback since their second season when they took Kerry Collins out of Penn State. 

Newton will no doubt struggle at times and the learning curve from Auburn’s spread attack to offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski's pro-style offense will be challenging.  But with that being said, Newton’s talent is too great to have on the sidelines. 

To put it simply, the kid makes plays.  There has never been a quarterback with the skill set of Newton. 

Some people compare him to Vince Young.  While there are similarities, I don’t think that comparison is accurate. Young never had to handle adversity until the pros. 

Young breezed through his Texas years as a savior.  As soon as he struggled and faced media pressure, he folded.  And if you don’t buy that then there is still the fact that Young's record as a starting quarterback is very good.

On the other hand, Newton has faced adversity and passed with flying colors as he navigated Auburn to a national championship, all while getting ridiculed for his father and the “Pay for Play” scandal.

Newton’s job will not be to light up the scoreboard.  His job will be to be a game manager and move the chains.  The Panthers are blessed with Carolina’s great run game. 

Triple trouble, DeAngelo Williams, Jonathan Stewart and Mike Goodson (if he can hold on to the ball) will be a great combination of speed and power.  This will relieve pressure off of Newton.  Add that to the Panthers' terrific tight ends that will add a much needed security blanket.

I am not saying he will be in the Pro Bowl in his rookie season, but he sure will be exciting.  Newton showed in his debut that he can change Charlotte to Camtown.  He is already a fan favorite amongst the Carolina faithful. 

Cam Newton brings hope—and that is all Panther fans want after witnessing last season.