Cam Newton Rookie of the Year: 5 Reasons Why QB Deserves to Win

There is definitely an argument in favor of Andy Dalton taking the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award because of his success with the Cincinnati Bengals this season. After all, the rookie signal-caller did lead that dormant franchise to a rare postseason appearance.

With that said, it is extremely hard to pass up on Cam Newton when projecting who is going to win this reward. We are talking about a quarterback that broke multiple records as a rookie while proving pretty much every pundit wrong.

This article is going to focus on five reasons why Cam Newton should win the 2012 Offensive Rookie of the Year at tonight's award show.

5. Jumped out of the Gate with Amazing Early-Season Performances

To say that I was stunned by Cam Newton's early-season performance would be a gross understatement. Here is a quarterback that many projected would struggle his rookie year, throwing for over 830 yard in his first two NFL games.

Don't look at the four interceptions he threw in those two games, just look at the dynamic performances that he put together in consecutive weeks. Despite losing both games, these early-season performances were an indicator of things to come for the previously struggling franchise.

The Carolina Panthers were back to respectability just two weeks into the 2011 season. That deserves mentioning when drawing a conclusion that Cam Newton should win Offensive Rookie of the Year.

4. Turned Steve Smtih into Pro Bowl Performer Once Again

Steve Smith was on his way out of Carolina in the preseason. Reports indicated that he was on the trading block, most likely going to the Oakland Raiders.

This is a wide receiver that is on the wrong side of 30 and failed to reach 1,000 yards in each of the last two seasons. By all accounts, Steve Smith was on the back end of what was an amazing career.

Then something happened—his name is Cam Newton.

The 2011 season saw Steve Smith finish with nearly as many yards as he had in the previous two seasons combined. He also made his fifth Pro Bowl appearance. This has to be directly correlated with the success of Cam Newton in the passing game.

There really is no other way to look at it.

3. Changed the Culture Surrounding the Carolina Panthers Franchise

The Carolina Panthers were a complete mess ending the 2010 season. This is a franchise that was on the border of complete irrelevance. You are talking about a team that averaged under 13 points per game, finished minus-212 in point differential and lost 12 games by double figures.

Enter into the equation Cam Newton, who inspired the franchise and fanbase with utterly dazzling performances on a weekly basis.

Carolina went on to triple their win total from 2010, nearly double their point output and rise 12 spots in the all-important point differential category.

The only major addition to this offense was Cam Newton, and look at the dramatic difference that he made.

2. Records, Records and More Records

Most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in NFL history, most rushing yards by a rookie quarterback in NFL history, most passing yards by a rookie quarterback in NFL history, most 300-yard games by a rookie quarterback in NFL history and most multiple-touchdown performances by a rookie quarterback in NFL history.

Wow, that was one long sentence. However, it just goes to show you exactly what Cam Newton did as a rookie. Seriously, these are mind-boggling statistics if I have ever seen any.

I don't really need to add much more to this, do I?

1. Was the Best Indivdual Rookie Performer in the NFL

This award isn't about rookie MVP, it is about the best individual rookie performer. That has to be taken into account when suggesting that a player like Andy Dalton deserves the award more than Cam Newton.

Despite finishing with six wins, Cam Newton was the best rookie in the NFL in 2011 without a question. The records I indicated in the previous slide are just a couple examples of this.

More than that, Newton looked poised in the pocket, made some absolutely dazzling plays and helped improve what was the worst offense in the NFL the year prior.

Carolina also finished the season winning four of their final six games, which is a great indicator of success moving forward.