NFL Rookie of the Year 2011: Panthers' Cam Newton Is a Lock for ROY Award

Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton lived up to the No. 1 overall pick hype throughout 2011, setting NFL records and racking up eye-popping numbers in the process.

The former Heisman Trophy winner got off to a bang and secured his name atop the Rookie of the Year candidates with two back-to-back 400-plus yard passing efforts against the Arizona Cardinals and defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers.

When 2011 was all said and done, Newton had the Panthers four wins better than the previous year, had 35 NFL touchdowns, 14 of which came on the ground, a new record for an NFL quarterback let alone a rookie, and a 4,000-plus-yard passing season under his belt.

Unlike a lot of rookies, Newton played in all 16 games during the regular season, and was his team's star attraction throughout the year. Not to mention he made the January trip to Hawaii as a Pro Bowler in his first year.

Oftentimes, immediate failure follows the glory of being drafted No. 1 overall in sports, especially the NFL, but not in Newton's case. His statistical outburst and right attitude focused on winning and team-first success proved week after week that he was cut out for this award.

Newton's yards, touchdowns, QB rating and completion percentage were all tops among rookie quarterbacks, including Cincinnati Bengals youngster Andy Dalton, who had a great season which included a playoff berth. 

Newton's 84.5 QB rating was 15th-best in the league, better than Joe Flacco, Carson Palmer and Tim Tebow. His 4,051 yards ranked 10th in the NFL, more than Alex Smith, Michael Vick and Ryan Fitzpatrick.

His passing touchdowns ranked 11th, tying him with Ben Roethlisberger, and putting him ahead of Flacco, Vick and Smith in that category.

Newton was a wonder to watch in 2011, and as a rookie that makes his achievements even more impressive. He is, without a doubt, a lock to win the league's Rookie of the Year Award.