Cam Newton: 3 Things He Can Look Forward to as Carolina Panthers QB

With the first pick in the 2011 NFL Draft, it is about 97 percent certain that the Carolina Panthers will select quarterback Cam Newton. He's got a very high ceiling, and he's a quarterback who could potentially be the franchise quarterback.

This selection puts Jimmy Clausen's journey likely at an abrupt end, and while I never cared for him, he did not have much of a chance in the Panthers' organization due to a lack of weapons.

Still, with Newton coming in as the starting quarterback most likely, he does have a few things to look forward to.

First, there's a new coach, so he has plenty of time, unlike Clausen, to get himself adjusted. Ron Rivera strikes me as someone who will make a great coach, so the two should make a solid pair, and Rivera can hammer out any issues Newton may have.

Yes, Rivera is a defensive-minded coach, but so was Gene Chizik and look how well that turned out. Having a coach that can grow with a guy like Newton could end up working especially well.

Second, Newton is someone who can work without premier wide receivers, so long as there's a solid running game in place. After all, Darvin Adams is a day three pick in this year's draft.

The Panthers have Jonathan Stewart as a weapon going forward, and Tyrell Sutton and Mike Goodson have shown enough to be able to work if needed. Steve Smith provides veteran leadership for Newton, even though I have no idea how well those two will click.

The Panthers do not have a lot of weapons, but I think Newton would be able to work effectively with what the Panthers do have, both on the field and off.

Third, Newton brings a winning attitude to the Panthers. He won the Heisman and the National Championship and has that youthful energy to win. The Panthers have nearly won a Super Bowl, but that already feels like an eternity ago.

With Newton, the Panthers would have someone who knows how to win, which has been something they've been missing. It's one of the things Jimmy Clausen was beat up over when his draft stock fell, so it could be something the Panthers are taking very seriously.

Whether Panthers fans love or hate Newton, they'll need to get used to him, since he's going to at least try to make the Panthers great again.