Cam Newton's philosophies and Panthers future

Cam Newton is a lot of things. If you turn on the television at this very moment you will probably hear a combination of some good and some bad.

His father’s controversy put a storm cloud over the latter half of his junior season at Auburn University while his juvenile mistakes at Florida may sour the combination of raw talent and charisma that he holds in his person.

One of the strongest statements that can be made about the newly drafted Carolina Panther is that he is a captivating athlete as well as a mentally tough kid. Those are things will lead him to the starting position in the Panthers organization.

Jimmy Clausen may be shaking in regards to his own future, however. Still, he remains in the position to mold Newton into the athlete that Carolina desires him to be.

Clausen’s reaction on twitter, very different than that of Saints’ running back Reggie Bush, showed immense character in a situation that would probably cause any other player duress. How he is behaving on the inside is not seeping through camera lenses that will be spotlighting him on this journey in the NFL's offseason.

That will be one of the key marks on the beginning of Cam’s career. While he is competing to take the starting job away from Clausen, there are going to be some things that will require a mentor. That mentor can only be someone who has been standing in his position not too long ago.

Newton was not drafted to sit. We, as fans and writers completely understand that. He and his family understand that as well, as they ventured off to Charlotte, North Carolina and endured questions that Newton has undoubtedly heard before.

His metaphors about instant grits and collard greens in relation to the process he will have to undergo as his rookie season vastly approaches were not only humorous, but were amazingly accurate.

The issues he will encounter will not be brushed over quickly, yet they will be elongated due to the continuous criticism and daily judgment he will receive from every avenue.

The only sure thing about Newton’s arrival in Charlotte is that things will change. He adds an explosiveness to the offensive tenure of the Panthers that has not seen since their 2004 season. Not only by putting fans in the seats of the Bank of America Stadium will he change the vision of Carolina. Cam will give a new hope and option to the franchise that has seen more than its share of rough times throughout its last few years of existence.

The new million dollar smile and phenomenal character as the face of the Carolina Panthers will give off a sense of appreciation and determination that will spotlight living rooms on Sunday and Monday nights. Cam Nation reigns supreme.