NFL: Why Cam Newton's Ceiling Is Higher Than You Think

Examine the list of Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks since 2000, and you will find an elite collection of talent that includes many future Hall of Famers.

Kurt Warner. Tom Brady. Ben Roethlisberger. Peyton Manning. Drew Brees. Aaron Rodgers.

One thing has become clear: If a team wants to win a Super Bowl, their chances will be greatly improved if they have a franchise quarterback in place.

That is why the Carolina Panthers had no choice but to take Cam Newton with the first overall selection of the 2011 NFL Draft.

Critics will call Newton a one-year wonder who was the product of the system in which he played at Auburn. They will call out his lack of experience under center, his sloppy footwork and his ability to read a defense. Newton likes to run the ball too much, and does not have the accuracy desired from a franchise quarterback.

And who could forget his off-field concerns with the NCAA?

Then there is something about his, let’s call it, "self-confidence."

At the combine, Newton told Peter King, "I see myself not only as a football player, but an entertainer and icon."

He did not hold back with Dan Wetzel either, saying, "Not to sound arrogant, but what I did in one year, others couldn't do in their entire collegiate careers."

Sorry, Cam, that is arrogance at its finest. It is why people cringe when he flashes that million-dollar smile.

But Cam has every reason to smile, because he is right—he did accomplish more than others can only dream of.

Newton led the SEC in rushing and total offense, which helped him earn the Heisman Trophy as well as the Maxwell, Walter Camp and Davey O’Brien awards.

Newton and his Auburn Tigers went 14-0 en route to an SEC title, and went on to win the BCS National Championship.

In the process, Newton established himself as the most intriguing yet polarizing prospect in recent draft memory.

The naysayers will bring up all of the concerns and ignore his accomplishments while in college, but the only thing that matters is the Panthers believe Newton can lead their franchise in the future.

Who could blame them? He is the prototypical quarterback.

Newton is big (think Roethlisberger), standing at 6'5" and weighing 248 pounds. His size allows him to beat defenders almost effortlessly.

Arm strength is not an issue, as Newton can launch a ball 50 yards downfield or hit an out pattern with plenty of velocity.

He is able to stand tall behind his line and make throws from the pocket. But if things break down, he can also make a play while on the run. Of course, he can also make plays with his feet, and has the ability to power through defenders or outrun them with his 4.58 speed.

All of the physical traits in the world will not win football games, though, as best summed up in the movie Little Giants:

"Just remember, football is 80 percent mental and 40 percent physical."

Football is a mental game, and that is Newton’s shortfall so far, even though the physical aspects are already there. If he can get his mental makeup to equal his physical prowess, the sky is the limit.

The NFL lockout has limited Newton from learning the mental part of the game, but he has made the most of his opportunities during player-organized workouts, according to Panthers linebacker Jon Beason and offensive tackle Jordan Gross, via ESPN.

"He showed up every day early. He’s working hard," Beason said. "He’s interacted well, and he’s shown some great leadership."

"Cam has really just come in and kind of kept quiet," Gross said. "He had fun with the guys and tried to fit in and earn respect and doing things right."

Quite a difference from the brash personality many view him as having.

"He’s thrown some great passes, gotten under center, been vocal with his cadence when we’ve done our team offense stuff," Gross added. "Overall, he’s just shown he’s in shape and willing to work hard."

Should Newton be praised for doing the "right things" during workouts? Probably not, but this clearly supports the other factor that makes Newton a special prospect. That would be the "it" factor.

It is nearly impossible to fully understand what the "it" factor is or explain why some players have it while others don’t. Clearly, though, Newton has "it."

He is a proven winner, with a national championship in hand and a compiled 25-1 career record, including junior college, as a starter.

Newton is a charismatic leader in the huddle, and thrives for the moment under the spotlight. He is calm and collected under pressure, and is willing to play through pain to win.

These intangibles cannot be measured, and they set Newton apart from other rookie quarterbacks.

It is only June, but he has already made a positive impression on two of Carolina’s team leaders, and if he wants to achieve the "icon" status, Newton will have to do even more. He recognizes this.

"Preparing as a quarterback in the NFL is completely different," Newton said. "The terminology, the blitz schemes and at the end of the day, you’re not playing freshmen anymore. You’re playing grown men. This is where speed comes to play at all times."

Luckily for Newton, he has received the playbook and is earning the respect of his teammates, who he hopes to be leading before too long.

"I think I’ve got a grip on who we are as an offense, what (offensive coordinator Rob) Chudzinski is trying to do…We’re just out here every single day trying to do the best that we can with the material that we do have to try to learn and comprehend."

Newton will be able to get by on physical talent at first, and once he comprehends the intricacies of the NFL, he will join the elite and take his Panthers to the next level.