Cam Newton Report Card

After watching Cam Newton in his first start against the Miami Dolphins, there was much left to be desired. It was especially scary to see him once again not put the ball in the end zone.

Newton’s start may bring people to wonder if he really is the right man for the job, despite Newton recently being named starter for Thursday’s game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

Panthers fans just need to keep a few things in mind when considering his performance. He is working with a limited playbook, he is without Steve Smith, he was without the starting right side of his line and the only time the Panthers will pass on six consecutive plays is when I’m playing Madden 2012 (release is August 30).

Keeping these thoughts in mind, there are five reasons that fans should be encouraged, but at the same time, cautious as they watch Newton the rest of the preseason and into the regular season.

Safety Net

The Carolina Panthers brought in Rob Chudzinski knowing the tight ends would actually be part of the offense. The Panthers brought in Jeremy Shockey and Greg Olsen to add more explosiveness to the position, and Newton is taking full advantage.

In both preseason appearances, Newton has targeted his tight ends multiple times. Against Miami, Newton hit Olsen for a 12-yard first down and connected with Shockey for 16 yards.

The tight end is said to be every young quarterback’s best friend, and this has been true so far. Unfortunately, the tight ends have been his only friends as he only had a screen pass to Armanti Edwards in the Miami game.

It is great that Newton has learned to use his tight ends, but he needs to start targeting his other receivers.

Pocket Presence

What Jimmy Clausen struggled with last season and so far this season is pocket presence. What Newton has excelled at so far this preseason is pocket presence.

In his first game, Newton showed he could stay in the pocket and wasn’t a one-read-and-go player. Against Miami, he felt the pressure and scrambled out of the pocket.

Newton was not sacked against Miami, and it is his presence that has definitely given him a leg-up in the quarterback race.

If he shows that same presence the rest of the preseason, he will be more than deserved of the starting job.

Arm Strength

Another upgrade that Newton brings to the table is his arm. Last season, if the ball went further than 10 yards, people cheered until it was intercepted, this season fans should expect medium-tp-deep passes a norm.

Newton’s arm has always been described as above average. His last play alone showed that his arm is more than “above average.” On the last play, Newton shifted left after moving right and with his feet about one foot apart he just launched it as if off a pad and went 50-plus yards to the end zone where it was batted down.

He has also displayed touch with his pass to Armanti Edwards in the Giants game. The next step is for Newton to learn to better control his arm.

In the Miami game, Newton had Legedu Naanee wide open and the ball was three yards short. If he can just learn better control and know when to bust out the big gun then he will be ready for the regular season.

Accuracy

While Newton’s arm just needs a little tweaking, his accuracy needs a little work.

Newton has shown good accuracy, but it is mostly when he is throwing to 6’5” tight ends. He needs to learn to throw to receivers.

Against New York, he had Edwards open in the end zone, but he put the ball too far out front. In Miami, he had Naanee on a crossing route, and he threw the ball behind him giving the defender a chance to knock it down.

When Newton’s accuracy is fixed, he will be ready. This is Newton’s greatest area of need, and with two weeks left, he should have plenty of time with coach Mike Shula to improve.

Scoring

Besides injuries, the lack of offense, mainly from the quarterback position, is why the Panthers lost. This is why Newton was drafted.

Newton is supposed to be the spark to the offense, yet he has thrown zero touchdowns. Against Miami, he had trouble just getting across the 50 yard line.

I understand it is the preseason, the game plan is different and Steve Smith is not around. These are all reasons for the lack of scoring, but to throw no touchdowns is worrisome.

Furthermore, the Panthers had trouble last preseason scoring and that translated into the regular season. This is why speculation and some fear is creeping in. Miami does have a top ten defense, I understand, but they are not so good that Newton should have been shut out.

Newton’s performance thus far must be taken with a grain of salt, especially his lack of scoring, and if he continues to improve especially in accuracy then scoring and subsequently winning will not be a problem for Newton.