Cam Newton: Rookie's Outstanding Week 1 Showing Gives Panthers Needed Spark

It wasn't a win, but Cam Newton's first NFL start was a success.

The Auburn product came out firing in his debut, hitting Steve Smith for his first touchdown pass and adding two more before almost leading the tying drive as the clock wound down. The performance was reminiscent of his Heisman Trophy winning campaign, and it was fitting that he was playing a defense worthy of a college program.

Newton may have fallen short in the clutch, but after today's performance you have to be excited if you're in that locker room. The rookie won't put up over 400 yards of offense every week, and he will struggle at times—sometimes mightily, but Newton has shown that he can feast on poor defenses and it's a step in the right direction. 

After last season, the players in that locker room needed a reason to believe. Now they have it. 

There is a new energy around this team and a quarterback who can make plays, even if it's not always with his arm. Last year, Jimmy Clausen and Matt Moore were awful, and the whole team knew it. There was no faith in either man to get the job done and the funk spread through the team like a cancer.

Newton won't light the world on fire every week, but he gives them a chance. That is what a young, rebuilding team needs. Carolina has weapons, and when you can give a young signal caller playmakers, it will speed up his development.

The Heisman Trophy winner has the NFL arm, now he just needs to develop in the film room and in the huddle to take it to the next level. No one will ever doubt his athleticism, but he has to make strides in terms of his football IQ.

Newton gave Panthers fans an exciting show, something they hadn't had in years. Now the team is on the verge of becoming a squad that can cause trouble for some of the league's top teams, and it's all thanks to Newton.

When the young quarterback struggles and looks more like a rookie—and it will happen—fans and pundits will jump off of the bandwagon, but his teammates believe, and that's all that matters.

Newton is floating on cloud nine right now, and while he's in store for a harsh reality check, it won't change the mood in that locker room. The first step in rebuilding a broken franchise is to change the culture. With his dynamic performance today, Newton did just that.