Cam Newton's Panthers Teammates Must Respond to Rookie's Bold Comments

Cam Newton is used to winning all of the time, so being 4-8 right now obviously doesn't sit well with him. He's voiced his opinion on losing, and based on his comments, his teammates need to step up and play harder. 

The Carolina Panthers' rookie quarterback spoke with ESPN The Magazine, and talked about how passionate he is about the game of football and winning. 

Per the National Football Post:

"

What happens when you take a lion out of the safari and try to take him to your place of residence and make him a house pet? ... It ain't going to happen. 

That's the type of person that I am. I'm that lion. The house that I'm in is somewhat of a tarnished house where losing is accepted. But I'm trying to change that, whether I' m going to have to turn that house into a safari or I'm just going to have to get out of that house.

I'm not saying I'm trying to leave this place. I'm just trying to get everybody on my level. 

"

Words such as "tarnished house where losing is accepted" is a rather harsh. Of course, he means well when he speaks, but his coaches need to take him aside and make sure he doesn't say confusing things like this in the future. 

Either way, his teammates have to respond to this in a positive way. Naturally, Newton wants to be with the team that selected him No. 1 overall, and his teammates should know this. 

He's playing better than anyone expected him to, but the wins aren't coming; there's only so much he can do to get his teammates to play on his level. 

Those players around him have to elevate their game to new heights themselves. While Newton is continuing to develop, his teammates must also show up to work every day with goals and aspirations of improving. 

This team has the potential to be great, but only if they play as one. The Panthers still have a few missing pieces, but with Newton under center, Carolina is going to go far.

However, if his teammates don't get better as well, then it's all useless. 

The fact that head coach Ron Rivera didn't take issues with Newton's comments means nobody else should. Really, those around him should be glad he said what he said and use it as motivation to get better. 

It's not like the Panthers have always been a horrible team, but if they don't have the mindset that they can be winners then it'll never happen. 

His comments may have been a bit strange, but when you focus on the meaning you realize that Newton just wants everybody to start having that winning mentality. 

The Panthers sure have nothing to lose by doing so.