Year two is always a big barometer for how an NFL quarterback is progressing in the league. Players are expected to grow into a leader, become more efficient, get a better handle of the offense and make smart decisions.
Obviously growing pains will occur, but for a quarterback like Carolina's Cam Newton, the second year will be essential to see if he is improving as a quarterback or if he will suffer a dreaded sophomore slump that many players go through.
In three games this season Newton has been at times stellar, frustrating, electric and overmatched. In week two against the New Orleans Saints Newton rushed for a career-high 71 yards, but on Thursday night he faltered under pressure from the New York Giants, throwing three interceptions and only rushing for six yards.
Following the game, Newton was ripped by wide receiver Steve Smith, who said the quarterback didn't show proper leadership when he was pulled from the game after the Giants put the score out of reach.
"I don't want to be passive and not do it because if I don't do it, who will?" Smith said to the Associated Press. "The same way with my son, I can't expect somebody else (to do that). So yeah, I lit into him because I thought it was an opportunity for him to see and understand what was going on. This is more than about playing football. It's about becoming a man and understanding what this is."
Newton was taken out in the fourth quarter after the Giants went up by 26 points and he threw his third interception. The quarterback could be seen sulking on the bench, which was one reason Smith took action.
"I said, 'Get up and learn from this,'" Smith said. "I watched DA (Anderson) and Jimmy (Clausen) observe from the sidelines the last 20-something games and try to get mental reps. This is an opportunity for you to get some mental reps. Don't just sit on the bench and sulk. I know you feel bad, but that isn't going to help us."
The Thursday night game was Newton's first prime time game since he led Auburn to the national championship over Oregon in January 2011. Whether it was the pressure of the lights or the pressure of the Giants defense, Newton was not stellar.
When throwing against five or more pass rushers from New York, Newton only was 5-for-10 for 83 yards and threw two of his picks, according to ESPN.com. His rushing total of six yards was his second-lowest career output apart from the four yards he has in week one against the Buccaneers. For comparison, last year he never rushed for less than 18 yards in a game.
The Panthers seem to win or lose based on how well Newton plays. He has thrown three interceptions four times in his career and the Panthers are winless in those games. Conversely, when Newton does not turn the ball over, the Panthers are 6-0.
Newton had an amazing rookie season, but some critics still wonder about his maturity. In the third quarter, with the Panthers down 23-0, Newton scored a rushing touchdown and performed his usual "Superman" celebration, which isn't exactly the best thing to do when being blown out in from of the home fans.
Here is a link to his touchdown and celebration: https://www.balltribe.com/toolbar/46091.
Last year he passed for over 4,000 yards and 21 touchdowns while also rushing for 706 yards and 14 touchdowns. He won the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year and set a range of NFL records, including the first quarterback in NFL history to pass for more than 400 yards in his first two career starts and rookie passing records for completions (310), yards (4,051), passing touchdowns (21), completion percentage (60%), passer rating (84.5).
For his career he has 23 touchdowns, but has also thrown 22 interceptions. This season he has more than twice as many picks (5) as he does touchdown passes (2).
Newton is a dynamic player and may very well end up being one of the best of all-time. But if he continues to throw interceptions and act immature, he may never matchup to great quarterbacks in the league like the one he played Thursday, two-time Super Bowl champion and MVP Eli Manning.
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