Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has had his leadership ability questioned multiple times throughout his young NFL career. Since he arrived in the NFL in 2011, the Panthers have a combined record of 13-19. Newton acknowledged Friday he has some work to do and that its time to step up, according to NFL.com.
"It's no more excuses on my part," Newton told NFL Network’s Sterling Sharpe on Friday’s edition of “Inside Training Camp Live. “First year is gone, second year is gone. Now, I'm considered somewhat of a veteran to these guys, you know, so taking accountability on this offense and on this team is big for me, and that's what I wanted to come back and (have as) one of my staples to get better."
Some have accused Newton of having ‘bad body language’ at times, especially when he sits at the end of the bench with a towel over his head. As NFL.com’s Marc Sessler points out, this is something Michael Jordan used to do. However, when you’re considered the best player in the history of your sport, people tend to let things like that slide.
"I have no clue, I have no clue, but this is something that I've always done. Always done," Newton said. "I did it at Auburn, did it at junior college ... did it in high school. So, you know, I hate that it's something for people to look at and say, 'Oh, he's got bad body language. He's just pouting under the towel.' A lot of guys have their trends ... my thing is a towel."
The Auburn product told Sharpe that no matter what happens this season, there is one thing the Panthers have to do.
“We just gotta win," he said. "We just gotta win."
Newton is arguably the most athletic quarterback in the NFL outside of Colin Kaepernick and (depending on his physical well-being) Michael Vick. He has an outstanding arm and once he starts running defenses are in trouble. If Newton can find the right mix of talent and intangibles, the rest of the NFL is in for a huge problem.
