The Panthers and Cam Newton were embarrassed by the New York Giants in Charlotte Thursday night by a 36-7 score.<\/p>\n
Newton, who took the league by storm as a rookie last season, threw three interceptions and rushed six times for just six yards. Of course the defense didn\u2019t do anything either against a banged up Giants team that was playing with a backup runningback and backup receiver. The difference was the good play of Giants QB Eli Manning (a 110 QB rating) and the poor play of Newton (a 40 QB rating).<\/p>\n
So the questions will no doubt come regarding the long-term success of Newton. Part of the problem is that expectations were so high after last season, and they shouldn\u2019t have been.<\/p>\n
People were so excited about the style of play by the big QB who is strong, has a good arm and can run. I\u2019m sure race plays into it as well for many. But when you really look at the numbers last year, Newton was only the 15th rated quarterback in the NFL. Plus, there were only five quarterbacks that threw more interceptions than Newton did a year ago (17).<\/p>\n
Of course Newton did rush for more yards (706 yards) than any other quarterback in the NFL last season. While his rushing prowess may help change the game of football, so far no running quarterback has ever made the NFL Hall of Fame or won a Super Bowl. Scrambling QBs, yes, but quarterbacks that rush for that many yards, no.<\/p>\n
So far this year, only Michael Vick, another running QB, has thrown more interceptions (6) than Newton has (5).<\/p>\n
Robert Griffin III for the Redskins may be another quarterback that is known for running but, while it\u2019s early to say, Griffin may actually be a better quarterback and offensive leader. He\u2019s smaller though and may not be able to sustain the punishment that Newton can.<\/p>\n
Of course the loss to the Giants wasn\u2019t all Newton\u2019s fault and he has plenty of time this season to shine but, so far, now that NFL teams have had a year to adjust to Newton\u2019s style, it\u2019s looking like a sophomore jinx.<\/p>\n
Notes: Newton did leap for a touchdown in the second half after the Giants had the game well in hand. Despite the big deficit, Newton felt compelled to do his signature Superman move, pretending to tear his shirt off. On the TD dive, Newton hurt a finger but it\u2019s not believed to be serious.<\/p>\n
I\u2019m not sure if the fans were just taken out of the game early or if they just weren\u2019t that fired up. Someone tuning in during the first drive of the game may have thought it was a home game for the Giants. There were plenty of Giants fans in attendance but the Panthers fans weren\u2019t ever in this one.<\/p>\n