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SPORTSFriday 22 January 2016
Panthers QB Newton confident, thriving in 5th season at helm
STEVE REED the Panthers to the Super the huddle, saunters up the 245-pounder looks to ple call it immaturity, I
Associated Press Bowl for the first time since the line and looks over the run over a defensive back, could care less.”
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — 2003. All that stands in the defense. It’s there when he not around him, know- What opponents see is
In the waning moments way is the Arizona Cardi- shakes off a 280-pound de- ing he has the guy by 40 Newton’s energy and how
of a strange 35-35 game nals in the NFC champion- fensive end — what other pounds. it makes those around him
against the New York Gi- Center Ryan Kalil said better.
ants, as things seemed to Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton talks about the Newton hasn’t changed “It’s contagious,” Arizona
be collapsing all around crowd cheering for Luke Kuechly during a news conference in an iota as a person since defensive tackle Calais
him and tempers were advance of the NFC Championship game against the Arizona coming into the league in Campbell said. “You can
flaring after every whis- Cardinals in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2016. 2011, but what changed is see the whole team feeds
tle, Cam Newton stood his self-confidence — par- off of it.
calmly on the sideline, his (AP Photo/Chuck Burton) ticularly in a season when That’s what you want from
hands tucked firmly inside he became the first QB to your quarterback — a guy
his shoulder pads near his ship game on Sunday. quarterback not named throw for 35 touchdowns that’s going to bring the fire
neck as he nodded his “This,” Newton said, “is why Roethlisberger does that? and run for 10 in a season. and lead the troops. I think
head confidently. you play football.” — and finds an open re- “Honestly that comes from the heart of their team def-
Sure, the Carolina Panthers Newton’s confidence is on ceiver down the field. It’s experience and playing initely feeds off of his en-
had just squandered a display weekly. on display when he breaks more football,” center ergy. I understand why he
28-point lead on the road, It’s there when he breaks free from the pocket and Ryan Kalil. “The longer you does it.
but Newton’s locked-in play the more reps you get, He looks like he’s having
facial expression was that the more good situations fun out there. He’s just a kid
of a man who seemed to and bad situations you are on the field and that’s the
know he had the game in exposed to, way the game is supposed
the bag. the easier the game gets. to be played.”
He just knew. The game slows down for Panthers wide receiver
Such is the demeanor of you so you can play with Jerricho Cotchery said he
Newton, who has gone more confidence — and has no doubt Newton is
from Heisman Trophy win- that’s what we have seen ready for the pressure that
ner and national champi- from Cam. He’s grown up.” is ahead in the NFC title
on at Auburn to No. 1 pick Well, sort of. game —and potentially
in the draft and now, in his Panthers coach Ron Rivera the Super Bowl.
fifth season, a leading MVP calls Newton a “big kid” “Most certainly,” Cotchery
candidate for the NFL’s who likes to enjoy himself said. “A lot of people don’t
best team. on the field. like to factor into what a
“I don’t get nervous,” New- During training camp New- person has done in college
ton said bluntly. “I’ve been ton can be seen singing on and all of those things but
playing football too long the field between plays or he led a team to a national
for me to get nervous. I with his arms spread pre- championship and he has
have dreamed of being in tending to fly like a bird as been in big moments and
this position.” he runs. It can be seen in his has the experience of play-
Newton is in position to get touchdown celebrations ing in three straight play-
where he breaks into the offs. He is ready for these
dab or runs to the stadium moments.”
wall and hands a child a Newton led the Panthers to
football. It can be seen in the winning field goal that
the numerous community- day last December against
related projects he does the Giants, calmly driving
in the Charlotte area dur- 49 yards in eight plays in
ing the offseason, most of 1:46 to set up Graham Ga-
which revolve around kids. no’s 43-yard field goal as
“When you see me play, time expired.
you see a kid out there,” It got Carolina to 14-0 on
Newton said. “Some peo- the season.q
