CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Cam Newton set an NFL record for
rushing touchdowns in a season by a quarterback in 2011, became the first player
in league history to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 500 and almost
single-handedly reignited sagging interest in the Carolina Panthers.
So what more could Panthers coach Ron Rivera ask of
Newton?
Well, leadership for one.
Rivera said he couldn't be happier with Newton's rookie
season, but wants to see him take greater ownership of the team as he embarks on
his second season.
And Rivera thinks he will.
"I think the one thing is his leadership, just keep
developing that," Rivera said. "We always talked about how respectful he was to
the veteran guys. He didn't want to step on people's toes or get in people's
way."
Rivera said Newton won't have to worry about that next
season.
"I told him you'll be the veteran," Rivera said.
Newton hardly had time to establish himself as a team
leader last offseason given the Panthers didn't get on the field until the end
of July because of the NFL lockout.
Almost before you knew it preseason games were upon him
and within a few weeks Newton was named the team's starting quarterback of an
offense that finished 32nd in the league in 2010. He spent more time worrying
about learning a complicated offense than he did becoming a leader of men.
"This season took me by storm," Newton said.
Still, Newton flourished and proved he'll be a force in
the future because of his strength, his ability to keep plays alive with his
feet and his strong arm.
"Unfortunately he's going to be in our division for a
while," Saints coach Sean Payton said.
Rivera said Newton is "everything you want in a young
quarterback," even if he's earned a reputation for taking losing harder than
most.
At one point late in the season, center Ryan Kalil and
left tackle Jordan Gross talked to Newton about not getting too down on himself.
"I know he does things a little different," Rivera said.
"He takes things a little bit harder than most people but that's just who he is
and that's his makeup."
Clearly Rivera has no complaints about Newton's play on
the field.
Newton threw for 4,051 yards and scored 35 touchdowns --
21 passing, 14 rushing -- and is a strong contender for the AP's Offensive
Rookie of the Year award despite 17 interceptions. On several occasions he made
incredible plays, including on a 49-yard touchdown run against Tampa Bay in
which he juked out a linebacker and outraced defenders to the end zone.
Rivera has mentioned he believes the rest of the team
needs to bring its game up to Newton's level.
"I don't think that I necessarily need to give him a
message," Rivera said after the team's 45-17 loss to the Saints on Sunday. "I
think he understands exactly what he needs to do. He's special. The truth of the
matter is there are certain instances and certain areas that we (as a team and
coaching staff) need to catch up."
With another season under offensive coordinator Rob
Chudzinski -- providing he doesn't leave to take a head coaching job -- Newton
believes the sky is the limit for the Panthers.
"It's still a learning process for me," Newton said. "I
mean I learned so much the entire season. I can do so many things better. I have
so much respect for this league that a lot of people don't understand what it
takes to be a player in the National Football League, let alone the
quarterback."
The general feeling in Carolina is if the Panthers can
get some guys back from injured reserve -- they placed 18 players there in 2011,
including several starters -- and add a few pieces to the defense they have all
the makings of a playoff contender.
"I honestly can't wait until (minicamp) on April 16,"
Rivera said. "I'm excited about this group of guys and what we can be become."
Newton is just one of the reasons for Rivera's optimism.
Carolina's offense exploded in 2011 with their top three
ball carriers -- Newton and running backs Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams
-- all averaging at least 5.4 yards per carry.
Wide receiver Steve Smith had a banner season with 1,394
yards receiving and seven touchdown catches and is headed to the Pro Bowl for a
fifth time.
And the offensive line will not only remain intact, but
they'll also get starters Jeff Otah and Geoff Schwartz back from injuries.
"I think if we don't have any coaching staff leaving --
and my fingers are crossed -- I think this is going to be the first time in a
long time I've had the same offensive philosophy for two years (in a row),"
Newton said. "I look forward to it and to try and better myself. I have to work
hard both mentally and physically to be a better quarterback."
