Breaking down Cam Newton: The top 5 reasons the Saints will need to be on their "A" game
It’s that time of year again. Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers come into the Mercedes Benz Superdome this Sunday for a critical NFC South matchup. Loser will surely will be out of any hope to make the playoffs. The Saints stand at 1-3 and the Panthers are at 1-4. There are five things that Cam Newton brings to the table that no other quarterback does.
ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 2: Cam Newton
One of the most dangerous aspects of Cam Newton’s game is his feet. This year he’s averaging 5.1 yards a carry and 147 yards total. That makes him the second leading rusher on the team. The key will be ALWAYS having someone that has an eye on him at all times. Newton has the speed that can totally change the dynamic on a play. The Saints can live with giving up some runs. The most important thing is to not let him run 10-20 yards for big plays, especially on third downs.
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ – SEPTEMBER 18: (NEW YORK DAILIES OUT) Victor Cruz
Cam Newton has a tendency to make the defense look bad. He’s a 260 pound train that runs a 4.60 40 yard dash. Don’t think that he’s always gonna run out of bounds when he tightropes along the sidelines. Newton has the ability to run you over if you aren’t prepared. The only advice that I can give is wrap him up. The corners and safeties are gonna have to help out on some plays. Go low. If any of the young rookies in the secondary tries to go high on Newton, they will be the one waking up with a concussion. No one wants to be flattened like a pancake on Sunday.
DENVER, CO – SEPTEMBER 8: Quarterback Cam Newton
Physics was never my favorite subject in college. To be honest, one of the only phrases I can remember was Newton’s law. Not sure what it means in physics, but those laws and properties don’t seem to apply to a man of Cam Newton’s stature. He stands at 6-foot-5 inches and is built like a linebacker. Normally, one guy can take a quarterback down, but this is no ordinary guy.
Yes, Who Dat Nation is well aware that Cam Newton is coming off a concussion. Don’t be fooled. The Panthers are a desperate team. Newton will be ready. Rookies, this is a very different guy than any other in the league. Be careful and be vigilant.
NEW ORLEANS, LA – SEPTEMBER 20: Kenny Vaccaro
Broncos defensive coordinator Wade Phillips had this to say before Super Bowl 50.
“I haven’t seen one like him. None of us have.”
Cam Newton has a cannon as well. Once again another weapon that’s in his arsenal of unique distinctions. The fact that there is always the threat to run, with the respect for his throwing ability makes any defensive coordinator lose his hair.
Make no mistake, this will be the biggest challenge all year for Dennis Allen to come up with a game plan, that’s designed to walk that fine line of being disciplined and knowing when to come up to the line. There’s no tape or film that’s gonna really give the rookies an exact replica of the live action. Hopefully they will adapt quickly.
December 06, 2015: Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) being chased out of bounds by New Orleans Saints linebacker James Anderson (42) during the NFL game between the New Orleans Saints and the Carolina Panthers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, LA. (Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire) (Photo by Stephen Lew/Icon Sportswire/Corbis via Getty Images)
Perhaps Newton is no Rocky, but make no mistake he’s tougher than most people think. Surely there are plenty of memes or pictures of Newton with a towel on his head, or acting childish after a big loss. However, don’t be fooled. Newton still has plenty of things for himself to prove in the NFL. He’s already done much more than Matt Ryan.
Newton has proven on the field that he can take a hit and keep going. The one thing the Saints do not want to do is light a fire in him. Play ball and go back to the huddle. Newton will surely want to get these rookies into a trash talking frenzy. It’s not worth it. Focus on the game.
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