Sports
An MVP case for Cam Newton
Published
8 years agoon
Posted By
Outlaw PartnersBy Brandon Niles EBS Sports Columnist
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton deserves to win the NFL’s annual Most Valuable Player award. As of this writing, the Panthers hold the league’s best record at 14-1, and Newton has already set a career high for passing touchdowns. At age 26, he’s showing the kind of efficiency and leadership that fans have been expecting since he was selected first overall in the 2011 NFL draft.
He’s not alone. Other players are deserving of consideration. Fellow quarterbacks Carson Palmer of the Arizona Cardinals and Tom Brady of the New England Patriots seem to be leading candidates, and rightfully so.
Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. could also be considered, as well as defensive studs like Carolina cornerback Josh Norman and defensive end J.J. Watt of the Houston Texans. However, a quarterback has won the award in seven of the last eight seasons, making it likely that one of the three field generals will walk away with the prize.
The success of Brady and Palmer is easy to quantify. The two rank first and second, respectively, in both passing yards and touchdowns, and both had only two losses through the first 13 games of the season. The justification for Newton’s candidacy is a little more difficult. He ranks in the middle of the pack in passing yardage this season, and his completion percentage is under 60 percent, a typical barometer for efficiency.
However, a simple look at statistics doesn’t tell the whole story. Palmer plays in a pass-heavy offense and has three fantastic receivers to throw to, including perennial Pro Bowler Larry Fitzgerald. He also has an excellent offensive line, giving him more time in the passing pocket.
Brady had a good supporting cast to start the season, but deserves a tremendous amount of credit for how well he’s performed despite injuries along his offensive line, and to four of his best offensive weapons. Despite his teammates’ afflictions, Brady has managed to put up incredible numbers, and lead the Patriots to one of the best records in the NFL.
Newton on the other hand, never had much of a supporting cast to begin with. His offensive line has been a work-in-progress all year, and his best receiver, Ted Ginn Jr., likely wouldn’t crack the starting lineup on most NFL rosters.
Newton also plays in a run-based offense. Only the Seattle Seahawks have run the ball more than the Panthers this season, and Carolina ranks in the bottom third of the league in pass attempts. Meanwhile, New England and Arizona both rank in the top three in passing attempts this year. Newton benefits from an elite tight end in Greg Olsen, but Brady has had an even better one in Rob Gronkowski for most of the season.
Most notably, Newton adds a lot with his legs. He leads all quarterbacks in rushing yards this season, and is tied for sixth among all NFL players in rushing touchdowns with seven. His running ability makes him a nightmare for opposing defenses, and is one of the reasons he has led the Panthers to their third straight division title this year.
If any of these three players win the award, it will be well deserved. However, Newton has done the most with the least this season, and has the Panthers being talked about as a legitimate Super Bowl contender for the first time in over a decade.
While many players have been valuable to their teams, Newton has been the most valuable, and he should win this year’s honor for his remarkable season.
Brandon Niles is a longtime fan of football and scotch, and has been writing about sports for the past decade. He is a fantasy football scout for 4for4 Fantasy Football and is co-host of the 2 Guys Podcast.
The Outlaw Partners is a creative marketing, media and events company based in Big Sky, Montana.
Upcoming Events
march, 2024
Event Type :
All
All
Arts
Education
Music
Other
Sports
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before 9/10/2024:
more
Event Details
Children turning 5 on or before
9/10/2024: Kindergarten
enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year can be completed by following the
registration process now.
Children
born on or after September 11, 2019: 4K enrollment is now open for
families that have a 4-year-old they would like to enroll in our program for
the 2023-2024 school year. Please complete the 4K Interest Form to
express your interest. Completing this form does not guarantee enrollment into
the 4K program. Enrollment is capped at twenty 4-year-olds currently
residing within Big Sky School District boundary full time and will be
determined by birth date in calendar order of those born on or after September
11, 2018. Interest form closes on May 30th.
Enrollment now is critical for fall preparations. Thank you!
Time
February 26 (Monday) - April 21 (Sunday)
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy
more
Event Details
My Barking Dog is a nightmare comedy that tells the story of Toby and Melinda, two lonely people whose lives are forever changed the night they encounter a starving coyote at their apartment building. Over time they grow to expect him, leaving ritual offerings to entice the coyote every night. Toby and Melinda forge a connection over this visitor and share curiosity and concern about his presence in the city. The coyote expands their world–until, one night, their world is shattered. Their lives are pushed suddenly into uncharted territory, sending them on a surreal odyssey that changes their city–and the world–forever.
Directed by LX Miller. Starring Max Schneider and Denise Hergett
Verge Theater is continuing their mission to provide accessible theater to our community. Tickets for My Barking Dog are Pay What You Wish with a suggested price of $35. Audience members are offered the opportunity to select the price point that is comfortable for them when purchasing tickets.
My Barking Dog runs March 15-17, 22-24, 28-30
Performances on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays begin at 7:00 p.m., with Sunday matinees offered at 3:00 p.m.
Suitable for ages 16 . No animals are harmed in the staging of this production.
Tickets are available online at www.vergetheater.com
Time
15 (Friday) 7:00 pm - 30 (Saturday) 8:30 pm
Location
Verge Theater
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm We will combine the heart-opening powers of cacao with the transcendental powers of breathwork and sound. Together, these practices will give us the opportunity for a deep
more
Event Details
Saturday, March 23rd 6:00-8:00pm
Time
March 23 (Saturday) 6:00 pm - April 23 (Tuesday) 8:00 pm
Location
Santosha Wellness Center
169 Snowy Mountain Circle
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Event Details
Thursday of the Lord’s Supper Mass
St. Joseph Catholic Mission
Time
(Thursday) 5:00 pm - 6:00 pm