Cam Newton runs for TD, throws for another as Panthers beat Redskins

[truebluefan]

Cam Newton had just finished an onfield TV interview and shaken hands with Redskins players when he decided to make a quick stop on the way to the locker room. He jogged over to the end zone and gave a line of high-fives to the front row of cheering fans on his way to the tunnel.

"It feels great," the rookie said afterward, flashing the wide smile that had been absent for the better part of a month.

The No. 1 overall draft pick had reason to celebrate after helping the Carolina Panthers beat the Redskins 33-20 on Sunday. There was no heading into the final minutes trying to erase another narrow deficit only to end up with a close loss. Instead, the Panthers finally played with a lead almost the entire way and pulled away after halftime to match their win total for all of last year.

[realguru]

Newton will probably have many more chances to follow this post-game routine. He's given hope to the Carolina fans that they might get to the Super Bowl again sometime soon.

[cbjones]

Easily the best pick this team has ever had. I'm looking forward to seeing what they do to build around him. I barely acknowledged the Hurricanes winning the Stanly cup years ago(they had just moved the team here 8 years prior, and weren't on my radar), but any Pro team in my state winning right now would make me flash a year round smile.

[mangobunny]

I was skeptical, but Newton was well worth the pick. Give us Newton over Tebow any day.

[Beerwolf]

Timing is everything in the NFL. Carolina wanted Andrew Luck to come out of college to be the number 1 pick which the Panthers would have jumped all over. Then they have top rookie prospect Cam Newton the overal number 1 choice and didn't know if they were going to take him. I think that they realize now they have the right choice and Cam Newton will be a great NFL quarterback. He has heart for the game and that is rare. Look what he has done for Steve Smith this year.