Now that I live in California I go to a sports bar to watch the Lions. I tried to keep an eye on Cam Newton to see how he would do against a team that is favored to return to the Super Bowl. I didn't watch every play, but I was impressed by the bit I saw. He looks confident. Most plays he did not look like a rookie.

I thought cam might be another Troy Smith. I see Cam as being a much better athlete, but I thought he would fail in the same fashion. I always that QB's in a pro style offense translates better in the NFL and I thought Cam would not be able to make that adjustment. Cam has better accuracy than I expected and he can make any throw asked of him. He is still making some mistakes, but I see that more as a rookie being a rookie and not him being able to 'get it'.

Obviously only 2 games into his career, and we all know about 1 year wonders (Derek Anderson), but I can see him being a legit star in the league.

Anyone else catch any of the game? I am curious by what others on here think.

Cam can't be a Troy Smith because Troy Smith was never the athlete Cam is. Troy Smith is only 6' tall on even if you throw in a few inches. He can't fail like a late round draft pick... simply not comparible. If Cam is going to fail, he is going to fail like a Russel and the millions he made sucking.

But you are right in saying he seems to be a lot farther along than most rookie QB's. He did throw 3 INT last game though, so that shows a lot, but he certainly can get yardage!

Russel didn't fail because of how he played on the field, he failed because he didn't do what you needed to do off the field. I thought Cam was going to be a bust, but he's mentally doing what is necessary. He got drafted, took the small window in the lockout to get a playbook, went down to Florida and studied with 2 former NFL QB's and learned the playbook. The coaching staff is using what he knows and slowly putting in 25% new plays and 75% of what he knows, so they're doing it smart also.

Cam has the desire to be successful and that alone puts him in a totally different league than Russel. If he keeps it up he'll be successful. If he gets content, he'll go nowhere.

Right now, he's on pace for 6400 yards and 0-16.

Good points NROAR, I like the stat at the end

I'll admit, Cam Newton is playing better than I thought he would be. But the remainder of Carolina's team, particularly their defense, is average to poor. Therefore, Cam's going to throw for a BUNCH of yards, because the Panthers will be playing from behind more often than not.

Well yesterday he finally came back to normal. Had a decent game, nothing special but got the W.

I think the 1st 2 games though while not flukes don't really show the true story IMO. He got tons of yardage but the yards were mostly off bombs to Steve Smith. I know that's part of the game but I'm not sure what the defenses were doing..I think 3 times this year he's hit Smith for a 50+ yard TD. Maybe the D is expecting short stuff or him to run because it was like watching the Lions 08 defense play. No coverage at all...