Emma: Let's Celebrate Cam Newton, A New Type Of Great
By Chris Emma--
(CBS) Conference championship Sunday in the NFL celebrated the 17th Brady-Manning Bowl, a battle of two all-time quarterbacking greats.
A five-time MVP, Manning's one of the game's most marketable faces and a player who revolutionized the quarterback position years ago. Meanwhile, Brady has a different persona as the Patriot whose seemingly perfect life includes four Super Bowl championships.
Manning's viewed as the quarterback prototype, while Brady is seen as the golden boy with the shiny rings. Yet, on conference championship Sunday, neither was the best quarterback to play.
The NFL's most valuable player wears a Carolina Panthers uniform, having led his team to Super Bowl 50. That's just the beginning of the credits that Cam Newton has earned this season.
Make no mistake, Newton's the NFL's best quarterback. He took a Panthers offense that would've looked a lot different with a replacement-level quarterback and made it a daunting task to contain. Heck, Carolina may still be scoring on the Cardinals.
Newton doesn't boast the sexy stats of an Aaron Rodgers or Drew Brees, and he's not an elite pocket passer like Manning or Brady -- but he doesn't need to be. Newton just needs to be himself.
Frankly, the NFL hasn't seen a physical freak like Newton at the quarterback position. He stands at 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds with a strong arm and quick feet. If Newton's in the open field, you better not try an arm tackle.
So what makes Newton the next best thing at quarterback? The way he can do it all and make everyone around him better. His two leading receivers this season were Ted Ginn and Jerricho Cotchery, both of whom were cut before coming to Carolina. His backfield presence helped reignite the career of 28-year-old running back Jonathan Stewart, and his field recognition helped guide tight end Greg Olsen to a career year.
Over the past 12 games, Newton has amassed 37 total touchdowns and just four interceptions, while averaging 254.9 passing yards and 36.7 rushing yards per game.
Wade Phillips, the Broncos' brilliant defensive coordinator, flustered Brady with the blitz in the AFC Championship game. Containing Newton will be a different challenge. Give him time, and he'll find an open receiver. Send the heat, and he'll find the open field.
When it's all said and done, Newton may be remembered as the best dual-threat quarterback ever. He's only 26 years old and just getting started.
What really makes Newton such a thrill to watch is what seems to upset so many. He's going to bowl over a defender for the end zone, "dab," give the football to a kid in the stands and then dance to the sidelines. Newton's detractors call it cockiness, his fans call it swagger. The only way to stop it is top him -- and few have this season.
The infamous Nolan Nawrocki draft projection of Newton states that he came out of Auburn "a non-dependable, non-trustworthy, fake rah rah leader at a very key leadership position," a player who "could really struggle to win a locker room." Nawrocki believed Newton would be searching for a job in five years because of those characteristics. Five years later, his skill, personality and -- yes -- leadership took the Panthers to the Super Bowl.
Newton's part of the NFL's next generation of great quarterbacks -- what Manning and Brady have been for more than the past decade. Right now, there's nobody better.
Super Bowl 50 will feature Manning, the man who revolutionized the quarterback position years ago, and Newton, something special in his own way.
Let's celebrate Newton, and a new kind of greatness at quarterback.
Chris Emma covers the Chicago sports scene and more for CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @CEmma670 and like his Facebook page.
