Steve Smith rips into Cam Newton; QB's leadership once again questioned

[FreeMan12406]

Steve Smith rips into Cam Newton late in loss to Giants; quarterback?s leadership once again questioned | Shutdown Corner - Yahoo! Sports

Late in the Carolina Panthers' Thursday night 36-7 loss to the New York Giants, quarterback Cam Newton was sitting dejected on the sideline when receiver Steve Smith came over and positively earholed the second-year star. Smith objected to the fact that Newton's demeanor wasn't appropriate for an NFL starting quarterback, and he made that clear in no uncertain terms. In Smith's mind, Newton should have acted more like backups Derek Anderson and Jimmy Clausen.

"I watched D.A. and Jimmy, they don't play in 20-something games last year," Smith told Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer, adding that he used some "unchoice words" in the process. "And they get up and they observe and learn and get those mental reps. I told [Newton], 'You can get some mental reps or you can sit on that bench and sulk.'"

Newton had perhaps the worst game of his career, completing just 16 passes in 30 attempts for 242 yards and three interceptions. But that wasn't Smith's problem. As he told the media, it was far more about what Newton was doing on the bench than on the field.

"Cam Newton has a very unique opportunity to be a franchise quarterback to an organization that needs one. Statistics don't lie. Athletic quarterbacks, they either excel or they fail. And I told Cam that. This is an opportunity for him to learn — at that time they were benching him — and observe. They put D.A. [Derek Anderson] in. You can sit there -- if this is the worst [it's] going to get, you're in for a long day, and this is not what it's about."

This isn't the first time Newton's teammates have taken issue with his demeanor when things go wrong. Last December, he was told by Panthers offensive linemen Jordan Gross and Ryan Kalil that he needed to keep his head up when situations aren't perfect.

"They always get on me — I have a bad tendency of showing my emotions on my face. I have to change it, and I'm trying to change it. But those guys constantly stay in my ear, saying, 'You've got to be that same leader from the first quarter to the last quarter' ... It made me mindful it can be somewhat of a detrimental conduct to the team. If you're mad. If you're ticked off. Not saying that everybody else is not feeling the same way you [are]. But at the quarterback position, you have to stay even-keeled."

Superbowl bound right?

[trixstar]

I think everyone is aware at how much Steve Smith runs his mouth. Nice of him to keep this stuff in house.

[Broski044]

First off, I love that avatar FreeMan. Second, I am glad to hear about Steve Smith getting on his case. He has all the tools you want but if his head isn't right he will fall on his face.

[burke23]

Originally Posted by trixstar

I think everyone is aware at how much Steve Smith runs his mouth. Nice of him to keep this stuff in house.

Yeah - for a guy that beat the crap out of his own teammate and has had run-ins with others, what the hell does he know about leadership (your opinion on Newton aside)?

[Chaz]

He is trying to motivate him people.

[FreeMan12406]

Yeah I think what Steve is trying to say is you wouldn't see Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Eli, Big Ben, etc sulking on the sidelines if/when they get pulled from a game.

Cam needs to grow up.

[Chaz]

Originally Posted by FreeMan12406

Yeah I think what Steve is trying to say is you wouldn't see Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Eli, Big Ben, etc sulking on the sidelines if/when they get pulled from a game.

Cam needs to grow up.

Exactly, couldn't have been put any better. Like Clausen and Anderson would kill to get the chance to do what your doing and your acting like Jay Cutler over here sulking on the bench. Wake up and get your butt on that field and win.

[HighEndHits]

Originally Posted by FreeMan12406

Yeah I think what Steve is trying to say is you wouldn't see Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Peyton Manning, Eli, Big Ben, etc sulking on the sidelines if/when they get pulled from a game.

Cam needs to grow up.

They wouldn't be sulking they would be fighting with their coaches.

[PDawson21]

He does, but at the same time, he is only 23 years old and a 2nd year QB. I think people forget that sometimes.

[HighEndHits]

Originally Posted by PDawson21

He does, but at the same time, he is only 23 years old and a 2nd year QB. I think people forget that sometimes.

people know that, but he is a QB in the NFL. He better grow up fast because the men surrounding him on the team don't have forever to wait.

[PDawson21]

Originally Posted by HighEndHits

people know that, but he is a QB in the NFL. He better grow up fast because the men surrounding him on the team don't have forever to wait.

MJD is a running back in the NFL, he seemed to want money more than the opportunity to play but we don't see the same kind of criticism of needing to grow up.

[MI Rob]

When Cam performs well, he acts like he's Superman. When he struggles he acts like a child. The kid sits on the bench with a towel on his head, what leader does that?

Leaders are born. I personally don't see Cam becoming a leader.

[Bigbadbloom]

Originally Posted by PDawson21

MJD is a running back in the NFL, he seemed to want money more than the opportunity to play but we don't see the same kind of criticism of needing to grow up.

Completely different situation. Sulking because you are losing has nothing to do with wanting more money because you deserve it.

Cam isn't washed up by strech of the imagination, but we are seeing lots of holes in his armor. Steve Smith has been a pillar in the Carolina franchise for a decade and it is his job to call the kid out. Cam needs to learn how to lose before he can ever hope to be successful in this league. I think his athletic talent have made hime lazy and complacent. If he makes it into the elite QBs in the NFL i would be very surprised.

[PDawson21]

Originally Posted by Bigbadbloom

Completely different situation. Sulking because you are losing has nothing to do with wanting more money because you deserve it.

Cam isn't washed up by strech of the imagination, but we are seeing lots of holes in his armor. Steve Smith has been a pillar in the Carolina franchise for a decade and it is his job to call the kid out. Cam needs to learn how to lose before he can ever hope to be successful in this league. I think his athletic talent have made hime lazy and complacent. If he makes it into the elite QBs in the NFL i would be very surprised.

Personally I think he will be an elite QB. Already broke all the rookie records.

[HighEndHits]

Originally Posted by PDawson21

MJD is a running back in the NFL, he seemed to want money more than the opportunity to play but we don't see the same kind of criticism of needing to grow up.

teammates don't criticize other teammates over contacts. They're in the same situation at one point or another and you don't come between a man and his money. The NFL isn't high school or college. No one is going to coddle you or wait forever for you to mature. The other players on the team don't have an unlimited amount of time to wait on Cam maturing. They need him to do that fast. And it is just a reality that if he doesn't he will be out of the league like so many before him that had a world of talent but didn't last long. Steve Smith was just telling it like it is.

[Chaz]

Originally Posted by PDawson21

Personally I think he will be an elite QB. Already broke all the rookie records.

Me too he has too much talent to be a bum, I mean Cutler sucks all the time and acts like a kid and people still won't say he is a bum because he has a bad game. Same could be said for a couple other QBs in the league

[MI Rob]

Originally Posted by Chaz

Me too he has too much talent to be a bum, I mean Cutler sucks all the time and acts like a kid and people still won't say he is a bum because he has a bad game. Same could be said for a couple other QBs in the league

There have been numerous quarterbacks introduced to the NFL with loads of talent who become scrubs. Some stay in the league until replaced, or they hit the bench.

[Chaz]

Originally Posted by MI Rob

There have been numerous quarterbacks introduced to the NFL with loads of talent who become scrubs. Some stay in the league until replaced, or they hit the bench.

Ya I understand what your saying but he already proved he can play at an NFL level

[atma232]

Originally Posted by Chaz

Ya I understand what your saying but he already proved he can play at an NFL level

so did vince young, made 2 straight pro bowls and then? lol

[PDawson21]

Originally Posted by atma232

so did vince young, made 2 straight pro bowls and then? lol

VY and Cam are on two different levels.

[ninjacookies]

I love how Cam always gets the VY Comparison, even last year.

Please let me know when VY ever set any rookie passing or rushing records, let alone had a 'franchise-calliber' season. Sure, he had a good winning percentage, but his on-field production dating back to his rookie year were about as impressive as Trent Dilfer in his prime.

They're both tall, BLACK (probably biggest component), and won the National BCS Championship through heroics. But that's right about where the similarities end.

[PDawson21]

Originally Posted by ninjacookies

I love how Cam always gets the VY Comparison, even last year.

Please let me know when VY ever set any rookie passing or rushing records, let alone had a 'franchise-calliber' season. Sure, he had a good winning percentage, but his on-field production dating back to his rookie year were about as impressive as Trent Dilfer in his prime.

They're both tall, BLACK (probably biggest component), and won the National BCS Championship through heroics. But that's right about where the similarities end.

Preeeeacchhhhhh!

[Divino]

Good for Steve Smith. Sometimes it takes some tough love to get your young superstar to blossom.

[kevinandji]

When you have been grinding in the NFL like the O line and Smith and see your QB who in one year is Mr Carolina, the face of the franchise, the guy everyone is talking about or asking you about it is real easy to get upset when you sulk and not man up. It is very tough for a veteran to see these new guys get anointed year after year when they have been on the grind and know what it takes to win and lead. Cam is awesome on the field and has, too date, proven he belongs on the field. He needs to man up and show his team that he can be humbled and use it as motivation to become a true leader that he needs to be. You have already proven yourself the starter now time to lead with your actions both in good times and bad.

[purejd86p]

Steve Smith is one to talk. He has no room to talk after the crap he has pulled.