Newton is a 5 year vet who has had a significant role in turning around one of the most decrepit franchises in the league. In college he took one of the most high profile football programs in the nation to a victory in the National Championship. His teammates look up to him, his region loves him, and he's currently the most talented QB under the age of 32. People talk about how Brady has done amazing things with less talent around him then anyone. Well, starting this season the Panthers had perhaps the WORST receiving threats in the league. They had Greg Olsen and that's it. Somehow he elevated the talent around him that Ted freaking Ginn Jr had better stats this year alone than the rest of his career all combined. His team just went 17-1, including blowing out the team with the second best record in the league in the championship game. Ever since he's been in the league he's been nothing but a class act off the field, involving himself deeply with both charitable organizations and the NFLs own Play 60 campaign to get children active. On the field he displays many of the zany fun antics that we would love if someone like Gronk did while putting up MVP numbers in every statistical category.
But please, tell me how he doesn't take the game seriously and is just a player waiting to implode.
And how the hell do people think that the pressure is all on the Panthers? The Panthers came from the expectations of being a .500 team this year. They play every single game loose, and pardon the cliche, but like they're just having fun out there. Do you see their sideline photos at the end of the game? They don't give a f.uck. Manning on the other hand knows that this is it, his last shot at glory. He always pukes on himself in situations like this. John Elway knows that this is his last shot at getting the team near a title. He's spent so much capital over the past 4 years, investing everything into this short window. of opportunity. He either wins in 2 weeks or it was all a complete waste.
