With Super Bowl 50 on the horizon, there are plenty of unanswered questions, perhaps the biggest of all; how do the Denver Broncos Stop Cam Newton?
Newton is starting to hit his stride as a passer in the National Football League, but the young Panther is so much more than just a quarterback. The former Heisman trophy recipient was outstanding this season, accumulating 3,900-yards and throwing for 35 touchdowns, not to mention running the ball himself for 10 more. His numbers are impressive. Broncos coach Gary Kubiak has been amazed on what Newton has accomplished this season, taking the Carolina Panthers all the way to their second Super Bowl appearance.
“It’s amazing. He’s a special talent, a rare talent,” Kubiak told reporters on Wednesday. “This league has the best of everything. I mean you look at some of the great throwers in this league with Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers and those types of guys and then now you got a guy who’s got a combination of everything.”
Kubiak went on to add, “Not only beating people with his arm but with his feet, his ability to move around. He’s also doing a lot of things on the line of scrimmage, which is very impressive to us as we prepare to play him; they’ve given him a lot of freedom. So a tremendous athlete that they’ve molded their offense around and obviously they’ve shown up this year in how they play.”
It is not only Kubiak that is singing the praises of the young star, all-pro linebacker Von Miller had some strong words when it comes to his personal friend off the field.
“It’s a unique opportunity to go against a great quarterback, another great in the National Football League,” Miller said. “It has the makings to be a great game. We have a great defense, they have a great offense. It should have the makings to be a great game. I’m looking forward to it. It’ll be great.”
“He moves so well and he runs all over,” added the Broncos top pass rusher. “He’s big. He’s fast. That’s just what everybody sees. I think his biggest attribute would have to be his ability to make other guys play at a level that they normally wouldn’t play at. If you look at the offense, they have talented players, but all these guys haven’t been playing at this level before. Cam has had a great season. He has raised the level of the Panthers, and I think that’s an outstanding job. I think that shows the type of leader and the type of player that he is.”
Miller was taken number two overall in the 2011 NFL Draft behind Cam. So, when the linebacker was asked about preparing for Newton, his answer was short and sweet.
“I’m watching the film. Everything that we need to see – everything that we need to know – is right there on the game film, and that’s what we’ve been watching.”
Denver Knows exactly who they are facing come Super Sunday; the Orange and Blue will need to play their most complete game of the season to bring down the league’s most complete player.
