Carolina Panthers Advent Calendar: 12-1
/So it's finally December, which for me, means I must finally admit that it is in fact nearly Christmas. But this Christmas is different. This time last year we were poised at 3-8-1 coming off the back of dix straight losses and a thumping from Minnesota where they returned two blocked punts for touchdowns. Not this year. Now we stand proudly alone atop the NFL as the last team standing undefeated. 11-0. Just let that sink it some more - great isn't it?
So..
Seeing how everyone in Panther Nation is in such a buoyant mood, I thought we could have a little fun throughout December and have our very own advent calendar. Each day I will bring you a short piece on a player, past and present (good and bad) to wear numbers 1-24. We'll go back through the highs and lows of this franchise and hopefully pull up some names we all forgot, or at least tried to forget.
With today being December 1st we start with number one. No prizes for guessing where this is going.
Cam Newton
It was always going to be Super Cam. To be honest, it had to be as he is the only player ever to wear number one for the Carolina Panthers, though ironically he is the second played named Cam Newton to play for the franchise (see Cam Newton (Safety)).
Cam has spearheaded our season thus far and charging towards a possibly well deserved NFL MVP award in the process. He is on course for 3,586 yards and 29 touchdowns with his arm, the latter would be a career high, and another 620 yard and 10 touchdowns with his feet. He has entertained us on the field with his, now infamous, celebratory dances and has made the days of many young fans by giving them the ball after each score.
Cam holds 7 NFL Rookie records including most total yards and most total touchdowns by a rookie. His five touchdown performance versus the Washington Redskins a fortnight ago gave him his 10th and 11th Panthers franchise records including most passing attempts without an interception with 176. Not bad for a guy who can't throw hey haters?
Let's finish with some random but great Cam facts:
- His 40 rushing touchdowns since he entered the league trails just Marshawn Lynch and Adrian Peterson, 51 and 42 respectively.
- His 40-yard-dash time is faster than that of LeVeon Bell.
- He is the only modern day player to win the Heisman, a national championship, and be selected as the #1 pick in the draft all within a one year period.
- Cam started his Collegiate career as a Florida Gator and was the back up to Tim Tebow.
That's all for today, but tune in again tomorrow. Who do you think will be behind door number two? Drop your guess in the comments below.
By Dan Rawlinson
Ted Ginn’s time in Carolina shouldn’t be a sad memory. It wasn’t for him, anyway. His best years as a pro were in Carolina. He was an integral part of the 2015 Super Bowl team and, although there is the sting of loss, that season represents the pinnacle of Carolina and his as a receiver. There’s a sad side to Ginn and Carolina, however. Frankly, Ginn was an average player and, as Joe Menzer once stated, “one of the most frustrating players to watch.”