Newton knows running gives Panthers an edge
As much as opposing teams and some worried fans suggest Cam Newton should just stay in the pocket, the Carolina Panthers quarterback knows it's his refusal to do so that makes him so good.
Preparing for Sunday's matchup versus the Panthers, Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson noted that "life would be much easier" if Newton didn't run, according to ESPN's David Newton.
"Having that freak of nature running down between the hashes and down the sidelines, that’s not supposed to happen," said Peterson. "It would definitely be a blessing to not prepare for Cam Newton as a runner, but we know that’s not reality."
Newton ran 10 times for 47 yards the last time he played the Cardinals - a 49-15 beat down in last year's playoffs. While he had just one rushing yard in his last game (a loss), the defending MVP doesn't plan to make that trend a habit.
"I know as the Panthers, that’s our edge," Newton said. "That makes defenses prepare for extra things. So when you take that away, then the defense is like, ‘Yes! We don’t have to prepare for a (running) quarterback.'
"So I’m trying to find any and every way to create edges for us."