Greg Cosell's Week 5 analysis: Cam Newton's improvement is clear
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has had to stay in the pocket more this season, because of ankle and rib injuries. And he’s becoming a better quarterback as a result.
Ultimately, you have to teach a guy everything about playing from the pocket, if you’re starting from the premise that the game is played at its highest level from the pocket. And to play the game really well from the pocket, you have to learn the subtleties from playing in the pocket. You never get to those subtleties if you leave the pocket at the first flash of color from the opponent's pass rush.
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You can be a difficult player to defend even if you’re erratic from the pocket, but if you’re erratic from the pocket you’re an erratic player. That’s what Newton was before this year. Now, because he is tethered to the pocket because of injuries (and maybe a different approach from the Panthers' staff), he’s developing as a pocket quarterback.
A two-minute drill at the end of the first half against Chicago last week is a microcosm of Newton’s evolution.
After a completion to start the drive, the Bears ran a “Tampa 2” zone against Carolina’s 3-by-1 set, and Newton stood in the pocket until Jason Avant entered the strong side intermediate void, and he hit him for a 20-yard gain.
On the next play the Bears showed a two-shell defensive look before the snap, then rotated to a single-high safety look at the snap. Newton recognized it, read it and hit Avant on a slant for 22 yards.
Later in the drive, against a three-by-one set, the Bears showed a two-shell look, then rotated to “Cover 3” at the snap. Newton looked left to hold the safety, Danny McCray, then came back to Olsen with a high and outside throw. Olsen made a great catch for the touchdown, a big score right before the half. Newton was excellent on that drive.
Here's a look from behind the play at how Newton's slight movement looking off the safety created space for Olsen. This is what I mean when I talk about subtleties of playing quarterback:
Newton and Olsen hooked up on another nice play on the game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter. On third down, there was a nice concept, with shotgun run action to impact Bears linebacker D.J. Williams and bring him inside, with a great route by Olsen to widen McCray and created needed separation between Williams and McCray. Newton hit Olsen for the score.
This was a really strong game by Newton. He has more stability and consistency, and that comes with improving in the pocket.
The problem with running quarterbacks is there’s little continuity. Offensive coaches hate that. When coaches call a play they don’t know what they’re gong to get.
The perfect example of a player executing from a high level in the pocket is San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers. He’s a master in the pocket. He waits for things to develop, often until the last possible second. He throws with anticipation, before his receivers come out of breaks. He can throw out of a hole. He’s the master of all the subtleties of the position, partially because he didn't have any other option. He’s not the type of player that will leave the pocket and make a play.
Newton is improving from the pocket. He’s getting to a point where you have a much better idea what you’re going to get because he runs and executes the play as it’s called. The bottom line is to be great from the pocket, you have to master the skills. And you don’t master those skills when you leave the pocket prematurely, and movement quarterbacks tend to do that.
Newton didn’t want to suffer the injuries that have kept him in the pocket. But in an odd way, that misfortune is helping him grow and learn as a quarterback.
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NFL analyst and NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell watches as much NFL game film as anyone. Throughout the season, Cosell will join Shutdown Corner to share his observations on the teams, schemes and personnel from around the league.
