Cam Newton is less than a year removed from winning the NFL MVP award. Newton hasn't been nearly as effective this season, and the Carolina Panthers are a paltry 4-8 this season, and Fox Sports' Jason Whitlock said Newton was a "tight end playing quarterback."
Videos by FanBuzz
The Panthers were blown out 40-7 by the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday Night Football, and Newton was suspended for the first drive of the game for violating the team's dress code policy. Newton's numbers have dipped significantly, but to suggest he's a tight end playing quarterback is absurd.
Related: Video emerges of moments before Ron Rivera decided to bench Cam Newton
Half of the Panthers' losses have been by one possession. If the Panthers were 8-4 instead of 4-8 and Newton had the same numbers, would he still be criticized the same way? If any other MVP-winning quarterback had similar numbers, it's doubtful Whitlock would make the same lazy accusations.
Last year might be the best season Newton ever has, but he's been one of the best quarterbacks in the league for the majority of his career. Carolina won the AFC South in each of the last three seasons, and Newton was responsible for a good bit of that success. It has certainly been a down year for the former MVP, but recent history suggests he'll return to form soon enough.
