Cam Newton Has Changed
September 4th, 2012
It was one of the most memorable games in college history. No. 1 ranked Auburn went into the lion’s den to close out the regular season, against blood enemy Alabama in Tuscaloosa to face the reigning national champions.
And the Crimson Tide played like a champion… for a half. The elephant heads had a 24-0 lead on Auburn and the hounds-tooth-decked crowd was delirious.
Then, Auburn quarterback Cam Newton went nuts. He threw four touchdown passes and ran in a fifth touchdown, leading Auburn in one of the greatest comebacks in recent decades to defeat Alabama 28-27.
Alabama had a safety that day by the name of Mark Barron. The Bucs first round draft pick doesn’t want to remember that game — his two national title rings help ease the stinging memory — but he does remember Newton.
Now, Newton is the quarterback of the stinking Panthers and Barron is about to tangle with Newton once again, this time in Barron’s first NFL game, his first NFL start.
Barron told Joe that there’s a little bit of difference between Newton as a college quarterback and Newton the professional.
“I would say he is looking to pass a little bit more than he was in college,” Barron said. “I would say he was quicker to take off and run in college. But now, he has patience. He’s still dangerous, most definitely, but he is more patient.”
Barron dearly wants to win his first start and he wouldn’t mind getting some payback from that awful November day in 2010. But the most important thing is a win, no matter who he is facing, no matter if the game is his first NFL start.
Who his opponent is, doesn’t matter in the long run, Barron said.
“Every time I go out I want to go out and get a win.”
September 4th, 2012 at 8:18 am
Barron is a stud. Rookie of the Year!
September 4th, 2012 at 8:26 am
How did Newton throw 4 TDs and run for a 5th if they finished with 28 points? Five TDs would be 35 no?
September 4th, 2012 at 8:36 am
Actually, five TD’s would be 30 points. LOL
September 4th, 2012 at 8:38 am
…and if Barron gets a good lick on Newton, I can hear the conversation now…”Roll Damn Tide”.
September 4th, 2012 at 9:13 am
@ rhenry,
I assume he was talking about the final score was 28 of the game with field goals were 28 points. It was probably a typo on Joe’s part. He actually passed for 3 and ran for one.
September 4th, 2012 at 10:03 am
Barron will rip Fignewtons head off.5 days till we see the new bucs,Woooooo
Tampaaaaa Baaaaay
September 4th, 2012 at 10:30 am
Fignewton.
Lol
September 4th, 2012 at 10:52 am
I just hope Jfro learned how to read a D and go through his reads in 2 weeks!
September 4th, 2012 at 11:23 am
Five touchdowns equals 72…everyone knows that 😛
I like the Red Baron…well….our Red Baron. This year was probably the most satisfying draft we’ve seen in years. No double dipping at all.
September 4th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
A pick six by Barron to seal Tamp Bay’s First Victory on opening day. A nice story it would be!
September 4th, 2012 at 8:17 pm
I tend to think that Barron & David were both drafted with Newton & the division’s TEs in mind.
September 4th, 2012 at 10:31 pm
Auburn Alum 2006 from Clearwater-1983(birth)-Grew up on Dunn and Ronde
I just want to say thanks to Joe for highlighting this story. I think it is a creative twist that I hadnt thought about before.
I was teaching and following that game on my laptop for the first half. AU and Cam went down 27-0 and I was so shocked. Our perfect season was gone.
I went home to really watch the game for the second half and witnessed Cam Newton tear up the baddest defense in college football. And still!! The baddest D in the nation. (sorry Auburn family, I am an objective fan)
Anyway, Cam Newton destroyed Hightower, Dre Kirkpatrick, Mark Barron and Marcel Dareus. All first round picks.
My point? I am happy to see this little rivalry brewing up again. And as a Bucs fan and an Auburn fan, I gotta stay with my boy Barron and the Bucs this time.
I just wanna add @Joe and @everybody that….. Mel Kiper and every other draft guru and couch-potatoe coach who doubted and mocked Cam are…
FOREVER DISCREDITED!!! Dont listen to anyone who doubted Cam before he came out. Cam shut up all the haters last year. Yes, I am bitter for how they dogged him…
I watched every minute of his championship season and I wanna say…Cam Newton is a Champ and we better start getting our D ready to face the most unique QB that the NFL has EVER seen.
By the way…do u guys realize that Luke Kuechly and Cam Newton are on the same team? They have their offensive QB and their defensive QB set for quite a few years.
I think that ATL and NO are on the way out. And Tampa and Carolina will compete for the NFC crown from 2014-2019. (I still give Drew Brees his props)