Cam Newton should be the 2011 NFL rookie of the year. Both Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton and Arizona Cardinals cornerback Patrick Peterson are having nice rookie seasons but Cam Newton is the best rookie in the NFL.

The Carolina Panthers were a terrible team until Cam Newton became the starting quarterback. Now the Panthers offense is a force to be dealt with and not many teams wan to face Newton, rookie or not.

In his rookie season Cam Newton has had his struggles but that is expected of any rookie quarterback. Added to this is the fact that due to the NFL lockout Cam Newton didn’t have the offseason camps that players get in typical seasons.

Cam Newton should be rookie of the year for the NFL records he has set if nothing else. Cam Newton set the rookie quarterback rushing touchdown record then the quarterback rushing touchdown record in 2011.Newton also had a couple of 400 yard passing games including one against the currently undefeated Green Bay Packers.

Through 13 games (I am writing this during the Texan game) Cam Newton has 3,573 yard passing with 15 touchdown passes and 16 interceptions. Cam Newton is completing almost 60 percent of his passes. Cam Newton has also rushed for 554 yards and 13 touchdowns and even caught a 27 yard pass.

Cam Newton should be rookie of the year not only for his passing and running but his football smarts. Clearly Newton is working hard and playing smart .Newton does not just take off and run he looks to pass when the play breaks down. Newton is also getting better about sliding to avoid injury.  

Andy Dalton is Cam Newton’s biggest competition for the 2011 rookie of the year honor. Dalton only has 2,833 passing yards but his 18 touchdowns versus 12 interceptions does give him one advantage over Cam Newton.  But in overall play I believe Cam Newton deserves rookie of the year over Andy Dalton.