It’s a matchup of one of the league’s most mobile quarterbacks against one of its most feared pass rushes. And Cam Newton, the one with the fleet feet, knows what he has to do against the Giants’ defense Thursday night.
“It just comes down to protecting and still executing with the football,” Newton, the 2011 Offensive Rookie of the Year, said in a conference call Tuesday. “Of course we are aware of the guys that they play with a consistent pass rush, and even with their subs, but it’s just like any other game. If you protect and execute, everything will be fine.”
Buccaneers quarterback Josh Freeman didn’t rush at all in Sunday’s 41-34 Giants victory, and Tony Romo only had five attempts for 12 yards the week before. But Newton is a different beast all together, which could spell big problems for the Giants, who have allowed 58 points and recorded only four sacks.
Newton rushed for a career-high 71 yards and a score on Sunday against the Saints, after compiling a single-season quarterback record 14 rushing touchdowns last year. And when he isn’t running, he has been finding the open receivers.
“Whatever particular play that coach calls, we have to execute. Whether it’s to [tight end] Greg Olsen, to Smitty [Steve Smith] or [wide receiver] Brandon LaFell, or whoever. We just have to go out there and execute to the best of our ability,” he said.
Last season, Newton threw for more than 4,000 yards, rushed for more than 700 and had 35 combined touchdowns. While 17 interceptions were the lone blemish on his resume, Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said his franchise quarterback has already improved just two games into his sophomore year.
“I think his overall game has improved. You go back and look at where he started from, and the rawness of his abilities, and you see that his base fundamentals have gotten better,” Rivera said.
“His footwork, his posture, his throwing mechanics have really improved. Secondly, what he’s learned as far as our offense is concerned, in terms of the things that he needs to do to be successful. His decision making process has gotten better. He really has taken steps forward in an overall sense, there really isn’t any one specific thing that he improved on specifically. To me, it’s his whole play.”
While Newton has thrown for 556 yards, including an NFL-best 10.49 yards per attempt, in two games, Eli Manning threw for 510 on Sunday alone, and leads the league with 723 passing yards. Newton said he’ll do whatever it takes to beat Manning and the Giants tomorrow.
“At the end of the day, I’m just focused on getting the win,” Newton said. “I’m aware and have so much respect for Eli and what he brings to the table, but I think it comes down to execution in the game.”
david.satriano@nypost.com