Newton struggles with another loss, this one at home in Atlanta

Newton’s return, as quarterback of the Carolina Panthers, resulted in his fifth loss in six games as a professional. The Westlake High graduate threw three interceptions in a 31-17 loss to the Falcons Sunday on the very field where he celebrated 10 months earlier.

Newton had little to say following his latest defeat, the first this season by more than seven points.

“We lost,” Newton said. “That’s the disappointment.”

The last time he played here, the Georgia Dome was filled with plenty of Auburn blue and orange. This time, Falcons’ red and black ruled the day. The Falcons even wore throw-back uniforms that Newton rooted for growing up here, pulling for the Dirty Birds.

Newton did have supporters. There were those wearing No. 1 Panthers jerseys. There were those wearing No. 2 Auburn jerseys. One sign reminded him of his college cry reading “War Eagle Cam.”

Newton led the Panthers to a 17-14 lead going into the final quarter. However, he threw two of his three interceptions in the final 15 minutes and the Falcons scored 17 unanswered points en route to victory.

Despite entering the game with 1,610 yards passing, the fourth-most in the NFL, Newton struggled. He completed 21-of-35 passes for 237 yards and had a 44.6 quarterback rating. He was the Panthers’ leading rusher, carrying six times for 50 yards, including a touchdown. He did an end zone dance and his now-trademark move of pretending to rip open his shirt to reveal the ‘S’ of Superman on his chest following the score. The 14-yard run resulted in the Panthers’ final points of the day.

“At some point you have to look yourself in the mirror and ask yourself what can you do to make it better,” Newton said. “I’m doing a self-evaluation as we speak.”

Newton’s day certainly started off better than it ended. Hall of Fame cornerback Deion Sanders, dressed to the nines in a suit and red tie, dropped to his knees when Newton trotted over to the Falcons sideline to say hello before the game.

“Cam Newton is emerging as one of the great playmakers in this game,” said Sanders, the former Falcon, who was in town to receive his Pro Football Hall of Fame Ring.

Others came from well outside Atlanta to watch the quarterback play at the professional level.

Lakeisha Warren, a Mobile resident who rooted for Newton at Auburn, usually roots for the Giants in the NFL. Sunday she wore a Panthers hat and cheered on Newton. “I think he is a phenomenal player,” she said.

Morris Seegers, of Charlotte, came for the game. He met Newton and several Panthers players including Steve Smith, shopping at Lennox Mall Saturday.

Some Falcons fans were conflicted. Recent Auburn graduates Trish de Golian and Kelly Steed, both from Atlanta and fans of the home team, chose to root for both offenses.

“I’m a Carolina fan today,” de Golian said. “He’s my favorite player of all time.”

Steed summed up her thoughts on the national championship Newton helped bring to Auburn.

“He’s the best thing that ever happened to Auburn,” she said.

Newton is going through growing pains as he makes the jump to the NFL. Falcons players credit his ability to extend plays. Newton escaped several would-be tacklers Sunday. His third-down conversion rate hurt the Falcons. The Panthers converted eight of their first nine third-downs attempts, three on passes of nine yards or more.

“He was as poised as any veteran quarterback that we’ve seen,” Falcons cornerback Dunta Robinson said. “He manages the game well and he makes plays. He can hurt you with his arm and his feet. His accuracy is way better than any rookie that I’ve seen. Some of those third downs where guys are not open down the field, he can get in and out of the pocket. Cam is going to be a great quarterback in this league one day.”

Another loss was all that was on Newton’s mind following the game, despite the number of family, friends and fans in attendance.

“It’s always fun to come back to Atlanta to play in front of a place I grew up at,” Newton said.