FLOWERY BRANCH — Carolina quarterback Cam Newton, who as named to the Pro Bowl and has the Panthers off to a 14-0 record, spoke to the Atlanta media on Wednesday.
The former Heisman Trophy winner discussed all the talk about him winning the most valuable player award, his naysayers and why he and the Panthers like to celebrate so much.
Here’s what Newton, who played at Westlake High and Auburn, had to say:
Q: What’s your approach to this Falcons game with the No. 1 seed still on the line?
A: "We've been keeping it the same pretty much. We are focusing each and every week with trying to be 1-0 and trying to perfect our role. As each game approaches, they mean more and more. We've been getting everyone's best shot for a couple of weeks now, but yet that hasn't deterred us from our preparation. That's what's been key."
Q: What’s the atmosphere like with 10 Panthers being selected to the Pro Bowl?
A: "That's unbelievable. It means a lot especially with what each guy has gone through to get to this particular moment. We'v e been battling since training camp and really before OTAs and had a vision. To see it coming to fruition is pretty cool to be a part of."
Q: What did you’ll take from last season to make OTA’s more focused this year?
A: "It's always been about trying to make that next step. Every since Coach Rivera, myself and a lot of guys have been a part of this wave of invested players. You know, we've been trying to make each year that one step closer to gaining or attaining what we know we're capable of and that's winning the Super Bowl. This week is no different. We trying to put our energy and focus on the task at hand. The task at hand is the Atlanta Falcons."
Q: How close are the Panthers?
A: "We don't have cliques. I think the captains do a great job of eliminating that. It's no race, color, creed or position differential that kind of separates. We are pretty much as organic of a team that you'll see. It's extremely fun to be a part of when a lot of guys that you would think have egos are very selfless and put the team first. Everyone communications. We have an open door rule. Which means that anybody can come at anybody at any time with the right reasoning. For us, you will see Greg Olsen talking to the (Kawann) Short. K.K. Short speaking to myself. Or Ryan Khalil talking to Luke Kuechly, which may be a may be mash-up of players. But yet, at the end of the day we have a good repoire."
Q: Are you all thriving on all of the notoriety that you are receiving for being undefeated?
A: "I don't know if it's bigger than what our goals is. Guys just come in and go to work and are ready to go. We are going to make the most of it because all it is is just flair. As long as we are ready to go on Sunday, that's really what it's all about."
Q: If you all clinch the No. 1 seed, how tough will decisions be next week on how long people play?
A: "We'll approach that when next week comes."
Q: Any thoughts on the MVP talk?
A: It's irrelevant.
Q: What’s your approach to the Falcons this time around?
A: "Nothing has pretty much changed for us. We know what we are going to get from those guys. They are very motivated now being in their situation. We have to come out and start fast, protect the football and play Carolina Panther football. It's something that we've been doing all year. We kind of eased up in the later part of the last game. But we got coached up and are having a great week of practice."
Q: Why has everything come together for you this season?
A: "I'm not sure, but this is a production league. I really am ignoring the fact that there is MVP talk for the mere fact that this is a team sport. I need everyone to be focused. For me to be selfish and start to dwell on what could possibly happen, that would be a step back for our team. But for us, this league is all about production and how you produce each and every day whether if it's in practices or in meetings and especially in the games. For me, I've always tried to create some type of edge to make me better each and every week."
Q: Did you hear people talking about the short-comings of your game a few years ago? Do you keep a mental list of your naysayers?
A: "Nah, if I had a list of the people who said I wasn't going to be where I am today, it would be longer than I-85."
Q: Are the Falcons more dangerous since y’all routed them 38-0 in the previous meeting?
A: "We know — take their record out — they are a great team. They have a very explosive offense with the likes of Matt Ryan and Julio Jones and a very stout defense. They are coach extremely well and we understand that. Those guys have unbelievable effort… but for us, it's going to be a game of execution."
Q: Are you all partying too much?
A: "For one, I think you should be able to celebrate in any way, shape, form or fashion. I don't think it gets notice enough how our preparation goes into each and every week. You have players that are leaving to come to work from anywhere 6:30 a.m. to even 5 a.m. I can speak for numerous players that don't get off until 8 p.m. or 9 p.m. That's well over 12 to 14 hours a day. When you work so hard for something, obviously I'll be damned if I'm going to let somebody sit up there and try to dictate how you should be able to act, especially when things are going right. I know it's a fine line between one thing and the other. But when you put so much as far as preparation and work so hard for something, when you see it actually play out like you dreamed it, when you see it come out just how you drew it up or were going through the whole mental creation of a specific play or even a game. I think everybody in life celebrates things from whether if its marriage, birthday parties or even events of getting raises. For us, in the transition of football, when we score, it's hard to score in this league…it's kind of exciting to get to that point. Yeah, there's been a lot said about how we celebrating, but yet, we are having fun. We are doing anything that another person wouldn't do if they were in our position."
Q: What makes the Falcons well coached?
A: They are going to come and keep coming for the whole game. They are trying to be a hard-nosed team and that's what they are.
Q: Have you all thought about having a perfect season?
A: "To a degree we have, but that provided us juice to want to work even harder."
