Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton, the first overall pick in the 2011 draft, continues to put in the time that some thought he’d never devote to his football career.
Joseph Person of the Charlotte Observer reports that, while working with former Panthers quarterback Chris Weinke at IMG Academies, Newton has learned 90 percent of the team’s playbook.
Weink and Newton are attempting to simulate what Newton would be doing if he were working out in Charlotte under the supervision of the team’s coaching staff. “He wants to be great,” Weinke told Person.
Newton has been throwing to Giants WR Michael Clayton, Browns TE Alex Smith, Detroit rookie WR Titus Young, along with some small-college receivers. Assisting Weinke is former NFL quarterback Ken Dorsey, who is familiar with new offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski’s attack.
Though it remains to be seen whether the effort has any correlation to the actual coaching Newton will receive, the fact that he’s working so hard to prepare suggests that hard work will be a staple of his NFL career. And that’s good news for the Panthers.