Panthers Vs. Bengals: Cam Newton's Play Was 'Unacceptable'

The Carolina Panthers selected QB Cam Newton No. 1 overall in the 2011 NFL draft knowing he would need some time to adjust to the pro game. Not surprisingly, he's struggling to pass the ball early in his career. Newton has yet to complete better than 50 percent of his passes in one of his first three preseason games. Combined, he's completed just 40 percent of his passes.

On Thursday night agains the Cincinnati Bengals, he hit on 6-of-19 passes for just 75 yards saying after the game that it's an "unacceptable" performance on his part.

"It's unacceptable on my part," Newton said. "That's an embarrassing stat. I just have to make the proper reads."

The good news is that Newton seems to recognize what he's not doing well. That's the first step in trying to fix the problem (which really isn't a major problem considering he's thrown just 52 preseason passes in his entire career). As you can see in the quote below from Newton, he seems to understand what they're trying to do so it's not like he's completely lost.

"The safeties don't lie to you, that's what (quarterbacks) coach (Mike) Shula always teaches. Getting back and getting in a comfort zone because third-and-long is not a situation you want to be in. A check down is not a bad thing. I saw today with checking the ball down to DeAngelo (Williams) we can get positive things rolling and that everything doesn't have to be to a receiver."

It's just a matter of doing it consistently, which separates bad quarterbacks from good quarterbacks.

Check out SB Nation's Cat Scratch Reader where they're more worried about the defense, and not Cam Newton.