Panthers’ Cam Newton clarifies comments on Rob Chudzinski
By Mike Dyce
During a radio interview recently, it sounded like Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton was a little critical of his former offensive coordinator, Rob Chudzinski. Specifically, Newton tries to say that there was too much thrown at him too quickly, and he was overwhelmed early in his career.
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“It kind of was a learning curve, especially when you was here, with having coach Chudzinski,” Newton told Marty Hurney of ESPN 730, via Black and Blue Review. “He opened the floodgates with material right from the jump. I didn’t like it then because coming from a hand signal philosophy from Auburn, it was kind of force-feeding a kid with carrots. I didn’t want to learn it, and I was always trying to complain about the workload.”
Later, during an interview with Alex Marvez and Gil Brandt on Sirius XM NFL Radio, Newton sought to clarify those comments and show his appreciation from Chudzinski.
“What was said in the interview was ‘did I think it was a good idea on the method of me learning?” Newton said. “I said I didn’t like it for one reason. Everyone knows (that when I) was coming from Auburn, it was a one hand signal (offense) and I was gone. When I came here it was a culture shock. There were things that were thrown at me that I never would have even imagined. The whole college system was somewhat training wheels and whatnot and without the appreciation for me with having coach Chud around, I would not have had the season that I did have.
“I’m very appreciative of that man – him as well as coach (Mike) Shula – believing in me from day one. The way I read the article, it was not portrayed that way. I just wanted to say that if it wasn’t for coach Chud believing in me, first off I wouldn’t have believed in myself.”
Newton also shares a story about Chudzinski giving him a sheet of paper laying out “the blueprint of success for Cam Newton,” something he says he still carries with him every day.
Listen to the interview for yourself below: