Rookie quarterbacks Cam Newton and Andy Dalton continue to impress

by Dan Kadar on Sep 19, 2011 8:02 PM EDT

If the NFL has been searching for the latest group of great young quarterbacks, early returns from the 2011 NFL Draft class show the league may have it.

Through two games, No. 1 overall pick Cam Newton looks the part for the Carolina Panthers. A league release said Newton's 854 yards passing are the most in the first two games of a career. Despite the three interceptions he threw Sunday against the Packers, it's been an incredible two games.

So good that it has overshadowed the play of Bengals second-round pick Andy Dalton.

Dalton is only the second quarterback since the merger to post quarterback ratings of more than 100 in his first two starts, according to Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer. As Reedy points out, the other one was Dan Marino in 1983, and things turned out pretty good for him.

The next quarterback of the 2012 class who could get to prove himself is Blaine Gabbert of the Jacksonville Jaguars. Head coach Jack Del Rio isn't saying who his starting quarterback will be against the Newton and the Panthers. If the four-interception game against the New York Jets is any indication, it should be Gabbert.

If Newton and Dalton continue to play as they are and Gabbert does well, this could be the first great quarterback class since the 2004 edition that featured Eli Manning, Phillip Rivers and Ben Roethlisberger. That's not even considering this year's other first-rounders Jake Locker and Christian Ponders.

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I never thought Dalton would be productive in the NFL

It’s still early but I’m going to have to say that I was probably very, very wrong. Also, Newton is putting up incredible numbers. I thought he’d be a lot more raw and would take a lot longer to adjust.

by Greetings from the Lord Humongous! on Sep 19, 2011 8:07 PM EDT reply actions

Both the same for me

"Looks like I picked the wrong week to stop sniffing glue."

by ct17 on Sep 20, 2011 11:54 PM EDT up reply actions

Newton is impressing me

I thought he would get some good yards on the Arizona Cardz but did i know he would throw for 422…. no, no I didnt. The next week we face the defending SuperBowl Champs now way he throws for over 200 yards on that secondary right? I was also wrong 432 yards verry impressive Mr. Newton

Maybe the Bengals wont miss Palmer, they might have thier future QB right in thier hands

by rscott94 on Sep 19, 2011 8:42 PM EDT reply actions

Dalton was way more "wtf" for me than Newton

I just didn’t think his TCU offense prepared him enough for the big stage…

by vitzeng on Sep 19, 2011 11:06 PM EDT reply actions

Dalton didn't look all the impressive to me on Sunday.

His receivers were wide open all game. and he just hit them for completions. Not to mention how A.J. Green bailed him out on a few throws with fantastic catches. He rarely made a challenging throw and I won’t be impressed until he makes those.

by Coach Owens on Sep 20, 2011 4:18 AM EDT reply actions

Dalton was finally unleashed in the second half.

They didn’t let him throw the ball over ten yards in the first 4 quarters of his career…Once they did he went buck wild, 280 yards and 2 touchdowns in the second half…most important stat 6 quarters no interceptions. Carson hasn’t had a half like that in 5 years. I am impressed.

by Tim8194 on Sep 20, 2011 10:12 AM EDT reply actions