Fitzgerald Cecilio

He has only one year of NFL experience under his belt, but Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is already acting and talking like a seasoned veteran in team practices.

And Carolina coach Ron Rivera likes what he sees in the Panthers' No. 1 overall pick last year.

"Newton is leading by example, playing hard, having a good time, keeping it light," Carolina coach Ron Rivera told newsobserver.com. "He's really become what you hope in your starting quarterback."

After winning just two games in 2010, Newton immediately lived up to his star billing for the Panthers, leading them to six victories. He threw for 4,051 yards and 21 touchdowns and rushed for 706 yards and 14 touchdowns in his rookie year.

He broke the NFL record for most passing yards by a rookie, previously held by Peyton Manning of the Denver Broncos (3,379) and NFL single-season record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback.

Newton's outstanding performance earned him numerous awards, namely Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year, Sporting News Rookie of the Year and PFWA Offensive Rookie of the Year. He was also selected to his first Pro Bowl.

Despite these achievements, Rivera said Newton is setting the example by working hard in practice, thus encouraging his teammates to do the same.

"Cam is encouraging teammates to keep working hard, and pushing himself," Rivera said. "Really, the one thing about Cam, he just doesn't say it, he does it. I'm pretty excited about what were getting from him."

Rivera also expressed confidence Newton will have an easier time adjusting to the defense that will be employed against him by opponents which are now more familiar with his offensive moves.

"It's not just about one guy, it really isn't. And I know people want to talk about he could potentially have a slump. If he has a slump, we all have a slump," he added.

Newton, for his part, explained that Carolina is not "his team". Instead, he called the Panthers as "a lot of people's team" because many of his teammates can contribute to their success.

Newton praised linebackers Thomas Davis and Jon Beason, who missed last season with injuries but are both at practice, and pointed to other team leaders such as Ryan Kalil, Steve Smith and Jordan Gross.

"You know the playmakers are going to have to make plays, the leaders are going to have to lead, and if you got to ask yourself what you are, you're neither," he said.

Cam Newton Leads Carolina Panthers by Example - Best NFL Quarterbacks