Aqib Talib: Cam Newton the 'most dangerous' QB in NFL

ByJeff Legwold ESPN logo

Monday, January 25, 2016

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- TheDenver Broncos'No. 1 defense is fully aware of the challengeCarolina PanthersquarterbackCam Newtonpresents in Super Bowl 50.

"He's throwing the ball amazing right now,'' Broncos cornerback Aqib Talibsaid. "And you know what he can do with his legs. He's the best of both worlds, he's probably the most dangerous [quarterback] in the NFL right now.''

Newton accounted for 45 touchdowns in the regular season (35 passing, 10 rushing), threw for 3,837 yards, finished with a 99.4 passer rating and was the Panthers' second-leading rusher (636 yards) in what many in the league believe will result in his first MVP award.

When asked if Newton is a unique player to face, Talib added: "Man, super unique. I never seen nobody who was that size who looks like a typical NFL quarterback who can sit in the pocket and then you can run ... you probably play any position in the NFL that wanted. He's definitely a unique player. Like I said, he's probably the most dangerous quarterback in the NFL right now.''

The Panthers also led the league in scoring in the regular season at 31.6 points per game. The Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals--who Carolina beat in the NFC Championship Game --were the only two teams to average at least 30 points per game in the regular season. Carolina scored 31 and 49 points respectively in its playoff wins over the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round and the Cardinals on Sunday.

"You can't rush timid, because if you do that, he's one of those pocket quarterbacks that can get the ball deep down the field,'' Broncos linebacker DeMarcus Ware said. "You have to be able to get pressure on him, but you have to be decisive on how you're rushing. You can't be a wild rusher with big, wide B-gaps or let him run in the A-gap and do what he wants to do because he's actually a running back himself. He can get yards and make big plays, so you have to make sure the pocket is tight when you're rushing against him, but you still have to be aggressive.''