Still, the Carolina Panthers quarterback has been knocked for his leadership. His go-to receiver, Steve Smith, chewed him out last season for moping during a nationally televised drubbing by the New York Giants. In that same contest, down by a hill of points, Newton capped off a late touchdown with his ill-timed "Superman" act. That display was a hotbed for criticism: It seemed out of place; it raised questions about Newton's ability to see the bigger picture.