AP

Cam Newton has put together a brilliant rookie season individually, but he’s not happy with where the Carolina Panthers are in the standings. And as far as he’s concerned, that means his rookie year hasn’t really been brilliant at all.

Newton told the 2 Live Stews (via Sports Radio Interviews) that he isn’t surprised by the successes he’s had, but he is surprised that members of the media treat him if he should be thrilled about the way his rookie season has played out. Because he’s not.

“If anything, I feel like I’ve failed myself due to this game is about wins and losses,” Newton said. “And I’m not hanging my hat on no 2-6 season and we still have an opportunity to change that.”

Newton said he’s a long way off from being satisfied with what he’s done and ready to celebrate.

“I really haven’t had the opportunity to just soak it all in and take everything in. But, nor am I trying to just sit back and say, ‘Man, look what I did,’” Newton said. “I still have things that I want to do.”

Those comments are just one more reason the Panthers have to be thrilled to have Newton as their quarterback. It would be easy for Newton to buy into his own hype, but instead he’s focused on what he can do better to make the Panthers better. There’s a lot to like about Cam Newton.