THE BIG WINNER: Cam Newton named top rookie … againPosted on January 24, 2012 by ">Jay G. TateBob Leverone/APHey everyone.Cam Newton, the former Auburn quarterback, on Tuesday was named Rookie of The Year by Sporting News. The Pro Football Writers Association of America* bestowed the same honor on Newton last week.The Panthers’ quarterback threw for a rookie-record 4,051 yards and rushed for 706 yards. He was the first player in NFL history to throw for at least 4,000 yards and rush for 500.Newton also set an NFL record for single-season rushing touchdowns for a quarterback with 14.Carolina won six games in 2011 after winning just two the season before. The Panthers finished last in scoring (12.2 points per game) and yards (258 per game) in 2010. With Newton behind center last fall, the team finished 5th in scoring (25.4 points per game) and 7th in yards with 389.8 per game.The numbers don’t lie — Cam Newton is a franchise player in every sense.*Full disclosure: I am a member of the PFWA.