Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl

Carolina Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton had his first national, taped interview earlier this week with ESPN. He did plenty of talking.

From calling out his critics to demanding more from his teammates, Newton didn’t hold back in a four-minute segment as part of ESPN The Magazine’s “NEXT” series.

With 3,297 passing yards, 518 rushing yards and 26 total touchdowns through 12 games, Newton has surpassed nearly every expectation of him this season.

The biggest adjustment, he said, was going from being national champion at Auburn to playing for a Panthers team that was 10-22 in the two years prior to his arrival.

“What happens when you take a lion out of the safari and try to take him to your place of residence and make him a house pet? … It ain’t going to happen,” Newton said. “That’s the type of person that I am. I’m that lion. The house that I’m in is somewhat of a tarnished house where losing is accepted. But I’m trying to change that, whether I’m going to have to turn that house into a safari or I’m just going to have to get out of that house.”

“I’m not saying I’m trying to leave this place,” Newton quickly continued. “I’m just trying to get everybody on my level.”

The Panthers are 4-8 this season under first-year coach Ron Rivera, who named Newton the opening-day starter.

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