(Image source: Charlotte Observer)

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BY BRAD GALBREATH

You're watching multisource sports video news analysis from Newsy. 

Peyton Manning, Matthew Stafford, Sam Bradford, and now Cam Newton.

The only quarterbacks in the last 17 years taken number one overall to also start Week 1 in their first season.

The news about the Panthers’ Newton broke Thursday night after the team’s final preseason game.

Here’s Newton’s postgame reaction….

“It’s a big opportunity. It’s a big responsibility to be a starter in this league. There’s so much that goes into it behind the scenes, so I got to be ready do to that.”

But what does history show about the previously mentioned QBs in their week 1 start? Manning: 3 INTs, Bradford: 3 INTs, Stafford - same thing - 3 INTs.

Even though that’s just the first week, ESPN points out a surprising fact about rookie quarterbacks in general.

“Only once every five-plus years will a rookie quarterback start and finish a season.”

And Charlotte Observer’s Ron Green Jr. thinks Newton is ready for that challenge.

“I think he’s made very much progress. He played one possession in the finale against Pittsburgh, and I think it was his best possession of the year. They went 71 yards for a touchdown, he threw the touchdown pass.”

Count Clark Judge of CBSSports as a doubter. He’s just as sure Newton cannot handle his new role right away.

“Newton is not ready to step into the pro game, and that was apparent in the Panthers' dress rehearsal a week ago vs. Cincinnati. He looked lost at quarterback, making poor decisions and bad throws.”

But as Washington Post writer Matt Brooks points out, putting Newton in can only make the team better.

“For a team that finished a dismal 2-14 last season and had the worst offense in the NFL, Newton doesn’t need to do a whole lot to make the team better.”

ESPN’s Mark Schlereth assesses Newton’s strengths and weaknesses heading into the season.

“He’s got the athleticism to get to the edges, get outside the pocket, and really do some things with that athleticism. Arm strength – there’s no question about that, he can really throw it. The pocket has been his issue this preseason so far.”

Carolina starts the season this Sunday -- on the road -- against Arizona.

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Transcript by Newsy.