Look carefully, he was crouched over the ball, a DENVER hand reaches out and touches the ball, and then that's where he suddenly stops and backs up. Its right there in the video clip, that's why I posted it.
I see what you are saying, and it could be true. If the ball is between your feet, all you could do would be a quick squat and end up sitting on it. You would need to back up a bit in order to grab it.
A lot of this stuff is being exaggerated. Cam does have some maturing to do, but he did go straight over to Peyton Manning to congratulate him. Then he did his best at the press conference answering questions before he left early.
At the same time #67 of the Panthers was diving for the ball too so I think it is hard to know what Cammy saw from his angle. He did eventually get into the pile. I don’t think he is a coward, maybe he just made a business decision.