Your Average JoeCam Newton Not the Answer for QB Starved Teams
March 3rd 2011 23:50
I already cringe for fans of the Panthers, Bills and Cardinals. Not only are they coming off terrible seasons on the field, they are also in need of a long-term solution at QB and are stuck drafting in the Top 5 of the NFL Draft. With that comes the distinct possibility that they will have the chance to draft Auburn QB Cam Newton. The unfortunate truth is that Newton is better off being taken later in the draft by a team with an established QB, an organization that can take a chance on possibly developing his "wondrous athletic ability" into a competent NFL quarterback.
I have nothing personal against Newton, (although I still find it quite strange that his dad could offer his services up to colleges for six figures without his knowledge), but I do doubt that he will turn into a QB who warrants anything near a top 10 selection. This being the case even though he had one of the great college seasons of recent memory, carving up SEC defenses (an unusually soft group) en route to Heisman Trophy and National Championship honors.
Newton's greatest strengths are his ability to run and run his mouth.
Who are the successful NFL QB's with those two traits at the forefront? Michael Vick is still a more accomplished runner than passer, but Vick has sub 4.4 speed, while Newton ran a more pedestrian 4.59. Plenty of defensive ends and linebackers in the NFL possess the type of size and speed to keep up with Newton's ability to run and as Vick has shown, being hit by those guys too many times leads to mostly shortened seasons.
Some mobile quarterbacks have thrived in the NFL before, some of the best examples being Randall Cunningham, Steve Young, Steve McNair and Donovan McNabb. Those guys adapted when they figured out running as a first option would shorten their careers.
A quick list of the current top QBs (Brady, Rodgers, Manning, Brees, Rivers) show that for the most part, accurate, immobile statues are preferred to the "athletic type" that Newton seems to be. Also, for the most part, these guys are humble and self-deprecating, not likely to be quoted as saying “I see myself not only as a football player, but an entertainer and icon” as Newton has been. Has Newton shown the type of footwork and fundamentals needed to become a competent drop back passer? Most scouts and experts do not see it and watching him in college showed Auburn’s passing game existing of the gimmick spread offense passing plays that have yet to show they could work in the NFL.
Look, Cam Newton could prove to be a great selection for whoever is seduced by the athletic skills and big smile he possesses, and in no way am I actively rooting against him. The team that drafts him may do what is right and have him sit for a year to see if he can learn the NFL game and develop the skills he needs to succeed in the league. But more likely than not, in 10 years I will be watching NFL Network's top 10 draft busts of the decade and Newton will be on the list (I am guessing Tim Tebow will be there as well).
Carolina, Buffalo and Arizona: you have been warned.
* images on this page were taken from the following Wikipedia pages:
Tim Tebow
The picture is licensed under the GNU Free Document License
I have nothing personal against Newton, (although I still find it quite strange that his dad could offer his services up to colleges for six figures without his knowledge), but I do doubt that he will turn into a QB who warrants anything near a top 10 selection. This being the case even though he had one of the great college seasons of recent memory, carving up SEC defenses (an unusually soft group) en route to Heisman Trophy and National Championship honors.
Newton's greatest strengths are his ability to run and run his mouth.
Who are the successful NFL QB's with those two traits at the forefront? Michael Vick is still a more accomplished runner than passer, but Vick has sub 4.4 speed, while Newton ran a more pedestrian 4.59. Plenty of defensive ends and linebackers in the NFL possess the type of size and speed to keep up with Newton's ability to run and as Vick has shown, being hit by those guys too many times leads to mostly shortened seasons.
Some mobile quarterbacks have thrived in the NFL before, some of the best examples being Randall Cunningham, Steve Young, Steve McNair and Donovan McNabb. Those guys adapted when they figured out running as a first option would shorten their careers.
Who will make the same mistake the Broncos made? (from Wikipedia)
A quick list of the current top QBs (Brady, Rodgers, Manning, Brees, Rivers) show that for the most part, accurate, immobile statues are preferred to the "athletic type" that Newton seems to be. Also, for the most part, these guys are humble and self-deprecating, not likely to be quoted as saying “I see myself not only as a football player, but an entertainer and icon” as Newton has been. Has Newton shown the type of footwork and fundamentals needed to become a competent drop back passer? Most scouts and experts do not see it and watching him in college showed Auburn’s passing game existing of the gimmick spread offense passing plays that have yet to show they could work in the NFL.
Look, Cam Newton could prove to be a great selection for whoever is seduced by the athletic skills and big smile he possesses, and in no way am I actively rooting against him. The team that drafts him may do what is right and have him sit for a year to see if he can learn the NFL game and develop the skills he needs to succeed in the league. But more likely than not, in 10 years I will be watching NFL Network's top 10 draft busts of the decade and Newton will be on the list (I am guessing Tim Tebow will be there as well).
Carolina, Buffalo and Arizona: you have been warned.
* images on this page were taken from the following Wikipedia pages:
Tim Tebow
The picture is licensed under the GNU Free Document License
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