Possible Problem with Cam Newton

I didn't care for Cam Newton at the beginning of the college football year. I thought he was over-hyped. I was dead wrong. He proved to be one of the greatest college athletes of the last decade. I thought he was a straight, running quarterback, but his passing skills proved better than I could have ever expected.

Newton could possibly be the first pick overall in this spring's NFL draft. He is definitely a work-in-process quarterback that will need a lot of work before strong success in the NFL, but I do feel that he will eventually succeed. However, this little clip from Jon Gruden's QB confidential irked me quite a bit.

I first saw this clip on Czabe.com, written by excellent radio host Steve Czaban. Newton could not remember a complicated play call off the top of his head, and then he stated that his offense was "simplistic for fast."

If I were a GM or fan for one of the top teams in the draft, I would shudder a little bit hearing that phrase. It's common knowledge that Cam Newton has relative inexperience under center and is not familiar with pro-style offenses. Now, we may be able to add "inexperience with complicated play-calling" to his list of phopas.

This is the complicated play-calling that Newton will be facing come September (hopefully). I hope that he will be able to pick it up quickly because I honestly hope he does well. Cam Newton is a one-of-a-kind athlete, and I hope he can evolve in to a one-of-a-kind quarterback.

The Cam Newton Bandwagon Is Overflowing

For someone who is not an Auburn fan, I have been driving the Cam Newton bandwagon. I told everyone how special this guy was as a football player, and ignore all the BS that went with the situation. Newton is a great football player. People talked about all college football season about there are quarterbacks, then there is Cam Newton.  He is a physical freak who can do everything you want a quarterback to do. Finally, people are starting to notice. ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., draft and hair expert has Cam going third to the Buffalo Bills and says the Carolina Panthers will take a long look at Newton for the overall first pick. 

I truly believe that his stock as a player went down because of all the things happening during the season. While in reality, it should have been rising because Newton handled it like a professional and kept winning games for his ball club. I am not sure if Ryan Mallet or Blaine Gabbert would be able to do that.  I think the Bills is a great destination for him because Ryan Fitzpatrick is a serviceable quarterback for a year, and then have Newton take the reigns. I still think Newton needs work on his mechanics a bit, but he can be used in a Wildcat formation with Fred Jackson. That will be very dangerous to defend.  In addition, Head Coach Chan Gailey has worked with a good amount of mobile quarterback and would rather work with them. This is shocking news to Trent Edwards.  

I have no idea who had the plan for Newton to do a media only workout. But it was an awesome idea that will be used for the next 10 years.  Not that he needed more buzz, but that is what instantaneously happened after he put on a great show. Trent Dilfer who is well-respected in football circles regarding quarterbacks raved about him on Sportscenter like he was watching his son out there. He wasn't alone as people start pumping article after article about how great Newton looked at this workout.  Add to the fact, Newton got the richest rookie shoe contract from Under Armour.

The next step is the combine.  Newton will once again show he has all the physical tools to be a great NFL quarterback and I wouldn't be shocked if rumblings started about the Carolina Panthers being interested in taking him number one.

-Charlie.

Daily Debate: Cam Newton's Draft Spot

Well hopefully this will take the steam off the Brady-Manning, Duke-Michigan State feuds going on right now but it probably won't. Hey I tried. Cam Newton, not shocking decided to go pro for the upcoming 2011 season.  I wonder how high or low he will go. 

I have no idea why people want Blaine Gabbert who is the top rated quarterback.  Watch the tape of him at Nebraska, he struggled mightily with pressure, but yes he does have an NFL-ready body.  Newton reminds me of Daunte Culpepper. Remember Daunte had the size and speed like Netwon, yet in my opinion, Newton is faster than Culpepper. I think Cam will land either at the 10th spot with the Washington Redskins, or the 12th spot with the Minnesota Vikings. Both of those teams need a new quarterback and both make logical sense for Newton.   What do you guys think?

-Charlie

I'll start by saying that it's only natural that Cam, runs away from his problems. I am by no means, a Cam-Hater but when they reveal what really went down (probably next year) he'll be long gone counting his millions that someone, i.e. the Minnesota Vikings, will sheepishly give to him. No one will care at that point what happened this year.

Anywho, I agree that the 'Skins or Vikings could land him, but what about those Niners? Last I checked, they have a new head coach and a QB in Alex Smith that is wildly inconsistent. They do need help at corner, but Harbaugh might want a new QB for himself to work with.

-Mitch