The gravity of the Panthers decision, should they select Newton
by James Dator on Apr 24, 2011 7:05 PM EDT
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PrintThis is now the 11th hr. Teams should have their boards locked in place, they know their targets and barring any unforeseen trades the Panthers will be ready to make their selection at 8 pm.
Over the next five days I will examine each player who the Panthers are most likely to take with the number one pick: Cam Newton, Marcell Dareus, Blaine Gabbert, Patrick Peterson and A.J. Green. This is an attempt to look ahead at what the Panthers have planned for 2011 and beyond using 5 facts about each prospect as they apply to the Panthers. This goes beyond X's and O's and casts predictions on the ideology of the franchise based on how they go with the #1 pick; and rest assured, whoever will be the selection becomes the figurehead for how the ship that is the Carolina Panthers will navigate the waters moving ahead.
We'll start with Cam Newton... after the jump
1. The Panthers are no longer willing to 'play it safe'
Listening to Jerry Richardson talk it's abundantly clear that the status quo is no longer good enough. The great one year, mediocre the next offering from John Fox is no longer acceptable and JR has instructed Marty Hurney to loosen the reigns a little. Should the Panthers select Cam Newton this will be an overt sign this is the Panthers' plan.
Earlier this week Peter King said that Cam Newton would be the riskiest #1 overall pick since Jeff George in 1990, and regardless of how much you may support Newton I see no way you can disagree with this assessment.
"Cam Newton - that's plutonium-grade raw material, you know? I haven't seen upside like with this guy in probably the last 10 years"
- John Harbaugh
That statement right there is why the Panthers would take Newton with the #1 overall pick. Like plutonium, it takes a significant amount of engineering, work and effort to not only harness it's power- but to keep it from melting down. This analogy suits Cam Newton to a tee.
The Panthers will be gambling that they can pull him into the fold, that Mike Shula can begin work quickly and turn him from the one read, no huddle, play calling from a white board to an in huddle general who can be Rob Chudzinski's representative on the field to deal with both a complex multi-read system and a playbook rumored to be hundreds of pages in length. It will be a daunting task, but they'll be confident he's willing to put in Peyton Manning like effort.
2. This draft will be about the next 10 years, not the next 3 years
Again we reach another of these 'universal truths'. Simply put, should the Carolina Panthers select Cam Newton they're doing so for the long term gains he offers, willing to sacrifice an immediate impact. Sure, the Panthers could ease him into the league the way the Philadelphia Eagles did with Michael Vick in 2009, but the difference is that Vick was a six year veteran at that point, so he at least had a basic understanding of NFL defenses and terminology.
If Cam Newton is a Panther then the best thing for him is to sit on the bench for at least the next 16 Sundays and study and learn from an established veteran.
3. The NFC South will be put on notice
Though this ties into #1 in a lot of ways, the selection of Cam Newton would send a clear message to the rest of the NFC South that the Panthers are willing to gamble too. In 2008 the Atlanta Falcons selected Matt Ryan and were immediately chided for not taking LSU DT Glenn Dorsey at a time DT was considered their primary need.
However, the Falcons gambled on a QB and it paid off.
In 2009 the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were mocked for selecting Josh Freeman #18 overall when most scouts gave him a second round grade. They chose to pass on other needs like OL (with Michael Oher on the board) and WR (Maclin and Harvin were both available). Instead they chose the signal caller also and in his second year they saw immediate dividends. Now, Freeman is poised to crack the list of top 10 quarterbacks should he put up similar numbers in his third year.
In short- the Panthers will be letting the NFL's most competitive division know that they wont be playing it safe anymore and like he Falcons, Saints and Bucs before them they will take a few risks in the draft to try and land a franchise player.
4. The running game will (in time) be more dangerous than ever
Jamie Dukes of the NFL Network was on WFNZ a month back and made a very salient point. He said something to the effect of:
"If you add Cam Newton to the Carolina Panthers it forces an OLB to stay home on every down and spy him. Can you image what that will do for Jonathan Stewart? It could turn a 5 yard gain into a 15 yard gain and an 1,100 yard back into an 1,800 yard one."
I don't disagree with Dukes on this one. We saw what Michael Vick's presence did for Atlanta's offense first hand, there's little doubt he would be able to diversify the offense in the same way.
5. We're never going to see a draw to Dante Rosario again
By selecting Newton the Panthers are opening themselves up for some required offensive creativity. The plays of old simply wont cut it with Newton under center. It will require a diverse playbook with a kind of creativity we haven't seen in a long time. Instead of the Power-O and draw being our current offensive vernacular this will become the bootleg, waggle and option. There is a good chance the Panthers could infuse their offense with elements of the options, which is a high risk-high reward play... but doesn't that just mirror Newton himself?
Tomorrow we'll look at the 5 things Marcell Dareus will mean to the Carolina Panthers as we hurtle towards the 2011 NFL draft.
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Nice breakdown James...
Looking forward to reading the entire series.
One cries because one is sad. For example: I cry because others are stupid, and it makes me sad.
I like that this only focused on the positives.
I’m going to need to do some heavy looking on the bright side if Cam is the pick. Although we seriously could be put on the map with Cam if he reaches even some of his potential.
Yes I'm a dude.
That's what I've been trying to do...
ever since I heard we were seriously looking at Cam at number one. And the more I think about it, the more excited I get. I was not a fan of Newton in college, but think I’d love to have him on my team.
Negative Nelly!
He’s not my pick, but even I can get excited about him.
The toughest, gritiest, most vocal leader in the draft… who also happens to be the most athletic QB the league will have ever seen. That’s a risk even I can understand.
stay thirsty my friends
hahaha, I never thought you would be the one to call me that.
Althought I’d say Vick is more athletic. Newton provides a completely different aspect though, especially short yardage.
Yes I'm a dude.
by Flowing Willow on Apr 25, 2011 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Vick is faster
But who would rather have making an acrobatic dive on 3rd and goal?
stay thirsty my friends
by southtunnel on Apr 25, 2011 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions
This.
I kinda like power running football though. It’s iike a bloody violent ballet…
When it was working it was a thing of beauty to me. - Vagus
(Please note that from now on I shall only refer to Cam as "The Newt" and Rivera as "BAMF")
by The Duke Dude on Apr 25, 2011 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions
Honestly I don't see much of a difference.
Both QB’s would convert a high percentage of the time. Newton theoretically should be able to take the pounding better though.
Yes I'm a dude.
by Flowing Willow on Apr 25, 2011 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Vick was agile enough to avoid the pounding, he just wasn't smart about it.
He was too much of a gamer if anything – looked to get that extra five yards rather than getting down/getting out of bounds.
I don’t think Newton can take that kind of pounding either. Hell look at Roethlisberger, he’s held together by tape at this point.
"Nah, you look like Elijah Wood." - danmerqury
Big Ben takes his hits because he stands in the pocket too long, though.
He’s nowhere near so mobile as Newton, nor agile or fast or elusive.
And he fumbles a lot, which Newton has never done.
Newton would look to run over defenders when he takes off (going off his college tape)
He’d soon stop doing that in the NFL or he’d end up like Roethlisberger.
"Nah, you look like Elijah Wood." - danmerqury
It appeared to me that he sidestepped them, more than ran them over.
LBs are no bigger than he is.
Cam is miles
stronger than Roethlisberger and faster. You are really underating Cam’s running ability. He ran over SEC Defenders all year and thats the closest your going to get to the NFL so to think he could run linebackers over in the NFL is not a crazy idea. Cam is a QB we have never seen before its unfair to compare him to a QB that doesn’t nearly have the running ability Cam has.
Sooo me, Cam, Ron, Marty, Don, Chud, Sean, Mike and Jerry are going out to have some Cammy Cam juice... Who's coming?
First of all how do you know Cam is stronger than Roethlisberger?
Has he fought out of the grasp on NFL DE’s and launched a pass 60 yards downfield time and time again? Secondly while the SEC is closer to the NFL than say the WAC, it’s still a long ways away. Newton has a great gift and a unique facet of his game that we have never seen in an NFL QB, but if he isn’t selective about when he decides to use it he could become just like Roethlisberger. And given our current backup QB situation….
Yes I'm a dude.
by Flowing Willow on Apr 26, 2011 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions
This is the QB Cam most reminds me of... check out the video
Bobby Douglass
I used to like watching Douglass play. He was tough and unpredictable, and he had a great college career. But, I don’t wouldn’t draft him #1 for the Panthers.
I often wish I could sell my brain to someone else. They'd be smarter, but I wouldn't give a crap, plus I could buy a new car.
much better than cammy cam juice
One cries because one is sad. For example: I cry because others are stupid, and it makes me sad.
Yeah, nothing like mixing Cam Newton, lemonade and Gatorade to create:
CAMONADE
Just watch this vid and think “Camonade” the whole time:
<a href=“http:// ”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRuNxHqwazs" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRuNxHqwazs" >
Proud Member of Cat Scratch Reader
It's playful sayings like this...
that once he takes a big hit to make a play, and challenges everyone else to drink their cammy-cam juice (lol!), that will in itself make the team better!
stay thirsty my friends
Excellent way of presenting things...
…as you did with Clausen last year. I respectfully disagree with points two and three, and I do not want to sully your well thought out points with negative counter-points.
Looking forward to tomorrow.
It's not what you've done but what you are doing that matters.
Maybe next year the Ice Surface at Jobing.com should be frozen with the tears of Winnipeg. - TimmyHate of FiveForHowling to a troll after it was alleged Coyote fans do not know how to ice skate.
i dont realy care right now
I’ll be exited Thursday
by rscott94 on Apr 24, 2011 7:39 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
props for this A Positive out look on all players will make whoever we take a lot easier to swallow. As i said once before i believe we are on the road to great success under Ron Rivera Sean Mcdorment Rob Chudzinski and Mike Shula. We have a coaching staff filled with teachers. A staff more solid then we have had in the past. Im interesting to see this era leave the station. We docked are making repairs and will see a new team and focus moving forward. Regardless of who we take the Panthers are back!
"I have opinions of my own -- strong opinions -- but I don't always agree with them." - George Bush
"I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant." - Robert McCloskey
If we draft Newton
I’ll be exited for the rookie hazing
by rscott94 on Apr 24, 2011 7:40 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
I like what you're doing here, stressing the positives.
You’re assuming he’s the pick, and representing the reasons why he was the choice.
In the days to come, you’ll present equally strong positive reasons for why the Panthers selected Dareus instead, and then the same for the others.
This should not elicit arguments from anybody, but instead should get us all to focus on the upside of whomever the choice might be. Well done.
by bigdavis on Apr 24, 2011 8:02 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Sadly, I’ll be shocked if it doesn’t turn into a full-blown argument thread by tomorrow afternoon.
One cries because one is sad. For example: I cry because others are stupid, and it makes me sad.
When its going to take 3-5 years to even begin to decide who was right who was wrong. Texans were looked at like fools for passing on Bush. Smart move with todays knowledge
"I have opinions of my own -- strong opinions -- but I don't always agree with them." - George Bush
"I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant." - Robert McCloskey
Nice
One cries because one is sad. For example: I cry because others are stupid, and it makes me sad.
very good
great read. Ive got a great feeling about Cam. I read article yesterday how him and his QB trainer had dinner together after Cam announced he is going pro. Well the trainer asked Cam to write on a napkin a couple plays and situations. Well the trainer said " by then of the night Cam had filled up 6 napkins of different plays, routes and situations, seeing Cam draw up the plays was a lot like watching Russel Crow in A beautiful mind"
link?
Disclaimer: BusyBeingAwesome = Irony. And, on a side note. I miss you, Steve Beuerlein.
by BusyBeingAwesome on Apr 25, 2011 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Here’s your link.
MMA_PITBULL originally posted it in a fanshot.
I like to believe that my best hits border on felonious assault. -Jack Tatum
Follow me on Twitter
Thanks.
Disclaimer: BusyBeingAwesome = Irony. And, on a side note. I miss you, Steve Beuerlein.
by BusyBeingAwesome on Apr 25, 2011 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions
He drew plays in Gruden's QB camp
for him to execute an advanced NFL playbook is yet to be seen. If he can’t, well then Is till think he’ll be able to make athletic plays in a simpler offense.
stay thirsty my friends
I must admit the Cam is a Rorschach test to me.
I have watched the Gruden thing a bit for several players, and all I could think when Cam was talking was “Liars cover their mouths when they talk.” and “When are you going to look at Gruden directly and answer him with a direct answer?”
That probably did happen at some point, but I gave up after a short while.
by panthersnbraves on Apr 25, 2011 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Newton came across terribly in that Gruden interview.
Still, people are having a love affair with him so that’s being overlooked.
"Nah, you look like Elijah Wood." - danmerqury
Gabbert is better than this guy...
I really hope we take Blaine Gabbert with the first pick, He is the next Aaron Rodgers on Human Growth Hormones
It was funny the first few hundred times you did it...
The humor has worn off now.
One cries because one is sad. For example: I cry because others are stupid, and it makes me sad.
I maybe serious though
I really hope we take Blaine Gabbert with the first pick, He is the next Aaron Rodgers on Human Growth Hormones
Sure you are...
And I’m Hugh Hefner, I’d just rather spend all my time here on CSR.
One cries because one is sad. For example: I cry because others are stupid, and it makes me sad.
Can I have your key to your house then?
Proud Member of Cat Scratch Reader
by Ivan459 on Apr 24, 2011 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
lol
One cries because one is sad. For example: I cry because others are stupid, and it makes me sad.
Yeah, and you might wanna take a look at the Legionnaire's disease you got going on there...
Ron Rivera, the Most Interesting Coach in the World. Stay thirsty my friends!
by Tarheel Soldier on Apr 25, 2011 8:28 AM EDT up reply actions
No. gabbert is not better than anyone
I’d rather take Newton, Mallet, Stanzi, Ponder, kaepernick, dalton over Gabbert
by jai6y6 on Apr 24, 2011 10:34 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
+10000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Numbers can’t express how I feel about this comment
I really hope we take Blaine Gabbert with the first pick, He is the next Aaron Rodgers on Human Growth Hormones
Nice read James. I’ll admit, the prospect of Newton living up to his billing and potential has me wanting to take him. However, just like all the other QB’s in this draft, the bust potential is a quotient we cannot ignore. The plutonium analogy is perfect.
If Newton rides the bench (as he should) hopefully that will be enough to get him up to NFL speed. But the point of thinking 10 years down the road cannot be ignored here. If we are to draft Darius, he may be a great DT, but the need of having a franchise QB is imperative, especially now that we have the #1 pick.
Quite frankly, I think we have to take a QB… but who knows, much like BW, my mood on who to take changes day to day. Tomorrow will be DT Monday….
Proud Member of Cat Scratch Reader
Ha Ha Ha... inside joke
"Remember the (Cam Newton) bandwagon started here... someone once called it a unicycle. My how time have changed...
by Caro2daheart... on Apr 25, 2011 7:27 AM EDT up reply actions
I do have one small concern with Cam that many people dont talk about and thats how he is going to adjust being on a losing team for a year or two. I mean coming from 2 consecutive championship years to a possibly 6-10 season with the panthers, i hope he will be able to handle being on a team with a losing record for a year or two (btw as a fan i hope we DONT have anymore losing seasons)
He won't have to adjust...
Cam is the best EVER. He will lead us to many winz because he haz skillz and iz a WINNAR.
One cries because one is sad. For example: I cry because others are stupid, and it makes me sad.
by BW Smith on Apr 24, 2011 8:20 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Its like Space Jam. Once the Panthers get a sip of Cammy Cam Juice we will be unstoppable!!!
"I have opinions of my own -- strong opinions -- but I don't always agree with them." - George Bush
"I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant." - Robert McCloskey
I think you meant Space Cam.
One cries because one is sad. For example: I cry because others are stupid, and it makes me sad.
That dudes name is so easy to wordplay
"I have opinions of my own -- strong opinions -- but I don't always agree with them." - George Bush
"I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant." - Robert McCloskey
CAM NEWTONS!
Proud Member of Cat Scratch Reader
by Ivan459 on Apr 24, 2011 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Wow and you talk about me
I really hope we take Blaine Gabbert with the first pick, He is the next Aaron Rodgers on Human Growth Hormones
I was being sarcastic.
Making fun of the vast majority of “Cam lovers”.
It was a joke DT — loosen up a little.
One cries because one is sad. For example: I cry because others are stupid, and it makes me sad.
I would but im going to be watching it in the jacuzzi with Brooklyn….
"I have opinions of my own -- strong opinions -- but I don't always agree with them." - George Bush
"I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant." - Robert McCloskey
by MMA_PITBULL on Apr 24, 2011 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I think the majority of us feel that way.
It’s just the “Cam or nobody” crowd that really gets annoying.
One cries because one is sad. For example: I cry because others are stupid, and it makes me sad.
by BW Smith on Apr 24, 2011 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions 8 recs
I will definitely turn this comment green!
http://twitter.com/#!/TheeSteveJohns
https://www.facebook.com/TheeSteveJohnson
by Thee Steve Johnson on Apr 25, 2011 5:20 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't care who we select...
I will be their biggest fan. Excellent post as usual James, keep ‘em coming! I don’t think I have ever disliked a college QB more than Clausen, but I pulled harder for him to succeed than I ever thought possible and as long as he is on our team I still will. Everybody has a guy that they want, but in the end I will pull for anybody in black and blue as I know the majority of all fans will…
I can't remember the game now...
I’ve pretty much drank them all out of my memory, but I do remember one play on 3rd and long in our own territory where they just ran a simple draw play to Rosario who was lined up at FB.
I’m sure you could search for it and find the comment thread from the game when it happened, but I’m too lazy to do that right now.
One cries because one is sad. For example: I cry because others are stupid, and it makes me sad.
Yep Cleveland.
Heard it on the radio and even Mick and Eugene were stunned.
Yes I'm a dude.
by Flowing Willow on Apr 25, 2011 10:37 AM EDT up reply actions
Ahh....
The only thing I can remember about that game was seeing Peyton Hillis make the defense his bitch for 4 quarters.
One cries because one is sad. For example: I cry because others are stupid, and it makes me sad.
No kidding.
The only thing I can remember about that game was seeing Peyton Hillis make the defense his bitch for 4 quarters.
The dude’s not just some ole’ running back. He’s a boar-hunting boy who streamrolls over defenses’ backfields for kicks. It would have been really nice to have had a semblence of a DT presence during that game.
It was against Cleveland, on a draw play...
From our own 11 yard line on 3rd and 12…
One cries because one is sad. For example: I cry because others are stupid, and it makes me sad.
I couldn't help but feel like that play
was just Fox throwing his middle fingers up in the air. Haters gonna hate…
Disclaimer: BusyBeingAwesome = Irony. And, on a side note. I miss you, Steve Beuerlein.
by BusyBeingAwesome on Apr 25, 2011 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions
Yup...Haters gonna hate.
One cries because one is sad. For example: I cry because others are stupid, and it makes me sad.
This article has been out a few days, but I just saw it...
I hadn’t even realized what a meteoric rise to prominence Newton’s had in only 12 months.
But contrary to the “entitlement” which others take from his demeanor, I think there’s a good dose of humility and perspective, and certainly drive to succeed, in what he has to say, and the words he uses to express that drive. Read the article, and his quotes.
At the last level, he overcame all the challenges put before him, and succeeded at his craft more than any other college football athlete. The new challenges at the NFL level will be different, as they are for all of us as we grow in life, but if he were to show the same determination (I can’t see how ‘work ethic’ should even come into a discussion of his red flags) and the same will to win, we could be looking at a major force in the league, in its infancy stage.
As yet, he has given no sign that he will fail. He has given many that he can succeed.
Now one might read my words, and reply with some, by now, tired cliche about Cammyjuice, but I’m looking at him this way: I’ve been watching every NFL QB in the last 50 years, and I’ve never seen one with the combination of size, speed, elusiveness, instinct for the open field, and the record of winning that this guy has. His Wonderlic score is not evidence of a genius, but neither is it of a mental weakling. I see no reason he can’t be taught the language of the NFL, and that’s the only test I think he has to pass. He can already pass the football, and he can run the football, and he has NEVER fumbled the football.
He screwed up at UofFla, but who at 17 hasn’t? We’re not all as mature as FlowingWillow at that age. (and that’s not sarcastic; it’s a compliment.) The important thing that’s largely overlooked by those who harp on those incidents is that he did NOTHING the last 2 years to continue a pattern of troublesome behavior. He doesn’t drink, he doesn’t smoke, he doesn’t do drugs, he doesn’t party late. He plays football, and he wins.
I want him as a Panther.
by bigdavis on Apr 24, 2011 10:38 PM EDT reply actions 12 recs
If only every Cam supporter could conduct their argument as you have done here...
One cries because one is sad. For example: I cry because others are stupid, and it makes me sad.
Thanks. Just calling it like I see it.
Maybe 7QBdraw (see above) might find it more convincing.
Anyway, there’s a possible downside to every choice we might make, including him. But IMO, there’s a whole lot more upside with Newton.
Fully aware that there is a risk at #1 or #201and at this point everything is speculation but
I still don’t see convincing arguments in the original post and didn’t find any profound revelations and statements in your link. How many other prospects have made the same staements? I do see his past problems, his father’s influence after trying to sell him to a college and a “mentor” in Warren Moon who tried to create a racial issue. I can see a possibility of salary problems and holdouts. I’ve not said the kid isn’t a great athlete and hasn’t had great achievements but I still b believe there are a lot of indications that he is a major project that is not worth the risk. You don’t, we’ll see what the people that matter say..
Warren Moon has every right to pull the race card
Absolutely nobody can deny it affected him heavily. He never pulled the race card before…. but some times things just come off the wrong way to someone. Whether you agree with Moon or not you have to see where he is coming from.
I think he is right to a certain level
If I recall correctly it was reported that one GM said that if Cam Newton were white then he would easily be the number 1 player in this draft.
Sooo me, Cam, Ron, Marty, Don, Chud, Sean, Mike and Jerry are going out to have some Cammy Cam juice... Who's coming?
That one GM is absolutely nuts.
Cam’s draft stock has nothing to do with the color of his skin. If he were green with orange stripes, he’d still have the same questions about his game translating to the next level.
One cries because one is sad. For example: I cry because others are stupid, and it makes me sad.
but green with orange stripes would clash with black and electric blue.
Disclaimer: BusyBeingAwesome = Irony. And, on a side note. I miss you, Steve Beuerlein.
by BusyBeingAwesome on Apr 25, 2011 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions
racist...
One cries because one is sad. For example: I cry because others are stupid, and it makes me sad.
totally...
Disclaimer: BusyBeingAwesome = Irony. And, on a side note. I miss you, Steve Beuerlein.
by BusyBeingAwesome on Apr 25, 2011 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Yea, but you cant dismiss 50 tds and only 7 ints
50. Think about that. Claussen will take like 16 years (at the rate he’s going) to get 50 tds and what like 2 games to get to 7 ints. Thats like a 150 qb rating for newton.
I didn't realise Newton was playing in the NFL when putting up those numbers.
"Nah, you look like Elijah Wood." - danmerqury
Gotta recc that.
And I also agree with BW — most of it is a constant back-and-forth “Cam’s better!” / “No, Cam sux! We want Gabbery!” sort of thing, but I like where you’ve taken this, bigd. While each of the QBs have their concerns, I admit that Newton has impressed me greatly — I’ve only seen a little tape, so I can’t speak so much for his athletic ability (though what I’ve seen of it is very impressive); however, what’s always struck me about Cam is the adversity he’s had to endure at Auburn — fairly tough schedule, the pay-for-play scam with his father, all the uber-microscopic critical attention the media threw at him… and yet he went out onto that field every Saturday, played ball, and triumphed regardless.
The Heisman, the national championship… they don’t impress me so much (aside from the championship being the pinnacle of his drive, focus and determination to play the best he could). The fact that he persevered through it all… that’s what impresses me. And that, ultimately, is why I wouldn’t have a problem at all with him if the Panthers pull the trigger and take him. If he can show that same drive, grit and determination on the football field every Sunday, and give the leadership that the team so desperately needs on offense… then he will be a force of nature to be reckoned with.
And if we don’t take him… I truly hope he succeeds, regardless of where he goes, because I think he’s truly got that “IT” factor.
4 more days...4 more days...
Like waiting for your wife to go into labor.
Great analogy Big D...
Like waiting on Christamas to arrive. I feel really good though that it’ll all be over with soon. We’ll have one heck of a player in the top 5 no matter who it is.
"Remember the (Cam Newton) bandwagon started here... someone once called it a unicycle. My how time have changed...
by Caro2daheart... on Apr 25, 2011 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions
This is how I have been feeling too
When I first heard of Cam Newton it was some weird video comparing him to a mix of Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Ben Rothlisberger. It was pretty over the top and almost cheesy. This was all still while Andrew Luck was in play.
Then Luck said he was going to stay in college and the attention all went to Cam over here on these boards. At first is was nothing but bashing him all of the cheating and theft stuff and then the Jamarcus Russel 2.0 phase.
Over the past 3-4 months I have seen enough of videos and articles to convince me of exactly what bigdavis says above.
It looks to me as if Cam has faced a ton of adversity already and has a desire to overcome as well as be a leader. The man wants to be the best and will work to get there. I’ve read the article on how Cam was doing extra drills after practice and later had more team mates out there working drills with him and then was running stair drills only to have players follow him in that as well. THIS is the kinda of guy we need on our offense. We have absolutely no clear captain of the offense. As bigdavis posted somewhere below, Jimmy accepted defeat all too easily and obviously doesn’t have the support of his offense.
As far as his play… yes he will take some development, but I also think we have a much more competent coaching staff than a year ago that can play to this teams strengths. I can’t stand Jamie Dukes, but have to agree with his statement. I think the addition of a QB like Newton as well as Shockey at the TE position with Chud as the OC is going to help our running backs and receivers tremendously. I mean that gives us three players that the defense needs to keep track of not counting our receivers. The days of stacking the box and double covering Smith are over. As much as last season sucked it does make me happy that Gettis and Lafell both got a ton of playing time as well. The Newton, Stewart/Williams, Shockey, Smith, Gettis, Lafell lineup of weapons on offense is exciting. I know we have the whole free agent thing, but at this point I’m just going to assume we have everybody.
Anyhow, great article James, great comments bigdavis and I can’t wait to see who we draft on Thursday!
Appreciate the compliment bigd.
And this comment has gone a long ways towards the process of accepting Cam as the pick. I think I’m at the point where if he is the pick I’ll be behind him fully.
Yes I'm a dude.
by Flowing Willow on Apr 25, 2011 10:43 AM EDT up reply actions
lol
you know something, i never knew Camm Cam juice was something that Cam himself made up until i watched him on Gruden and he mentioned it lol. I just thought it was something made up by cam haters sort of like the saying “drinkin the kool aid” kind of funny.
Here you go
I really hope we take Blaine Gabbert with the first pick, He is the next Aaron Rodgers on Human Growth Hormones
also
im not a fan of trading out of the pick at all BUT if the Panthers wanted to trade, do you think at this point they should just say tomm or tuesday they are going to take Cam? The reason I say this is because i think the reason no teams have contacted the panthers on trading is because they think they are bluffing with taking Cam and wont really pick him, so maybe if they want trade offers they just come out and say Cam is going to be the pick and see what happens.
I don't think that really has any bearing on the trade situation...
Most of those trades won’t happen till the draft or possibly the day or 2 before the draft actually begins…
I don't post much...
But I read this site daily for new updates and I am a huge Panther fan. I have to say, that was a very well written argument and settled my ass firmly on the Cam Newton band wagon (Cam wagon?)
I am looking forward to the rest of the posts, but I was already leaning towards Cam in my hopes for who they would draft, and this settled me. I love the upside and I don’t mind waiting. I mean, we may do well these next few years but we aren’t exactly a threat to win a Super Bowl anytime soon (just being realistic.) So I have no problem drafting a QB to develop. Especially in a system that will be just as new to Clausen as it is to Newton, and with Cam’s amazing potential…..I am excited for the next 5-15 years if we draft him.
Cheers.
There's always room HERE for you Justin... Now just sit firmly on that wagon=)
I kid, I kid, I just kidding
"Remember the (Cam Newton) bandwagon started here... someone once called it a unicycle. My how time have changed...
by Caro2daheart... on Apr 25, 2011 8:18 AM EDT up reply actions
This is not a reply exclusively to you C2, but...
Does anyone else worry that if Cam came to Carolina, and were to prosper, that the Panthers would not be a big enough stage? I mean LaBron left his hometown, Melo left Denver, Amare left Phoenix…get my drift? He made the entertainer/icon statement and he certainly promotes himself well. The BIG money is in the endorsements, and those are most available in the BIG market cities.
I guess, as I’ve said before, I see him going into the self agrandizement mode (speaking of himself in the third person, leading the band after games, etc.) and I have a bad feeling.
I have the same concern
And my thinking is that it doesn’t translate to the NFL, because in basketball one man can truly carry a team and in football that isn’t really the case. But I think it is cause for some concern and it would be truly sad to see the same issue the NBA is having creep into the NFL.
Disclaimer: BusyBeingAwesome = Irony. And, on a side note. I miss you, Steve Beuerlein.
by BusyBeingAwesome on Apr 25, 2011 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
And I also think for whatever reason
that he’ll get endorsement in whatever city he’s in. I look at guys like Peyton Manning who is getting deals left and right and he plays in Indianapolis, not exactly a big market.
Disclaimer: BusyBeingAwesome = Irony. And, on a side note. I miss you, Steve Beuerlein.
by BusyBeingAwesome on Apr 25, 2011 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Good point
but deals as a whole are much less of a factor in the NFL. Even stars in big markets aren’t getting huge endorsement deals. I think it goes back to the fact that a player on an NFL team, on average, gets less exposure than an NBA team.
Disclaimer: BusyBeingAwesome = Irony. And, on a side note. I miss you, Steve Beuerlein.
by BusyBeingAwesome on Apr 25, 2011 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Love the post
Currently I’m on the Cam train but I have a feeling I might change my mind four more times after the rest of the articles. I’ll have a full on man crush on whoever we draft unless they holdout.
by Imisshooooooooov on Apr 25, 2011 12:42 AM EDT reply actions
I have to point out those are all weak arguments for Newton
Let me refute each point.
1.) I would argue that they (the Panthers) choose last year to ‘risk it all’ mentality drafting Clausen. And that Clausen figures into your 2nd 10 year argument. Unless of course you are now looking at an 11 year window because we are already into year two.
Your #3 argument is the weakest of the lot. Brees is clearly the best QB , Ryan is better because of the team and I find it ironic you choose Freeman to make a case for drafting Newton. Why?
Freeman’s college stats are 8,078 yds completing 59% of his passes(680 of 1151) with 44 tds and 34 ints. Nothing Newtoan about those stats, rather average I’d say. Pretty much like another QB in this draft. His college stats; 6,822 yds and also 59% completion rate on 568 of 963 with 40 tds and 18 ints. This QB is Gabbert and he played in the same conference as Freeman and like Freeman and unlike Newton has enough film to make a rational judgment on. 280 attempts for Newton, 1151 for Freeman and 963 for Gabbert. If you don’t like the film on Gabbert then just pass on a QB because drafting Newton is up there with playing russian roulete with 5 bullets loaded in the chamber.
As far as the running game goes we did pretty well in ‘08 and we will again. Besides I don’t understand the argument if it is becoming a passing league what do we do with with two 1,800 yd backs…three if you count Newton. Might as well trade Smitty as we will have little time for passing at that rate. Absurd? Yes! But I’m doing it to point out the absurdity of even considering Newton at all.
And before many of you get bent out of shape It is not so much that I don’t like Newton as it is not enough film for me to like him.
by Robert Woodring on Apr 25, 2011 2:43 AM EDT reply actions
Then, logically, your doubts about him can possibly be allayed, after watching more film of him in 2011.
And those 5 rounds in the chambers might not be loaded for RR, or even be pointed at the shooter himself, but may be the ammunition he spoke of, that which motivates him to prove you wrong.
Many great achievements in life have been accomplished by motivated young men, working hard to try to prove somebody wrong. It is an overwhelming drive that causes people to run up stadium steps when they don’t have to, and weren’t ordered to. I can’t relate to that action. I know I’ve never done it, in any literal or figurative way. That is not the action of a person with ‘normal’ goals, but by someone with extra-ordinary goals to meet, those which are internal, and accompanied by a self-confidence which appears to be unacceptable, even off-putting, to those of lesser achievements – like critics, observers, and writers, who make their livings not by doing anything, but by pointing out flaws in those who do.
I’ll expand a bit further: someone raised the question of how Newton, who’s been a winner, would react to losses at the NFL level. I’d assume it’d be far different than, say, how Jimmy Clausen reacted, he who was used to losses in college, and who went far too quietly into the night, and who assumed the position of submission far too readily, as he absorbed sack after sack, and pressure after pressure. I don’t, from every indication Newton’s given, that he’d be accepting of failure to win, and would do something about it.
We shall see what we shall see. I join you in saying, Go Panthers!
by bigdavis on Apr 25, 2011 3:22 AM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
+10000000000000000
you are on a roll BigDavis
Sooo me, Cam, Ron, Marty, Don, Chud, Sean, Mike and Jerry are going out to have some Cammy Cam juice... Who's coming?
I am not on the Cam Wagon, but
BigD, that was a hellofa rebuttal. I agree with almost everything you said. Sometimes, a man’s WILL will allow him to accomplish things a normal man cannot. The only thing that separates GREAT men from ordinary men is perseverance. Cam Newton, like him o not, has shown a tremendius amount of perseverance.
Currently, I’m on the Marcel Dareus wagon, but if Newton brings that to the Panthers, I will be in line to get my seat on the Cam Wagon.
Ron Rivera, the Most Interesting Coach in the World. Stay thirsty my friends!
by Tarheel Soldier on Apr 25, 2011 10:06 AM EDT up reply actions
He does indeed seem like a guy that can rally the troops
I really liked the video where I seen Cam talking about how you need to earn respect before you can lead people. I don’t remember where the video was but I believe he was talking about these situations where he was “the new guy” and he he said something to the affect of those new teammates having no reason to believe in you or to follow you because they don’t know you, they don’t know who you are and that in order to earn that respect and trust you need to lead by example.
I think your comment on Jimmy going too quietly into the night is perfect as well. I started a post the other day about being disappointed that Jimmy hadn’t pulled a Colt McCoy and gotten the team together for workouts. I was corrected in that he has actually gotten together with Lafell and some others, but Jimmy should be making as much noise as possible if he wants to remain the starter for this team and I can’t hear him over here in the great midwest!
by MindMachine on Apr 25, 2011 10:13 AM EDT up reply actions
You didn’t exactly address anything Robert said, rather responding to everything he brought up with “Newton has DETERMINATION!” This is indeed a great trait to have, but it doesn’t automatically mean he’ll be a successful NFL QB. Some people just can’t do certain things, no matter how hard they try.
by SlayerGhaleon on Apr 25, 2011 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions
It may not mean that...
…but by the same token, it’s odd hearing “he can’t” or “he won’t” about certain things when he’s not been given the actual on-the-field opportunity in the NFL to show otherwise. I’m at least willing to reserve judgment until we see how he performs on the field.
Depends on what it is in regards to. Everybody is certain that Newton really won’t come in and immediately dominate. That’s just fact. He’s a project.
Anybody saying he’ll never succeed in the NFL is indeed biased.
by SlayerGhaleon on Apr 25, 2011 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Everyone's a project
I don’t think that, assuming Newton is the pick, he’ll go out Day 1 and light it up the way he did at Auburn — that isn’t realistic. And some people do need to take off those rose-colored glasses in that regard. He has a translation period ahead of him, but I’m hoping for the best (if, indeed, he is the Panthers’ #1 pick) — but I’m not expecting an insane turnaround and Superbowl win next season. I’m still suspecting 4-12 to 7-9 will be where our record falls next season.
Very poetic and philosophical but extra effort and hard work describes a lot of athletes at every level
" how Jimmy Clausen reacted, he who was used to losses in college, and who went far too quietly into the night, and who assumed the position of submission far too readily, as he absorbed sack after sack, and pressure after pressure."
Are you kidding? At least he kept getting up from sack after sack, pressure after pressure and didn’t quit. How do you know Newton won’t curl up in a ball the first time he gets his bell rung by an NFL DE? Because he ran stadium steps in Jr. college? Impressive! " quietly into the night" Really? Is that a football term?
Not at all; it's perhaps picturesque, but not inaccurate.
Was I waxing too poetic for your macho tastes?
How about I call him a loser, with a face like a mama’s boy, who’s in over his head playing a big boy’s game?
And how do you know Newton won’t react with disdain, and throw a TD pass the next play?
Neither of us knows who’s gonna do what, so why ask me those rhetorical questions. I was being civil with you, but you seem to want to turn this personal. No, I wasn’t kidding; I was stating my opinion. State your own all you like, but don’t disallow me mine.
If you don’t like the way I express myself, go read all the +1’s and Awesomes you can find, then. There are plenty of them to suit your plebeian taste.
Wax poetic all you like but to me it's poetic license with few facts and unlike yourself will go through your points 1 at a time
Call Clausen whatever you want (it’s your opinion) but it sure sounded like you think it’s a travesty to criticize Newton or disagree with anything you said.
What if I call Newton a liar, cheater and a thief.
How do you know Newton will perform well in a system he doesn’t know andf limited support from the other 10 guys any better than when Clausen was thrown into it? ? You seem to assume a lot with evidence like he ran stairs on his own..
Actually I was civil until you made it personal by calling me out by name thinking I was going to back down and agree with a statement you made in response to an OPINION of my own that YOU didn’t like.and then you tried to DISALLOW Robert Woodring’s post with the one above without addressing his points..
Congratulatiions on all of your accolades hereon but by your own statement few of us (including you) are on Cam’s level by working hard to achieve a goal.because they are “normal” goals instead of extraordinary goals..
You know, I really do hope he succeeds because I think we all watch the NFL to see the best of the best play but don’t try to force that overcoming adversity and working harder than anybody else crap on me because I HAVE seen extraordinary effort that doesn’t pay millions
Good job at keeping it fresh James...
…it has gotten to the point where every Newton/Gabbert…ect post sounds the same. You change it up enough to keep it interesting… I’m gonna be so glad when we have something new to talk about..
Now where's my REAL fans at?!
Cam supporters...
please get it all out here. We don’t need to hear “this guy would be a wasted pick” or “we need a QB” or “What did he win in college” or " He’s not worth the first pick" or whatever you can come up with to say “we should pick Cam” without saying " we should pick Cam".
Please?
http://twitter.com/#!/TheeSteveJohns
https://www.facebook.com/TheeSteveJohnson
by Thee Steve Johnson on Apr 25, 2011 5:36 AM EDT reply actions
me too
"Remember the (Cam Newton) bandwagon started here... someone once called it a unicycle. My how time have changed...
by Caro2daheart... on Apr 25, 2011 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions
This is the first part in a series of articles...
Everytime someone else is broght up for the first pick. Cam supporters do what I listed above (can’t believe you guys don’t realize that you do it… seriously shocked right now). So get all your pro Cam crap out here. Don’t polute the other threads with negatives on all the other prospects(like you guys always do), because you want Cam.
http://twitter.com/#!/TheeSteveJohns
https://www.facebook.com/TheeSteveJohnson
by Thee Steve Johnson on Apr 25, 2011 3:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Well said BigDavis and NX75649
My reason for leaning towards Gabbert is more because I see him more as a face of the franchise guy and a guy that can win over a locker room, but have to admit that both BigDavis and NX’s posts give me some things to be excited about and let me look at Cam in a different light. Well said guys. No matter what, like it has been said by many, I will get behind and route for whomever is selected.
"I see myself not only as a football player, but an entertainer and icon."
So having a pretty face and winning over a locker room= Franchise QB
What about…you know… how he actually performs on the field?
Sooo me, Cam, Ron, Marty, Don, Chud, Sean, Mike and Jerry are going out to have some Cammy Cam juice... Who's coming?
Gabbert has been in conversation for the #1 pick for a reason
That would include his ability to perform on the field. He also seems incredibly intelligent. When I look at the top 5 picks, it’s not, for me, a matter of who I want, and who I don’t want.
It’s really a “Who do I want most?”. Either way, I can make a convincing argument why we should take Newton, Gabbert, Peterson, Dareus or Green. They’re all tremendous football players. We can sit around and nitpick all we want but that’s all we’re doing. We’re merely splitting hairs.
by Fernando De La Cruz on Apr 25, 2011 9:11 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes , that is the sole deciding factor?
If that was the case. I am pulling for Jenifer Lopez . I am sure she would win over the locker room.
"I see myself not only as a football player, but an entertainer and icon."
by Bruce Guild on Apr 25, 2011 9:16 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Gabbert's got some things going for him as well.
He’s pretty dog-goned smart, from what’s come out in reports. I believe someone mentioned that Gabbert was watching the screen during Gruden’s QB camp, watching plays unfold and giving every indication of trying to visualize how the plays went down and think of how he would deal with it, while also listening to Gruden talk about some of the things Gabbert does well and what he could still work on.
I would be fine with Gabbert as a #1 pick as well, though I know that might have people going “call out the dogs!” on me. I’m not a Cam-only type by any means — I’ve said it from the beginning, I want who the Panthers think will be best for them. There’s a part of me that’s looking forward to the prospect of Cam Newton wearing the jersey, but I have equal parts willing to see Gabbert, Dareus or Fairley in our team jersey and still be happy.
(( Mallet is an exception, and for the life of me, I can’t really explain why — some of it is the ongoing allegations that won’t go away; part of it is how he’s acted, like in the Combine interview… but underneath it all, there’s this gut feeling that, of the QB picks in this draft class, that Mallet is actually the biggest bust waiting to happen, Jon Dove’s Bust-O-Meter notwithstanding. ))
With all this talk of drafting a QB (good article BTW James) everyone seems to forget something…
It’s not just 1 QB that’s a need… there’s the need to have a drafted QB sit behind a vet QB to learn… jimmy isn’t that vet… Pike isn’t either… Matt isn’t either… assuming he even stays around and he can actually play.
I don't think anyone has forgotten that.
It’s just that this CBA nonsense has kept us from going out and getting a veteran QB like Volek, Bulger, or McNabb.
Follow me on Twitter at @JakeHumphrey91
by Jake Humphrey on Apr 25, 2011 8:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed.
Ever since I researched the top two tiers of QB prospects and looked over them, I’d advocated FA as well. Unless Hurney can pull off a miracle and get a decent trade-down (and I doubt that will happen at this point), I’ve felt it was between Newton and Gabbert to be the #1 pick. Regardless, we need to have a veteran presence. Bulger, Volek, McNabb (if the Snyder contract can be slipped out of) are possibilities; Volek’s limited starting still concerns me, but his inside knowledge of how Rivera and Chud work in tandem would be valuable to pass on. I had included Hasselbeck and Carson Palmer, but I think the Seahawks will get something done with Hasselbeck, and the Bengals FO is bone-headed and stubborn enough to let Palmer retire, just to prove a point that they aren’t going to let anyone go except on their terms.
I like the plutonium bit James ;-)
Maturity is knowing you were an idiot in the past. Wisdom is knowing you will be an idiot in the future and common sense is knowing you should try not to be an idiot now. - J. Jacques
Cam Newton brings much needed energy to the huddle
I’ll say it again… Jake Delhomme wasn’t a great passer, didn’t have the strongest arm, and wasn’t mobile. However he compensated all this with grit, determination and a fiery personality on the field. The energy he brought to the huddle, got the most out of the guys he played with.
From the on field video I’ve seen, this quality is absent or appears un-natural for Gabbert, Locker and Mallet. Moore was no Jake in the huddle, and Clausen was more like a downer for his teammates.
Newton however is a clear, outspoken leader… vocally and physically in how he plays. Obnoxious at times… But in the heat of battle, you need someone who is willing to take a big hit, then verbally motivate everyone else to play as hard.
Let’s not underestimate how valuable this QB quality has been for us in the past, and what it would mean for us going forward as well!
stay thirsty my friends
Point #2: Tebow didn't sit for 16 games
And I’ve only heard that Newton is farther ahead as an athlete, passer, runner and competitor than Tebow was last year this time.
I just don’t think in this day, teams can sit the 1st overall for an entire season. I’m not saying to start him day one. But if we can’t begin to ease him in by mid-season, then I’ll start to doubt his progress or the creativity/ability of our new coaching staff.
stay thirsty my friends
I agree ,ST, but without a Training Camp or Preseason, I really doubt any rookie QB will see the field this season, whether it’s Cam or Gabby. That is the main reason I’m still on the Dareus wagon at this point in the pre-draft talk.
Ron Rivera, the Most Interesting Coach in the World. Stay thirsty my friends!
by Tarheel Soldier on Apr 25, 2011 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions
That is indeed a good point.... but
I’d feel a whole lot better about somebody like Billy Volek (or even McNabb) on the team if we draft Cam. I was debating a bit yesterday about the available free agents being just as risky as Cam.
I don’t mind bringing in a vet to mentor a young QB but I see the available free agents as a temporary fix and this team is LONG overdue for a franchise QB and I don’t see anybody in the near future that is 100% guaranteed to fit that bill. Luck seems to be the most available sure thing franchise QB that will be available any time that I can see and it’s almost a guarantee that whoever holds the #1 overall next year will be picking him or destroying another teams next 2-3 draft boards to give up the rights to him.
If Cam isn’t our QB of the future then who is?
by MindMachine on Apr 25, 2011 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
After a few weeks of practice and Sunday clipboard holding
He should at least be able to take a couple run-option snaps per game. You got to consider what he brings to the table, beyond just passing.
stay thirsty my friends
by southtunnel on Apr 25, 2011 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions
Except that run option really doesn’t work in the NFL.
by SlayerGhaleon on Apr 25, 2011 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Vick used to run it all the time in ATL
Denver had success with it last year as well.
stay thirsty my friends
by southtunnel on Apr 25, 2011 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I think we'll see his running ability utilized at some point.
But I really don’t foresee any serious passing until next season.
Just a side note, but I’m really really liking Locker. From what i’ve seen he’s got that ability to be a vocal leader of men as well, and his accuracy isn’t as bad as advertised.
Yes I'm a dude.
by Flowing Willow on Apr 25, 2011 10:53 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed - he reminds me of Favre, in a good way
Maturity is knowing you were an idiot in the past. Wisdom is knowing you will be an idiot in the future and common sense is knowing you should try not to be an idiot now. - J. Jacques
Coming out, Tebow was a better passer and competitor than Newton is.
The issue with Tebow was his slow release.
"Nah, you look like Elijah Wood." - danmerqury
Just thought this an interesting find - found via Extra Mustard
http://camnewtonliedetector.com/
A law firm set up a website for the following -
Attention Cam, pass a professionally administered lie detector test
by answering "No" to these 4 questions..and $1,000,000 is yours
1. Prior to signing with Auburn, were you aware your father was "shopping" you to Mississippi State or any other school?
2. Did you tell Dan or Meghan Mullen that you signed with Auburn because of the money because you truly believed Auburn had paid for your commitment?
3. Did anyone on the Auburn coaching staff/athletic department instruct you how to answer questions from the NCAA by lying or avoiding the truth?
4. Did you or your family ever receive any impermissible benefits from Auburn?
Just an example of some of the ill-will that is pretty profound in some parts of the country. Just the messenger. I’ll post an equally disparaging “story” about Gabbert shortly.
Maturity is knowing you were an idiot in the past. Wisdom is knowing you will be an idiot in the future and common sense is knowing you should try not to be an idiot now. - J. Jacques
by Vagus on Apr 25, 2011 11:47 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
In Newton's defense
I guarantee 100% of NCAA division 1 football players would fail question four with (insert school name here).
by James Dator on Apr 25, 2011 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
agreed
everyone’s doing it, but only a select few are getting caught
One cries because one is sad. For example: I cry because others are stupid, and it makes me sad.
Now James, Auburn couldn't have possibly contacted every player in the NCAA ;-)
Maturity is knowing you were an idiot in the past. Wisdom is knowing you will be an idiot in the future and common sense is knowing you should try not to be an idiot now. - J. Jacques
Tony Randazzo quote on Blaine Gabbert
"What does this guy do that anybody likes?" Dave Razzano asks, pressing the rewind button. "Every pass is an underneath curl route! It’s third-and-10 in the red zone – throw a [expletive] touchdown pass. But look at this: A three-yard dump-off. That’s all he does. He threw the ball just about every play, and he had 16 touchdown passes last season.
"This is the guy somebody’s gonna take in the top 10? Based on what? Trust me, they’re guessing."
Maturity is knowing you were an idiot in the past. Wisdom is knowing you will be an idiot in the future and common sense is knowing you should try not to be an idiot now. - J. Jacques
I read that quote last night in Silver's article...
…though it does make me wonder a bit about Jake Locker. Randazzo is calling him the next Favre, and saying that a large part of Locker’s perceived “inaccuracy” is actually dropped passes. Sadly, I don’t know if that sort of attention is paid to dropped passes in the statistics — if so, though, I might have to peek a little closer at Locker to see if maybe Randazzo’s seeing something most others aren’t.
I find it pretty interesting that Rnadazzo was willing to give Locker a pass
on accuracy because of dropped passes, yet nary a word was said about the Mizzou Tigers having well over 50 (I’ve read as high as 65) dropped passes last season.
Maturity is knowing you were an idiot in the past. Wisdom is knowing you will be an idiot in the future and common sense is knowing you should try not to be an idiot now. - J. Jacques
Didn't Mizzou throw the ball an incredibly large amount though
It makes sense that you would have the most dropped passes if you threw the ball more than anybody too.
CAN'T WAIT!
Good point
I read on a post on the CSR tht the Tigers had 65 drops last season. Gabbert had 475 attempts last season…so that’s ~%13.7 of his attempts were dropped by his receivers. That’s a huge percentage.
Maturity is knowing you were an idiot in the past. Wisdom is knowing you will be an idiot in the future and common sense is knowing you should try not to be an idiot now. - J. Jacques
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