Panthers 2011 Draft Pick Profile: QB Cam Newton

I’m not sure the whole ‘reading the defenses’ thing is really as big of an issue as some make out to be.

I agree, Jaxon, there is probably about a 75% chance that he starts opening day…maybe more.

Flacco, Ryan, Bradford, etc.

he would have slipped past Buffalo

I still have my questions about him but the fact is that if he is half as good in the NFL as he was in college, he will be something special. I think he will immediately bond with the team because of his infectious smile and seemingly great personality. He definately has the arm to throw it downfield, and the legs to avoid sacks. He easily has more pocket pressence than Pickles(which would be none IMO, just watch last years games.) And I just gotta say from watching his interviews and seeing him interact with other players and people around him that I like the dude, he seems cool. I just look forward to seeing him tear up the turf in the black and blue number whatever.

I was not a Cam guy pre-draft but I always knew that if he was the pick, I would be behind him 100% because he’d be in Panther Blue. But as I consider our other options, there was no way we could pass up on this kid and I’m glad we didn’t. He will be a beast in Chud’s offense. I too believe there will be no circling the runway with this guy, he’ll be asked to play this season but I’d be surprised if its by game 1. Clausen will be traded this upcoming season, probably in training camp after another QB from another team goes down and hopefully we’ll keep Pike as a project at 3rd string. We will most certainly bring in a vet to start the season and begin the mentorship and I’m guessing we’ll make the transition to Cam somewhere in the middle of the season.

What I can’t wait to see is how Chud designs his offense around this guy. Run, pass, wildcat, spread, qb sneaks, draws, etc…It may a take a year or two for Cam to settle in but when he does, I think we’ll finally have our franchise QB. Defenses will go crazy if they have worry about his arm and his legs on every play. This also should secure DWill’s return and make us one of the best running teams in the league again. He may not have been my first choice but I can admit when I’m wrong. Great pick and worth the gamble. He will put this team back on the map!

A #1 pick will never be regarded as high value because there is an expectation of greatness that comes with that selection. The other thorn is that he was never regarded as #1 pick worthy pick by virtually all known media evaluators. The fact that the FO saw him as a #1 may make him more valuable in our eyes. We want the best for this team, and at this point, we still trust Hurney. But the only way the Panthers achieve the perception of value with this pick is if Newton plays exceedingly well at some time in a Panthers uniform.

And I think he should play soon. I just hope that if Cam doesn’t perform, the Panthers won’t push this experiment to the extent that Tennessee did with VY and SF with Smith.

Count me among those still skeptical about this pick, despite the rush of good media Cam’s been getting lately (Which make it seem like he has no flaws at all). I’ll become a believer as soon as he plays well on the field.

Newton was a virtual dirigible on that play…. over 6 yards in the air.

I’ve been a Newton backer the whole time – I believe once he learns a pro-style offense, he’s gonna become like Danute Culpepper pre-knee injuries (when he was an MVP candidate in Minnesota). And I’m not an Auburn fan or anything – I just love his physical talent, and he has the personality and desire to learn fast and succeed in the NFL (as opposed to, say, Vince Young).

Now what do y’all think about trading Steve Smith to us for Johnnie Lee Higgins, Nick Miller and a 2013 No.3?

Predraft I was a proponent of PP7 but now the moment Cam’s name was called out, I couldn’t help but be very excited.

If I had my way with Cam in regards to the starting role, here’s what I would do as follows. If we manage to get a solid veteran to come in and start the season, we ride him until the playoffs are all but out of reach. If its the Jimmeh at QB on opening day, I would say start Cam anytime around weeks 8-10 (with Jimmy, the season will probably be over by that point anyways). All the while sprinkling him in a few plays every game. If he were to show considerable promise in his limited plays early in the season, scrap the plan and take the clipboard from him, cause he should be startin’.

to not only give Cam time to ease his way in by week 5 but to also give Jimmy time to hopefully build on last years mistakes and let the Panthers hopefully get more for him when traded.

I would have like to have seen him scramble out of the pocket and make a pass down field more. It seems at least in these highlights that when the pocket was broken that he would just run and not look for that pass down field anymore. (yes I know some of them are designed runs)
That said, I am excited to see what he can do when we get him on the field in his #2 Panthers jersey!

If you asked my 8 months ago what the basic tenets of the Carolina Panthers organization were I could have told you very easily:

“A collection of blue collar, hard working, no nonsense guys playing run first, hit you in the mouth football where character will be valued over ability”

Now, I don’t know if that statement applies- and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. As scary as it can be at times as a fan, it is fun to see an organization reinvent itself and see what this next stage of Carolina Panthers football will be.