Cam Newton and the NFL Draft
by Dan Kadar on Nov 15, 2010 3:16 PM EST
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As an NFL Draft prospect, Cam Newton is a man without compare.
He's not a bigger Randall Cunningham or a more athletic Ben Roethlisberger. Both were worlds ahead of Newton as a passer early in their careers.
Simply being a better version of former Jaguars wide receiver Matt Jones is still bad news. Being a bigger version of Michael Vick is slightly better news. But is Newton really that? Probably not. He's fast, but he's not a freak athlete like Vick. Vick may have even been more developed as a quarterback coming out of Virginia Tech.
Still, Newton's mechanics need work. When he drops back to pass, he'll often have his feet square to the line of scrimmage like a running back. That might be because Newton comes from a system at Auburn where he has to only make a read or two before pulling the ball down and running. Having his feet square forces Newton to have to adjust into the more traditional throwing position. Because of that, his passes can be late developing. Newton also has a slight windup delivery that needs to be tightened.
Also, for as good of an athlete as Newton is, he struggles at times throwing on the move. When he's rolling out, he'll often throw off his back foot causing the ball to float some.
Tim Tebow had similar mechanical issues as Newton but still became a first-round pick. Newton could be too, but he'll have to prove it.
Newton's professional standing can be more properly judged following the Iron Bowl against Alabama on Nov. 26. Nick Saban's defense will be the best Newton has faced all year and has many pro-style traits. Alabama's linebackers are big and fast enough to play the edge against Newton and the Tide defensive line should be able to collapse the pocket.
That may force Newton to stand tall in the pocket and deliver passes like a traditional quarterback. That may also indicate whether or not Newton has the potential to be an NFL quarterback.
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All very true
I think the bad habits he may have are developed from the Auburn offensive system.
And your very right about the, Bama will give him his best test.
If he wins this, the national championship and the heisman. I think it’s hard for a team not to consider him.
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I dont agree that he's not a freak athlete
he may not have the straight line speed of Vick, but how many QB’s can make TD catches like he did on that fade?!?!? He is a freak just not the way Vick is.
And yes, the mechanics are not there, but I don’t see how he could never improve them. I think he’ll be fine if he goes to a team with a good QB coach, who will help him.
I’m putting my money in this kids corner. He’s Tebow but faster, truly a force to be reckoned with. Hopefully he can go to the National Championship and put his talents on display for the whole country
I agree. 6’6 250 with a 4.5 seems pretty freaky to me.
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by TheRealSlimShady on Nov 15, 2010 5:52 PM EST up reply actions
There is a huge difference between athleticism and 40 times.
Mocking the Draft: Talking NFL Draft all year.
Yes, but I guess we disagree
I see a total freak in Newton, none more then on that TD catch I mentioned vs. Arkansas (?)
He’s got a big arm too, and has been fairly accurate. Yes, he needs to change his motions, and unless someone falls in love with him (ie: McDaniels and Tebow) he shouldnt be a first, or at least drafted in the first round and expected to start. A year or 2 sitting will surely help him, but I can see him doing well in the pros with good coaching
Vince Young had that funny-looking throwing motion in college
Fixed that in the pros. Similar body type, but Newton is quicker and Young a little stronger of a runner.
What separates Newton from a lot of other athlete QBs is his accuracy. Vick has a strong arm, but no aim. Newton’s motion is not as bad as Young and Tebow, who both threw those flat balls.
He needs to stop running so much to show off his arm. He can’be be running more than passing.
Was just about to point that out
He’s deadly accurate now.
I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.
Newton is obviously more then his 40 time
the dude runs and jukes past SEC defenders like their high schoolers. And the 4.5 40 time may be lowballing him, that dude can motor.
Last night, a comedian died in New York. Somebody knows why. Somebody knows
Being an
Auburn fan, its easy to call me a homer on this one. But I disagree with you when you say he isn’t a freak athlete. Please watch this this and especially this and tell me he isn’t a freak athlete. Given his size, I’d almost say he is a better athlete than Vick.
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Your not alone
I too agree he is a freak. It seems like Mocking Dan is the only one who disagrees lol
I love that 1st video.
“OH AND HE ACCELERATES!!!!!”
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Playing Battlefield-Bad Company 2 95% of the time.
by RjTheMetalhead on Nov 15, 2010 11:49 PM EST up reply actions
Tebow had a better resume and he may still have been a reach in the late 1st
Newton will have win the Heisman and play well in whatever bowl game they play in to get out of the 2nd round. But I wouldn’t be surprised to see him taken late 1st, but earlier then that would be shocking to me.
I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.
One difference Maxwell
Is that Tebow was in a much deeper class, one of the best in league history. This is as opposed to this year, where the class is not as deep due to a lot of underclassmen leaving last year. Its still premature. But with a Heisman and further film of his arm on display, he could make a push for the first round
Could be, and I feel this is much more of a defensive draft
So super-athletic offensive players like Newton could be taken earlier then expected. If I was a GM, I’d be pretty desperate to pick him in the 1st, but this off-season is looking pretty hot for some coaches, so like I said, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him taken late 1st, but there seems to be too many instant impact players, both offensively (A.J. Green, Anthony Costanzo) and defensively (Patrick Peterson, Marcel Dareus) to pick up a guy like Newton earlier then 25. But then again, stranger things have happened.
I am a bear of very little brains and big words bother me.
Put simply,
He is Godzilla.
On XBL-RjTheMetalhead
Playing Battlefield-Bad Company 2 95% of the time.
by RjTheMetalhead on Nov 15, 2010 11:47 PM EST reply actions
I think the more I look at him.
He is definitely a High risk High Reward draft pick in the first.
But that doesn’t make me think he will be dropping out of the first anymore.
Too much talent and potential, and with so many teams needing QB’s in a row at the top half the draft: Bills,Bengals 49ers, Seahawks, Vikings, Cardinals, Jaguars (talk of Garrard’s times up) I think there’s a strong chance he’ll be gone in the first. I just think there’s too many chances for him to go and pass on that potential franchise player.
Sports = Money.
LSU is the best defense he's faced all year...
and he tore us up. He’s a monster, and it hurts me to say it. Although Alabama will almost certainly tackle better than we did in that sloppy, sloppy game.
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