Cam Newton report

In all seriousness, do you know of anyone better at projecting QB success than me? I'm not saying that Newton can't become the QB we want here, just that it's enough of a risk that I really don't feel comfortable about taking that chance. And just fuck no on steroids to Gabbert, in case anyone is thinking that.


Edit:

I think I like Rogers, Williams WR, and Gallery of that group. Several of them I called out as busts before the draft, though.

 

No, he's correct. First, committing to a high 1st round QB means that you're putting all your eggs in that basket, so you're fucked if he doesn't pan out. Plus, in the past those picks have cost the most against the salary cap, although who knows if that will change by the time this labor mess is sorted out. Look, I'm the guy who says that solid QBs are a dime a dozen, but a shitty QB does more to hurt your team than anything else.

 

we disagree on the coaching and now's not the time to go after that IMO, but with that said we agree completely on these points. Newton has to go learn plenty of things that most already know. That curve is a huge one. In an O that doesn't value his athleticism that greatly, it's not that he can improv until he gets it.

The Parcells rules don't take into account what situation the player gets into, but there's a sound reason to suggest those ideals are useful. I don't know of the last one year wonder to become hyped and then have huge success as an NFL player, and offhand the best case scenario seems to have been Kerry Collins (yikes). I can think of plenty of smaller school guys who have.


The only real concern with this situation is that Newton is the best of what's there, by most ratings, and while it's silly to have him top 5, there's no way you take the third best QB #1 overall. If non-Luck QBs are generally considered lesser, I don't know that there are many other options, heightening the desperation factor.

 

Best case scenario Cam is Ben Roethlesburger. I could live with that. Put a defense and a running game, and that type of player can have success early.

Worst case he's Jamarcus Russell / Vince Young. Yecch.

With Dareus, he's got a higher floor than Newton or Fairley, he might have the highest floor of anyone in the draft, even if his ceiling isn't quite as high. With the #1, floor can be just as important as ceiling.

Another plus for Dareus (and as an Auburn alum, it pains me to say this) is that he comes out of the Alabama program. 'Bama may cheat like hell, but Saban runs an NFL like program and knows how to prepare guys for the next level.

 

oh, definitely. With Dareus you get an impact player at a hard to get, need position but without the huge bust factor. We even play a defense that would allow him to move around, which you don't see a lot with DTs.

Only other low floor guy is Bowers, who seems more ready than most DE, but he's just not that explosive an athlete.

 

agree . .. I'd be much more comfortable with Dareus or Bowers (to lesser degree) than either of the Auburn overhypes

 

It ain`t about being comfortable,

it`s about running the numbers up on the s/board, & Newton is that & more.

Sign his azz.....so all the banker boys in Charlotte can Re-Fi their PSL`s...

 

no worries, i get stupider every day

 

Don't love Gabbert either. 30-ish% completion deep isn't a good stat.

I'm aware of the risks of the bust potential for Newton, I'm just more willing to take the risk if the staff believes he has the motivation to work and we have the patience. As it appears that the rookie wage scale may actually happen, that should help us take an uber talented project.

 

My opinion on what the team should do changes almost hourly, re: QB and draft. Some of you might have all the answers, and know what is best, but not me.

Today, here's what I would do:

• QB: McNabb. Why? Because he's been to the playoffs 72 times, he has a strong arm, has a history with both Rivera and McDermott and would fit into the "Need an Coryell-O QB" deal. I watched a good bit of DM in Philly, and read a ton of expert analysis on his portfolio. In short: he's not very precise for WCO routes. He is, however, about as precise as any QB on the verticals. He's old, but ok, we don't need 4 more years to figure out the next step. Think of it as Rodney Peete in 2002: just more expensive, and a better player.
• DT: Draft one. Bowers appears to be broken, and the kid from UNC sounds like a prodigy, but I question his lack of playing time. Dareus looks to be the one, so just go in that direction.
• DE: Retain Johnson, and allow Hardy and Brown to fight it out in camp.
• LB: Not doing to poorly in that area, if Davis comes back, and comes back 100%.
• CB: Needs to be addressed, unless Rivera and McDermott suddenly change their ways and never blitz. Gamble, I know, can play good in man. Very good. Marshall is pretty good in man, and he knows how to be physical. Not ready to quit on him yet, as I think we have better teachers on the staff now (Meeks devoting 24/7 to DB technique is a steal, in my opinion)
• OL: Find depth on the interior, and much like Rivera wants a "franchise QB", let's stop playing musical chairs at RG and find a long-range fit there.

I mean, that's only part of it, but it's how my dumbass views it today.