Tony Gonzalez: Cam Newton makes himself a target.

[Manos]

3 hours ago, LinvilleGorge said:

None of this poo matters. The fact of the matter is that Cam wouldn't be repeatedly targeted if flags were thrown when appropriate. If the refs were doing their jobs the problem would take care of itself.

At this point throwing appropriate flags won't be enough to stop the huge 50/50 hits that other qbs don't take but aren't technically against the rules(the Rodgers scramble where the defender pulls up is an example of this, hitting him would have been legal but defenders know refs overprotect Rodgers so no hit). If they want to protect Cam they have to go way overboard and basically start flagging defenders for looking at him wrong game after game after game until defenders learn he is unhittable. 

[Castavar]

Oh, but I guess raping women, beating your child, hitting people with your vehicle, fighting dogs, etc. doesn't put a target on you, but oh don't you dare have fun playing a damn game for God's sake because, you know, that's devil's work.

WTF is wrong with the world today? Everything seems backwards.

[Khyber53]

When Cam declared himself an Icon and Entertainer right out of the gate, it put a target on him. When he started winning games by his arm and his feet, it put a slightly bigger target on him. When he became a play-off caliber QB, he got a bigger target, when he became a public superstar and a beloved of kids around the country, he got an even bigger target. And when he took his team to the Super Bowl and became league MVP he got the biggest target they could find.

And when he lost the Super Bowl after getting knocked around and was visibly upset and crestfallen after the game (for whatever reasons), defenders around the league figured that they now had more than a target, they had found his Kryptonite. Rock him, slam him, hit him hard again and again, make him scream that it's unfair.

That's the pattern they are setting up on him right now, right or wrong. There are players that will risk the 15 yard penalty or ejection to be the one who knocks him out of a game, or two, or three. There are DCs that not only welcome it but encourage it. And taking out the opposing QB is still the best defensive gambit in the game books. 

A reg's protection is after the fact. They won't throw themselves in front of Cam's body to take a bullet for him. Goodell might hand down some fines (huge by your standard and mine, but minor to a starting defender's salary). These are all after the fact.

If Cam wants this stuff to stop, it comes down to this. You take the hits, you play your game your way, and when they slam you, you get up, smile and gut it out. Then you make them pay, again and again and again. The headhunters will keep coming for as long as this rattles him. They want his composure to break. They want him on the sidelines cussing the refs under his breath with a towel over his head.

You want Cam to win and be the superstar performer? Then Cam is going to have to be Cam even when life sucks. He's going to have to really be Superman, not just pretend after a touchdown.

And he can do it. He really can.

[Zaximus]

I love all these players that are employees of broadcasting stations coming out against Cam.  It's like, of course you're not going to tick off your employer and the NFL.    They are all basically yes men and just falling in line.  Just like the NFL has been trying to force Cam to by not calling these calls.  

[truthjuice]

50 minutes ago, Khyber53 said:

When Cam declared himself an Icon and Entertainer right out of the gate, it put a target on him. When he started winning games by his arm and his feet, it put a slightly bigger target on him. When he became a play-off caliber QB, he got a bigger target, when he became a public superstar and a beloved of kids around the country, he got an even bigger target. And when he took his team to the Super Bowl and became league MVP he got the biggest target they could find.

And when he lost the Super Bowl after getting knocked around and was visibly upset and crestfallen after the game (for whatever reasons), defenders around the league figured that they now had more than a target, they had found his Kryptonite. Rock him, slam him, hit him hard again and again, make him scream that it's unfair.

That's the pattern they are setting up on him right now, right or wrong. There are players that will risk the 15 yard penalty or ejection to be the one who knocks him out of a game, or two, or three. There are DCs that not only welcome it but encourage it. And taking out the opposing QB is still the best defensive gambit in the game books. 

A reg's protection is after the fact. They won't throw themselves in front of Cam's body to take a bullet for him. Goodell might hand down some fines (huge by your standard and mine, but minor to a starting defender's salary). These are all after the fact.

If Cam wants this stuff to stop, it comes down to this. You take the hits, you play your game your way, and when they slam you, you get up, smile and gut it out. Then you make them pay, again and again and again. The headhunters will keep coming for as long as this rattles him. They want his composure to break. They want him on the sidelines cussing the refs under his breath with a towel over his head.

You want Cam to win and be the superstar performer? Then Cam is going to have to be Cam even when life sucks. He's going to have to really be Superman, not just pretend after a touchdown.

And he can do it. He really can.

I agree with this. He is much like Odell, once you're in his head you're in. The first few, he may take and keep moving but after a while he's out of his game. I don't know if that comes with natural maturity or in him just understanding they don't like you--the players, the refs. You may be fun for them to watch when you're not playing them but they don't like you. You're talented, you're fun and carefree.

But in all of it, I hope he doesn't change his game. He plays physical and will say as much. I want him to keep having fun but I know it's frustrating to take head shot after headshot and low hits and nothing is done. Meanwhile, he points or does his first down thing at a player and he's taunting. 

i agree with you, he can make them pay but he has to change his mental approach I suppose. 

[nctarheel0619]

12 hours ago, 15 said:

check who the OP is...

Glad this worked out for you, thread is still going you complete ignoramus.  

[PantherWake]

The same people who cry about Cam not having good sportsmanship are same people who would love to see him tear his ACL LMAO how hypocritical can you be?

[Jangler]

1 hour ago, Khyber53 said:

When Cam declared himself an Icon and Entertainer right out of the gate, it put a target on him. When he started winning games by his arm and his feet, it put a slightly bigger target on him. When he became a play-off caliber QB, he got a bigger target, when he became a public superstar and a beloved of kids around the country, he got an even bigger target. And when he took his team to the Super Bowl and became league MVP he got the biggest target they could find.

And when he lost the Super Bowl after getting knocked around and was visibly upset and crestfallen after the game (for whatever reasons), defenders around the league figured that they now had more than a target, they had found his Kryptonite. Rock him, slam him, hit him hard again and again, make him scream that it's unfair.

That's the pattern they are setting up on him right now, right or wrong. There are players that will risk the 15 yard penalty or ejection to be the one who knocks him out of a game, or two, or three. There are DCs that not only welcome it but encourage it. And taking out the opposing QB is still the best defensive gambit in the game books. 

A reg's protection is after the fact. They won't throw themselves in front of Cam's body to take a bullet for him. Goodell might hand down some fines (huge by your standard and mine, but minor to a starting defender's salary). These are all after the fact.

If Cam wants this stuff to stop, it comes down to this. You take the hits, you play your game your way, and when they slam you, you get up, smile and gut it out. Then you make them pay, again and again and again. The headhunters will keep coming for as long as this rattles him. They want his composure to break. They want him on the sidelines cussing the refs under his breath with a towel over his head.

You want Cam to win and be the superstar performer? Then Cam is going to have to be Cam even when life sucks. He's going to have to really be Superman, not just pretend after a touchdown.

And he can do it. He really can.

While I do agree to a point.  You can't be the look at me icon when you are winning then pout when you are losing. The officials should still be doing their jobs. Impartial observers and all. 

[Khyber53]

17 minutes ago, truthjuice said:

I agree with this. He is much like Odell, once you're in his head you're in. The first few, he may take and keep moving but after a while he's out of his game. I don't know if that comes with natural maturity or in him just understanding they don't like you--the players, the refs. You may be fun for them to watch when you're not playing them but they don't like you. You're talented, you're fun and carefree.

But in all of it, I hope he doesn't change his game. He plays physical and will say as much. I want him to keep having fun but I know it's frustrating to take head shot after headshot and low hits and nothing is done. Meanwhile, he points or does his first down thing at a player and he's taunting. 

i agree with you, he can make them pay but he has to change his mental approach I suppose. 

Don't get me wrong, Cam helped them stitch each one of those targets onto his jersey. Once you've become an icon and a target, though, it is wrong to start saying "This isn't fun anymore." This is the professional league, and the most popular sport in America, and he is one of the best paid athletes and spokespeople in the game. This isn't musical theater down at the rec center. It's a game where we've seen Smitty get hit so hard that it broke both bones in his arm, and he still held onto the touchdown pass and vowed to come back and play again. It's a game where we saw Brad Hoover come out of a game with a disjointed finger bent off to the side at 90 degrees, get it reset and head back in for the next play. Heck, even Jimmy Claussen took a number of hard shots during his days and still went back in.

It's the toughest game in town and longevity requires superhuman toughness. Ask Thomas Davis. If you want to win the games and wear the Hall of Fame jacket at the end of your career, you've got to be one of those guys who gets back up and fights, or they will keep slamming you to the ground until they finally bury you.

[Khyber53]

9 minutes ago, Jangler said:

While I do agree to a point.  You can't be the look at me icon when you are winning then pout when you are losing. The officials should still be doing their jobs. Impartial observers and all. 

I agree, but like I said, they aren't going to stop him from getting hit. They can just give yardage on penalties after the fact. Playing scared and hiding behind the shaky protection of a referee is a short script to a short career.

[Darvinsun]

44 minutes ago, truthjuice said:

Agree

 

[truthjuice]

21 minutes ago, Khyber53 said:

Don't get me wrong, Cam helped them stitch each one of those targets onto his jersey. Once you've become an icon and a target, though, it is wrong to start saying "This isn't fun anymore." This is the professional league, and the most popular sport in America, and he is one of the best paid athletes and spokespeople in the game. This isn't musical theater down at the rec center. It's a game where we've seen Smitty get hit so hard that it broke both bones in his arm, and he still held onto the touchdown pass and vowed to come back and play again. It's a game where we saw Brad Hoover come out of a game with a disjointed finger bent off to the side at 90 degrees, get it reset and head back in for the next play. Heck, even Jimmy Claussen took a number of hard shots during his days and still went back in.

It's the toughest game in town and longevity requires superhuman toughness. Ask Thomas Davis. If you want to win the games and wear the Hall of Fame jacket at the end of your career, you've got to be one of those guys who gets back up and fights, or they will keep slamming you to the ground until they finally bury you.

He's a target I agree. I think the fun part is him doing what he loves to do. Cam is not afraid of a hit. But when hits become intentional and he starts feelings like somebody is trying take you out, it's not fun to do what you love to do. I see both sides. 

[Darvinsun]

36 minutes ago, Jangler said:

While I do agree to a point.  You can't be the look at me icon when you are winning then pout when you are losing. The officials should still be doing their jobs. Impartial observers and all. 

I don't  getb the smile while your winning and pout while your loosing mantra. I think the expressions go hand in hand..Who is happy when they first realize they have lost..no one umless the game of  what you were trying to win doesn't mean much to you...They give no time after a loss to put things into perspective its usually right after you put your clothes on that these interviews show up...During  the game I haven't  seen him pout as much..no he is not smiling but when he used to smile  after a score and we would be down 21 points people ragged and now that he pouts while losing you rag him.Cam is just not liked period by some and nothing will change it...People say he is complaining about the hits...no he is not..he is complaining about the calls that other QBs get while in the pocket that he does not get...He gets that he is a target he loves the competition. He just wants what his style of play to be an advantage instead of a liability . ..just because i can afford a big mack and you only can afford a  cheeseburger doesn't  mean you get to f-up half of my sandwich because I have 2 patties while the cheeseburger is off the chain good.

[Jangler]

28 minutes ago, Darvinsun said:

I don't  getb the smile while your winning and pout while your loosing mantra. I think the expressions go hand in hand..Who is happy when they first realize they have lost..no one umless the game of  what you were trying to win doesn't mean much to you...They give no time after a loss to put things into perspective its usually right after you put your clothes on that these interviews show up...During  the game I haven't  seen him pout as much..no he is not smiling but when he used to smile  after a score and we would be down 21 points people ragged and now that he pouts while losing you rag him.Cam is just not liked period by some and nothing will change it...People say he is complaining about the hits...no he is not..he is complaining about the calls that other QBs get while in the pocket that he does not get...He gets that he is a target he loves the competition. He just wants what his style of play to be an advantage instead of a liability . ..just because i can afford a big mack and you only can afford a  cheeseburger doesn't  mean you get to f-up half of my sandwich because I have 2 patties while the cheeseburger is off the chain good.

Yeah, I've said a couple of times, Cam is not complaining about the legal out of the pocket hits, when he's running. But.....QBs lose, all players lose. I've been watching football and sports in general a long time, never seen a player pucker his bottom lip and walk out.  This is why he has become a target, not the showboating.