Cam Newton looking better and better!

[Snake]

At this point I see not reason we should not draft him. We passed on McNair years ago and it turned out to be a big fail so lets not do it twice....

[bbell21]

Panthers Guy you and Rayzor have got me on board. I'm starting to think after Monday Night, After he declares, and after the Combine he may jump to the top 5 on most draft boards! And since we have the pick of anyone we want he has to atleast be discussed by our F/O right?

[PanthersGuy28]

I'd hope, JR has said he is upset with the QB play. Knowing him he'll be stupid and take Gabbert or Mallett instead due to "charcter issues" just pray we take him.

[bbell21]

Cam could be to us what Vick was to the Falcons minus the laziness and mis behavior! Don't forget how Michael Vick put that team into the national spot light and got them to with in one game of the superbowl and slaughtered our beloved panthers year after year on pure talent alone! Does anyone remember if coming out of VT if Vick after leading the hokies to the bcs title game was considered the consensus #1 overall pick? Which is were he was drafted or did he sky rocket up draft boards after getting VT to the sugar bowl and the combine I would really appreciate it if you guys can recall that and let me know Thanks!

[Tarheels23]

Cam could be to us what Vick was to the Falcons minus the laziness and mis behavior! Don't forget how Michael Vick put that team into the national spot light and got them to with in one game of the superbowl and slaughtered our beloved panthers year after year on pure talent alone! Does anyone remember if coming out of VT if Vick after leading the hokies to the bcs title game was considered the consensus #1 overall pick? Which is were he was drafted or did he sky rocket up draft boards after getting VT to the sugar bowl and the combine I would really appreciate it if you guys can recall that and let me know Thanks!

I'm sure Vick was consensus number 1! Nice points!

[Snake]

Cam could be to us what Vick was to the Falcons minus the laziness and mis behavior! Don't forget how Michael Vick put that team into the national spot light and got them to with in one game of the superbowl and slaughtered our beloved panthers year after year on pure talent alone! Does anyone remember if coming out of VT if Vick after leading the hokies to the bcs title game was considered the consensus #1 overall pick? Which is were he was drafted or did he sky rocket up draft boards after getting VT to the sugar bowl and the combine I would really appreciate it if you guys can recall that and let me know Thanks!

All I know is you sure as hell could not spy cam and double Smith. With Newtons footwork and his ability to buy time he could lock onto Smith and still make the big play.

All Smith needs is a avg QB to be great. I think Newton would be a Good QB to start with.

[koolkatluke]

I'm sure Vick was consensus number 1! Nice points!

Not really The Chargers had the 1st pick and instead of picking Vick. They traded down and got LT and Brees.

[Snake]

Not really The Chargers had the 1st pick and instead of picking Vick. They traded down and got LT and Brees.

Funny part of all that is Vick developed before Brees but Brees had the most success, with another team that is.

[rayzor]

collection of highlights from all newton's 2010 games (found this at cat scratch reader). it might take a little while for the vids to load, but well worth it.

http://whosright.com/poll/cameron-cam-newton-heisman-highlights

[Catalyst]

My issue with Newton isn't his physical ability - that can't be questioned. He's an athletic freak of nature and would instantly be one of - if not THE best pure athlete in the NFL upon being drafted.

My questions are:

1) Can he adapt to an NFL offense after playing in a spread offense in college?

2) Can he read NFL defenses?

3) Can he transition into being more of a passer than a runner?

4) Does he have that "it" factor? Can he be our "leader" on offense?

I watch his highlights and see a LOT of designed runs. That won't happen in the NFL - no team is going to put their QB in that kind of danger that often. He's going to have to learn to be more of a pocket passer and while I do think he can make all the throws I'm still not sold on his ability to read NFL defenses and to learn and adapt his playing style to a pro-style offense.

I wouldn't be upset with him as the pick, but it's a VERY risky pick and has the potential to blow up in our face and that's pretty scary. I do believe he's going to torch the Oregon defense and have a huge game, but will that be enough to launch him into the top pick? Ideally another team would fall in love with the guy and trade for it with us, but that's unlikely until the new wage scale is done.

One thing that makes me think we may have real interest is the fact that we were interested in The Golden Calf of Bristol last year and he's a very similar type of player, though Newton hasn't shown NEAR the leadership skills The Golden Calf of Bristol did. Also, Jerry's new interest in offensive 'excitement' makes me think he'd be considered as there's no doubt he's the most exciting player in the draft.

[MHS831]

My issue with Newton isn't his physical ability - that can't be questioned. He's an athletic freak of nature and would instantly be one of - if not THE best pure athlete in the NFL upon being drafted.

My questions are:

1) Can he adapt to an NFL offense after playing in a spread offense in college?

2) Can he read NFL defenses?

3) Can he transition into being more of a passer than a runner?

4) Does he have that "it" factor? Can he be our "leader" on offense?

I watch his highlights and see a LOT of designed runs. That won't happen in the NFL - no team is going to put their QB in that kind of danger that often. He's going to have to learn to be more of a pocket passer and while I do think he can make all the throws I'm still not sold on his ability to read NFL defenses and to learn and adapt his playing style to a pro-style offense.

I wouldn't be upset with him as the pick, but it's a VERY risky pick and has the potential to blow up in our face and that's pretty scary. I do believe he's going to torch the Oregon defense and have a huge game, but will that be enough to launch him into the top pick? Ideally another team would fall in love with the guy and trade for it with us, but that's unlikely until the new wage scale is done.

One thing that makes me think we may have real interest is the fact that we were interested in The Golden Calf of Bristol last year and he's a very similar type of player, though Newton hasn't shown NEAR the leadership skills The Golden Calf of Bristol did. Also, Jerry's new interest in offensive 'excitement' makes me think he'd be considered as there's no doubt he's the most exciting player in the draft.

Cam may be great, but the only way I touch him is if we trade down. To me, he might be the only remaining QB worthy of top 20 consideration, but taking him #1? No way. The reason Marty has been successful in the first round is he drafts safe, "can't miss" picks for the most part. Cam has too many risks. The panthers are not in position to play riverboat gambler.

If we trade down to pick 12, for instance, maybe someone has fallen in love with Peterson or Bowers and would give us a second and a third and a first next year. That would be smart because you could possibly take Cam and have 2 more players to fill need positions.

[stan786]

Cam may be great, but the only way I touch him is if we trade down. To me, he might be the only remaining QB worthy of top 20 consideration, but taking him #1? No way. The reason Marty has been successful in the first round is he drafts safe, "can't miss" picks for the most part. Cam has too many risks. The panthers are not in position to play riverboat gambler.

If we trade down to pick 12, for instance, maybe someone has fallen in love with Peterson or Bowers and would give us a second and a third and a first next year. That would be smart because you could possibly take Cam and have 2 more players to fill need positions.

The only problem with trading down out of the top 10 is there would be the Bills, Cardinals, Bengals, 49ers, Titans, Redskins, and even the Dolphins and Vikings that are in need of a qb that would potentially be picking in front of us. I could see Mallet, Gabbert, and Newton going in the top 15. Maybe even Locker depending on workouts. I think if after all the combines and pro days we fall in love with a qb we should take him number one. If not take Green or Fairley and get a qb in free agency because there could be a lot of reaching for quarterbacks early in round one.

[Soul Rebel]

I think if Cam has a Vince Young type of National Championship game AND shows improvement on the questionable areas that equate to being "successful" as an NFL quarterback (pocket presence, making all of the "key" throws, playing at the NFL speed vs. college, etc., then he will merit the #1 pick. We need an injection of something to this team and I think if Newton can build on his foundation of athleticism, frame, cannon arm and reading defenses, Hurney and Co. can help put our franchise back on the map. I'm not concerned with the off-the-field crap, rather I want to make sure Newton can be a leader. Teammates follow guys like Big Ben, Manning, Brady to battle and trust them when the cards are down. We can't afford a Vince Young, Kerry Collins (Panthers' days), type of quarterback. We are in a tough position with that #1 pick and not a clear cut top draftee worthy of the #1 pick. I really think that Monday Night's game has the potential to boost Cam into the top 5 of the draft and the top QB (though for different reasons), and then a combine that focuses on the non-obvious attributes that are in turn the ones that matter most to GM's, coaches and front offices, I think he could be worth the #1 overall. As with any other draft, if there is a player that is worthy of being selected, and he fits what your team needs to be successful, you take him regardless of where you're drafting (within reason). Right now, I can make just as good of a case as to why not to take AJ Green, Nick Fairley, Patrick Patterson, or Blaine Gabbert at #1 as I can Cam Newton. I thin these are the 5 players that are in play for us at #1.

One other aside, and I know other posters have touched on it, but if we do draft Cam, I am all for handcuffing him to McNabb. McNabb has a little bit of good football left in him, and Washington is almost as messy of an organization as Cleveland or Oakland is right now. I would be all for having Newton sit for a year and let McNabb tutor this kid the right way. It would be beneficial for Newton and would also go back to getting fans in the seats too. I like what Donovan did for Vick in Philly and think he can have the same affect on the rook here in Carolina.

[bbell21]

Darin Gantt just answered my tweet saying that Hurney and Morison are going to probably be in Arizona Monday night to watch Cam Newton and Nick Fairly play in the bcs title game! Said they would be stopping their on their way back from their West Coast road trip were they interviewed Manusky and Rivera, it seems that the timing of their trip may have ultimately been so that they could hit up the game on their way back Monday evening!

http://twitter.com/#!/daringantt

This is great news to me because these are the 2 guys I want us to pick and I hope and expect both of them to have great games, and maybe they can blow the doors off of our front office!

I want Cam first and foremost, but if we cant get him I will be really happy with either Fairly or AJ Green.