Justify why Cam Newton isn't worth #1 overall?

[MWCarolina]

the character issues should be a huge red flag to anyone that could potentially draft him. case in point, Mike Vick, Mike Williams, Jimmy Clausen etc. that's not a soft reason at all. whoever you draft, you better make sure his ass won't set your franchise back for drafting him because of his character flaws. also starting a season in a D2 school and winning it all is impressive (kind of) but isn't very #1 overall pick worthy. Armanti did the same poo. I mean i'm not throwing the idea of drafting him out, i just provided you with reasons why not to take him #1 overall like you asked. pending he declares and he rapes the combines and poo, I'm all for it if he can help us win.

yep, that's all you did, i honesty do NOT want Newton, but i see us getting either him, Fairley or Bowers or Green, BUT i rather gamble on Locker or mallett.

[Ruff]

Breaking an NCAA rule has nothing to do with breaking the law. The NCAA cleared him anyway.

So yes he's clean. I consider someone dirty when they break an actual law, if they're charged with a felony or misdemeanor. Not if they might have known about a rule being broken regarding some non-governmental body.

Breaking any amount of rules is enough to show you have serious character flaws.

What about the guys like Brian Cushing who do steroids? Do they not have character issues?

C'mon man. You're either willfully ignorant, or blind to the situation at hand.

[Sam Mills Fan]

What difference does it make if you have "character flaws" if they're not criminal and have no impact on the football field? Don't we ALL have character flaws by that definition? No one except someone like John Kasay should ever go #1 overall I guess.

[pantherj]

Cam Newton, the Heisman trophy winner, has led Auburn to the SEC Championship Title, the BCS Championship game and Auburn to the #1 BCS ranking.

They have played some of the toughest teams in Division 1 NCAA Football, and at times were dominant. Much of this was Cam. Here's the stats.

Passing:

Completions - 165, Attempts - 246, Percent - 67.1, Yards 2589, TDs - 28, Int - 6.

But it doesn't stop there.

Rushing:

Attempts - 242, Yards - 1409, Yds per Attempt - 5.8, TD - 20

Yes, there were some NCAA eligibility issues. But it's been investigated, and anything that was pinned on him was dismissed. Besides, who cares?!? College sports has it's own set of priorities.

What possible reason do any of you have for not wanting him to play for us?

After expert evaluation, if it appears that Newton would be an improvement over Clausen and Moore at the pro level, then every consideration should be given to taking Newton at some point in the draft. Taking him #1 overall would require him to be evaluated as the best QB in the draft, with the best pro potential. I think the QB postion must be addressed with the first overall pick, even if it means reaching. JR has sold us out, and he's not going to pay for a big name FA QB. We can't rely on Pickels, and Moore is below average when the game actually matters. Not picking a QB first, and assuming we don't trade, would mean our next pick would be first in the 3rd round. I think it's safe to assume that best QBs will be off the board by then.

#1 - QB (even a reach)

#3 - OT (great pass blocker)

#4 - OG (good pass blocker)

Upgrade the DT position with whatever JR is willing to spend in FA. If he goes cheap, f@ck it, go with what you have out of the draft and hope for the best.

[Millions]

Give me Freeman V2 with Vick's explosiveness.

I understand he's hard to evaluate because of his college system but he's a winner, brings something we've never had at QB (able to put fear in opposing D's with plays with his legs and arm) along with some star power and not to even mention some excitement/attention. Cam has a high ceiling he's worth the risk if he reaches it IMO.

After next weeks Bowl game and the combine I'm willing to bet some will warm to the idea of taking a dynamic player like Cam.

[PantherFan52]

College stats are overrated when evaluating pro prospects. Don't get me wrong, they are important, but numbers aren't everything. I've said it once, and i'll say it again he will not be able to read pro defenses. He is so good in college because he can either run around, or run straight through people. Because of his running abilities, he always gets single coverage which opens the passing game. He will be a bust.

Great College player doesn't equal great NFL player.

[Ricky Spanish]

Cracka McNasty, I want to take you seriously, but every time I see you criticize Newton when simultaneously having a picture of BLAINE GABBERT in your sig, I find it impossible to do so.

i'm half joking. that's why it also says consolation prize.

gabbert is also in a spread offense but his intangibles/character and leadership skills are suppose to be off the charts. I want to see who has the better combine slash interviews before i choose between him and newton.

[Ruff]

What difference does it make if you have "character flaws" if they're not criminal and have no impact on the football field? Don't we ALL have character flaws by that definition? No one except someone like John Kasay should ever go #1 overall I guess.

I don't really understand this logic.

So, everyone but John Kasay has committed NCAA rules violations? I'm not sure I follow.

What I'm saying is this. In college football, you're given a few rules to abide by, because your ass is getting a free education out of it. They tell you not to do basic stuff. Don't cheat, don't steal, don't take money, don't drink underage, don't do drugs. Basic stuff that anyone with a shred of moral fabric would follow.

Well, so far Cam Newton has been caught cheating at Florida, stealing laptops, and been caught up in a pay-to-play scandal. Now, while none of those things are criminal (well, technically that's not true. Stealing is a crime, but before the trial he took a "pre-trial class" to clear his name, so the trial was thrown out), they are seriously frowned upon, by not just the fans, but the alumni who are paying the way through the college.

Cam Newton has already shown that he doesn't want to follow a few simple rules. They're not even hard rules to follow, and yet, he still couldn't follow them. God knows what it's going to be like when he gets into the real world, and is presented with the kind of money a Top 5 Draft pick brings in. He's already shown he doesn't know how to act without money, imagine how he's going to act when he's a multi-millionaire.

On a side note: In Michael Vick's interview with Jim Mora this season on NFL Network, Mike Vick said that he felt invincible. That they money and the fame had rushed to his head, and he wished he knew then what he knows now. I think that's the path that Cam Newton is heading towards.

No, it has nothing to do with the fact that he's black (I've been an advocate of Patrick Peterson's for two years), it has everything with to do with the fact that the guy can't follow basic instruction now.

[mav1234]

I thought Cam Newton bought a stolen laptop? Didn't know he stole it himself.

Honestly, I don't think the Panthers touch him because of character issues... but I could be wrong...

[pantherj]

Give me Freeman V2 with Vick's explosiveness.

I understand he's hard to evaluate because of his college system but he's a winner, brings something we've never had at QB (able to put fear in opposing D's with plays with his legs and arm) along with some star power and not to even mention some excitement/attention. Cam has a high ceiling he's worth the risk if he reaches it IMO.

After next weeks Bowl game and the combine I'm willing to bet some will warm to the idea of taking a dynamic player like Cam.

I tend to agree. Something has to happen on offense to breath life into this team. If it's Cam scrambling ala Vick and throwing some bombs, so be it. We've painted ourselves into a corner, and we're a postition now where we have to take chances on QBs. Not saying grab anyone, but the pressure is on to save this team.

[psyburn21]

I doubt Cam Newton's coming to Carolina as well. Character issues are something that Jerry Richardson will not take a chance on. Spread offense QBs generally don't transition well to the NFL is another mark against him.

Now for those that say that he sucks in college are just being really stupid. He is THE reason for Auburn being in the National Championship game. He does have excellent mechanics as a QB, much better then Vince Young had coming out. He got better passing the ball during the season as well, which was very apparent when they played Alabama and the SEC championship game vs South Carolina.

I'm waiting to see what he does in the BCS championship game and what type of coaching staff is assembled here before calling for him or anyone else to be drafted here.

[Ruff]

I thought Cam Newton bought a stolen laptop? Didn't know he stole it himself.

Honestly, I don't think the Panthers touch him because of character issues... but I could be wrong...

That was the story. But once he was confronted about it, he tried to hide any evidence.

Who seems guilty in this situation?

Person A: "Oh, officer, I seriously didn't know it was stolen. Here is the laptop, and everything with it."

Person B: "No, officer, I have no idea what you're talking about. I never bought a laptop. What? That one I just threw out the window? Yeah, that one might've been stolen. But I've never bought a stolen one, so it's definitely not stolen."

[pantherj]

I thought Cam Newton bought a stolen laptop? Didn't know he stole it himself.

Honestly, I don't think the Panthers touch him because of character issues... but I could be wrong...

Maybe he'll steal JR's laptop, so he can stop reading all the hate email from fans and start running this team like he cares about winning.

[DaCityKats]

he bought a stolen laptop.got caught cheating on a test. and dad asked for money from a school. im glad to see you have done nothing in life.