Pat Yasinskas on Cam Newton: Go get him.

[MWCarolina]

Newton had the highest qb rating in college football and people question his ability to pass? Any pick you make is a gamble . The kid has a lot of talent so why hate on him?

he did this in a one read spread offense that NEVER will work in the NFL, i dont see all the love for him, it's not like he had a really good NC game vs. Oregon. Cam Newton is NOT ready to start, short and simple, great potential and would sell tickets, BUT would win 4 games at most in my book.

I don't hate the kid. I just see alot of what scouts are saying in his game flim. I really wish his coach would have run some aspects of a pro offence too help Cam for the next level. Usely people want their 1st round pick too help from day one. This really true when your picking in the top 15. I just don't see Cam helping us from day one.

I agree 100% with you and THAT is what i have been saying and i HATE when people say that people like me and you are "hating" on him, we arent "hating" we are criticizing like NFL Scouts do and we dont think the value is worth it, money wise, he's worth it, but on the field and winning, i dont think he's ready to start on day one, like you said.

Clausen is a bust, and we're in a position to reset after one year.

VERY different prospects, one is a 2nd round pick who isnt going to be paid 70million dollars while the other is.

If Newton isn't a bust then the most important piece of our offense is fixed for years to come.

very true, the reward is high, BUT..........

If Newton IS a bust, we ship his ass down the road, and draft Luck next year.

The risk is BAD. you act like it's easy to just throw away 70 million dollars, it's not for a guy like Richardson, remember if you cut him, you HAVE to pay him, ADD to that, If i am Andrew Luck, i have little to no confidence in the Panthers after they just QUIT on not one, but TWO rookie quarterbacks in TWO years in a row!!!! Plus the fanbase will hate the constant starting over with rookie quarterbacks.

Either way, we win.

[blackcatgrowl]

The risk is BAD. you act like it's easy to just throw away 70 million dollars, it's not for a guy like Richardson, remember if you cut him, you HAVE to pay him, ADD to that, If i am Andrew Luck, i have little to no confidence in the Panthers after they just QUIT on not one, but TWO rookie quarterbacks in TWO years in a row!!!! Plus the fanbase will hate the constant starting over with rookie quarterbacks.

First off, there is no way in HELL Jerry Richardson would guarantee a rookie 70 Million dollars. In fact, one of the things he's pushing for as the head of Owner/Labor negotiations is a rookie contract cap, which brings up my next point...

By the time of the Draft, in LATE APRIL, we will either have a new labor agreement, OR we will have a lock out. (The dead-line is in March)

IF we have a lockout, it doesn't matter who we draft, since they won't be playing.

IF we have a new labor agreement, I can almost assure you there will be a rookie salary cap. JR will NOT be out $70 Million, and Cam will be paid the highest level pay a rookie can make (prolly $10 million, with 2 million guaranteed - note, this is a guess based on other leagues).

Please research these things before posting people...

Come April, there will never be a better time to draft a rookie QB to lead this team to success, OR, it won't matter.

[Proudiddy]

I'm kind of excited to see how the draft workouts/combine play out, because I think once those go down, we'll all have a better idea of who we like, and who the team is leaning towards.

The more I watch the playoffs, the more I want to take a QB in the first round. And although Newton didn't look amazing in the Chip, his mechanics are good, and you can't teach his combo of size and speed. I think Gabbert is a bum, but he may surprise everyone the more scouts study his film and see what he can do in workouts. I would love to trade down several spots and pick Newton up though.

At this point, regardless of when the guy develops, it's time this franchise took a QB with it's first rounder... We haven't done it since Collins, it's just time to do it and show the fans we're ready to start anew with a fresh face of the franchise... Whether he sits or not the first year. They'll find a way to work him in - Look at Josh Freeman.

[pantherfan81]

In 2010 The Golden Calf of Bristol was the NFL draft prospect who sparked the biggest disagreements, with some observers saying he was a future franchise quarterback and others saying he couldn’t play quarterback in the NFL at all. This year Cam Newton appears destined to be the subject of the same types of discussions.

Albert Breer of NFL Network has a good report on Newton based on conversations with NFL personnel people who agree that Newton is athletically superior and a more natural passer than The Golden Calf of Bristol, but who say questions remain about what kind of pro quarterback Newton will be.

The biggest question centers on whether Newton’s skills in the spread attack used at Auburn will translate to an NFL offense.

“The structure of that offense made him look more accurate than he is,” one scout told Breer. “It’s all play-action based, throwing to wide open receivers, with bubble screens that pad his numbers. He gets so much respect because of his athletic ability.”

That athletic ability is considerable. Newton finished his one and only season at Auburn with 264 carries for 1,473 yards and 20 touchdowns. For a comparison, in two years at Virginia Tech, Michael Vick totaled 223 carries for 1,216 yards and 17 touchdowns.

But is a quarterback whose running abilities are such an important part of his skill set the kind of quarterback an NFL franchise will want to build around?

“If you need a quarterback, no, he’s not Tom Brady or Peyton Manning,” one executive said. “But in the other genre — the big, running quarterback, and a winner — he’s pretty good. And if you’re Carolina [which has the top overall pick], you’re gonna have to take a look.”

Carolina will surely take a long look over the next three months.

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/01/16/cam-newton-will-be-nfl-drafts-biggest-question-mark/

I agree that I think the FO takes a look. How he does in the combine I think will determine his fate at top 10 to lower round imo.

[jramsey4]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/01/16/cam-newton-will-be-nfl-drafts-biggest-question-mark/

I agree that I think the FO takes a look. How he does in the combine I think will determine his fate at top 10 to lower round imo.

Like I have said multiple times it all boils down to how he does in the interviews. I have little doubt he will wow on the physical side of the combine I want to know what hes like in the most important area, his mind. If he is a guy that will have the work ethic to put in the time it will take for him to become a NFL QB then you take him. If you even have a doubt about him you pass or trade back (if possible).

[mav1234]

cam newton better have a real good qb coach lined up for this offseason. a lot is going to ride on his showings in the coming months.

I do not think he goes #1 but he could, and good showings could propel him past Gabbert.

That being said, I often hear people say the Panthers put more stock in game film so I'm not sure that Cam Newton's workouts will make him look good enough for us to take, especially if the stuff in the Observer is true about them thinking Clausen is better than anyone in this draft.

[MadHatter]

There is not a chance in hell that Newton is taken at #1....or even Top 10 for that matter.

[rubberpantz]

i couldn't be bothered to read all eleven pages but in the first three i didn't see one person mention that this entire thread is predicated on Yas knowing fug all about what he espouses. the guy is the biggest douche ESPN has and it would be wise to do the exact opposite of what he says we should do.

[MWCarolina]

First off, there is no way in HELL Jerry Richardson would guarantee a rookie 70 Million dollars. In fact, one of the things he's pushing for as the head of Owner/Labor negotiations is a rookie contract cap, which brings up my next point...

By the time of the Draft, in LATE APRIL, we will either have a new labor agreement, OR we will have a lock out. (The dead-line is in March)

IF we have a lockout, it doesn't matter who we draft, since they won't be playing.

IF we have a new labor agreement, I can almost assure you there will be a rookie salary cap. JR will NOT be out $70 Million, and Cam will be paid the highest level pay a rookie can make (prolly $10 million, with 2 million guaranteed - note, this is a guess based on other leagues).

Please research these things before posting people...

Come April, there will never be a better time to draft a rookie QB to lead this team to success, OR, it won't matter.

THAT is if the rookie cap TAKES EFFECT in 2011!!! it MAY take effect in 2012 which means one more year of overpaying rookies. As for me doing research, WHY dont you!!!?? you do NOT know if the rookie cap will happen and if it does happen you ALSO do not know when it happen in 2011 or 2012.

[chef17]

The structure of that offense made him look more accurate than he is,” one scout told Breer. “It’s all play-action based, throwing to wide open receivers, with bubble screens that pad his numbers. He gets so much respect because of his athletic ability

This is my question on Newton. He won't have wide open receivers every game like he did in college. Can he actually throw in tight spaces?

[King Taharqa]

There is not a chance in hell that Newton is taken at #1....or even Top 10 for that matter.

If you really believe that, PM me, we can put a nice friendly wager up about the best QB coming out not being drafted in the top 10. LMAO. I got 200 saying he will, wanna match that sir?

[King Taharqa]

cam newton better have a real good qb coach lined up for this offseason. a lot is going to ride on his showings in the coming months.

You could say that about any of our QBs RIGHT NOW. 50 QB ratings dont cut it in the NFL. And our guys dont have any "athleticism" to fall back on.

[blackcatgrowl]

THAT is if the rookie cap TAKES EFFECT in 2011!!! it MAY take effect in 2012 which means one more year of overpaying rookies. As for me doing research, WHY dont you!!!?? you do NOT know if the rookie cap will happen and if it does happen you ALSO do not know when it happen in 2011 or 2012.

This is a sure fire candidate for the most retarded post I've ever read on this forum.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/aug/3/rookie-cap-could-bring-balance-to-nfl-salaries/?page=2

The Owners want it.

Rookie cap could bring balance to NFL salaries

NFL owners certainly think so, which is why the issue of a rookie salary cap will be front and center if and when the league and the players get down to serious bargaining for the agreement that expires next year

The Players Union made concessions ALREADY for rookie salaries. They are using it as a bargaining chip, because everyone agrees that rookies are paid too much.

NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith said last month that the union has already given the league a proposal that includes rookie contracts shorter than the standard five or six years _ but only if the league agrees to take the money saved and give it to veteran players and to improved pensions for retired players

The NBA has a rookie cap. The NHL has a rookie cap. It's there to keep rookies from coming into the game and Jamarcus Russell'ing teams for big money.

The chances a CBA is signed without a rookie cap is almost nil.

As far as when it will take effect, if they sign an agreement by March 3rd, you can fully expect it to apply to 2011.

[MWCarolina]

This is a sure fire candidate for the most retarded post I've ever read on this forum.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/aug/3/rookie-cap-could-bring-balance-to-nfl-salaries/?page=2

The Owners want it.

The Players Union made concessions ALREADY for rookie salaries. They are using it as a bargaining chip, because everyone agrees that rookies are paid too much.

The NBA has a rookie cap. The NHL has a rookie cap. It's there to keep rookies from coming into the game and Jamarcus Russell'ing teams for big money.

The chances a CBA is signed without a rookie cap is almost nil.

As far as when it will take effect, if they sign an agreement by March 3rd, you can fully expect it to apply to 2011.

you dont' know that for SURE though, like i dont know for sure, so this is NOT the most retarded post you have read, what if i am right and the rookie cap doesnt take place until 2012????? anyways, EVEN if you HAVE a rookie cap, it STILL doesnt help the next rookie QB's confidence when drafted that the previous TWO QBs were given up on after a year.