Cam Newton Workout Phenomenal

[mav1234]

In 2009, Rosario, King, and Barnidge combined for 63 catches, 855yds, and 5 TD's. Steve Smith had 65 catches that season. It is a myth that the Panthers and John Fox didn't use TE's in the passing game, at least after Henning was fired. They may not have featured the TE like some teams, but they sure as hell weren't ignoring them either. That was was a pretty bad year for the passing game as well.

I don't care about last year, because that was a total waste all the way around.

2009 was the exception, not the rule, and as a percentage of completions they were still lower than the teams we are likely to model now. Every other year we targeted the TE less than 20% of the time in the Fox era. The years before and after it, production was lower from the spot. The fact it takes three of them to come close to the production of one of our WRs should indicate that.

Like I said earlier, you don't need to throw to the TE to win games by any means. However, if we go based on the blueprint that we have seen by Chud and Turner, we will be increasing TE production. The question is if we have that TE that can do it all or we need to find it. I personally think it could turn out we have that TE on the roster.

[monstercat]

2009 was the exception, not the rule, and as a percentage of completions they were still lower than the teams we are likely to model now. Every other year we targeted the TE less than 20% of the time in the Fox era. The years before and after it, production was lower from the spot. The fact it takes three of them to come close to the production of one of our WRs should indicate that.

Like I said earlier, you don't need to throw to the TE to win games by any means. However, if we go based on the blueprint that we have seen by Chud and Turner, we will be increasing TE production. The question is if we have that TE that can do it all or we need to find it. I personally think it could turn out we have that TE on the roster.

In case you didn't notice, our TE's sucked for most of Fox's tenure, and Steve Smith was tearing it up. How many of those teams that featured TE's had a Steve Smith on their roster, and how many of them ran the ball as much as the Panthers did? It's all relative man. Michael Gaines was never going to be a go to receiver from the TE spot, so Steve Smith got the majority of the catches.

[mav1234]

In case you didn't notice, our TE's sucked for most of Fox's tenure, and Steve Smith was tearing it up. How many of those teams that featured TE's had a Steve Smith on their roster, and how many of them ran the ball as much as the Panthers did? It's all relative man. Michael Gaines was never going to be a go to receiver from the TE spot, so Steve Smith got the majority of the catches.

Okay, so drafting Barnidge was the key to TE success? ;) Since we had the other two in years prior and it didn't make a huge difference... so we just needed that final third piece to have decent TE production, albeit from three guys?? Meh. I know, I know, we went with a 'feed the stud' approach to get Smith the ball every minute. I'm not saying that our TEs sucked, just that they weren't utilized how they will be by Chud.

It's not as if Chud's offenses in Cleveland didn't have good receivers, they did. Nor is it like San Diego has awful receivers... because they don't. Now, saying Winslow & Gates were the best receivers on those two teams may be fair, but part of that is finding, developing, and utilizing the talent of those guys. Chud can bring that to us. Maybe Fox couldn't, or didn't want to.

In any event, whether the TEs sucked or not, we will have better TE production under our new offense. The question is if it will come from a player here or a player outside. Do not expect TE by committee forever with Rivera.

[monstercat]

Okay, so drafting Barnidge was the key to TE success? ;) Since we had the other two in years prior and it didn't make a huge difference... so we just needed that final third piece to have decent TE production, albeit from three guys?? Meh. I know, I know, we went with a 'feed the stud' approach to get Smith the ball every minute. I'm not saying that our TEs sucked, just that they weren't utilized how they will be by Chud.

It's not as if Chud's offenses in Cleveland didn't have good receivers, they did. Nor is it like San Diego has awful receivers... because they don't. Now, saying Winslow & Gates were the best receivers on those two teams may be fair, but part of that is finding, developing, and utilizing the talent of those guys. Chud can bring that to us. Maybe Fox couldn't, or didn't want to.

In any event, whether the TEs sucked or not, we will have better TE production under our new offense. The question is if it will come from a player here or a player outside. Do not expect TE by committee forever with Rivera.

I never said that I expect Rivera to keep running the TE by committe thing. I was simply pointing out that the Panthers didn't ignore the TE in the passing game like everybody assumes. Henning may have, but after he left the TE's caught about the same number of balls, and sometimes more, than anybody not named Steve Smith. You can't expect them to put up big numbers anyway on a run first football team.

[micnificent28]

I dont understand why we're considering picking a defensive player with the first pick. I dont see Fairley having the same upside as Cam Newton. Our defense was not our biggest struggle last year. Our defense STAYED on the field because our offense was ranked LAST. And since we know our running game isnt the problem, and our offensive line will be healthy again.... Our GREATEST need is to address QB/ WR concerns. Cam Newton can be THAT guy. Im telling you... The Panthers biggest issue is that we dont pull the trigger on guys like him because we're trying to play it safe. You dont win Superbowls with Safe.

this

[twylyght]

I dont understand why we're considering picking a defensive player with the first pick. I dont see Fairley having the same upside as Cam Newton. Our defense was not our biggest struggle last year. Our defense STAYED on the field because our offense was ranked LAST. And since we know our running game isnt the problem, and our offensive line will be healthy again.... Our GREATEST need is to address QB/ WR concerns. Cam Newton can be THAT guy. Im telling you... The Panthers biggest issue is that we dont pull the trigger on guys like him because we're trying to play it safe. You dont win Superbowls with Safe.

Our D was consistently gashed up the middle because it could not hold up to strong inside running attacks. It was displayed on opening drives throughout the season. We need a DT to shore up the middle of the line if we are going to correct this

[rico6]

Our D was consistently gashed up the middle because it could not hold up to strong inside running attacks. It was displayed on opening drives throughout the season. We need a DT to shore up the middle of the line if we are going to correct this

I don't think that's what he's arguing.

[twylyght]

I don't think that's what he's arguing.

Was answering his point about the defense being bad because they were on the field all the time. That actually was not the case. To think that that problem will go away with a more equitable ToP is wrong and people will wonder what the hell happened the next year we play if we keep the same personnel.

[monstercat]

All I know, is that it takes a special defense, like the 85 Bears or the 2002 Ravens, to hold up when your offense is scoring 12 points a game and going 3 and out most of the time. I don't think one player is going to accomplish that much on either side of the ball in 2011, so you might as well forget about any single player in this draft having that much of an immediate impact.

[MadHatter]

The problem with all of these "workouts" is that they cannot address the biggest question marks with Cam. It is not his arm strength....it is not his accuracy....it is not even his footwork.

It is the fact that he has NEVER been in an offense that required him to read defenses and go through his progressions. The gimmick offense run by Auburn was a one read and then run offense for Cam. He has not been required to learn a complex NFL offense and execute it.

And the fact of the matter is that neither of these can be addressed in ANY type of workout.

I like the physical tools and athletic ability that Cam posesses....his lack of showing any ability for the mental aspects for being an NFL QB makes me nervous.

[cdandi1]

He bought a stolen laptop and tossed it out the window when police came to question him about it. Would you like me to dig up the article on it....

2. That Newton was guilty of academic dishonesty whilst at Florida. He decided to transfer in the spring of 2009 because he wanted to play football. Understandable given his talent and the fact that he was behind The Golden Calf of Bristol on the depth chart. However it was revealed in the late fall of 2010 that he was facing possible expulsion from the University at the time of his transfer after a Fox.com report that he had a “cheating issue” in his freshman year and then two more in his sophomore year. Whilst information about the freshman transgression is sketchy, as a sophomore Newton put his name on another student's paper and turned it in. Newton then turned in a second paper to the instructor, but that was later found to have been purchased off the Internet. Student conduct records are protected by law so it’s doubtful further information will be forthcoming.

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports/columnists/hyde/blog/2011/02/draft_winds_a_thorough_breakdo.html

:D :dita:

[Galvatron]

The problem with all of these "workouts" is that they cannot address the biggest question marks with Cam. It is not his arm strength....it is not his accuracy....it is not even his footwork.

It is the fact that he has NEVER been in an offense that required him to read defenses and go through his progressions. The gimmick offense run by Auburn was a one read and then run offense for Cam. He has not been required to learn a complex NFL offense and execute it.

And the fact of the matter is that neither of these can be addressed in ANY type of workout.

I like the physical tools and athletic ability that Cam posesses....his lack of showing any ability for the mental aspects for being an NFL QB makes me nervous.

The workouts can't address that question. But I have a couple of other, different questions, what offensive system does Florida and Blinn run? And you can't discount that he has learned three(?) different offenses in three years...

[TheRealDeal]

Do we have any proof that he actually learned the offense at Florida?

Hell at JuCo a man of his athleticism could have just improvised every play and been successful.

We only have proof that he kind of understood one offense.

Meh.

[SPANKY]

I don't think Auburn run's a gimmick offense or a one read and run offense. Any NCAA QB need's to be able to do the basic's at the position. To think Cam can't simply based on the fact he was'nt required to sell's the kid short IMO. I can tell you the SEC is the toughest conf. in NCAA football, hand's down. And he burned most of those team's with his feet and arm. Just can't see a gimmick offense good enough to win a national title. Just google Gus Malzahn, you'll see.