1999

[JawnyBlaze]

Actually, Cam is faster than Johnson and Beason in the 40. Dunno about 10 yard split though.

That play is a great college high light. But that play exploited Newton's speed compared to DE and LB that were slower than him. Newton is not faster than Johnson and Beason. He can not exploit DE and LB in the NFL.

[YourMomsLover]

Have you met Mallet's friend?

Goodys powder is good for the soul!

[Catalyst]

What does '99 have to do with anything? This year isn't anything like 1999. Only 2 QB's are expected to go in the 1st, maybe 3. I don't follow your logic...

[mountainpantherfan]

Actually, Cam is faster than Johnson and Beason in the 40. Dunno about 10 yard split though.

It's not about 40 times. Game speed in the NFL is so fast. Again, Johnson and Beason don't miss the tackles you see in that GIF. Newton will not be able to exploit the lack of quickness and speed and mental time of players. You mentioned the 10 yard split. That's what I meant as there will be DT in the NFL that will be just as quick as Newton. It doesn't matter how fast he runs a 40 yard dash if the DT tackles him 3 yards behind the line of scrimage.

Show me a highlight where Newton uses quickness to elude a DT then rolls out, eluding a charging DE. Turns and makes a throw over the middle, over top a LBer, leading a WR 15 yards downfield. A la, Big Ben. That mental quickness, physical quickness and speed would be NFL impressive. And from what we know Newton has the physical tools to do that. The mental quickness has been the big question mark.

[teeray]

These big fast DE and LB miss tackles on a regular basis against Big Ben andnTebow was very effective running the ball in his three starts last year and isn't nearly as capable a runner as Newton.

The Golden Calf of Bristol ran a 4.79 and Josh Freeman who I think ran for like 400 yards last year ran a 4.9 40. I know 40 isn't everything but Cam has the ability to be an effective runner.

we just don't want him to become a guy who runs too often.

[Millions]

Off topic a little but I am watching NFL Network's top ten most mobile QB's and I swear more than ever I want McNabb here to mentor Killa Cam if he's the pick.

McNabb knew he had to become more of a passer than to just rely on his atheltic ability which is what he helped Vick with. I think he would be the best vet option for young Cam.

[mountainpantherfan]

These big fast DE and LB miss tackles on a regular basis against Big Ben andnTebow was very effective running the ball in his three starts last year and isn't nearly as capable a runner as Newton.

The Golden Calf of Bristol ran a 4.79 and Josh Freeman who I think ran for like 400 yards last year ran a 4.9 40. I know 40 isn't everything but Cam has the ability to be an effective runner.

we just don't want him to become a guy who runs too often.

Have you ever watched Big Ben? Do you think he runs a fast 40 time?

The speed of the NFL has little to do with the physical speed of the players. Mental speed, decission making, is what seperates players more than 2/10 of a second quicker on a 40 time.

LB and DE do miss in the NFL. But it isn't because a player just out runs or out powers the defense. Only three players I know of ever that were just physically supperior. Mike Vick, Barry Sanders and Randy Moss. Those three were just that much more physically gifted than the defense. Newton has the ability to be a very special player but he doesn't have that level of physical talent.

Measuring physical skills is easy. Measuring that mental quickness isn't. And that is where Hurney and every other GM and scout earn their pay.

I don't think it's as much about how many times he runs. It's if he can read and react at a fast enough speed to know when to run and it be effective. Running isn't a bad thing. I think a great example is a computer. You can buy this really great computer with amazing programs and systems that will allow you to do amazing things. But if the cpu and internal memory isn't enough, the computer won't perform to the level you want it to even though it has the capabilies to do so.

[teeray]

My reference to Big Ben has nothing to do with 40 times it has to do with his strength and how these LBs and DEs have trouble tackling him. My belief is that Cam can cause similar problems.

You are right a 40 time doesn't by itself prove how good of a runner will be. But Cam is stronger, faster, and shiftier than The Golden Calf of Bristol or Freeman. And they were both effective runners.

That doesn't mean I want him to be a running QB. And I agree with your point that he is going to need to be quick mentally. But I haven't seen anything to make me think he won't be able tp do that.

[mountainpantherfan]

My reference to Big Ben has nothing to do with 40 times it has to do with his strength and how these LBs and DEs have trouble tackling him. My belief is that Cam can cause similar problems.

You are right a 40 time doesn't by itself prove how good of a runner will be. But Cam is stronger, faster, and shiftier than The Golden Calf of Bristol or Freeman. And they were both effective runners.

That doesn't mean I want him to be a running QB. And I agree with your point that he is going to need to be quick mentally. But I haven't seen anything to make me think he won't be able tp do that.

Nor have you seen anything that shows he has that ability. It's just realy hard to measure that type of skill.

Like I said earlier, I'm on the fence so I'm not just trying to find faults. His physical skills are great, not really revolutionary as some have suggested, but they are really great measurables for a QB.

To me the character stuff is overblown. There are two main cons as it relates to Newton for me.

1. Questions concerning the mental quickness and abiltity to adapt to the speed of the NFL. Reading defenses, going through progressions. Don't confuss this with ability to do these things. It's doing these things at that level of speed that is required in the NFL. And Newton's lack of doing this in college only hurts scout's ability to evaluate him. Nonetheless, it's hard to measure this or determine this but good GMs and scouts can get a pretty good clue but it won't be anything we as fan will be able to get our hands on.

2. Does Newton fit the style of offense Rivera and Chud are planning on running? While no one is for sure about the exact system yet, we have a good idea it will be similar to Air Coryell systems seen in Dallas and San Diego. My concern comes from an observation I read on NFL.com back during the combine stating Newton struggled when not throwing the ball into a window. That's not a bad thing in and of itself. Both the WCO and EP systems use windows in the passing game. Air Coryell, not so much. And Newton's low percentage in completing passes at the combine and during his pro day seem to suggest that he might struggle when not throwing to a WR in a window as composed to throwing over a defender.

However, one of the major pros I don't see talked about much is Newton's ability to pick up systems. Three systems in three years with two of those years resulting in championships. Thats an amazing feat. That could mean he is able to overcome the "window" concern with time. If it's an instint issue it could be a bigger issue to overcome as compared to if it comes from just familiarity from the systems hes played in.

The bottom line for me is that Newton will not be a successful QB if the two cons above prove to be true. And his physical talents will not be able to overcome those shortcomings.

[teeray]

Nor have you seen anything that shows he has that ability. It's just realy hard to measure that type of skill.

Like I said earlier, I'm on the fence so I'm not just trying to find faults. His physical skills are great, not really revolutionary as some have suggested, but they are really great measurables for a QB.

To me the character stuff is overblown. There are two main cons as it relates to Newton for me.

1. Questions concerning the mental quickness and abiltity to adapt to the speed of the NFL. Reading defenses, going through progressions. Don't confuss this with ability to do these things. It's doing these things at that level of speed that is required in the NFL. And Newton's lack of doing this in college only hurts scout's ability to evaluate him. Nonetheless, it's hard to measure this or determine this but good GMs and scouts can get a pretty good clue but it won't be anything we as fan will be able to get our hands on.

2. Does Newton fit the style of offense Rivera and Chud are planning on running? While no one is for sure about the exact system yet, we have a good idea it will be similar to Air Coryell systems seen in Dallas and San Diego. My concern comes from an observation I read on NFL.com back during the combine stating Newton struggled when not throwing the ball into a window. That's not a bad thing in and of itself. Both the WCO and EP systems use windows in the passing game. Air Coryell, not so much. And Newton's low percentage in completing passes at the combine and during his pro day seem to suggest that he might struggle when not throwing to a WR in a window as composed to throwing over a defender.

However, one of the major pros I don't see talked about much is Newton's ability to pick up systems. Three systems in three years with two of those years resulting in championships. Thats an amazing feat. That could mean he is able to overcome the "window" concern with time. If it's an instint issue it could be a bigger issue to overcome as compared to if it comes from just familiarity from the systems hes played in.

The bottom line for me is that Newton will not be a successful QB if the two cons above prove to be true. And his physical talents will not be able to overcome those shortcomings.

Most of those concerns are legit or are something you worry about with any QB transitioning to the NFL. But I think his talent is too high to pass on. IMO. But Hurney might have other ideas and I am okay with that.

[mountainpantherfan]

Most of those concerns are legit or are something you worry about with any QB transitioning to the NFL. But I think his talent is too high to pass on. IMO. But Hurney might have other ideas and I am okay with that.

Great back and forth!

It sounds like to you the pros out weight the cons. To me they are equal and so I'm not ready to see him as a franshise QB yet. But thats my opinion and I would not even begin to act like I know anything more than you or any other fan.

I do however, trust Hurney (as of now) and will trust his decision on this one.