Clayton Mailbag - we're getting Newton

[Lout]

This smokescreen is going perfectly, can't wait to see what all the Redskins trade us to get Newton!

The redskins only have a 1st and 2nd round pick this year.. no 3rd or 4th. They can't trade players due to CBA, and I am not sure on future picks.. but it doesn't appear Washington is the team able to trade up with us.

[blackcatgrowl]

This smokescreen is going perfectly, can't wait to see what all the Redskins trade us to get Newton!

Did someone say...

SMOKESCREEN?!?

[Hoenheim]

Hey, I have a quick question.. what did it look like last year when we drafted Jimmy Clausen? Were most of the experts expecting us to draft him? Were you guys expecting the panthers to draft him? and if so, how early did you know before draft day? I'm asking this because this is the first year I've ever payed attention to the draft too much..

[Grammer]

Hey, I have a quick question.. what did it look like last year when we drafted Jimmy Clausen? Were most of the experts expecting us to draft him? Were you guys expecting the panthers to draft him? and if so, how early did you know before draft day? I'm asking this because this is the first year I've ever payed attention to the draft too much..

no one expected clausen to drop that low

[Awesomeness!!]

Wait a minute, we still like Clausen?...

[CarolinaNut]

Neal, Canada12:18 PM ET

Mr. Guru, please answer this simple question. As a GM is it responsible to pick Cam Newton 1st over all? I know he has all the physical tools but if the pundits are truely questioning his leadership, his desire etc.. Why risk all that money, the key for me would be desire, work ethic, leadership = physical tools. If there is no balance I would bail.. Gil

Brandt, NFL.com

Neal, we covered this last week in a blog post... Newton stayed on campus last January when he arrived at Auburn to work out with the team, as opposed to leaving campus as other players do. Everybody is busting his chops, but I don't see it. I think I know Newton pretty well and he's got a solid work ethic.

here is another tidbit from brandt on newton in his chat

[blackcatgrowl]

Hey, I have a quick question.. what did it look like last year when we drafted Jimmy Clausen? Were most of the experts expecting us to draft him? Were you guys expecting the panthers to draft him? and if so, how early did you know before draft day? I'm asking this because this is the first year I've ever payed attention to the draft too much..

Jimmy was expected to go in the first round. In fact, many people were saying he would be top-16 talent.

I watched as he dropped, and dropped, and dropped.. and almost all the ESPN analysts on the live coverage team were saying "We can't believe he hasn't been picked up. We're really surprised he hasn't gone yet." We went into the 2nd round, and he still wasn't picked up.

This sent up red flags all over the place to me...

And then... we picked him.

[Awesomeness!!]

THANK YOU!!!! This kid was been through a lot, but he kept working hard to get where he is. His dad probably has him doing chin ups as we speak..

[Hoenheim]

Jimmy was expected to go in the first round. In fact, many people were saying he would be top-16 talent.

I watched as he dropped, and dropped, and dropped.. and almost all the ESPN analysts on the live coverage team were saying "We can't believe he hasn't been picked up. We're really surprised he hasn't gone yet." We went into the 2nd round, and he still wasn't picked up.

This sent up red flags all over the place to me...

And then... we picked him.

ahh, okay. Thanks for the information.

..and thank you for not automatically demanding me to go look it up myself lol :)

[Millions]

At this point I'd be surprised if he wasn't our pick to be honest.

[CarolinaNut]

someone needs to put pickles on suicide watch for the 28th.

[jpniner]

Claussen/Newton...........Salt/Pepper 2011!!!!

Time to spice up the NFC South!

[teeray]

here is another tidbit from brandt on newton in his chat

I don't think you inderstand that Brandt has actually spent time with Newton and therefore can no longer be objective. Only people who have never met him have the knowledge and are objedtive enough to properly understand that he is a phony with a fake smile, and no work ethic. Like Narwocki. He the greatest. PFW rules!!1!1!

[MadHatter]

Yet another Cam thread but it's getting more and more concrete it seems.

Good bathroom/coffee read:

Q: Panther fan here. Am I missing something with Blaine Gabbert? We didn't know anything about him before Andrew Luck decided to forego the draft. In a defensively weak conference with perennial contenders (Nebraska, Texas, Oklahoma), he never grabbed any national attention with his play. Why is he suddenly rated above Cam Newton by so many observers? Isn't he more comparable to JaMarcus Russell on the field than Newton? At least Newton has shown the will to win.

Adam in New York

A: Adam, I think the Panthers won't put the Russell label on Gabbert because they believe he will be a good quarterback. I don't get the idea they think he will be great. That's why I see them taking Cam Newton and passing on Gabbert. Don't forget the Panthers still like Jimmy Clausen, but they also can't pass on a quarterback who can get great. I think the Panthers believe Newton can be great and Gabbert can be just good. I would bet their rating on Clausen would be pretty close to Gabbert. Newton's rating would be significantly better. Relax, Adam. You're getting Newton.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=clayton_john&id=6286514

Not saying that Newton will not be the pick.

However, this thread and comment by Clayton is no more "concrete" than any other mere speculation out there.

Clayton is wrong more than he is right.

This is ONLY his opinion.