Gruden's extended QB Camp w/ Newton (drills included)

[mav1234]

what concerns me is that unlike the other prospects, he has had to work so much on fundamentals of the physical game he just hasn't had any chance to take much of a look how offensive plays work in the NFL.

[TheRealDeal]

Yep. Other prospects are fine tuning their NFL skills and Newton is just learning them

[Mr. Scot]

Everything you see in this segment shows exactly what I have felt the entire time.

There is something special about Newton but he is as raw as they come and will need time to adjust to the pro game.

You shouldn't automaticlly say no to this kid based on his lack of knowledge. If the team feels he can and will learn the verbage and systems then you draft him. However, you can not make this pick and expect him to start within the first year. And based on how things may play out with the CBA, it could be two years before he is ready. This isn't a knock agaisnt him, it's just the way it is. Can he be ready faster? Sure. But the plan going in has to be a two year plan (maybe one if a deal gets done sooner).

Agreed.

I'm okay with drafting Newton, because I do trust Hurney and this coaching staff. But I think as fans we have to keep a realistic view.

I wouldn't hold my breath waiting on that last part :(

[Mr. Scot]

1. The language at Auburn may be more a result of Cam than the simplicity of the offense at Auburn. They may have judged him to be more able to accept a simplistic play calling that required more specific reads than complicated play calling. Plus, the language isn't going to be all that hard to pick up if he's dedicated. We're talking about a set of terms that mean the same thing in virtually every situation. It's a matter of learning what the term means, seeing it run by the WR, and then putting a name with a route. Learning your OWN offense is probably the least intimidating part of the process. Learning to trust what you see in the DEFENSE is what makes or breaks quarterbacks in my opinion. QB's need to know the other side of the ball as well if not better than most defensive backs.

2. I wouldn't judge Cam for his comfort level with Gruden. I actually was encouraged by the fact that he was somewhat intimidated by the situation, because being intimidated is an acknowledgment of the difficulty that you're going to face. If he went in there and made excuses and talked himself up like players have done in the past, then that would scare me. His whole mood seemed to change when they went out on the field to work through the drills, so he's obviously more comfortable with the ball in his hands than he is in the film room, so that will have to change somewhat or be adjusted. But to me, his reluctance to be decisive about things he doesn't know was a nod to the fact that he knows the hard work in front of him.

3. ESPN wouldn't attempt to disparage the player by showing him make bad throws or else their agents wouldn't allow them to even do these shows anymore. The fact that you only saw Cam's good throws, and I don't KNOW that there were any BAD throws, is the same kind of treatment they would give to everyone. Going by the combine throwing exhibition is a much more accurate and even display of a player than a highly edited segment filmed by an interested party. So the drill segment must be taken with a grain of salt to be honest.... but the willingness to get out there and show his stuff is pretty cool and I am glad that a lot of prospects are doing this. It gives us an insight into what talking with an NFL coach is going to be like for these guys. Those that don't take him seriously and treat his advice like it doesn't mean anything are the ones that worry me.

4. I wasn't a big fan of how Cam responded to the criticism comment. Aside from the useless analogy, he seemed to say that all the criticism he gets does nothing but motivate him because he knows it's all not true. Well, Cam, sometimes that same criticism IS true. You need to be able to evaluate the difference between the two. It's a bit nit picky, but going over a three minute segment is going to do that.

Overall, still not a fan of Cam as the pick and I don't want to see it happen.

Pretty good analysis.

[mav1234]

the one good thing in all of this is that if we DO draft him, despite all these seemingly major concerns, we can be certain that Hurney has really done his homework on him and they are really sold on him.

[PantherBrew]

Yep. Other prospects are fine tuning their NFL skills and Newton is just learning them

Yep. Thats a testament to how good he can be. ;)

Im glad you are on board.

[Mr. Scot]

The first pass he threw was so horrible I almost turned it off.

Then the second almost bounced.

Then the third was late because he has to hitch to get his feet set and can't just plant and throw but it was on target.

The fourth would have gotten his receiver killed.

Can't see the receiver on the 5th.

The last one was goodish

But hey, at least he's got swag

The one thing that's come across consistently to me in every video clip where I've seen him do passing drills is that he can throw pretty accurately to a guy who's stopped. Throwing to a guy who's on the move tends to be where he has a little trouble. The bad part there is that you get way more of the second in the NFL than you do the first.

Personally, he comes across as a nice kid and a fun guy to be around (at least as much as you can judge that from short video clips). He makes a way better impression personality wise than say, Ryan Mallett. That said, my former brother-in-law is a very cool, charismatic and fun-to-be-around guy, but I'd never put him in charge of anything important. In a similar way, I do have major concerns about putting the future of the franchise in Newton's hands.

My concerns don't count though. The guy whose concerns he has to alleviate is Marty Hurney. Whether he's done that or not we'll know a week from Thursday.

[MHS831]

This has probably been stated, but how can you watch that and see an NFL QB? We might as well draft Kaepernick--same level of development, similar upside/risk.

[PantherBrew]

I am slightly on board with drafting Cam.

But the haters, are absolutely pushing people like me into having to defend Newton because of the retarded poo that they spew.

EDIT: hey, the censor made me a poet.

[Lout]

I still dont get this mindset......... So because Cam wont be able to contribute in his first season - people want to pass for that reason alone because we are picking at #1 vs somewhere else early in the first :crazy: Its not like the Panthers long term QB situation is going to get any better by passing on him :confused5: OH... thats right.... the guy we pick in next years draft will be ready to start right away and be better, sorry I forget that :cool:

You need someone to contribute in the first season, if not right away. Cam might not be ready in 2 years. Hell, who knows if the guy ever settles down to learn an NFL playbook. Cheating on tests tells me that he is lazy when it comes to studying. I think he's a bust waiting to happen. Give me Gabbert. That guy seems like he will work tirelessly.

[jtm]

I think most would argue that Clausen's physical shortcomings were his biggest challegne. Cam is attractive because he doesn't have any.

His inability to adapt and find throwing lanes was his biggest shortcoming. With Drew Brees throwing the ball all over the place I don't buy the size excuse for Clausen.

[mav1234]

"physical shortcomings" being what, exactly?

His height? He's as tall as Aaron Rodgers, taller than Brees and at a good enough height to make NFL throws.

His hand size? Bigger hands than Vick.

Do you mean issues with the way he throws the ball?

[Millions]

Watching this now on ESPNU so far so good.

[pantherfan81]

Same here