The final case for Cam Newton

[Lumps]

The last time we had the #1 overall pick, the year was 1995. The expansion Panthers had beaten the Jacksonville Jaguars in a coin flip and had the rights to the top pick in the draft. A draft with future megastars like Steve McNair, Tony Boselli, Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, and Kevin Carter. But the Panthers didn't have any interest in those guys. They had their minds made up that they were going to draft Penn State quarterback Kerry Collins and acquire additional picks in the process. So they traded down to #5 overall and went with Collins who quit the team just 3 years later. The conservative mentality of Bill Polian and Mike McCormack cost the Panthers dearly.

Why didn't they go with McNair? They wanted to go with the safer Collins and didn't want to roll the dice with McNair. Here's what a Steve McNair bio after his death said about that time:

"Steve—by this time dubbed “Air McNair”—was big and strong, could run faster than most running backs and receivers, and had a cannon for an arm.

Some wondered, however, whether the pro game might be too complex for him. Steve was facing unsophisticated defenses almost every game, and he always had the out of running if he didn’t spot a receiver in the clear. In the NFL, by contrast, every down was like solving a math problem."

Sound familiar?

The decision to go with safe Kerry Collins over Steve McNair was one that we couldn't get out of until Jacob Christopher Delhomme led us to a Super Bowl appearance 8 years later.

If Jerry Richardson and this team AGAIN go with the safe option rather than the quarterback with a huge ceiling and AGAIN that person turns out to be a flop, it could set us back ANOTHER 8 years.

Cam Newton has it all. He's smart. He's a leader. He's a winner. He's accurate. He has a great arm. He's extremely difficult to bring down. He is not someone defenders want to see in the open field. He shredded the defenses of the vaunted SEC. He's a bona fide SUPERSTAR, something Charlotte has NEVER had in any sport (except...NASCAR).

He has the potential to be the best player in this entire draft at a position where we need help most. Unless you have a can't-miss prospect at a non-quarterback position that you know is going to dominate like Ndamukong Suh, the quarterback position is the default spot for the #1 overall pick. No other position has NEARLY the impact on the team that the quarterback does. A defensive tackle that never put up impressive stats in college certainly isn't worth a #1 overall pick. And neither is a cornerback. No cornerback has ever been drafted #TWO in the modern era, much less #1. They simply don't have enough impact on a game. The past 3 superstar cornerbacks (Revis, Asomugha, Champ Bailey) haven't sniffed Super Bowl wins. You can't say the same about the best 3 superstar quarterbacks. Peyton, Brady, and Brees have 5 Super Bowl wins between them.

Friends, we are entering the final week before the team we love makes its most important decision since they traded down for Kerry Collins. I hope they don't make the same playing-it-safe mistake that they did before that cost them so dearly.

Cam Newton for the #1 pick.

An excellent post pointing out the exception, not the rule.

Kerry Collins, blanatley stated he never wanted to play for the Panthers and he was unhappy. The panthers FO are known for ignoring things like this (Peppers). It shouldn't matter, but it's not about should or shouldn't its about what is and isn't.

I won't be unhappy with Newton, I'll just hope the FO knows what the fug their doing.

[theyhateme45]

I think Clausem demonstrated last year that being pro-ready isn't worth a hill of beans. He came out as the supposedly most pro-ready guy and was described by most analysts even at the end of the season as scared, lost , and totally confused.

So to assume anyone can come in here and know how to run the offense right away is ridiculous,. Whatever rookie we draft will be a project just like they all are. The biggest factor is whether the QB coach and OC can devise packages and simplify the offense to allow the guys to run it well until they master it all. Bradford didn't have a complete handle on the Ram offense last year but was effective because of what they put in for him to run.

I think there are packages which would let Newton be very effective as well. The whole it is going to take 2 or 3 years to learn the offense are way over exaggerated. He can be effective by the late part of this year and definitely by next year. After all he has shown the ability to pick up systems fast with the caveat that they were indeed simple. Still the learning curve is steep for any QB as it will be for any Panther QB given it is a new system for everyone.

Pro Ready is a part, but not the be all end all. There are "Pro ready QB's who don't even get drafted".

If you ar pro ready you can have the game slow down for you quicker... It means you can know what you have to do, or understand the complexities of the playbook quicker. It means you don't have pure raw talent.

But knowing is only half of the battle, Once you know you still have to be ready and be able to execute. That was Jimmy's problem, he could not execute. Most NFL Vet QB's who are not successful knows what they need to do but can't.... everyone can not execute....

Now it is an advatage to being pro ready because you can quickly skip step 1 (Learning NFL systems) and go to step 2 (execution). Cam or any other raw player/ spread player will need to first learn step 1 before going to step 2.

So pro ready means you can quickly transition to the NFL game... that's all. It has nothing to do with who will execute better or be more successful in the long run.

[psyburn21]

I often butt heads with SMF's opinions. This thread however is spot on and he is kicking ass and taking names.

Nice to see you again Kurb. Holden it down like always I see.

[Lumps]

If Jerry Richardson and this team AGAIN go with the safe option rather than the quarterback with a huge ceiling and AGAIN that person turns out to be a flop, it could set us back ANOTHER 8 years.

....

Cam Newton has it all. He's smart. He's a leader. He's a winner. He's accurate. He has a great arm. He's extremely difficult to bring down. He is not someone defenders want to see in the open field. He shredded the defenses of the vaunted SEC. He's a bona fide SUPERSTAR, something Charlotte has NEVER had in any sport (except...NASCAR).

According to you, Newton is the safest pick.

[psyburn21]

Playing safe got us no where???? Buffalo has been no where recently, The lions have been nowhere, the chiefs have been nowhere.... We were within a kickoff of winning a superbowl, gotten to a few NFC championship games, Some division titles, and first round bye. Comparing our past 10 years to others I would not say that is nowhere...

People are saying that because it sounds good, but really it is not true.

I think people say we play it safe since we haven't taken a QB high in the draft in a very long time but have had chances to do so. I don't think that's a bad thing either if your not confident that you can develop a young QB, which the previous coaching staff proved they couldn't. Ultimately if we did draft Cam Newton it means that even with the flaws that he may have, the coaching staff and front office believe that they can develop him into a good QB and the character issues aren't that big a concern to them. I'll be happy with whoever we pick ultimately.

[Millions]

Playing safe got us no where???? Buffalo has been no where recently, The lions have been nowhere, the chiefs have been nowhere.... We were within a kickoff of winning a superbowl, gotten to a few NFC championship games, Some division titles, and first round bye. Comparing our past 10 years to others I would not say that is nowhere...

People are saying that because it sounds good, but really it is not true.

Let me go into more detail when I say playing it safe = going defense & continuing to pass on first round talent at QB over the years since 08. You can name the "positive" years all you want but fact is at the end of the day right here, right now we are the worst team in our division. Until we address our biggest need by putting talent behind center we will continue to be just that. People are saying "it got us nowhere" because we are tired of being just average. Following the same trend imo will only lead to more disappointing years, Panthers not being relevant and early playoff exits.

[teeray]

Guys need to realize something as well. People worry about Hurney putting his job on the line if they take Cam Newton.

If Hurney passes on Cam Newton and Newton becomes great while we are still mired in mediocrity, then Hurney should be fired in that scenario as well.

[KaseKlosed]

Um...didn't Collins have major red flags for character issues...and McNair did not?

And it wasn't Collins talent that let us down but rather his personal issues?

So wouldn't it be more accurate to say

Newton = Collins w McNairs Legs and arm

Gabbert = McNair without black

?

:spam:

[Lumps]

Guys need to realize something as well. People worry about Hurney putting his job on the line if they take Cam Newton.

If Hurney passes on Cam Newton and Newton becomes great while we are still mired in mediocrity, then Hurney should be fired in that scenario as well.

I am not even thinking this year. I am thinking if Clausen does something similar or amounts to nada and AE confirms to be worthless he should be looking for a job. Our best picks from recent years just thrown away. Add in a Newton bust scenario and Hurney for sure needs to be fired.

[PackPanther]

Cam Newton is not smart. end of story

[theyhateme45]

Let me go into more detail when I say playing it safe = going defense & continuing to pass on first round talent at QB over the years since 08. You can name the "positive" years all you want but fact is at the end of the day right here, right now we are the worst team in our division. Until we address our biggest need by putting talent behind center we will continue to be just that. People are saying "it got us nowhere" because we are tired of being just average. Following the same trend imo will only lead to more disappointing years, Panthers not being relevant and early playoff exits.

Well I believe that argument is flawed.... I believe it's unfair to say "getting us nowhere" based on a sample size of a couple of seasons.... Now when we are the bills are some of these other garbage teams thats been garbage for ever then that makes sense..

Also since 08 we passed on sure first round talent QB's? Really?

2010 No first round pick.... first pick was offense -QB

2009 No first round pick.... so we did not pass on first round qb talent since we had no first round pick

2008 We drafted offense with Stewart and Otah.... The only QB you can say we passed on was Flacco... but it really was not a need and we got valuable pieces in the draft that year... We ended up going 12-4

So where are all these defensive picks and first round QB's we've been passing on since 2008?????? Please enlighten me!

[mick eye]

Instead of starting yet another Cam thread i will post a recent thought of mine here.

THE FINAL CASE AGAINST CAM NEWTON.

The hype train pulled into Charlotte and out came the kid with the golden legs and mega watt smile. Who cares if he had some small character issues? We are not putting together a choir. Who cares that he ran a simplistic offense that has little to nothing to do with the pro game? It's not like film study, preparation, and intelligence are as important as a BIG ARM or being MOBILE.

So Cam Newtron and his entourage of his father Mr. $$, Bus Cook, and Perennial Sports and Entertainment Management group saunter into the boardroom. After much posturing and bull from both sides we sign our Franchise QB. Unfortunately because of the new CBA and rookie salary cap we can only sign our franchise QB for 2-4 years with the promise of renegotiation and incentive based bonuses. Come time for a new contract Cam pushes his way out in a way that makes Pep leaving seem like a happy memory. Don't worry though all you CAM NUT HANGERS can follow him in 2015 when he is a L.A. Jaguar.

In case you missed it or are too emotionally invested in Cam that you want a briefer synopsis. CAM WILL TAKE THE MONEY AND RUN TO A BIGGER MARKET. Contract negotiations with him and his army of sycophants and leeches will be a nightmare from day one. HE IS DUMB. Yes, i said it. He is football dumb. He does not seem coachable and his so called swag is gonna run him into big trouble with no nonsense Rivera.

[CarolinaVeins]

IMHO there is a lot of posters who is trying to reach when discussing Cam's character. And yes its a lot like the Obama election because if Cam is drafted he becomes the leader of the team and face of franchise. The "good ol boy" type cringe at the thought. Bottom line it is Marty Hurney's decision. If you check Marty's track record every single first round pick we had was a hit. So I trust his judgement. The only other person I can deal with is Peterson...but Marcell Dareus? GTFOH

[sdot353]

We need cam