Owning what you write

[teeray]

Let me first say I have no idea who this guy is. He seems like just some random blogger. But I stumbled across this article and it made me laugh a little and I wish other actual media types would do the same thing from time to time.

He basically just poos all over his own pre-draft Cam Newton evaluation paragraph by paragraph.

It is too long to post the whole thing on here but here is the beginning of it.

I wrote a not-so-nice article about Cam Newton and his pro prospects nearly a year ago. This is my mea culpa.

On the heels of Cam Newton's record-setting rookie season as a passer and runner, not to mention this feature in the NEXT issue of ESPN The Magazine, I figure it'd be a good time to do this (coincides nicely with the New Years resolutions I won't honor, too). Especially because I, like most everyone else, am enthralled watching him play. Newton is unlike anything we've ever seen before, a superior and more graceful version of Daunte Culpepper. The only question becomes whether or not he can sustain such a high level of play and make what was unprecedented the new precedent.

Part of this whole writing and sharing your opinion with the public thing is accepting that, at times, you're going to be wrong. Sometimes you'll be very, very wrong and look like a total dickhead in the process. Just like it's nice to be credited when you get something right, there should also be a certain level of self-awareness and humility that prompts you to acknowledge when you fug up. Sure, I could've easily deleted the article and pretended it never happened, but that's taking the dishonest coward's way out. I was a hater, a doubter. As such, now's the time to own what I wrote about Newton back in February. I've had people ask me if doing an about-face was even necessary. In general? No, probably not. However, it's necessary to me. This is my mea culpa.

Here's the original post, titled "Cam Newton: Future NFL Bust." I also submitted the piece to this site. It has since been removed -- I don't know why; maybe the site, now defunct, didn't want to be associated with such misguided tripe -- which is a shame because the comments section was pretty entertaining. I guess the comments accompanying the article from my own blog will have to do (more on this later). I figure the best way to approach this type of exercise is to go through the original piece by piece. Time to survey the carnage.

"Let's just get this out of the way now: Cam Newton will not be a successful quarterback at the next level. I firmly believe that."

Ugh, pretty much the worst start possible here. I immediately regret this decision. Cam Newton is already a successful quarterback at the next level, and now one of the prototypes at the position. Is there any chance I can even recover after an opening like that? Let's just get this out of the way now: I'm an asshole. Probably a little too smug, as well. I firmly believe that. But it does serve me well from time to time.

http://philly.sbnation.com/2012/1/13/2704086/nfl-draft-cam-newton

[chknwing]

[Leeroy Jenkins PhD]

All I know is that his picks for this weekends games were right on point.

And lets be honest, a lot of us felt the same way about Cam before the seasons. Come on, man up about that! Who honestly thought he would break the records he broke?

[csx]

I didn't think he would be successful either.

I was wrong as well. The great thing about sports, is that it's just sports. Having a wrong opinion doesn't matter and has no consequences. It's for fun.

[2jakefansinva]

All I know is that his picks for this weekends games were right on point.

And lets be honest, a lot of us felt the same way about Cam before the seasons. Come on, man up about that! Who honestly thought he would break the records he broke?[/QUOTE]

Not me.

I got on board the Cam-train before we drafted him, but it took some time.

the sky is the limit with this kid.....:cam:

[rayzor]

the writer was a douche, but he owned it and used the experience to make him wiser in the way he looks at prospects.

i probably won't read his stuff again, well not intentionally, but i never read his stuff before (that i knew of). i do know that i respect him a lot lot more than those other clowns that have yet to man up and admit they were so wrong about him.

[Disinfranchised]

I am so dam excited about next season that I could just pee pee all over the place. It's gonna be a hellof a season yall! Let's just hope the Panthers don't worry too much with offense. It's fine. Just keep and practice those guys.

[teeray]

the writer was a douche, but he owned it and used the experience to make him wiser in the way he looks at prospects.

i probably won't read his stuff again, well not intentionally, but i never read his stuff before (that i knew of). i do know that i respect him a lot lot more than those other clowns that have yet to man up and admit they were so wrong about him.

Yeah I have know clue who this guy is. Never read his stuff before and will probably never read his stuff again. But it is funny to see someone break down his own evaluation and poo all over it. Not many people have the ability to do that. Most people will just run and hide behind "I said he had potential!!" escape clause.

[Johnny Rockets]

the writer was a douche, but he owned it and used the experience to make him wiser in the way he looks at prospects.

i probably won't read his stuff again, well not intentionally, but i never read his stuff before (that i knew of). i do know that i respect him a lot lot more than those other clowns that have yet to man up and admit they were so wrong about him.

Not saying there aren't any but which clowns in particular still stick by their initial thoughts that Cam would struggle at the next level? I can't think of one analyst that hasn't said (when talking about Cam) how wrong they were and are amazed by what he accomplished this season. Whenever I hear a conversation about Cam on the radio or TV whether it be on a national or local level they all say that and give him his due respect.

[Mr. Scot]

When I saw the title, I thought it was going to be about thread tagging :lol:

Can't say I've heard of this writer before, but then anybody and their mother can have a blog these days. Had it suggested to me a couple of times. At some point I probably will but the reason I haven't so far - other than the health issues - is that I always look at it and think "I'm just another fan. Why would my opinion deserve it's own spot (other than on a message board where everyone's opinion has a place)" :skep:

As to the topic, my big thing was thinking next season offered better options at quarterback than anyone (not just Newton) that was available this season. Hence I thought the number one pick was better used on someone else. and the truth is part of that might actually come true. One or more of this year's crop might actually turn out to be even better pros than Newton is now.

But does that mean taking Newton was a mistake? Lord no :nonod:

Newton was worth the number one pick, well worth it. If someone else is better next year, so what? Said it before: you only worry about missing out on other great players if you don't already have one yourself. We do.

When the Panthers picked him, I said at he time "hope they're right and I'm wrong", and so far it's looking pretty good. Are there still things that could go wrong? Sure there are (injuries top my worry list) but there's every reason right now to think the future is bright. And until I see a reason to think otherwise, that is what I'll choose to believe.

[Mr. Scot]

the writer was a douche, but he owned it and used the experience to make him wiser in the way he looks at prospects.

i probably won't read his stuff again, well not intentionally, but i never read his stuff before (that i knew of). i do know that i respect him a lot lot more than those other clowns that have yet to man up and admit they were so wrong about him.

Question worth asking in the larger discussion though...

Has Newton actually "succeeded at the next level" yet, or did he just have a great rookie year?

Worth remembering that some folks who proclaimed Matt Ryan as a successful pro and the "next big thing" based on his rookie year are now being forced to rethink. And Ryan's not alone. Plenty of promising rookie campaigns have been followed by mediocre careers (though few if any have started with as much promise as Newton).

I firmly believe that Newton will be the success that we all think he can be.

But if there's one caution I'd give to Pamther fans looking to the future, it'd be this: Plenty of reason to think we'll get there, but we ain't there yet. And if you don't think celebrating too soon can be a real downer, ask a Saints fan how they feel right now.

[footballisasport]

All I know is that his picks for this weekends games were right on point.

And lets be honest, a lot of us felt the same way about Cam before the seasons. Come on, man up about that! Who honestly thought he would break the records he broke?

Sadly, many of you simply played follow the media and just bought into everything you heard and read. Others felt safe in hiding their personal baises behind every negative thing they heard about Cam.

Let's be real, it's not so much what he has done as it is not allowing him to prove himself. Cam was told that he was only given two options. He either proved that he can play QB on an elite level or be a bust.

Funny that the other QB, Bliane Gabbert, who always linked with Cam and was highly praised by folks like this sportswriter is going to be given EVERY chance to succeed before he's called a bust. :rolleyes:

[fieryprophet]

Not saying there aren't any but which clowns in particular still stick by their initial thoughts that Cam would struggle at the next level? I can't think of one analyst that hasn't said (when talking about Cam) how wrong they were and are amazed by what he accomplished this season. Whenever I hear a conversation about Cam on the radio or TV whether it be on a national or local level they all say that and give him his due respect.

Nolan Nawrocki. He did a piece recently on Cam and the entire video interview centered on vague "pre-draft criticism" but never mentioned he was by far the most egregious offender, than repeatedly said Cam needed to work on learning his playbook, and grimaced with every faint word of praise he gave him.

Thankfully, he will always be known as the douche who basically ruined his scouting credentials by trashing Cam Newton. How does that smile look now, Nolan Nitwit?

[Mr. Scot]

Draft analysts don't ruin their credentials by being wrong about prospects, even high profile ones. If they did, none of them would have a job because they're wrong on an annual basis (remember Kiper talking about Clausen?)

All the guys who doubted Newton, Nawrocki included, will continue in their jobs and move on to the next crop. Panther fans may not like it, but that's just how it is.

When we write stuff like "he's gonna pay for what he said about Cam" we sound like petulant teenagers.