Rosenthal's write-up on Cam Newton

[FootballMaestro]

Is there something specific about his game to say his decision making is below theirs? Because when a guy is completing 65 % of his passes and throws an interception once every 77 attempts it would appear he has great decision making.

 

I'll answer the question, and take an attempt to clarifying what JawnyBlaze probably meant: 

 

1) RG3 is accurate, or shown accuracy during his Rookie season. I could agree with that.

 

However, you could argue,  it was due to the fact RG3 always appeared to know exactly where he throwing as a result of the Shanahan's great play calling and his running game. On the other hand, RG3 rarely seemed to throw where he had to sit in the pocket and wait for plays to develop on his own. The defense always seemed to be fooled and off balance, due to the Redskins extreme fake-ing and trickery seemingly 80% of the time RG3 completed a intermediate to deep pass. And of course, RG3 made a multitude of designed short and lateral passes for completions--off successful misdirection even, artificially boosting up his completion % and QB rating. 

 

2) So, RG3 rarely appeared to throw down field, unless the receiver was wide open/the defender was tricked on the play (especially on big passing plays and TD's). In other words: He rarely appeared to throw in tight windows--across the field or down the sidelines through or past defenders the way some of us may think he does (or at least the way Cam does). It looks like the Shanahan's stayed clear of that with him. That's what JawnyBlaze may have meant, when saying 'he doesn't make the throws Cam makes', and question RG3's true accuracy under pressure, or in a non-gimmick (constant and multiple fakes, and misdirection), offense, so reliant on the run game. 

 

The few times I saw RG3 throw on an Island, he did look bad (happy feet and appeared rushed). Nonetheless, it was rare when he had to (the designed play of the Shanahan's didn't work). Credit them for that. 

 

So yes, RG3 was truly the beneficiary of great play calling and his run game (more so than the press usually acknowledges). And this is probably what the previous poster was alluding to. Contrary to his most ardent Nut Huggers in the press, RG3 actually appeared to do very little thinking while on the field most of the time.That's how the offense was designed. The Shanahan's and Morris took care of that. Good for him. We'll see what 2013 brings?

[The NFL Shield At Midfield]

griffin is probably about as accurate as brady within 20 yards.  one of the more automatic short yardage passers around from what i've seen.  his deep accuracy can get dicey though and i'm not blown away by his arm.  it doesn't seem like he puts much touch on his deep balls and they fall more on the lob side of things.

 

for example, i can't say i've seen him make a "bucket" throw that splits two defenders like this one:

 

 

keep in mind that cam threw that ball in a collapsing pocket off his back foot

[rayzor]

Is there something specific about his game to say his decision making is below theirs? Because when a guy is completing 65 % of his passes and throws an interception once every 77 attempts it would appear he has great decision making.

 

he has a high percentage rate because of the system and playcalling. the passes are short safe high percentage passes. it's essentially a very toned down WCO that gets the QB in on the running game.

 

 

[jarhead]

If Hixon,Smitty and Olsen can stay healthy and our line can block Cam should have a great year.

[tiger7_88]

if we get into the playoffs he will be. he won't get much more respect until we get more wins.

If we get into the playoffs, the usual suspects will give ANYBODY but Cam the credit.

You know it.

I know it.

Lets just say improves his efficiency, but because the offense becomes (hopefully) less read-option centric, Cam's passing yards remain static, throws a few more TDs, a few less ints, he rushes for less yds and less TDs because the RBs (as they should) *finally* start carrying the rush load?

Then, you see, we'll be winning DESPITE Cam's "further regression". Hell, I can write the stories now.

[FootballMaestro]

If we get into the playoffs, the usual suspects will give ANYBODY but Cam the credit.

You know it.

I know it.

Lets just say improves his efficiency, but because the offense becomes (hopefully) less read-option centric, Cam's passing yards remain static, throws a few more TDs, a few less ints, he rushes for less yds and less TDs because the RBs (as they should) *finally* start carrying the rush load?

Then, you see, we'll be winning DESPITE Cam's "further regression". Hell, I can write the stories now.

 

Interesting points.

 

Nonetheless, I don't expect Cam's passing yards yards to be 'static' compared to last year. 

 

I expect Cam to have at least the same, but more than likely--more. 

 

It was the poor start of the offense, and Rivera's passive ways, why Cam ended up with 3800+, and not 4000+ yards (just think of Rivera's clock management, the defense staying on the field forever too many times, and Ronnie slowing down the offense every time they had a 14 pt lead--even during second quarters). 

 

However, even under your scenario, I feel Cam would get praise if the Panthers win (you're not going to get everyone to praise. However, you'll certainly get many/most/converts). So I wouldn't even think about that. 

[mcdougal]

I really wish the Media and Fans would focus on our defense this upcoming year. Cam Newton, given our team's make-up, should not even be the focus of our offense as practically all our offensive money is tied up in tailbacks.

 

Newton's play should not determine if we get to the playoffs this year. He should be expected to do as much as Alex Smith under Harbough.

[mbarbour21]

It doesn't matter what money we have where. Cam is not a game manager. I'm not saying he should air it out like Drew Brees, I just want balance. Cam is way to talented to play like Alex Smith. BALANCE

[Keith Moons Liver]

the only thing standing in the way of cam and true greatness is the panthers :(

[cameronnew297]

I like the assessment, not the rating. Cam and Wilson are 1 & 2. Kaepernick should NOT be in the top 6, let alone the top 3. Stafford & RGIII work for 3rd and 4th.

 

Luck is so incredibly overrated, it's just stupid. His QB rating was worse than Blaine Gabbert's last year. Does nobody realize that? Gabbert is arguably the worst QB that started a game in the past 2-3 years, and Luck's QB rating was lower than his.

 

Luck has potential and he's a leader, but that can only get him so far. Remember, the Sanchize took his terrible Jets team to the AFC Championship Game his first two years...

don't forget luck had seven 4th quarter comebacks in his rookie season, gabbert wont have seven comebacks in his career. also the terrible jets team you refer to had the second ranked defense, and the number 1 rushing attack, averaging 175 yds. a game.

[fieryprophet]

don't forget luck had seven 4th quarter comebacks in his rookie season, gabbert wont have seven comebacks in his career. also the terrible jets team you refer to had the second ranked defense, and the number 1 rushing attack, averaging 175 yds. a game.

4th quarter comebacks are not a stat. They're a 50/50 random proposition that not even elite quarterbacks are that different from mediocre ones in. No one ever mentions the "failed" 4th quarter comeback until it gets outrageous, like the time Peyton Manning went 22 close games in a row with a loss. So leading in that stat is like leading in coin flips, big flipping whoop.

[csx]

If we get into the playoffs, the usual suspects will give ANYBODY but Cam the credit.

You know it.

I know it.

Lets just say improves his efficiency, but because the offense becomes (hopefully) less read-option centric, Cam's passing yards remain static, throws a few more TDs, a few less ints, he rushes for less yds and less TDs because the RBs (as they should) *finally* start carrying the rush load?

Then, you see, we'll be winning DESPITE Cam's "further regression". Hell, I can write the stories now.

Who cares? If the team wins the players and fans are happy, that's all that matters. Drop the victim mentality.

[cameronnew297]

4th quarter comebacks are not a stat. They're a 50/50 random proposition that not even elite quarterbacks are that different from mediocre ones in. No one ever mentions the "failed" 4th quarter comeback until it gets outrageous, like the time Peyton Manning went 22 close games in a row with a loss. So leading in that stat is like leading in coin flips, big flipping whoop.

no, u don't want your qb to b great in crunch time, do u? you should b real happy with cam, he definitely doesn't have comeback abilty, and u didn't address the jets team you referred to as terrible. terrible teams don't make conference title games, did u think no one on here would know they had the # 2 defense, and the leagues best runnin game when they made it to those title games, you will not get statements like that past me. comments?

[mbarbour21]

Okay, Cam has major come back ability. We lost a lot of games because Cam lead a 4th quarter drive for a score and the D didn't hold it. We lost 7 of our 9 losses by 6 or less.

And please stop crowning Luck. Yes! He led comebacks, his D held the lead, Cam's did not. First Falcon's game = perfect example.

Yes! He made the playoffs with a 2-14 team, but he did have a lot easier road than Cam his rookie year. Proof of that:

In the 11 wins the Colts had, the opposing team scored on avg. 15.8 points a game. Luck only had to score 16 points on avg. a game.

In Cam's rookie year, our WORST 11 GAMES, we avg. 20 points a game. That don't include our scores of 30+ & 40+.

Luck had SMOOTHER ROAD