From Cam to RGIII

Draft analysis, fake smiles and black spread offense QBs

3 months ago jlsclarity 6 comments 0 recs |

Comments

The article was decent, the Cam Newton interview was great. I see why the Panthers drafted him. There was so much focus (in the media) throughout the draft process last year on Cam’s response to criticism in his interviews but no mention of his response to coaching. He looks like a coachable guy to me and someone I’d bet my job on if I were a GM or head coach.

by Bumblyjack on Feb 18, 2012 9:53 AM EST reply actions

I liked the photo captions and the general sentiment, but in reality, a good scout would have to evaluate the mental makeup of the candidate. It’s almost more important than the physical stuff. Anyone being drafted in the top 5 has the physical skills, the thing that separates Manning from Leaf is their mental makeup.

I guess Nowrocki considered Cam’s love of the camera a negative when its just another facet of his personality. Frankly, considering football is played routinely on national TV in front of millions of people you would think being camera shy might be a negative. I want a guy who isn’t intimated by a little fame and fortune.

by HenryDawg on Feb 18, 2012 10:19 AM EST reply actions

Wow. I never saw those comments from PFW about Cam:

Very disingenuous — has a fake smile, comes off as very scripted and has a selfish, me-first makeup. Always knows where the cameras are and plays to them. Has an enormous ego with a sense of entitlement that continually invites trouble and makes him believe he is above the law . . . Lacks accountability, focus and trustworthiness — is not punctual, seeks shortcuts and sets a bad example. Immature and has had issues with authority. Not dependable.

Why didn’t they just come out and call him an uppity negro and be done with it?

Funny that they got his strengths exactly right though, and that is why he had such phenomenal success as a rookie:

Excellent arm strength — can make difficult throws off-balance while on the move and air out the deep ball, hitting receivers in stride 50 yards downfield. Throws with velocity. Composed in pressure situations and found ways to come through in the clutch. Big, strong, physical runner. Pounds defenders and can push a pile — almost always falls forward. Smooth-striding, fluid-moving athlete. Highly competitive and productive against top Southeastern Conference competition — rose to the occasion against Alabama and Oregon on the biggest of stages.

Once you start comparing a QB to Drew Brees, you've lost the argument.

by TheDriveStillHurts on Feb 18, 2012 12:02 PM EST reply actions

Wow. I never saw those comments from PFW about Cam:

If I remember correctly, the comments were pretty big news when the first came out a year ago. I didn’t look into all that much, I just think I remember a hoopla/backlash about the “fake smile” comments.

Personally, I had an irrational dislike for Cam because of the pay-for-play in college. I was just being an irrational OSU-homer at the time. I didn’t even mind pay-for-play on principle. I was just mad because he got away with it by laundering the money through his father, while OSU was getting crucified for tattoos and ect.

It took about one week of regular season (and I picked him up of the waiver wire) before I was ecstatic to see Cam succeed. Now, I like Cam and hope he has an incredible career for Carolina. Fantasy football will do that.

by Jon @ DBN on Feb 18, 2012 1:25 PM EST up reply actions