Florio: Scout says Cam Newton looked "terrible".

[clif]

Greatly exaggerated. I watched the whole thing. He was about as accurate as any of the other guys and quite frankly it was nothing out of the ordinary.

 

[Buckybird]

They did a piece on it on NFL Network. Locker's accuracy issues are seen as something that is due to his stride length. Instead of setting with a wide base, taking a short stride and letting the ball go, Locker shows in film that on throws where he is inaccurate he sets his feet narrowly and then strides long which makes his ball sail high and inaccurately.

He acknowledged this was an issue that he has been working on trying to correct and his throwing performance today at the combine showed his progress as he was spot on.

I respect what you say Chopper, but IMO I really don't put alot of stock in Locker completing most of his passes at the combine with ghost defenders & zero guys breathing in his face. Most QB's should be accurate in these workouts.

Another alarming fact about Lockers innacurate passes in gametime is he has been coached by one of the best college QB groomers of all. Though many have failed in the NFL, production at the QB position where Sarkiesian has coached, (USC & BYU) has been some of the best in the country for many years.

 

[DoTheDew]

Greatly exaggerated. I watched the whole thing. He was about as accurate as any of the other guys and quite frankly it was nothing out of the ordinary.

If a guy is hyped as the top QB and possible #1 pick, he needs to do better than just be nothing out of the ordinary and look like everyone else at his position.

 

[clif]

If a guy is hyped as the top QB and possible #1 pick, he needs to do better than just be nothing out of the ordinary and look like everyone else at his position.

Its also a controlled environment of guys doing things that they are unaccustomed to doing. He did alright all the while running a 4.59 at 248 lbs and long jumping out the the gym... yeah so I don't think he did anything to hurt his draft status.

 

[Chopper0080]

I respect what you say Chopper, but IMO I really don't put alot of stock in Locker completing most of his passes at the combine with ghost defenders & zero guys breathing in his face. Most QB's should be accurate in these workouts.

Another alarming fact about Lockers innacurate passes in gametime is he has been coached by one of the best college QB groomers of all. Though many have failed in the NFL, production at the QB position where Sarkiesian has coached, (USC & BYU) has been some of the best in the country for many years.

It wasn't' that he was completing passes, it was that he had a solid drop, consistently kept a wide base, and threw the ball on time to the correct spot. Great ball placement on his throws as well.

Even more than that, many QB's really struggle at the combine because of the pressure with all of coaches watching, the unfamiliarity with the wide receivers, and with new concepts that they have not been exposed to. That's why many top QB's don't throw at the combine, because it is such a difficult environment to look good in.

 

[artp]

Wait a minute. We're not talking about any of these QB's as the #5 pick, are we?

 

[Stout]

I think that you will see that both Locker and Newton's inaccuracy will be pretty correctable. I give the nudge to Locker at this point because of his experience against better talent, and the greater amount of exposure that he has had to more complex defenses. Both are decent prospects that will probably go about 15-20 picks higher than they should.

Well, Newton had no footwork and couldn't hit a 5-yd out to save his life. Sadly, he's only confirming my suspicions. Sure, I could be wrong and he might someday be a great pro QB. I seriously doubt he'll have a chance to be good for 2-3 years, though.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

I actually don't consider myself a hater. Just if you can't hit receivers with no rush that raises red flags for me. Thought he would be very interesting at #5.

Then again, I thought Byron Leftwich was the best QB in the draft in the year he came out and I wanted him over Suggs.

So much for my opinion.

He missed one sideline throw badly, but the other drill is placing the throw in a 10 yard window with loft, and it was consistently there. In the grand scheme of things this is pretty minor.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Well, Newton had no footwork and couldn't hit a 5-yd out to save his life. Sadly, he's only confirming my suspicions. Sure, I could be wrong and he might someday be a great pro QB. I seriously doubt he'll have a chance to be good for 2-3 years, though.

His footwork was natural and fluid, but a bit slow. Minor adjustment to be made.

 

[moklerman]

Accuracy can be fixed? I always heard you either have it or you don't.

Fixing footwork is no problem either. Just ask Leinart. Bad footwork in '06 was "fixed" by Whis from '07-'09.

Color me skeptical of these things being being corrected at the pro level.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Accuracy can be fixed? I always heard you either have it or you don't.

Fixing footwork is no problem either. Just ask Leinart. Bad footwork in '06 was "fixed" by Whis from '07-'09.

Color me skeptical of these things being being corrected at the pro level.

Be skeptical, but they are in fact corrected with better mechanics, and that can be taught at many points in the journey. And better mechanics did improve Leinart's accuracy, and this was not what drove him out of AZ (IMO).

 

[lobo]

Those who make excuses for Newton...he never threw to those receivers etc etc...guess what neither did the other guys throwing...mallet certainly looked good and last i looked he didn't throw to those guys before either.

 

[Stout]

His footwork was natural and fluid, but a bit slow. Minor adjustment to be made.

That's not what I heard the experts saying about his footwork. They said something about him needing a lot of work, not just minor adjustments.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

That's not what I heard the experts saying about his footwork. They said something about him needing a lot of work, not just minor adjustments.

I watch the NFL Network and didn't hear anyone pan his footwork, beyond a need for some work and adjustment. We are not talking about Tim Tebow problems here.

 

[Chopper0080]

That's not what I heard the experts saying about his footwork. They said something about him needing a lot of work, not just minor adjustments.

They were saying that because the steps were not natural due to his inexperience in his passing set drops, that his footwork was slow and led to his inaccuracy. His throwing motion was surprisingly smooth, and I think he has exceptional potential, the question is whether he will ever tap into it with the team that drafts him.

 

[Stout]

They were saying that because the steps were not natural due to his inexperience in his passing set drops, that his footwork was slow and led to his inaccuracy. His throwing motion was surprisingly smooth, and I think he has exceptional potential, the question is whether he will ever tap into it with the team that drafts him.

Yep, that is the 64-dollar question. The problem with Newton, aside from my off-the-field concerns, is how long it will take him to develop, if he ever does. We can't wait 2-3 years before a QB sees the field, and IMO, that's how long it would take Newton. Again, that is if he ever works out at all. I'm just not confident that he will.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Be skeptical, but they are in fact corrected with better mechanics, and that can be taught at many points in the journey. And better mechanics did improve Leinart's accuracy, and this was not what drove him out of AZ (IMO).

I'm one to think touch and accuracy cannot be taught and you either have it, or you don't. Just ask Derek Anderson. I think better mechanics can help out somewhat but accuracy is more of a natural thing and that comes to the surface in live conditions. Better footwork is not going to turn Scud into Warner. I liken it to basketball. You can have a guy with the prettiest looking jumper in the world but it does no good if he hits 25% of his 3's.

 

[Southpaw]

Watched the whole combine today (because I'm stupid).
Here's the NFL Channel scouting skinny from the pros:
1) A lot of QBs, Newton included, weren't dropping into their sets quick enough. They were late with the final step and that made the throw late.
2) A lot of QBs, Newton included, were throwing to the man-on-route and not the spot that best suited the reciever. At the combine actual completions are meaningless, it's the fundamentals and form.

It's QBs at the combine. Only a handful of guys looked good, but without a pass rush baring down it's a lot of academia.

(in full disclosure I don't care for Newton)

Newton was improvising. He doesn't listen to instructions very well. He was supposed to be throwing to a spot with specific throws, but instead he was improvising and throwing the ball where he wanted, not where it was designed to go. He reminds me of QBs for whom the game never slows down. He plays at high speed only.

 

[Southpaw]

I don't really get why Cam Newton is so polarizing.

For me, it is because he is a self aggrandizing over rated individual, who is surrounded by legal controversy. He has an abundance of physical abilities, but has made a habit of short cutting the process at every turn.

Haters vs Slurpers

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Yep, that is the 64-dollar question. The problem with Newton, aside from my off-the-field concerns, is how long it will take him to develop, if he ever does. We can't wait 2-3 years before a QB sees the field, and IMO, that's how long it would take Newton. Again, that is if he ever works out at all. I'm just not confident that he will.

An opinion based on what precisely?

 

[moklerman]

An opinion based on what precisely?

In terms of college experience, isn't he a lot like Sanchez? Has thrown less than 300 passes in Div I games, basically one year of experience. Even those passes were in a very non-NFL system.

Seems kind of obvious that he's going to need some time.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

In terms of college experience, isn't he a lot like Sanchez? Has thrown less than 300 passes in Div I games, basically one year of experience. Even those passes were in a very non-NFL system.

Seems kind of obvious that he's going to need some time.

The question is... how much time?

He's keeps saying 2-3 years, and one wonders... based on what?

 

[john h]

Linky

The more and more I hear this stuff, Cards can't go QB with the #5. I'm leaning more towards LSU corner Peterson.

Cards need to sign a veteran QB.

I heard the same thing on the radio. Cam gave his excuses for his poor passes. When one guy drops down another moves up. There will be a QB taken in the top ten.

 

[john h]

So it's okay to bust on a kid like Locker and Mallet for their accuracy, but not on Newton? Oh wait, some people have tried to do that to them, but they excelled at the combine. With unfamiliar WRs. Eh, who am I kidding. I still don't like Locker as a QB prospect. More and more I'm confirming I don't like Newton. The one that's winning me over is Mallet. So far I don't want him at 5, but if he keeps doing well leading up to the draft and clears up the rumors, then I might be convinced. Not over Quinn, of course

Living in Arkansas and watching Mallet play since high school and listening to his interviews for what seems like hundreds of times I say he will have no off field problems. This kid is no druggie or drunk. There is nothing evil about him. He will do just fine in the NFL when it comes to character and leadership. His arm will speak for itself. He is probably the best pure passer in the combines. His release point which is over the top is 8 feet. He will have the strongest arm in the combine. With huge hands standing 6'7" he is the prototype pure pocket passer. His drop back time was very fast as was his release time. He will be one of the best QB gambles in the draft. When you watch him play he reminds me of Peyton Manning. I am not saying he is a Peyton Manning but he sure has the credentials to be like Peyton. Only time and experience will tell how far Ryan can go. You never know what is in a guys head. He was a big time QB in the SEC which is as tough a conference as there is in college football. He will be gone before the first round is over.

 

[john h]

The Pac-12 better in talent than the SEC? Dont think so...

I dont like Newton or Locker as an NFL QB, but to think Lockers inaccuarcy is correctable, I really find that hard to believe.

The SEC has had the national champion for 6 consecutive years. That speaks for itself about conference strength.