Interesting comments from Nmandi A. regarding Cam Newton.

[Crazy Canuck]

If we were picking in the early to mid-teens I'd take a gamble on Newton. But, if players are going to be paid based on the existing agreement, no way would I risk a number 5 pick on this guy.

Steve

Well, someone is going to get #5 $$$... and no one comes with a guarantee.

 

[AzStevenCal]

Well, someone is going to get #5 $$$... and no one comes with a guarantee.

I'm less concerned about the off field stuff as I am the on field issues. He's just too big a gamble at 5. Between reading the whole field and his inability to consistently hit the short targets, I just don't see how you can spend number 5 money on him. Trade down to the early teens and pick him and I'm all for it. That's always easier said than done but it's the only way I target Newton.

Steve

 

[PACardsFan]

Okay, but Terrelle Pryor plays in a garbage conference and plays maybe 4 good teams a year. Cam Newton plays in the SEC and dominated against very good teams and outright destroyed bad teams.

Auburn is not Florida or Alabama; it's the SEC equivalent of Arizona State or Michigan State.

Basically, Cam Newton turned a 5-loss team in 2009 into a national champion in 2010.

The SEC was nowhere near a good as in past seasons.

 

[LarryStalling]

Only thing I have to say is that if you can make a terrible coach look like Vince Lombardi and win the national championship, you must have some outstanding qualities.

 

[Cardiac]

BTW my avatar much better than yours.

+1

 

[Crazy Canuck]

I'm less concerned about the off field stuff as I am the on field issues. He's just too big a gamble at 5. Between reading the whole field and his inability to consistently hit the short targets, I just don't see how you can spend number 5 money on him. Trade down to the early teens and pick him and I'm all for it. That's always easier said than done but it's the only way I target Newton.

Steve

If we pass on Gabbert, if available, or Newton - there is no way they get by the quarterback needy teams that follow us. 49ers, Titans, Redskins. (IMO)

 

[D-Dogg]

yes, look at his passing attemps vs. running attemps. He is a good passer who uses the run. In College his size and speed allowed him to gain long runs, in NFL it will allow him to get the occasional big yards, but what is really shows--to me--will be his ability to keep plays alive ala Big Ben or Josh Freeman.

No.

 

[D-Dogg]

Please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please do NOT draft Cam Newton.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

yes, look at his passing attemps vs. running attemps. He is a good passer who uses the run. In College his size and speed allowed him to gain long runs, in NFL it will allow him to get the occasional big yards, but what is really shows--to me--will be his ability to keep plays alive ala Big Ben or Josh Freeman.

Yes.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please do draft Cam Newton.

 

[AzStevenCal]

If we pass on Gabbert, if available, or Newton - there is no way they get by the quarterback needy teams that follow us. 49ers, Titans, Redskins. (IMO)

You may be right. But, we're one of the teams that definitely shouldn't reach for this guy. We have too many holes to fill to take that kind of risk. If a trade down to the low teens IS available, I'd take the deal and if Newton's gone there will still be some quality defensive players available.

It's not likely we'll walk away from free agency and this draft with a QB, a tight end, a center, a left guard, an edge rusher (2 would be better), a safety and a cornerback but we need to upgrade most of those spots to be a Super Bowl contender. And we need to improve at least 3 or 4 of those spots to be a playoff contender. IMO, it's better to find a temporary solution than to risk so much on a bust or boom QB.

Steve

 

[Crazy Canuck]

You may be right. But, we're one of the teams that definitely shouldn't reach for this guy. We have too many holes to fill to take that kind of risk. If a trade down to the low teens IS available, I'd take the deal and if Newton's gone there will still be some quality defensive players available.

It's not likely we'll walk away from free agency and this draft with a QB, a tight end, a center, a left guard, an edge rusher (2 would be better), a safety and a cornerback but we need to upgrade most of those spots to be a Super Bowl contender. And we need to improve at least 3 or 4 of those spots to be a playoff contender. IMO, it's better to find a temporary solution than to risk so much on a bust or boom QB.

Steve

1. Our number one position of need is QB
2. It's likely that Free Agency will follow the draft.

Ergo: Whether you like it or not, there is a good chance that this longer term need will be addressed in the draft.

As for risk... yes it's a crap shoot, but there are four QB's (Gabbert, Locker, Newton, Mallett) who, at this point, have higher Scout Inc. grades than Josh Freeman when he came out.

They are all projects to a greater or lesser extent, but it is quite simply an investment with rish that any team must take to hope to contend for the ultimate prize.

The meek, the vacillating, the less than courageous may inherit the earth, but they sure as Hell won't win a Super Bowl.

 

[LoyaltyisaCurse]

Please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please please do draft Cam Newton.

 

[AzStevenCal]

1. Our number one position of need is QB
2. It's likely that Free Agency will follow the draft.

Ergo: Whether you like it or not, there is a good chance that this longer term need will be addressed in the draft.

As for risk... yes it's a crap shoot, but there are four QB's (Gabbert, Locker, Newton, Mallett) who, at this point, have higher Scout Inc. grades than Josh Freeman when he came out.

They are all projects to a greater or lesser extent, but it is quite simply an investment with rish that any team must take to hope to contend for the ultimate prize.

The meek, the vacillating, the less than courageous may inherit the earth, but they sure as Hell won't win a Super Bowl.

And the team that makes a reach at number 5 for a player that has serious question marks on the field in addition to the off the field issues sure as Hell won't win a Super Bowl either. IF we were a complete team missing a great QB, I'd take this gamble even at number 5 but we're not. Unlike many here, I'd actually like to see us take a gamble on him but it needs to be a smart gamble. Taking him at 5 is not a smart gamble IMO.

Steve

 

[Crazy Canuck]

And the team that makes a reach at number 5 for a player that has serious question marks on the field in addition to the off the field issues sure as Hell won't win a Super Bowl either. IF we were a complete team missing a great QB, I'd take this gamble even at number 5 but we're not. Unlike many here, I'd actually like to see us take a gamble on him but it needs to be a smart gamble. Taking him at 5 is not a smart gamble IMO.

Steve

A gamble at #5 or a gamble by Buffalo or SF or Tenn, all with top 10 picks, is a distinction with very little difference beyond $$$. Would anybody suggest that any one of these 3 teams is a player or two away from the Super Bowl?

I leave it to the team to evaluate the so-called 'serious question marks" and act in the best LONG term interests of this franchise.

 

[AzStevenCal]

A gamble at #5 or a gamble or by Buffalo or SF or Tenn, all with top 10 picks, is a distinction with very little difference beyond $$$. Would anybody suggest that any one of these 3 teams is a player or two away from the Super Bowl?

I leave it to the team to evaluate the so-called 'serious question marks" and act in the best LONG term interests of this franchise.

Not me. This is too big an issue to just leave it up to management. I will do all I can to make sure they do not take Newton at number 5. Oh wait, I just remembered I'm powerless. Okay, your way works.

Steve

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Not me. This is too big an issue to just leave it up to management. I will do all I can to make sure they do not take Newton at number 5. Oh wait, I just remembered I'm powerless. Okay, your way works.

Steve