Auburn QB Cam Newton Will Enter 2011 NFL Draft
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Cam Newton has announced that he will be leaving Auburn University and entering the 2011 NFL draft. This comes as no surprise given Newton’s top flight talent, coupled with the larger share of legal money in which Cam Newton will likely make now that Andrew Luck has opted to stay at Stanford for another year.
Newton is a polarizing figure in many ways. There’s the whole FBI Investigation thing, a relatively shady past, and that’s not even considering the fact that the majority of scouts and critics think Newton will either be a big star or a bust.
The system Newton played in under Auburn Coach Gene Chizik did little to prepare him for the NFL, outside of playing a schedule chock-full of SEC talent he will be seeing on Sundays. In fact, many pundits have used the words Tim Tebow, whose throwing motion has been notoriously dissected more than any in NFL history, in describing Cam Newton as a potential NFL prospect.
Newton’s large physical presence will help his cause as an NFL prospect, and he’s already leaps and bounds above where Tebow was in the technique department this time last year. While I’m in the pro-Newton category, character issues do alarm me to some degree as it pertains to the young lighting rod.
Newton’s choices seem very appealing, should he go in the first round like we expect him to, as the majority of potential suitors for Newton are virtually a serviceable quarterback away from playoff contention.
Washington Redskins. The Rex Grossman show actually kept the Redskins afloat during their home stretch, further proving that Grossman may be underrated after all. Grossman is not the solution to the Redskins’ dilemma as a perennial basement dweller in the NFC East, however, and even if Newton does pan out for Washington there are bountiful holes in both the Skins’ pass and run defense.
Miami Dolphins. Chad Henne’s season long erosion is really what did the Dolphins in to the point where he will almost be guaranteed to fight for his starting job come next season (the pending lockout should help him, though). Newton could be an instant star should he gel with the underutilized yet outspoken, Brandon Marshall and perhaps the Dolphins would fulfill my ill-advised Super Bowl prophecy one year later.
Jacksonville Jaguars. David Gerrard isn’t getting any younger, and Jack Del Rio will be in ‘win, or you’re fired’ mode all next season. Rest assured, should Newton get drafted by Jacksonville, Gerrard will have an extremely short leash if the Jags get off to another slow start.
Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings could be a perfect fit for Cam Newton as they will not be nearly the mess they were in 2010. With their coach solidified, and starters in key positions staying put, the Vikings have the talent to reclaim the NFC North. Newton could be the answer, and the trio of Adrian Peterson, Cam Newton, and Sidney Rice could be fun to watch.
Seattle Seahawks. It’s highly likely that Newton could fall to the end of the first round as this year’s draft class is ripe with potential studs at quarterback (Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert = Sleeper of the Draft). Should that happen, he could fall into Pete Carroll’s lap at #29 as Matt Hasselbeck’s career drags on in its final stages. Charlie Whitehurst, despite a stellar but pedestrian performance against the Rams to win the division, doesn’t strike me as the next really good Seattle quarterback. Cam Newton could be just what the West Coast needs to get excited about football again.
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Tags: 2011, Auburn, BCS, Blaine Gabbert, Cam Newton, College Football, NFL, NFL Draft, Tim Tebow
