Cam Newton #1 - good move or mistake?

Almost every QB has to learn to read complex defenses when they get to the NFL, because very few have complex offenses at the college level. I draft Cam-bo because he's a franchise guy. I love those big DLinemen, but they had one of the best DEs in the game for years and did nothing. It's about time the Panthers took a shot at something.

 

First off, the increased quality and decreased number of threads shows you're growing as a poster. Not easy when English isn't your primary language, so well done :up:

My biggest question mark surrounding the Panthers and Newton actually has to do with timing. The labor situation has two effects:

1) The Panthers don't have a veteran QB on their roster. That's a huge problem for a QB who is going to have to learn on the fly and is incredibly raw. A winner, sure, but incredibly raw. You'd love to see him learn for a season, but at this point if you're the Carolina FO, you have no idea who you're going to be able to get and at what price. Interestingly, perhaps the best situation they'd be looking at would be signing Vince Young. That's a guy who needs to continue learning under another QB, not a guy who needs to be teaching Cam Newton.

2) You face the prospect of a shortened offseason. You draft Cam, you want to get your hands on him immediately. Instead, there's a strong possibility that the team will be barred from contact with him for an extended period of time. That further steepens the learning curve.

Now, the one thing that is HUGELY in Cam's favor is that he's demonstrated an ability to learn on the fly. Remember, this isn't a guy who sat and then came in and led Auburn. He learned on his way to a National Championship. Granted, that was a MUCH less complex offense (not to mention entirely different) than he'll be asked to learn in the NFL. My guess is that if they take him, they're forced into a situation in which the offense is initially tailored around what he's already doing, and a more pro style offense is gradually arrived at.

It's certainly a risk, but at the same time, going into FA with Jimmy as your top QB may be an even bigger one.

 

I'm just glad that we don't need a QB because none of these guys have looked good to me.

 

What does that mean?
The term 'franchise qb' is my biggest pet peeve, especially with prospects coming out of college..

 

I didn't answer the question, did I? I take him, but only if I'm prepared to part with at least one future choice to grab a quality vet to start this season. It may not come to that, but they'd have to be willing to gamble an extra pick. Without a 2nd rounder, they HAVE to either draft Cam or give up those future picks on someone like Kolb anyway. I don't think they have a shot at someone like McNabb. He won't want to go somewhere without other pieces in place, which is why he's a near shoe-in for Arizona.

 

Really intriguing FA option for them, and one that I think would be an outstanding fit in three separate ways, Kerry Collins. Kerry goes somewhere that he can start for one more year, not to mention a place he's very familiar with. He also gets a chance to exercise a lot of the demons that haunted his first time through Carolina. The Panthers get their veteran QB, and won't have to worry about Jimmy or Cam getting shelled. And Cam gets a veteran quarterback that has seen two young QB careers faulter (his own and VY's), so he'll have a ton of great insight into how he should approach his the pro game.

If it were me, I wouldn't hate the idea of starting Jimmy anyway just in case he does show something and gain some trade value, but if they're looking to win some games they'll need another guy.

It's simple, he's the guy that you make the face of your franchise. The guy that you hold up to fans as a sign that there is hope, that things will change, and that things will get better in time. If they get to next season with Jimmy C as the guy, Ron Rivera or not, they lose and the fans will see just another terrible season. They go in there with Cam on the bench, getting time as the year goes on, they'll see it as the start of a new regime working out the kinks. If Cam hits, he's going to be beloved there like Mark is here, and the positive attitude that brings to a fanbase can't be overlooked.

 

If they get their pick right they could very well be picking #1 next year. The Panthers have players, and pretty good ones at that, it's just that they don't have anyone to lead the way. Gross, Otah, and Kalil on the line are all very good, they have Steve Smith and two quality young WRs, and they have a potential 1200 yard guy in Jonathan Stewart. That's a great thing to build on.

 

This is a tough call. Personally, if I was picking for Carolina, I would probably go with the safest pick of the bunch, and I would try not put much stock into upside. They have needs all over the field, and with the money these top picks demand, you can't afford to draft a bust. Nobody is guaranteed, but if I thought Patrick Peterson was the safest pick, that's who I would take. I don't think I'd take a questionable QB unless I was picking 15th or later.

 

I considered him, but I really think Kerry stays in Tennessee. He's in a better situation there for him. I know he opted not to be extended, but I think when push comes to shove, he grooms Tennessee's heir apparent.

Yeah, starting Jimmy isn't the end of the world for a team that's not going to compete this season anyway (they just blew that team's immediate future up going into 2010), but they have to have a vet on the roster somewhere either way. Of course, if they don't take Cam, and they start Jimmy, there's a good chance they're in the same position next year and get Andrew Luck. I'd say you never play the draft that way and just write off a year, but that's exactly what they did last season.

 

I agree with this!

With the 1st pick do not take a huge risk. When the Texans passed on Reggie Bush a few years ago, I think they made the right move.

 

Yeah, there are too many talented guys in this years top 10 to take a gamble on a guy like Newton.

If it was a different team, or a different year, with a less talanted top 10, I might say go with the QB. Not having FA this year kind of changes things too. If they were able to sign a few talented FA's before the draft, maybe they have fewer needs, and can justify rolling the dice on a QB.

 

The converse is true as well. If they knew they were able to get a QB, they may not be looking to draft one. My guess is they'd have been perfectly happy to swap picks with Philly for Kevin Kolb, and I'd also assume Philly would have been happy to oblige with a new CBA and rookie wage scale in place, despite Andy Reid's claims that Kolb is worth a 1st and 3rd. The Eagles would run out and grab VY in that situation and look like kings.

 

If they draft them, I hope he sucks. If they trade for a vet I hope he sucks too.

I feel the same about all of the other teams draft choices and trades.

I only pull for the Jets.

 

The Panthers gave up the 33rd pick in this years draft for Clauson. Give the kid a chance with a healthy offense. He may suck, but without a healthy WR and the very banged up RBs and OLine, at this point they can't possibly know what they have.
If Carolina takes Newton they should look for the #1 pick in next years draft as well.

 

All good points, especially the last one, but I don't think any of the earlier points are strong enough to not take him. I think the Panthers will sign a veteran QB. If not, Marty Hurney should be fired. IMO, even if they decide to go with Clausen or Gabbert, they need a veteran for a year so the young guy can learn on the safety of the sideline. I think the Panthers OL is vastly overrated at least with regard to pass protection, and there is no depth.

Also one point you left out is that Cam's got a tremendous ceiling and can be a Franchise QB. The Panthers have never had a great QB. They need a new face for the franchise.

GH's point is also very true. Not only did they have the best DEs in the game, but had Kris Jenkins in the middle, and still couldn't win consistently.

I'd probably take Cam, even if I knew in advance I couldn't sign a veteran QB. I let Clausen get the crap beat out of him for another season and let Cam learn from Clausen's mistakes. With Clausen starting, the Panthers will be picking top 3 again and can get more pieces of the puzzle next year.

The problem with taking a D stud this year and letting Clausen start is that the D stud might be good enough that they don't get to draft the Luck kid from Stanford next year.

 

Excellent post!!!