ESPN Say's Newton To Enter Draft

I keep hearing people compare QB prospects to D McNabb using DM as the type of player you don't want to draft.

The guy is only a borderline Hall of Famer.

As an Eagle though. As a Redskin in Shanahan's system he's a cautionary tale.

Shanny made Plummer a very solid QB, locker is a better overall athlete than Jake IMO. If we don't draft locker or Gabbert I'd just assume not take a QB this yr

I've watched Locker play all 4 years and even if someone doesn't have a great supporting cast you can tell if they have the opportunity to be a solid player. In the senior bowl when he had a chance to show what he can do what did he do? Nothing. Matt Leinart had a great supporting cast at USC and isn't worth a squirrel fart. Also, every player in the draft is talented. You don't get this far without being talented. Just riddle me this: What has Locker done for anyone to say he is the best QB in this draft?? Because he can run??? Not buying it. AJ Green, Von Miller, or Blane Gabbert.

I've watched Locker play all 4 years and even if someone doesn't have a great supporting cast you can tell if they have the opportunity to be a solid player. In the senior bowl when he had a chance to show what he can do what did he do? Nothing. Matt Leinart had a great supporting cast at USC and isn't worth a squirrel fart. Also, every player in the draft is talented. You don't get this far without being talented. Just riddle me this: What has Locker done for anyone to say he is the best QB in this draft?? Because he can run??? Not buying it. AJ Green, Von Miller, or Blane Gabbert.


He was pretty good at UW, is he still a little raw? Yes no doubt but if you think any other QB in this draft is ready to play next year, you are mistaken. Let me ask you this my man, you say Gabbert? What has he done that Locker hasn't? Thats right Nothing, so we are in the same boat my friend just different opinions. Btw I would take Green or Miller at 10 also, BUT they won't be there. How bout we go after Matt Flynn or Kyle Orton?





Jake Locker, Washington, NFL Draft - DraftCountdown.com (http://www.draftcountdown.com/ScoutingReports/QB/Jake-Locker.php)


pretty good assessment of Locker

NFL.com news: Combine could be extremely important for 2011 QB class (http://www.nfl.com/combine/story/09000d5d81e4ec32/article/combine-could-be-extremely-important-for-2011-qb-class?module=HP_cp2)


They mention Ponder here as well

NFL Videos: Grading the quarterbacks (http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-combine/09000d5d81e76a90/Grading-the-quarterbacks?module=HP_video)

He was pretty good at UW, is he still a little raw? Yes no doubt but if you think any other QB in this draft is ready to play next year, you are mistaken. Let me ask you this my man, you say Gabbert? What has he done that Locker hasn't? Thats right Nothing, so we are in the same boat my friend just different opinions. Btw I would take Green or Miller at 10 also, BUT they won't be there. How bout we go after Matt Flynn or Kyle Orton?





Jake Locker, Washington, NFL Draft - DraftCountdown.com (http://www.draftcountdown.com/ScoutingReports/QB/Jake-Locker.php)


pretty good assessment of Locker

Gabbert to me is a MUCH better prospect than Locker. Is there a chance Locker can be a stud? Yes but I think there is a much better chance he ends up as Alex Smith rather than Aaron Rodgers just to compare two QBs from the same draft.

I figured since I posted a game breakdown of Gabbert that I should at least post one about the player in the OP:


Anyway from watching this game specifically:
http://i1081.photobucket.com/albums/j344/AU-FIF/Videos/CN/th_CaminSECChampionshipGame.jpg (http://s1081.photobucket.com/albums/j344/AU-FIF/Videos/CN/?action=view&current=CaminSECChampionshipGame.mp4)

These are the plays that stood out to me. (Many of them are time marked so you can jump to those specific plays)

1) Shotgun Play Action then Pump Fake WR screen left-(plenty of time in a clean pocket) then hits the right side WR on a deep Slant-Seam route. OT+ TAR+ IS+ from Auburn's 15 yd line to USC's 25 yard a 40+ yard through w/ ease good footwork nice release

3) Shotgun escapes sack starts to scramble up the middle with his eyes downfield spots the RB and makes a nifty shovel pass flick to the RB:50s

4) Shotgun 2 step drop clean footwork throws in rhythm sideline hitch left OT+ TAR+ IS+ quick release ball got there in a hurry

5) Shotgun takes off jukes the hell out of the spy gains 14+ yards gets down to avoid hit-great run

8) Shotgun PA half roll out- pressure in the face- makes nice touch pass on TE drag left to right OT+ TAR+ IS+ 2:24s

9) Shotgun Pump n Go right sideline vs all out blitz picked up beautifully- delivers OT+ TAR+ IS+
to wide open Darvin Adams TD!
...from Auburn 35 to their 30 about a 40 yard throw on a line w/ late pressure closing in 2:37s

**10) Shotgun drop backs hits left WR on a 12 yd comeback OT+ TAR+ IS+ ball got there in a hurry

15) Shotgun-dash right no pressure keeps eyes downfield, pressure comes throws a shuffle/scramble throws goofy foot fading away arm pass OT+ OT- IS- 3:13s

18) Shotgun dash right from their 45 to the 3 yards deep in the endzone steps into uncorks it looks like he had plenty of arm left (50+ yard throw) TD

21) Shotgun PA feels and avoids pressure scrambles effortlessly to his left for a 20 yard gain (this run was Randall Cunninghamesque)

**22) (Plenty of time/clean pocket) Shotgun straight drop back-maintains good helmet discipline down the center of the field until the last second when he looks/pivots left and hits a WR that beat the CB on and out and up and Cam beat the Safety w/ the good eye discipline and throw (from the 50 to the 10 40 yd throw w/ ease) OT+ TAR+ IS+ 4:22s

24) Shotgun zone read keeper runs left full speed jump-cut to pick up the 1st down nice play -gifted open field runner 5:38

25) Shotgun Pump & Go (clean pocket) slot wheel route right steps up throws OT+ TAR+ IS+


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The FIRST game we'll look at for Cam Newton is the SEC Championship Game v South Carolina available here:
Heisman Hopeful Cameron Newton Season Highlights (vids) (http://whosright.com/poll/heisman-hopeful-cameron-newton-season-highlights2)

**We couldn't fine a true game cut-up the above clip has all of Newton's completion instead of all Newton's passes.

Part I

Passing Chart:

KEY:
OT: (+/-)on time/in rhythm
TAR- (+/-) on target catchable ball (above the waist not above the shoulders within arm's length)
IS- (+/-) in stride
**Good plays/NFL ability in Bolded in Orange
Sienna color negative plays

1) Shotgun Play Action then Pump Fake WR screen left-(plenty of time in a clean pocket) then hits the right side WR on a deep Slant-Seam route. OT+ TAR+ IS+ from Auburn's 15 yd line to USC's 25 yard a 40+ yard through w/ ease good footwork nice release

2) Shotgun-has all day stays in the pocket reads through his progressions shuffles left keeps his eyes down field and throws on the run goofy footed/fading back arm throw but OT+ TAR+ IS n/a

3) Shotgun escapes sack starts to scramble up the middle with his eyes downfield spots the RB and makes a nifty shovel pass flick to the RB:50s

4) Shotgun 2 step drop clean footwork throws in rhythm sideline hitch left OT+ TAR+ IS+ quick release ball got there in a hurry

5) Shotgun takes off jukes the hell out of the spy gains 14+ yards gets down to avoid hit-great run

6) Shotgun PA-evades sack scrambles right keeps eyes upfield hits 10 sideline pass OT+ TAR+ IS n/a throws on the run goofy foot again (off his right leg) but makes an accurate

7) Shotgun PA zone read QB draw powers through 2 tackles for the TD

8) Shotgun PA half roll out- pressure in the face- makes nice touch pass on TE drag left to right OT+ TAR+ IS+ 2:24s

9) Shotgun Pump n Go right sideline vs all out blitz picked up beautifully- delivers OT+ TAR+ IS+
to wide open Darvin Adams TD!
...from Auburn 35 to their 30 about a 40 yard throw on a line w/ late pressure closing in 2:37s

**10) Shotgun drop backs hits left WR on a 12 yd comeback OT+ TAR+ IS+ ball got there in a hurry

11) Shotgun PA swing pass OT+ TAR+ IS+

12-13) 2 designed QB runs= 1st down

14) Under Center PA evades sacks by juking DL in the backfield keeps eyes upfield hits RB on swing/flat right OT+ TAR+ IS+

15) Shotgun-dash right no pressure keeps eyes downfield, pressure comes throws a shuffle/scramble throws goofy foot fading away arm pass OT+ OT- IS- 3:13s

16) Shotgun PA sideline WR hitch left OT+ TAR+ IS

17) Shotgun PA sideline WR hitch right OT+ TAR+ IS+

18) Shotgun dash right from their 45 to the 3 yards deep in the endzone steps into uncorks it looks like he had plenty of arm left (50+ yard throw) TD

19) Pistol WR screen L

20) Pistol slot comeback OT+ TAR+ IS+

21) Shotgun PA feels and avoids pressure scrambles effortlessly to his left for a 20 yard gain (this run was Randall Cunninghamesque)

**22) (Plenty of time/clean pocket) Shotgun straight drop back-maintains good helmet discipline down the center of the field until the last second when he looks/pivots left and hits a WR that beat the CB on and out and up and Cam beat the Safety w/ the good eye discipline and throw (from the 50 to the 10 40 yd throw w/ ease) OT+ TAR+ IS+ 4:22s

23) Shotgun zone read QB dive trucks the LB for a TD

24) Shotgun zone read keeper runs left full speed jump-cut to pick up the 1st down nice play -gifted open field runner 5:38

25) Shotgun Pump & Go (clean pocket) slot wheel route right steps up throws OT+ TAR+ IS+


For this game:
Instincts+Intuition- 4 made plays no mistakes fumbles/ints
Competitiveness -4
Arm Strength -5 (self evident)
Complete Inventory of passes -5
Quick Delivery -4
Touch- 3 (judging from stats here b/c the incompletions weren't shown but 17/28 w/ 60.7% likely includes some mistakes/missed a few throws)
Read defense -3 (offense didn't require much reading of coverages but executed the offense and made his progressions made good decisions)
Mobility+Avoidance -5
Function while injured - N/A
Not easily rattled-4
Spontaneous decision/play making -5

My questions/nit-picks on Cam:
o sometimes throws arm passes without stepping into the throw
o he'll have to get used to seeing the field and making his progressions from undercenter
o after playing behind an OL that kept him well protected we'll have to see how he handles things when his process is sped up and he's getting hit

Newton is a talent.
He has all the physical tools: big time arm, great mobility, solid mechanics, nice compact throwing motion w/ quick release.
A lot of his offense doesn't translate directly into the NFL but some of it does and a QB w/ his tools in the hands of the right QB mentor in the right situation has great upside.
I wouldn't mind that place being here in DC but looking at the QBs from Kyle Shanahan's vantage point I have a hard time reconciling Kyle Shanahan's statements on Tebow last year: w/ him wanting to draft a player like Cam. (If he's even available I doubt it, my money has Newton going to Chan Gailey and the Bills)



(I just realized that we haven't commented much on each other's breakdowns in the Locker and Gabbert threads)

Reading your breakdown we saw a lot of the same things.
These throws stood out to me: On your chart passes: 1,2,4,6,8,17,25-(mine1,2,4,8,10,22,25)
I think its evident from these that Newton has an above average arm and solid mechanics/compact motion/quick release.
But passes 2,17 and 18 really show his NFL potential he hangs in the pocket goes through his progressions and really makes some nice throws; on pass 17 he holds the Safety in the middle of the field with his eyes.
He does a good job of keeping his eyes downfield and his playmaking is evident.

But for the most part he's very well protected this game.
I want to see a game where a team gets pressure on him.
He sometimes throws off balance off his back foot or goofy footed (Rodgers often throws goofy foot when he scrambles) but he's got enough arm where its not a problem.
Like many spread QBs he's gonna have to get comfortable with operating under center.

He was pretty good at UW, is he still a little raw? Yes no doubt but if you think any other QB in this draft is ready to play next year, you are mistaken. Let me ask you this my man, you say Gabbert? What has he done that Locker hasn't? Thats right Nothing, so we are in the same boat my friend just different opinions. Btw I would take Green or Miller at 10 also, BUT they won't be there. How bout we go after Matt Flynn or Kyle Orton?





Jake Locker, Washington, NFL Draft - DraftCountdown.com (http://www.draftcountdown.com/ScoutingReports/QB/Jake-Locker.php)


pretty good assessment of Locker

When I have argued against Locker it has not been in the belief that someone else was going to come in right away and light it up. I am not sure that any QB this year will be able to step in right away.

Locker does have a big arm and can run, as you said above, but many college QB's have had that combo and not made a dent in the NFL. Akili Smith first comes to mind. Locker's senior year was not good and his Senior Bowl was awful.

I don't think that Ponder, the Senior Bowl MVP, is immediately plug-and-play. But given that he played in a pro style offense, is accurate (unlike Locker), and might be the smartest QB prospect, he might play as soon as anyone else.

I like that Matt Flynn idea. I wonder what his price will be if the CBA morass even allows such a trade.

Some of you people are about to drive me crazy using the Senior Bowl as a scouting profile of Jake Locker or any other QB for that matter.

It's absurd.

When I have argued against Locker it has not been in the belief that someone else was going to come in right away and light it up. I am not sure that any QB this year will be able to step in right away.

Locker does have a big arm and can run, as you said above, but many college QB's have had that combo and not made a dent in the NFL. Akili Smith first comes to mind. Locker's senior year was not good and his Senior Bowl was awful.

I don't think that Ponder, the Senior Bowl MVP, is immediately plug-and-play. But given that he played in a pro style offense, is accurate (unlike Locker), and might be the smartest QB prospect, he might play as soon as anyone else.

I like that Matt Flynn idea. I wonder what his price will be if the CBA morass even allows such a trade.




I would think a 3rd rounder for Flynn would be fair but we don't have a 3rd so I guess that means our 2nd round pick would have to go to GB.