Rotoworld ranks the NFL's "Best QB Situations"

[Cary Kollins]

About this list:

 

This list will look dramatically different than a straightforward ranking based on 2015 expectations alone. Not that 2015 is completely discounted. Simply having a good quarterback locked down for one season is an achievement many teams can’t muster. But the focus is on the future, particularly the next 3-5 years.

 

 

Our guy comes in at eight. Of course the author is pretty lazy in his assessments (Stafford threw 41 touchdowns! Hooray!), but it could be worse.

 

 

 

8. Panthers, Cam Newton

 

Cam Newton versus Blaine Gabbert was once a debate. So is life on a spinning rock where the more we learn, the more it serves to highlight how little we truly know. Newton vs. Gabbert has been settled with extreme prejudice. What about Newton vs. Newton? Newton is one of the most unique talents in NFL history. He is a tank in human form, one with a howitzer for an arm. But even the best M4 Sherman could only take so many hits. Four years into his career, that’s the dilemma facing Newton for the next four. Defenses have few answers for a healthy Newton, but can he possibly stay healthy? The first step is obviously taking fewer unnecessary shots, but that would require fewer of the scrambles that make him so special. Better pocket awareness would be a godsend — Newton spins into so many punishing sacks — but can that be taught at age 26? The point could become moot if Newton’s come-and-go accuracy stops going more than it comes, but a 58.5 2014 completion percentage doesn’t hint at meaningful improvement in the near future. Newton is ranked this high because for now — and probably at least the next three years — his gifts outweigh his flaws. How his game evolves could be the difference between three more years or a decade as the Panthers’ answer at quarterback.

 

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nfls-best-qb-situations-163900040--nfl.html

[KSpan]

Cam's pocket awareness could certainly be better at times, but the OL play for the first half of the year was some of the worst I've ever seen on an NFL field.

[Captain Morgan]

Cam is healthy.

The OL is improved.

He has true multiple targets.

He has experience, including a playoff win.

He has a D that does not require him to score 30 pts a game to win.

 

I'd say he is in his best position yet.  And I think he'll deliver.

 

 

[Davidson Deac II]

Jameis Winston at 15?

 

I think a player should actually play a real down or two before being rated ahead of players who have had decent to good careers. 

[SCP]

Cam rarely takes a big hit when scrambling.

[PandaPancake]

Cam rarely takes a big hit when scrambling.

That's because it's like watching a child trying to tackle an adult.

[Bozarden]

Cam rarely takes a big hit when scrambling.

 

Whenever people say that it just proves to me that they've never seen Cam play. I have never seen him sprint down the field and get pushed around like a rag doll like you see with RG3

[Jimmy]

Cam rarely takes a big hit when scrambling.

 

Except for when he slides...the turf hits him harder than any linebacker ever has.  

[TheRed]

Except for when he slides...the turf hits him harder than any linebacker ever has.

The whole idea that a QB absolutely has to slide or he is doomed is vastly overstated.

Newton is generally pretty smart in how he goes down after a run.

In actuality a QB is more likely to be injured standing too long in the pocket than they are scrambling.

[Batman]

Cam rarely takes a big hit when scrambling.

Cam has delivered more punishment to defenders than they have on him from his running.

The only injury he sustained running was the cracked ribs, which was a pretty freak accident.

He's 6'5 245 & built like a tank. He's fast and powerful. Cam running around is no different than a TE or big WR running. He can outrun guys, juke them, or just lower his shoulder & run over them. Everybody just assumes it's bad because he's a QB. There's never been a QB with his size, speed, athleticism, & strength- plus he had a cannon arm hanging off his shoulder.

TBH, the only other QB in history that had a similar skill set, & who Cam most reminds me of, is John Elway.

Running isn't gonna shorten his career. Getting beat to a pulp in the pocket is.

[rayzor]

Cam is healthy.

The OL is improved.

He has true multiple targets.

He has experience, including a playoff win.

He has a D that does not require him to score 30 pts a game to win.

 

I'd say he is in his best position yet.  And I think he'll deliver.

 

totally agreed on all points.

[L-TownCat]

Hey guys! I took a dump in a typewriter and threw it away!

(Still a better article than this pile of clown shoes)

[Jimmy]

The whole idea that a QB absolutely has to slide or he is doomed is vastly overstated.

Newton is generally pretty smart in how he goes down after a run.

In actuality a QB is more likely to be injured standing too long in the pocket than they are scrambling.

 

I never said he wasn't smart in his decisions to go down...he just goes down like a Jenga puzzle when does. 

[rayzor]

Cam has delivered more punishment to defenders than they have on him from his running.

The only injury he sustained running was the cracked ribs, which was a pretty freak accident.

He's 6'5 245 & built like a tank. He's fast and powerful. Cam running around is no different than a TE or big WR running. He can outrun guys, juke them, or just lower his shoulder & run over them. Everybody just assumes it's bad because he's a QB. There's never been a QB with his size, speed, athleticism, & strength- plus he had a cannon arm hanging off his shoulder.

TBH, the only other QB in history that had a similar skill set, & who Cam most reminds me of, is John Elway.

Running isn't gonna shorten his career. Getting beat to a pulp in the pocket is.

 

the pocket is the most dangerous place for any QB because their focus is so divided and they have to be looking at the whole field so they are very much at the mercy of their own OL and depend on them for safety. no QB can stay upright and healthy and consistent in his production when he has crap for an OL (which is what he had coming into a season where he was already very hurt).

 

this year should be much better as will his confidence in his OL provided they have the lineup set heading into TC so they can spend that time gelling with each other. i know i keep beating that horse, but i am convinced that many of our offensive woes for years have had to do with us not knowing what the starting lineup for the season is going to be until a quarter of the season is over.