My take on the Cam Newton fumble.

[Jeremy Igo]

This may not be, well hell, this won't be a popular opinion. But, it is my opinion none the less. 

Cam Newton doesn't know why he didn't dive for the football. 

I will explain. 

Over the past 5 seasons I have seen Cam take thousands of snaps both in practices and in games. I have even seen him catch hundreds of passes. One thing I have never witnessed him do is a fumble recovery drill. I am not sure he has ever done one, at least in the pros. 

Take a look again at the video

 

 

The point at which Cam needs to be diving on the ball is at the hash mark, not when he is over the ball with his legs contorted. He takes one long stride too many. No one just falls on the ball. You dive on it. It is not a question of whether or not Cam tried to retrieve the fumble, he obviously did as he ran towards it. 

It is a question of technique. It appeared Cam thought he could just reach down and pick it up. Exactly like someone who has not performed a fumble recovery drill would do. All players, except QBs, spend a whole lot of time practicing diving and wrapping up. But by the time Cam got there, it was too late, diving was not an option because of how his legs were situated, as he said in the press conference. 

In short, the desire was there, but the technique was not. 

 

[Kurb]

The very concept that someone who runs the ball like he runs took a "business decision" could be called absurd.

 

If Cam had picked it up and ran for a TD people would complain he didnt try and pass the ball first.

[cardiackat88.]

I truly feel like he was kinda shellshocked from getting roughed up all night. 

Manning or Brady wouldn't be breaking their necks for it.

I feel he weighed his options quickly too "break my neck, tear my ACL, get clobbered again recovering it, oh wait it looks like someone else has it?"

[Chaos]

I remember one time when we played the Cardinals and Kurt Warner extended his arm on the ground to scoop up a ball he fumbled.  Julius Peppers came down on his arm and broke it. 

The man is our $100 million face of the franchise.  Bigger picture here folks,we all know he isn't scared of contact. 

[Captain Obvious]

Sometimes when you carry the whole O on your back its hard to bend over.

[teeray]

No QB in the NFL puts his body in harm's way more than Cam Newton.

This is a guy who played with a bum ankle, broken ribs, and a broken back last season.

The idea of him not being commtted or tough is laughable.

He made a snap judgment.  He may have made wrong decision and it may have been a technique issue.  But it isnt heart or toughness.  

[jamos14]

2 minutes ago, Chaos said:

I remember one time when we played the Cardinals and Kurt Warner extended his arm on the ground to scoop up a ball he fumbled.  Julius Peppers came down on his arm and broke it. 

The man is our $100 million face of the franchise.  Bigger picture here folks,we all know he isn't scared of contact. 

Or when Drew Brees tore his labrum diving on a fumble in SD.

[SportsCrazie4172]

One thing about Cam is that he is honest and consistent with it..no need to doubt him now..

He stated he didnt want to hurt his leg..I'm going with that..

[KB_fan]

Really helpful Jeremy.  Those of us who aren't football insiders, don't watch practice would never realize this.

[fieryprophet]

I think we're all over-analyzing a heat of the moment play. Why do players sometimes walk with the ball in basketball? Your brain locks up and you don't know what to do but you have to do something, so you can sorta half-shuffle forward and look blankly at the ref when they blow the whistle.

I am just beyond furious that this is going to be one of several annoying-ass tropes we have to deal with for the foreseeable future. Sometimes I just wish the media would experience a collective mass teleportation to the center of the sun. Eff them all.

[teeray]

Demarcus Ware dove right at his knees also (mot intentionally i dont think) but Cam was indeed in a precarious position to have his knee blown out Culpepper style

[Cary Kollins]

Agree 100% with the OP.

This was a "decision" made in a millisecond. It's more a reflex than a thought. This theory explains that perfectly.

[TheRed]

I can't really make sense of it either honestly. But it's a split second decision made on the fly with helmets flying around that will unfortunately be over analyzed for years to come.

[t96]

Interesting point of view Jeremy. Up until reading this I had been pissed about that play but now see this point of view. This seems reasonable and a possible explanation. I had absolutely no clue what was going through his mind there but what you suggested gives me a better idea.