Exhibit A of why you don't draft Newton in the 1st round

[unicar15]

Don't get me wrong I like Newton. I think he has a legit arm and poise to win. I just wouldn't take him in the 1st round when I could have a pocket passer. Honestly, I am thinking at this point that Luck is the only QB that is definitely worth a first round pick.

Mallett apparently has maturity issues.

Locker has technique issues.

Newton has future durability issues and a gimmicky offense in his background.

Right now I am just praying that the NFL and NFLPA can figure out the CBA and Luck declares for the draft.

[Joscott]

Don't get me wrong I like Newton. I think he has a legit arm and poise to win. I just wouldn't take him in the 1st round when I could have a pocket passer. Honestly, I am thinking at this point that Luck is the only QB that is definitely worth a first round pick.

Mallett apparently has maturity issues.

Locker has technique issues.

Newton has future durability issues and a gimmicky offense in his background.

Right now I am just praying that the NFL and NFLPA can figure out the CBA and Luck declares for the draft.

I think you could argue for one of those guys later in the first, to teams like Seattle (which could still be in the playoffs) but Luck is by far the only one worth the overall #1. It's still a risk, yes, but one you have to take.

It will also be interesting to see how the McNabb, Palmer, Hasselbeck, etc situations play out and who puts their faith in one of those on the downside of their career and how it effects drafting.

[Delhommey]

By "centering the offense" do you mean becoming dependent on their scrambling ability and/or conforming to their poor passing skills?

Scrambling QB's don't necessarily have poor passing skills. Cunningham had a freakin' cannon of an arm, Colt McCoy is pretty deadly accurate, and McNair had the complete package throw wise (as did Young).

The problem is:

1. Play calling: If you have a QB that can scramble, you have to build the playbook around that. Running plays tend to be options and passing plays are either horizontal (to take advantage of the safeties and LB's run blitzing) or full on vertical (to take advantage of the safeties playing up).

If you want to see what happens when you put a pocket passer in a running QB scheme, take a look at the Texas Longhorns record this year.

2. Protection: Blocking for a pocket passer on a passing play is straight pass blocking. Blocking for a scrambler can become run blocking at any given moment. You need to have more athletic, quick reacting, zone block type O Linemen for a scrambler.

Again, look at UT this year to see what a pocket passer looks behind these type of O linemen.

3. Routes: A WR can go from running a route to having to block at the drop of a hat. Takes a different sort.

4. The clock in the QB's head: Where pocket passers have a natural "tick (first read), tick(second read), half-tick (third read and step up)/half-tick (throw it away/reset if pressure's not too great)" progression, scrambling qb's have a natural "tick (first read), tick (second read), half tick (third read/RUN!)" progression.

Change the QB and you change the whole timing of the offense.

[SmootsDaddy89]

Plus, he's black.

[cookinbrak]

Vince Young scares me. Cam Newton reminds me a lot of Vince Young.

That said, if Luck stays in school, we have to take Noootahn.

[micnificent28]

Plus, he's black.

neg rep.

[micnificent28]

Vince Young scares me. Cam Newton reminds me a lot of Vince Young.

That said, if Luck stays in school, we have to take Noootahn.

from just a qb stand point i don't think vince young is the failure most people think he is. just go look at his win loss totals...

[SmootsDaddy89]

How will I ever recover those three rep points you stole from me due to your inability to detect sarcasm?

[micnificent28]

How will I ever recover those three rep points you stole from me due to your inability to detect sarcasm?

maybe you can get them off amazon???

[unicar15]

Vince Young scares me. Cam Newton reminds me a lot of Vince Young.

That said, if Luck stays in school, we have to take Noootahn.

A. I think Newton is bigger, stronger, maybe faster than Young.

B. He has a much quicker release.

C. He has a lot more velocity on his throws than Young.

If Luck stays in school we take AJ Green. There is no way I would take Newton #1. You don't take Newton unless you are sold on him being the future of your franchise for the next decade or so and 13 college games playing in a gimmicky offense (from the gun the entire time) isn't enough to sell me on Cam Newton 1st overall. I love his skill set. He has a rocket arm and great mobility but I'm not sure that understanding of the game is there. He has always just been the biggest, strongest, fastest guy on the field and that isn't going to be the case in the NFL.

[cookinbrak]

If Luck stays, is there any way to trade down a few spaces and get Newton/Green/ Mallett? I don't think so, because there's no concise #1 other than Luck.

[countryboi]

exhibit B of why you should draft cam newton.......JOE FREAKING WEBB...he is not half as talented as cam newton and his legs and feet killed the eagles

[err456]

Don't worry about our #1 getting injured. Clausen will be around to take over just like he did this year.

Seriously, I am a Luck fan that would also be happy with Newton. I am sure Luck will have to run at times to be successful. I am also sure Newton will have to run less in the NFL than he has in college if he is to stay healthy. Point is Newton has the passing skills and with the right mentor and coach he could be very good.

[GreatPoupon]

sometimes scrambling gets you out of trouble... sometimes it gets you in trouble.

i think injuries to this position have more to do with how many hits you're taking and the kind of hits those are.