Cam Newton wants to be Big Ben

[Miaoww]

I've always wondered how these kids pay for this professional coaching before they sign their first professional contract. It can't be cheap - I guess they deal in IOUs.

[MHS831]

Cam is also talking to Warren Moon according to the article. He is surrounding himself with some good people. I hope he does well. He is off to a good start.

He is trying to raise his stock.

[Anybodyhome]

Well, several years ago there was a kid named LeBron James who lived in Section 8 housing with his mother, who was also collecting state aid. Funny thing happened on his way to the NBA...

Right after he announced he was foregoing college and going straight to the big time, his mother suddenly found herself driving a brand new Hummer....

[MHS831]

Character concerns, poor work ethic (according to some critics), and questionable football IQ inaccurate passer (deep ball). Not a first rounder.

[KJDaniel31]

I've always wondered how these kids pay for this professional coaching before they sign their first professional contract. It can't be cheap - I guess they deal in IOUs.

My understanding is that agents become lenders for these guys, then get it back when they sign the contract. I believe the higher your stock is the more money an agent is willing to lend you, given your likelihood of being able to pay it back.

[mav1234]

My understanding is that agents become lenders for these guys, then get it back when they sign the contract. I believe the higher your stock is the more money an agent is willing to lend you, given your likelihood of being able to pay it back.

yup.

hell, agents 'lend' guys money before they're allowed to as well.

once you have an agent at least it's legal tho

[Anybodyhome]

Character concerns, poor work ethic (according to some critics), and questionable football IQ inaccurate passer (deep ball). Not a first rounder.

Is that why Clausen didn't go first round? Thanks for answering that burning question.

[jtnc]

Character concerns, poor work ethic (according to some critics), and questionable football IQ inaccurate passer (deep ball). Not a first rounder.

Enough with the 'character concerns.'

[mav1234]

Enough with the 'character concerns.'

lol, really?

Sure, say that in an interview he'd prove they don't matter, even that he has matured and they aren't a concern anymore, but to claim he has no character concerns is ignorant... They may prove not to be character issues, but there are legitimate concerns about him.

[jtnc]

lol, really?

Sure, say that in an interview he'd prove they don't matter, even that he has matured and they aren't a concern anymore, but to claim he has no character concerns is ignorant... They may prove not to be character issues, but there are legitimate concerns about him.

Please tell me what character concerns does he have?

His father was the one who took the money.

He hasn't been in trouble since the laptop incident.

And if we are talking about 'Character concerns' what about Clausen's?

Drinking under the age

And having a fight in a bar.

Edit: Illegal transportation of Liquor

[KJDaniel31]

Please tell me what character concerns does he have?

His father was the one who took the money.

He hasn't been in trouble since the laptop incident.

Pretty much every scout/talent guy in the NFL has cited him as having "character concerns". He very well may have grown up and learned from his mistakes, and may never be a problem again.

But they know very well that if he's been in trouble before, he likely will be again. Its a gamble....so they weigh the risk with his talents and come up with how much they are willing to gamble. I'm not sure anyone disagrees with this.

[ChucktownK]

We will regret not taking Newton.

[mav1234]

Please tell me what character concerns does he have?

His father was the one who took the money.

He hasn't been in trouble since the laptop incident.

And if we are talking about 'Character concerns' what about Clausen's?

Drinking under the age

And having a fight in a bar.

So. You're saying that no NFL team will look into ANYTHING that has happened in his past?

They'll check out the character concerns and decide from there. To say there are no concerns is ignorant. You can say they aren't going to matter, but there ARE concerns... and you named a couple of the incidents that people worry about with him.

As to Clausen, he was billed as immature off the field anyway, so. I wouldn't be surprised if we took Newton if he fell to us at a point outside the #1, either.

Plenty of players have character concerns. However, not all players are basically forced to transfer after a suspension because of legal trouble. It's something teams will look into. Maybe they will determine he has matured to a point that doesn't matter. I haven't met with him so I have no idea.

[lightsout]

Again with this? Really? Ok, let me clear this up for some of you. For a person to have "Character concerns" they have to clearly be convicted of mistakes over and over. He made 1 (the laptop incident) that is legitimate and can't be argued against. The cheating on tests can't be brought up, because I am telling you that there isn't a SINGLE team in the COUNTRY where players don't cheat on tests, homework, etc. So, 1 incident, and the guy has character issues?

I think character is a measurement of a person over a body of work. He knew he was in a bad situation in Florida, needed a clean slate. So, he went to Blinn College, then on to Auburn. Through the adversity of the investigation (which again, he has been cleared of) and competing at a high level at Auburn, I think that is enough to say "kid has his head on right". He has handled interviews with grace and has shown no disrespect to anybody ever. Always smiling. Happy to be playing football. Character issues?

Some of you wanted Vick here after his stint in PRISON, yet you don't want Newton? You claim he is a "project"? No. No he's not. Is he a 1st year starter? No, by no means. But, he will be a starter in this league. Bet your bottom dollar that. The comparison of "project" between he and Armanti is asinine. Armanti is not NEARLY the physical specimen Newton is. Nor does he have the arm of Newton. So, stfu with that argument because it is illogical as hell. Armanti is a project because he is a QB turned WR (Newton would not be).

The mechanical issues (what few there are, really) of his passes are easily fixable. Yet, even with the whole throwing off the back foot occasionally, he found a way to NOT throw INTs and win games. You think every great NFL QB didn't have a problem or two they had to work out prior to coming into the league? If you honestly think Brady, Manning, and Brees were PERFECT mechanically at the college level, you're an idiot. Nobody is. Hence why very few college players actually make it in the NFL. The ones that do are coach-able and went seeking the help that Newton is right now (and The Golden Calf of Bristol last year, granted, he still needs another year or 2 before we say he is a legitimate QB in the NFL).

My point, quit with your blind hate over a guy who has made MINIMAL mistakes as opposed to some people in this world. I am sure some of you made worse mistakes at some point (probably around 18 years old, much like Newton). If you think he is not a 1st year starter, you're right. But don't act like he's any more of a project than Gabbert, Mallett, or any other QB in this draft.