Cam Newton Statistically Similar to A Rodgers

[KaseKlosed]

Rather than settle for their Potter Stewart-esque explanations (“I know it when I see it”), we at Universal Draft have chosen to rely on facts and figures, isolating details rather than buying vagaries. The natural and undeniable conclusion is that nobody should accuse Cameron Newton of being a ‘run-first’ quarterback, or a glorified running back, or anything of the kind. The fact of the matter is we have isolated every single snap (both pass and run) of Cam Newton’s over his final six games against Ole Miss, Chattanooga, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and Oregon. What we found is that Newton only scrambled for yardage on a total of 15 of 169 pass snaps. The other 80 or so runs were called as run plays from the sidelines. The rate (just under 9%) at which Newton pulled down the ball and ran for yardage rather than continuing to try and pass the ball, was comparable with the rate at which Aaron Rodgers did the same (just under 8%) for the Green Bay Packers during the 2010 regular season, according to Pro Football Focus.

Of course, there’s more than that. Cynics may reply that a ‘run-first’ guy may still ultimately pass the ball but he is far too quick to give up on the pocket and begin scrambling around to try and make something happened. This would naturally mean that a large percentage of Newton’s throws came while scrambling around and making something happen. However, according to our research, only about 1 in 5 of Newton’s pass attempts during those final six games came under these conditions. Again according to Pro Football Focus, Aaron Rodgers threw a little over 1 in 5 of his pass attempts while ‘Under Pressure’.

The reality is that when Cam Newton was being recruited out of Westlake High School, he had to dispel scouts of the complete opposite notion, that he was just a pure pocket passer that didn’t use his feet to hurt teams. Here is a quote dated March 22nd, 2006 in a report about Newton’s recruiting prospects:

Some have labeled Newton as a pure pocket passer but he is quick to discard that assessment. “I used to just sit back in the pocket but now with defensive ends running 4.6 forty’s you have to be able to move around and make plays with your feet," he said. “Now, I consider myself a guy who can run and pass. I really like to sit back and throw the ball but if you give me some space I’ll tuck it and run.”

Consider another quote from a Recruiting Editor for TigerSportsDigest.com, dated May 2, 2006:

Newton, a 6-5, 220-pounder out of Atlanta (Ga.) Westlake, surprised nearly everyone in attendance when he posted a 4.51 in the 40-yard dash.

Everyone was well aware that he had a big league arm that could make all of the throws, but bringing his speed down from a 4.8 to a 4.5 makes him all the more dangerous when things break down in the pocket.

http://weblogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports/columnists/hyde/blog/2011/02/draft_winds_a_thorough_breakdo.html

[KaseKlosed]

The fact that Newton had to go out of his way to dispel recruiters of the notion that he was just a pure pocket passer is not terribly shocking, if you’ve tracked what Newton did at Westlake High, where they ran the option “maybe twice a game” according to Cam back in 2006.

Additionally, if one were to study what Newton did at Blinn College, they would find a player that was not asked to run the ball as often as at Auburn. As Cecil Newton put it in discussing why they chose Blinn College, “He's going to get to take some snaps from under center out there at Blinn and the coaching staff there is well versed in a pro style scheme.”

his completion 66.1%, as evidence with his highest passer rating in NCAA history of 188 going into the BCS campionship game...as evidence with is 30 TD to 7 int ratio....as evidence with his completion percentage going up to 70% against the blitz....as evidence with not a single incomplete pass the entire season during the first drive of any game....as evidence by zero interceptions in the 4th quarter .........regardless of what TYPE of offence he ran.... he showed good instincts in the passing game (even with a low volume of passes) and very good decisions with the football CONSISTANTLY...

Stats dont mean everything, but thats what a lot of you guys love!

[TheRealDeal]

Old news, catch up

[mav1234]

i wish these forums had a "search for URL" function.

[TheRealDeal]

It's funny how people can manipulate stats and find one thing that is similar to someone else and draw a comparison but when you do it in a negative light it's not accepted.

Holy poo you guys are funny

[mav1234]

anyone who watched cam newton clearly saw how similar how he played in auburn's offense was to how rodgers played in green bay. not sure what you're getting at here, TRD!

[KaseKlosed]

Mav theres no point in debating this is you blatantly do not read about what your trying to debate....i appreciate your time though....

[ncmonzta]

No need to be negative he didnt just win running the ball all day. I just read a nice and sweet piece about Gabbert, I didn't get angry. If theres was nothing good about them they wouldn't be up for discussion.

[Verge]

And Russell had a better qb rating than Peyton Manning, I fail to see the point.

[mav1234]

Mav theres no point in debating this is you blatantly do not read about what your trying to debate....i appreciate your time though....

the title of your post is "Cam Newton Statistically Similar to A Rodgers"

Perhaps it should be, "in two categories from 6 games, Cam Newton Statistically Similar to A Rodgers", which would be more accurate.

In reality, the play between the two of them was not similar at all.

What Cam Newton did at Auburn was fantastic but it was not at all like what Green Bay did this season. The article is an interesting read and it's got some great stuff. I enjoyed it the first time around. It caused a huge problem with a lot of the "pro cam" guys because of the character issues it brings up, but I don't think that was the point of it at all.

Cam's game clearly changed in the last 6 games, which was good to see. I wish we could have seen how he could have grown in that system given more time in college... plus it woulda been fun seeing him run over people some more :)

[ncmonzta]

you=:incazzato:Cam:lol:

And Russell had a better qb rating than Peyton Manning, I fail to see the point.

[KaseKlosed]

Verge Russel has nothing to do with the article, so whats YOUR point???

[Verge]

you=:incazzato:Cam:lol:

Hey, if we trade down and where we pick Locker, Gabbert, and Mallett are gone, sign me up for Newton!

[Verge]

Verge Russel has nothing to do with the article, so whats YOUR point???

My point is comparing college stats is useless.