Charlotte Observer: Fact or Fiction

[mav1234]

"mobile" quarterbacks have been huge in college for like three decades. That may change, but that doesn't mean the recipe for success is going to morph into Michael Vick in the NFL... which is kind of how I feel when people say "redefining the position."

[Mr. Scot]

Can't agree on this one. Tee.

Defenses and defensive players are faster than ever. That's one of the reasons why screen passes weren't as effective in recent years.

And there's not really a shortage of pocket passers at this point. Now, if you define pocket passers as guys who are slow-footed, there aren't that many of those, but there never really have been all that many "statue" quarterbacks. Dan Marino / Byron Leftwich types are relatively rare. Even those QBs who aren't great running threats tend to be "pocket mobile" (ala Steve Beuerlein).

Are mobile QBs a great thing to have? Yes.

Are we going to get to a time where the majority of quarterbacks are equally dangerous with their legs as their arms? Doubt it.

To succeed in the pros tight now, you must be an effective passer. If you can also run, that's great. If you're not a great runner, but can at least move around in the pocket, you'll be fine. If you're slow footed, the team that takes you may need to invest more in the O-Line, but you can still be successful.

And honestly, I think that's how it'll continue.

[teeray]

Even colleges running pro style offenses have begun to put more emphasis on athletic mobile QBs because they are simply harder to defend.

Two decades ago a mobile QB was a QB like Tommie Frazier. They were in triple wishbones back then. They were not asked to do the things todays QBs are doing.

And if Cam Newton explodes and becomes the type of QB that rushes for 15 tds and passes for 30 tds a year and wins a super bowl or two. The way teams look at the position will change. Especially if Andrew Luck bombs or struggles.

So he could very well change the way we look at the QB position. Again cliff notes here. And I am not saying he will. But he could.

[mav1234]

Funny exchange on Twitter:

Gantt again saying he talked to 4 people who like Newton more than Gabbert.

When asked how many, he said enough, and some of the people he talked to did not like Newton. I have no doubt plenty of NFL people love Cam, but man he is pretty funny.

[Mr. Scot]

Lots of things are harder to do in college than in the pros because the gap in talent tends to be far greater than it is in the pros.

Those things don't always translate to the next level, though.

[mav1234]

And if Cam Newton explodes and becomes the type of QB that rushes for 15 tds and passes for 30 tds a year and wins a super bowl or two. The way teams look at the position will change.

so your prediction is not only will he be a better passer than Vick he'll be a better runner, too?

I just don't see it... I don't see it at all.

edit: the runner bit. can see the passer, lol

[Mr. Scot]

If Newton is even half-decent, I'm sure some journalist who wants to be "the first to say it" will write that he's "changing the game".

But I've been hearing that phrase since the days of Randall Cunningham.

[teeray]

Can't agree on this one. Tee.

Defenses and defensive players are faster than ever. That's one of the reasons why screen passes weren't as effective in recent years.

And there's not really a shortage of pocket passers at this point. Now, if you define pocket passers as guys who are slow-footed, there aren't that many of those, but there never really have been all that many "statue" quarterbacks. Dan Marino / Byron Leftwich types are relatively rare. Even those QBs who aren't great running threats tend to be "pocket mobile" (ala Steve Beuerlein).

Are mobile QBs a great thing to have? Yes.

Are we going to get to a time where the majority of quarterbacks are equally dangerous with their legs as their arms? Doubt it.

To succeed in the pros tight now, you must be an effective passer. If you can also run, that's great. If you're not a great runner, but can at least move around in the pocket, you'll be fine. If you're slow footed, the team that takes you may need to invest more in the O-Line, but you can still be successful.

And honestly, I think that's how it'll continue.

The reason I think it WILL change has less to do with the NFL and more to do with the evolution of the college game.

Don't misconstrue what I am saying I don't think Josh Nesbitts will become the premiere QBs in the NFL. But you will start to see more and more of these hybrid QBs coming out every year.

There was a time when people werw adamant that the spread and spread option could never work in abig time conference bc of the speed of big time conference's defenses. Last year both teams in the NC game ran a spread option.

As tye college game evolves so will the NFL especially at QB.

[teeray]

so your prediction is not only will he be a better passer than Vick he'll be a better runner, too?

I just don't see it... I don't see it at all.

edit: the runner bit. can see the passer, lol

Maybe not in terms of explosive highlight reel plays. But Newton will be deadly deep in the red zone and on 3rd and 3/2/1 plays. That is where I think he will be a killer. IMO.

[klumme]

About 20 years ago Cunningham had close to 1000 yds rushing. He was a tremendous athlete. If I remember correctly he had a 40 close to 4.4.

There have been running QBs before. There will be again. They are just far apart and there is a reason for that. But something completely new is it not.

[teeray]

Try to sum up my theory in one sentence. Better athletes playing the QB position instead of WR in college will lead to better athletes playing QB in the NFL.

I say thay knowing that the defenses will be getting faster too which IMO will put an even higher premium on mobility.

Just a theory though guys. None of us know the future. :p

[teeray]

About 20 years ago Cunningham had close to 1000 yds rushing. He was a tremendous athlete. If I remember correctly he had a 40 close to 4.4.

There have been running QBs before. There will be again. They are just far apart and there is a reason for that. But something completely new is it not.

Cunningham was a bad ass QB who had a pretty long career. He didn't win a super bowl but he did everything else you could ask of him.

My point is that 20 years from now you will have a lot more examples than 1 or 2 QBs that are from that mold to evaluate and understand.

[klumme]

I agree that the college game is changing and have for a while. What I do not agree with is that is going to change the QB position in the NFL. Its simply not what teams are looking for. Just look at all the talk about Newton just being a running QB who cannot throw. That is only a topic because what teams is looking for-

Even though the college game has change a lot the last couple of years and there is a lot option schemes etc with running QB. It have had NO impact on the NFL QB position yet. In fact it seems the NFL is going in the completely other direction and its a passing league more than ever.

[teeray]

I agree that the college game is changing and have for a while. What I do not agree with is that is going to change the QB position in the NFL. Its simply not what teams are looking for. Just look at all the talk about Newton just being a running QB who cannot throw. That is only a topic because what teams is looking for-

Even though the college game has change a lot the last couple of years and there is a lot option schemes etc with running QB. It have had NO impact on the NFL QB position yet. In fact it seems the NFL is going in the completely other direction and its a passing league more than ever.

Your first paragraph is where Cam could change that. Again this is all theoretical so take it FWIW. If Cam Newton becomes a transcendent player and wins 3 super bowls then what teams are looking for will change.

I still think these exotic college offenses are in their infancy and the QB position in college will continue to change. UNC has already changed how they are recruiting the QB position and they run an NFL offense.

But again this is all theoretical. Don't think I am saying this definetly will happen. Just my theory.