What if Cam is a Bust?

[Catalyst]

Obviously we've had debates going on this for the better part of 2 months now, but as much as I support Newton for the 1st pick, the question must be asked: what IF he's a bust?

What happens to the Panthers as an organization? How much does it set us back? What would our options be then?

Now I do NOT expect this to happen. I personally believe Cam will be a stud in the NFL and an excellent pick, but again, the question is something to ponder just in case.

[Jangler]

Move to LA.

[nagai]

Then we are committed to him for 3 years. You just don't give up on the first overall pick QB that easily. Great GB prospects will come out of the draft and we would be forced to pass on them. We would be bottom feeders of the NFL for 3+ years.

[4Corners]

Move to LA.

[pantherj]

It's certainly not something that would cripple this franchise for years to come. Luck (among others) will enter the draft either in 12' or 13', and there are always a few veteran QBs available if the price is right.

It's hard to find a franchise QB, but you can still have a good team with an average QB. That's accomplished by spending a lot of money on the defensive side of the ball, and running the ball a lot to burn clock.

Cam doesn't look like a bust to me based on what I've seen of his play in college. The problem is that college level defense is terrible, so doing well in college just means that you can make good throws. The mental side of the game is what really counts in the NFL, and with Cam we simply have no idea if he's capable playing well in the NFL.

[Jangler]

Yeah but if we do draft Cam, he most likely won't play, so we won't know if he is a bust or not... Which means we pass on Luck in either year. So yeah, he could cripple the team for a couple of years.

edit: I don't think he will be a bust for whatever team drafts him.

[Cyberjag]

We still have a good defense, we still have a great running game, we still have a strong offensive line, and we still have decent receivers. So if Newton's a bust, we end up using Clausen or Pike. The only big risk with Newton is how much of our salary cap he can absorb for three years.

We won't be set back like the Raiders were with Russell.

[Verge]

Then we just picked Russell over Ryan (Gabbert), Brady (Luck), and Cutler (Barkley) and we will be an under .500 team until two years after we draft a new qb...basically if we miss on Newton we might be relevant again in 2015.

[micnificent28]

Gabbert is Ryan really?And from what I've seen. Dout Barkley has a cutler arm.

[MadHatter]

Gabbert is Ryan really?

have seen several of the experts make the comparison.

[Verge]

Gabbert is Ryan really?And from what I've seen. Dout Barkley has a cutler arm.

Everything about Gabbert screams Ryan to me. Also, Barkley's arm is a freaking rocket.

[CatMan72]

I don't even what to think about "what if" Cam is a bust...

[panthers55]

First of all we won't know if he is a bust for 3 years. Secondly we picked up Clausen last year and it looks like we might pick up Newton this year so the idea that we have to stick with our guy for years is not consistent with our practice. Third, We won't be bad enough to get the numer 1 pick in the draft so those saying we will miss out on Luck are out in left field.

Newton is one player at one position. Missing or hitting on one guy can help or hurt you but it doesn't set you back for years.

[Lout]

Barkley reminds me a little of Brett Favre, with better mechanics. But, to answer the question about Cam being a potential bust. See: Oakland Raiders and Tennessee Titans with Jamarcus Russell and Vince Young.