NFL Exec.: Cam Would Be Clear-Cut #1, If He Were White (And Other Valuable Nuggets)

[panthers55]

I predict it'll happen in 2001. In fact, I'd be so bold as to predict it'll happen again in 2007.

Actually, it's pretty easy to tell.

See, the guys who don't think Newton should go number one, they're racially biased :thumbsup:

And both of those picks have been a huge problem for black quarterbacks going forward. Vick redeemed himself somewhat this year but both he and Russell helped perpetuate the notion that black quarterbacks are not worth picking high in the first round.

[Mr. Scot]

I've not seen one person in this forum say they didn't want Newton because he is black.

You'll see loads of people suggest that if you don't want him, that must be the reason.

(just because)

yes there is bias against black quarterbacks. I won't deny that.

does it mention the bias against white receivers? you know, how every single one is magically a clone of Wes Welker

or what about white running backs? they must not exist because every successful white running back is immediately regarded as "oh he'd make a great fullback!"

or what about white basketball players? "oh jimmer fredette is gonna be just like JJ Reddik!!!!!!"

it sucks but that's simply the way it is. do I agree with it? absolutely not. it's the "easy way out" to not actually do research on a player.

there are legitimate concerns about drafting Newton #1, but race is not one of them.

Pretty much.

[panthers55]

Gregory is black.

We don't know anything about the race of the scouts, GMs, personnel people or Auburn employees who have said negative things about Newton to analysts.

To assume that all of them must be white would be a racial bias itself, would it not?

I thought he was also but I couldn't find a picture of him anywhere including the Panther's site which seemed a little strange.

We also don't know how many negative things have been said either. Was it a hundred things by 50 people or 4 or 5 people with 5 to 10 things to say with an axe to grind that keeps getting repeated over and over until it becomes an urban legend. Sure there is a grain of truth is every rumor but that is essentially what this is. Unsubstantiated rumors and opinions regarding his smile and character/leadership issues.

I also don't know who these folks were or their colors but the higher up the food chain if I say they are all white, I will be right a lot more than I will be wrong.

[Mr. Scot]

I've been thinking it and I'm white too. The media always hangs on some white QBs ballsack and rides it all draft season. Matt Lienart, Jimmy Clausen, and now Blaine Gabbert. None of those were/are extremely special but the media and especially Mel Kiper have pushed them like they're the players agent.

You think the media was nice to Clausen? :confused:

[Mr. Scot]

And both of those picks have been a huge problem for black quarterbacks going forward. Vick redeemed himself somewhat this year but both he and Russell helped perpetuate the notion that black quarterbacks are not worth picking high in the first round.

Only if you look at them as representative of all black quarterbacks, which would be as big a fallacy as to look at Todd Marinovich as representing all white quarterbacks.

Vick and Russell don't represent anyone but themselves. Projecting beyond that would be silly.

[CRA]

You think the media was nice to Clausen? :confused:

I think the fact they ignored him instead of pointing out what was realistically probably the worst rookie QB play in over a decade was pretty nice......

but more on point and prior to the draft.....the knock on him was that he was an elitest and cocky (which might not sit well)......yet at the same time people claimed it wasn't always a bad thing for a QB to be. The media then basically ignored everything legitimately wrong with this kid and painted him into something he never was.

I would say overall.......the media has been good to Clausen (before and after the draft).

[teeray]

Gregory is black.

We don't know anything about the race of the scouts, GMs, personnel people or Auburn employees who have said negative things about Newton to analysts.

To assume that all of them must be white would be a racial bias itself, would it not?

I will say it again. The race of the people who say these things is irrelevant to the existence of racial bias. Racism and racial bias are two seperate things. A black scout can fall into the trap of racial bias just as easily as a white scout. :banghead:

[panthers55]

Only if you look at them as representative of all black quarterbacks, which would be as big a fallacy as to look at Todd Marinovich as representing all white quarterbacks.

Vick and Russell don't represent anyone but themselves. Projecting beyond that would be silly.

Well considering that almost every comment about Newton especially here on the huddle has been to compare him to Vick, Russell or Young rather than the other Young, Rodgers or Roethlisburger, it would seem that most folks are painting him with a decidedly black brush.

[Mr. Scot]

I think the fact they ignored him instead of pointing out what was probably the worst rookie QB play in over a decade was pretty nice......

What media are you reading? :confused:

Clausen got ripped plenty prior to the draft for being an arrogant prick. Negative media was what a lot of people thought contributed to his draft day plunge. Heck, his PFW draft profile last year ripped him for "a sense of entitlement, immaturity, coming across as overly staged, scripted and disingenuous in interviews".

Any of that sound familiar?

(and that was before the infamous Gruden interview)

Post draft, the media's been pretty savage too, but other than the notion that last year wasn't a fair test, it's hard to argue that a lot of that is undeserved.

[Mr. Scot]

I will say it again. The race of the people who say these things is irrelevant to the existence of racial bias. Racism and racial bias are two seperate things. A black scout can fall into the trap of racial bias just as easily as a white scout. :banghead:

There are plenty of quite legitimate things to question about Newton that have nothing to do with his race. Would you deny this?

[Millions]

Well considering that almost every comment about Newton especially here on the huddle has been to compare him to Vick, Russell or Young rather than the other Young, Rodgers or Roethlisburger, it would seem that most folks are painting him with a decidedly black brush.

This.

Not to mention the strip club, club fights, worrying he'll get arrested comments smh.

[Peppers90 NC]

There are plenty of quite legitimate things to question about Newton that have nothing to do with his race. Would you deny this?

Come on man, its much easier to ignore something that makes people think.

[countryboi]

scot you been fanning the flames of this mess for a minute now while actting like you on the sidelines with the troll face.

[mav1234]

Why does the existence of racial bias require that it is the reason Cam Newton is not the "consensus #1 pick"? Racial bias didn't give him character concerns. It didn't give him footwork issues. It didn't give him only a year at a top college level. It didn't make him a terribly inconsistent passer. It didn't make him a one-read guy for most of his year (which limits film the NFL has on him reading a college defense).

Cam Newton may not be the *consensus* #1 pick, but he is certainly on EVERYONES list as a possibility (even those who do not like him), despite all his 'flaws', so if bias is present, it certainly isn't preventing him from being considered.

edit: Physically, he compares to Big Ben... kind of I guess..., but he certainly didn't run an offense anything like what Ben did in college and he's smaller than Ben but much faster and uses his legs in college to do more than just extend plays... And yet, Big Ben is one of the biggest comparisons.

I have seen very few people *actually* compare him to Russell. Most people just try to make smart ass quips about him busting if they're doing that.