Can someone shed some light on this idea that Newton is dumb?

[MWCarolina]

He's not dumb, he did come from a simple offense which isnt his fault and did make stupid mistakes, but learned from them.

the only thing i am finding dumb is people thinking he is a savior of the franchise when they could lose Smith. IF Smith stays, i think this team could surprise, but if he leaves and isnt replaced and the starters are LaFell and Gettis, i dont see them winning much next year.

[Guest]

Is it true that 90% of black people act like idiots? yes.

i'm sorry but the answer we were looking for is "no"

[Brooklyn Bully]

:le sigh:

Only in the Carolinas can the Panthers worst enemy be... their own fans.

[antame]

I'd be willing to wager 10% of it is based on his race alone .. yes i said it .. " They be hatin cause he be black mmhm "

I'd be willing to wager it's close to 100%, but I'd also bet less than 1% of those declaring his stupidity would ever in a million years admit their opinions have anything to do with race.

[antame]

I don't think Cam Newton sounds stupid at all. I think at times he sounds inexperienced. He sounds pretty average to me. I've heard very few people who speak grammatically sound English, and I'm in academia. While Cam doesn't sound like an academic by any stretch, he doesn't sound like some dumbass either.

This, exactly.

[Mr. Scot]

The notion that any negative opinion expressed about him must be rooted in racism is as ignorant and racist itself as anything I've seen said about Newton. Ryan Mallett and Jimmy Clausen have plenty of negative discussion too but nobody suggests that those who engage in such do so because they hate white people.

(perhaps if they did some of you guys would get an illustration of just how ignorant you sound when you play the race card)

The sad truth is that Newton has legitimately said and done some things in the past that make some people think he's dumb, make others think he's a liar, make others think he's a criminal and still others think he's all of the above and more. Cold hard reality is those perceptions will continue till he proves them wrong, something which likely won't happen overnight.

I'd expect we'll get lots of laptop jokes and such from rival fans, to which I say 'so what'. Had we drafted Ryan Mallett, it would have been cokehead jokes. Were it Gabbert, 'pretty boy' jokes. Bottom line, they're rival fans, and they'll talk whatever smack is available to them, so who gives a rat's ass what they say?

For my part, my biggest concern is the college to pro transition. That's why I'm hoping they don't rush him onto the field. I'd rather wait a year and see him succeed for the next decade after that than see him start too early and flame out. I already watched that movie this past season and have no interest in seeing the sequel.

Just as a side note, on the character front I find myself way more concerned about Brandon Hogan than I do Cam Newton.

[KJDaniel31]

Black guys who sound like Uncle Tom's? By "Uncle Tom", do you mean using proper English and expressing themselves clearly and succinctly? That is not a white thing, it is an intelligence thing. So you think using proper English is giving in to the man, and if you are a real black man you will butcher the language, slur words, and use slang common to street thugs?

Speaking correctly is not about race, it is about intelligence. If you want to separate your race from others by creating an identity that labels, then you are contributing to racial profiling, not opposing it.

Cam is not dumb, but some perceive that he is because he has some grammar issues. You do not hear Asians putting down other Asians for losing their accents. You do not hear whites from the South put down for overcoming the Southern drawl.

Uncle Tom is what blacks call other blacks because they are adapting to the world around them--every intelligent person does it. When we talk, others measure our intelligence. So, if you want people to think you are stupid, use bad grammar around them. Regardless of color, you will succeed in doing so.

Ahh....sanity does exist around here after all. I had given up

[antame]

The notion that any negative opinion expressed about him must be rooted in racism is as ignorant and racist itself as anything I've seen said about Newton. Ryan Mallett and Jimmy Clausen have plenty of negative discussion too but nobody suggests that those who engage in such do so because they hate white people.

(perhaps if they did some of you guys would get an illustration of just how ignorant you sound when you play the race card)

The sad truth is that Newton has legitimately said and done some things in the past that make some people think he's dumb, make others think he's a liar, make others think he's a criminal and still others think he's all of the above and more. Cold hard reality is those perceptions will continue till he proves them wrong, something which likely won't happen overnight.

I'd expect we'll get lots of laptop jokes and such from rival fans, to which I say 'so what'. Had we drafted Ryan Mallett, it would have been cokehead jokes. Were it Gabbert, 'pretty boy' jokes. Bottom line, they're rival fans, and they'll talk whatever smack is available to them, so who gives a rat's ass what they say?

For my part, my biggest concern is the college to pro transition. That's why I'm hoping they don't rush him onto the field. I'd rather wait a year and see him succeed for the next decade after that than see him start too early and flame out. I already watched that movie this past season and have no interest in seeing the sequel.

Just as a side note, on the character front I find myself way more concerned about Brandon Hogan than I do Cam Newton.

Scot, this thread was about whether Cam Newton is "dumb", as in, not intelligent. I think the intended point of discussion was whether there is reason to believe he's stupid, beyond character issues. And more to the point, people confusing (perceived) character issues with lack of intelligence. And I'm sorry to break it to you, race factors in there.

[KJDaniel31]

Scot, this thread was about whether Cam Newton is "dumb", as in, not intelligent. I think the intended point of discussion was whether there is reason to believe he's stupid, beyond character issues. And more to the point, people confusing character issues with lack of intelligence. And I'm sorry to break it to you, race factors in there.

The exact same questions/concerns were raised about Ryan Mallett. Please explain to me, in your opinion, what role race factors in there?

[antame]

The exact same questions/concerns were raised about Ryan Mallett. Please explain to me, in your opinion, what role race factors in there?

Your premise is absurd. That one obviously screwed up white guy out of a dozen QB prospects was pegged as a dumbass in no way explains the racial component.

[chef17]

Scot, this thread was about whether Cam Newton is "dumb", as in, not intelligent. I think the intended point of discussion was whether there is reason to believe he's stupid, beyond character issues. And more to the point, people confusing (perceived) character issues with lack of intelligence. And I'm sorry to break it to you, race factors in there.

Not always. Thinking everyone who questions Cam's intelligence is doing it because he is black is as dumb as thinking it isn't a factor for any.

[KJDaniel31]

Your premise is absurd. That one obviously screwed up white guy out of a dozen QB prospects was pegged as a dumbass in no way explains the racial component.

Since you really didnt answer, let me guess at your stance here:

Is it your stance that race had nothing to do with people's questions/concerns over Ryan Mallett's intelligence/character?

It's a very simple, honest question. Calling it absurd seems a bit evasive to me, but I await your direct answer.

[antame]

Since you really didnt answer, let me guess at your stance here:

Is it your stance that race had nothing to do with people's questions/concerns over Ryan Mallett's intelligence/character?

It's a very simple, honest question. Calling it absurd seems a bit evasive to me, but I await your direct answer.

It is my stance that race had nothing to do with people's questions/concerns over Ryan Mallett's intelligence/character, unless you mean he is too "black", which he is, in my opinion.

Not sure how that helps your argument.

[KJDaniel31]

It is my stance that race had nothing to do with people's questions/concerns over Ryan Mallett's intelligence/character, unless you mean he is too "black", which he is, in my opinion.

Not sure how that helps your argument.

I wasnt aware I had an argument as of yet. Merely trying to understand your stance. Perhaps after I fully understand your stance I will have an argument.

Can you give me one example of a black player who had character/intelligence questions/concerns which was also not about race? Can you give me one example of a white player who's questions/concerns about character/intelligence was about race?