2011 BCS Championship: How Does Winning the Title Change Cam Newton's NFL Stock?
2011 BCS Championship: How Does Winning the Title Change Cam Newton's NFL Stock?
After a Heisman Trophy season capped by a BCS Championship, Cam Newton's draft stock has jumped higher than any other draft-eligible player.
However, the BCS title game helped his stock as well as hurt it based on a few factors.
Here are five ways Cam Newton's stock has risen and five reasons it has fallen.
Read on and let us know where you think Cam Newton should be drafted.
5. Lowers It—Spread Quarterback
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While this isn't something directly from the National Championship game, the fact Cam Newton is a spread quarterback hurts his draft stock.
Not many quarterbacks can come into the NFL and immediately challenge for a starting spot but spread quarterbacks seem to struggle just a little bit more at the next level.
I do think Newton is a rare talent, and the fact Tim Tebow had some success this year helps his stock, if he were a quarterback that has taken snaps under center, he would be rated much higher.
5. Raises It—Find Mismatches
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Twice during the BCS Championship game, Oregon linebacker Kenny Rowe was matched up with a player in coverage he had no business covering, and both times Cam Newton found that player for great results.
Newton showed his ability to find mismatches on the field on Monday night and take advantage of them. That is something he would need to be able to do at the next level.
4. Lowers It—Reminiscent of Vince Young
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Cam Newton was compared numerous times in the pregame to Vince Young when he led Texas to the BCS National Championship in 2005.
With all the struggles Young has faced since he came into the NFL, I think that might scare teams off from wanting to bring in Newton.
I know the two are completely different guys, and I know Young has had some success at the next level, but it could scare some people off from making Newton their first overall pick.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
4. Raises It—Managed Emotions
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Cam Newton is an emotional guy, however, in big moments, emotions can get the best of even the best players. Newton did wonders keeping those emotions in check during the biggest game of his life.
Earlier in the game, it looked like Newton was jittery when he started slow, but he was able to calm down, and towards the end of the game, he looked like he was playing a calmer game than anyone else.
3. Lowers It—Lingering Effects from Injury
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During the fourth quarter, I noticed Cam Newton didn't look right. He didn't have his trademark smile, and he kept grimacing and was slow to get up a few times.
After the game, Auburn announced Newton would be taking x-rays at the stadium, and he cut his postgame press conference short so he could receive treatment on an injury.
Obviously, not much has been released about his injury, but depending on what it is and how bad it is, Newton's draft stock could really hurt.
3. Raises It—Multidimensional
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Cam Newton was the leading rusher in the SEC this year, but Oregon forced him to beat them through the air, and he showed he is capable of doing that against an aggressive secondary.
Newton has been making headlines all season as a rusher, but he really showed he is more than just a running quarterback in this game.
2. Lowers It—Inaccurate at Times
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Cam Newton missed a few throws really badly including one throw on 4th-and-one from the 1-yard line where he under-threw a wide open Eric Smith.
Many of his inaccurate throws happened early in the game, but I can promise you NFL teams will see those throws and use them as detractions for why they will not use a high-draft pick on Newton.
2. Raises It—Ability To Shake off a Slow Start
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In the first half of the BCS Championship game, Newton has minus-two yards rushing and had thrown a bad interception. However, the Heisman winner was able to turn the game around after a bad start.
He finished the game with 265 yards passing, two touchdowns and 65 yards on the ground. His second half was just what the Tigers needed from their starting quarterback.
NFL scouts would be wise to put a lot of stock in his ability to shake off a slow start.
1. Lowers It—Mistakes in Big Game
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Cam Newton's first half interception was not the only mistake he made in the game.
When the Tigers were trying to ice the game late, Newton was stripped of the ball which helped set up Oregon's game-tying score.
If Auburn had lost the game, those two turnovers would have been a huge deal and a huge reason for the loss.
NFL scouts will be highly critical of the last fumble because of the timing of it. It allowed Oregon to get right back in the game.
1. Raises It—Ability To Play Through Injury
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Cam Newton was dinged up enough to need x-rays after the game. He was clearly in pain during most of the fourth quarter, and he was feeling the effects after the game.
However, during that fourth quarter, he was also the driving force that marched the Tigers down the field for the game-winning field goal.
The ability to play through injuries like that is something teams love to see. They wouldn't want to invest in a guy that is considered fragile.
Conclusion: How Does Winning the Title Change Cam Newton's NFL Stock?
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In short, winning the BCS Championship helps Cam Newton's draft stock for one key reason:
It showed his ability to lead.
Playing quarterback in the NFL is always about the measurables like the 40-yard dash, the broad jump and every other goofy combine drill. It is about intangibles. The ability to lead, how he relates to teammates and making the correct choices.
Cam Newton is a great leader and whoever takes him in the NFL draft will be getting a very gifted football player.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
