Cam Newton: 10 Flaws That Will Keep Him From NFL Stardom
Cam Newton did everything that was asked of him this season.
He needed to carry his team—he did.
He needed to be perfect—he was.
In the the process, he picked up every piece of collegiate hardware possible, including the coveted Heisman Trophy and the BCS National Championship.
Now Newton is taking his talents to the next level, the unforgiving NFL.
The Heisman Trophy winner has shown nothing but elite physical tools and a never-say-die mentality on the field this season, and he could certainly succeed at the next level.
However, here is a look at flaws that could prevent Newton from ever reaching his full potential.
10. Instincts
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Newton was physically superior to almost any and all opposition on the collegiate gridiron. While his natural ability will always give him a chance, it will not be so easy in the NFL.
His size, speed and subsequent ability to avoid tacklers is uncanny. But, in he NFL, the defenders are bigger, faster, and stronger at every position.
Newton and his incredible natural instincts could actually cost him in the NFL.
As good as Newton is, he is not going to avoid a blitzing Clay Matthews, run over A.J. Hawk, and outrun Charles Woodson.
Newton will have to learn patience, he will have to develop a sense of what he can and what he cannot do; he has to develop pocket poise.
9. Pocket Poise
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Newton has shown an exceptional ability to escape trouble.
But what if his coach does not want that?
Newton's running ability will certainly attract the attention of defensive coordinators; he will not have the luxury of watching every defensive player turn away from him in man coverage.
Newton will see schemes designed to prevent him from beating teams with his legs.
Successful NFL coaches are very good at taking away an opponent's best weapons ; if Cam Newton is going to beat anyone, it will have to be from the pocket.
He may be able to tuck-and-run, but not on every play.
Sitting in the pocket, feeling the pressure, stepping up, rolling away, delivering the ball in the face of the blitz; all these things will have to become part of Newton's game if he wants to be successful.
8. Vision
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Vision, from the quarterback position, will help Newton succeed at the next level.
With his eyes, he will read, perceive the rush and decide where he is going with the football.
Newton has little experience as a drop-back passer, and what he sees will be important to his progression as an NFL player.
If he doesn't have the vision, he could be in trouble.
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7. Mechanics
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Cam Newton is not a mess mechanically, but NFL coaches will make adjustments.
Because he does not have a lot of experience dropping back, his footwork and throwing motion will need to be modified.
He will need to learn how foot placement affects his motion, arm strength and accuracy.
Most importantly, he will need to learn to fit the ball into tight spaces.
If Newton does not improve mechanically, he could suffer.
6. Accuracy
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Newton completed 66 percent of his passes this season and only threw seven interceptions.
But, like most quarterbacks working out of a spread offense, his numbers are skewed.
He was not asked to make too many difficult throws; he typically thew into open windows with receivers running freely, and did not have to go through many progressions.
His accuracy will be a byproduct of his mechanics.
He has the arm strength to fit the ball in and push it down-field, but the question will be: Can Newton accurately fit the ball into spaces where his receivers can get it.
It's easy throwing to wide open targets. Unfortunately you do not get too many of those in the NFL.
5. Consistency
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Newton was asked to do everything he could to win football games at Auburn.
Yet of all those things, only once, in the BCS National Championship Game, was he asked to throw the football more 30 times.
This is not promising.
If Newton wants to succeed at the next level, he will have to consistently be able to throw the football as many times as necessary.
Auburn's coaches did not ask him to do this, so we don't know if he can.
4. Limited Experience
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One season, 14 games, 30 touchdowns, seven interceptions; this is all we know about Cam Newton against top-level competition.
There is no denying this—he is uber-talented.
But we have don't know if it is legitimate, transferable talent.
He's won everywhere he's gone, but the NFL has no problem destroying collegiate winners.
His lack of experience is a problem, and the only way to fix that is with time and repetitions.
3. Character Concerns
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We don't know the what went on when Cam Newton was choosing his second NCAA program.
But, we do know these words: Cam Newton NCAA Investigation.
Character concerns have cost players in the past, and it will be on Newton to dispel critical notions by getting better.
Team representatives will discuss these issues with him. It will be on Newton to display his work ethic, dedication and commitment to staying out of trouble.
2. Football Intelligence
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Newton's lack of experience dropping back, reading defenses and throwing are all causes for concern.
It is one thing for Newton to improve his vision see everything in front of him, but its another for him to comprehend it.
There will not be many open receivers running across the field in the NFL, so Newton will have to learn where his teammates, as well his opponents, will be if he wants to succeed.
If he sees an open receiver running across the middle of the field, but does not see the middle linebacker dropping deep in coverage, it will be trouble.
Again, the difference between simply seeing, which Newton has to improve on, and comprehending, which Newton will have to really improve on, could make or break Newton at the next level.
1. Decision Making
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Newton's decision making will be the key to his success.
It's all well and good if he improves his mechanics, accuracy and football intelligence, but if he does not act on it effectively, it will all be for naught.
For Newton especially, who can rely so heavily on physical tools, it will be important for him to be able to make sound decisions both in and outside the pocket.
Throwing off a back foot, across the body or into double or triple-coverage, can spell doom for any young NFL quarterback; and Newton, who is so physically dominant, will have be extra careful.
Newton could get away with anything on the college football field. Not many quarterbacks can say that about the NFL.
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