2011 NFL Draft: Why Cam Newton Has a Brighter NFL Future Than Blaine Gabbert
Cam Newton is a phenomenal athlete. He dominated college football in 2010 taking home all the top awards. He led the Auburn Tigers to a National Championship and won the Heisman Trophy along the way.
Newton stole the show in 2010. All eyes were on him in every game, waiting to see what he would do next. He was very fun to watch this past season. And it will still be as much fun to watch him in the NFL.
A few weeks ago everyone was stating how Blaine Gabbert was the top quarterback in the draft. I never bought into the hype. After Cam Newton's media work out (a very smart idea) it appears he may be the best quarterback in the draft now.
Whoever you want to claim as the best go right ahead and do so. It won't matter where either one of them is taken because Cam Newton is going to have a better NFL career.
And here's why...
10. Newton Has Hall Of Fame Mentors
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Warren Moon has been out in San Diego giving advice to Cam Newton. The Hall of Fame quarterback has been watching Newton throw and had some constructive criticism.
Moon told Newton he was throwing wrong. Moon constructed Newton to transfer is weight forward and not lean back so much. The result? Newton's accuracy improved.
Newton has also stated he looks to Brett Favre as a mentor. Favre is a future hall of fame quarterback and can give great on the field advice to Newton. Off the field, I recommend Cam Newton not discuss that with Favre.
9. Newton Is More Than a Runner
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Newton showcased this year that he can run like no other. He ran for over 1,000 yards and 20 touchdowns. However, Newton can also throw it very well.
He is continuously learning to right way to do things. Newton threw for over 2,800 yards and 30 touchdowns. His arm mechanics are getting better and the scouts are seeing it.
8. Newton Protects The Ball
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Newton made wise on the field decisions in 2010. He only threw seven interceptions. Gabbert threw 18 interceptions over the past two years.
Newton carried the ball 264 times this past season and never lost a fumble. He knows the rock is very important and holds it closely.
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7. Newton Has a Stronger Arm
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Newton is a beast. He is very strong and can also run you over. His arm strength is far superior to Gabbert's.
Newton can make the deep throw with ease. He's learning to drop back and stay in the pocket. And all the while he's still able to throw it further than majority of the quarterbacks in the 2011 draft class.
6. Newton Faced Tougher Competition
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Cam Newton played in the South Eastern Conference. Blaine Gabbert played in the Big 12.
You tell me which one is better? Which conference has won the last five BCS Championships? Which quarterback kept his team undefeated? Exactly.
Newton faced some of the top defenses in the country. He was down 21-0 against Georgia at one point. Newton also found himself down 24-7 at Alabama. He led his team to victories in both games.
Gabberts toughest opponent was the defense of Nebraska. And he lost 31-17. Gabbert didn't even throw for 200 yards in that game.
5. Gabbert's Stock Is Falling
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A month ago Blaine Gabbert was viewed as the best quarterback in the draft. No one really talked of him until after Andrew Luck decided to return for his senior season.
Gabbert's stock is falling a bit. Mainly because Cam Newton's stock is on the rise. It has caused scouts to further examine Gabbert's game and now they're picking out worse qualities.
Some are questioning his toughness and others his decision making. Scouts are also worried about the type of offense he ran in college. A shot-gun offense that used a lot of quick release throw to move down the field. Scouts aren't sure how well that will translate into the NFL.
4. Scout's Are High on Newton
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Cam Newton made the right decision working out for the media. Those who keep up with the latest news are constantly listening to those in the sports media world. By working out with the media first, Newton stirred the pot and allowed his stock to sky rocket.
Those who were there were blown away by him. It's similar to everyone watching "the new" Tebow a year ago. Scouts were pleased with what they saw at his media workout. Newton will now sit back and let all those in the media continuously talk about him. And he still has the NFL Combine and his pro day.
3. There's Too Much Hype For Blaine Gabbert
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And I'm not buying it. The day Andrew Luck announced he would return to Stanford for his final year everyone hopped on the Blaine Gabbert train. We all heard how good this guy is going to be.
He has the NFL build at 6'5"240 pounds. That 240 concerns me, but I'm sure he'll shed 10 to 15 pounds once he gets to the pros. Gabbert had tough times this year against Nebraska and Texas Tech. He didn't put up good numbers at Iowa State either, a game where he should have shined.
A lot of this hype came because he threw for over 400 yards against Iowa in the Insight Bowl. One game should not define a player. Cam Newton shined all season long, and will continue to do so in the NFL.
2. Newton Is A Winner
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Cam Newton won the BCS National Championship. He won the 2010 Heisman Trophy.
Newton won the Maxwell award. He won the Davey O'Brien award. Newton also won the Walter Camp Award, and was named the AP 2010 Player of the Year.
He won a national championship at Blinn College. Newton also won a national Championship while on the bench at Florida.
Winning is what he does, and it's not going to stop in the NFL.
1. Newton Is a Better Athlete
10 of 10Newton is bigger. He is stronger. And he is faster.
He is a spectacular athlete. Newton can beat you with his feet and his arm. He is very dangerous with the ball and tough to bring down. Just ask the 13 teams he beat this year.
Newton will have the better NFL career.
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