NFL Combine 2011: 7 Questions Cam Newton Won't Be Asked During His Interview
The NFL Combine 2011 is officially underway in Indianapolis today, as hundreds of NFL Draft hopefuls descend upon Lucas Oil Stadium to be interviewed, worked out and tested to see if they pass muster.
One of the most important aspects of the process are the player-team interviews. These give coaches, owners and front office personnel the chance to vet prospective picks on their personality, to determine whether they're of high enough moral character to be members of their team (Pacman Jones, obviously, notwithstanding).
One of this year's potential combine stars is former Auburn quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton. Newton is undoubtedly talented, but his checkered tenure with the Tigers (remember the whole Mississippi State scandal?) will lead most teams to listen very closely to his interview.
What will he be asked? We're bringing you seven of the least likely questions Cam will hear during the interview proceedings.
As crazy as things get, let's hope he doesn't hear any of these come interview time!
So grab your voice recorder and your executive leather folder filled with legal paper, and let's get rolling!
7. Will We Be Negotiating with an Agent, or Your Father?
1 of 7
NFL teams always want to know who they're working with when it comes to figuring out contracts. It helps them to know how to negotiate (with Drew Rosenhaus, you might as well add $3 million extra on now), and let's them plan accordingly.
You know, just to make sure they've got the cash ready to hand to Cecil when the negotiating gets underway.
6. Did Kenny Rogers Bring Chicken with Him?
2 of 7
This one might be asked by Cincinnati Bengals owner Mike Brown. Brown asks in all seriousness, only to have the team's lone scout lean over and whisper to him that Rogers is a former Mississippi State Bulldogs player who approached the school about paying Cecil Newton cash for his son's signature on a letter of intent.
Brown gets mad, tell the scout he doesn't know what he's talking about; clearly, Rogers is the beloved singer of The Coward of the County and The Gambler. He then demands delicious roasted chicken, and the interview ends.
5. Do the Words "JaMarcus Russell" Mean Anything to You?
3 of 7
For those who may have forgotten, Russell was a similarly physically gifted quarterback out of LSU, who was made the first overall pick of the Oakland Raiders in 2006.
Like Newton, Russell used dominant workouts and a single strong collegiate season to wind up as a top draft pick.
Russell is no longer with the Raiders, replaced by the immortal Jason Campbell and Bruce Gradkowski.
Fool me once...
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
4. What About "Ryan Leaf"?
4 of 7
Fool me twice...
3. Are You Willing to Hit the Free Agent Market in a Year?
5 of 7
This is the abbreviated version of a question that will probably be asked by Redskins owner/team president Dan Snyder, one of the clubs interested in drafting Campbell.
The full version of the question reads something like this:
"Are you willing to hit the free agent market in a year, after we draft you, sign you to a massive contract you haven't earned yet and blast you in the media when our wideouts' inability to catch even routine passes causes you to struggle? Then, thanks to my lack of impulse control, would you be willing to accept a contract buyout and hit the free agent market when I get fed up with you?"
At least, we hope Snyder asks him, just to keep Cam prepared.
2. Is Your Mother a "Woman of the Evening"?
6 of 7
Thank you for that, Jeff Ireland. In an effort to save face after last year's debacle with Dez Bryant, Ireland might decide to ask every interviewee whether their mother was a prostitute who was addicted to crack.
Unfortunately, his first interview is Newton and after the 6'6", 250 pound quarterback lunges across the table at Ireland, the Dolphins decide to leave him out of the interview process from now on.
1. What Was Your Salary in College?
7 of 7
This might be the most important question Newton is asked during his interviews, unless Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland goes rogue like he did with Dez Bryant and starts getting weird again.
After all, Newton's a special case; this will be the first time many of these teams will be dealing with a highly-paid college athlete, so they'll need to know what he was getting at Auburn to be able to exceed that dollar amount.
It shouldn't affect his draft stock, but it would give his new team a baseline at which to begin negotiations.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
