NFL Draft 2011: Cam Newton vs. Blaine Gabbert, The Great Debate
As the top quarterbacks in this year's draft, Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert will be getting a lot of attention from now until April 28. Every aspect of their game will be broken down by scouts whose only job is to find flaws in a passer.
Both Newton and Gabbert came out of nowhere this season and shot up everyone's draft board.
Gabbert has been the leader so far, but Newton's athleticism and sheer star power have his stock rising. Newton was the more celebrated collegiate while Gabbert was the more complete passer.
Newton was a one-year wonder with record-breaking statistics, while Gabbert's numbers actually dropped this year. In this slideshow, we will compare the quarterbacks by their various skills.
Arm Strength
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The game-clinching first down throw Aaron Rodgers threw to Greg Jennings in the Super Bowl is the perfect example of the arm strength necessary to win in the NFL.
Newton has a rocket for an arm and wins this one by far. However, Gabbert is no slouch, and arm strength doesn't necessarily determine success (JaMarcus?). Both quarterbacks have NFL ready arms, but Newton has once-in-a-generation arm strength.
Advantage: Newton
Accuracy
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Although Newton had the higher completion percentage, Gabbert's accuracy, especially on the run outside the pocket, is a rare asset. Gabbert has good technique and rarely makes lazy throws. He does have a somewhat low release, but it works.
Newton was deadly accurate this year, but occasionally made lazy throws and was hot-and-cold early in the year.
Advantage: Gabbert
Running Ability
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Newton was one of the greatest runners in college football history. If you don't believe me, watch his run against LSU.
Gabbert is also mobile, but he mostly runs when forced out of the pocket.
Newton scored 20 touchdowns on the ground and also ran for nearly 1,500 yards. Newton's raw athleticism allowed him to shred SEC defenses with his legs almost as much as his arm, sometimes more.
Advantage: Newton
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Intangibles
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This is the most debatable category.
Some would argue Newton alone carried Auburn to a few (or most) of their victories this season. However, with all of the scandal surrounding Newton (cheating, buying a stolen laptop, pay-for-play fiasco), paying him top-10 money is a risk, something NFL teams don't like.
Gabbert showed good leadership in college, although he wasn't the winner that Newton was. Gabbert wins this one solely because of Newton's off-field allegations.
Advantage: Gabbert
Experience
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Thanks to Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco and Mark Sanchez, rookie quarterbacks are expected to succeed immediately. Gabbert played one more year of Division I football than Newton, but Newton did play in the SEC.
The SEC is unlike any other conference in college football. The speed and strength Newton not only faced, but shredded week in and week out have given him greater experience than you might think.
Gabbert played in a good conference, but even the Big 12 can't compare to the SEC.
Advantage: Newton
Conclusion
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Newton wins this debate, but Gabbert is, at the moment, more highly touted by draft experts. Newton could be the game-breaking quarterback he was at Auburn, or he could be JaMarcus Russell 2.0.
Gabbert is probably the safer pick in the draft, and NFL teams like safe. Ultimately, Newton's high ceiling makes him the pick teams should want, but Gabbert will more than likely be picked first because of his consistency.
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