Cam Newton: 5 Predictions for Newton's Auburn Pro Day

The NFL Scouting Combine gave Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton something to improve on and, more importantly, something for everyone to talk about.

The most heavily scrutinized prospect in 2011 still has a long way to go to prove he is capable of being a franchise quarterback, but he is certainly being considered as a serious threat to be No. 1 overall.

Quarterbacks have been selected No. 1 in 10 of the last 15 NFL Drafts. Two of them have won the Super Bowl (Manning brothers) and four of them have been to the Pro Bowl.

It does not always work out though, and of those 10 players, two of them are out of the league (JaMarcus Russell and Tim Couch), one is threatening to retire (Carson Palmer), one might be a default starter (Alex Smith) and David Carr seems content with his life as a backup quarterback.

Basically, drafting a quarterback No. 1 is a shot in the dark but teams continue to do it because the payoff for the right one is so high.

Cam Newton has all the potential to be a franchise quarterback, very worthy of going No. 1 overall, but the debate and decision will not end until the pick is in.

This Pro Day does not mean that much to some, but it will to others. Here are five things I think we will come away with from Newton's Pro Day.

1. Cam Will Look Great

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Cam Newton passes the ball during a drill at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Lets start with the easy one: Cam will look great.

Remember that a Pro Day workout is supposed to showcase all the qualities a quarterback can bring to the table.

It is general consensus that JaMarcus Russell had "the best workout ever" during his Pro Day in 2007 and as bad (terribly, terribly bad) as he was, it is truly hard to fault the Raiders for taking him at No. 1.

The most productive quarterbacks from that Draft are Kevin Kolb (second round), Trent Edwards (third round), Troy Smith (fifth round) and Tyler Thigpen (seventh round), and all have had varying degrees of success with nothing too substantial.

So yes, Cam will look great tomorrow.

2. Too Much Will Be Made of the Workout

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SAN DIEGO, CA - FEBRUARY 10: 2010 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Cam Newton of the Auburn Tigers goes through his workout routine with trainer George Whitfield for the media at Cathedral High School's sports stadium on February 10, 2011 in San Diego,

It is still just a Pro Day workout after all and, if we learned anything from JaMarcus Russell (I'm done referencing him now), it is that we can only take so much away from these things.

Naturally, with little else to talk about in the football world as the owners and NFLPA continue to deprive us of an actual offseason, Newton's performance will be a major headline.

In fact, it is already a bigger deal than it should be, as ESPN3 is broadcasting it live over the Internet as is NFL Network.

3. Ron Rivera's Presence Will Be Referenced as If the Pick Has Already Been Made

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SAN DIEGO, CA - NOVEMBER 23: Defensive Coordinator Ron Rivera of the San Diego Chargers looks on against the Indianapolis Colts during their NFL Game at Qualcomm Stadium on November 23, 2008 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Donald Miralle/Getty Image

The Panthers are obviously considering a quarterback at No. 1 overall, even with Jimmy Clausen on the roster, and when there are two big name quarterbacks working out on the same day (Newton and Arkansas' Ryan Mallett) the head honcho is going to get a look at the main attraction firsthand (and remember, there are a few other good Auburn players working out as well).

Obviously the Panthers will bring Newton in for a personal visit at some point prior to the Draft and while we cannot completely discount the relevance of Rivera's presence at the Pro Day, it is not as big of a deal as the networks will make it out to be.

Any team with a legitimate shot at this kid should be there getting as many eyes as possible on him.

With the added coverage however, we are likely to get more than our fair share of Panthers/Rivera comments as the workout unfolds.

4. Newton's Deficiencies Will Be Highlighted and Corrected

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Cam Newton passes the ball during a drill at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 27, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

We saw Cam sail the ball a bit in Indianapolis.

We know he desperately needs work on his three, five and seven step drops from under center.

We know his footwork as a whole needs work, including the ability to step into his throws effectively.

Scouts, coaches and teams know this, as does Newton's camp.

Like Tim Tebow last year with his "new" release, I would expect to see them highlight and show that Newton has been working on all the things teams want to see corrected.

He spent way too much time out of the gun and any accuracy issues should (not saying they will) be cleaned up with more polished footwork.

5. Newton Versus Blaine Gabbert Is Officially Open

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 25: Missouri Tigers quarterback Blaine Gabbert answers questions during a media session at the 2011 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on February 25, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Blaine Gabbert has put some pressure on himself by not throwing in Indianapolis, but now the pressure shifts back to Newton as he looks to make up for a sub-par showing at the Combine.

Gabbert will not work out until March 17, so until then the questions will remain surrounding the top quarterback slot.

Newton's workout, at least as of right now, has a ton of pressure since he is going first; in other words, the bar will be set for Gabbert.

He has not shown anything other than his raw athleticism since the season ended and the first crack teams will get at him will be his Pro Day.

It all starts with Cam Newton tomorrow and then we will shift our focus to the competition between these two down the home stretch of "Draft season."