NFL Pro Days 2011: 5 Things Cam Newton Needs to Improve on from the Combine

Cam Newton ended the Combine as one of the most physically impressive athletes that attended. There were many surprises that showed up throughout the Combine, but most expected Newton to prove his value in the basics and measurables.

The questions that many had if he could be able to throw the way he did in his private workout in San Diego a week earlier or would the mechanical questions show their ugly head in an uncontrolled environment? It seemed that the questions turned into even more questions as his throws were off-target and often off-rhythm.

Another big question that scouts and media types  had was how Newton would respond to tough questions in an open forum format. He would no longer be saved by the Auburn Media Relations Department. Again, it finished as expected. The interview room seemed to have an unfinished feel to it, like the goal had not been accomplished.

Although some questions were answered there are some improvements that must be made before Pro Days on March 8^th, most are going to be on the football side of things. Can he make the throws? Can he make the reads and anticipate the receiver’s position? Does he look comfortable with his footwork?

Other questions regarding the character side of things are going to loom past pro days and into the draft, but those things could be improved slightly anytime that Newton is in front of the camera. With Auburn’s Pro Days being televised on the NFL Network and ESPN3, there is no better time than now for Newton to continue his humility campaign.

With that being said, there are five key areas that Newton can make himself more of a viable candidate for the millions of dollars he is sure to receive in the coming months. Humility, footwork, accuracy, receiver anticipation and clearing the media air are those keys and how he covers this ground will determine his placement in April.

Humility

Let’s be honest ladies and gentlemen, humility would be tough to come by for any person that was in the situation that Cam Newton has found himself in. This past year has been a whirlwind. Newton went from hopeful impact player to possibly the most impactful player in recent memory in College Football.

Has Newton repeatedly said that he was blessed? Yes. Does he actually feel blessed or is it just an act? Who knows, but he seems to have a genuine side to him that is as true to his character as most will ever get. His recent comment, however, sets him back just a tad in the humility department.

Why is this important? Quarterbacks are team leaders and no doubt need to believe that they can win and have the abilities to lead their team to victory. But anyone who has yet to take a professional snap claiming self-arrival is a bit much.

Granted, Newton gave most a warm and fuzzy with his prepared statement prior to his press conference in lieu of the press nightmare that came from the statement, however, there never should have been the statement to begin with.

We all make mistakes and make statements that if on camera would seem ridiculous. Unfortunately for Newton, he hasn’t gotten used to the media circus that surrounds him. His first step needs to be rebuilding the character side of the game so that the cloudy past doesn’t seem like a forecast for the future.

Clear The Press Room Air

The question was asked as most expected. Newton responded as he has for many months, the answer to his past was that it was just that, his past. The problem is that as a figure in the spotlight and as a guy that is barely of age to enter a bar, he is about to be handed the keys to one of the 32 castles that are in the NFL.

With great reward comes great responsibility. Newton needs to clear the air. Whether right, wrong, or indifferent, Newton has to remove the gag order and speak about the past. Did he fail out of Florida? Did he know that his father was selling him? What did he have for breakfast?

When you become a focus in today’s media, anything and everything goes. As unfortunate as it is, he needs to answer these questions in public. Does anyone really care if he failed at Florida? I am sure it would bother one or two folks, but the hidden agenda, as it seems, builds more of a mythical aura than needed.

One can assume that he has stated he didn’t know about his father discretions, but to this point it has been no comment. If anything else, just a 30 minute sit down would suffice. If these questions aren’t being asked in the individual team meetings, I would be surprised. The same answers that Newton has there need to come to his future fan base.

If anything, the choice to speak out would build a rapport with most not a gap. People relate to imperfection but despise hidden agendas.

Footwork

Newton made some amazing throws in his short tenure at Auburn. At the same time, most came from pure athleticism, not sound quarterback play. Newton has yet to show that he has the footwork to be an elite quarterback in the NFL.

His athleticism will lead to some throws being made at the professional level that others simply cannot make but there will also surely be some interceptions and mistakes that are correctable if he can get his mechanics in order.

Taking a snap from center goes a lot further than simply the pass to the quarterback from the center. The footwork that follows determines the timing of certain throws and the ability of the quarterback to guide his pass to its proper destination. Breaking out from under center into the three-step, five-step and seven-step drop takes more skill than receiving the snap in the shotgun position.

This was an area that Newton struggled with at the Combine and a problem that is likely to follow him into his rookie season. If he can show any progression over the Combine, it will be a plus, as this may be the last workout before the draft.

Receiver Anticipation

Watching Newton play last season, his arm strength was never an issue. Newton threaded the needle at a long distance on many throws and seemingly had a simple flick of the wrist to get the ball 50 yards downfield.

Anticipating the receiver and his location, however, is a little different. One of the more noticeable flaws in Newton’s game is his lack of anticipation. During his time at Auburn most of the catches made had the receivers stop in route or comeback to the ball. His most accurate throws seemed to be on curl or hook routes where there was a predetermined destination that was easy to find.

At the Combine Newton looked very rusty and most chalked it up to it being a non controlled environment and his inability to find a receiver in position.  Don’t forget that he had never thrown with those receivers prior to that day but neither had the other quarterbacks. That excuse only goes so far.

This Pro Day showing for Auburn has to give Newton the opportunity to hit more receivers in stride on crossing and out routes. He has to show that he can lead a receiver and that he can make a read and know where his guy is going to be. Flat-footed unguided rockets won’t last long in the NFL. Ask JaMarcus Russell.

Accuracy

Every go route thrown at the Combine was overthrown. That is simply unacceptable. Newton throws a football that looks beautiful in the air. If the goal was to make a ball spin perfectly and get the best hang-time, there is no doubt Newton is the outright winner. Unfortunately, to win the game, the receivers have to make some catches.

Newton will throw one ball right on target and the next three seem to be in no man’s land. Footwork is a big part of his lack of accuracy. He had a good completion rating in his college career, but don’t disregard the use of the screen pass in the Auburn offense. Some of those throws were missed as well.

Downfield accuracy seems to be the largest struggle and it almost seems that he tries too hard to make the ball deliver perfectly, forgetting to make it hit the target. Bringing his footwork and anticipation together will build his accuracy. The spin that he puts on the ball and the strength he has in his throwing arm shows that he has the raw skill set; the next part is putting it all together.

All of these issues are sure to come together and are all correctable for Newton to be very successful at the next level. The question will be whether or not he can correct most of them before the Auburn Pro Day. The character issues unfortunately will not go away but the mechanics issues will. If Newton can have another impressive showing like he did in San Diego, he will finish strong before the draft and hopefully squelch the majority of the concerns that were raised at the Combine.