Cam Newton: 7 Best Situations for Him to Enter the 2011 NFL Draft
There is a fine line that teams walk with a quarterback taken high in the draft. How long can they rest on the bench before being pressed into duty? And if they are put in too soon, how might they handle being benched, if needed, for poor performance?
Cam Newton could be the top draft pick in the NFL Draft that commences on April 28th. The odds of him dropping out of the top five are low. But what would be the best situation for him in 2011?
Sam Bradford has set the benchmark for rookie QB performance. Despite a rash of injuries to his receivers, he still put up solid numbers out of the gate with the St. Louis Rams.
There were two big factors helping Bradford succeed.
First, he had a fairly decent offensive line protecting him. While they could have used an upgrade at OG, he had decent protection in the passing game. Second, the Rams had a solid ground game. Steven Jackson is a premier RB, and kept teams from being able to focus on stopping the passing game.
Quarterbacks entering the NFL don't typically have this advantage.
7. Become the Top Pick in the Draft
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Yes, this is a bit of a cop-out. However, it certainly must be a goal for Newton, and is the kind of honor that could propel him into the NFL with the muster to prove he was worth the pick.
I'm not saying this would be to the Carolina Panthers, as there is a good chance they will trade this pick to acquire more draft picks. The combined athleticism, arm strength, and elusiveness will attract the attention of a coach somewhere.
Yes, there is a lot of pressure to play a top pick...quickly. And there is extra pressure that comes along with that honor. But Newton just seems to thrive under pressure. He led Auburn to a "national championship" under the scrutiny of his father's alleged underhanded dealings. Turn a franchise over to him, pay him well, and say "we believe in you, Cam," and you might just ignite a firestorm.
Then again, there is a chance you could have another JaMarcus Russell...but not likely.
6. Land in Washington
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The Redskins are one team that should be tempted to move up and grab Newton. Owner Dan Snyder likes flash. While not flashy himself, Mike Shanahan was a flashy pick to come in and try to resolve the Redskins. Signing McNabb to a long term, high-dollar contract they can't dream of keeping was also flashy.
What they are lacking...well, one of the many things...is a flashy QB that can actually lead the team through a re-build. That guy could be Newton.
Washington had a Top 10 passing attack under McNabb and Rex Grossman. Imagine what they could do with Newton...and a building offensive line. They will need to make sure they have a healthy RB, let Newton run the offense and the results should be favorable.
5. End Up a Cowboy
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The Dallas Cowboys could enter the mix as a team trading up to snag Newton. However, this could upset the Tony Romo apple cart, and with the current state of the Cowboy's offensive line, Newton could struggle mightily as a starting rookie QB.
The key to this move would be to assure Romo that Newton is their transition plan. That could be difficult, given that Romo is only 30 years old. But...if Romo stayed professional, and Newton was given a few years to transition, the Cowboys would be the perfect place for the self-proclaimed icon to land. Saddle up!
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4. Slip to the Bengals
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Being available at the fourth spot in the draft wouldn't be a huge surprise. Carolina and Buffalo are being discussed, but QB is far from either team's biggest need. The Panthers already have one young QB to work with, and Buffalo certainly had a lot of production from their QB with a lack of offensive talent.
It is still likely that the Panthers trade out of the top spot, so perhaps the Bengals jump on the pick.
Being signed with the Bengals would pay a lot of dividends to the team as well as Newton. This would allow them to part ways with Carson Palmer, likely receiving some decent compensation in return. It is also likely that playing with a QB not named Palmer would improve Chad Ochocinco's attitude, as he believes Palmer receives preferential treatment from Bengal's coach, Marvin Lewis.
“Marvin Lewis won’t say anything bad about Carson Palmer, stays kissing his @$$, but disses Ochocinco daily," Ochocinco tweeted in the third person. "Carson Palmer has given a big F-U to Marvin Lewis, but Lewis steadily says how wonderful he is.Makes Lewis a #hypocrite.”
While replacing Palmer with Newton won't fix the issues Lewis is having with Ochocinco, it might give Newton a QB he can better relate with and remove one of the sources of friction.
Cincinnati has a decent group of players to surround Newton as well. If he can establish a relationship with Ochocinco, and work with the talented young receivers, he could be proficient for the Bengals out of the chute.
The lack of other QB options in Cincinnati also affords another opportunity. To avoid having to start Newton out of the gate, the Bengals could sign Matt Hasselbeck. He would simply be a place holder and mentor for Newton, giving him time to transition to the NFL game and learn from a true professional at the position.
Keep in mind...the Bengals weren't expected to be drafting this high in 2011. They would be an attractive location for Hasselbeck, and could quickly transition back into a contender with some cohesion on offense.
3. Fall All the Way to the Seventh Pick
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If Trent Baalke is asked for his draft card, and Cam Newton is still on the board, he would have a hard time picking a defender. The 49ers have the pieces to put together a potent offense, and most of what they are lacking could be garnered in this draft.
San Francisco has a talented RB, one of the better TEs in the game, and the start of a WR corps. I believe they still need a RT, but it is too early for them to give up on Anthony Davis at the position and move him to RG.
Their biggest need, though, is a QB that can operate behind a shaky offensive line and distribute the ball to the weapons they already have. And if he can be a weapon in his own right, all the better.
The 49er fan base would likely given Newton a wide berth. Their franchise has been mired in mediocre QB play and poor coaching decisions. Give Jim Harbaugh a talented QB and see if this franchise can get back into contention.
2. The Icon Becomes a Titan
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The Titans need a new QB, and have become accustomed to having a mobile QB running their offense. Add in Newton's throwing ability, and he could become an instant upgrade for a team many thought were ready to challenge for the AFC title last season.
He would be sharing a backfield with one of the best RBs in the game, and Tennessee has the start of a solid receiving corps. If they didn't have to give up too much to get him, and could work on the defense in this draft, Newton and the Titans could be a great story.
The legs of Chris Johnson and Newton, combined with an accurate aerial attack directed at a rookie WR, Kenny Britt and Nate Washington and you might just have a winning formula.
1. Blockbuster Trade to New England
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I'm not projecting this will happen, but Newton's best opportunity to shine in the NFL will come from being placed on an established team with a good offensive line and running attack. One team that has the draft capital to do so is the New England Patriots.
This might not be the best scheme fit, but if Bill Belichick sees something he likes in Newton he could certainly take a few years to adjust the offense around him while Brady plays into retirement.
Offering a QB time to sit and learn the pro game is usually a huge leg up; Newton could definitely use the time to adjust. Add in the ability to study under one of the great QBs (even if he is a pocket passes) and play for one of the best coaches in the NFL, and Newton would be able to thrive.
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