Cam Newton's Success Could Unhinge Andrew Luck as the Top Pick in the 2012 Draft

It’s no secret that the NFL is a copycat league.  One team has extraordinary success and every other team is watching film trying to mimic it.  When Bill Walsh introduced the West Coast Offense, it became common around the league. The same thing happened with the Tampa Two defense.

This “monkey see monkey do” way of coaching doesn’t just happen with schemes either. This affects every aspect of the game. Coaching searches, playbooks, and on-field personnel are all direct correlations with what has or hasn’t worked in the past.

Take Cam Newton for example. The talk about Newton so far has been “what if”. What if he can’t learn a NFL playbook? What if he becomes content with just being rich? What if he cracks under the pressure? However, very few people are asking, “What if he dominates?” What if Cam Newton enters the league and is as great as he was when he was in college? What if he’s running wild and throwing touchdowns all while flashing that million dollar smile he’s known for? I’ll tell you what. He would change the way the game is played.

Let’s say Rob Chudinski, Carolina Panthers OC, creates this system that is perfect for Cam Newton. We’ll call this system “System X” and we’ll call Cam Newton “Player X.” If System X works, losing teams will want to run the system and hope they get the same results. However, there’s a catch. System X only works with Player X.

Therefore, let’s take a look at Player X. Player X is a freak of nature. He’s big enough to shake off defensive ends while also fast enough to outrun linebackers. He can throw on the run and has enough arm strength to make a pass across the field without setting his feet. Player X can tuck the ball and run but he is also good enough to execute designed quarterback runs. You may think that Cam Newton is the only player that matches these criteria, but he isn’t. There’s another quarterback that meets the standards of Player X.

Enter Terrelle Pryor. I know what you’re thinking. Terrelle Pryor hasn't had half of the success that Cam Newton has. And you would be right; however, Pryor’s numbers aren't as big because he runs a pro-style offense at Ohio State. Pryor threw for 2700 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He also ran for 750 yards and 4 touchdowns. Those are outstanding numbers for Jim Tressel’s very conservative pro-style offense.

Pryor has also been Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl MVP. He has been quoted as saying that he would dominate in a spread offense and I believe every bit of it. He has all of the physical tools that Cam Newton has except he’s faster, even more athletic, and has a greater knowledge of the game. He has all the tools to be Player X.

Andrew Luck. Those are two words that make NFL head coaches drool. He’s the best overall QB prospect in a decade. He’s got the arm, the smarts, the looks, and most importantly, the media is behind him.  He’s seen as the second coming amongst football analyst. It’s hard to find a mock draft that doesn’t have him going No.1 overall and deservedly so.

You would think that he was a gift from the football gods. In spite of all this, could he really be overtaken as the No. 1 pick in the draft? Let’s say a team like the Cardinals gets the No. 1 pick.  Do you do what the history of the NFL says do and try to recreate the success of Cam Newton with Terrelle Pryor or do you pick the low risk, high reward pocket passer Andrew Luck?

 It all comes back to Cam Newton. His success, or lack thereof, could determine the draft. Newton finds success is System X and Terrelle Pryor is in New York hugging Roger Goodell and holding a number one jersey. Newton fails and Pryor is at home watching kickers get taken in the sixth round while frantically waiting for his name to be called. Either way, Terrelle Pryor will be Cam Newton’s biggest fan this year.