NFL draft: Cam Newton will succeed, Tim Tebow won’t
Cam Newton could be first pick in draft.
Tim Tebow was a surprising first-round pick.
Tim Tebow was drafted in the first round by the Denver Broncos last year. That decision was such an overwhelming success that the organization was mocked and ridiculed, the Broncos finished 4-12 and coach Josh McDaniels, who pushed the button on the decision, was fired.
Cam Newton is expected to be the first overall pick of tonight’s NFL draft by Carolina. There’s a pretty good chance many will ridicule them for it. But it says here the Panthers would not be making a mistake.
Loading ...I can’t remember the last time two quarterbacks caused so much debate and even moronic dissection going into a draft. One draft analyst, Nolan Narwocki of Pro Football Weekly, even declared that Newton “has a fake smile.”
If that were the determining factor for success, you can throw out half of the Hall of Fame.
I am not a draft expert, something I’m comfortable admitting since even draft experts are not draft experts. (Hindsight proves that.) But I’ll go out on a limb on this one: Cam Newton will succeed as a starting NFL quarterback and Tim Tebow won’t.
Before I turn it over to you for your thoughts on the subject — and don’t forget to vote in our poll — here are some thoughts from your amateur draftnik.
♦ Tebow: He’s a great kid. He’s popular. He’s religious. I’m guessing you’ve heard all of those things. Did you also know that he ranked fifth in the NFL in jersey sales last season? The top five: 1) Troy Polamalu (Super Bowl winner); 2) Aaron Rodgers (Super Bowl winner); 3) Drew Brees (Super Bowl winner); 4) Peyton Manning (Super Bowl winner); 5) Tebow (9 games, 3 starts, five touchdowns, three interceptions, one fumble, six sacks).
Tebow is a project. He was a great college quarterback who projected as a mid-round pick for a team to take a flier on. McDaniels was a young, cocky coach with an offensive background and his ego convinced him that he could turn Tebow into something great. It was a bad decision. Now Tebow is stuck on a bad team with Brady Quinn and Kyle Orton to learn from. Good luck with that. If anything, there’s less of a chance of Tebow developing now than there was before.
♦ Newton: He has NFL-caliber talent. He has size, speed, strength. He enables a coach to expand the playbook because of his speed. The one trait he and Tebow shared in college is they both knew how to come through in big moments and win big games. The difference is that Newton progressed at a ridiculous rate from the start of last season with Auburn to the end. Tebow, not so much. Newton went from off the NFL radar to projected first-rounder. Tebow remained a source for debate.
Nobody ever has faced the scrutiny and pressure Newton did last season leading up to big games. He succeeded anyway. Whether you believe he is guilty or innocent of shenanigans surrounding his recruiting process, his resolve and resilience are undeniable.
Are there red flags with Newton? Absolutely. NFL teams don’t quickly dismiss potential character flaws before drafts, especially when considering taking the player in the first round. But it’s hard for me to look at what he did in one season at Auburn and project that he is going to faceplant as a pro.
Those are my thoughts. Now, I welcome yours.
NFL draft coverage: I’ll be blogging at least two more times today on the draft. The next post likely will be an early Falcons’ draft column, to be updated later tonight.
By Jeff Schultz
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271 comments Add your comment
Not Disappointed
April 28th, 2011
10:45 am
Hey, you made some good points. I like both quarterbacks but feel Cam is a natural. Time shall tell and good luck to both!
Hey Marcel
April 28th, 2011
10:46 am
Tebow doesn’t have that big question mark hanging over his head like Newton. Look at Reggie Bush, he hasn’t come near the impact player we thought he would be…………..because that lie is always in the back of your mind.
DC
April 28th, 2011
10:46 am
Also, I think its funny how some of you say that Cam didn’t have the respect in the locker room…seemed like they were “ALL IN” during the games…lets look back to the UGA game…lets look back to the bama game…*hand over mouth*
tim
April 28th, 2011
10:49 am
Reapectfully disagree. I agree that Newton is very gifted athletically, but although you mentioned there are red flags, you didn’t expound on them. I will. Perhaps the biggest red flag is his questionable work ethic. You simply cannot be a high first round pick and walk into an NFL locker room sporting a so-so work ethic. You are already somewhat resented by your new teammates because you are unproven and still making more money than they are. Add to that dynamic a questionable work ethic and you have JaMarcus Russell rd. 2. Tebow will eventually succeed if given the opportunity because his work ethic is unmatched. He has already earned the respect of skeptical teammates in Denver such as Brandon Lloyd.
Larry
April 28th, 2011
10:50 am
Atler…because he is a liar.
His father shopped him around and got paid. Even telling MSU “It’s Auburn–sorry the money is just too good.” Then escapes any sort of punishment saying “I did’t know daddy wanted money.”
It is good to see shady people rewarded in life with millions of dollars–isn’t it?
Actually starting today I am going to teach my kids that the rules just don’t apply to them and that as long as they do whatever they want, they will get rich.
Contractor
April 28th, 2011
10:51 am
McDawg,
Tim Couch, Akili Smith, Ryan Leaf weren’t that bad either in college. Just depends on how they react with the big boys.
DC,
Bitter SEC fans? I actually rooted for Auburn to keep the SEC streak alive. I made the comment about his work ethic to the fact he won’t learn a playbook, and is leaning on just his size and talent alone. He will not progress because he doesn’t have the work ethic to want to learn. Like I said, he believes everyone owes him something. Every single professional writer and draft guru says there is a queasiness in all teams stomachs about taking him and a lot of risk and money involved, so there has to be something they see that makes them believe that, not just bitter fans from the SEC as you put it.
BartenderBart
April 28th, 2011
10:54 am
Cam Newton may be a “natural,” but I still have doubts about his intelligence. Knowing the Auburn had to simplify their offense for him, and knowing the he couldn’t call one play, just one play, when put on the spot by Jon Gruden, really worries me. In college you can get away with using a number for a play, or using Oregon’s system of posters with four pictures detailing what a play is. In the NFL, that will not fly.
root4au
April 28th, 2011
10:54 am
Who cares what Newton does in the pros. He is the best college football player I have ever seen. Not even close. He took a good AU team and made them great. He did this all in one year of playing major college ball. Come on UGA fans, it was time for AU to put a beat down on UGA. Suck it up and get over it..
Keith
April 28th, 2011
10:55 am
If you guys follow follow football year- in and year -out, you have to realize that Cam Newton is one of those athletes that don’t come along very often. He completely dominated college football even more than Tim Tebow did for one season. The Broncos will work with Tebow because the last coach was stupid enough to invest so much into Tebow. Tebow is a good person but Cam is better prepared to be successful pro. Cam Newton will be the first pick in tonight’s draft and he will be a very good professional QB, dominating after about 4 years. I predict a super bowl in his fifth year!!
npgator
April 28th, 2011
10:57 am
A negative Tebow story written by a Bulldog! Not that is something novel.
Joe Bob Thibodaux
April 28th, 2011
10:58 am
SEC has had some great QB’s the past few years. I don’t believe that Newtons’ moves will offer the protection in pro football it did at the college level. They know how to tackel at the next level.
A great college QB both Tebow and Newton. I wish them both the best.
DC
April 28th, 2011
10:58 am
Yes, he will have to learn the playbook..he had to do so in high school, college and now at the pros…I know I know…big difference…but he is gym rat and people always talk about how he was the first one in first one out deal..
I feel they are worried b/c of the baggage ie HIS FATHER and the mess that went on in college…but you can’t deny that alot of these people on here are upset and want him to fail..
Joey
April 28th, 2011
11:00 am
Haha!
A Super Bowl for Carolina?
That’s funny right there . . .
ATLER ( ramblin wreck )
April 28th, 2011
11:02 am
It is good to see shady people rewarded in life with millions of dollars–isn’t it?
Actually starting today I am going to teach my kids that the rules just don’t apply to them and that as long as they do whatever they want, they will get rich.
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* Report this comment
@ Larry It’s actually the American way my friend. Capitalism at it’s best. There have been thousands and thousands of college athletes black and white that have taking pay out and parents have benefited also. So don’t sit here and try to make it seem like Cam and his father were the only ones that ever did it. Remember………. it’s the American way Larry.
Mash
April 28th, 2011
11:04 am
Lazy premise Schultz.
First, McDaniels firing from the Broncos had nothing to do with drafting Tebow, but for video-taping an opponents practice in London. That’s a no-no. But he is a well-respected QB coach who knows talent at the position. He drafted Tebow to be groomed under Orton and develop for a few years. It’s a model you might be familiar with – ever hear of Aaron Rodgers?
Typically, it takes a year for defenses in college to adjust to what a QB is doing. We have decades of evidence to suggest a pattern here. Then we judge a QB’s growth on how he handles those adjustments. We have no idea how well Newton has progressed because he was only at Auburn for that one year.
One thing’s for sure, the QB position is just as much a part of being a leader as it is talent. Tebow’s been in our lives for 5 years now and we’ve seen him lead by example and win at all levels. We don’t have enough to go on with Newton.
What we know about this draft is that talent scouts all agree that “there isn’t a top 20 caliber QB in this draft”; however, we also know there are a handful of QB needy teams that may reach and take QB before they should.
If you really want to put your money where mouth is Schultz, email me directly (you can get from the AJC blog enablers) and I’ll put down $5,000 a bet Tebow/Newton bet on who will be the more successful QB next year. Or any time frame you have in mind.
Dale in Newnan
April 28th, 2011
11:07 am
Three of the reasons that Michael Vick excelled last season were: A) He worked exceptionally hard on vindicating himself. B) Instead of running at the first option, he became a very quality drop-back passer for the first time who used his legs to compliment his QB play. C) Became very coachable, developed some needed leadership skills until finally becoming the QB we always hoped he would be.
TT needs at least another year or maybe two of intensive work before we know if he can play QB in the NFL. CN has definite questions concerning whether he can operate a pro-style offense; not to mention whether or not he can drop the diva that infest him, aka The Jeff George Gene. Spread Offense QB’s scare the complete hell out of me because the learning curve is so steep, and the window of oppurtunity for them to excel so short. Gimmicks just do not work in the pro game. The primary test for both is whether either can handle the adversity all QBs in the League routinely face. Running quarterbacks eventually have the slobber knocked out of them. MacNabb and Young got up and ran back to the huddle. Others shy away and get timid.
dougmo2
April 28th, 2011
11:07 am
If your teams locker room has Ipods and laptops stored in the players lockers, which player would rather have in the locker room with you?
A- Tebow, a person who has character measured in megatons.
B- Newton, a thief with zero character
Dekalb Football
April 28th, 2011
11:08 am
LOL some of you guys comments about Cam seem more personal than anything. The kid can play bottom line, who are you to say how he would do, did anyone of you play in the NFL? Im sure you didnt, you are just a fan who probably never played the sport, better yet the position. Its part of the job but this is what athletes have to put up with along with the wear and tear of the game. Both Cam and Tebow will do fine, if you like them support them if you dont keep your negative and dumb comments to yourself.
Breaking News |Breaking News
April 28th, 2011
11:11 am
[...] Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) [...]
Contractor
April 28th, 2011
11:11 am
DC,
I agree with you that there are folks that want him to fail, but I believe it is because of his attitude and his sense of entitlement. Americans love humble people that are doing great things, not stuck up ego maniacs that think they are owed the world. I can see where they are coming from, but I would rather him succeed than fail, have six kids he doesn’t pay child support on, and receiving checks from the government.
Dale in Newnan
April 28th, 2011
11:11 am
Keith you gotta be freaking kidding me!!!! Carolina is a football wasteland on both sides of the ball. The need TWO LINES, recievers, LB, secondary. If I am cam Newton I am worried about being the next David Carr roadkill.
ATLER ( ramblin wreck )
April 28th, 2011
11:13 am
dougmo2
April 28th, 2011
11:07 am
If your teams locker room has Ipods and laptops stored in the players lockers, which player would rather have in the locker room with you?
A- Tebow, a person who has character measured in megatons.
B- Newton, a thief with zero character
what about:
C- uga recruits
MDB
April 28th, 2011
11:14 am
Cam definitely is superior in talent to Tebow, just watch a few out routes and deep flag routes and you will see the zip and quick release is naturally better with Cam. If the question is, who has a better chance to succeed as a QB, I say Cam. But if it is who will be in the NFL 10 years from now, I say Tebow. Evenually he can become a serviceable TE or FB and make a career of it. I still am not sold on Cam being an NFL QB for the long haul and don’t know how he would take to a position shift. I am always skeptical of guys who have not had to do much “between the ears” in college from a playbook perspective and spread offenses seem iffy for producing legit QBs at the next level. Then again, I thought the same thing about Bradford and he proved me wrong, so what do I know???
secondguesser
April 28th, 2011
11:15 am
“95 More touchdowns — You do realize you’re comparing Tebow’s 4 year numbers to Newton’s one year numbers, don’t you?”
His numbers aren’t for one year Shultzie, as I said before he couldn’t beat out Timmy! He was on team. His numbers just weren’t any good!
Derek
April 28th, 2011
11:15 am
Cam Newton – Can anyone say DeMarcus Russell v2.0?
Gator Man
April 28th, 2011
11:16 am
When wil we have a conversation about any heisman comming out of loser ville UGA. I guess when your state college football sucks you have to find something.
Austin
April 28th, 2011
11:16 am
This column is an absolute joke. Do you think the Broncos wouldn’t have sucked had they NOT drafted Tebow? He played great at the end of the season when he got his shot. He may not be a future hall of famer, but he has the work ethic and character that Cam Newton can only dream about. Newton won’t be able to understand the offenses he’s running and won’t want to. He’s too cocky and too oblivious. How could he not understand how stupid he sounded when he bragged about how simple Auburn’s offense is? His athleticism will buy him a few cheap TD’s before he fails out miserably, Auburn is stripped of its national title and he goes to work without a college degree.
Cam Rules
April 28th, 2011
11:17 am
Cam’s going to be rolling in millions after this weekend with a huge signing bonus and guaranteed starting job. He’ll be a superstar. Tebow? Elway doesn’t like him and will trade him for a 2-3 round pick very soon. Tebow doesn’t have the arm to play in the nfl.
Jeffro
April 28th, 2011
11:18 am
I have never in my life seen such a high level of hatred for a college-aged kid in my life. Anonymous online posting where you bash someone is quite sad. There are sooooooo many haters out there it is ridiculous. Cam made so many fanbases mad because he torched EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM! But it isnt like he is a bad person. The guy is a freak of nature, athletically speaking. He is fun to watch. Plain and simple…..so what is to REALLY hate? Cut the guy some slack. Its like a pack mentality in this article’s comments section. Perhaps some of you hate yourselves????….
Dale in Newnan
April 28th, 2011
11:20 am
The draft is a crap shoot. Nobody, especially these two, had the physical attributes coming out of the combine and college as Ryan Leaf and Jeff George.They had all the tools. So what happened? Joe Montana was to small and had a weak arm. Donovan MacNabb has heavily panned for being a first rounder by almost all of the experts and some other team’s GMs. So what happened? Personally I hated the Matt Ryan pick. So what happened?
TBone
April 28th, 2011
11:22 am
Cammy CamCam just does not strike one as a mental giant. Additionally, he will be playing against the real deal week in and week out so he won’t be super man. Maybe he really is a tight end?
beebee
April 28th, 2011
11:23 am
I don’t like this discussion.
It’s almost pointless.
last year’s draft was last year.
this year’s draft is this year.
if you all are this interested in the potential Carolina 1st pick, PLEASE
go to the Panther training camp so you can watch him up close and personal.
Same thing with Denver.
This discussion IS pointless!
Gator Man
April 28th, 2011
11:23 am
Shulz, : You should be saying how come Florida and Auburn coaches manage to send to greats to the NFL with NCAA Nat and loser Mark Richt can not mold and coach good talent.
GTBob
April 28th, 2011
11:24 am
Cam Newton has to be the riskiest number one pick in NFL history. He played in an obscure offense where usually he was running. He only threw 280 passes in college, as opposed to most QB’s throwing over 1000. He has shown accuracy issues at times. He has obvious character flaws. It just seems really dumb to make him a number one pick. I’m pretty surprised he will be in the top 10. Also, who is he going to learn from? Jimmy Clausen? How is that better then Tebow’s situation?
GaBlue
April 28th, 2011
11:29 am
Anything can happen, and the future is, as always, just speculation. But to the people who think Cam Newton’s smile is “fake,” seriously… that’s the most idiotic thing I’ve ever heard. Just being in Auburn on game day makes everyone smile (at least before the game), and to be adored and cheered, and on top of that, being successful in what you set out to do, would make even the most bitter cynic smile from ear to ear. The phenomenal success of the young man’s season, his Heisman trophy, and his good looks on top of that would make it impossible not to flash the pearly whites. As David Letterman said, “If I looked like that guy, you could all just kiss my *bleep!” Haters are so boring.
Facts
April 28th, 2011
11:31 am
1. Blinn – One year learns the offense and wins a national title.
2. Auburn – One year learns the offense and wins a national title.
3. Not Accurate – Blinn: 336 ATT, 204 COMP, 5 INT, 22 TDS, 2833 TOT YARDS, 61% COMP
Auburn: 280 ATT, 185 COMP, 7 INT, 30 TDS, 2854 TOT YARDS, 66.1% COMP
4. Auburn had to simplify their offense for him – Not true!!! The Gruden segment only shows that Cam doesn’t know NFL terminology and sense NFL terminology varies with each team, no college qb or any other college player comes into the league knowing NFL terminology. How many expert on this blog know what a “flip right, double-X, Jet, 36 counter, naked waggle, X-7, X-quarter” is?
ATLER (ramblin wreck)
April 28th, 2011
11:31 am
@GTBob
As a fellow Techster, I must say that reading your comment, you sound like a birther my friend.
Andy Harrison
April 28th, 2011
11:32 am
I’m a UGA and Bronco fan…while I in now way was happy about drafting Tebow, that had little to do with why McDaniels was fired. If anything, that was last on a very long list. But I agree, Tebow will not succeed and Newton is a maybe at best.
SE GA Dawg Fan
April 28th, 2011
11:32 am
Tebow will succeed in whatever he attempts because he is honest and hardworking, and his family is also. Newton paid for his success. And, who was the successful quarterback at Florida?
You'reAmoron
April 28th, 2011
11:34 am
@Gator Man, UGA has sent more players than UF and Auburn to the NFL in the past decade…that’s that UF education for ya
jp
April 28th, 2011
11:34 am
Tebow has played only his rookie season…give the guy a chance for Christ’s sake! The guy also has the heart of lion and the work ethic of a ox…which can easily make up for talent. Cam Newton played ONE season in the SEC; now he’s going to be an NFL sensation? I can garantee he will not have a rookie season as good as Matt Ryan. He will run the option like Mike Vick; hike, roll out, scan…..run! over and over WATCH!
Hey Marcel
April 28th, 2011
11:35 am
Joey
April 28th, 2011
11:00 am
Haha!
A Super Bowl for Carolina?
That’s funny right there . . .
*****************************************************
Don’t speak too soon Joey, ever heard of New Orleans…………?
Not a Hater
April 28th, 2011
11:35 am
Being a Packer fan, I am sure happy that we have our QB for the next decade. But gosh, I have never known for so many people to hope that someone does not succeed. If Cam is “dumb” because of the play-calling scheme at Auburn, then that logic suggests that everyone else on that offense was dumb as well.
Personally, I like to see young guns come into the league and perform well. I’m hoping that both Tebow and Cam are adequate QBs. But the way you guys are going after Cam is a bit creepy. You barely know the guy, but will be elated if he fails in the NFL.
1eyedJack
April 28th, 2011
11:39 am
Cam goes from stealing laptops to stealing #1 pick money, and he’ll wear his “fake smile” all the way to the bank.
Facts
April 28th, 2011
11:40 am
“He will run the option like Mike Vick; hike, roll out, scan…..run! over and over” – Just like Tebow did and most rookie qbs do.
Facts
April 28th, 2011
11:42 am
Most of the comments about Newton and Tebow are personal. I see where people keep mentioning character yet root for the failure of these two young men. Sad….
GTBob
April 28th, 2011
11:43 am
@ATLER, no im pretty well convinced that Cam Newton was born in the United States. I’m just not sure he is worth a number one pick in the NFL draft. Care to make an argument why i’m way off base or would you just like to call people names?
ATLER (ramblin wreck)
April 28th, 2011
11:44 am
@ Not a Hater
I agree with you. I hate to say it, but many don’t want Cam to succeed because of his confidence and him being Black. Remember he’s still 100% American.
Contractor
April 28th, 2011
11:46 am
Oh gah, everyone was just waiting on someone to make a comment about him being hated on because of his skin color. Hell of an argument there ATLER (ramblin wreck).
Najeh Davenpoop
April 28th, 2011
11:47 am
Neither I nor anyone else here knows Cam well enough to assess his intelligence. But I think there is enough evidence to indicate that he is a hard worker. Not every NFL prospect voluntarily seeks out a QB guru to refine his mechanics before he gets drafted. Cam could have very easily spent the last few months reveling in the accolades and attention, but to me the fact that he recognized that he has to improve and sought out someone who could help him get better speaks volumes.