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
♦
Recent posts
– Hawks need more from Joe Johnson (whether-he-likes-it-or-not)
– Magic wake up and Hawks show their ugly former selves
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC; friend me at Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
271 comments Add your comment
joe suggs
April 29th, 2011
8:13 am
WHO CARES WHAT THIS POLISHED UP THUG DOES ? He did not get a degree . He was a hired gun for one year !!!
DC
April 29th, 2011
9:05 am
^^UGA fan
BA
April 29th, 2011
10:17 am
^^Non-UGA fan
ATL XMAN
April 29th, 2011
1:12 pm
cam couldnt even win the starting job at fla over tebow what makes you think he will be better in the pros. they are pretty much even after its all said and done except tim is smarter and works harder because he doesnt have all the athletic ability that cam has . cam , like tebow ,will have problems in the nfl for at least 4 or 5 years as they are not getting a chance to learn how to be a pro qb.
Dustin
April 29th, 2011
1:39 pm
Here is what I think, Newton is on a HORRIBLE Carolina team and will get smashed by defenses because they cant protect him. Not to mention that there are no WRs in Carolina now. Steve Smith is on the way out.
Tim Tebow is going to be fine, John Elway is there. Yes, a Hall Of Fame QB who is “Tebow’s biggest fan.” He is going to be given a chance to succeed and he has some good pieces out there.
godoggo
April 29th, 2011
2:05 pm
Kris G: Well taken…..but i don’t believe i ever mentioned anything about a posse ? Or racial overtones….uh, one of my best buds is African American and i (not my wife) cooked dinner for him this week (at my house no less)…… I do feel Cam needs to keep and screen his comrades……having character issues can also show up with who we let hang around us and enable us…. Correct me if need be….
I will say, that i will Never, ever mention or compare Cam in the same sentence with Ben R…….Cam may have character issues, that i hope and pray he can overcome. Ben, i Truly feel along with thousands of other man and woman got away with Sxual Assault ? There is a big difference in character issues and Rape…..let Ben R. be Judged at the pearly gates : )
We base so many things on what money can buy……more money, more carats, more money, bigger boat,……yet with more money you can also buy the absolute worse form of carbon humanoid, and that is “quote” “a good Attorney” to get away with such a horrible act……..such an inverse relationship ?
No, Cam is deserving……i, just want him to make better choices, and make all those 8-15yr. olds that buy his jersey be proud like that kid in the Mean Joe Green commercial (btw, Joe has hands twice the size of most grown men)……..Today, im a big fan of M.Vick, he had to learn the hard way unfortunately, let us hope if he feels he is getting sidetracked he goes on “youtube” and watches Mikes past Media coverage…..or picks up the phone cand gives him a ring.
Holler if ya hear me ?
Ron
April 29th, 2011
3:41 pm
Once again a Tebow unjustified bashing. Please look up his stats in college and compare with any QB playing today or yesterday, yes even Elway. In almost all stats no one is close. Correct me if I’m wrong, but he Heisman’ d and produced 2 National Champ 06, 08while playing in the toughest conference SEC.
Tebow Passing TD as a Gator 88 & Rushing 57 Total=145 longest pass td 80yd lgst run TD 55
Peyton Manning TD as a Vol 89 passing 12 rushing total 101
John Elway TD @ Stanford 77 TD passing 5 rushing total 82
Not saying Tebow will exceed either of these legends, but please don’t write him off till we see what he can do. It’s not a job of stats between the 20’s…Tebow knows how to smell the endzone
Thomas Lounsbury once said we must view with profound respect the infinite capacity of the human mind to resist the introduction of useful knowledge…
Harrison
April 29th, 2011
5:13 pm
running quarterbacks like newton dont make it in the nfl wall tebow has good numbers
Nick
April 30th, 2011
1:50 am
Good topic to start a firestorm of debate. Most likely we won’t know the answer for at least 2-3 years.
Tebow is certainly a work in progress, but he has the drive, desire and (atleast for the next year) the support of the fans to at least have a chance. He played very well for Denver, (for a rookie) in the final 3 games he started for Denver. The thing about Tebow I love the most is the guy is a winner and he seems to thrive under pressure. When the game is on the line Tebow wants the ball and thats exactly what you want from your quarterback.
Cam Newton is a little tricky. I understand people having character concerns about him, but I think those might be blown a little out of proportion. Overlooking the character issues, lets look at the player. Simple statement, this kid is freakishly talented. I’m an LSU fan so I’ve seen a ton of SEC football and I watched this guy make spectacular plays with both his feet and his arm. If Carolina has the people in place to help Cam learn a complex NFL playbook and bring him along slowly, I think he could be a good quarterback in this league. In order to make Cam successful I thin the team will need to tweak the playbook to take advantage of Cam’s unique skills. He will never be the next elite pocket passer. He could be great if the system is tailored to take advantage of his abilities.
Last thought, I agree it is unfair to compare him to Jamarcus Russell or other “Athletic” quarterbacks. This guy is alot more talented than Russell ever was.
Dawg Tired
April 30th, 2011
12:05 pm
Jeff – Like you, I have no way of predicting what will or will not happen in the future regarding either of these guys. However, I am having difficulty seeing how a 6′6″ 250 pound athlete who can throw a football as well as Cam Newton and run like the wind can not succeed in the NFL. Newton also appears to have the work ethic to improve where needed.
I also have difficulty understanding how anyone who ever saw the incredible leadership skills and somewhat impressive athletic skills of Tebow displayed quite impressively in college would think he will fail in the NFL. Therefore, I voted that both will find success in the NFL. Of course neither or only one may actually do that, but only time will decide that.
Plus – disagreeing with me does not make one a moron. On the other hand, calling someone you have never met a moron is at least strong evidence of some defect, whether mental or emotional.
Camden Mark
May 1st, 2011
7:53 am
Newtons a brasher more irresponsable version of Jemarcus Russell and probably on his way to a similiar career as niether has any football brains.Superman (Tim) on the otherhand is the hardest worker,the guy on your team that leads by example,the guy that will not ever give up and can take a whole team on his shoulders.Teabow will have a nice NFL career simply because he’ll refuse not to.
James Bond
May 1st, 2011
1:58 pm
You are so full of hot air, Tim Tebow will be a star and win several Super Bowls, Scam Newton will be a flop just like Jamarcus Russell, as a Gator he couldn’t hold Tebow’s jocks, he was caught red handed with stolen lap top and flat screen T.V., he did not win the Heisman, Newton won the Heist-man for being a crook. His father got a load of cash from the Auburn boosters that wanted to win a National Title no matter the cost. In Auburn, they don’t call it CASH, they call it “CHEESE”, and the boosters love to spread it around like butter. Save this stupid article to ignorant fool, all these words you say here are coming back to hunt you!!!
your wrong on this onee
May 1st, 2011
6:33 pm
Tim Tebow has been told he can’t be a QB at every stage of his football career high school college and now the pros. He has proven everybody wrong time and time again with his success. He has a passion for football and will to win at anything he does. (not to mention has has just a little bit of athleticism) What makes this time any different? Tebow > Newton
Hesky
May 2nd, 2011
6:30 am
Jeff Schultz; did you watch any of Tebow’s 3 starts last season? While Cam Newton is probably planning a vacation with his family, Tebow is studying his ass off as we speak learning the Broncos’ new playbook.
cadawg
May 2nd, 2011
2:55 pm
jeff: your argument is just terrible. if tebow won’t be good because he doesn’t have an established guy in front of him, then newton, if he is going to be successful, must have some good, established QB’s ahead of him who can show him the ropes. oh wait, he’ll be holding the clipboard for matt moore and jimmy clausen. dumb.
i don’t think “character issues” are cam’s biggest liability. i’m not convinced he can actually play quarterback in the NFL. he started for one year in an offense that hid his deficiencies and played up his strengths. cam still hasn’t shown he can read a defense or throw the ball when everyone in the stadium knows he’s going to throw it. his film session with gruden was embarrassing. i’d be very surprised if he makes it as an NFL QB, but the draft makes fools of us all.
cadawg
May 2nd, 2011
3:07 pm
i think vince young is probably a better point of comparison for cam newton than jamarcus russell. cam has more or less the same skill set as vince coming out of college, and the concerns are the same. one has to hope that cam is more mature, and that he’s got a QB coach as good as mike heimerdinger, who deserves more credit than he gets for strides VY made as a QB in nashville.
i think the odds are against cam, but i don’t have any personal animus toward him and i wish him the best in the NFL.
Swamp Thing
May 2nd, 2011
3:38 pm
Hey Jeff – slow day at the office again on Monday? You can always try to gig the Gators (an ajc pastime) – but think about this, Who was Tebow’s backup at UF while he was there? Can you answer that? Maybe it’s because Urban couldn’t coach. Get a life Jeff.
Deer Bear
May 4th, 2011
5:21 am
Cam is coming in with this swag, the swag of getting paid to play college while no one else did. His daddy has helped him through his college career…financially. Well, its the big show now! Daddy isnt here. Daddy wont get you your job. After Tebow lost his final game to Bama I guarantee he hit the Gym because he had doubters. He put the work in the offseason! He accepted to change something hes done his whole life playing football. (mechanics) What does Cam do? Looks like an idiot in front of John Gruden not knowing anything about his offense and cant call a play from the huddle. He had a whiteboard telling the offense what the play was cause it was “simple”. Well, the NFL isnt “simple” your going to have to call a play. Also, one year of D1 ball? HE is built the exact same way as Jamarcus Russel. I don’t see much difference between the two. Size that isnt big enough to lower shoulders into defensive backs like they could in college. The defensive line is going to be much more athletic in the nfl so will the linebackers. Its going to be alot harder to escape pressure from people like Jared Allen, Dwight Freeney, Mario Williams, Tuck, Seymour, Peppers (so on) then it did against teams that Cam played in 2010. (So. Car, ULM, Kentucky, Chattanooga) Also, Tebow looked decent week 16 and 17 of the 2010 NFL season. In the Gruden interview cam compares his game to a gun and the criticism is a ammunition. What if the ammuntion builds up so much all the gunpowder explodes and leaves us with another bust at #1? I think this guy’s attitude will have a lot of criticism coming his way!
Deer Bear
May 4th, 2011
5:26 am
+ I dont see how an argument for sale jerseys relates to how one plays on the field??? Kind of a poor argument against Tebow. I dont know alot of superbowl champs coming out of college?? can you name some??
Ciaran Murphy
May 4th, 2011
12:12 pm
Tebow has everything you said Newton has , Size speed and strenght! Tebow is 18 stone, lightning off the mark and compete with anyone in a tackle. You are a Tebow hater, Tebow isn’t perfect but week in week out he will win games. Tebow was ridiculed for being a ‘mobile’ quarterback last year and this year all the analyst say that what is needed, a quarterback who can make plays with his feet. Stop hateing on Tebow!
Rcade81
May 4th, 2011
1:25 pm
I’m 100% with the last 3 comments. Your article blows and your opinion is just idiotic. Get the facts straight before you post stupid stuff man.