Doubters Take Note, Cam Newton NFL Rookie of the Year
by aubtigerman on Jan 24, 2012 8:31 PM CST
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Remember when former Pittsburg Steelers quarterback and Fox football analyst, Terry Bradshaw made the following statement:
"I'm not a Cam Newton fan. I didn't like him in college ... as far as I'm concerned, he's behind Michael Vick coming out of college. I actually like Jake Locker at Tennessee, Christian Ponder up at Minnesota and Blaine Gabbert down in Jacksonville. These young kids are far ahead of Newton as far as being an NFL quarterback."
Well just how wrong could you've been Terry?
Cam Newton just finished his first year in the NFL and what a year it was. He threw 21 touchdowns and accounted for the most yards by a rookie in NFL history 4,051. He also ran for 706 yards and set a new NFL record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in a single season with 14.
That accomplishment made Cam the first player in league history to pass for 4,000 yards and rush for at least 500 yards in a single season. And he did it for one of the weaker teams in the NFl. Oh .... and he did it as a rookie.
And for his record setting year the players, coaches, and NFL executives have voted Newton the Sporting News NFL Rookie of the Year.
To be fair to Bradshaw he wasn't the only expert that expressed doubts about Cam's ability to be successful as a pro quarterback, there were more doubters than believers. But after Newton starting playing at the next level, he turned most into believers.
NFL.com senior analyst Gil Brandt, a former Dallas Cowboys vice-president of player personnel, wrote a column earlier in the season saying after watching Cam play that he thought he was the best rookie QB he had ever seen,
"I've scouted thousands of players and wouldn't make this statement lightly ... Cam Newton is the most impressive rookie quarterback I've seen come into the league."
High praise from someone who made a living assessing NFL talent.
By the way, Cam also had one more accolade this week when he was selected for the Pro Bowl roster. If you want to watch it, the Pro Bowl will be played this Sunday, Jan. 29 at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu, Hawaii.
The game will be televised by NBC at 6 p.m. CST. Maybe Bradshaw can watch it with Blaine Gabbert.
*********************************************************************************************************
Thanks to Sand MountainTiger for the following video on Cam's journey to Rookie of the Year:
Cam Newton - The Journey (highlights) (via jsinghncsu)
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Huh?
I understand doubting his NFL potential, but “didn’t like him in college?” What does that even mean, that he doesn’t like winning?
Reading the Psalms as an Auburn Fan - available at amazon.com
It Means...
… he convicted him without proof just like everyone else. WDE!!
Thanks for posting this...
When Cam was at Auburn, he made plays with his head, as well as with his feet. He had that determination to keep a play alive, for just a few seconds more, that would allow something positive to happen, or at least negate the negative.
I haven’t seen that since the days of Fran Tarkenton, and Archie Manning.
What Cam has is every single gift needed to play the QB position at it’s highest level, and the desire to improve on those skills. In other words, he’s a winner. That is why Bradshaw disliked him. Piss on Terry Bradshaw, if that is his attitude.
WAR CAM EAGLE!
Come and join me at http://trackemtigers.com
Bradshaw knows all about how a good QB should do in his NFL rookie season
Bradshaw started eight games as a rookie and the Steelers’ record improved to 5-9 but his performances fell far below expectations. He completed only 38.1% of his passes and had 24 interceptions, the highest total in pro football.
“My rookie year was a disaster,” Bradshaw agrees. “I was totally unprepared for pro football. I had had no schooling on reading defenses. I had never studied the game films the way a quarterback should. I was an outsider who didn’t mingle well. The other players looked on me as a Bible-toting Li’l Abner.”
THE COFFIN CORNER: Vol. 11, No. 2 (1989) by Don Smith
Same ol’ Terry “I’m not dumb!” Bradshaw. He hasn’t changed a bit.
God, I hate sticking up for a meathead like Bradshaw...
But I’d say he’s had the requisite amount of success to at least form a judgement on what may or may not project well into the pros. In your quote, he’s self-aware enough to admit that what he brought to the table as a rookie wasn’t enough. To me, that demonstrates some ability to recognize what a rookie needs.
I know enough about the Steelers to know that he isn’t the reason for all four of their titles in the seventies (their defense deserves the lion’s share of the credit)…but his career stats (3-time pro-bowler, 2-time Super Bowl MVP, Hall-of-Famer in his first year of elgibility) are probably enough that he’s entitled to an opinion.
Even if it’s wrong.
(And especially if he’s willing to recant — see: below — when he’s wrong. That’s more than Pete Thamel, Nolan Narwrocki — they guy the Col. is referencing below — and Thayer Evans ever did.)
"The ball will be spotted at the six-inch-yardline."
Yes, he's entitled to his opinion...
He based it off of what? The article? Talking to Cam? What exactly?
I like Bradshaw, he just doesn’t always think, before he speaks. Which led to my urination comment above(smiley face here)
As far as his career, it was one of the best ever, no doubt about it.
Come and join me at http://trackemtigers.com
Bradshaw one of many biased fools
Sometimes your jealousy and spitefulness over ride your ability to reason. Bradshaw was just one of many who drankt the Kool-Aid of the Newton/Auburn haters who totally discounted everything that ACTUALLY happened in 2010 and chose to believe the lies and innuendo and conjure up an individual who somehow derived ALL of his ability to play the game of football by the request of his father for money.
They totally neglected that Cam not only has great physical gifts but is a GREAT leader….not good….GREAT. He also is a tireless worker who devours tape…unlike Mr Bradshaw apparently. He made great strides in his play in weeks last year, going from average in the Miss State game to unstoppable by the Arkansas game.
One draft analyst, whose name currently escapes me…..as it should…..declared famously that Cam had a fake smile and was lazy, pompous, arrogant and selfish….and that he would NEVER be able to lead an NFL team or be a positive force in the locker room. I don’t know how much money that guy lost on the Alabama game when he doubled down on his bet at halftime…..but not only was he flat out blind with hatred when it came to Newton, Newton proved him to be SPECATACULARLY WRONG!!
Congratulations Cam….it makes my heart proud that you went to Auburn but more importantly you have proved that hard work, discipline, and belief in yourself can take you to the greatest of heights. Physical tools aren’t enough in the NFL (cough, Jamarcus Russell, cough) you have to work really hard to be successful, and you did it!! The Auburn family is so proud of you.
I love the smell of Auburn in the autumn.....it smells like....victory.
I missed the part...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WVV0gifMJs
(the clip cited in ATM’s article) where he ever referenced anything other than his opinion on Newton’s ability to come out and perform at an NFL-level:
Sometimes your jealousy and spitefulness over ride your ability to reason. Bradshaw was just one of many who drankt the Kool-Aid of the Newton/Auburn haters who totally discounted everything that ACTUALLY happened in 2010 and chose to believe the lies and innuendo and conjure up an individual who somehow derived ALL of his ability to play the game of football by the request of his father for money.
Sorry, Col. — I ordinarily agree with you (silently, as you use enough words for you, me, WDE, MVH, Sparkey in a bad mood, and James Michener when he’s feeling a bit wordy), but nowhere did I come across Bradshaw referencing the off-the-field issues.
"The ball will be spotted at the six-inch-yardline."
No need to be sorry....thats a fair and reasoned defense.
I was taking a swipe at Cam haters in general…..Bradshaw got lumped in. I actually like Bradshaw because, like you noted above, he will actually admit when he’s wrong unlike the other guys. Thanks for digging up Nolan Jabberwocky for me…I guess.
Since I’m being fairminded for a minute, I think JaMarcus Russell had as much to do with NFL scouts dismissing Cams chances in the NFL as anything. Jabberwocky’s comments are what perturbed me the most because it was OBVIOUSLY personal and not based on what even an untrained observer could see.
I love the smell of Auburn in the autumn.....it smells like....victory.
Agreed about Narwrocki's bit being biased...
It was filled with sweeping statements about Cam’s egocentrism, while his teammates had nothing but glowing reports of his leadership and his being part of the team (and not above it).
That piece of his is a great example of why “traditional” journalistic sources (even if they are being posted on the web, a la new media) have no business looking down their long noses at blogging networks as sources.
(For what it’s worth, I expected a 1000-word verbal de-cleating from you. I could have been a bit softer in how I phrased things, so I’d deserve it.)
"The ball will be spotted at the six-inch-yardline."
So Bradshaw was one of the many who hated Cam because of the scandal created by...
Urban Meyer and Dan Mullens.
What else is new? And he isn’t alone. All of the bama nation is on the same train. Along with most everyone else from the SEC.
But last time I last I watched NFL he also said the Giants were done in mid season. Damned if they ain’t playing in the superbowl.
Just goes to show what a media blitz will do in swaying even the most tested of NFL greats.
Good job Cam. I knew you were the stuff when you were here.
War Eagle!!!
Lest we turn into that which we bemoan the most...
Which is a bunch of grumbling malcontents that pass judgement on a very limited sample set of information:
Switching from Tebow, I want to talk about some rookie quarterbacks. I think what Cam Newton has done this season in Carolina is amazing. A lot of people thought I was against him early in the season, but I never saw this coming. I didn’t think he was going to be this polished in the NFL after playing basically one season at Auburn in a non-NFL offense.
But for Panthers owner Jerry Richardson — fans should know I love him —I’m glad his team found a quarterback to bring the franchise back. Newton has definitely won me over. He scored his 14th rushing touchdown today against the Bucs and also broke Peyton Manning’s rookie passing record. He has one game to go and has a shot at 4,000 yards.
Newton also has hit 20 touchdown passes and my guy, Andy Dalton, reached the same total in Cincinnati today. That’s two rookies this season who have passed for 20 touchdowns and only three other quarterbacks in history have done that: Peyton, Charley Conerly and Dan Marino.
The Panthers have a great chance to really build on this season. I mean, they have two talented running backs, Steve Smith, two quality tight ends and an above-average offensive line. The offense is set. Now coach Ron Rivera needs to work on rebuilding that defense, one that was always very good under John Fox.
[emphasis added]
I’m not trying to be an ass here…but TET has never failed to get up in arms and collectively wail and gnash its teeth when the media has crucified an Auburn figure while selectively choosing the information they’re using as the basis for judgement.
"The ball will be spotted at the six-inch-yardline."
by AU Tiger on Jan 25, 2012 8:11 AM CST reply actions 2 recs
Yes and I said in the piece that ...
“To be fair to Bradshaw he wasn’t the only expert that expressed doubts about Cam’s ability to be successful as a pro quarterback, there were more doubters than believers. But after Newton starting playing at the next level, he turned most into believers.”
I give credit to him for admitting the obvious. However, my premise is that Terry is a high profile football analyst and as such was representative of the collective doubt hurled at Cam from print and broadcast “experts” alike
I don’t think your an ass. When you express your opinion in broadcasting or in print, you are open to being questioned. I recognize that my opinions are open to question just as I called into question those who doubted Cam.
AubTigerman
"The reason you come to Auburn is because of Auburn people.This is a special place, from the coaches all the way to the fans" - Andrew McCain OT
Point taken, but...
Your comment is just to point out that others doubted; it didn’t point to the fact that he came around to liking Newton, doling out praise more than a few times on the pre-game studio show.
It only stood out to me that he was one of the few media types that ever swallowed their pride and actually acknowledged that they’d badmouthed his chances. I compare that to E-PN’s coverage, which went from borderline-slander to hagiography as soon as it suited their needs.
"The ball will be spotted at the six-inch-yardline."
This is very true. In fact, the very next broadcast after Bradshaw said what ATM quoted, he apologized to Newton, who had slaughtered stats on the previous Sunday….he’s since had the hubris to admit that he’s wrong…as you quoted above. I actually almost got into this this morning, but had an early meeting……I might think you’re an ass, but not for the things that you’ve said today (group hug)…
"We see the door; we're here to knock it down"-Cam Newton
by Tiger on the mountain on Jan 25, 2012 12:09 PM CST up reply actions
I still feel bad
about jumping in so hard. Putting up front-page content day in and day out deserves respect, and I just felt like I’d taken a dump on ATM’s piece. So, I AM an ass.
(And sorry, ATM. I should’ve said that earlier.)
"The ball will be spotted at the six-inch-yardline."
No problem
And no apology necessary. You made a good point and showed the other side. I probably should have mentioned that Bradshaw was one of the ones that came around. In retrospect, I might have included that but it’s a done deal now. Besides I have to plead guilty to seeing the world through Orange & Blue lens.
Have a good day AU Tiger and War Eagle!
AubTigerman
"The reason you come to Auburn is because of Auburn people.This is a special place, from the coaches all the way to the fans" - Andrew McCain OT
Thanks
But I’m still sorry. You and the other four that keep content running during the off-season are to be commended for keeping this place up and alive.
I could have been a little nicer with the tone — I just know that all of us wearing orange and blue glasses have spent a fair amount of time grousing at the media in the past year-and-a-half (and rightfully so, in my opinion).
I just admired Bradshaw for being willing to admit he was wrong — that’s a lost art, these days. By way of contrast, I think of Kiper at the 2010 draft, watching Jimmy Clausen plummet down the draft board, and barely being able to hide his anger at the idea that trained NFL personnel with a vested financial interest in their teams’ success might not agree with his strongly-stated opinion.
"The ball will be spotted at the six-inch-yardline."
I would agree that ability to admit mistakes is admirable.
Would we had more public figures willing to do that.
For the record I like Bradshaw. He is fun to watch and even more fun if you ever get a chance to hear him as a keynote speaker. I heard him at a conference in Kansas City and he had the entire 15,000 + crowd on the end of their seats. He was entertaining as a player and he is entertaining as a speaker.
However, it seems that not only do old soldiers never die – old NFL QB’s never do either. In his admission to being won over, in your sited source, he still had to offer one caveat to explain why Cam had an amazing year:
“Within the rules, defensive backs and linebackers (used to be allowed to) knock receivers off their routes but now players are running free and quarterbacks are simply hitting them in stride. To me, passing for 4,000 yards isn’t such a big deal.”
That appears to still reveal an underlying reservation about just how good Newton is. But he said he has been won over and that’s good enough for me.
As regards keeping the site alive, I’ll quote KoolBell, “It’s truly a labor of love.” Thanks for all your contributions here AUT. I believe we have the best members of any sports blog out there.
AubTigerman
"The reason you come to Auburn is because of Auburn people.This is a special place, from the coaches all the way to the fans" - Andrew McCain OT
How could you not like him in college?
Congrats Cam. Any further analysis of a TV commentators opinion is a complete waste of time.
Nice
You Tube vid on the subject
They gonna be a lot of days when you lay your guts on the line and you come up empty-handed. They ain't a damn thing you can do about it but go back and lay 'em on the line again, and again, and again....You'll keep fightin' like you did today, you'll keep playin' like that, we can build a foundation we can live a looong, long time on at Auburn." -Pat Dye, 1981
by SandMountainTiger on Jan 25, 2012 8:45 AM CST reply actions
everything said before Newton started his first NFL game is completely irrelevant now.
Newton is still growing… and he needs to find the fuel to keep getting better.
more and more folks in this world are willing to consider themselves experts on everything from financial advisement to NFL ready talent. it is clear that there are many jackasses out there with entirely too much confidence in themselves.
i exempt the media from even the threat of expertise because they are simply professional guessers and many are over the hill, out of touch, arrogant and bitter retirees who should probably stay at home and watch on the couch.
just like the financial advisers of today… these “analysts” who carry around their out of date Rules of Thumb need to accept that the game isn’t the same game anymore.
you do it and you wipe it up.
by buddy Ro on Jan 25, 2012 9:02 AM CST reply actions 1 recs
I'm so proud of Cam! What a great rookie season....
but he’s not basking in his own success. He’s trying to get the entire team up, so that they win. He’s nothing short of amazing! Can’t wait to watch the ProBowl!!!
"We see the door; we're here to knock it down"-Cam Newton
by Tiger on the mountain on Jan 25, 2012 12:13 PM CST reply actions
If Carolina will draft/trade for some help for Cam next year.
I can’t wait to see him in the playoffs.
Now that the statue/altar/shrine is up, is it in Sabans contract that he gets to take it with him when he leaves?
If New Orleans can get softened up, that division's wide open
Atlanta’s good, but ultimately lack the personnel on both sides of the ball to seal the deal. The Bucs may not make the playoffs, but they can sure torpedo someone else’s chances.
The trouble is how damned good New Orleans has gotten. But I agree with you…if they can upgrade the supporting cast, he [Cam] would make for a playoff game that no one would want to miss (especially against your average NFC defense).
"The ball will be spotted at the six-inch-yardline."
He got better all year and will get better all next year. Could be tough in playoffs.
Now that the statue/altar/shrine is up, is it in Sabans contract that he gets to take it with him when he leaves?
The Panthers need some serious D.
They’ve got the playmakers on the offense…and let’s not forget that our Darvin Adams is on the scout team-maybe he’ll be upgraded soon.
My off season wish is for the Panthers to the subject of HBO’s Hard Knocks Training Camp. That would be soooooo awesome!!!
"We see the door; we're here to knock it down"-Cam Newton
by Tiger on the mountain on Jan 25, 2012 4:29 PM CST up reply actions
That's the best Cam Video of ALL TIME!!!
Sand Mountain Tiger is my new hero for the day for finding that gem…thanks, buddy!
"We see the door; we're here to knock it down"-Cam Newton
by Tiger on the mountain on Jan 25, 2012 4:28 PM CST reply actions
Liked it
Especially love that second clip from his time at Blinn (0:26 mark) — I’d call it the one where he ‘trucks’ the defender, but it’s meaner than your average pop.
Oh, and there totally needs to be Yakety Sax for that Arkansas State clip. I swear everyone on that team had a chance to tackle him and whiffed.
"The ball will be spotted at the six-inch-yardline."
Thanks
SandMountainTiger=someone with way too much down time on his hands recently.
They gonna be a lot of days when you lay your guts on the line and you come up empty-handed. They ain't a damn thing you can do about it but go back and lay 'em on the line again, and again, and again....You'll keep fightin' like you did today, you'll keep playin' like that, we can build a foundation we can live a looong, long time on at Auburn." -Pat Dye, 1981
by SandMountainTiger on Jan 26, 2012 10:51 AM CST up reply actions
I'm ready to see some PRO BOWL MVP highlights added to the end of that!
You know it’s going to happen. IMO most guys don’t want to play in that game. I think Cam will be jacked to play in it and will show out.
"I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass...and I'm all out of bubblegum."
by tigertracker on Jan 26, 2012 7:58 AM CST up reply actions
Thanks for running game updates last night TigerTracker.
Really appreciate it and you did a good job.
AubTigerman
"The reason you come to Auburn is because of Auburn people.This is a special place, from the coaches all the way to the fans" - Andrew McCain OT
Hey!! Wheres my Calicoat slam!!
It got redacted!!
I mean, if you can’t engange in pre-pubescent name calling on the internet……whats the internet good for!!
Remember….Be A Star!! Say No to Bullying on the internet!!
I love the smell of Auburn in the autumn.....it smells like....victory.
by Col.Angus on Jan 26, 2012 8:41 AM CST reply actions 2 recs
Saying no to bullying ...
… Was why I removed his classless remarks. I didn’t want him to highjack a positive thread about Cam. Some bammers can’t stand to see anything good written about him without taking a dump on it. And I decided not in my yard and not today.
AubTigerman
"The reason you come to Auburn is because of Auburn people.This is a special place, from the coaches all the way to the fans" - Andrew McCain OT
Rec'd as consolation prize
and for:
I mean, if you can’t engange in pre-pubescent name calling on the internet……whats the internet good for!!
Aren’t we better than that?
(what’s that about Georgia fans? hush)
"The ball will be spotted at the six-inch-yardline."
by AU Tiger on Jan 26, 2012 9:04 AM CST up reply actions 1 recs
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