PFW "Clobbers" Cam Newton

[Scott Wright]

I think Pro Football Talk had the best response to Moon:

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com...ng-cam-newton/

But the perception of phoniness knows no racial boundaries. Last year, Tebow became one of the most polarizing figures in all of sports, with plenty of people thinking that Tebow’s decision to wrap himself in religious and goodness is more calculated and forced than natural and genuine. And who can forget the relentless criticism of Jimmy Clausen, who was perceived as a bad teammate with a sense of entitlement — and who slid to the middle of round two in part because of it?

Newton enters the NFL amid many questions and concerns. He allegedly stole a laptop while playing at Florida. He has been caught up in a pay-to-play scandal that, with tonight’s HBO report regarding other far less accomplished players at Auburn getting paid, will likely inch back toward the front burner. Newton has dubbed himself “an entertainer and an icon.” Moon himself has admitted that Newton at times puts “the cart before the horse” when talking about himself.

Also, Newton struggled at the Scouting Combine, and his Pro Day workout was a step below the T-shirt-and-shorts grand slam that quarterback Pro Days so often become. While Newton won the Heisman and a national title, he didn’t have the kind of clearly dominant performance on a huge stage that propelled other quarterbacks to the top of the draft.

All that said, Newton surely will be drafted earlier than Tebow or Clausen were picked, and well before white quarterbacks like Jake Locker and Ryan Mallet, who has absorbed plenty of criticism this year, too, based on unsubstantiated rumors of drug use. Indeed, Newton still could be the first quarterback — and the first player — taken in the draft.

That said, are some of the people criticizing and/or rooting against Newton motivated by race? Undoubtedly. On balance, however, Newton finds himself in the unenviable position of being a high-profile player at a high-profile position that invites a high level of scrutiny in the months preceding the draft. Sure, Blaine Gabbert has received far less poking and prodding — but that’s because his college career was far more muted and unremarkable. Newton is living the reality of life under an electron microscope, the same device that has hovered over Tebow and Clausen and that will be used to study every big-name, well-known rookie quarterback, for as long as there are big-name, well-known rookie quarterbacks.

[Babylon]

Moon dealt with a lot of stereotyping coming out of highschool where most programs wanted to convert him to a WR so he probably has a soft spot for what he percieves as a double standard.

The problem with the Newton situation is he isnt the only one being criticised and most of it comes with the territory. Mallett is getting knocked for his off the field issues but Mallett isnt projected to be at the top of the draft.

Moon was recently talking up Newton to the Titans as being a good fit there, i know there is probably some history with the old Oilers organization but why not talk up Locker to the Titans, as both he and Moon played for the UW.I guess technically that's racism also.

[BigBanger]

Originally Posted by D-Unit

This is getting uglier and uglier.

Warren Moon says the criticism is based off racism.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2...ory?id=6277093

Well, he is Newton's advisor so you'd expect Moon to defend him. Pulling out the race card is the laziest thing one could do. It's a shame Moon is stooping to this level. People are calling him untrustworthy since he cheated on tests, lied to police to cover up a larceny he committed, people coaching him up during interviews, which is plain as day for anyone to see... seems pretty fair. Does Moon really expect people to just act like none of his moronic antics didn't happen? It should be expected to face scrutiny, especially when a player invites it.

Pulling the race card anytime something negative is said or done to a black person? I thought we were all passed that.

[NotRickJames]

lol @ Warren Moon pulling that card. smh.

[STsACE]

Originally Posted by Bob Sanders Dreadlock

Newton's attitude sounds a lot like Lebron James only Bron Bron didn't have baggage( i think).

Brons baggage was that whatever team has him, they also get to pamper his entourage to keep him happy. Not only that, but he believed he was the best, before he even proved he is capable and has the talent to be the best (loses that right since he's Wades sidekick now). Bron was also supposedly taking PED's of some sort, seemed to gain steam when he had a cist a few years ago and some pegged PEDs as the reason.

Maybe teams are viewing Newton as seeing himself as a Superstar, yet doesn't have the work ethic to back it up and just may end up with an overpaid underachiever and his cronies around until they can dump him and move on.

I'm no scout, but I see Newton as a Sanchez type success. If he's put in the right situation where he's not gonna be relied on to turn a franchise around, he'll succeed. (Used Sanchez as his stats are not all that great, yet the Jets are still successful due to their running game and defense to back him up)

[Bills2083]

Originally Posted by BigBanger

I guess this is big news because someone had the balls to call Cam Newton what we already know. Instead of quoting other people and saying scouts are calling Newton a lying scumbag that's narcissistic, he's actually putting his name on these remarks. Otherwise, this already known. You watch an interview with Cam Newton and he's one of the biggest phonies I have ever seen on TV... maybe the biggest fraud since Chris Berman or any given politician.

And what exactly is making him a phonie, again?

[FUNBUNCHER]

Dumb thing for Moon to state publicly when it's known he's an advisor to Newton.
Granted, Moon has a right to be mad at the football gods because of the mountain he had to climb to get his shot in the NFL, but there is legitimacy to the majority of the critiques Cam is receiving, IMO.

If Newton had transferred from Florida while leaving behind a spotless record, then went on to greater accomplishments at Auburn, I think there'd be more consensus opinion that he should be the#1 overall pick.

Say what you will about Mike Vick, but at Va Tech I don't recall hearing about him even cussing in public.
If Vick had all the negative baggage that Cam did when he came out, there's no way Atlanta would have drafted him 1/1, (at least I don't think so!!lol)

If racial bias isn't clearly obvious, and instead it's just a gut feeling you have about someone, there's nothing gained for someone who's a respected NFL HOFer to throw gasoline onto the entire draft evaluation process.

For instance, I feel the reason so many casual outside observers were so quick to ASSUME Mallett was stoopid is because his speech pattern sounds 'too Black' for some people's tastes.

Can't prove that's what was going on and I would never say that in front of a camera, that's why some discussions are better left on message boards.

Moon really needs to take a step back and realize it's 2011 and it's not like Newton is at risk to falling down to the fifth round, or going undrafted.

I think most believe he's a near lock to go in the top 10, if not earlier.

Also, the more Moon vents, it's clear he doesn't really even follow the predraft scouting process.

McCoy, Bradford and Tebow, the #1 criticism against all of them was the offense they ran in college.

I feel bad for Moon in a way because he really was racially discriminated against by the entire NFL when he came out of U Dub in '78.

I don't think that's a scar that ever goes away, and can lead to racial hypersensitivity and paranoia.

[NotRickJames]

Originally Posted by Bills2083

And what exactly is making him a phonie, again?

Lot of folks seem to think he's made up, fake smiles and is just giving a scripted speech. That's not too uncommon though. Mallet undoubtedly rehearsed how he'd answer questions about drug use, too.

A lot of people who've actually talked to Cam have come away unimpressed. There's some validity to it.

[anansi]

Originally Posted by Scott Wright

How many times was Clausen arrested?

How many schools was Clausen kicked out of for cheating?

How many NCAA Pay-for-Play scandals was Clausen involved in?

If Clausen had Newton's track record I would've had him at least a round lower than I did.

Fair enough Clauses was never kicked out of school but neither was Newton he left Florida so I'm not sure what your point was with that. The only concern I would have with Newton would be that he allegedly cheated on two school papers. People try to use the pay for.play scheme as a character concern however they ignore the fact that there have been other prospects who did the same thing and are looked at as high character guys so that argument doesn't hold water with me. The guy who wrote this scouting report has become very unprofessional when discussing Newton. It baffles me that so many people feel they can accurately give a real opinion on somebody they never as much as had a cup of coffee with. You said you don't think Nolan went overboard with his scouting report, we have had some guys come along with some really extreme character issues and I've never seen a report as vile as that one was. I would really be interested in reading Nolan's report on Mallet. Did he attack Mallet with the same personal attacks and lack of professionalism? Obviously Newton's perceived character concerns aren't as bad as you pundits are making it out to be considering he isnt sliding down the draft like Clausen did or how Mallet is expected to.

[NotRickJames]

Clausen was arrogant and seemed to lack leadership qualities. Guy never had a run-in with the law. His sole run-in if you will, was transporting alcohol as a minor. That's it. Also, he never cheated...or at least wasn't caught, heh.

[nepg]

I do think there is a race issue when people compare Gabbert and Newton. They played in the same style of offense, and Newton was more productive and did more within it to win games for his team, but people act like Newton is a massive project and Gabbert is pro-ready. Makes no sense.

[RealityCheck]

Originally Posted by nepg

I do think there is a race issue when people compare Gabbert and Newton. They played in the same style of offense, and Newton was more productive and did more within it to win games for his team, but people act like Newton is a massive project and Gabbert is pro-ready. Makes no sense.

There is no race issue. Gabbert is a smart guy. He has the brain of a NFL QB. Newton, in the other hand, we don't know if he can count up to 100.

[JoeJoeBrown]

I didn't realize that a lot of you guys were such wimps. The race card is lame and inexcusable. This is not the Warren Moon era. This is a huge multi-billion dollar business and these athletes are a huge investment for these giant corporations.

I think there is a lot of vitriol involved with Newton because he has blatantly lied about soliciting (and likely receiving) large sums of cash. On top of everything else. NFL guys don't like huge dirty secrets like that. Someone who is capable of that kind of nefariousness is capable of a lot more.

He may turn out to be a golden child after all of this, and I for one hope so. I think he is a hell of an athlete.

I honestly don't get the Gabbert love, but like PFT said, he simply isn't under the same microscope. I mean, Auburn was national champion, Newton was their QB Heisman winner, and he has had a TON of shadiness surrounding him.

It's no secret that the vast majority of sports journalists aren't that bright (not looking at you Mr. Wright). They chase easy stories and regurgitate inane thoughts. Rarely do they pursue a logical line of reasoning. Pulitzer is not in their vocabulary, website hits are.

But it boils down to this: Would you trust that this guy is going to make the best decisions on and off of the field? He's got a lot of strikes in both areas. Like I said, he's a fantastic athlete, but that doesn't make you an NFL QB. Lots of studying, practice, and the ability to make good decisions under pressure turn a good athlete a great NFL QB.

[Babylon]

My guess is Warren Moon is putting the Titans in the unenviable position of having to be picking 8th and staring at Cam Newton, who i would guess they dont want. Tennessee is probably hoping for someone at the top of the draft to be the ones that pick Newton.

[metafour]

Originally Posted by JoeJoeBrown

You mean, that respect part for McCoy where he dropped into the 3rd round despite being the one of the winningest and most accurate QBs ever, Warren?

Fell? Please; McCoy was short with an average arm. He went where he should have gone; he never had top-end NFL tools.

[njx9]

Originally Posted by Babylon

My guess is Warren Moon is putting the Titans in the unenviable position of having to be picking 8th and staring at Cam Newton, who i would guess they dont want. Tennessee is probably hoping for someone at the top of the draft to be the ones that pick Newton.

they should tell him that this isn't houston and he can go **** himself. seriously. warren moon is an idiot.

[Babylon]

Originally Posted by njx9

they should tell him that this isn't houston and he can go **** himself. seriously. warren moon is an idiot.

The Titans did have pretty much the whole entourage here in Seattle yesterday and it wasnt for our ###### weather.

[billybeejr]

Warren Moon went though a lot as a black qb in his era, I think he get's a pass.

However as many people have said I think his comments were completely out of hand.

[metafour]

Originally Posted by billybeejr

However as many people have said I think his comments were completely out of hand.

How were they out of hand? He's talking about the MEDIA btw...he's not suggesting that NFL teams are being racist; he is stating that the media-driven attacks that have persisted for months now are race driven...which they absolutely could be.

[njx9]

Originally Posted by billybeejr

Warren Moon went though a lot as a black qb in his era, I think he get's a pass.

who bloody cares? it was the 80's, and as far as the nfl is concerned, eons ago. the world and the sport have moved on. it's time for moon to quit being bitter and realize that.

Originally Posted by metafour

How were they out of hand? He's talking about the MEDIA btw...he's not suggesting that NFL teams are being racist; he is stating that the media-driven attacks that have persisted for months now are race driven...which they absolutely could be.

that's absolute ******* drivel and you know it. unless you want to suggest that the persistent attacks on mallett are also because he's black? grow up.

ITT: Now we call anything racist if we're not smart enough to actually come up with any realistic counter argument for it.

[metafour]

Originally Posted by njx9

that's absolute ******* drivel and you know it.

You cant be serious?

The media portrayed UNLV vs. Duke back in the early 90's as "GOOD vs. EVIL"...because UNLV was a team made up of inner-city black kids; all of whom were constantly being reported as being "thugs". Same thing with the Fab5 in Michigan. Yeah; we're a lot further past that in 2011 but you're still talking about a bunch of old white dudes who have convinced themselves that Newton took money (which no one proved) and are now going to use that to attack every aspect of him. He's "fake" because they think he took money. He's "selfish" because they think he took money.

I think it can easily be argued that the reason everyone thinks he took money is because he is black. If this was a clean-cut white guy from the midwest I have a hard time believing that the attacks would have persisted this long.

[Babylon]

Originally Posted by metafour

You cant be serious?

The media portrayed UNLV vs. Duke back in the early 90's as "GOOD vs. EVIL"...because UNLV was a team made up of inner-city black kids; all of whom were constantly being reported as being "thugs". Same thing with the Fab5 in Michigan. Yeah; we're a lot further past that in 2011 but you're still talking about a bunch of old white dudes who have convinced themselves that Newton took money (which no one proved) and are now going to use that to attack every aspect of him. He's "fake" because they think he took money. He's "selfish" because they think he took money.

I think it can easily be argued that the reason everyone thinks he took money is because he is black. If this was a clean-cut white guy from the midwest I have a hard time believing that the attacks would have persisted this long.

Ryan Mallett would probably disagree. The thing with Newton is he's been talked about as a top 5 pick, if he were a second rounder i would guess nobody would really care about any baggage.

[PossibleCabbage]

Originally Posted by metafour

Fell? Please; McCoy was short with an average arm. He went where he should have gone; he never had top-end NFL tools.

McCoy fell to the third round in large part because he was short with an average arm. He was never considered to be a top QB prospect, which is why he didn't receive the scrutiny that top QB prospects receive, which is why "Colt McCoy can't adapt from the spread offense" wasn't really anybody's talking point, it was just another thing on the list of hurdles McCoy had to overcome.

The media simply isn't that critical about third round QBs, or about second round QBs who nobody thinks may go in the first round. They care about, because casual NFL fans care about, potential first round QBs.

[FuzzyGopher]

Originally Posted by metafour

I think it can easily be argued that the reason everyone thinks he took money is because he is black. If this was a clean-cut white guy from the midwest I have a hard time believing that the attacks would have persisted this long.

Yup, I'm sure it has nothing to do with the fact that it is widely known that many college players have accepted money. It has everything to do with race.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/201...ent/index.html
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=2537332
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Souther...otball_scandal
http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011...ain-about.html

[njx9]

Originally Posted by metafour

I think it can easily be argued that the reason everyone thinks he took money is because he is black. If this was a clean-cut white guy from the midwest I have a hard time believing that the attacks would have persisted this long.

which is why the entire world is up in arms about peterson, right? oh, wait... which is why there aren't any unproven drug allegations dogging ryan mallett, right? oh, wait...

i guess it's easy enough, though, to continue to ignore anything that makes it clear that race isn't the issue, and just keep screaming about how newton is black.