Cam the Man?

Much has been made about Heisman Trophy Winner and National Champion quarterback Cam Newton being projected as the number 1 overall pick in today's NFL draft. Big arm, mobile, stand up guy won a championship. The former Auburn QB Sounds like a can't miss right?

Well I wouldn't say that...

Let's dig a little deeper into the year of Cam Newton (scandal excluded because that was his dad) shall we.

Career Statistics: 2,908 total yards and 30 Touchdowns. Pretty solid numbers for a junior, but as we look closer...

2010 Statistics: 182.05 QB rating 2,854 total yards and 30 touchdowns.

His stats reflect the typical 1 year wonder of college football. Know who else was a 1 year wonder? Jamarcus Russell out of LSU. Remember him? The former number 1 overall pick that showed up to camp overweight and was a grand bust? Likely not, because he is now out of the NFL.

However, I'll give Newton a pass on the one year wonder factor. Quarterback is the single most risky position to draft in the entire league. Get it right, you could be a contnedah right away. Get it wrong, you set your franchise back a few years at least.

Still, this past year, the Carolina Panthers stunk everywhere, not just quarterback. When a team has so many problems, the smartest course of action is to take the best available player in the draft such as DB Patrick Peterson out of LSU, Linebacker Von Miller out of Texas A&M or D-Lineman Marcell Dareus out of Alabama. All of whom are better players than Newton, and there is no sure thing at Quarterback in this year's draft. Andrew Luck is going back to school next year.

Another question surrounding Newton is what kind of quarterback will he be in the NFL?

This guy? (Hopefully minus the alleged rape charges and motorcycle antics)

No: Newton, although more mobile than Big Ben, does not have as good of an arm. Newton also lacks the quick decision making and vision that Ben has. And although Newton is strong, Big Ben is an ox. Newton couldn't be brought down in college, but he isn't fast enough to escape the quick and strong linemen and linebackers. Nor is he so strong like Ben that he can shake off nose tackles in the NFL. Generous comparison, but not what career is in store for Cam.

How about this guy?

Again no: In fact, Newton is better now in pretty much every category without any NFL experience than Tim Tebow and his three games started in the NFL.But here is one point worth mentioning, both of these players ran very similar offenses at their respective schools. Out of the shotgun, quarterback option type of system. But Newton's physical gifts will enable him to adapt to a more pro-style offense quicker than Tebow.

So what mold does Cam Newton fit? Here are three hints: They both won a national championship in a great game. Both played quarterback for big time football schools. Both are mobile, pretty good arms, and find ways to win: even when the going gets rough. Give up

The Answer is: This guy...

The best comparison for who Cam Newton will grow to be is Vince Young. Young was overdrafted by the Tennessee Titans at Number 3 overall in 2006. Newton will likely be overdrafted somewhere in the top 10. Both make crazy plays, are gritty, and find ways to win.

Honestly Cam, you needed a better mold.

Young was a decent starter during his tenure in Tennessee, who made one trip to the playoffs and two Pro-Bowls. But Vince Young today is sitting in the NFL unemployment line. So that is the predicted outline for Cam Newton's career: five solid years before being labelled a bust that got overdrafted by management and getting a coach or gm fired.

There you go Cam, happy drafting.

PS: If you want to know why Championship is typed with strike through, read My biases for the answer.