Gruden - Newton

Simply put, because he's a quarterback, who in my opinion, has a very high ceiling. I have a pretty enormous amount of respect for your calls on quarterbacks, so I won't lie---you've given me pause on Cam Newton, as have the videos I've seen of him, the interviews, the combine, the pro day, the post games, blah blah blah that I've watched---but I also see a lot I like. So being that he would play the most important position on the team, I think it's investing in the future to draft him. The same can be said with some wide receivers, whom ordinarily it takes a while for them to click with the offense and become a good pro.

I mean, if we're looking for instant production, then you have to get a lineman, linebacker, running back or something like that. But even at #1 overall, I think drafting for the investment of our future is not a bad thing. QBs go first most of the time, and can't recall any of them expected to be an overnight success.

Sure, there are QBs drafted in the first round who do have some. But their teams generally are strong. The Ravens, the Steelers...

Manning, Brady, Rodgers, none of these guys did it in year one.

Would you have been on board with drafting Luck had he declared? Surely you would not have expected him to come in and make this immediate impact....

You and I though, disagree about Newton's ceiling, though I'm not sure how much. I'm not singing his praises thinking he's going to be Superman. I see a a lot of flaws. But I tell ya...I, and I know you think I'm full of shit on this, but I see something, a glimmer, an anger, a chip on his shoulder, and a will in his eyes...I get something from him. Call me crazy. But I think this kid will be a winner. I think he will work to prove most wrong. I don't see this kid as a Vince Young at all, other than he can run well. Cam doesn't come in with a whacky side arm delivery, doesn't come in thinking he's God....this is a kid who, to hear the coaches of various teams put it, hung out in the film rooms...who wants to win and has a driving passion for the game.

That is important to me. That, and I think the dude can dance around long enough to buy time and hit some big plays, and might run for around 500 yards and a handful of TD a season.

 

He's said as much on his own panthers.com bio. http://www.panthers.com/team/staff/marty-hurney/158dba70-3404-4c01-b1cc-d948ae55c100

 

Well, he's got the #1 overall, and no second because he blew it.

I do think this draft will impact whether he returns next year. Has to, right? That alone could prompt him to draft someone besides a QB.

AJ Green, only because he has better hands than Jones, and blocking can be taught. He'd be my choice.

I think a lot of Edwards was desperation. Think the dumbass really thought he'd come in and be Smitty Lite. Only thing is, kid's as dumb as a box of rocks, and can't get his legs under him.

Still though...he's somewhat of a weapon, and if- that's a big IF...we draft Newton, I would be interested to see if we get clever once in a while and at least use some of the weapons we have. Edwards can at least be involved in a trick play or two, right? xD

 

Not what I would consider a "rock-solid" source, but it's something. Perhaps his history as a DC sports writer doesn't hurt his chances of getting endorsements from other journalists.

I don't doubt he works hard to make it a team effort, just as I have little doubt that he pulls the trigger, when needed, if there isn't a consensus. It would be naive to think that there is always a consensus in his line of work.

 

What's the date on that? I'm thinking 3+ years old.

 

Blocking can be taught, sure. But if Jones already knows how to do it at a "Moose" level, then you simply don't have to waste time teaching it. Jones is a big target. He may lack the speed that Smith and Gettis have, but he would be a supreme compliment to the rotation.

Don't know if I would take Jones or Green after successfully drafting two young, talented guys in mid/late rounds in 2010. I'm also of the opinion that Smith is not close to being done. If you evaluate his situation objectively, he has not seen what I would deem "good play" from any one QB since the first half of 2008, and even then, it was marginally good. Moore was very solid in relief late in 2009, but that was short-term. In fact, if you look back at Smith's numbers in the 5 games that Moore started late that year, I have a feeling that (on average), his production per game was considerably higher. I know he caught 3 TD's in 4 games before breaking his arm at NY. He also caught more deep routes, well thrown deep routes, in that last quarter of 09 than he had in the prior few games, or any game since.

Smith would benefit from consistency at QB, and as long as we're trying to accomplish that anyway, let's go ahead and plan to keep him for the long-haul.

 

I wont write off Edwards quite yet. I think there was some animosity last year between coaches and edwards.

Also - I wrote off Goodson in 2009, and was wrong.

How about Corvey Irvin? Douche.

 

We drafted 3 WR last year and 2 QB.

Funny if we go WR or QB #1 overall.

 

Numbers can be flashy, and deceptive. But it's hard to ignore Gettis, and his production. He caught 37 balls, 8 of which went for 20+ yards (21.6%). That ratio was near the top of the NFL, in what was the worst passing attack in the entire league.

Lafell was extremely inconsistent in the first few games, but I saw enough on him down the stretch to see true value in that pick. I feel he will be a strong player, with better coaching this year from Graves and Proehl.

 

Agreed with most. I don't want Smith going anywhere, I really don't. I just fear that he's gone. I think he's done. But there's a lot of time left, I agree.

I don't buy into Gettis, btw. I buy more into LaFell, who came on toward the end of the season, and was being pretty explosive at times. Gettis to me, is a guy like Donald Hayes w more speed, who can stretch the field, make some really nice plays here and there, but is not consistent enough to be counted on more than that. He stayed the same. LaFell improved. I'm actually pretty excited about LaFell.

Agreed also with Jones, and I would not gripe a BIT if we got him, but Green is flat out SICK. He makes catches that not many pros make. He won't be a part of the rotation, either. He'll be a defense's nightmare.

I love them both, though.


And meat's point about the 2 QBs and 3 WRs make me suddenly think we're going to draft defense hell or high water. 0_o There is no way Hurney does that...unless they're going to ride the Foxy Scapegoat thing all the way past this draft...