73 replies to this topic

[jcisco loboe'77]

Preparation for the draft--Cam Newton??

Cameron "Cam" Jerrell Newton in preparation for the 2011 draft has being working out with George Whitfield Jr. in San Diego. Whitfield has worked with other quarterbacks such as Ben Roethlisberger and Akili Smith.
-QUESTION-
Should the Cowboys trade use their #9 pick and trade up to pick Newton if given the chance?? Why/Why Not??

[jcisco loboe'77]

I like Tony Romo but I don't LIKE Tony Roma!! ..know what I mean??
He is not a leader 4 the Cowboys and I believe that maybe it's time for a chance at the QB position??

[jcisco loboe'77]

http://www.sbnation....r-on-a-trillion

Cam Newton Has Got His NFL Combine Swagger On A Trillion.
NFL draft prospect Cam Newton looks to throw a pass during a football workout.
By Andrew Sharp - Editor..
"For instance, when someone asks him the most obvious question possible ("Where would you prefer to be drafted?") he gives maybe my favorite draft answer ever.

"The ideal situation is drafting Cam Newton as quickly and fast as possible.
Do I care where I go?
No."

http://content.usato...out-nfl-draft/1


"The Heisman Trophy winner says he's not thinking about anything -- such as speculation about where he'll be drafted or old off-field issues at Auburn -- except "now trying to become the best player I can become. ... I understand that now I'm a professional, I have to be mature enough to think that way. I don't have a coach, like in college, to call you every morning. ... I'm trying to polish my skills on a day-to-day basis. I'm aware I'm moving up on some draft boards, but that doesn't matter to me. To worry about what other people think is a negative in my book."

Newton, on what he says he's most focused on: "I've been preparing myself to be confident in a lot of things."

[jcisco loboe'77]

http://www.dallasnew...y-tony-romo.ece

Cowboys to interview Cam Newton, but don't worry, Tony Romo.



Cowboys will interview Cam Newton at the NFL Combine.
That's a far cry from saying the team will draft the Heisman Trophy quarterback with the No. 9 pick.

Newton is one of 60 players the Cowboys will interview in Indianapolis . When asked about the club's interest in Newton, owner Jerry Jones had this to say.

"I wouldn't dismiss any player that's going to be in that draft and wouldn't express interest,'' Jones said. "So much happens with the circumstances that are there, not only on draft day but how we continue our process.

"But I do feel like we're in really top shape, I'm going to really say outstanding shape, at the position. Obviously, a quarterback to draft right now is a future consideration.''

Translation: Jones remains convinced that the team is in good hands with Tony Romo. Is this really the time to use a top 10 pick on a player that might not work his way into the starting lineup for seveveral years?

It makes sense to talk to Newton. The Cowboys should keep all of their options open. But don't jump to the conclusion that an interview is an indication that the team is not on Newton's trail.

When asked about the Cowboys, Newton told WFAA-TV recently: "Jerry Jones, man he knows how to get hold of me, let's just say that," Newton says."Just as a whole, my opportunity right now, I’m just going to continue to work hard on trying to become the best player I can be. Whatever team gets me, it's going to be an honor in itself to be picked up and it's just going to be a dream come true."

[jcisco loboe'77]

http://www.dallasnew...replacement.ece

Cowlishaw: Could Cam Newton be Tony Romo's perfect replacement?
By TIM COWLISHAW/The Dallas Morning News.

"Final Jeopardy answer: “Yes.”

Watson: “Should the Cowboys consider using a draft pick, even their first pick at No. 9 in April, on a quarterback despite having Tony Romo on the roster?”

Even though last week’s Jeopardy-winning computer didn’t produce the above answer, he (or it, I suppose) should have."

[jcisco loboe'77]

http://www.dallasnew...-hold-of-me.ece

Cam Newton on Cowboys: Jerry Jones knows how to get hold of me.

"Where Cam Newton goes in the NFL Draft could be determined at the NFL Combine, which begins this week.

Could he be available for the Cowboys, who have the No. 9 pick in April's draft?

When asked about the Cowboys, Newton told WFAA-TV: "Jerry Jones, man he knows how to get hold of me, let's just say that," Newton says."Just as a whole, my opportunity right now, I’m just going to continue to work hard on trying to become the best player I can be. Whatever team gets me, it's going to be an honor in itself to be picked up and it's just going to be a dream come true."

Newton plans to fully participate in the NFL combine that begins later this week, saying he wants "to be transparent" through the whole draft process.

Newton intends to work out for NFL teams in Indianapolis , and said he is ready to answer any questions they may have for the quarterback who won the BCS national championship and Heisman Trophy in his only season at Auburn, where he played in a spread offense instead of taking snaps under center.

"I don't have nothing to hide, and I'm a competitor," Newton said Monday night before accepting the Davey O'Brien Award that recognizes the nation's top quarterback. "I'm going to go out here and do what I've been working on this whole time and preparing for this moment right now."

Newton has been working with a quarterback coach in San Diego and getting mentoring from Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon. There was a workout for the media earlier this month that he said hopes changed some perceptions "in a positive way."

Projected by many to be among the top 10 picks in April's NFL draft, Newton knows how important the interview process will be at the combine.

"It's just as important, if not (more) important than the play on the field," Newton said. "You can't overlook that by no means. If you don't sell yourself to an organization, I think you're going to be skipped in that process and I don't want to be skipped."

The NCAA has ruled that Newton's father tried to get Mississippi State to pay for him to play there. There was no evidence Newton knew what his father did or that Auburn was involved, so he was allowed to keep playing. But the case is not closed.

"That's nothing I'm worried about," Newton said. "I understand that everybody's entitled to their own opinion, and I just feel like if I have an opportunity to speak with a person or let a person evaluate me as a person, not something that has been stereotyped, I think their perception about me will change, and I'm willing to take that risk."

When Newton arrived for a news conference before the ceremony, he first warmly greeted the high school senior girl who was being presented the O'Brien scholarship award. He then shook hands with Keith Jackson and Bob Griese, who were also being recognized Monday night.

"The guys have gotten bigger since I've played. My center with the Dolphins was 6-foot-4, 250 pounds," Griese said with a smile looking up at 6-6, 250-pound Newton. "You ever play center?"

The namesake of the O'Brien award, the former TCU quarterback who won the Heisman Trophy in 1938 when the Frogs won their only AP national title, was 5-7 and weighed about 150 pounds.

When asked what NFL quarterback he would be like in the NFL, Newton said no one in particular but a part of many of them. He mentioned Tom Brady , Michael Vick, Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers.

"Cam Newton is Cam Newton. I don't want to be symboled as he's like this type of person or he's like that type of person," he said. "I'm trying to take something from every single person's game that makes them an elite quarterback. ... That's what sets me apart from somebody else, that's what I train for on a daily basis to be different, to be in a category by myself."

In his only season at Auburn, Newton completed 185 of 280 passes (66 percent) for 2,854 yards and 30 touchdowns with only seven interceptions. He also ran for 1,473 yards and 20 touchdowns.

"I think I'm in control of my destiny right now, I'm lucky to be in this type of driver's seat," Newton said. "I'm just focusing on what I have to do, in the classroom, in the interviews, and at the end, my performance on the field."

Auburn fans have long celebrated wins at Toomer's Corner, and one of their biggest celebrations ever came last month after Newton and the Tigers won the BCS national championship over Oregon. The Tigers won all 14 games Newton started.

Recently, an Alabama fan was charged with first-degree criminal mischief for allegedly using a tree-destroying herbicide to poison the oak trees at Toomer's Corner after Auburn beat the Crimson Tide in November.

"Just hearing that is devastating for me. I didn't believe it, and my heart is going out to Toomer's Corner and the Toomer's trees," Newton said. "My heart goes out to everybody in Auburn."

[jcisco loboe'77]

http://www.dallasnew...the-cowboys.ece

Taylor: Cam Newton isn't a wise pick for the Cowboys.
SportsDayDFW.com.



SportsDay columnist Jean-Jacques Taylor answers a reader's questions about a topic of the day.

"Question: Why not draft the best player available even if you already have a good starter at that position? Imagine what we could get for a Cam Newton a year or two from now."

[jcisco loboe'77]

http://www.dallasnew...-cam-newton.ece

Taylor: Cowboys have holes at too many spots to target Cam Newton.
JEAN-JACQUES TAYLOR/The Dallas Morning News.


"SportsDay columnist Jean-Jacques Taylor answers questions from readers about the day's hot topic. Have a question for Jacques? Ask him at jjtaylor@dallasnews.com.

Question:In answering fans questions you answered one question about Cam Newton by stating that the Cowboys should take the best available player."

[jcisco loboe'77]

(24,100)

http://www.dallasnews.com/sports/dallas-cowboys/headlines/20110221-you-tell-us-should-the-cowboys-consider-drafting-cam-newton.ece

You tell us: Should the Cowboys consider drafting Cam Newton?
Tim Cowlishaw wrote a column today that talked about the possibility of the Cowboys using their first-round pick on a QB, namely Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton.


"What do you think of the idea? Vote in our poll and leave your comments below:


How would you feel about the Cowboys taking Cam Newton with the No. 9 pick?

Absolutely. He's a future franchise QB

Only if a play-making CB isn't on the board

No way, Tony Romo is the answer at QB

Cowboys should draft a QB, just not in first few rounds."

[jcisco loboe'77]

http://www.huffingto...n_n_826997.html

Cam Newton: I View Myself As An Entertainer And Icon.

"Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton created a stir on Tuesday when he said that he views himself as more than a football player.

According to Peter King, Newton said: "I see myself not only as a football player, but an entertainer and icon.''

Newton also told Dan Wetzel of Yahoo that he wants to be the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft. When asked to comment on the criticism that he only played on year in college football, the 2011 BCS champion showed his confidence in himself.

"I'm aware of that statement," Newton said. "I don't want to sound arrogant but I did something in one year people couldn't do in their whole collegiate careers."

The 21-year-old will participate in this week's NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis.

Later in the interview, Newton pointed out that it takes hard work in the offseason and regular season to be as good as other quarterbacks like Peyton Manning and Tom Brady."

[jcisco loboe'77]

http://www.cbssports...llett-impresses

Combine notes: Newton struggles on field, Mallett impresses.
NFLDraftScout.com

INDIANAPOLIS --"Cam Newton's on-field work was the most highly-anticipated activity inside Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday as the skill position players took center stage, but it was the accurate passing of Florida State's Christian Ponder and Arkansas' Ryan Mallett that ultimately generated buzz among scouts.

Ponder, displaying improved arm strength since his MVP-winning performance at the Senior Bowl, showed his precision in the short to intermediate levels. He zipped the deep out, leading his receivers to the sideline, and showed very good touch on the post-corner route -- the most difficult throw quarterbacks are asked to make during these sessions.

Newton's physical tools are undeniable, but so is the fact that he is still learning the intricacies of dropping back to throw after having taken the vast majority of his snaps out of the shotgun at Auburn.

Despite his obvious athleticism, Newton was slow in his drops, forcing him to hurry his throwing motion to get the ball out in time as receivers ran their routes. As he hurried his motion, he wasn't able to transfer his weight fluidly from his back step to his front, resulting in several inaccurate passes.

Newton's poorest throws were on the deep outs, a staple of any pro-style offense. Several throws sailed high and wide out of bounds, a couple of feet over the heads of his intended targets. Other than the simple 10-yard tosses he threw early to receivers running the gauntlet drill, Newton completed only 11 of 21 passes.

Ponder and Newton were part of the second throwing session. They were preceded by Mallett, Washington's Jake Locker, Nevada's Colin Kaepernick and TCU's Andy Dalton, among others, in the morning workout.

For all of Mallett's question marks off the field, there is no questioning his talent on it. The lanky quarterback drove the ball downfield with an effortless throwing motion and showed better than expected touch on his post-corners and excellent trajectory and accuracy on his deep ball.

Locker also helped his cause with an impressive throwing session. He started off slowly, forcing receivers to reach outside of their frame on some of the simpler routes. Locker heated up as the workout went along, however, making several of his best throws on the more difficult passes, including the outs, deep balls and post-corners.

Kaepernick had his moments, drilling deep outs and showing nice touch on his deep ball, but his baseball-influenced throwing motion that has long been a source of consternation for some, remains.

Dalton was among a host of several highly productive collegiate stars who struggled to prove they have that rare combination of arm strength and accuracy necessary to duplicate their success in the NFL. Dalton, Virginia Tech's Tyrod Taylor and Iowa's Ricky Stanzi each must rely on the strength of their productive careers on the field after lackluster performances in Indianapolis.

[jcisco loboe'77]

http://www.cbssports...ne-notes-new...

Combine notes: Newton struggles on field, Mallett impresses.
NFLDraftScout.com.

Despite his athleticism, Cam Newton was slow in his drops during his workout, and threw several inaccurate passes. (AP)
Missouri's Blaine Gabbert, the top-rated quarterback prospect by NFLDraftScout.com, was the only quarterback who did not participate in the positional drills.

In the athletic testing, the mobile quarterbacks dominated the 40-yard dash, as expected, with Gabbert (4.61 seconds), Kaepernick (4.53), Locker (4.52), Newton (4.58) and Ponder (4.65) all posting excellent times.

Idaho's Nathan Enderle, who was saddled with the worst unofficial 40 of 5.18, can take heart. Future Hall of Famer Tom Brady has the second-worst 40 time among quarterbacks since 2000 (5.28); Chris Redman, whom Baltimore still selected in the third round of the same draft out of Louisville, posted a 5.37.

Running backs

Brandon Saine (Ohio State), Da'Rel Scott (Maryland), Jordan Todman (UConn) and Shane Vereen (Cal) are considered among the fastest backs in this class -- and they didn't disappoint. Scott's unofficial 4.35 and the others' marks in the 4.4s showed there is some speed available.

Oklahoma's Demarco Murray surprised by running in the low 4.4s, and Auburn's Mario Fannin put up a Ben Tate-like 4.38 at 5-10, 231 pounds. Murray rarely looked like a speed back as a senior, however, and Fannin couldn't find the field because of fumbling issues.

A running back's 40 times are not paramount to scouts, who would rather focus on their vision, ball security, burst toward and out of the hole and toughness. The most coveted back in this year's draft is Alabama's Mark Ingram, who has all of those characteristics. His pedestrian 4.58 unofficial time will not sway any scouts from selecting him in the mid-first round.

Battling for position

Julio Jones (Alabama) and A.J. Green (Georgia) are on the top of almost every team's draft board at the receiver position; but the gap between the two may have closed after the workouts. Jones' 4.39 40 bested Green's 4.50, and Jones looked just as smooth running routes during pass-catching sessions. His 11-feet, 3-inch broad jump was one of the top 10 measurements in that category over the past decade.

Jones did allow a lot of passes to get close to his body, instead of extending his hands to prevent drops. Neither receiver was exceptional running out of comeback routes, but Green is 6-foot-4, Jones 6-3, and they weren't often asked to run those patterns in college.

In most drafts over the past decade, at least two receivers have been selected in the top 10 overall. Look for Green and Jones to continue that tradition, with Buffalo, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Washington all looking for difference-makers for their quarterbacks (even without knowing who these QBs may be).

Hankering for success

Miami receiver Leonard Hankerson had a rough 2009 season as he struggled with drops. But his senior season, Senior Bowl performance and combine workout has put his stock on the rise.

After outperforming expectations with a 4.43 40 Sunday, Hankerson was solid in his workouts. He was smooth in the dreaded gauntlet drill, keeping a straight line while turning in either direction to snag every throw. Though his 6-2, 209-pound frame did not always allow him to turn easily on comeback routes, he was good enough to test defenses on crossing and out routes to offset his threat of making plays deep.

The Pitts

Former Pittsburgh star receiver Jon Baldwin came up short of optimistic reports saying he would run his 40 in the 4.3's, putting up an appropriate 4.5. It was clear from watching game tape that the 6-4, 228-pound receiver did not often separate downfield from defenders, and that his long strides don't lend themselves to an elite 40 time.

The workout after his 40 was also disappointing. He seemed unpracticed running 12-yard outs to either side of the field, rounding them very wide and struggling to keep his feet underneath him. The occasional drop also overshadowed a couple of nice snatches away from his frame and some nice footwork on comeback routes.

Underclassmen need to succeed at the combine because of their limited tape and inability to participate in All-Star games. It's possible a team will still consider Baldwin a possible late first-round pick because of his size, but he didn't help his cause today.

Speed demons

Abilene Christian's Edmond Gates' smooth routes and sure hands put him among the top receivers working out Sunday. (AP)
Edmond Gates (Abilene Christian) has had a long road to the combine, being dismissed from the Tyler Junior College basketball team before cousin and Cincinnati Bengals running back Bernard Scott talked him into going to Abilene Christian to play football. But his smooth routes and sure hands put him among the top receivers working out Sunday.

When other receivers of similar size struggled to look effective on 12-yard out patterns, Gates' footwork around the cones was excellent -- and his ability to track passes over his shoulder also separated him from other receivers from big schools.

Ricardo Lockette (Fort Valley State) tied Gates with the best 40 at 4.37. His speed translated onto the Lucas Oil Stadium field, as his quick feet allowed him to get around cones in route drills. His hands were better than they were at the NFLPA All-Star Game -- though, to be fair, there was no wind or rain in the Dome.

Randall Cobb (Kentucky) and Jernel Jernigan (Troy) are two of the quicker slot receivers in his draft, both running 4.46 and standing out in morning workouts. They displayed the ability to stay balanced and strong while running comeback, post corner and other routes and both caught almost everything thrown their way.

Castonzo, Solder top linemen

Anthony Castonzo has been considered a hard-working, durable tackle (holds school record with 54 straight starts), but little is said about his athleticism. His 5.23 40 time Saturday was fine for a player his size (6-7, 305). His three-cone (7.25) was second-best among linemen, short shuttle (4.40) third, and among the better numbers in recent memory. His vertical and broad jump were also more than acceptable for his position, while his footwork in agility drills was quicker than many expected. Combine the toughness and reliability with good athleticism, and Castonzo is likely to be among the top 20 players selected. Boston College's history producing sturdy NFL linemen helps his stock.

Scouts expected Colorado left tackle Nate Solder would put up excellent agility numbers, and he didn't disappoint. The former tight end's 5.09 40, 32-inch vertical, 4.34 short shuttle and quick footwork in pass protection skills were especially impressive because he measured at 6-8, 319 pounds.

Of course, the negative on Solder was his somewhat lanky build -- and his average number of 225 reps (21) did not help his cause when compared to the numbers of fellow first-round probables Castonzo (28), Gabe Carimi (29) and Tyron Smith (29) -- who is waiting to perform the agility and running tests until his pro day because of postseason knee surgery.

However, most teams will believe they can build Solder's strength while utilizing his length and athleticism on the edge to protect the quarterback's blind side. That's why he's likely to hear his name called around the same time as Castonzo, with some teams believing the tall Buffalo has the most upside of any tackle in the class.

Cincinnati's Jason Kelce is getting headlines because of his lineman-best 40 (4.93), three-cone (7.22) and short shuttle (4.14) times, but scouts knew he would run fast and move quickly at just 280 pounds. Those numbers simply emulate what he shows on film, as he earned second-team All-Big East accolades this year in part due to his mobility to take out linebackers at the second level.

But the real reason teams like the former defensive lineman is his tenacity. The three-year starter played defensive line for a year before moving to left guard for two years, and then to center in 2010. He's too small to play guard in most NFL systems, but given time in a pro strength and conditioning program he should able to move toward 300 pounds and excel in a zone-blocking scheme.

Slippery Rock center Brandon Fusco also impressed with his performance, running a 5.21 40 at 6-4, 305, 7.29 three-cone and 4.43 short shuttle.

A late bloomer, Fusco came onto the scene the past couple of seasons at the Rock after being passed over out of high school. But like Hillsdale College stud offensive tackle Jared Veldheer last year, who was picked in the third round by Oakland then started at center and left tackle, Fusco's obviously superior size and athleticism against Division II opponents allow scouts to project him as a young lineman worth developing.

Speed kills

The tight end group ran well, with Rob Housler (Florida Atlantic) posting 4.55, Jordan Cameron (Southern Cal) 4.59 and Virgil Green's (Nevada) 4.64 leading the way. Small school prospects Schuylar Oordt (Northern Iowa) and Julius Thomas (Portland State) both ran 4.67's, as well.

Green's camp thought he would put up Vernon Davis-type numbers outside of the 40. Green's 42.5-inch vertical beat Davis' 42 from the 2006 combine and paced this year's tight end group, with Cameron (37.5), Housler (37) and Oordt (36) jumping the length of a yardstick and Thomas coming up just short (35.5). Green's 10-10 broad jump also bettered Davis' 10-8 and approached Dustin Keller's recent high water mark at the position of 10'11" while flying eight inches past number two tight end Lance Kendricks (Wisconsin).

Cameron, a former USC basketball player, posted an outstanding 4.03 short shuttle at 6-5, 254 pounds. That sort of number is typically reserved for cornerbacks and receivers, and plays into the athletic mold expected from two-sport athletes like last year's basketball convert, Jimmy Graham from Miami, Fla. Cameron is not as fluid a runner as Graham, however, and lacked great production in 2010 (16 catches, 126 yards one touchdown).

The heaviest of those five receiver-sized tight ends was Oordt, at 261, but his 6-6 frame makes it difficult to consider him "heavy" in any sense of the word. Despite marginal blocking skills, long, lean tight end prospects that can stretch defenses have filled the second, third and fourth rounds of recent drafts: Jared Cook (Tennessee), Graham (New Orleans), Shawn Nelson (Buffalo), Dennis Pitta (BYU) are just a few examples. Look for Green (who is the best blocker of the bunch) and Housler to fill those spots, with the others selected soon after."

[jcisco loboe'77]

http://sports.espn.g...ce=NFLHeadlines
Cam Newton's legs impress at Combine.

INDIANAPOLIS--"Cam Newton followed through on his pledge to participate in drills at the NFL scouting combine on Sunday, and he won mixed reactions.
Newton turned scouts' heads when he ran the 40 yard dash in 4.59 seconds, which tied Washington's Jake Locker for the third-fastest time among quarterbacks, tied for the best broad jump at 10 feet, 6 inches and had a 35-inch vertical jump.

But the Heisman Trophy winner from Auburn struggled with his accuracy in the throwing drills, frequently overthrowing receivers, reports ESPN.com's Tim Graham.

Newton, who worked with unfamiliar receivers in his throwing drills, flouted the advice a lot of agents advise their quarterbacks: to skip the passing portion of the combine and save those drills for campus workouts with receivers they know.

Newton completed 11 of his 21 throwing attempts. His ball sailed on 10-yard out patterns, 15-yard ins and fly patterns. He threw with pinpoint accuracy on all three of his 12-yard hooks, and completed two of three Z-out passes.

After watching Newton's display, retired quarterback and ESPN analyst Trent Dilfer remarked "The ceiling is so astronomically high for this player, Cam Newton, that the scouts, the GMs, the coaches are really going to be slobbering about the prospects of having him on their team."

Virginia Tech's Tyrod Taylor had 40-yard dash time, 4.51 seconds. Nevada's Colin Kaepernick was second with a 4.53-second 40. Missouri's Blaine Gabbert and Cal's Joshua Portis tied for fifth with a time of 4.62 seconds."

[jcisco loboe'77]

http://nfl.fanhouse....dow-at-combine/

Nick Fairley Steps Out of Cam Newton's Shadow at Combine.
By Andy Kent.
INDIANAPOLIS--"The final three highly anticipated press conferences of the week took place Sunday afternoon, starting with Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley just after noon. He was originally scheduled to speak Saturday but that ended up being teammate Cam Newton's day to grab the spotlight.

Fairley is hoping to beat out Alabama's Marcel Dareus and Clemson's Da'Quan Bowers for the right to be remembered as the first defensive lineman taken in the 2011 NFL Draft. At 6-4 and 291 pounds he'd like to put on a few more pounds and get between 295 and 300 in order to be able to hold up against the bigger offensive linemen in the NFL.

"A lot of folks out there say I play the game the way it should be played," said Fairley in addressing claims of him being a dirty player. "All I do is hit the slight switch when I hit the field and don't turn it off until I leave. The player I actually model my game after is not playing anymore and that's Reggie White. I think that guy played the game the way it should be played and that's why I try to pattern my game after him."

In addition to the "dirty player" accusations, two of the other issues people seem to be concerned with when it comes to Fairley are the fact that he only had one real good season and that there is a perception that he takes plays off. He believes he plays with a high motor and he intends to prove that in his interviews and the drills.

Fairley's sense of humor emerged when he was put on the spot regarding what the Carolina Panthers should do with the number one overall pick should it come down to him or Newton. He laughed and accused the reporter of asking him a trick question, choosing not to answer.

A couple of hours after Fairley left the podium, cornerbacks Patrick Peterson from LSU and Prince Amukamara of Nebraska talked about their strengths as they are the clear-cut favorites to go 1-2 among the corners. They are the same height (6-0), but Peterson is thicker at 219 pounds compared to Amukamara's 206.

Peterson is eager to show off his speed on Tuesday, claiming to have run a 4.29 last week as he prepared for the Combine. He has set a goal of 4.2 or the low 4.3s and like Miami's Brandon Harris earlier he picked Green Bay's Charles Woodson as the current NFL cornerback he'd like to pattern his game after.

"I'm an all-around cornerback and that's what I wanted to do coming out of college," said Peterson, who trains in Boca Raton with his father and considers himself the best cornerback in the draft. "I'd say my ball skills and my toughness are my key strengths. I can support the run."

Peterson also believes going against Alabama's Julio Jones three years in a row and Georgia's A.J. Green two years in a row helped him elevate his game. Jones is the only receiver he gave up a touchdown pass to this year, and he admitted he wants to work on improving his zone coverage and perfecting his backpedal.

The fact that he also volunteered to handle returning kickoffs is something Peterson thinks will help his stock in the draft. He added some weight to continue to be a tough guy to tackle on special teams.

Amukamara was hit right off the bat with a question asking him who was the better cornerback, himself or Peterson.

"Um, that's a good question," he said. "I guess we'll let the scouts decide that."

He is a converted high school running back who considers his physicality and competitive nature to be his strengths. He also thinks his character is another positive attribute.

Amukamara has spent a lot of time working on his technique at API out in Arizona and trying not to stay too high in his backpedal. He acknowledged that Peterson is an amazing player, as did Peterson of him, but he sounded pretty confident that he will be able to succeed at the next level.

"I'm very happy with what I've accomplished at API and I'm definitely not trying to redshirt in the NFL," he said. "Whatever team I'm playing on I definitely looking forward to compete for a starting spot."

[jcisco loboe'77]

http://fifthdown.blo...interpretation/
Cam Newton in His Words, Subject to Interpretation.
By TONI MONKOVIC.
"Cam Newton’s news conference at the scouting combine on Saturday was subject to interpretation — a Rorschach test for the news media. Was he too rehearsed? Was he sincere? This video gives you a chance to judge for yourself.

Last week, Newton, the Auburn quarterback and Heisman winner, raised some eyebrows by saying he saw himself as an “entertainer-slash-icon.”

Here is part of Newton’s opening statement, in which he addressed the comment:

First and foremost, I understand that my obligation is to be the best possible football player I can be. I know and believe that. The recent comments that were made during the announcement of my recent endorsement partnership.

I was making the point that I want to be the best possible ambassador for them, just like I want to be the best possible ambassador for whatever team I’m lucky enough to play for. I’m excited to compete this week, and you will see me doing everything possible to become the best player I can possibly be.

And here is some of the reaction from around the Web:

Dan Graziano, FanHouse:
Newton is confident. He is engaging. He has a superstar’s smile and a well-earned belief in himself that should make teams feel better, not worse, about making him their quarterback. He wears the mistakes of his past with a grown-up’s wisdom and perspective.

Pete Prisco, CBSSports.com:
Asked about the interview process, Newton said, “I’m pretty sure everybody in the combine is going through that process asking themselves the question, ‘Is this really what I want to do.’” What? Is this what you want to do? Doesn’t that contradict his statement that he wants to do everything he can to be the best? You can’t be a star without the scrutiny — no matter how much he might want it.

Jason Cole, Yahoo Sports:
In about an hour’s worth of interviews with the media, Arkansas’ Ryan Mallett saw his draft stock crumble and Auburn’s Cam Newton kept his soaring.

Don Banks, SI.com:
I guess that was just Cam being Cam. The explanatory opening statement read rather stiffly. The multiple references to himself in thI ird person: “Everyone knows Cam comes from a spread offense.” And the Mark McGwire-like insistence that “the past is in the past.”

[jcisco loboe'77]

http://sports.espn.g...playerId=232016

"Auburn TigersTigers
Cameron Newton
#2 QB

2010 STATS
RATING YARDS TOUCHDOWNS
182.05 2,854 30
CAREER STATS
YARDS TOUCHDOWNS
2,908 30


Birth Date May 11, 1989
Hometown COLLEGE PARK, GA
Height 6-6
Weight 250 lbs.
Age 21
Class Junior


Stats Overview Passing
YEAR CMP ATT YDS CMP% YPA LNG TD INT SACK RAT
2007 5 10 40 50.0 4.00 14 0 0 0 83.60
2008 1 2 14 50.0 7.00 14 0 0 0 108.80
2010 185 280 2854 66.1 10.19 94 30 7 23 182.05

2010 Regular Season Game Log Passing Rushing
DATE OPP RESULT CMP ATT YDS CMP% LNG TD INT RAT ATT YDS AVG LNG TD
9/4 Arkansas State W 52-26 9 14 186 64.3 48 3 0 246.60 15 171 11.4 71 2
9/9 @Mississippi State W 17-14 11 19 136 57.9 39 2 1 142.23 18 70 3.9 17 0
9/18 Clemson W 27-24 7 14 203 50.0 78 2 2 190.37 17 68 4.0 16 0
9/25 South Carolina W 35-27 16 21 158 76.2 20 2 0 170.82 25 176 7.0 54 3
10/2 Louisiana-Monroe W 52-3 14 19 245 73.7 94 3 1 223.58 1 -11 -11.0 0 0
10/9 @Kentucky W 37-34 13 21 210 61.9 39 0 1 136.38 28 198 7.1 35 4
10/16 Arkansas W 65-43 10 14 140 71.4 28 1 0 179.00 25 188 7.5 40 3
10/23 LSU W 24-17 10 16 86 62.5 17 0 0 107.65 28 217 7.8 49 2
10/30 @Mississippi W 51-31 18 24 209 75.0 28 2 0 175.65 11 45 4.1 17 0
11/6 Chattanooga W 62-24 15 21 317 71.4 80 4 0 261.08 8 24 3.0 16 1
11/13 Georgia W 49-31 12 15 148 80.0 26 2 1 193.55 30 151 5.0 31 2
11/26 @Alabama W 28-27 13 20 216 65.0 70 3 0 205.22 22 39 1.8 12 1
12/4 @South Carolina W 56-17 17 28 335 60.7 62 4 0 208.35 14 73 5.2 25 2

2010 Postseason Game Log Passing Rushing
BOWL OPP RESULT CMP ATT YDS CMP% LNG TD INT RAT ATT YDS AVG LNG TD
TOSTITOS BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME @Oregon W 22-19 20 34 265 58.8 39 2 1 137.82 22 64 2.9 18 0."

[jcisco loboe'77]

http://profootballta...ouldnt-in-four/

Cam Newton: I did things in one year other players couldn’t in four.
Posted by Michael David Smith.
"One of the questions about Auburn quarterback Cam Newton is whether his relative lack of experience means he’s not polished enough to be ready for the NFL. But Newton views the fact that he played just one season at Auburn in a different light.

“I’m aware of that statement,” Newton told Dan Wetzel of Yahoo. “I don’t want to sound arrogant but I did something in one year people couldn’t do in their whole collegiate careers. We had a chance to do something great and we did it.”

It’s good that he doesn’t want to sound arrogant, but comments like that from Newton, and his desire to be an icon and entertainer, are the kinds of statements that make people wonder if Newton’s attitude is more like Ryan Leaf’s than Peyton Manning’s.

But Newton insists that he is, in fact, a lot like Manning in his approach to the game.

“Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, you look at how good they are every year,” Newton said. “The question is how do they do it? Nothing you can point to but hard work. In the offseason. In the regular season.”

When he meets with coaches in Indianapolis in the days ahead, Newton would be wise to stress his ambition to work as hard as Manning, Brady and Rodgers. And to ease up on the boasting about his college career, and his status as an icon."

[jcisco loboe'77]

http://aol.sportingn...-newtons-father
Reports, rumors surface about Cam Newton's father.
.Matt Hayes.Sporting News.

"While Cam Newton avoided more questions about his past at Auburn during NFL Scouting Combine interviews, more allegations came out late last week — although these are sketchy at best.

The host of a Huntsville, Ala., sports talk radio show says he has heard audio tapes from former Mississippi State player John Bond that implicate Cam Newton in his father, Cecil’s, pay-for-play scheme.


The host of a Huntsville, Ala., sports talk radio show says he has heard audio tapes from former Mississippi State player John Bond that implicate Cam Newton in his father, Cecil’s, pay-for-play scheme. (AP Photo)Scott Moore, an Alabama fan and a college football speaker — seriously, do yourself a favor and click here to see how much of this story you believe — says he heard tapes of Cecil Newton selling his son and that it’s obvious Cam is in the room. (??nothing here??)

It just so happens that Alabama’s two biggest rivals (Auburn and Tennessee) are implicated in Moore’s “report.” He says Tennessee offered Cecil Newton $200,000, but that Cecil was giving Mississippi State a discount.

If it’s proven that Newton knew about his father shopping the pay-for-play scheme, he would be retroactively ruled ineligible for the 2010 season. Then again, if Bond — the center of the original report that exposed Cecil Newton’s scheme — had this tape, why hasn’t he turned it over to the NCAA?

Two thoughts: the Bond tape is inconclusive (you can’t “see” audio or read into voices), or he already has sent it to the NCAA and they determined it invalid or inconclusive. Or there is no tape.

Or maybe Bond really has held onto a bombshell tape that can break open the biggest sports story of the year. And Scott Moore, Alabama man, is the first to hear it."

[jcisco loboe'77]

http://www.pennmanor...points/?p=18232
here: Home / Sports / Cam Newton, Ready for Big Jump to Pros
Cam Newton, Ready for Big Jump to Pros.
By Brandon Bowers -


"Cam Newton, the Heisman trophy winner, is thinking about entering the NFL Scouting Combine to show off his skills and hard work to get drafted.

“I’m now trying to become the best player I can become. I understand that now I’m a professional, I have to be mature enough to think that way. I don’t have a couch, like in college, to call you every morning. I’m trying to polish my skills on a day-to-day basis. I’m aware I’m moving up on some draft board, but that doesn’t matter to me. To worry about what other people think is a negative in my book,” said Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton in an interview with Ed Gruver.
Cam Newton is one of a kind quarter back. He can do it all with his speed and his arm that can get the ball there before the defense can catch up to it.

“I think a team that can build around him and can revolve around him, He can do it all as seen this year and his pass and run he is a dual threat so we will have to see which team picks him up,” said sophomore Tim Harris.

Newton is going to get picked early in the draft and go to a team that really needs him and may help their team win games.

“I think he should go to the Bills as the 3rd overall pick in the draft, they need a quarterback. He will help by a new style of quarterback by his rushing game a Mike Vick style,” sophomore Aaron Lugo said.

“I’ve been preparing to be confident in a lot of things,” Cam Newton said in an interview with Ed Gruver.

He has his own endorsement deal with Under Armour that he will wear hes signature shoe to the NFL Scouting Combine.

“I think he should go to the lions because they get first pick in draft and they need a quarter back. The lions won like two games in like 16 years they need someone that can throw the ball and run at the same time and not get sacked like 85 times in a single game. They need to win more then two game in the next four years,” said sophomore Zac Burke.

Cam Newton is a player that may go anywhere and won’t care, he will just want to play and get better at that level so he can lead his team to many victories.

“We don’t have anything set in stone. I’m pretty sure I’ll be in a commercial. But this is a blessing in itself. I would never have imagined it, but here I am,” said Cam Newton in an interview with Ed Gruver.

Cam Newton is a player that may be great for a long time and could make the team he plays for very happy with his running ability and his strong arm."

[jcisco loboe'77]

http://espn.go.com/b...s-on-cam-newton


Seeking answers on Cam Newton.
Comments By Mike Sando..ESPN's..

"John Clayton points to three teams -- none from the NFC West -- as prime suitors for Auburn quarterback Cam Newton.

The team that drafts Newton becomes only part of the story.

Teams passing on him comprise the other part, and a significant part if Newton's immense talent translates well to the NFL.

The way Clayton sees things, the Arizona Cardinals and San Francisco 49ers could justify passing on Newton in the first seven picks because both teams' coaches enjoy job security, and Newton would not help either team win right away.

Job security should not come into play.

Ken Whisenhunt's deal with the Cardinals runs through the 2013 season. Two division titles, a Super Bowl appearance and a 4-2 postseason record far outweigh one down season, but missing on a top quarterback at No. 5 would sting for years -- particularly after the Cardinals bypassed Adrian Peterson in that spot four years ago.

The 49ers' Jim Harbaugh is entering his first season with the team. He has time.

Clayton previously compared Newton to Ben Roethlisberger, the quarterback Whisenhunt worked with in Pittsburgh. Roethlisberger attempted far more passes during his final college season -- 495 to 280 -- but both players produced. Newton averaged 10.2 yards per passing attempt, compared to 9.1 for Roethlisberger.

The Newton-Roethlisberger comparison is one I'd like to explore further. It's tough to envision Whisenhunt passing on that type of player, should the comparison hold. Then again, drafting a quarterback early carries greater risks than targeting another position. It'll be tough betting everything on Newton if the Cardinals have reservations."