If you are a fan of football or your TV remote just happens to die on ESPN you know what has been going on with Auburn’s quarterback Cam Newton. Each and everyday more and more information comes out about alleged pay for play scandal and it appears that we are getting closer and closer to the truth. I feel very confident that we will know most of the details by the time Newton has to decide to enter the NFL Draft. Let’s for argument sake say that Newton did solicit money from Mississippi State and ultimately take money from Auburn. So, does that impact his draft stock and draw character concerns?
Loading ...To completely answer this question we would need to get into a much bigger debate, should college football players get paid? This debate is going to rage on until something is changed, but don’t hold your breath. I don’t want to call anyone in the Newton camp a liar but I am not buying the line that Cam had no knowledge of any request for money. Cam needs to be very careful on how this situation is handled and not just for the sake of his current season but for his draft stock. We have seen the impact lying has had on prospects such as Dez Bryant and now Robert Quinn. The NCAA has a good track record at sniffing out the violation once it is brought to light so Cam would be wise to either come clean or at the very least limit his comments to the media.
Enough playing around I am going to just come out and answer the question, Is Cam Newton a character concern? Yes, I feel that if this investigation reveals that Newton was involved in a pay for play deal than he is a character concern. Ignore the debate about whether a player should be paid or not because Newton would have knowingly violated a major NCAA rule. To me I take issue with the fact that he would have knowingly violated a rule, everyone knows that you can not receive money to play college football. Take a look at some of the information coming out, its a lot of backroom deals and devious behavior. I am a firm believer that if your willing to ignore one rule that you are very susceptible to ignore any rule.
With all of that being said if I am an NFL decision maker I have a flag next to Cam Newton based solely on his questionable decision making. I then would sit down and evaluate him based on his talent (scouting report coming soon!) and decided where I would select him based on that talent and upside. I would certainly evaluate the current condition of my team and coaching staff because Newton is anything but a finished product and needs to be surrounded by a consistent and strong coaching staff. I would also take the pulse of the leadership in the locker room focusing mainly on the current quarterbacks on my roster. Do I have a guy that will take Newton under his wing and help mentor this supremely talented player? Or do I have a quarterback that will do anything to keep his starting position, including sabotaging a young player? After all of that I would bring in this current controversy and factor it in to the equation. Mix this all together and I would feel very uneasy using a 1st round pick on Cam Newton. On the other hand using a second round pick would definitely be something I highly consider because he comes with significantly less financial obligations. But as we all know NFL decision makers fall in love with talent and Newton has boatloads of talent.
Tags: 2010 NFL Draft, 2011 NFL Draft, 2011 NFL Draft Prospect Big Board, 2011 NFL Draft Scouting Reports, 2011 NFL Mock Draft, Auburn, Big Board, Cam Newton, Cam Newton and the NFL Draft, Cam Newton Controversy, Cam Newton declares for the NFL Draft, Cam Newton pay for play, Cam Newton Scouting Report, Cam Newton's character, NFL Draft, NFL Draft Big Board, NFL Draft Scouting Combine
I am a huge sports fan. My teams are the Chicago Bears, Cubs, and Bulls. I am a Penn State college football fan and Kentucky college basketball fan. I am a big follower of the NFL Draft.
DC Pro Sports Report
FanSided
…that I don’t quite understand…
How did this get past spell check?
Anyway, the kid is talented as crap, and I realize that’s not the question, but look at all the other players in the NFL. Vick, Roethlisberger, even Bush…yeah, they get the slap on the wrist, but ultimately, it’s not about character in the pros. It’s all about the W and the $$$. A team needing a quarterback would be insane not to pick up Newton.
Plus, he’s innocent as far as any of us know. There’s no use jumping to conclusions.
In the early going 46% have concerns about Newton’s character… lets here some more thoughts!!
If people follow the story, Cam left FL under a cheating scandal. If he is turning in other people’s work, what credibility does he have in denying these allegations? His father is a Minister and shows very low ethics, why would any think Cam is above it. He will be a great QB, but don’t pretend he is truthful.
That kind of the point of the article… how much can you overlook, and do you feel like what he is being accused of doing is bigger character concern… not just a 1 time thing.
Check out the podcast we do a quick breakdown of what we saw of Newton on tape….
http://nflmocks.com/2010/11/18/nfl-mocks-weekly-podcast/
I think the possibility of cheating at academics is much more worrying than the money stuff.
I do not support payment of college athletes of any type. I believe that Cam’s situation is a tenuous one. His character is definitely taking a hit at this time but if I were an NFL Guru, I would take a chance on him due to his tremendous athletic ability. His character is not so much a concern to me as to his mental attitude and personna. Is he as arrogant as his on field antics exhibit??? I would vote for him as the top of the list for a Heisman award and being a big BAMA fan, I will root against him in the Iron Bowl but if they beat Bama, then I have to wish them well in the pursuit of the 5th consecutive National title for the SEC.
Thanks for the feedback…. as a bama fan I am sure you wouldnt mind if Cam made the jump to the NFL! haha
You are absolutely correct in your assumption. Last year I was a big fan of all the underclassmen that received 1st to 3d round offers from the NFL to take the money and run. IMHO TN had the best safety in the NCAA and I personally recommended he go to the Pro’s. This year may be a little different however. There is a good chance of a lockout by the owners and therefore the $$$ just will not be as great. Cam, unlike TEBOW last year, can survive in the NFL whenever he decides to go pro. If he goes pro then Auburn will be a one and done team. Next year’s schedule will find the SEC teams teaming up to ensure they face at least six teams with a bye week before they play them. That hurt BAMA this year and it is almost impossible for teams to repeat these days.
Go Cam, take it. I do agree that this young man is INNOCENT until proven GUILTY! I just don’t believe any of this crap going around about him. Most fear that if he was hinging on being kicked out of Florida due to academic fraud that it would hurt more than these accusations. I don’t buy that either. Even if he were kicked out of Florida I don’t see it changing his progression through Blinn to AU.
Play the game on the field and let the chips fall where they may. Remember, it took the NCAA nearly 5 years to finalize its investigation of Reggie Bush. If I were Reggie, I would use Obama’s favorite excues, blame it all on “W”.
haha, all good points… I too am giving Cam the benefit of the doubt but its something worth discussing
At least we can agree on most points. The way I see this incident unfolding, MSU is the program on the hot seat or, of they reported as they stated, then it is an SEC Management problem. I still find no reason to doubt AU being involved in any of the hanky panky alleged. Have a good week and enjoy this final week of the regular season whomever you are rooting for.