NFL Off Topic

[p_rushing]

Re: NFL Off Topic

I don't think that there's a lack of talent at qb. What's more believable, talent just suddenly disappearing from all of college football at one position, or a league seemingly unwilling to adapt to said talent?

A little bit of both, perhaps?

My take is if you have a running QB who is going to get hurt at some point during the season because you are going to run him, then you need to pay him like a RB. That is the issue. Teams would switch if they could keep 2 QBs on the roster who have talent, but they can't pay them like a pocket passing QBs. Agents and players won't take less, but you don't see RBs making $20 million, multi-year guaranteed contracts.

[wwharton]

Re: NFL Off Topic

My take is if you have a running QB who is going to get hurt at some point during the season because you are going to run him, then you need to pay him like a RB. That is the issue. Teams would switch if they could keep 2 QBs on the roster who have talent, but they can't pay them like a pocket passing QBs. Agents and players won't take less, but you don't see RBs making $20 million, multi-year guaranteed contracts.

That sounds a bit shortsighted though. Even if we ignore how good/bad the player is at every other QB task, the ability to run from that position is more valuable than a RB's... and they will never be asked to carry the load of a RB because they're expected to start for many, many more years.

Adding the other QB duties, I don't really see any reason to believe Newton isn't at least above average as a pocket passer, leader, or reading defenses. To say that just because he also runs means he should be treated like a RB is kind of backwards.

[NDAlum]

Re: NFL Off Topic

So now the story is that Cam hasn't done anything? Considering what he's had to work with, he's done plenty... and last year had them in the playoff hunt as pretty much the only offensive option when the Oline was terrible and was probably playing at about 60% most of the year.

Cam is a beast when they let him do what he's good at, which is be a dual-threat QB. Jonathan Stewart did great the last part of the season because Cam starting using the read option. The team really took off when he started running more and making the defense account for that. He isn't going to sit in the pocket and kill you all game. Utilize his athleticism and don't make him try to be something he isn't.

[wwharton]

Re: NFL Off Topic

Cam is a beast when they let him do what he's good at, which is be a dual-threat QB. Jonathan Stewart did great the last part of the season because Cam starting using the read option. The team really took off when he started running more and making the defense account for that. He isn't going to sit in the pocket and kill you all game. Utilize his athleticism and don't make him try to be something he isn't.

That happened last year bc he was hurt. He played most of the season but he was definitely hurt all year. When he's right, he makes Stewart and that offensive line look a whole lot better. The team could stand to improve in both areas (Stewart's okay but not good enough to ignore how often he gets hurt), but the entire offense looks different when Cam's right. He needs to continue to develop in the pocket to be a real superstar, but I'm surprised so many are wondering why THIS guy got paid. Considering what's around him, I think he's done everything we should've expected of him to this point.

[muggins]

Re: NFL Off Topic

I don't think that there's a lack of talent at qb. What's more believable, talent just suddenly disappearing from all of college football at one position, or a league seemingly unwilling to adapt to said talent?

The first one. Should have been 'developed talent'. Kids might have a lot of athleticism but the ones getting recruited are the ones who can run gimmick offenses

Yes the ncaa doesn't have a responsibility to produce good qbs, but that doesn't mean it doesn't suck

[Jr.]

Re: NFL Off Topic

This is actually less than what I expected him to get. Good for Richardson and Carolina for locking Cam up.

I saw his cap number for this season is $30M, but it should go way down (relatively speaking) next year.

I do worry about Gettleman's insistence on avoiding putting any legitimate tackles on the roster.

[Speedy]

Re: NFL Off Topic

So now the story is that Cam hasn't done anything? Considering what he's had to work with, he's done plenty...

My concern is his motivation now...he seems to sulk way too much so I fear, now that's getting PAID, if he'll keep a fire and a chip on his shoulder to continually get better and figure out ways to win rather than have a "oh well" mentality.

[Jr.]

Re: NFL Off Topic

My concern is his motivation now...he seems to sulk way too much so I fear, now that's getting PAID, if he'll keep a fire and a chip on his shoulder to continually get better and figure out ways to win rather than have a "oh well" mentality.

It's not like he was making chump change previously. He did make a point to say that this will motivate him more to prove that he deserves it.

He also improved quite a bit on his body language last season.

[wwharton]

Re: NFL Off Topic

It's not like he was making chump change previously. He did make a point to say that this will motivate him more to prove that he deserves it.

He also improved quite a bit on his body language last season.

And had PLENTY of reason to sulk last season. I'd say his leadership skills played a large part in that team staying in the playoff race for so long.

[NDAlum]

Re: NFL Off Topic

I think his health had a big impact on them winning. I remember watching him early in the season and it's clear he wasn't 100%. I thought he looked like an old man out there and nothing like his athletic self.

Once he started running the ball well and posing that threat to the D the Panthers had more success. I think they won every game he rushed for 50+ yards.

He isn't a typical pocket passer. He has 33 rush TD's in his first 4 seasons. 33 freaking rush TD's. He's a freak athlete. Use those tools.

[bigeastbumrush]

Re: NFL Off Topic

My concern is his motivation now...he seems to sulk way too much so I fear, now that's getting PAID, if he'll keep a fire and a chip on his shoulder to continually get better and figure out ways to win rather than have a "oh well" mentality.

I don't agree that it'll play into how he performs but yes, the sideline sulking is too much.

I say the pay needs to bring more leadership out of him but the sideline hissy fits have got to stop as a leader.

[Jr.]

Re: NFL Off Topic

I think his health had a big impact on them winning. I remember watching him early in the season and it's clear he wasn't 100%. I thought he looked like an old man out there and nothing like his athletic self.

Once he started running the ball well and posing that threat to the D the Panthers had more success. I think they won every game he rushed for 50+ yards.

He isn't a typical pocket passer. He has 33 rush TD's in his first 4 seasons. 33 freaking rush TD's. He's a freak athlete. Use those tools.

Unfortunately not. There was the debacle tie against Cincinnati when he ran for over 100.

Hopefully he's truly 100% entering the season this year. It could be a really good year if the offense improves with that defense.

[Beantown]

Re: NFL Off Topic

I say the pay needs to bring more leadership out of him but the sideline hissy fits have got to stop as a leader.

Brady gets by just fine as an incredible leader even with his sideline hissy fits.

[bigeastbumrush]

Re: NFL Off Topic

Brady gets by just fine as an incredible leader even with his sideline hissy fits.

Brady is already established as a winner. If he's pissed on the sidelines, it's because he knows what it's like to reach the top. Not excusing Brady but Cam will sulk after an INT.

Teammates will look to Brady as their leader even with his antics.

The Panthers will just get turned off by Cam when his panties are in a bunch.

[wwharton]

Re: NFL Off Topic

Brady is already established as a winner. If he's pissed on the sidelines, it's because he knows what it's like to reach the top. Not excusing Brady but Cam will sulk after an INT.

Teammates will look to Brady as their leader even with his antics.

The Panthers will just get turned off by Cam when his panties are in a bunch.

Where are you getting this from? What example do you have of him sulking LAST year? And considering the teams they've put around him and the number of injuries they've had (especially last year), what makes you think the team doesn't look to him as a leader? Because if we look at results, it sure seems like they rally around Cam to me.