The FIRST game we'll look at for Cam Newton is the
SEC Championship Game v South Carolina available here:
Heisman Hopeful Cameron Newton Season Highlights (vids)
**We couldn't fine a true game cut-up the above clip has all of Newton's completion instead of all Newton's passes.
Part I
Passing Chart:
KEY:
OT: (+/-)on time/in rhythm
TAR- (+/-) on target catchable ball (above the waist not above the shoulders within arm's length)
IS- (+/-) in stride
**Good plays/NFL ability in Bolded in Orange
Sienna color negative plays
1) Shotgun Play Action then Pump Fake WR screen left-(plenty of time in a clean pocket) then hits the right side WR on a deep Slant-Seam route. OT+ TAR+ IS+ from Auburn's 15 yd line to USC's 25 yard a 40+ yard through w/ ease good footwork nice release
2) Shotgun-has all day stays in the pocket reads through his progressions shuffles left keeps his eyes down field and throws on the run goofy footed/fading back arm throw but OT+ TAR+ IS n/a
3) Shotgun escapes sack starts to scramble up the middle with his eyes downfield spots the RB and makes a nifty shovel pass flick to the RB:50s
4) Shotgun 2 step drop clean footwork throws in rhythm sideline hitch left OT+ TAR+ IS+ quick release ball got there in a hurry
5) Shotgun takes off jukes the hell out of the spy gains 14+ yards gets down to avoid hit-great run
6) Shotgun PA-evades sack scrambles right keeps eyes upfield hits 10 sideline pass OT+ TAR+ IS n/a throws on the run goofy foot again (off his right leg) but makes an accurate
7) Shotgun PA zone read QB draw powers through 2 tackles for the TD
8) Shotgun PA half roll out- pressure in the face- makes nice touch pass on TE drag left to right OT+ TAR+ IS+ 2:24s
9) Shotgun Pump n Go right sideline vs all out blitz picked up beautifully- delivers OT+ TAR+ IS+
to wide open Darvin Adams TD!
...from Auburn 35 to their 30 about a 40 yard throw on a line w/ late pressure closing in 2:37s
**10) Shotgun drop backs hits left WR on a 12 yd comeback OT+ TAR+ IS+ ball got there in a hurry
11) Shotgun PA swing pass OT+ TAR+ IS+
12-13) 2 designed QB runs= 1st down
14) Under Center PA evades sacks by juking DL in the backfield keeps eyes upfield hits RB on swing/flat right OT+ TAR+ IS+
15) Shotgun-dash right no pressure keeps eyes downfield, pressure comes throws a shuffle/scramble throws goofy foot fading away arm pass OT+ OT- IS- 3:13s
16) Shotgun PA sideline WR hitch left OT+ TAR+ IS
17) Shotgun PA sideline WR hitch right OT+ TAR+ IS+
18) Shotgun dash right from their 45 to the 3 yards deep in the endzone steps into uncorks it looks like he had plenty of arm left (50+ yard throw) TD
19) Pistol WR screen L
20) Pistol slot comeback OT+ TAR+ IS+
21) Shotgun PA feels and avoids pressure scrambles effortlessly to his left for a 20 yard gain (this run was Randall Cunninghamesque)
**22) (Plenty of time/clean pocket) Shotgun straight drop back-maintains good helmet discipline down the center of the field until the last second when he looks/pivots left and hits a WR that beat the CB on and out and up and Cam beat the Safety w/ the good eye discipline and throw (from the 50 to the 10 40 yd throw w/ ease) OT+ TAR+ IS+ 4:22s
23) Shotgun zone read QB dive trucks the LB for a TD
24) Shotgun zone read keeper runs left full speed jump-cut to pick up the 1st down nice play -gifted open field runner 5:38
25) Shotgun Pump & Go (clean pocket) slot wheel route right steps up throws OT+ TAR+ IS+
For this game:
Instincts+Intuition- 4 made plays no mistakes fumbles/ints
Competitiveness -4
Arm Strength -5 (self evident)
Complete Inventory of passes -5
Quick Delivery -4
Touch- 3 (judging from stats here b/c the incompletions weren't shown but 17/28 w/ 60.7% likely includes some mistakes/missed a few throws)
Read defense -3 (offense didn't require much reading of coverages but executed the offense and made his progressions made good decisions)
Mobility+Avoidance -5
Function while injured - N/A
Not easily rattled-4
Spontaneous decision/play making -5
My questions/nit-picks on Cam:
o sometimes throws arm passes without stepping into the throw
o he'll have to get used to seeing the field and making his progressions from undercenter
o after playing behind an OL that kept him well protected we'll have to see how he handles things when his process is sped up and he's getting hit
Newton is a talent.
He has all the physical tools: big time arm, great mobility, solid mechanics, nice compact throwing motion w/ quick release.
A lot of his offense doesn't translate directly into the NFL but some of it does and a QB w/ his tools in the hands of the right QB mentor in the right situation has great upside.
I wouldn't mind that place being here in DC but looking at the QBs from Kyle Shanahan's vantage point I have a hard time reconciling Kyle Shanahan's statements on Tebow last year: w/ him wanting to draft a player like Cam. (If he's even available I doubt it, my money has Newton going to Chan Gailey and the Bills)