Notice: Undefined offset: 1 in /var/www/wp-content/themes/jnews/class/ContentTag.php on line 86
Notice: Undefined offset: 1 in /var/www/wp-content/themes/jnews/class/ContentTag.php on line 86
The 2011 Sports Illustrated cover featuring future NFL draft picks Cam Newton, Jake Locker and Blaine Gabbert is a demonstrates just how precarious the NFL draft can be.
One of the most difficult things to know in sports, and particularly football, is how an athlete’s talents will translate from college to the NFL.
Just consider that quarterbacks Cam Newton, Jake Locker and Blaine Gabbert were all rated about the same. Newton was eventually taken with the No. 1 overall pick by Carolina. Locker went to Tennessee with the eighth pick, and Gabbert landed in Jacksonville with the 10th pick.
Well, Locker was a disaster with the Titans, and actually retired before the start of the 2015 season. Gabbert lasted only three seasons in Jacksonsville, and took over the starting position in San Francisco when Colin Kaepernick went on injured reserve.
Meanwhile, Newton is well on his way to being the National
Football League’s Most Valuable Player. But even his journey to MVP candidate hasn’t been without some tough times.
It was only last season when Newton was facing heavy criticism for his play, as the Panthers struggled to a 3-5-1 record out of the gate.
Bleacher Report Complaints about Cam
The mistake people are making about Newton is trying to define his game to the standards of the typical NFL quarterback. However, you can’t put Newton’s game into a box.
His passing efficiency and completion isn’t what you expect an MVP candidate to
have at the quarterback position, but his winning plays are.
Newton makes football plays that win games. His ability
to make things happen for the Panthers’ offense, combined with an outstanding
defense, is why they are the league’s only unbeaten team, and he is on the way to being the NFL MVP.
