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Is Cam Newton the 1.01 pick in dynasty startups? (1 Viewer)

Those are the best running QBs ever, dude. And every one of them had short spurts of usage as the primary red zone runner for their team. Which is exactly what Newton has done - been the primary red zone weapon for an NFL team. It has never lasted for those guys, who, in their primes, were every bit the runners that Newton is now, even if you didn't see them play. You're predicting that to last for Newton, which would be the first time that's ever been sustainable. Betting on ANYONE to blow NFL career records out of the water after 11 games is a big-time sucker bet, period.
When it comes to the goal line, Newton is better.Think betting against Newton shattering the rushing TD mark from a QB is a sucker bet.Only time will tell, but he is well on his way. Again, we don't know if it would have been sustainable for any of them. They didn't get that opportunity. Because I think Newton is better, I think he will. And, what is your guess? 4 a year? 5 a year?
 
Those are the best running QBs ever, dude. And every one of them had short spurts of usage as the primary red zone runner for their team. Which is exactly what Newton has done - been the primary red zone weapon for an NFL team. It has never lasted for those guys, who, in their primes, were every bit the runners that Newton is now, even if you didn't see them play. You're predicting that to last for Newton, which would be the first time that's ever been sustainable. Betting on ANYONE to blow NFL career records out of the water after 11 games is a big-time sucker bet, period.
Exactly - and I can remember when both Kordell and Culpepper were fantasy darlings and their future was talked about with the same level of enthusiasm. There is an NFL adage I remember hearing years ago that has so far has proven to be true - "There are a lot of young running QBs, but very few old ones." Perhaps Newton is different and will be the exception, but it is hard not to be skeptical for those of us who have been down this road before.
 
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Those are the best running QBs ever, dude. And every one of them had short spurts of usage as the primary red zone runner for their team. Which is exactly what Newton has done - been the primary red zone weapon for an NFL team. It has never lasted for those guys, who, in their primes, were every bit the runners that Newton is now, even if you didn't see them play. You're predicting that to last for Newton, which would be the first time that's ever been sustainable. Betting on ANYONE to blow NFL career records out of the water after 11 games is a big-time sucker bet, period.
Exactly - and I can remember when both Kordell and Culpepper were fantasy darlings and their future was talked about with the same level of enthusiasm. There is an NFL adage I remember hearing years ago that has so far have proven to be true - "There are a lot of young running QBs, but very few old ones." Perhaps Newton is different and will be the exception, but it is hard not to be skeptical for those of us who have been down this road before.
Again, I ask: when does Newton tear 3 knee ligaments? Becasue, Culpepper was on his way to being well worth the 1.01 most years.
 
This debate boils down to his usage at the GL. So long as Cam Newton has two legs, he's going to be a top 5 QB because like most any rushing QB, his rushing statistics will ensure that. And if the Panthers continue to feature him near the GL, there's very little in the way of him becoming the best dynasty player over the course of the next decade.

There's very little reason to compare Newton to the likes of Culpepper, Vick, Kordell, etc, because as has already been stated none of them were ever used at the GL in the fashion that Newton has been during his rookie season (i.e. a featured ball carrier). If the Panthers ever say, "hey, we've got an elite QB here so let's altogether stop running him on designed plays at the GL to avoid any unecessary injuries" then Newton is is unlikely to be worthy of being the #1 overall pick in dynasty start-ups. But there's no question the fantasy upside with this kid is off the charts. While I doubt I'd have the courage to take him #1 overall, he's certainly a strong candidate for those with the risk tolerance.

 
Culpepper was elite because of his passing, including 33 TDs passing his first year as a starter. Cam has a ways to go to get there. Cam might be in his league as a runner, we'll see over the next few years. That's the comparison that is valid. Comparing the two as passers, NFL QBs, or fantasy QBs is ridiculous at this point.

 
Kordell is a weak comparison because he was a bad passer. He never eclipsed 7.0 yards per attempt in his entire career (Cam is averaging 7.9 right now). In Kordell's first three seasons of extensive playing time he averaged 6.9, 5.6, and 5.3. That's really bad. He was a terrible QB.

Same with Vick, to a lesser extent. Not a good thrower despite his arm strength. Even factoring in last year's explosion in a very friendly offense, he still only averages 7.0 yards per attempt and 55.9% completions on his career. Cam is doing much better than that right now.

Culpepper is closer when you look at the numbers. I think Cam is a better runner and passer. He doesn't benefit from the crutch named Randy Moss, who made every QB look good (although Steve Smith is no slouch). If Cam turns out to be a slightly better version of Culpepper then he should have a very nice run as an elite FF player.

 
Those are the best running QBs ever, dude. And every one of them had short spurts of usage as the primary red zone runner for their team. Which is exactly what Newton has done - been the primary red zone weapon for an NFL team. It has never lasted for those guys, who, in their primes, were every bit the runners that Newton is now, even if you didn't see them play. You're predicting that to last for Newton, which would be the first time that's ever been sustainable. Betting on ANYONE to blow NFL career records out of the water after 11 games is a big-time sucker bet, period.
Exactly - and I can remember when both Kordell and Culpepper were fantasy darlings and their future was talked about with the same level of enthusiasm. There is an NFL adage I remember hearing years ago that has so far have proven to be true - "There are a lot of young running QBs, but very few old ones." Perhaps Newton is different and will be the exception, but it is hard not to be skeptical for those of us who have been down this road before.
Again, I ask: when does Newton tear 3 knee ligaments? Becasue, Culpepper was on his way to being well worth the 1.01 most years.
Who knows? He may play a decade and never get hurt, or he may go down this season. Culpepper was wonderful to own while it lasted, but it didn't last and that is the risk one takes with running QBs, which should go into the equation of where they should be ranked.
 
Culpepper was elite because of his passing, including 33 TDs passing his first year as a starter. Cam has a ways to go to get there. Cam might be in his league as a runner, we'll see over the next few years. That's the comparison that is valid. Comparing the two as passers, NFL QBs, or fantasy QBs is ridiculous at this point.
Cam does haev a ways. But, Cam didn't have the benefit of season to sit and learn, or Randy Moss, or Minny's talent in general. What Cam has done as a passer alone has me very excited. He will work, learn, and improve. Heck, 400 yards in each of his first 2 games. A lot to be excited about, in my opinion.
 
EBF:

Saying right now that Cam will be a better passer than prime Culpepper was is absolutely absurd. Culpepper was outrageous before he got hurt. 4717 yards, 69% completion rate, 8.6 yards per attempt, 39 TDs, 11 picks. Cam's better than that? HFS!

Culpepper was doing more than just chucking it up for Moss. He was absolutely top shelf both in terms of arm strength and accuracy.

 
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Who knows? He may play a decade and never get hurt, or he may go down this season. Culpepper was wonderful to own while it lasted, but it didn't last and that is the risk one takes with running QBs, which should go into the equation of where they should be ranked.
What is the cutoff for the title "running QB"? Aaron Rodgers runs a lot more than the average NFL QB.Fair enough, if I were willing to lump Newton in a group titled "running QBs", but I'm not. I guess we shall see.
 
Also agree that certainly Kordell and possibly Vick are weak comparisons to Cam as passers, or overall QBs. I'm saying that over a five plus year window their rushing stats are a good place to start when projecting Cam's rushing stats for the next five years. Cam could be Matt Ryan's passing fused onto Culpepper's legs or something, in which case he's probably still behind 2008-2010 Aaron Rodgers.

 
Who knows? He may play a decade and never get hurt, or he may go down this season. Culpepper was wonderful to own while it lasted, but it didn't last and that is the risk one takes with running QBs, which should go into the equation of where they should be ranked.
What is the cutoff for the title "running QB"? Aaron Rodgers runs a lot more than the average NFL QB.Fair enough, if I were willing to lump Newton in a group titled "running QBs", but I'm not. I guess we shall see.
You're willing to give Newton the benefit of putting up the best running stats for a QB in the history of the NFL, but you're not willing to lump him in the group of running QBs when it comes to risk? :confused:
 
While the early returns for Cam do the same, it's still VERY early and his game logs trouble me. If the Panthers continue to operate with Cam as only a secondary option at the goal line instead of the primary option (as they HAVE been doing over the last 6 games), then suddenly Cam loses a TON of value. He simply isn't going to continue to consistently produce 10+ yard rushing touchdowns at the rate that would be necessary to maintain the value some are assigning (based on the assumption that he would be the goal line back).
I don't necessarily disagree with your overall point here, but I think you need to account for the fact that exceptional players are going to do exceptional things. The reason Calvin Johnson has been getting so many receiving TDs compared to other #1 WRs is because he offers a rare skill set and combination of height/speed/strength/skill that's unmatched by any other pro wideout. Why can't Cam do the same thing at the QB position? Why can't he keep running for TDs? I've never seen a QB with a better combination of size, speed, and passing skills. Cam is exceptional, so I expect him to do exceptional things.

This suddenly places a huge emphasis on the need to improve his passing production to achieve that value. I think he is a great player and absolutely could reach the passing production necessary, but I also acknowledge there is a very real possibility he won't (he has looked both great and terrible in the passing game at points this season). When there are so many other very young, very proven, very talented players that are options at 1.01, why would you want to take the giant risk that either Cam Newton's passing production will increase substantially or the Panthers will revert back to using him as the primary option at the goal line? Additionally, why would you want to take that risk when even if everything goes right and it happens like you wanted, the likely result is the production level that Aaron Rodgers already provides with essentially no risk assigned at all?
First off, I don't see that many great options at 1.01. Some of the super elite players like Larry Fitzgerald, Chris Johnson, and Adrian Peterson are reaching a point in their careers when their age and mileage are beginning to affect their outlook and their trade value. Players like LeSean McCoy and Ray Rice are putting up great numbers, but if you ask me they're examples of "right player, right situation." I know I'm probably in the minority here, but I don't see either as a super elite Peterson/Tomlinson/Faulk type of back that you can build a perennial dynasty around. That leaves a pretty small group of names who offer the same kind of short-term/long-term value combination as Cam:Aaron Rodgers

Calvin Johnson

Who else? Maybe I'd chuck Trent Richardson, AJ Green, or Dez Bryant in there, but none of those guys are any more proven than Cam is.

I've already said that I think Cam stands a good chance to improve as a passer. He ranks 19th in the NFL in passing TDs, behind such luminaries as Alex Smith, Andy Dalton, Colt McCoy, Mark Sanchez, and Ryan Fitzpatrick. I think his numbers will improve in this department and while some of that might come at the expense of his rushing, the overall upside is still very enticing when you consider what he might be capable of when he eventually has the kind of career year that Manning, Brady, and Rodgers eventually had with their respective skill sets. What is he capable of if everything clicks for him? 30 passing TDs and 15 rushing TDs? I think his ceiling is enormous.
In regards to the bolded, you are actually 100% correct, in my opinion. In a post that was in part to make fun of some of the ridiculous hyperbole being thrown around in this thread, I fell back on some silly hyperbole myself. There aren't a lot of great options for a 1.01 pick, as right now there aren't very many sure fire hall of fame candidates playing that are in the right age window to warrant the pick. Outside of the 2 you named (Calvin and Rodgers), it gets dicey, although I still put Peterson there without blinking.That's part of the reason why this is a silly argument- there aren't a lot of players worth considering there and Cam is one of them, whether it's 1.01 or 1.02 or 1.03 or whatever. However, there is some hyperbole and some ridiculousness going on by some in this thread that I can only attribute to being enamored with the flashiness of Cam and the fact that he is new and relatively still unknown.

The data is showing he will NOT be the team's goal line back, as he has not been functioning as it since week 5. Watching the games only confirms this- they rarely call Cam Newton rushing plays around the goal line now and instead are either throwing it or handing it off to one of their running backs. This isn't going to completely negate his rushing potential, but it sure as hell is going to make it difficult to reach the lofty expectations and hopes that some are setting here. People need to stop talking like it's an assumed fact that he is the goal line back because it artificially inflates his value. For 6 straight games now, the Panthers have shown us that weeks 1-5 were a complete anomaly and they have no intention of running with Cam 4 straight times near the goal line as they did during those games or at least that they won't do it on a consistent basis.

I also can't get over that people are entirely dismissive of Rodgers ability to repeat anything close to this season's performance again, yet are completely on board with the fact that Cam can either reproduce it or come close. We haven't seen a player like Cam before, but guess what? We very well have never seen a player like Rodgers before either. Just because he isn't ultra athletic and a physical freak doesn't mean he isn't just as unique. It's easy to say a player is one of a kind when linebackers are bouncing off him and he's breaking a defensive backs ankle on an open field move. It's less easy to say a player is one of a kind when he's throwing laser passes with pin point accuracy and showcasing a cannon of an arm while also showing the best decision making ever seen. But again, just because it's more difficult to see the uniqueness doesn't make it any less one of a kind. I will say again, Aaron Rodgers is showing to be every bit as revolutionary as Cam Newton, it's just not as obvious. If you are going to engage in hyperbole and say that Cam is capable of 40+ touchdowns a year because he is one of a kind, then you simply have to allow that Aaron Rodgers has an equal chance to do so (based on his performance this season, perhaps even a better chance?) because he is also one of a kind (this is not directed at any one person, just a general statement).

Note that I don't expect either player to do this, I'm just responding to some of the "potential" discussed in the thread and some of the silly numbers being thrown about. My actual feelings are that both will end up being close over the next 6+ years, with Rodgers performing a little bit better. To me, the off chance that Cam outperforms Rodgers is not worth the much higher risk that his passing doesn't improve to where it needs to be but his rushing does drop off.

 
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Who knows? He may play a decade and never get hurt, or he may go down this season. Culpepper was wonderful to own while it lasted, but it didn't last and that is the risk one takes with running QBs, which should go into the equation of where they should be ranked.
What is the cutoff for the title "running QB"? Aaron Rodgers runs a lot more than the average NFL QB. Fair enough, if I were willing to lump Newton in a group titled "running QBs", but I'm not. I guess we shall see.
Yeah, and he got hurt last year on this play:http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d81cd4963/Rodgers-suffers-concussion

Not saying I would necessarily characterize Rodgers as a running QB, either, but it has put him at more risk and arguably resulted in his missing time last season.

 
Let's throw out some projections for Cam for 2012 - 2014:

4000 passing 20 TDs 600 rushing 6 TDs 20 combined turnovers look right for an "average year" in there? That makes him the best running QB ever and also developing as an above average to good young passer. All of which is a reasonable "upside" projection. Not pie in the sky, ZOMG!!!! Cam's the best EVAH!!!!111!, upside projection, which really shouldn't figure into the equation.

How about Rodgers? Even if he falls all the way back to Earth and has a year equal to his average from 2008-2010 he's ahead of that in most scoring systems. And that's Aaron Rodgers reasonable downside projection.

 
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Let's throw out some projections for Cam for 2012 - 2014:

4000 passing 20 TDs 600 rushing 6 TDs 20 combined turnovers look right for an "average year" in there? That makes him the best running QB ever and also developing as an above average to good young passer. All of which is a reasonable "upside" projection. Not pie in the sky, ZOMG!!!! Cam's the best EVAH!!!!111!, upside projection, which really shouldn't figure into the equation.

How about Rodgers? Even if he falls all the way back to Earth and has a year equal to his average from 2008-2010 he's ahead of that in most scoring systems. And that's Aaron Rodgers reasonable downside projection.
I don't know the right estimate, but just an FYI -- what you are suggesting as an "average year" would be a regression from his rookie year...
 
Regression from his outlier rushing TD numbers sure. My numbers have him improving as a passer with a slight dip in yardage as I think the entire top group of NFL QBs has slightly inflated passing yardage numbers this year.

He's on pace for 16 passing TDs and 25 turnovers this year.

 
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Again, I ask: when does Newton tear 3 knee ligaments? Becasue, Culpepper was on his way to being well worth the 1.01 most years.
Culpepper's downfall as a NFL QB has more to do about W-L than injuries. Carolina has problems on the other side of the ball but at some point the turnovers have to come down and the wins have to come up or the Brad Johnsons of the world will look like sensible alternatives.
Same with Vick, to a lesser extent. Not a good thrower despite his arm strength. Even factoring in last year's explosion in a very friendly offense, he still only averages 7.0 yards per attempt and 55.9% completions on his career. Cam is doing much better than that right now.
If Vick is a bad thrower right now, so is Newton. Your use of career stats is disingenuous.
 
If Vick is a bad thrower right now, so is Newton. Your use of career stats is disingenuous.
But it's not disingenuous to compare a rookie to a 10 year veteran?My point was that Cam as a rookie is well beyond where guys like Vick and Kordell were at that stage of their careers. His passing numbers are great...for a rookie.Vick's are mediocre...for a 10 year veteran.
 
My point was that Cam as a rookie is well beyond where guys like Vick and Kordell were at that stage of their careers.
But no further along than Andy Dalton, Sam Bradford, Ben Roethlisberger and Rick Mirer (just kidding, but it's close) were at that stage of their careers.
 
My point was that Cam as a rookie is well beyond where guys like Vick and Kordell were at that stage of their careers.
But no further along than Andy Dalton, Sam Bradford, Ben Roethlisberger and Rick Mirer (just kidding, but it's close) were at that stage of their careers.
Not really seeing the similarities. Dalton is averaging a full yard less than Newton per pass attempt. 6.9 for Andy compared to 7.9 for Cam.Sam Bradford averaged 6.0 yards per attempt last season. Cam has a higher completion percentage and is averaging significantly more yards per toss. Roethlisberger was much more effective passing the ball as a rookie (albeit on far fewer attempts in a conservative offense on a much better team). He doesn't really belong in the discussion. Honestly, you sound like someone who drafted Bilal Powell over Cam in all his rookie drafts or something. It's just constant negativity at every turn. I mean, not everyone is going to like every player, but it's hard not to be impressed by what Newton is doing IMO.
 
Those are the best running QBs ever, dude. And every one of them had short spurts of usage as the primary red zone runner for their team. Which is exactly what Newton has done - been the primary red zone weapon for an NFL team. It has never lasted for those guys, who, in their primes, were every bit the runners that Newton is now, even if you didn't see them play. You're predicting that to last for Newton, which would be the first time that's ever been sustainable. Betting on ANYONE to blow NFL career records out of the water after 11 games is a big-time sucker bet, period.
When it comes to the goal line, Newton is better.
Love this. Twenty minutes ago you were talking about McNair was not a rushing quarterback. Now that you were told that he was, Newton is just better. :lmao:

 
Not really seeing the similarities. Dalton is averaging a full yard less than Newton per pass attempt. 6.9 for Andy compared to 7.9 for Cam.
Dalton is 7-4 and has more TD than INTs. Not really seeing the similarities either.
Honestly, you sound like someone who drafted Bilal Powell over Cam in all his rookie drafts or something. It's just constant negativity at every turn. I mean, not everyone is going to like every player, but it's hard not to be impressed by what Newton is doing IMO.
Doesn't help you to switch from hyperbole on Cam to hyperbole on me. I think he's a top 5 player but to ignore the special circumstances and unique risk at this point is absurd. IMO. Risk compared to a RB is negligible but there are at least 2 players with near 0 risk. :pokey:
 
'EBF said:
Honestly, you sound like someone who drafted Bilal Powell over Cam in all his rookie drafts or something.
You're better than this. I haven't really seen too many people saying that he's not a first round start-up pick next year. The consensus is pretty much "we all love Cam." Depending on scoring system, for me he's anywhere from #2 to #4 overall, unless it's some odd system where QBs are totally devalued. Personally, I consider myself sky-high on the guy given that.You and a few others are predicting him to be the best running QB ever BY FAR, like doubling or more what anyone else has ever done in any other 5-year window in the history of the NFL. You're also considering it a given that he will continue developing into a good to great passer.Could he hit that upside? Sure. If you take him over Aaron Rodgers, you are betting that it WILL happen, because otherwise, you lose. And if Cam fails to develop, or regresses, or is just plain inconsistent as are most QBs dependent on rushing for their fantasy points, you lose HUGE. And actually, if Cam and Rodgers both hit their respective upsides, you still lose because Rodgers' upside is obviously 50 TDs.Really, what is really going on here is just more fascination with a shiny new toy.
 
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'EBF said:
Honestly, you sound like someone who drafted Bilal Powell over Cam in all his rookie drafts or something.
You're better than this. I haven't really seen too many people saying that he's not a first round start-up pick next year. The consensus is pretty much "we all love Cam." Depending on scoring system, for me he's anywhere from #2 to #4 overall, unless it's some odd system where QBs are totally devalued. Personally, I consider myself sky-high on the guy given that.You and a few others are predicting him to be the best running QB ever BY FAR, like doubling or more what anyone else has ever done in any other 5-year window in the history of the NFL. You're also considering it a given that he will continue developing into a good to great passer.

Could he hit that upside? Sure. If you take him over Aaron Rodgers, you are betting that it WILL happen, because otherwise, you lose. And if Cam fails to develop, or regresses, or is just plain inconsistent as are most QBs dependent on rushing for their fantasy points, you lose HUGE. And actually, if Cam and Rodgers both hit their respective upsides, you still lose because Rodgers' upside is obviously 50 TDs.

Really, what is really going on here is just more fascination with a shiny new toy.
As much as I hate to say it, the bolded portion is almost entirely correct. While I disagree with it, I understand the line of thought that values Cam Newton as the best option at 1.01 in a new dynasty league and don't believe that is where people are going entirely wrong. It's when people begin to REASONABLY EXPECT 40 touchdowns or more in a season that things enter into the realm of ridiculousness. If this was Cam Newton's 2nd season and he suddenly exploded, I tend to believe we wouldn't be seeing these ridiculous numbers and "what if" scenarios thrown around. However, since he is a rookie and still somewhat unknown, all the "what if he does this" and "what if this happens" and "what if he can improve this" starts popping up, which suddenly causes people to project him to not just break NFL records, but shatter them to such a level that nobody would ever come close again.This rookie effect is prevalent in all sports and what some people don't take into consideration is the fact that sometimes, people come into the pro game simply more ready, both physically and mentally, than most any other rookie. This doesn't mean they are going to have the same improvement curve as a typical rookie because they are already capable of handling the pro game. Lebron James was a classic example of this to me- based on his rookie season statistics and based on the fact that he came to the league straight out of high school and was only 18, some people began to reasonably expect him to be able to average 40+ points a game, 10+ rebounds a game, and 10+ assists a game for his career since he was so young and was obviously going to improve like a typical high school player would. However, reality showed us that Lebron was incredibly prepared for the NBA for a high school player, both mentally and physically, and while he absolutely improved, he never had a chance to reach the ridiculous "what if" scenarios some were beginning to expect because he didn't have as much room for improvement as a typical high school player.

I see a ton of similarities between that scenario and Cam Newton. While I have no doubt he is going to improve his game, he strikes me as someone who was simply incredibly prepared to handle the NFL, much more than most rookies ever are. To me, this naturally means that he doesn't have nearly as much room for improvement as a typical rookie since he already "gets it" and isn't overwhelmed and obviously is more than physically capable of dominating already. I've said this in another thread, but I believe Cam's improvements are going to come in the ability to win games and command his team rather than the typical statistical improvement rookie quarterbacks have since he isn't suffering from a lot of what typically causes rookie quarterbacks to have poor stats (not being mentally ready, not being able to handle the speed of the game, not being physically ready, etc...).

 
'EBF said:
Honestly, you sound like someone who drafted Bilal Powell over Cam in all his rookie drafts or something.
You're better than this. I haven't really seen too many people saying that he's not a first round start-up pick next year. The consensus is pretty much "we all love Cam." Depending on scoring system, for me he's anywhere from #2 to #4 overall, unless it's some odd system where QBs are totally devalued. Personally, I consider myself sky-high on the guy given that.You and a few others are predicting him to be the best running QB ever BY FAR, like doubling or more what anyone else has ever done in any other 5-year window in the history of the NFL. You're also considering it a given that he will continue developing into a good to great passer.

Could he hit that upside? Sure. If you take him over Aaron Rodgers, you are betting that it WILL happen, because otherwise, you lose. And if Cam fails to develop, or regresses, or is just plain inconsistent as are most QBs dependent on rushing for their fantasy points, you lose HUGE. And actually, if Cam and Rodgers both hit their respective upsides, you still lose because Rodgers' upside is obviously 50 TDs.

Really, what is really going on here is just more fascination with a shiny new toy.
If one were to reread this thread, neither you, nor myself (and a couple others) ever disagreed with the premise that Newton is a top five pick in any start up draft (I would say about 1.03 or 1.04). The point we were trying to make is that the tone here is almost from the standpoint that he is already penciled in as a future member of the FF HOF - we have just been trying to add a little perspective. As was mentioned, we have been down this road before with other QBs that after their first year or two in the league were given the same over-the-top predictions of future greatness (but ultimately were disappointments to their owners).

All the hype about Newton's future worth could well be true. All I have been trying to say is that it might be unwise to bet the farm in your dynasty league on any player based on their rookie year. If you are willing to roll the dice on that, good luck to you, but be aware that there are risks involved based on past precedent (which IMO should at least be taken into account instead of being cavalierly dismissed as not analogous).

 
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'EBF said:
Kordell is a weak comparison because he was a bad passer. He never eclipsed 7.0 yards per attempt in his entire career (Cam is averaging 7.9 right now). In Kordell's first three seasons of extensive playing time he averaged 6.9, 5.6, and 5.3. That's really bad. He was a terrible QB.

Same with Vick, to a lesser extent. Not a good thrower despite his arm strength. Even factoring in last year's explosion in a very friendly offense, he still only averages 7.0 yards per attempt and 55.9% completions on his career. Cam is doing much better than that right now.

Culpepper is closer when you look at the numbers. I think Cam is a better runner and passer. He doesn't benefit from the crutch named Randy Moss, who made every QB look good (although Steve Smith is no slouch). If Cam turns out to be a slightly better version of Culpepper then he should have a very nice run as an elite FF player.
This is a poor comparison because you're applying what people are worried about happening with Cam to the guys it already happened to.Forget the first 3 years. The first 3 years aren't the point because the fear with Cam is predicated on a running QB that shows promise passing the ball but either regresses or fails to improve.

The entire argument for Cam at 1.01 is that in his first year as the starter he has showed great promise as a passer and if he can improve those numbers and become elite in that category it will make him unstoppable alongside his rushing numbers. That is the exact argument that was used on all those other guys you're now berating as "obviously not very good passers". They all showed the same promise that Cam did. They all teased us with "if he can just improve those passing numbers, which at this point looks like it's obviously going to happen".

They all looked promising passing the ball based on their first year, just like Cam does now. The only major difference is in attempts per game, where Cam's attempts through 11 games are about what they threw in 16. A large part of that is likely the Panthers' porous defense which may or may not be something you can bank on going forward.

Here are the stats of each in their first year as a starter. Looks pretty darn similar to me.

Cam: 239-392 3,093yds 7.9ypa 12td 14int 81.1rat

Kordell: 236-440 3,020yds 7.0ypa 21td 17int 75.2rat

Vick: 231-421 2,936yds 7.0ypa 16td 8int 81.6rat

Cpep: 297-464 3,937yds 8.3ypa 33td 16int 98.0rat

If we sort the four of them by efficiency numbers then Cam is 2nd out of 4 in ypa, 3rd out of 4 in QB rating, and last out of 4 in TD/INT ratio. That hardly leaves him in uncharted territory.

The point you're making is just hindsight, plain and simple. You know now that guys like Vick and Kordell never developed into good passers so you're forgetting that they also looked promising in their first season as starters. The numbers they put up are solid starts to a career even for a pocket quarterback, so the idea of them continuing to improve as a passer was there for them every bit as much as it is for Cam now.

 
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'thriftyrocker said:
'EBF said:
My point was that Cam as a rookie is well beyond where guys like Vick and Kordell were at that stage of their careers.
But no further along than Andy Dalton, Sam Bradford, Ben Roethlisberger and Rick Mirer (just kidding, but it's close) were at that stage of their careers.
Not to mention Michael Vick and Kordell Stewart in their first years as a starter, which people seem to be forgetting.
 
'thriftyrocker said:
'EBF said:
My point was that Cam as a rookie is well beyond where guys like Vick and Kordell were at that stage of their careers.
But no further along than Andy Dalton, Sam Bradford, Ben Roethlisberger and Rick Mirer (just kidding, but it's close) were at that stage of their careers.
Not to mention Michael Vick and Kordell Stewart in their first years as a starter, which people seem to be forgetting.
Not to mention the two guys mentioned in the quoted post of the post you quoted? huh?
 
The entire argument for Cam at 1.01 is that in his first year as the starter he has showed great promise as a passer and if he can improve those numbers and become elite in that category it will make him unstoppable alongside his rushing numbers. That is the exact argument that was used on all those other guys you're now berating as "obviously not very good passers". They all showed the same promise that Cam did. They all teased us with "if he can just improve those passing numbers, which at this point looks like it's obviously going to happen".

They all looked promising passing the ball based on their first year, just like Cam does now. The only major difference is in attempts per game, where Cam's attempts through 11 games are about what they threw in 16. A large part of that is likely the Panthers' porous defense which may or may not be something you can bank on going forward.

Here are the stats of each in their first year as a starter. Looks pretty darn similar to me.

Cam: 239-392 60.9% Completion Percentage 3,093yds 7.9ypa 12td 14int 81.1rat

Kordell: 236-440 53.6% Completion Percentage 3,020yds 7.0ypa 21td 17int 75.2rat

Vick: 231-421 54.9% Completion Percentage 2,936yds 7.0ypa 16td 8int 81.6rat

Cpep: 297-464 3,937yds 8.3ypa 33td 16int 98.0rat

If we sort the four of them by efficiency numbers then Cam is 2nd out of 4 in ypa, 3rd out of 4 in QB rating, and last out of 4 in TD/INT ratio. That hardly leaves him in uncharted territory.

The point you're making is just hindsight, plain and simple. You know now that guys like Vick and Kordell never developed into good passers so you're forgetting that they also looked promising in their first season as starters. The numbers they put up are solid starts to a career even for a pocket quarterback, so the idea of them continuing to improve as a passer was there for them every bit as much as it is for Cam now.
Fixed the above in red for you. Kordell and Vick were never believed to be as strong passers in their rookie year as Cam is showing. Culpepper was fantastic in his first year starting, and Cam putting up those numbers would be very strong.
 
'thriftyrocker said:
'EBF said:
My point was that Cam as a rookie is well beyond where guys like Vick and Kordell were at that stage of their careers.
But no further along than Andy Dalton, Sam Bradford, Ben Roethlisberger and Rick Mirer (just kidding, but it's close) were at that stage of their careers.
Not to mention Michael Vick and Kordell Stewart in their first years as a starter, which people seem to be forgetting.
See my post above--your argument is incorrect. He is also showing more than Dalton, Bradford, and Lol Mirer showed. I don't think anyone minds him being compared as a passer to Ben.
 
But Cam isn't putting up 1st year Culpepper passing stats. Not even remotely close. Nor are his rushing TDs even remotely close to being sustainable, unless "Cam was inevitable" and "you must have passed on him for Bilal Powell" outweigh the entire statistical history of the modern NFL.

 
But Cam isn't putting up 1st year Culpepper passing stats. Not even remotely close. Nor are his rushing TDs even remotely close to being sustainable, unless "Cam was inevitable" and "you must have passed on him for Bilal Powell" outweigh the entire statistical history of the modern NFL.
I'd love for Cam to end up like Culpepper, minus the injury of course. But we do have to remember that C-pep was in his 2nd year, and had the 2nd best WR in NFL history, as well as an 8-time pro-bowler three time HOF finalist lining up as WR2. Newton doesn't have those two spectacular red-zone options--therefore he is their best redzone option. He won't approach C-pep's 40 total TDs from that year, but 30 total TDs and 500+ more passing yards are encouraging.
 
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He is also showing more than Dalton, Bradford, and Lol Mirer showed.
Nah, not really. If you want to harp on YPA and ignore INT and W-L, you're trying to abuse stats to fit your argument. There's nothing strong to differentiate one from the either. Including Mirer, who set rookie records for completions and yards back in the day.Bradford and Dalton are interesting because they were both shotgun QBs in college but both have been made to adjust to a pro style. It makes their equivalent success more impressive. Their snaps from shotgun is at or below the NFL average. Newton is about 65%. He's not being forced to learn. It will be interesting if he ever is, or what changes to the offense have to be made to make Carolina a better team.
 
He is also showing more than Dalton, Bradford, and Lol Mirer showed.
Nah, not really. If you want to harp on YPA and ignore INT and W-L, you're trying to abuse stats to fit your argument. There's nothing strong to differentiate one from the either. Including Mirer, who set rookie records for completions and yards back in the day.Bradford and Dalton are interesting because they were both shotgun QBs in college but both have been made to adjust to a pro style. It makes their equivalent success more impressive. Their snaps from shotgun is at or below the NFL average. Newton is about 65%. He's not being forced to learn. It will be interesting if he ever is, or what changes to the offense have to be made to make Carolina a better team.
If you want to use how good a team and how strong their defense around a rookie QB is more important than YPA, that is certainly your right to have this belief and opinion. I think you overlooking this important stat is a big mistake in projecting his abilities going forward. He will certainly need to improve on his INT %, but the rest of his numbers dwarf those other guys.
 
There's a pretty big gulf between "encouraging" and "I'm taking him ahead of the current best player in the NFL and fantasy football who turns 28 today," which is all I'm saying.

 
If you want to use how good a team and how strong their defense around a rookie QB is more important than YPA, that is certainly your right to have this belief and opinion. I think you overlooking this important stat is a big mistake in projecting his abilities going forward. He will certainly need to improve on his INT %, but the rest of his numbers dwarf those other guys.
How good was STL's defense last year? Just another reason for skepticism: Cam's numbers are buoyed right now by those 2 first games when no one knew what was about to hit them. They were preparing for Tebow and they got Culpepper. His YPA is 7.25 if you throw out those 2 games.How many more 400 yard passing games do you think he'll have in the next year or two?
 
There's a pretty big gulf between "encouraging" and "I'm taking him ahead of the current best player in the NFL and fantasy football who turns 28 today," which is all I'm saying.
I agree, I have Cam and would certainly trade him for Rodgers. However, people arguing that his season is similar to Dalton, Bradford, Mirer, Kordell and Vick are being silly and wrong.
 
He is also showing more than Dalton, Bradford, and Lol Mirer showed.
Nah, not really. If you want to harp on YPA and ignore INT and W-L, you're trying to abuse stats to fit your argument. There's nothing strong to differentiate one from the either. Including Mirer, who set rookie records for completions and yards back in the day.Bradford and Dalton are interesting because they were both shotgun QBs in college but both have been made to adjust to a pro style. It makes their equivalent success more impressive. Their snaps from shotgun is at or below the NFL average. Newton is about 65%. He's not being forced to learn. It will be interesting if he ever is, or what changes to the offense have to be made to make Carolina a better team.
Cam is throwing a few more INTs than Bradford did because he is pushing the ball downfield. 6 YPA is Captain Checkdown stuff. I agree there's a tradeoff there but I still think Cam's success has been more impressive strictly from a passing perspective. When you add in his rushing numbers it sounds pretty silly to say that Bradford's sucess has been "equivalent" to Cam's.
 
If you want to use how good a team and how strong their defense around a rookie QB is more important than YPA, that is certainly your right to have this belief and opinion. I think you overlooking this important stat is a big mistake in projecting his abilities going forward. He will certainly need to improve on his INT %, but the rest of his numbers dwarf those other guys.
How good was STL's defense last year? Just another reason for skepticism: Cam's numbers are buoyed right now by those 2 first games when no one knew what was about to hit them. They were preparing for Tebow and they got Culpepper. His YPA is 7.25 if you throw out those 2 games.

How many more 400 yard passing games do you think he'll have in the next year or two?
That is a ridiculous metric to hold any QB to. Steve Young and Tom Brady both have exactly 3 career 400 yard games. Favre and Elway had 2 each. Only 26 players in the history of the NFL have more than Cam's 2. So, in the next year or two, I'd say it's a safe bet that Cam will have 1 or 0 more 400 yard passing games. But it is a meaningless point.Oh, and Sam's YPA this year is 7.24 if you include only his best two games.

 
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However, people arguing that his season is similar to Dalton, Bradford, Mirer, Kordell and Vick are being silly and wrong.
When you add in his rushing numbers it sounds pretty silly to say that Bradford's sucess has been "equivalent" to Cam's.
We aren't adding in the rushing numbers. We aren't talking about his season as a whole. We are arguing his success purely as a passer based on a statement made by on the Cam side a page or so ago.
 
How many more 400 yard passing games do you think he'll have in the next year or two?
That is a ridiculous metric to hold any QB to. Steve Young and Tom Brady both have exactly 3 career 400 yard games. Favre and Elway had 2 each. Only 26 players in the history of the NFL have more than Cam's 2. So, in the next year or two, I'd say it's a safe bet that Cam will have 1 or 0 more 400 yard passing games. But it is a meaningless point.
How many 11 YPA games do you expect him to have in the next year or two? The point stands that his YPA is inflated based on those first 2 games. How many 300 yard passing games do you expect him to have, because it's been a while.
 
I find 2010 Bradford equally or more impressive as a passer than 2011 Newton, considering Steve Smith vs Danny Amendola and the quality of the two teams' offensive lines.

 
'Herm23 said:
However, there is some hyperbole and some ridiculousness going on by some in this thread that I can only attribute to being enamored with the flashiness of Cam and the fact that he is new and relatively still unknown.The data is showing he will NOT be the team's goal line back, as he has not been functioning as it since week 5. Watching the games only confirms this- they rarely call Cam Newton rushing plays around the goal line now and instead are either throwing it or handing it off to one of their running backs. This isn't going to completely negate his rushing potential, but it sure as hell is going to make it difficult to reach the lofty expectations and hopes that some are setting here. People need to stop talking like it's an assumed fact that he is the goal line back because it artificially inflates his value. For 6 straight games now, the Panthers have shown us that weeks 1-5 were a complete anomaly and they have no intention of running with Cam 4 straight times near the goal line as they did during those games or at least that they won't do it on a consistent basis.
The suggestion that a player will continue to be a threat running the football - a player who is likely to break the NFL record as a rookie - is not "silly hyperbole", by any means. Cam is having one of the best fantasy season ever for a QB, as a rookie, with no camp. If pointing that out is silly hyperbole, Webster's and I have the wrong definition. Also, the Panthers are using Cam in a way that Culpepper never was. You point to the last few games, where Cam's touchdown runs were longer as evidence. That is silly, considering 2 things:1. If Cam hands to ball of, on an option read, he is still in some form a goal line back.2. The frequency of which a team has the ball within 4 yards of the goal line varies. Even if we assume his rushing numbers come back down to earth, there is clearly room for improvement in the passing game. Hyperbole?
 
How many more 400 yard passing games do you think he'll have in the next year or two?
That is a ridiculous metric to hold any QB to. Steve Young and Tom Brady both have exactly 3 career 400 yard games. Favre and Elway had 2 each. Only 26 players in the history of the NFL have more than Cam's 2. So, in the next year or two, I'd say it's a safe bet that Cam will have 1 or 0 more 400 yard passing games. But it is a meaningless point.
How many 11 YPA games do you expect him to have in the next year or two? The point stands that his YPA is inflated based on those first 2 games. How many 300 yard passing games do you expect him to have, because it's been a while.
For the record, I'm not in the Cam at 1.01 camp. I agree we need to see more games to have a better grasp on what to expect in the future. I have no idea how many more 300 or 400 yard passing games there will be. But nothing that happens next year will change the fact that Cam is having the most impressive rookie season by a QB ever.And if we're picking and choosing certain games and plays to count and not count, then sure, Cam can be whatever you want him to be. Cam has had plenty of great games since his first two, but if you want to say he hasn't reached a certain arbitrary yardage mark in some number of weeks, that's fine, but to be honest it sounds a lot like you've got your head in the sand about Cam.

 
Their snaps from shotgun is at or below the NFL average. Newton is about 65%. He's not being forced to learn. It will be interesting if he ever is, or what changes to the offense have to be made to make Carolina a better team.
You do know why that is, right?
<Here's where I am supposed to say something legitimate and then you "correct" me with your own viewpoint.>I've said in the version of the thread you started that I respect what Rivera is doing and think it is a good way to set Newton up for success. I don't think it is the final version of the Cam Newton offense. The Panthers are 2-0 when Newton throws less than 30 times.
 
How many 11 YPA games do you expect him to have in the next year or two? The point stands that his YPA is inflated based on those first 2 games. How many 300 yard passing games do you expect him to have, because it's been a while.
Watching the guy play, it is easy to be more impressed with him, just as a passer, than Bradford. The amount that has been put on Cam's shoulder's, with no camp, as a one year starter in at a major college, is impressive. Very impressive. The training wheels that are placed on Cam are very different than those placed on Bradford last season.You keep bringing up wins and losses - you know that is irrelevant. The defense lost two of it's best players and has been, simply awful. Look at the offensive production, compared to what it was last year. That is the best indication of the impact Cam has had. Or, look at the point differential, even, compared to last year. He is helping his team as much, or more than any other rookie QB in recent memory. I understand wanting to play devil's advocate or wanted to wait and see. If you honestly think Cam is distine to bust or tear 3 knee ligament, I can even respect that. But, at some point, you are just being a troll.Instead of grasping for historical indicators that suggest Cam's rookie season isn't as impressive as other's feal, or that it is impossible for him to be the fantasy player he is today, in the future, why don't you make a statment? Why do you tell us where you rank him among QBs, then overall, and what you think a reasonable point total for Cam, per season, going forward is?
 
Their snaps from shotgun is at or below the NFL average. Newton is about 65%. He's not being forced to learn. It will be interesting if he ever is, or what changes to the offense have to be made to make Carolina a better team.
You do know why that is, right?
<Here's where I am supposed to say something legitimate and then you "correct" me with your own viewpoint.>I've said in the version of the thread you started that I respect what Rivera is doing and think it is a good way to set Newton up for success. I don't think it is the final version of the Cam Newton offense. The Panthers are 2-0 when Newton throws less than 30 times.
<Correction: own viewpoint>The Panthers often use the option read, or at least the threat of it. A QB like Cam, that is the threat he is to run, is more effective from shotgun formations. Even though the Panthers haven't been running as many designed runs as they could, even the threat justifies the Panthers running shotgun as often as they do. When they do, the defense has to account for more, pre-snap. I don't see reason to suggest that will change.
 
Coop, stop saying "no one has ever been used like Cam.". It's been pointed out to you several times by different people that quite a few other QBs have, in fact, been used as primary goal-line runners for short (11 game, or one season) spurts. Other QBs have had double digit rushing TD years. It's a fact. The relevant issue is the sustainability of that usage over a multi-year window, which has NEVER happened, and it's absurdly unlikely that it'll happen for Cam (continuing at close to a rushing TD per start which friggin triples the multi-year pace that any of the other best running QBs ever have sustained).

 

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