The end all, be all of "what if" threads!

and can he hit the broad side of a barn with a pass?

 

Yes, as well as run over the barn on the way to the endzone.

 

No way, I'm guessing the front office will be staying away from anyone with maturity/character issues. That means both Ryan Mallett and Cam Newton.

 

First of all, I would be absolutely stunned if the Titans took Newton. For all of the reasons that have been mentioned.

But if they did, would it really be that terrible? This team has spent years trying to craft an offense that suits Vince Young's skills. It would be a fairly seamless transition to insert Newton. He could run all the old plays that Vince ran and he might actually be durable, hard-working and mature. I don't think it's a doomsday scenario. He could be Vince Young but without all of Vince's faults.

That said, I would much prefer a traditional pocket passer and I just can't imagine a scenario where the Titans actually take Newton. I certainly won't be spending a second worrying about it.

 

People need to drop this ideas that only "true pocket passing QB's" are the only quarterbacks that will succeed in the NFL. Has long as a quarterback has the talent, work ethic, and arm strength necessary then he can be successful as an NFL player. There have been a plethora of "true pocket passers" that have failed in the NFL; it is not a sign of a successful quarterback.

If Peyton Manning was super athletic and had the ability to tuck ball and run but still had his same work ethic and competitive fire then he would still be Peyton Manning; he would still be one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play.

Newton will succeed or fail as an NFL quarterback based on how hard he works in the film room and how well he listens to his coaches. Just because Newton can scramble out of the pocket does not give anyone any insight in to how his career will end up.

 

When we say "pocket quarterback," I think the main thing we're all talking about is the ability to stand back and read defenses. Go through progressions.

I don't think there's a single person on this board who wouldn't like a quarterback with good scrambling ability. No one wants a statue who's going to stand in the pocket, completely immobile.

The problem is that good scrambling ability is much less important than a quarterback who can look at a defense, rapidly process what he's seeing and then make the right decision. I'm not sure Newton has that ability.