We have several need positions (as usual), but with the uncertainty at the quarterback position, you have to think that that particular position is high on the needs priority. Rex Grossman is NOT the answer. I'd be shocked if the team picked up McNabb's option (they probably will officially cut him loose after the CBA is ratified), and John Beck...let's not go there. So that leads to today's first draft profile: Cameron Newton, Auburn quarterback.
Obviously, the first thing that people think of nowadays with the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner is his checkered past at Florida, Mississippi State, and Auburn. Character issues are very important as far as I am concerned. However, all of the evidence points to him having no knowledge of his old man soliciting...eh hem...donations for Cam's services. The NCAA declared him eligible before he won the Heisman, and considering the hullabaloo with Reggie Bush having to give his back, I don't think the NCAA came to their conclusion lightly. Therefore, I am going to assume that by drafting Newton (should the Redskins decide to go that route) none of the questions surrounding his recruitment will come back in any way to sidetrack whatever plans the team might have for him going forward. I am going to focus solely on the football aspect of his drafting.
Obviously, Cam Newton the football player is dynamic...not too much unlike a certain Philadelphia Eagles quarterback who will go nameless...except Newton is right handed and this other QB is a lefty. The Redskins have been desperate for a playmaker at that position for years. This is why we made the move to get McNabb. That's what we thought we were getting the LAST time we drafted an Auburn quarterback coming off an undefeated season (Jason Campbell) in the first round. The last time we had a quarterback who could manufacture a big play when we really needed one was (gasp) Mark Brunell...and that isn't really saying much.
How does Cam Newton fit into this and why would he be the guy we want? Obviously, his abilities as a passer are superior. 30 touchdowns compared to 7 picks speak for themselves. He takes care of the football...although there was that one play in the "national championship" game where he apparently fumbled on a 3rd down play, Oregon scored, but he was ruled down. So as far as being a passer (which is what you have to look at first if you want to be in the NFL), he's got it down. Now for the negative. As a mobile quarterback, he's going to take a lot of hits. He did take 23 sacks this year...not quite 2 sacks a game. So he will get hit, which could be a liability. Just look at that other QB in Philly. One big crunch is all it takes. The biggest thing he will need to adapt to is life in the pocket. I think he can handle it. The passing statistics say so. On the other hand, the Shanahans will also have to adjust their game plans somewhat to compensate for Newton's strengths as a dual threat. This is where I really think we could have a some success.
When did Mike Shanahan have his biggest success? That would be two seasons when John Elway was his quarterback. OK, let's get it out now. Cam Newton is nowhere close to John Elway's league, nor am I in any way directly comparing Cam Newton to John Elway. However, Elway was able to make plays with his legs even in his old age (remember this?). Now the Redskins might have thought that they were getting that with Donovan McNabb, but even he himself admitted that in his later years in Philadelphia he emphasized being more of a pocket passer than a dual threat. Rex Grossman...never mind. Cam Newton brings to the table something on the way to that dynamic presence that John Elway used to command.
Now, he obviously has to prove himself. He has to stand in against an NFL pass rush. The Redskins offensive line is less than stellar as many of us know, but if Newton can use his elusiveness effectively, he can mask some of our deficiencies up front. (I was hoping we would have used this year's first round pick on a another bookend to complement Trent Williams...oh well). He can buy time for speed guys like Moss and Armstrong to get open downfield. He has the arm strength (as evidenced by this pass in the SEC title game). Now we have to see if he has the accuracy to hit those throws on a consistent basis. McNabb was not nearly as accurate throwing the deep ball as we would have liked to see (too of overthrows of open receivers). His performance at the combine will be key. He's going to have to make several throws he did not have to make in college simply because Auburn was too good and they could use pure talent alone to blow away the competition. I don't anticipate a lot of designed QB keepers in the playbook, but every now and then I could see Shanny pulling a fast one on a defense sending Newton on a designed draw up the middle just when the defense least expects it. The biggest way we can use his mobility to our advantage is in the bootleg game...run-pass option rollouts...something I wish we would have done more with McNabb. That would have put the QB in space rolling away from the pass rush, but I'm not the coach.........(Worked well for that other QB...didn't it?)
I think Cam Newton will be an asset to the team, but he will not be ready right away. He definitely needs some polishing so that his game can adjust to the NFL game. This might mean suffering through another season of Grossman (Beck?) before Newton is ready for the big show. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of solidifying the offensive line. Nobody is going to succeed at quarterback regardless of skill set if they are constantly looking up at the likes of Osi Umenyoira, Demarcus Ware, or Julius Peppers in the backfield. Other than Trent Williams, we have a group of interchangable parts up front that to call them a liability is an understatement. When I do my next draft profile, we'll take a look at one of those offensive linemen who could be a bookend mainstay for years to come.
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