Cam Newton vs. Tim Tebow

[TZ]

It seems to me like these guys have some similar skill sets, yet all I hear is how great Cam Newton is while those same experts are very doubtful of Tebow's ability to succeed. I'm not a fan of either QB, but I don't get the amazement that someone would "waste a first round pick" on Tebow but Cam Newton deserved to be not only in the first round but the top pick.
I'm clearly missing something. What? :shrug:

[JonLP24]

1. His passing mechanics far superior to Tebow entering the league

Tebow came in with a wind-up where he starts from the waist. Newton has a quicker release.

I agree there are similarities but Newton was a much bigger game changer than Tebow and Tebow was a very good one in college. Newton is clearly a better passer based on their last year(s) in college.

[El Supremo]

2. Tim is supposed to be a great leader.

But he'll be leading from the bench this year.

[Yavin4]

3. Both Will Be Career Backups

at best.

[Upton]

4. Personally, I'd rather have Tebow..

yeah, Newton is quicker and maybe a better passer, but character has to count for something....and in that area, it's not even close.

[KamaAina]

12. Indeed it is not.

Whatever else Newton may be, at least he isn't a sanctimonious, vomit-inducing fundie. :P

[Auggie]

5. Didn't Tebow put a lot of time into learning pro-style

QB play just before last years' draft? He knew he had to prove to scouts he was capable of changing playing styles and I think did an admirable job of it. Don't want to beat a dead horse here, but the great equalizer is time. I'm not expecting Tebow to earn the starting the job this year either, but I will in 2012. Same goes for Newton in 2013.

[ProfessorGAC]

13. I Remember The Opposite

Yes, he put a lot of time in working on shortening his motion and quickening his release. But, i don't think they were all that impressed at the pro day.

And, i only saw him once with the Broncos, but his throwing motion still looks like it could be timed with a calendar. It might be better, but it's still not an NFL throwing motion.

And, i recently heard Jaworski mention that the Broncos were desperately needing a QB because the future of the franchise was NOT on the roster. (Pretty sure it was on Mike and Mike on the way to work.)

GAC

[joeybee12]

6. I think Cam has serious maturity issues, while Timmeh, a Major "D"

still is much more focused...can't see Timmeh as a starter, but I can't even see Cam as a decent back-up.

[Awsi Dooger]

7. Fairly basic

The bigger and much taller and more elusive guy also has the higher and more natural release point and throwing motion, with more variety of throws in his arsenal

[trumad]

8. Exactly...

[a kennedy]

9. I always like looking at the wonderlic scores.....

1. Ryan Fitzpatrick, Buffalo (48): Claimed starting job in Week 4 and finished with respectable 23 TD, 15 INT and 81.8 rating.

2. Alex Smith, San Francisco (40): Lost and reclaimed starting job, finished with 14 TD and 10 INT, but likely won’t return to San Fran.

3. Eli Manning, New York Giants (39): 2007 Super Bowl winner threw 31 TD, 25 INT last year as team missed playoffs.

4. Matt Stafford, Detroit (38): Injured in the third game of the season.

5. Tony Romo, Dallas (37): Threw 11 TD and 7 INT before being injured in sixth game of season.

6. Sam Bradford, St. Louis (36): Named AP Offensive Rookie of the Year after throwing 18 TD, 15 INT and leading Rams to 6-game improvement.

7. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay (35): Won Super Bowl and had an MVP-type season with 101.2 passer rating.

7. Matt Leinart, Arizona (35): Cut after training camp and signed with Houston as a backup.

9. Tom Brady, New England (33): Three-time Super Bowl winner was named 2010 MVP and led Patriots to a 14-2 record

10. Matt Ryan, Atlanta (32): Led Falcons to a division title for the second time in his three years.

11. Matt Schaub, Houston, (31): Cemented himself as one of the game’s top passers with 4,320 yards, 24 TD, 12 INT.

12. Philip Rivers, San Diego (30): Threw for a career high 4,710 yards with 30 TD and 13 INT.

13. Matt Hasselbeck, Seattle (29): Posted a 73.2 rating, his lowest for a full season since 2001.

14. Mark Sanchez, New York Jets (28): Threw 17 TD, 13 INT and led Jets to AFC Championship Game.

14. Peyton Manning, Indianapolis (28): Threw for career high 4,700 yards with 33 TD and 17 INT.

14. Drew Brees, New Orleans (28): 2010 Super Bowl winner threw for 4,620 yards with 33 TD and 22 INT.

http://blogs.palmbeachpost.com/thedailydolphin/2011/03/02/forget-the-40-bench-press-or-vertical-jump-wonderlic-test-scores-get-most-attention-at-nfl-combine/

[fishwax]

10. looks like success (and lack of it) is distributed across that range

[a kennedy]

11. The speech analysts at Achievement Metrics reveal whether the No. 1 pick is in the "quadrant of doom

These charts are very interesting too....

On the day before the NFL draft, I wrote about a company called Achievement Metrics that analyzes the speech of college football players to predict how they will perform in the NFL. The basic premise is that future backup quarterbacks talk like backups, and future starters talk like starters. Many of you were intrigued but wanted Achievement Metrics to put all of its cards on the table. The big question: Who do the company's analysts believe will be the stars and busts of the 2011 draft? Did the Carolina Panthers make the right call by picking Cam Newton?

Achievement Metrics' Steven Hofmann has answered your call. The chart below plots quarterbacks based on their positive power score and in-group affiliation score. Positive power is the belief in one's ability to influence events and outcomes: "I refuse to consider that" or "I promise that it won't happen again." In-group affiliation is judged based on the use of expressions that suggest team spirit: "We did a great job today" or "Our linebackers were amazing." This updated version includes the top 2011 quarterbacks as well as Tim Tebow and Sam Bradford, the two QBs chosen in the first round in 2010.

http://www.slate.com/id/2292636/pagenum/all/#p2