The curious case of Cam Newton

And with the #1 pick the Carolina Panthers select… The remaining part to that previous sentence is confusing and well… a relative unknown. No matter what Todd McShay and Mel Kiper bicker and debate about, no one player is a consensus top pick. Though the best overall players are arguably Patrick Peterson and Cam Newton, they haven’t solidified their stance at the top of the draft mountain. Both are supreme athletes, from elite programs, with upsides that can’t be measured. This is when intangibles come in . Unfortunately for one of these players those intangibles are attributed from inside and from other sources.
Even though Auburn earned the championship trophy, solely because of Newton; his leadership, commitment, drive, personality, past experiences, decision making, integrity, family, impact have been heavily criticized from the editor of Pro Football Weekly and college football enthusiasts. These premature opinions are reminiscent to former #1 pick, big man on campus, fellow NCAA champion Jamarcus Russell.

Fresh off a successful season with LSU, Russell was tabbed to be the consensus top picks in the draft, but had the same alleged issues as Newton. Plus a history of NOT having a hard work ethic (Cam is the opposite). The 6’6 Russell carried a huge body that was legit for the NFL, perfect combination of mobility and pocket passing ability, and arguably the strongest arm in the history of the league. Impressive workouts at the NFL combine and a reported ability to throw the ball 60 yards, while kneeled, cemented Russell as the #1 pick and the face and the leader of Raider nation for the upcoming years.

Saying Russell didn’t take complete control of the reins of his career is an understatement. H e barely showed up to the racetrack.

Run ins with teammates, inability to lose weight, lack of desire to progress, and legal issues (most notably having a prescription drug without proof of prescription) caused the once messiah to Raider nation to be cut.

Anything can be the main contributor to the dismal train wreck that is called “Jamarcus Russell’s career.” Maybe it was his family upbringing. Maybe he was so dominant at football it soon grew old to him and he lost any type of desire to be successful. Maybe he couldn’t fully harness his god-given gifts. Maybe he just wasn’t a good enough player for the NFL. Maybe it was the lucrative multimillion dollar contract. Maybe it was the fact that the contract WAS GUARANTEED. Maybe all that pressure placed on his shoulders was too heavy. Maybe he didn’t receive a specific type of support needed or the support he received wasn’t enough. Maybe the environment didn’t fit his personality, or maybe he just didn’t chuck it up and perform to the best of ability.

Whatever the case maybe, Jamarcus is a 25 year old FORMER NFL player that has legal and personal issues that haven’t only affected him but also will be burdens to other African-American quarterbacks that are possible first round draft picks.

The reputation of Jamarcus Russell is what burdens Cam Newton. The Great Wall of Russell is what needs to be conquered by Newton. The bad taste that Russell left on all the minds of GMs and coach’s is what needs to be cleaned up and taken care of by the 2011 Heisman Trophy winner. This is the real reason critics have been extremely harsh on Cam Newton. Its not his supposed, “fake smile” or alleged “lack of leadership.” It’s the 25 pieces of raggedy, ripped; unroll able cheap K-Mart baggage Russell has left for future African-American quarterbacks to carry.

Newton is a great talent, with a tremendous upside. Fortunately for him, he will soon receive enough money to support him and his family. Unfortunately for him, he has to prove to the football universe, past, present, and future Black quarterbacks deserve these large sums of money.