Michael Vick had 1800 yards passing, 600 yards rushing, and 20 total TDs in his best college season (10 games). Cam Newton this year has 2600 yards passing, 1400 yards rushing, and 48 TDs (13 games). Vick was electric in college, but he didn't put up the stats or win a title.
Stats might not of been there but Vick in my opinion was a much more dynamic and electric player in college. It will be interesting to see how Newton translates into the NFL. Personally I don't think he will do that well. His speed will not translate near as well and I think his passing will be exposed. But oh well. It will be interesting to see how he pans out.
Young and Newton might have about the same straight ahead speed. Young has more nimble feet and wiggle, probably better "football speed". Working against Cam Newton is Vince Young has the more special moments, the folklore and the more historical school. Saying Vince Young had just 1 dominant year is not quite accurate. Despite the stats, you could argue Young was equally or MORE dominant for the '04 team than the more talented '05 team. Its fair to say 1.5 years dominance, which is more than Newton. I was at the Rose Bowl Game before "The Rose Bowl Game". Not against USC but the year before against Michigan. <object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9bg2o3v33Wk?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9bg2o3v33Wk?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> Everyone in the stadium knows its Vince Young you have to stop. Yince Young took no one by surprise, and still left you surprised. That same game had at LEAST 8 future pros at the offensive skill positions, so its not like I don't recognize everyone else just to boost up one player. But maybe Newton is more dominant to where it doesnt require the heroics.
I know A&M wasn't very good in 03, but when Benson and Young got on a roll together starting that game in 03, they were an absolute force in 04.
I think Young was the better college player, but Newton is a much better passer at this stage. Newton has much better mechanics than Young.
Now, I am not a VY fan after his antics in Tennessee, but he was probably the most dominant QB I've seen play college football. I mean, the guy had one of the best college defenses in the last two decades zero in completely on stopping him in the Rose Bowl, and he totally lit them up. He was unstoppable. Cam Newton is great, but I don't think he's VY caliber. Sadly, VY's abilities in college has screwed him in the NFL, as he just doesn't get that you have to actually study to be a good NFL qb.
VY wrecked some really good defenses (like Ohio State), but USC wasn't one of them. Their 2004 defense was incredible and might be what you're remembering. But in 2005, the defense was the weakness of that team - it was what anyone who thought UT was going to win pointed to when making the argument. They weren't bad, but weren't particularly great either. They gave up 40+ points to Fresno State, for example; and gave up 20+ many other times. USC 2004: http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/schedule/_/id/30/year/2004/usc-trojans USC 2005: http://espn.go.com/college-football/team/schedule/_/id/30/year/2005/usc-trojans USC 2004 held 6 opponents to 10 points or less. USC 2005 did it once.
Using adjusted defensive stats, USC 2005 was 7th in the country that year (Ohio state was #1, Texas #11)
Cam Newton has no future in the NFL. There I said it, now go out and spread it. No, this not a overreaction to an already over-hyped hybrid quarterback. To me, Newton is one more quarterback in a long series of dual-threat gunslingers. Here's the reality on Newton, although he may dominate college football and the best conference in all of college, Newton has neither the passing skills nor the speed to become effective in the NFL. He is similar in terms of ability to Vince Young but stronger and more accurate as a passer. However his football speed will not equate well at the pro level where everyone on defense is just as if not faster than him. His passing is good enough to win the SEC but he relies too much on his legs to make play and often pickup the first down. The biggest knock on Newton, is his inability to stick in the pocket and read a defense through his progressions. Too often he makes one or two reads and if his primary is not open then he scrambles or runs straight ahead. That strategy won't work in the NFL and never has to begin with. So you can quote me on this in 4 years when Cam is another bust along the lines of Young, Russell, and Co.
Exactly, so do you spend a high draft pick on a guy like Newton and wait 4-6 years for them to be a decent/good starter? Or go for a guy like Flacco or Ryan who can step in right away and have an immediate impact in by their second or third yea
