Not to be facetious, OTG, but how do you think this would affect the Patriots' draft?
Fair question, sir.
My answer ~ a characteristically radical one, I should preface ~ is that I'm going to go on the record and say:
Cam Newton's Draft Stock is going to go into Free Fall.
It appears even more likely than it did a few days ago that he and his Dad blatantly and brazenly solicited bids for his services. While I, as a Yankee,
applaud his Capitalism, such behavior, is, of course, a
rank violation of NCAA rules, one that I believe will blow him clean
off many team's boards, and send him
tumbling on the rest, particularly in light of his previous scandal at Florida, two years ago.
I believe he might get
suspended, before the year is out, though that's unlikely to happens so
soon.
Even if he does not, it seems very likely, so this scandal is probably going to force him to declare, though word was that he was leaning that way, any way.
Above all: He is an exceptionally
raw recruit, operating only the very most
basic of Offenses at Auburn: It's an Option offense, one that essentially always calls for him to take just one read ~ possibly two ~ and then run it. Great stuff, but not at all developing him as an NFL level Passer. More to the point, it a matter of open debate, whether or not QB is the best position for him at the NFL level. And those who have argued that it is, have done so with a strong recommendation that he stay in school for another year, to develop his skills, there.
That option is now virtually obviated.
But as a Tight End...he could be ~ with some coaching and some time ~ a NIGHTMARE.
And the Formation options we might have, with
Rob Gronkowski and
Alge Crumpler ~ or
Lee Smith of Marshall ~ at
Offensive End and
Aaron Hernandez and
Cam Newton as
WingBack...would be
ASTONISHING.
