BTW, Nolan Nawrocki’s still got a job…really?

PFW's Nolan Nawrocki, 

should have been out of a job after  

foolishly ripping Cam Newton a year ago. 

After writing my post about Dallas Cowboys’ rookie cornerback morris Claiborne and how idiotic some people were in trying to paint him as ‘dumb’ because of the fact bthat he didn’t want to take the Wonderlic test, I was reminded of a similar incident that occurred before last year’s 2011 NFL Draft.

It was just over a year ago, when Pro Football weekly senior editor Nolan Nawrocki wrote one of the most hateful, biased, (racially-motivated) and idiotic draft analysis pieces that I or anyone has ever read.

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton made PFW  writer 

Nolan Nawrocki look like the idiot he is while destroying 

nearly every rookie NFL quarterback in league history.

Let’s go back and look at exactly what Nawrocki wrote about now, Carolina Panthers superstar signal-caller Cam Newton prior to the 2011 NFL Draft.

Newton is "Very disingenuous, has a fake smile, comes off as very scripted and has a selfish, me-first makeup. Always knows where the cameras are and plays to them. Has an enormous ego with a sense of entitlement that continually invites trouble and makes him believe he is above the law, does not command respect from teammates and will always struggle to win a locker room. Lacks accountability, focus and trustworthiness, is not punctual, seeks shortcuts and sets a bad example. Immature and has had issues with authority. Not dependable.” – Nolan Nawrocki

Wow!

Now that I have a more objective opportunity to look back on Nawrocki’s clearly, biased – and mostly crude – comments about the now proven Newton, I only have one question concerning the entire pre-draft incident.

How the hell does Nolan Nawrocki still have a job?

Sick and tired of the Wonderlic nonsense

Unnamed critics have taken shots at Dallas Cowboys 

first round draft pick Morris Claiborne for 

not taking the meaningless Wonderlic exam 

at this year's NFL Combine.

Every single year it  seems, at least one high NFL draft pick is now being subjected to a senseless, critic-fueled and definitely, media-inspired witch hunt surrounding some meaningless NFL combine Wonderlic test score or unconfirmed ‘report’ based mostly on personal preferences – and I for one – am sick and tired of it.

Whether it was Cam Newton getting idiotically slammed by Pro Football Weekly writer Alan Nawrocki or some unnamed critics taking late shots at RG3 just before this year’s NFL Draft, the nonsense has gotten to be a bit too much.

What’s even sadder is the fact that some folks will believe anything that is written in print.

The latest casualty of Wonderlic test fame is Morris Claiborne, the Dallas Cowboys first-round draft pick this year.

Now, no one, no where had ever (and I do mean ever) questioned Claiborne’s intelligence, whether it was at the Pop Warner level, high school or in college, but all of a sudden, some ‘unnamed’ critics want to try to paint Claiborne as a guy that is as dumb as a box of rocks – and it’s sickening if you ask me.

Claiborne dismissed the meaningless NFL IQ test during the NFL combine (good for him) and now, some people want to make that act seem like it’s a direct link to a lack of brain power – and I’m ashamed of some of my media brethren trying to capitalize on pure speculation.

I vehemently agree with the former LSU cornerback  when he recently said, "Nobody ever said I was dumb until this whole thing, sir," said Claiborne.

Morris Caiborne is not, nor has he ever been, considered of less intelligence than any other player and to even make the suggestion is just wrong, dead wrong.

While I don’t like the Dallas Cowboys one iota, never have and never will, I can undoubtedly say that I will be pulling for Morris Claiborne to have a fantastic rookie campaign this coming season.

Showin’ T.J. Some Love!

Yes, Houston Texans rookie quarterback T.J. Yates threw two costly interceptions, including one late in regulation that could have tied the score and possibly sent the AFC divisional matchup into overtime, but the fact of the matter is that Yates is clearly a gifted signal-caller – and arguably the steal of the 2011 NFL Draft. 

After leading the Texans to their first playoff win in franchise history in their AFC Wild card game – and keeping the Texans in the game until the very end against the far more experienced Ravens, I’ve got to say that Yates clearly has one of the brightest futures of any young quarterback in the league, including Cam Newton and Andy Dalton, though his situation will likely be a lot different if he stays behind starter Matt Schaub for the immediate future.

Cam’s Da Man!

I’ve got a question for NFL fans everywhere.

How many starting NFL quarterbacks are better than Carolina Panthers rookie signal-caller Cam Newton?

Really, think about how many other quarterbacks you’d take in the league right now over Newton.

Hmm, let me run down my list – though it’s probably much shorter than you think.

Let’s start with Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Ben Roethlisberger.

I know Eli Manning won a Super Bowl, but I wouldn’t take him over Newton right now and I don’t suspect many people will.

Okay, there’s Matt Ryan and uh …. uh … hmmm. Okay, I think that’s it for me.

I couldn’t get into a knock-down, drag-out fight with a guy that said he’d take Matt Schaub, Matthew Stafford, Phillip Rivers, Michael Vick, Joe Flacco, Sam Bradford and Jay Cutler, but I’ll take my chances with Newton over each and every other signal-caller on this short list of potential quarterbacks that are ‘better’ than the multi-faceted Newton right now.

The fact of the matter is that no other quarterback on the list besides Vick can even come close to Newton’s running ability (okay, and Tim Tebow) and incomparable athleticism.

As far as passing ability, Newton’s howitzer arm ranks with any quarterback’s in the league – even if his accuracy doesn’t just yet.

The fact of the matter is that – there aren’t many quarterbacks in the NFL that I’d rather have than Cam Newton right now – and that’s saying something considering the gifted youngster is still – just a rookie! 

Steve Smith Says Cam's the Man, Not Tebow!

It was well over a week ago when Carolina Panthers veteran wide receiver Steve Smith threw his hat into the national debate on Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow – and for once – one of Tebow’s critics got it right.

Smith threw a zinger at the Broncos’ unique signal-caller – by praising his own – one-of-a-kind quarterback, rookie, Cam Newton.

"If Tebow is standing next to me I would tell it to his face - come check me out in five years, Jack, and you'll know who's the best quarterback," Smith said. 

"Everybody wants to crown Tebow as a versatile quarterback," Smith said. "Versatile to me means you can throw the ball very accurately, run the ball and create things. The only he can create is running. He isn't very accurate."

Tebow’s recent play have puts Smith’s assessments right on the mark.

"You can't compare Cam to Tebow. I think Cam's a more complete player," Smith said. "Tebow has the wins. But everybody wants to crown Tebow. Yes, he has the will to win. I think Tebow is no different than any other professional (in that way). But Tebow has a great opportunity to play behind a great defense."

Okay Steve, now, tell us how you really feel!

The Best Rookie Ever?

Okay NFL fans – and fanatics – while there’s a national buzz surrounding every on and off-field move that controversial Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow makes these days – the hoopla surrounding Carolina Panthers prized rookie signal-caller has mostly died down – unless you’re a hard core fan that loves the game.

The fact of the matter is that while Tebow has been undergoing a ton of on-the-job training while leading the Broncos back to respectability, Newton apparently came into the league ready to play – and better than two-thirds of the starters already playing in the league.

As a matter of fact, I’m going on record right now to say that Newton is arguably the best rookie quarterback in the history of the NFL – and his statistics this season back up that claim wholeheartedly.

After debuting with a 422-yard passing day in his first career start, Newton now sits less than 200 yards away from breaking Peyton Manning’s mark for passing yards as a rookie (3,729).

For the umpteenth time, while I always envisioned Newton as an future NFL superstar after leading Auburn to the national title two years ago, I’ve still got just one question.

What idiot thought this guy wouldn’t be able to cut it in the NFL?