By Keith Glock
CONJSports.com Founder
@conjsports
Playing quarterback in the NFL is a job. There are basic, common sense rules about how people get jobs.
Let’s examine some of normal life’s simple premises before revealing which “superstar” NFL quarterback needs to not only be benched, but that his team should trade him – IMMEDIATELY.
This QB’s Week 2 performance confirmed something that the masses should no longer ignore: he’s just not qualified enough to be a considered elite in his profession.
Life Premise:
It seems basic: when applying for a job in any profession, there are minimum requirements that a human has to have to be in consideration for the gig. Meet those minimum requirements, and you’re likely at least in the conversation to get hired.
From there, it’s often “what else does this person bring to the table?” The person with the best set of ancillary skills often gets the nod.
NFL Application of the premise:
In the NFL, to be qualified to play quarterback, you must be able to throw the ball. That is a literal statement. You have to be physically able to throw it with enough velocity and at such a distance that some of the fastest humans on earth wearing the other team’s jersey can’t get to it before your guy can.
But, and especially in the day and age in which we exist where teams pass more often than ever, you also have to be able to throw it accurately.
Life Premise:
As people progress in their careers, sometimes they get stagnant and lazy, and their production diminishes. Sometimes their skills erode and they become less effective. Often times if either of those things happen, the person loses their job.
NFL Application:
If your arm strength diminishes, and your accuracy is scattershot, you’re probably not going to be good at your job of quarterbacking one of the league’s 32 teams.
Conclusion:
The Carolina Panthers 20-14 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on national television Thursday night proved one thing:
Cam Newton should be fired.
No, seriously. The team should attempt to trade him right now before any value that he has erodes to the likes of a late-round draft pick.
Other scary but true facts: Cam Newton is not as good as either Joe Flacco or Andy Dalton.
The numbers prove it, promise.
Where Are You Getting This From?
When the Panthers drafted Newton No. 1 overall in 2011, he checked the basic qualification boxes:
- Can throw it a North Carolina country mile
- He was accurate enough (coaches always think they can make a player improve.)
But it was the other things he brought to the table which got Newton the job (AKA the #1 overall pick in the draft): he is humungous and was fast and used to be able to throw the ball 1,498 mph. He’s 6-foot-5 and ran the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine in 4.59 seconds after he won the national title for Auburn in 2011.
But – and this is a HUGE but – Cam has never gotten accurate. He was inaccurate by NFL standards the day he walked in the door, and save 10 games in the 2015 season which won him the league MVP, he’s never been accurate.
He has completed 59.6% of his passes in his NFL career. This season Newton has completed only 56% of his passes through two weeks (50-for-89). For reference, in 2018, only three players completed less than 60% of their throws, and all of them were rookies: Sam Darnold, Josh Allen, Josh Rosen.
Those other skills (arm strength and running ability) that made him such a formidable foe for opposing coaches and defenses to handle are gone. GONE.
He’s had two surgeries on his throwing shoulder since 2017, and the velocity on his throws looks more like a high school QB than a pro. And, after taking a beating over the first eight years of his career which has included at least two major concussions, he either won’t or can’t run anymore.
Through two games, Newton has attempted only five runs and gained -2 yards.
Cam’s MVP Year: 2015
Through the first six games of that season:
101-for-181 – 1,275 yards
9 TD 7 INT
Comp %: 55.8%
Avg Yds/Gm: 212.5
Rtg: 78.395
Final 10 Games of that regular season:
195-for-314 – 2,562 yards
26 TD 3 INT
Comp %: 62.1
Yds/Gm: 256.2
Rating: 111.45
And yes, Cam Newton, when you take his running ability away is legitimately no better than either Joe Flacco or Andy Dalton. And yes again, the numbers prove it:
Sooooooo…..what is it you’re telling me Newton actually brings to the table besides a resume that includes an MVP award which came from a season where he didn’t even play well for half the year??
The Panthers surely won’t do what they actually should: Get rid of Cam. Now.
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