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Chizik rips Cam Newton draft critics


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Any one else love when CGC gets fired up?

Gene Chizik rips Cam Newton draft critics

AUBURN, Ala. -- As the detailed NFL draft evisceration of Cam Newton continues, Gene Chizik wants to get a few things straight.

Yes, the Heisman winner ignored a play call to take a knee late in the championship game against Oregon. Instead, Newton tried to sneak the ball from inside the Oregon 1 with 10 seconds left in Auburn's 22-19 victory.

The Tigers' victory formation on the play confirms Newton was supposed to take a knee. So what? Chizik says that's not an indicator that his Heisman-winning quarterback can't take orders or is some kind of renegade.

"Cam is one of those competitive guys," the coach said recently. "He wanted to score. NFL stuff, I'll make this really clear: Somebody's going to take him really high and have a great player. Don't let that other stuff in between fool you."

The latest analysis deals with the same tired, old contention that a spread quarterback doesn't translate to the NFL because he hasn't played under center. First, that's hypocritical. If that's the case, then why are NFL draft experts rating Newton and Missouri's Blaine Gabbert 1-2 (in some order) among quarterbacks? One or the other could be the first player taken.

"I've heard different people talk about the quarterback in this spread system," Chizik said. "I would just like somebody to define to me what they consider to be a spread. What I hear are a lot people talking out of both sides of their mouths that aren't really sure what a spread is.

"Is a spread based on five wideouts, four wideouts? Is it a spread based on tempo of the offense? Our offense, it's a power, counter, inside zone, two-back, play-action team. If that's what we're considering a spread, more power to them. He [Newton] had the exact same reads in our offense that he will in the NFL."

http://www.cbssports.com/mcc/blogs/entry/6270202/28650647a

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Dude, those four minutes on November 9 were incredible. I love it. Every recruit needs to see that. If you do what is asked of you on and off the field, we will support and defend you.

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Makes me think he's either speaking to some current or preemptive negative recruiting. I was wondering about the perception out there and how it relates to QB recruiting. Most things I've seen on Cam and the draft imply Malzahn's offense is too simple and nothing like the NFL.

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doesn't translate to the NFL because he hasn't played under center.

Two words..... Peyton Manning

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Makes me think he's either speaking to some current or preemptive negative recruiting. I was wondering about the perception out there and how it relates to QB recruiting. Most things I've seen on Cam and the draft imply Malzahn's offense is too simple and nothing like the NFL.

Ya, the thing they seem to be making a big deal about with the NFL atm is the terminology. Least that was the focus yesterday. Kinda made Cam look bad with Gruden cause he couldn't come up with a long play call name to rattle off. Some Zero-five-radar-niner-triangle-89-Zfly-takeoff type call. Cam said under Gus we don't have anything like that in the terminology.

They then went on to talk about Heath Shuler could never get the terminology right and the problems that it caused in the huddle and during audibles.

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It is a concern. If you plan on making him your Day One starter, it's a huge red flag. If you plan on playing him some time in the first year, it's a minor concern. If you plan on putting him on the shelf for a year ala Aaron Rodgers, it's a none issue. It will take him some time to learn the terminology, and his footwork is going to be an ongoing process. Cam may be a lot of things, but he's not stupid. He can pick up the terminology.

For the record, I didn't think Gruden was trying to make him look bad. I thought he was asking a legit question then pushing it to prove his point. I don't think he was trying to harm Cam. I think he was trying to drive home his point, which will help Cam if he takes it the right way. Gruden is a benevolent force... listen to him in the both, he's never seen a QB he disliked. Heck, every QB he's ever seen is a guy he'd want to coach.

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It is a concern. If you plan on making him your Day One starter, it's a huge red flag. If you plan on playing him some time in the first year, it's a minor concern. If you plan on putting him on the shelf for a year ala Aaron Rodgers, it's a none issue. It will take him some time to learn the terminology, and his footwork is going to be an ongoing process. Cam may be a lot of things, but he's not stupid. He can pick up the terminology.

For the record, I didn't think Gruden was trying to make him look bad. I thought he was asking a legit question then pushing it to prove his point. I don't think he was trying to harm Cam. I think he was trying to drive home his point, which will help Cam if he takes it the right way. Gruden is a benevolent force... listen to him in the both, he's never seen a QB he disliked. Heck, every QB he's ever seen is a guy he'd want to coach.

I don't think Gruden was doing that either, b/c didn't Gruden say Cam was at the top of his draft board and was the best player out there? Gruden doesn't come across as one who would say good things about a player then turn around and try to make him look bad.

Cam is going to be a star in the NFL, I don't know if it will be this year, b/c of that learning curve of learning the terminology, but he has all the physical skills to compete right away. Cam does seem smart enough to pick up on the terminology quickly. Heck, Tebow was considered one of the smartest QBs last year coming into the draft and I think it safe to say he had a learning curve the first few games he played.

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