BlueDragon

February 14th, 2011 at 10:09 PM ^

I'm interested to see what he does in the pros, but as a fan of college athletics this year was terrible for those of us who actually think the rules still mean something.  The only question left is, where do we go from here?  Will phenomenally talented atheletes simply re-write the rules as they see fit and prove their worth by incinerating all comers?  Or will oversigning and corruption finally strangle the institution of amateur intercollegiate athletics?  Time will tell.

uofmfan_13

February 14th, 2011 at 11:08 PM ^

Hopefully the NFL starts on-time next season as I want to see what this guy does in a Reebok jersey against some of the best athletes in the world.  He wasn't that impressive to me in the National Championship game but he was beyond ridiculous in the SEC Champ. win and in the comeback over Bama.  Can he carry an NFL franchise though?  Every game will be a big game there--not just two or three "get up for it" games in the SEC and an out of conference tilt against Clemson (that I believe Auburn almost lost).

Tater

February 14th, 2011 at 11:52 PM ^

The sports world is full of redemption stories.  It's full of stories about kids with rough backgrounds becoming solid, honest citizens.  It's also full of stories about people who had every chance in the world and blew it, spending more than they made in their short careers and ending up bankrupt and scraping by for a living.  

Newton's true character will reveal itself.  While I have a difficult time believing that he was "in the wrong place at the wrong time" and trouble just showed up at his doorstep, both at Florida and in his recruitment, there is a chance that he has grown up a bit.  

Either way, we should know about him in a few years.  I think I'll wait until then before formulating an opinion on whether or not he deserves his contract.  

The only thing I do know is that Newton made a boatload of money for Auburn and the NCAA, and the controversy over his recruitment may have them even more money.  I'm happy to see him see some profit from his efforts.  It's not like he got a piece of the original pie, but at least he was able to cash in on his noteriety.

 

Michigan4Life

February 15th, 2011 at 9:50 AM ^

he said that he would not touch Newton in the draft because of his character issues relating to off-field stuff that no one knows.  The one on the surface, like laptop robbery at Florida, Academic failing, his dad selling his son, are just the tip of iceberg.

 

However, there will be team taking chances on Newton because of his potential.  Wouldn't surprise me if the Bengals take him at #3 overall.  Mike Brown is very cheap and doesn't want to pay for a full scouting department staff.  The scouts don't get much information as the rest of the NFL so they take players that they think is a steal like Andre Smith, Carlos Dunlap, etc. but NFL teams stay away from them for a reason.

thisisme08

February 15th, 2011 at 9:49 AM ^

I dont think anyone is necessarily saying he shouldnt profit from his image as everyone has a right to a career just that the way everything has played out it is kind of ironic that he now gets the largest rookie endorsement contract ever and has yet to play a down thanks in part to his season and ultimately the plubicity that came with his controversey.