Kurt Warner On Cam Newton: 'I Don't Think He's A Franchise Quarterback'

Former NFL star Kurt Warner isn't convinced that Auburn's Cam Newton was the right pick for the Carolina Panthers at No. 1.

The NFL Network analyst raised doubts about Newton being an effective professional quarterback on Thursday night.

“I think he’s the most dynamic player in this draft, but as far as being the most effective pro, I don’t think so. I don’t see it,” Warner said. “I think he has too much work to do. Maybe it’s the pick they had to make, but I don’t know if it was the right pick for the Panthers.”

When asked if Newton is a franchise quarterback, Warner talked about how the national champion does not play in the pocket.

"I don’t think he’s a franchise quarterback, definitely not at this time,” Warner said. “It has yet to be seen whether he will get there, but I think it will be very, very difficult.”

(Click HERE to see the 2011 NFL Draft picks from the first round)

Comments

[Leonard Watts]

11:36 AM on 05/02/2011

If another franshise QB (Elway, Marino, Bradshaw) made that statement then I would pay it some attention. How many teams did Kurt play for????

[hazbro24]

12:50 PM on 05/02/2011

And how many teams did those guys take to the super bowl? One. Kurt, two.

[Leonard Watts]

01:02 PM on 05/02/2011

You're proving my point that no ONE organization thought he was a franchise QB....you must be a TEA Party guy

[slb83]

09:18 AM on 05/02/2011

Why would anyone suggest that athletic ability has nothing to do with the quarterback position in this day and age, when you have 280 plus pound rock solid DTs running 4.5? Yes being able to be a pocket passer is important, but once that DT breaks that line, do you just stand there and ask for a short NFL career? Being able to scan the field, scramble, pass outside of the pocket, or rush if necessary is a minus? A quarterback that lacks ingenuity is somehow better and smarter because they can score well on a pseudoscience exam that doesn't really measure what it claims to measure. Or, they have this alpha male characteristic about them that makes them better leaders and they look good in workouts. I'm think every quarterback drafted needs time to develop, but I'm sure Cam Newton has several legs up on a Christian Ponder whose resume seems to be getting padded on a daily basis and wasn't the best QB in the ACC. Don't try to say what he would have done had he not been injured. You can't evaluate someone based on what they could have or would have done. Moreover, it says a lot about a quarterback, whose able to make it through 4 years of college with minimal injuries. The process of evaluating a quarterback has been proven to be far from objective, and resembles metrics used to evaluate the Tuskegee Airmen when it comes to labeling those "athletic" ones.

[dodgerblue101]

01:04 PM on 05/02/2011

hahaha i really dont see how your argument has to do with his statement....no where did he knock his athletic ability just the fact the everyone knows, Cam needs to vastly improve in the pocket to become an elite quarterback but i guess you missed that while typing a statement that is longer than the article.

[butchcliff]

07:02 AM on 05/02/2011

Looks like Panthers are going to start him right away
He might not be able to handle that kind of pressure & jump

[Vinkaye]

10:59 AM on 05/02/2011

And that is ultimately the real problem with him being the number 1 draft pick. It's not that he doesn't have the natural athletic ability to develop... he most certainly does. The problem is being drafted first means he isn't going to be given the time to develop. Cam Newton was drafted to sell tickets, and to lend excitement to a fan base that was discouraged! Von Miller & Marcell Dareus were the two best players in the draft, the two who will have the most impact in their rookie seasons. However, a solid defensive player doesn't create enough buzz.. so the Panthers took Newton. Now the fan base won't sit back and watch the team struggle while Newton is on the bench... and they won't want to see Clausen possibly succeed.. they are going to yell for Newton from the first snap.

[butchcliff]

06:02 AM on 05/03/2011

Their Oline better protect him....He could go down right away
Pro's hit so much harder. It'll certainly be a major wake-up call for the
young man....wish him luck

[John Wade]

06:40 AM on 05/02/2011

Kurt Warner wasn't a franchise quarterback either, unless he was surrounded by elite talent. He was great in St.Louis and Arizona, where he was surrounded by elite talent. He wasn't worth a damn in New York, where there wasn't much talent.

[hazbro24]

12:51 PM on 05/02/2011

Arizona was so elite they became on of the worst teams in the league the day after he retired.

[Oniweeki]

06:21 AM on 05/02/2011

Michael Vick wasn't a franchise QB at first either but I think he's gettin there.

[Vinkaye]

11:03 AM on 05/02/2011

Yes but that is exactly the point... it's been a long and difficult road for Vick to get there. By the time he got there, he wasn't in a Falcon's uniform anymore. I'm not for a moment saying the Newton will follow Vick's path, with off the field detours, I'm only saying that it took age, and a great deal of perspective for Vick to dedicate himself to becoming a successful passing QB in the NFL. Will Newton be able to arrive at the destination sooner, and more directly, only time will tell.

[griggsville]

12:26 AM on 05/02/2011

The NFL is run by a bunch of wealthy, conservative white guys with a plantation mentality. Newton terrifies them, because if he succeeds, then there goes the notion of the White Male Gunslinger, Field General, John Wayne in cleats, standing tall in the pocket, heroically directing the troops down the field, winning games almost by himself, armed with his superior intellect, quick thinking, bravery, self-discipline, and other "intangibles" that black QB never seem to have. The league is predominantly black. The only positions dominated by white men are QB and kickers. The league will not allow blacks to take over the position of Quarterback.

[eastdem]

12:43 AM on 05/02/2011

Right.

That why Vick best year was a shadow to Brady. Much less career wise.

The fact is the only prejudice one's is people like you. Supporting people only because of race.

I am sure you support Tim Teabow like you Vic. He is white but just as athletic(according to NFL combine numbers), a better college player, and more intelligent(according to GPA and wonderlick). I sure not one crocodile tear has been shed by you for doubting Teabow. Let me guess why?

Brady earned being the best QB, and you going to have to deal with it or keep making prejudice conspiracy theories. I am sure you take the typical racist America view of heavyweight boxing and cry rivers of tears that is is being dominated by two Ukrainian brothers.

[griggsville]

07:13 AM on 05/07/2011

I love it when white folks accuse black people of racism, because surely that's the only form of racism in the world today, right? Whenever a biased white person is confronted by the prospect of racism, they either deny it, or resort to the old "I know you are, but what am I" position.

There are so many assumptions and implications in your response that it's hard for me to reply without using profanity. How to you know why I support Vick? Conspiracy theories? Tebow (correct spelling) and intelligence? Why does a white QB need my support? Are white quarterbacks underrepresented?

As far as Brady being the best QB, that's your opinion, as is the notion that TEBOW was a better college player. But your selective memory of race relations in America gives you away. I am old enough to remember when blacks were forbidden to play the position because of assumptions about their "intelligence," and I listen to code speak all the time about "decision-making," "leadership," and "poise," every time someone tries to explain why a given black QB struggles. The NFL is 80% African American, yet the majority of players at the most important position on the field are still Caucasian. Why, besides the aforementioned "more intelligent" notion?

As for the straw man argument about Ukrainians, that's your hangup. I won't be bated into arguing a false analogy.

[robXdion]

03:08 AM on 05/02/2011

Exactly. They're quick to dam this young man for things created in their imagination because their egos need to believe he's not capable. On other sports blogs, a lot of people are resentful the Panthers won't just develop Jimmy Clausen and bench Newton. Unbelievable considered how poorly Clausen played last year. But what you're describing is the driving motivation behind these warped views. But they'll deny it. Now expect more articles reflecting this or hinting at it all summer long up until August pre-season games. And even if Newton performs well they'll try to attribute it to other players until he wins 3 - 5 games against tough opponents while throwing for respectable numbers.

[griggsville]

12:06 AM on 05/02/2011

It all comes down to how one defines a "franchise quarterback," and said QB being placed in a system wherein he can flourish. In my opinion, there are only five such men in the League: Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Mike Vick, Philip Rivers, and Drew Brees.

What did Warner do in NY? Would Brady have been as good if he had been picked by Cleveland? Steve Young did nothing in Tampa, then became a HOF player when traded to San Fran (where he threw the ball to Jerry Rice).

Newton can be as good as he wants to be. He has more tangible ability than anyone who has ever played the position, sort of a cross between Big Ben and Randall Cunningham. Similar comments were made about Michael Vick, another "unconventional" QB, then he gets traded to Philly...

I have noticed that when it comes to black QBs, people seem to be extra critical. There are the insinuations that they aren't smart enough, make poor decisions, can't read defenses, or lack the work ethic or self discipline to succeed at the position. This lines up directly with how many whites feel about black men in general: we can run fast, jump high, but anything that requires intelligence and/or hard work, we are incapable of mastering. And when someone does do it, he's an anomaly (Warren Moon) a product of the "system" (Doug Williams), or an overrated affirmative action baby (Donovan McNabb).

[eastdem]

12:48 AM on 05/02/2011

"Similar comments were made about Michael Vick, another "unconvent­ional" QB, then he gets traded to Philly..."

Still nothing but a shadow to Brady. And i am only talking about last year, let not start questions about comparing carerrs. Cause Vick is lacking compared to Brady.

I noticed card play bigots always seem to try so pathetically to downplay great white QB's. (Young, Brady, BIg Ben, etc) Why so jealous and so prejudice? Sad they actually won something and they look like "white devils"?

[Faraja]

09:35 PM on 05/01/2011

I agree! Cam Newton will be like Jamarcus Russell.

[griggsville]

12:08 AM on 05/02/2011

The only thing they have in common is race.

[eastdem]

12:49 AM on 05/02/2011

No. They both only had one really good year in college.
But keep pretending.

[eastdem]

01:06 AM on 05/02/2011

and both are big and tall.

[robXdion]

02:51 PM on 05/01/2011

Seems like a bit of jealousy considering how Warner was ignored when he first came into the league. Newton will be walking right into a starting position and given an opportunity Warner had to bleed and pray for. That can't sit well with him when he had to pay his dues and then some. He should be happy for the guy and wish him the best instead of trying to rain on the parade. If Newton could adapt from a JC and take over Auburn's program leading them to a National Championship, it's pretty feasible he won't be intimidated or ineffectual in the Panthers lineup against the NFC South.

[Craigipedia]

04:15 PM on 05/01/2011

ah yes a future HOF quarterback who needed to spend several years working on his mechanics, motion, and football IQ is "jealous" because he's pointing out that a #1 overall pick should not have the same holes in his game that an out-of-nowhere-journeyman-turned-star had at that age

I'm sure he does wish him the best, none of the retired guys wish ill on the new kids (the current players want you to fail, because your failure is their survival). But he doesn't think a team should drop $60 million on a kid who cannot read a defense and who has never been asked to do so

[robXdion]

07:47 PM on 05/01/2011

If you read my comment carefully and comprehended the history of how Warner became that HOF hopeful you would've understood he nearly didn't have that chance. The underlying point is just because Warner couldn't do it at that age doesn't mean someone else at that same age can't either. In college, Warner wasn't anywhere near the caliber of player as Newton. So I don't know where this "football IQ" and mechanics argument is coming from unless some are implicating Newton is just stupid, which is loaded in of itself. Newton's talents are quantum leaps beyond Warner at that same age. He won national championships in Junior College and at the Division I level. So yeah, may be Warner is jealous. Cause his argument is certainly not based in anything resembling sound reasoning of Newtons' skills and abilities. If Newton was as bad as Warner thinks, then we'd be talking about Newton being cut as a undrafted free agent and bagging groceries. Newton hasn't even taken a practice snap or studied playbooks for the Panthers and Warner is already hating?

[mesaboy]

01:56 PM on 05/01/2011

Geez, Kurt....give this guy a chance! But then there were some that didn't give you much of a chance on Dancing With The Stars.....and THEY were right!

[gmartin997]

05:06 AM on 05/01/2011

Cam, like Tim, will prove to be overrated. John Elway said grooming Tebow into an NFL quarterback will take time, and Kurt's appraisal of Cam is probably right on. It's rare for a Heisman Trophy winning quarterback to excel in the NFL. Running backs can pick up where they left off in college, but quarterbacks must adjust to the new systems. Besides, all Cam's dad is concerned with is getting his cut of Cam's signing bonus. He's worked so hard for it.

[griggsville]

12:09 AM on 05/02/2011

Sounds like you want him to fail. Your comments remind me of Limbaugh and Trump talking about the POTUS.

[jflorish]

02:22 AM on 05/01/2011

Scam Newton will never be that good in the NFL. He has average career written all over him. As far as Warner goes, when you have accomplished what he has in the NFL, then he's entitled to make his comments however he wants. I think he's actually a real good announcer also.

[griggsville]

12:11 AM on 05/02/2011

Warner was great when he had Bruce, Holt, and Faulk in the STL, and Boldin and Fitzgerald in Arizona. A QB is only as good as the players around him, and the OC designing the plays.

[KarateKid]

10:40 PM on 04/30/2011

Cam Newton will be Andre Ware redux. Ware was also a dynamic college QB, a Heisman Trophy winner. In fact, look at the QBs who have won the Heisman in the last 20 years:

Cam Newton
Sam Bradford
Tim Tebow
Troy Smith
Matt Leinart
Jason White
Carson Palmer
Eric Crouch
Chris Weinke
Danny Wuerffel
Charlie Ward
Gino Toretta
Ty Detmer
Andre Ware
Vinny Testaverde

Bradford and Palmer, and Testaverde are the only three that have made it in the league. Jury is still out on Tebow. All the others were washouts or mediocre pros. History is against Cam Newton. Like Ware, Newton is not a pocket QB. He's no John Elway or Joe Montana, two guys who NEVER won the Heisman.

[Citizen-Jane]

01:54 AM on 05/01/2011

going back further than 20 years Roger Staubach and Jim Plunkett both won the Heisman and Super Bowls soooooooooo. It can happen. Nobody knows what Cam will be like until Cam gets a chance to do what he is capable of doing. I'm happy for Carolina fans. This could be the start of something exciting. And this is his ROOKIE year.

[KarateKid]

08:39 AM on 05/01/2011

Football was a different game even 20 years ago. Staubach was a running QB in college, but became a pocket QB in the pros. He didn't become a starter until he was 30. And, Jim Plunkett was mainly a failure until late in his career, with his THIRD team.

[EW34]

05:16 AM on 05/01/2011

The problems is that colleges want to WIN and they place that above grooming NFL QBs. So they sometimes will make their QB run all day long.

If I ever went to college as a QB, I would damn well make sure I was going to a college that ran a pro style offense with a pocket QB. Michael Vick is a better runner than any of these QBs but he had his best year last season whey Andy Reid forced him to become a pocket passer.

And what are you talking about Tebow, the verdicts out?
Your saying Cam has no chance pretty much yet Tebow has a chance?
Cam is right now a better passer and QB then Tebow is and Cam is a way better athlete then Tebow. So by your standards, if Tebow has a chance then CAM definitely has a chance.

Anyway these Running QBs are just hurting themselves by running so much in college and NOT learning a pro offense and pocket passing.

[ThisAlreadyHappened]

10:28 PM on 04/30/2011

I think its all about Cam. If he can grow up fast and put away all the distractions and focus on the task at hand, he certainly has the natural abilities to do great things. It really all depends on how bad he wants it and hopefully he has the supporting cast around him to help him grow. I have seen so many athletes come into the league with such promise and dud out in their first 2 years. We should know what Cam is really made of come 2013.

[griggsville]

12:14 AM on 05/02/2011

I agree 100 percent.

[himinamis]

10:23 PM on 04/30/2011

I am not a big Auburn fan. I am not a fan of Cam Newton's father but I think Cam Newton is one of the greatest college athletes of all time. I also think he will be one of the all time greatest professional athletes and in about three years I hope people will dig up the negative things said about Cam and shove it down the throats of all the Pseudo-Experts.
I would like to add - even though it may be proven that Cam Newton was an illegal athlete at Auburn last year, he is one of the nicest human beings on this planet. The kid has class.

[KarateKid]

10:34 PM on 04/30/2011

So, he's a nice crook.

[griggsville]

12:15 AM on 05/02/2011

His ability is transcendent. He has the potential to change the game, sort of like Wilt Chamberlain did for basketball when he emerged.