He is not only a football player. He is an entertainer and an icon.
If that were the case, quarterback Cam Newton might just the perfect player who could make everything right for the Dolphins — a hybrid package of owner-quenching marketability and coach-aiding athletic ability. Too easy, right?
Of course, right.
There’s one considerable problem with that impressive assessment of the NFL Draft’s most intriguing prospect: Newton is the one who said it. About himself.
“I see myself not only as a football player, but an entertainer and icon,” Newton indeed declared during an interview about his latest endorsement deal with Under Armour.
It might not normally be a major issue, but when clumped with the controversies that surrounded a pay-for-play scandal last college football season, it has become an issue for some in NFL circles wondering whether Newton might be an icon … and a headache.
Whether or not the Dolphins were to seriously consider the possibility of drafting Newton (they likely would need to trade up to get him and don’t have much ammunition to do so), it nonetheless illustrates the type of scrutiny that goes into drafting a quarterback.
“To me, it’s huge,” said Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff, who invested a third-overall pick in 2008 to select quarterback Matt Ryan. “It was a big part of our interview process with Matt.
“We want him to be the first guy in and the last guy out. We want him to have a presence. We want Matt Ryan to lead the entire team.”
Dimitroff’s homework paid off. But he admits he initially noticed a shaky, nervous Ryan during his first meeting with him at the Scouting Combine three years ago. It’s a warning to all evaluators: Don’t overlook potential flaws — but don’t overanalyze, either.
In the case of this year’s draft, two talented quarterbacks faced a series of badgering questions from hundreds of media members in Indianapolis. As both Newton and Arkansas Ryan Mallett said, the NFL’s 32 teams also put them up to the fire.
“One thing I can say for each an every team is, they keep you on our toes,” Newton said. “I’m eager to know or to try to expect what the next team is going to say or what they are going to have me try to do.”
Mallett is being peppered by teams about recent media allegations of marijuana and cocaine use during college.
He expected as much, even though he said Saturday he would keep those discussions between him and the teams asking him.
Newton, though, wasn’t fully prepared for everything thrown his way.
On Saturday night, ESPN reported Newton became flustered when one assistant coach asked him why he ran a quarterback sneak toward the end of the BCS National Championship rather than take a knee as he was instructed to do.
Sources told the network that Newton became defensive.
A big deal? Again, it’s all in the eyes of the team making the decision to draft him. Newton at least seemed willing to try to explain some of the questions about him — specifically regarding his “icon” comment — during a long media session.
“I understand that my obligation is to be the best possible football player that I can be,” said Newton, reading from a statement. “I know and believe that.”
As teams — including the Dolphins — begin to investigate any potential character concerns surrounding players at a critical position like quarterback, it will be up to many general managers to decide whether they also know and believe Newton.
Because there’s likely to be far less questions about something else — his ability. On Sunday, Newton and Mallett will both run through many drills, throwing passes and demonstrating their foot speed in front of NFL scouts.
Both players have rocket arms. Both players have big-play ability. Both players have the potential to be great NFL football players. But icons? Entertainers? Don’t expect any teams to be drafting based on that.
“You will see me doing everything possible to become the best player I can possibly be,” Newton said.