Cam Newton

[Mr. Hoopah!]

I can never get tired of watching this highlight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Siq68WMuUV4

I was cracking up watching Alabama fans constantly update their facebook statuses yesterday about how Cam was only at Auburn because he stole a laptop, how Auburn is a one-man team, etc . . .

[Xnex]

It isn't just Cam's atheletic ability either. The way he "rides the handoff" until the last second and then decides to give the ball or pull it back is something he is great at. I have to believe that Gus has tought him how to do that so well. It almost forces the defense to freeze for a moment which allows the offensive linemen that split second they need in order to get the proper angle on their blocks. It is that small delay that is causing defenses so much angst when it comes to attacking the Auburn offense.

[ChuyDawg]

This kid is impressive given his size and athletic ability. Where do you guys think he will play at in the next level?

[Xnex]

This kid is impressive given his size and athletic ability. Where do you guys think he will play at in the next level?

I know that this isn't the answer you're looking for, but my answer is "CANADA". I don't think he has the passing ability to be an NFL qb, and I don't know what else he could do in the pro's.

[Mr. Hoopah!]

This kid is impressive given his size and athletic ability. Where do you guys think he will play at in the next level?

QB. In terms of pure throwing ability, I think he's a better thrower than Tebow. He won't have to learn a new throwing motion like Tebow did. He obviously can't run around like he does now on Sundays, his career would last about a week. If he can stop throwing off of his back foot and floating passes, both of which are completely coachable, he'll be a good NFL QB. Don't know if he'll be great. He is the consummate college QB, but I hope his game translates to the NFL. It took Young a few years, but I think Cam can at least play at Young's level in the NFL. It will take him a few years to get used to being under center in a pro-style offense.

[Mr. Hoopah!]

ESPN.com

Cam Newton steps up against LSU

* Email

* Print

* Comments48

Forde By Pat Forde

ESPN.com

Archive

AUBURN, Ala. -- How to win the Heisman Trophy, in about 30 not-so-simple steps:

Step one is actually backward. Auburn quarterback Cameron Newton plants his right foot at his 45-yard line, a yard behind where he takes the shotgun snap and fakes a handoff to Mario Fannin. Newton is loading his 6-foot-6, 250-pound body for launch into the middle of the LSU defense.

Steps two through seven are startlingly quick strides through the hole, following pulling guard Byron Isom and Fannin, both of whom scatter potential tacklers with jarring blocks. That's why the coaches say every great run begins with great blocking -- because it's true. But for every great run to become a special run, the guy carrying the ball must do something amazing on his own.

[+] EnlargeCameron Newton

Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesCam Newton punished LSU with 217 rushing yards Saturday.

Roughly five yards into a run they'll replay for years in the Loveliest Village on the Plains, an LSU player gets a hand on Newton -- on his face mask, to be precise. Defensive tackle Lazarius Levingston reaches out while being blocked by Brandon Mosley and gets just enough of Newton's headgear to slightly redirect him away from the left hashmark.

Steps eight through 12 take Newton sideways to the right side of the field and through the flying knee-high tackle attempt of defensive back Tyrann Mathieu. The LSU freshman gives away 70 pounds to Newton, so it wasn't a fair fight, but Mathieu clips the big man just enough that he must reach down to the grass with his left hand to steady himself. A "trip drill" in football parlance.

There aren't a lot of tight end-sized players who can navigate a trip drill and, in the space of two more strides, gather himself on the right hash mark and then cut sharply back to the middle of the field. The cut leaves LSU strong safety Brandon Taylor grasping thin air.

Now, as the roar in Jordan-Hare Stadium is building, there is open field in front of Newton. In the space of eight strides and another cutback left, he has blown past flailing free safety Karnell Hatcher. Four members of the best run defense in the Southeastern Conference have had their shot at him, and all have been defeated.

"When Cam gets to the second level," Auburn coach Gene Chizik says, "he's got the ability to make a guy miss."

And some of them miss comically.

The run is almost 30 yards long before a worthy challenger presents himself. Flying in from the left is super-fast All-America cornerback Patrick Peterson, taking dead aim on Newton.

Newton sees him coming and shifts into another gear. A gear 250-pound men don't normally have. His stride lengthens as Peterson approaches. Six ground-inhaling steps take Newton from the LSU 25 to inside the 10, ruining Peterson's tackling angle.

Peterson is left with no chance but to lunge at Newton at the 10-yard line, wrapping his arms around him at the 8. For the final four steps of Newton's 49-yard third quarter journey, Peterson is a jockey on a runaway horse. He is merely along for the Heisman ride.

When he finally brings Newton to the turf, they both are in the end zone. A tour de force of speed, balance, power and vision has come to the only suitable conclusion.

There is a replay review to make sure Newton crossed the goal line before losing the ball. While the officials are taking a look at the play, even the LSU players are remarking on what No. 2 in navy blue just did to them.

"That guy's for real," one of them said to Auburn center Ryan Pugh.

By game's end, Newton will have hung 217 rushing yards on a defense that entered the game giving up 84 per game to entire teams. Auburn will rush for a staggering 440, the most in school history against an SEC opponent. And most importantly the Tigers will strut out of Jordan-Hare 8-0 after a 24-17 victory over previously unbeaten LSU, which saw its excessively long lucky streak finally tap out.

And Newton struts away from the scene as the heavy Heisman favorite.

Just as his special run Saturday began with a step backward, Newton's career did the same thing when he left Florida after being arrested and charged in connection with a stolen laptop. After a season in junior college he has come to Auburn and become a lethal weapon for creative offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn.

[+] EnlargeCameron Newton

AP Photo/Dave MartinCam Newton and Auburn are all smiles.

Newton has run for 1,077 yards -- just the second SEC quarterback to rush for more than 1,000 -- and 14 touchdowns. He's thrown for 1,364 yards and 13 touchdowns.

He is a dazzling combination of talents. The size and speed are obvious. But add to it an innate feel for picking his holes, and fastidious care of the football. He's carried it 157 times this season and only dropped it twice -- and both fumbles were recovered by Auburn.

"Every week, Cam seems to be playing better," Chizik said.

With his steadily improving play has come a steady escalation of his leadership role.

"He's really become more vocal," Isom said. "He's really like almost a coach on the field."

After Newton softened up the LSU defense for 55 minutes, he let running back Onterio McCalebb deliver the knockout. It was McCalebb who broke a 70-yard run for the winning touchdown.

Newton was so excited about that development that he delivered a solid chest bump to the 171-pound running back. As usual, Newton won the collision. McCalebb wound up on his back.

"My adrenaline was pumping," Newton said with a shrug.

It kept pumping after the game, when he leaped over the brick wall behind the end zone and into the student seats. He's a super hero here, single-handedly boosting sales of the toilet paper they use to cover the trees at Toomer's Corner after every victory.

And now he has a signature play for all those fans to relive for years to come.

"Just a play that's in my job description to make," he said with a smile.

It's in a Heisman Trophy favorite's job description, that's for sure.

Pat Forde is a senior writer for ESPN.com. He can be reached at ESPN4D@aol.com.

[Threepac Daddy]

if cam doesnt win the heisman it will be a disgrace.

[Same Ol Falcons]

if cam doesnt win the heisman it will be a disgrace.

That's what I said about Vince Young

[itsjustafleshwound]

QB. In terms of pure throwing ability, I think he's a better thrower than Tebow. He won't have to learn a new throwing motion like Tebow did. He obviously can't run around like he does now on Sundays, his career would last about a week. If he can stop throwing off of his back foot and floating passes, both of which are completely coachable, he'll be a good NFL QB. Don't know if he'll be great. He is the consummate college QB, but I hope his game translates to the NFL. It took Young a few years, but I think Cam can at least play at Young's level in the NFL. It will take him a few years to get used to being under center in a pro-style offense.

Yeah, I hope his game translates to the NFL, I hope it translates NEXT YEAR.

[Falconsfan567]

I can never get tired of watching this highlight.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Siq68WMuUV4

I was cracking up watching Alabama fans constantly update their facebook statuses yesterday about how Cam was only at Auburn because he stole a laptop, how Auburn is a one-man team, etc . . .

Yep. One of the greatest runs I have ever seen. I put that right up there with that great amazing run Steve Young had against the Vikings back in (1987 i think it was) where Young was bouncing off guys and running around guys and eventually stombled into the endzone before falling down from exaustion.

QB. In terms of pure throwing ability, I think he's a better thrower than Tebow. He won't have to learn a new throwing motion like Tebow did. He obviously can't run around like he does now on Sundays, his career would last about a week. If he can stop throwing off of his back foot and floating passes, both of which are completely coachable, he'll be a good NFL QB. Don't know if he'll be great. He is the consummate college QB, but I hope his game translates to the NFL. It took Young a few years, but I think Cam can at least play at Young's level in the NFL. It will take him a few years to get used to being under center in a pro-style offense.

Cam has an absolute cannon for an arm and has a good throwing motion. You are right that he doesn't always set his feet though.

[Nicolae]

Man, it is going to feel GOOD to knock off a BCS #1 in a couple of weeks. Especially when it makes it 5 in a row AND ties up the all-time record as well. :P

[Threepac Daddy]

cam is faster than tebow and has a better arm than tebow. i like watching cam run that offense than florida's last year. will auburn be unlucky and be the next #1 team to fall in consecutive weeks

[The Great American]

if cam doesnt win the heisman it will be a disgrace.

The TV announcers practically handed it to him last Saturday against LSU.

[SacFalcFan]

heismans are won in november/december not in october. there is a lot more football to play.. a lot can happen in the next month.

[ChuyDawg]

heismans are won in november/december not in october. there is a lot more football to play.. a lot can happen in the next month.

You got it man, you beat me to it. Auburn is a one man show and Cam is the engine of that team. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with that but you have to acknowledge that Cam is exposed on every other play. One play can change a season folks; sprained ankle, knee turned the wrong way, helmet to helmet, etc. I'm not hoping for any of that but its a possibility with that kind of offense.

[slamee101]

I wonder how Gator fans feel watching him? He would have been the perfect replacement for Tebow.

[#1 pick]

Yep. One of the greatest runs I have ever seen. I put that right up there with that great amazing run Steve Young had against the Vikings back in (1987 i think it was) where Young was bouncing off guys and running around guys and eventually stombled into the endzone before falling down from exaustion.

Cam has an absolute cannon for an arm and has a good throwing motion. You are right that he doesn't always set his feet though.

The greatest QB run is still Vick v. Minnesota in OT. That run was badass.

[Same Ol Falcons]

The greatest QB run is still Vick v. Minnesota in OT. That run was badass.

Tommie Frazier vs. Florida

[#1 pick]

Tommie Frazier vs. Florida

That was amazing too. I loved Tommie Frazier especially on that team.

[Same Ol Falcons]

That was amazing too. I loved Tommie Frazier especially on that team.

He almost broke a tackle from every player on that defense on that play

[KeepItDownHomeCuz]

The greatest QB run is still Vick v. Minnesota in OT. That run was badass.

Wrong wrong wrong Senaca Wallace from Iowa State is the best run ever (actually your not wrong cause it's subjective haha but my vote goes to Seneca)

[CrimsonKat]

No question about it, the CamBurglar can make a defense look silly.

[KeepItDownHomeCuz]

No question about it, the CamBurglar can make a defense look silly.

Hahaha dude next week is the battle of the computer bandits with Camputer and Masoliputer (sorry couldn't come up with a clever name for him)

[Billy Ocean]

Yeah, I hope his game translates to the NFL, I hope it translates NEXT YEAR.

Andrew Luck will be the first QB off the board in the draft. I think Newton could challenge Jake Locker for the next QB selected.

I think that the upcoming draft will be the last before a new CBA severally limits rookie contracts. Lockout or no lockout this draft might be the last with that big guaranteed money. The owner's want more reasonable rookie contracts for obvious reasons, and the players' association wants more money for vets. So this is one issue were I can see the 2 sides in agreement.

[Threepac Daddy]

mallet was the #1 QB for the nfl draft coming into this season, but he has been passed by luck easily.