Cam Newton, DeSean and Chris T. Jones
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Cam Newton, DeSean and Chris T. Jones
Sheil Kapadia, Philly.com
There has been much discussion in the past 48 hours about a Cam Newton scouting report from Nolan Nawrocki of Pro Football Weekly.
Here's what Nawrocki wrote:
Very disingenuous — has a fake smile, comes off as very scripted and has a selfish, me-first makeup. Always knows where the cameras are and plays to them. Has an enormous ego with a sense of entitlement that continually invites trouble and makes him believe he is above the law — does not command respect from teammates and always will struggle to win a locker room. Only a one-year producer. Lacks accountability, focus and trustworthiness — is not punctual, seeks shortcuts and sets a bad example. Immature and has had issues with authority. Not dependable.
He goes on to say Newton is "overhyped" and has a "glaring bust factor."
Keep in mind that Nawrocki's job is to write what he thinks, based on what he's seen and conversations he's had with people in the league.
But also keep in mind that teams do their own research on every potential draftable player. In the end, scouts, coaches, GMs and owners have to decide whether talent and upside outweigh potential character and personality concerns.
Michael Tanier, who writes for Football Outsiders, the New York Times and other outlets, dug up Pro Football Weekly's scouting report on DeSean Jackson from 2008. Here's part of what it said:
Immature. Not a great worker. Difficult to manage. Talks too much and thinks he is better than he is.
Not exactly a ringing endorsement. Jackson has had his immature moments for sure, but there's no denying that the Eagles got a steal by taking him with the 49th overall pick.
One prospect this season to keep in mind with all the character/personality concerns is Colorado cornerback Jimmy Smith. According to Tony Pauline of Draft Insider/SI.com, a number of teams have taken Smith off their boards. However, several mock drafts have the Birds going with Smith at No. 23.
Greg Cosell of NFL Films had high praise for Smith yesterday, Tweeting:
Definite similarities between Colorado CB Smith and Revis coming out of Pitt. Physical, challenging, aggressive. An NFL corner.
Again, if the Eagles think the character/personality issues have been overblown, and if they agree with Cosell about Smith's potential, the decision could be an easy one. But if they think the issues are warranted, then it becomes a more difficult decision, and the risk becomes greater.
CATCHING UP WITH CHRIS T.
Switching gears, ever wonder what Chris T. Jones is up to nowadays? OK, I didn't think so, but I know MTC readers always enjoy a little trip down memory lane, so I thought I'd pass along a link.
Jones, a third-round pick by the Eagles back in 1995, is making the most of his post-football career. He was recently inducted into the Palm Beach County Sports Hall of Fame and works with abused and neglected youngsters in Florida.
Jones played three seasons with the Birds. In 1996, he caught 70 balls for 859 yards and five touchdowns. But an injury the following year during a preseason game derailed his career.
"I was going for extra yards against the Ravens," Jones told the Palm Beach Post. "Ray Lewis and another guy came on top of me and all of that weight came down on the knee."
Jones is 39. He played his college ball at Miami.
Thanks to Bleeding Green Nation for the link.
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i want jimmy smith at 23. he's no peterson, but i would love to have a 6'2 210 lbs cornerback that runs a 4.4 in the 50. if he is still on the board when we pick, it should be a no brainer. know if we are getting a corner via free agency, then i'll settle for a olinemen
The difference between a diva WR and diva QB are staggering. One guy can be marginalized if he fails to perform and the rest of the team can make him toe the line (and yes, it's toe, not tow - as in put your toes on the line - pet peeve of mine) while the other guy will absolutely wreck your team for a decade if he's that much of a head case. And before anyone replies with the TO comments, he wrecked the team for one season, not 10.— amg- The character analysis part of scouting reports seem a bit fishy to me sometimes. I'd think that the surroundings of the team a player goes to plays a massive role. Maybe DeSean as a (barely) top 50 pick in the relative stability of the Eagles vs DeSean as a top 15 pick in somewhere like Oakland or something might result in two different players (or at least the media/public's perceptions of him)— jabostick
- @Phil MeNuggets: 4.4 in the 50? That's Olympic World Record sprinting right there.— tripleplay83
- 4.4/40... Colorado website has Smith at 4.35. That would be 11.89 if it were linearly scaled to 100m (Bolt has an unearthly 9.57 in the 100m). Don't get me wrong, that is awfully fast! I can get out of my desk chair in about 0.5 seconds, by then Smith is 5 yards down field.
Regarding DeSean, he was sort of 'that guy' in the beginning, but he grew up fast. Someone did a good job setting that young man straight.— thephan - Thanks for the update on Chris T. Jones. I have wondered about him. Didn't the doctors mess up his knee surgery? He could have been a very good player for the Eagles. Shame. Thanks again.— Kagigstead
- Newton seemed like he had complete control and the respect of that entire Auburn team..— PHTNPHLS
- If Jimmy Smith were 5' 11" and 195 pounds, I'm not sure he'd be getting much attention. Sure, he's the ideal size, but exactly how much did he do for the Colorado defense? He's likely another Revis, minus the cover ability, determination, football skills, and football attitude. Unlike DeSean, who was a good choice at #49 (but not at #23), I would pass on Smith in round two also. He won't be there in round three, but at that point I would gamble and draft his size and speed.
Cam Newton reminds me a little of Vince Young and Mike Vick. It could take him 8 years to get his head together and be a real leader. I think you get him off the scrap heap in a few years, when other teams give up on him. He appears to be an even better player than Young or Vick, and when he matures he could be fantastic. The big advantage he'll have over Vick is the ability to see over the rush.— armchairGM - Cam newton has a classic face to hate look to him— Kenny Junod.
- I rem CT jones had a huge growth on his neck
— Kenny Junod. 
Chris T. Jones - always thought that was a good name for a Harry Kalas pronunciation...— bboybeballin- The Eagles will never draft Smith. He'll fall to the bottom of the first round where some team won't be able to pass him up. He could end up a Jet.— ej610
- I'm rooting for Scam Newton to FAIL— shawnmac
- The haters have a 3 prong attack on Cam Newton (1) they want to destry is image of greatness (2) they want to destroy his income and earning potential and (3) they want to humiliate him and defamation of character - but if God is for you who can be against you - Good Luck to Cam Newton the haters are out there seeking to destroy you because you are destined to be great and rich. They are jealous and full of hate and will not stop at nothing . Their main goal right now is to get you selected as low in the draft as they can to minimize how much money you can sign for right of the bat.— theloveman
- Cam newton will win at least 3 super bowl championships within his 1st 10 years in the league. He will win at least 2 league MVPS. IF he ggoes to the right teatm he will win at least 4 superbowls and at least 3 league MVPS and 2 super bowl MVPs— theloveman
- I'll take big fast Smith at 23.— Joe at the shore
- 'theloveman'----Cam will be at a poker table playing with Jamarcus, Ryan Leaf, Akili and Vinnie Young.— Romus
- loveman, you're a fool. Newton is the next great bust, a real bad character guy. Just look at what he has done to date— blaqjaq
- Another year, another great Afriocan American running quarterbak all the sports anchors and scouts think will take any team to the Superbowl and they have never done that. Actually, the only running quarterback that won the Superbowl was Steve Young and he went there when his legs were getting old and became an excellent pocket passer.
The easiest team for a defense to prepare for is one with a running quarterback. You just cut off his running lanes then he has to beat you as a pocket passer, which they are not. Philly sports writers, and Andy Reid have not figured this out yet.
— marioP 
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