I've seen a lot more of Pryor. He's a great athlete who still looks uncomfortable at QB. Ugly, shot put throwing form plus an offense that equates to a steep pro learning curve (ask Troy Smith) probably means they'll be some major issues.
Now Newton I don't know as well. Clearly he's got the physical part. Just as tall, strong, elusive as Pryor. Seems to throw the ball with more authority and better form.
Are both Vince Young types? Is one better than the other?
My sense is that Newton is a potentially a dynamic NFL QB -- maybe not unlike a Rothlesburger (extends plays with strength and athletic ability + big arm) whereas I see Pryor as a great WR or Gates type of TE prospect.
Thoughts?
That said, his throwing mechanics are not very solid but he manages to make plays downfield. He's constantly throwing on his heels and falling backwards, almost like taking a jumpshot. It's fun to watch him break one and stride for a big gain because it looks so effortless, like going for a stroll. It just that if he keeps it up, he'll get creamed and they'll have to deal with Cody Burns at QB, which is not good.
He plays the NCAA game well and he can put up Heisman numbers but his skills might not translate to the NFL where instead of playing undisciplined players fresh out of high school week in and week out, he'll be facing what amounts to a team filled with bigger, stronger, faster All-Americans every week. Guys like Vick and to some extent McNabb and Cunningham all were able to make plays using their running skills but they got killed doing so and really hurt their teams. They all matured into good pocket passers and in turn, better NFL QBs. Right now, the kid does not posses the mechanics for NFL success from what I've seen. If he stays healthy, he should win it because their team would be pedestrian without him.
anyone that watched OSU last weekend...i mean Pryor had an eternity in the pocket every time he dropped back. without seeing an entire panorama of the field, you have to assume his WRs are covered (or can't get separation).
on the one hand you give him some credit for not forcing passes, but on the other how can you evaluate a QB who has no one to throw to against teams with a good defense.
They put Pryor out at receiver and just threw a hail mary to him, he caught it pretty easily
Newton is a better athlete, but it is impossible to tell how his game would translate to the NFL since the offense he runs is so different than anything he would be asked to do in the NFL. Maybe the Broncos need another QB who needs to learn how to play QB?
For what it is worth I think Troy Smith was a much better QB than Pryor.
I like what I've seen of Cam Newton. Good arm, good accuracy. His footwork needs work, and he has a tendency to run too soon, both flaws that are easily correctible.
Cam throws the ball much better than people want to admit. Because he's such a damn good runner, it's very easy to just say that's all he is and sound like you know what you're talking about.
He'll be drafted as a QB in the NFL, but he'll have to learn to run an offense from under center, and learn to read NFL defenses. Very typical problems for college QB's these days. He's got strong arm and throws a nice catchable ball. If taken high, he'll have to tame the running some to make sure he stays healthy.
He's Vince Young like in the way he doesn't look like he's moving fast but you can't catch him. He's Air McNair like in that he'll run over your LBs. He's Roethlisberger like in that he's huge and can make nice throws on the move. But he's got a ton to learn to be an NFL QB.