Image by Getty Images via @daylifeNot surprising considering Newton has lately become the greatest thing since sliced bread or so some think. Kiper is NOT one of those. Courtesy of Joe Reedy of Cincinnati.com, Kiper feels Newton is a risk.
“If you hit on Newton you could have a sensational quarterback for 10 years. If you miss, it sets you back three, four, five years,” Kiper said. “He was a one-year wonder. Akili Smith was a one-year wonder.”Now, all Bengals fans remember Akili Smith, don't they? That pick did set the franchise back a bit. The interesting point is that in Kiper's most recent mock draft, guess who he has taking Newton? That's right. The Cincinnati Bengals at #4. Not WR A.J Green from Georgia as he had slotted previously, but Auburn's Newton.
And the one-year wonder tag does make sense...somewhat. He did have the one year at Florida (sort of) followed by the year at Blinn College where led then to a JUCO title. JUCO and the SEC are two completely different animals and Newton did master them both. I'm personally not that high on Newton either. In fact, this QB class is weak.
But Kiper has an interesting theory as to why Cincy will go that way.
“In 2003, Marvin Lewis’ first year as head coach with the Bengals, the franchise drafted Carson Palmer, and had the discipline to start Jon Kitna all season and let Palmer learn the system while waiting to step in as the franchise quarterback. With Palmer on his way out, Lewis could do something similar in 2011, drafting Newton, letting him take a year to learn the system and plugging in an interim solution in the meantime. The Bengals could also consider moving this pick, similar to Carolina’s position with Gabbert.”I said it was interesting. I didn't say it was plausible. There are some things here.
