When Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton makes it to the NFL, he’ll quickly realize something that will help him establish longevity in the professional ranks – his ability to conceal his weaknesses.

Well, maybe not his weaknesses, but let’s digress a bit…

Newton’s decision to participate in the NFL combines was an honorable one.  It gave organizations a chance to see what he can do and what he can’t do.  They certainly were very appreciative of Cam’s inclusion in the events.

As for Newton, well, he didn’t look so good.  The Auburn standout, who was rated as high as #3 on some mock drafts prior to his combine workout, may have worked his way out of the top 10.

Billed as an athletic marvel, the scouts were rightfully surprised to witness that Newton only topped other quarterbacks in one event – the broad jump, where he was tied with two others – and placed out of the top three in two other events – the three cone drill (10th) and the 20 yd shuttle (tied for 8th).  As far as consistency throughout the combine workouts, he was outperformed in the physical measurements by possible top 15 pick Jake Locker.  And he was totally demolished by Tyrod Taylor (he placed in the top 2 in every event), whose draft status is virtually uncharted at this point.

Anyone who witnessed what Auburn’s megastar did throughout the college football season would wholeheartedly believe that Newton was the most physically gifted quarterback in the upcoming draft.  Of course, factoring in his size and strength, that could still be the case.  However, his choice to enter the combine tainted a mystique among many analysts that he had physical abilities that other signal callers failed to possess. 

Even Newton's passing was off the mark at the combine.

Prior to the combine, it was intriguing, to say the least, to hear that Newton’s draft stock was on the rise.  Somehow, he found himself near the top of the picks, clearly listed as the first quarterback to be selected – which was in sharp contrast to his position throughout the NCAA season.  So all Cam had to do was ride out his good fortune and be satisfied inking a contract that he may not have possibly deserved.

But Newton chose otherwise.

Some might argue that all prospects should partake in the combine, and that perhaps rendering it as a mandatory part of the process would produce a better product (this should sound familiar to opponents of prep-to-pro NBA prospects).  But the truth is that Newton’s ability to avoid the combine would have been a good business move.

With the current state of negotiation for a new collective bargaining agreement, we won’t know how Cam’s decision will affect him.  One of the topics to be hammered out is a new rookie wage scale, which will directly impact Newton – particularly with him potentially dropping down the draft chart.

So, with less than two months remaining in the countdown to the draft’s opening round, it appears that Cam Newton will indeed pay for his transparency.

But, in the end, I’m sure that Newton would enjoy paying for his decision.  After all, that would mean that there’s no work stoppage, and that he’s actually on the gridiron – and most importantly, receiving a paycheck.

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