I think it stems mostly from the fact that people who have more like to think it’s all justified. Particularly in America where meritocracy is such a cherished concept. Such people don’t want to hear that perhaps all of their gains in the world were not due to the fact that in many ways the game is stacked in their favour.

White men in particular are the most ardent in their support that the advantages they have gained in wealth and power were all fairly gained in an even competition. The men that think that way are deluding themselves.

That is true of the NFL as it is in general society.

They had Moon on via phone and he basically danced around the questions, gave some non sequitur type answers and backpedaled. That didn’t look good for his convictions on the topic.

Bottom line, if you don’t have anything to support your negative statements and they are iffy, I can see people believing the criticism is racially motivated. In this case, taking everything into consideration that I am aware of, I believe they weren’t, despite Nawrocki’s silly inclusion of the “fake smile” comment.

Only an indictable TRUTH can cause this many angry white dudes to attack you with such intensity………..

Such baseless statements are usually from the likes of Jesse Jackson, Farrakhan and other “Community Organizers”, you sir (or man child) are a race card carrying commie.

Negatives: Overaged. Narrow-framed and lean, with short arms and thin legs. Too easily knocked off route and will have to prove he can beat the jam. Relatively raw. Does not catch in stride-ran through the gauntlet drill very cautiously. Still developing as a route runner-was not asked to execute a full route tree and could take time honing patterns and identifying coverages. Lacks run strength and does not break many tackles. Marginal blocker. Limited experience as a returner. Can be fazed by traffic. Durability has been an issue.

can be fazed by traffic??? why bring his driving skills into this? is it because he`s black he`s more likely to have car jacked in the past? if this is n`t racially overtoned I don`t know what is.

1) So many of the things he said can’t be quantified. “He has a fake smile”, “he’s very disingenuous”, “selfish”, “immature”, “issues with authority”. These are all personal opinions – these aren’t quantifiable skills.
2) So many of these characteristics are the ones used to explain why blacks were supposedly incapable of playing the QB position.

When Nawrocki says I said this about white players like Claussen – it simply isn’t as destructive because it isn’t playing into powerful stereotypes.

It may or may not be true that these were characteristics of critcisms of black QBs in the past, but the fact is that these are not Nawrocki’s opinions, but opinions of other sources that include GMs, scouts, coaches and other various persons involved with Newton at Auburn, and I’m sure many of those folks were also black men/women. Now we don’t know his entire group of ‘sources’ and the Constitution says he doesn’t have to tell us who they were, but accusing him of ‘making this stuff up’ as many have here because his remarks were perceived as racially biased is just wrong, including Moon’s assessment of Nawrocki. Moon has a vested interest of some sort in Newton and feels compelled to defend him and that’s fine, but to dismiss the entire criticism as racially biased is just as wrong on Moon’s part.

Secondly, while the opinions of his sources have some ‘non-quantifiable skillsets’ as you described, they are nonetheless skills/personality traits that NFL teams are looking at when evaluating a kid coming out of the NCAA. Newton has baggage. Whether or not it was his doing is still up for debate, but his and his fathers’ actions or perceived actions, if you will, dictate that a flag be raised on this kid going forward.

I have seen, first hand, a scouting report on a particular player in the past and these types of ‘opinions’ are undoubtedly part of that process, right or wrong. If I’m a team and planning on spending millions of bucks on a kid, I want every scrap of opinion and fact I can find on the kid. I think in most cases these types of assessments of a kid are usually more accurate than we give them credit for.

Nawrocki isn’t trying to derail a kids NFL career here, he’s analyzed the general intangibles of the kid as he was told to by, apparently, more than one source. Now it could be that only his sources feel that way about the kid. Really other than Moon, no one else has gotten involved. It could be because the race card was thrown and generally people avoid conflicts like that (both black and white folks) and don’t want to get involved. But the bottom line is that the doubt is now out there on the kid, although this isn’t exactly some thing new because it’s been out there by other ‘reporters’ or analysts as well.

The race card will cause pundits of both sides to cry foul and this is what we have with Newton right now. However, that doesn’t mean that Nawrocki doesn’t have some shreds of truth nor does it mean that every word he wrote is gospel. The concern here is that every time someone accuses another being racially biased, it’s somehow means that the guys (in this case Nawrocki) report is that he doesn’t like the kid because he’s black or that the other person (in this case, Moon) thinks that every word that comes out about the kid is false because he (Moon) perceives it as racist remarks.

Conversely,black quarterbacks like Donovan McNab,Kordell Stewart,Vince Young,Mike Vick,Akili Smith,and Vince Evans were being praised and elevated in their evaluations due to their speed,mobility,and athleticism….

The point is that every blue chip quarterback prospect coming into the NFL is scrutinized and analyzed to the upteenth degree,both on their positive assets,and their perceived weaknesses.All of them,BLACK OR WHITE,are built up and then torn down by scouts,and so called talent evalulator experts, until the time that they are called upon to actually perform at the NFL level.

Cam Newton is no different than any other stud college quarterback that is ready to make his mark in pro football….He,as well as those who preceded him will be praised and elevated for the obvious skills he posesses,and will also be nit-picked for those question marks about his physical defeciencies,and character flaws…Bottom line is this,whether these guys are black,white,green or red ,they all have to endure it…

It comes with all the glory,hype,and yes, the criticism that comes from playing the position!!!Warren Moon should know that and recognize it….Obviously,this guy sees everything through the spectre of skin color. Thats his problem.but, also his peragotive….as ignorant as misguided as it really is..

Warren Moon

@ESPNfeedback

Moon seems to just be one of those guys who believes everything bad that is said about any black man must be racist,and that attitude is racist in itself !
Nawrocki relayed what he was told by coaches and players and friends etc ,who know Newton well. As well as opinions recently formed by those who interviewed Newton at the Combine and probably at his pro day etc etc etc.
Don’t blame the messenger,blame Newton for leaving that poor impression about his character with so many people over the last few years !!!

bison4me: How would stating that Newton was dismissive and didn’t seem to care he was lying straight to my face in a personal interview going to change anything? Actually, wouldn’t Nawrocki talking to people who have interviewed Newton do the exact same thing?

Like another commenter said, it’s interesting that no teammates or coaches have publicly rallied to Cam’s defense.

Just because Newton hasn’t lied directly to Nawrocki doesn’t take away from Nawrocki’s assessment. All a personal interview does is waste both Nawrocki and Newton’s time.
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I have to disagree with you, coaches and players (from Auburn and JOCO days) have come out countered what Nawrocki has said. I have no problems with Nawroki’s personal assessment of a player’s physical attributes. Those things are tangible. However things like ingenious smile, comes off as scripted, etc… These are things that are not quantifiable without meeting a person. He should simply leave these things out of his report. I’m sorry maybe you can, but I can’t personally say these things about someone I have not met.

Here’s my problem with Nawrocki’s review of Newton:

1) So many of the things he said can’t be quantified. “He has a fake smile”, “he’s very disingenuous”, “selfish”, “immature”, “issues with authority”. These are all personal opinions – these aren’t quantifiable skills.
2) So many of these characteristics are the ones used to explain why blacks were supposedly incapable of playing the QB position.

When Nawrocki says I said this about white players like Claussen – it simply isn’t as destructive because it isn’t playing into powerful stereotypes.

First off, two different people have brought up Jamarcus Russell as an example to contradict Moon’s statement that you have to have certain qualities to win a National Championship. Jamarcus Russell didn’t win a National Championship you idiots! they won it the year after he left.

Second, some people bring up Ken Dorsey and Matt Leinhardt. Don’t mistake a lack of success in the NFL as a commentary on the career of a guy in college and their ability to lead a team. Moon was talking about what it takes to lead a team to a National Title. Those guys don’t have the physical ability to cut it in the NFL (Newton does), but it doesn’t change their ability in college. Two of the best college QB’s I’ve ever seen were Danny Wuerffel and Tommie Frazier. One sucked in the NFL and one never sniffed an NFL roster. It doesn’t change what they accomplished.

Now, I don’t have the slightest f—ing idea if Newton will cut it in “the League” or not, but make some rational arguements based on rational thoughts sometimes.

Like another commenter said, it’s interesting that no teammates or coaches have publicly rallied to Cam’s defense.

Just because Newton hasn’t lied directly to Nawrocki doesn’t take away from Nawrocki’s assessment. All a personal interview does is waste both Nawrocki and Newton’s time.

For everyone who says he should interview Newton face to face, I ask WHY? So Newton can say”oh man, none of that is true. I was always ontime. I always did the work.” There is no point in interviewing someone when you know they aren’t going to throw their own self under the bus. Newton does not take responsibility for his own actions. He claims he did not know his dad was shopping him around. How could he not know?
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I would be more credible if he interviewed him face to face and wrote something like, “I brought to his attention what people were saying about his tardiness, his work ethic and leadership, but he was dismissive and didn’t seem to care he was lying straight to my face.” That’s getting it straight from the horse’s mouth, that’s journalism.

So since this seems to be Moon’s big argument on this subject I would just like to add ….
JaMarcus Russel
Vince Young
Ken Dorsey
Matt Lienart *spelling

And those 4 are just in the last decade . i am sure you can go even further back and find more if you tried.

Perhaps Moon should stop projecting what happened to him 30 years ago. Also who knows, maybe the scouts were right about Moon. Perhaps he learned how to take command of a team in canada. I’m sorry but Mr. Moon is dead wrong and needs to go away. While i am sure in some parts of the country race plays a part in sports. But when it comes to pro sports especially football the only color that matters is green (money) and gold (titles). If the scouts thought a person who was blue with pink pokadots could lead their teams to titles and thus money i am sure they would sign them.

Once again i think the one person who can come out ahead in this whole situation is Newton himself. If he came out and said the reason people were doubting him was because of his own actions and that he was dedicated to fixing himself and become a better person and football player people would love him and maybe more football people would believe in him. I for one think the guy will be a huge bust and out of the league inside of 5 years.

Tim Tebow:

Positives: Unbelievably supercompetitive with rare intangibles and mental toughness. Wills his way to succeed. Intense on-field competitor and extremely driven. Has terrific football intelligence and a great understanding of the game. Excellent game preparation – sits in on coaches’ meetings and understands how to prepare a game plan. Good run instincts and strength. Consistently came through in the clutch and has performed big on the biggest of stages. Good perimeter accuracy. Has outstanding size for the QB position and excellent weight-room numbers. Runs hard through contact and can push a pile with terrific lower-body strength. Extremely, extremely tough and rugged. Durable and will play through pain.

Negatives: Far from a finished product and lacks natural passing skills with an overly muscled frame and marginal lower-body mechanics. Really struggled working under center at the Senior Bowl with raw footwork and no familiarity with how to hit his back step and transfer his weight and too often botched the center-snap exchange. Has a tendency to overstride with a very long release and baseball-like, wind-up throwing motion. Cannot unload the ball quickly and does not always feel the rush. Worked exclusively out of the shotgun and has limited lateral agility to slide in the pocket. Can be flustered when his first two reads are covered and has a tendency to take off running. Is not a pure scrambler or elusive in the pocket and cannot escape the rush easily. Showed he could be fazed by heavy pressure against Alabama in the SEC championship game.

Summary: Has the mental toughness and intangibles to break through a brick wall and refuses to fail. Clearly looked out of his element at the Senior Bowl and is still very much a developmental project but has worked very hard to overhaul his mechanics under the tutelage of former NFL coaches, including Sam Wyche, trying to learn how to drop from under center, carry the ball high and shorten his release. May never be a classic, drop-back quarterback after coming from an unconventional, spread-option offense that will not allow for a speedy transition to the NFL. However, he has a special mental makeup and a tireless work ethic, and if he cannot win a starting QB job, could bring value as a short-yardage/goal-line runner and developmental H-back. Has the moxie and toughness to at least become a solid backup QB.

And this is what he said about Jimmy Clausen:
Positives: Fluid in his drops. Good field vision and QB instincts. Recognizes mismatches and understands where and when to go with the ball. Has shown he will hang in the pocket and pick himself off the ground after taking big hits behind a very marginal O-line. Good touch and overall accuracy. Has played under center in a pro-style offense, is very well-coached and makes decisive, pro-style reads. Carries the ball high on the shelf and picks apart defenses when given time. Can manipulate defenders and move safeties with his eyes. Learned how to rotate his hips into his throws. Can drive the deep out and can sling it into tight windows – can hit the deep outs, comebacks and posts and make all the throws. Angry competitor – plays with gusto. Has shown a lot of magic on big stages and thrived in high-pressure situations. Carries a swagger and has a very confident demeanor when the game is on the line – wants the ball in his hands in the clutch and will recommend plays. Good on-field energy and bounce in his step. Battles through injuries – took pain-killing injections in his foot to play most of the season. Improved work ethic. The game is very important to him, and he showed an improved on-field command as a junior. Very experienced.

Negatives: Too manufactured – has a high-effort delivery. Tends to hop in the pocket and is not much of a scrambling threat – can be flustered by the rush and takes too many sacks. Has a tendency to overstride when he goes deep, lowering his release point, and has to put his entire body into the throw and chuck it like it’s a javelin. Puts too much air underneath the deep ball and launches some rainmakers. Inconsistent deep accuracy – was 0-for-7 throwing to his deep right in five games charted the past two years. Has an awkward follow-through and too often falls backward after he throws. Had a strong supporting cast with receivers who attacked the ball. Has a sense of entitlement, having attended private schools, worked with private QB coaches and being sheltered by his family, who bought a house on campus so his brothers had a place to stay for every game. Arrogant – can come off as having all the answers and struggle to win a locker room. Still immature. Comes across as overly staged, scripted and disingenuous in interviews and does not have the type of presence desired in the face of a franchise. Is not a fan of the weight room.

Summary: A tough, instinctive, competitive gamer who overhauled his mechanics from the time he was a freshman, physically matured and developed into a decisive marksman. Has been groomed by Charlie Weis and has an advanced understanding of the game that will allow him to step into a starting lineup readily. However, he is cut from a similar cloth as Rex Grossman and J.P. Losman, possessing an elitist attitude and selfishness that could polarize a locker room and create needless drama that may detract from a team. The defining question of his career is whether he possesses the intangibles and make-up to become a leader and win the respect of his teammates.

I’d say he’s consistent either way if you’re a black or white prospect. For the record I’m an African-American. I would still prefer he’d interviews these guys face to face. It just seems a little unprofessional and he-said/she-said’ish when you don’t. It is not good journalism in my opinion.

4 words for you Warren: Matt Leinart, JaMarcus Russell.

I can add more words if you’d like.

But Nawrocki sure does paint the picture of Gabbert in a real nice good ‘ol boy way in comparison to Newton. With Newton there’s very little except innuendo… but with Gabbert you got a guy in a fist fight.

Comparisons:
http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/03/29/cam-newton-scouting-report

http://www.profootballweekly.com/2011/02/26/gabberts-upside-translates-to-top-10-pick

Nawrocki mentions the fist fight in his notes, but it’s not in the negatives. If Cam Newton got in a fist fight, would Nawrocki have put it in the negatives? I think so… But is that racism or the fact Nawrocki just doesn’t like Newton?

Hard to say, but if you put your cards down the way Nawrocki did don’t be surprised if a black guy plays his race card.

His job is to give his opinion about every aspect of each player he scouts. When you draf a QB, you’re dumping MILLIONS of dollars into him and risking YEARS of competitiveness. You’ve never met Nawrocki either, how are you any different?

Being “professional” doesn’t mean lie about everything and not be honest. He wrote what he believes and that to me is more professional than anything.

Also you probably don’t know what racism is. If he was racist or his report was racist, it would have included racial slurs and it would have talked about how blacks can’t play QB.

If anyone is racist, it’s Moon for bringing up race.