Newton deserves credit for combine willingness

On Sunday morning, Cam Newton is going to compete in the throwing portion of the NFL combine. This isn't what highly regarded quarterbacks do these days. They tend to skip the passing and just get weighed, measured and go through the agility drills – which Newton will no doubt ace.

That's the part-time plan this weekend of Blaine Gabbert, Newton's chief competition to be the first QB selected in April's draft.

Newton will buck the trend and throw all the throws the NFL scouts require. It will allow his footwork, release and accuracy (all question marks) to be analyzed by all 32 teams and a national television audience.

It'll be sink-or-swim in a pressure situation, with unknown receivers in an unfamiliar environment.

He could've just waited until Auburn's pro day where his own receiving corps, the friendly confines of Jordan-Hare Stadium and a script of passes designed to show strengths and hide weaknesses awaited.

This is a risky play for Newton, yet one that says more about the Heisman Trophy winner than his much-panned comments this week to Yahoo! Sports and other select national outlets. Newton has been raked over the coals for sounding cocky with his stated desire to be not just a football player but an "entertainer-slash-icon."

He later brushed off criticism of his mere single season of starting experience by noting, "I don't want to sound arrogant but I did something in one year [win the BCS title] people couldn't do in their whole collegiate careers."

Those, and other quotes, got league executives and media buzzing and brought up concerns about his focus, attitude and competitive interests. Even Newton's advisor, ex-NFL star Warren Moon, acknowledged to Sirius Mad Dog Radio that this was putting the "cart before the horse."

It's still just talk. Actually throwing at the combine is the walk – an action that should resonate loudly.

Newton's management team should've had him better prepared for his first wave of media this week. The guy's been dogged by a pay-for-play scandal, a laptop theft and allegations of academic fraud. The last thing you want is for him to come across as anything but humble. (Rule No. 1: Never say the words "entertainer", "slash" or "icon." Rule No. 2: Never, ever say them in successive order.)

Newton was kept away from the media at Auburn and has relatively limited experience with reporters. His mistake (if you want to call it that) was being too eager and open. The fact he didn't know better than to be bland isn't a cardinal sin. Just about every NFL player learns that skill quickly – some just choose to ignore it.

Team Newton's next error was not properly spinning what was said. It really wasn't that bad. He actually spent most of his time, at least when talking to me, saying all the right things about hard work, dedication and the importance of team success.

Newton hasn't been publicly defended though. He's been left to roast.

Perhaps most of all, Newton's eagerness to fully participate in the combine should've been turned into a defining statement about his football character.

Top quarterbacks don't do what Cam Newton is doing.

Gabbert will attempt to ride the more controlled environment of next month's Missouri pro day to a top-10 selection. It's the same plan that Sam Bradford(notes), Matthew Stafford(notes), Matt Ryan(notes) and others did before him.

Even Tim Tebow(notes), who billed himself as Mr. Willing-To-Do-Anything-To-Prove-Himself, sat out the combine throwing drills a year ago. Tebow wasn't even a certain first-round pick and was dealing with more questions about his NFL readiness than Newton.

Mark Sanchez(notes) threw at the 2009 combine – and was rewarded by going fifth overall to the New York Jets. With what we now know about him, the decision was telling. Sanchez may not be the most gifted quarterback. He had the attitude and confidence though to win four road playoff games and lead the Jets to consecutive AFC title-game appearances. Of course he was willing to go all in at the combine.

Newton said he doesn't just want to compete, he covets the chance. Bring it on. He said he doesn't just want to get selected. He wants to beat everyone else out.

"I want to be the No. 1 pick," he said on Tuesday.

Forget the things Newton said that a would-be NFL quarterback probably shouldn't. Isn't the above exactly what he should?

And isn't his willingness to pursue that goal even more telling?

On Sunday morning, Newton could be bad or he could be brilliant. He could show he can play under center and make reads and throw with accuracy. Or he could raise flags that his success was merely his physical gifts overwhelming college kids.

He could wind up first overall. Or he could slide hard.

Either way, he'll show his competitive fire and mental toughness.

That's an action that should speak far louder than any of his much-criticized words.