A Hater’s Guide to Cam Newton and Other Tusings

If you’ve been reading TRC for a while, you’ll know that its primary authors don’t care so much for Cam Newton.  And that’s only partly because he almost single-handedly beat South Carolina once and obliterated South Carolina once during the 2010 season.  The real reason is we think he’s a big, fat, cheating phony.  (But we’ll not resort to childish name calling here, it’s beneath us.)

Apparently some guy named Nolan Nawrocki with some publication called Pro Football Weekly Draft Preview feels the same way we do.  He goes over Newton’s football-related shortcomings (yawn) like the fact he’s only played at a high level for one year, his vision is not great, his accuracy and timing need work, etc. 

But then Mr. Nawrocki gets personal when talking about Newton:

“Very disingenuous — has a fake smile, comes off as very scripted and has a selfish, me-first makeup.”

You don’t say.

“Always knows where the cameras are and plays to them.”

Check.

“Has an enormous ego with a sense of entitlement that continually invites trouble and makes him believe he is above the law.”

Go on.

“Does not command respect from teammates and will always struggle to win a locker room.”

Uh-huh.

“Lacks accountability, focus and trustworthiness — is not punctual, seeks shortcuts and sets a bad example. Immature and has had issues with authority. Not dependable.”

Interesting.

I have no idea what Mr. Nawrocki’s credentials are or where he gets his information, but that is some harsh stuff.  Harsh, and not one bit surprising. 

Other Tuesday musings:

• The worst week of Darrin Horn’s professional career is now behind him, and it appears he will be the coach of the Gamecocks in 2011-2012.  As a matter of fact, there has been a slight, surprising groundswell of support for him (and I’m not just referring to Ron Morris, who attempts to swim upstream against pretty much any Gamecock opinion).  But to those of you using the “Coach K didn’t win his first few years at Duke” argument in support of Horn, please stop, you’re embarrassing yourself.
• Besides the Spurrier “arrest” last week, has this been the quietest spring practice of all time?  Maybe it’s because every piece of “insider” information these days requires a paid subscription.  Not that I’m complaining, hopefully someday you’ll be subscribing to our blog (crickets).  Speaking of spring practice…
• It’s good to hear Eric Baker is contributing out of the backfield this spring.  Dude has had a rough go of it since arriving at Carolina, and I think he has a chance to do some good things for us this coming year.
• Best newcomer this spring?  With all due respect to Kelcy Quarles, who gets some props here, it seems like I’m hearing the name Martay Mattox after every practice.  Hopefully he’ll turn out to be another one of those local guys Georgia regrets passing on (see: Dunta Robinson).
• Switching gears to basketball, what a great, fun NCAA tournament.  One of the best I can remember.  But to the teams still complaining about not getting in, my message to you is this – don’t lose to crappy teams.  If you don’t, you won’t have to compete with other schools that lost to crappy teams for the final spot(s) in the field.
• And to baseball – great, great series win over Florida this weekend.  I still have my doubts talent-wise about this team, but no team in the country is tougher or knows how to win close games like these Gamecocks.  I’ll take them every time.
• I would like to close with some sort of movie, music or other cultural reference, but my life has been consumed with remodeling a bathroom.  My advice if you’re thinking about doing the same – pay somebody.  Pay them whatever they ask.