QB takes his time, learns from Tebow
Cox News Service
Friday, August 22, 2008
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — What's it like to be Superman's backup?
Cameron Newton knows.
Newton was Florida's No. 2 quarterback last year behind Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow. If Tebow returns to the Gators as a senior in 2009, it will be 2010 before Newton has a chance to be the starter. Another quarterback with Newton's size (6-6, 240) and skill might transfer to a place where he could be the star.
"It's been a humbling experience," said Newton, who carried the ball 16 times and threw 10 passes in relief of Tebow last season. "I came out of high school as a five-star recruit, and I've got an ego like anybody else. It's not as much fun when you're not in the driver's seat anymore."
But Newton insists he's not going anywhere.
"Sure, I've had friends that tell me that I need to leave and find a place where I can play right away," he said. "But I don't want to go someplace just to play. I want to win. And at Florida I know one thing: We are going to win."
Newton graduated from high school early in January 2007. He went through spring practice and earned the backup job.
As Florida did when Tebow backed up Chris Leak as a freshman in 2006, Newton got a limited package of plays that the coaching staff felt he could master.
"What people forget about Cameron is that he was only 17 years old when he came to us," said Dan Mullen, Florida's offensive coordinator. "He is a tremendous athlete, and in high school he just used his superior physical ability to just beat people. In this league, you can't dominate with just your physical talent. You have to learn how to be a quarterback, and Cameron has done that."
Newton said he is now capable of running the entire offense, and if Tebow goes down, he'll be ready.
"This offense is so complicated that it takes a while to get comfortable with it," Newton said. "You not only need to know your plays, you need to know what everybody else is supposed to do. Last year when I got in the game, some of the guys would ask me what they were supposed to do. I couldn't tell them. Now I can."
And here's what Newton wants you to know: While others say he should be leaving Florida because of Tebow, he is taking the opposite approach. He's staying to learn from Tebow.
"My dad tells me I should learn everything I can from Tim and write it down in my book," Newton said. "Because the truth is, Tim has earned every honor and every award that has come his way. I try to see if I can beat him to practice, but he's already here watching film with the coaches. And if you want to work out to the max, with no fooling around, you work out with Tim."
"Cam realizes that if he follows Tim's work ethic, he is going to be a pretty good player," Mullen said. "It's a sign of maturity. He wants to earn his playing time."
There may yet be an important role for Newton this season. In 2007, Tebow carried 210 times. That was 106 more times than any other Florida player. All those carries eventually took their toll.
With his size and strength, Newton could be called upon to do what Tebow did as a freshman: Get the tough yards on third down to keep the drive alive.
"If Cameron turns out to be the guy [Tebow's backup], he can certainly come on the field and run some of that package because he's ready," Mullen said. "He can take some of Tim's runs away."
Newton said he would be more than happy playing that role.
"I just want to contribute and help us win," he said. "We're going to have a team that is good enough to win a championship. I just want to be a part of it."
Tony Barnhart writes for
