I couldn't pull up the other link I wanted to because I'm not at home, but it was common knowledge prior to the 2010 draft. My point was it's was asinine to think Newton failing would be worse than Clausen since without that interview with Gruden (and character issues at Notre Dame) Clausen had the pure passing skills to go in the Top 10 (which NFL analyst was predicating anyways). Newton is hype right now. If you put Newton's on field swagger and never give up attitude with Clausen's passing abilities and mold it into one player, that would be a can't miss #1 QB.
I agree with the fixing the D and getting a vet QB. But Clausen reportedly has a very bad attitude (underage drink charge early in Notre Dame career and a busted eye in a fight his senior year) boarding on spoiled bratness and even Gruden has publicly described Clausen as uncoachable, which is why he landed so low in the draft despite his potential Top 10 throwing ability while running a pro-style offense. Newton's chances are every bit as good (if not better) than Clausen, from an objective point of view anyways. Now if you just personally don't like Newton, that's a different story...
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/04/15/clausens-segment-with-gruden- hints-at-a-leadership-flaw/?related=1
I couldn't pull up the other link I wanted to because I'm not at home, but it was common knowledge prior to the 2010 draft. My point was it's was asinine to think Newton failing would be worse than Clausen since without that interview with Gruden (and character issues at Notre Dame) Clausen had the pure passing skills to go in the Top 10 (which NFL analyst was predicating anyways). Newton is hype right now. If you put Newton's on field swagger and never give up attitude with Clausen's passing abilities and mold it into one player, that would be a can't miss #1 QB.