Cam Newton accepted the Heisman Trophy last month and is now playing for the National Championship. Unsure if the young quarterback from Stanford will put his name into the draft, Cam is expected to be drafted high. But those looking to choose the 6'5 kid with blazing speed, or those with current Heisman winners, be careful what you ask for.
In the last 20 years, 14 quarterbacks have won the Heisman. Andre Ware, Ty Detmer, Gino Torretta, Charlie Ward, Danny Wuerffel, Chris Weinke, Eric Crouch, Carson Palmer, Jason White, Matt Leinart, Troy Smith, Tim Tebow, Sam Bradford, and Cam Newton.
Bradford looks promising so far, but the odds aren't good. Most failed to hold a clipboard, yet alone a job in the NFL.
The Heisman goes to the quarterback of winning teams. Teams with either a system that allows them to rack up incredible numbers, or with talent so great they have all day to throw to first round receivers.
The last Heisman quarterback to win a superbowl was Jim Plunkett in 1983. But even Plunkett struggled with the Heisman jinx. Oakland picked him up as a back up only after the San Francisco 49ers released him outright in 1977.
I'd love nothing more than to watch Tim Tebow plow over a linebacker, or Cam Newton outrun a safety. But Brady, Manning, Brees, and other top notch quarterbacks do two things well. They read defenses and throw accurate passes. Add arm strength and mobility and you have a first ballot hall-of-famer. But keep your 6'5 frame, your 4.3 speed, your stats, and your trophy. Without those two things, you're bound to hold a clipboard too.
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