I asked Cam Newton Wednesday during his 15-minute press conference about Michael Vick’s recent statement on Dan Patrick’s radio show that he was still the fastest quarterback in the NFL. Or, I asked, would Cam care to insert himself in such a contest?
“I’m taking my name off that ballot,” Newton said. “I think it’s between RG3 [Robert Griffin III], Colin [Kaepernick] and Michael Vick… I don’t want to be the fastest quarterback, I just want to be the guy that can’t be caught in the open field. Because if you get caught in the open field, that means you’re not doing something right, and that will be talked about in the locker room.”
Newton, 24, is eight years younger than the 32-year-old Vick. While growing up in suburban Atlanta, he used to idolize Vick when the current Philadelphia quarterback played for the Falcons. “He still has his jets,” Newton said, calling Vick an “unbelievable” character, athlete and person.
Vick is the NFL’s all-time career rushing leader for quarterbacks. But Newton last year became the first quarterback to lead his team in rushing since Philadelphia’s Donovan McNabb in 2000. He also had a 72-yard scoring run in which he did a front flip into the end zone. And given that he said Wednesday he played part of last season at 255 pounds and now is at 243, he will likely be a tick faster this year.
But in terms of pure speed, Cam is probably right. He wouldn’t win gold, silver or bronze in a quarterbacks-only 40-yard dash these days.
I think the fastest quarterback in the NFL is RG3, assuming he’s healthy, with San Francisco’s Kaepernick a close second and Vick third. RG3 ran a 4.41 40-yard dash at the 2012 scouting combine and some had him timed in 4.38 (Newton’s official time the year before was 4.59).
Vick ran a 4.33 back in the day at the scouting combine and there has never, ever been a faster college quarterback. But his body has undergone a lot of wear and tear since then, and I don’t think he could beat RG3 in a footrace any longer.
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9 years ago
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vick did beat desean jackson in a 40 yard dash earlier this offseason, so who knows.
Vick was the fastest (ever) coming out of college but has lost a step or two over the years. RGIII would be the fastest today but is coming off a second knee reconstruction. Kaepernick is the fastest quarterback going, considering he is still young, has not taken a lot of hits or sustained any major injuries.
RG3 is QUICK, with great speed. Cam is a slow starter, but just as fast with the top end speed. RG3 wins that race only because of the quicker start. Russell Wilson is just as quick as RG3, but not as fast. Vick is history.
Of course Griffin, Vick, and Kaepernick would be faster than Cam. They're all slightly built and resemble wide receivers. Cam is built like a tight end, and a blocking one at that.
Now, for those of you who want to trash Cam, this answer was a very respectful and classy way to recognize his peers. Cam is maturing and I expect to see an even more improved QB this season.
> Anonymous Anonymous said...
vick did beat desean jackson in a 40 y...
vick beat lesean mccoy not desean
Terrelle Pryor is the fastest qb hands down.
Yall are crazi kaeparnick runs a 4.5 he's not even in this race.. and it wud be between rg3 and vick and pryor. I'm a vick fan.. but vick is older but still fast as hell. I think pryor wud beat him but rg3 no way....
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