Cam Newton shows Jon Gruden his mental acuity

On Sunday night, the concerns about Cam Newton’s football intelligence came into the spotlight.

During Gruden’s QB Camp, Monday Night Football announcer Jon Gruden gave Newton an NFL play call. The former Buccaneers and Raiders coach fired off a complex (re: normal) play call that features line assignments, shifts, receiver placements, snap count, alerts and maybe even a dinner order.

“Flip right, double-X, Jet, 36 counter, naked waggle, X-7, X-quarter,” Gruden said effortlessly. This was no random play, I’d guess.

This left Newton dumbfounded. After the jump, watch Newton’s mannerisms during the whole exchange. Especially watch when Gruden asks Newton to give him and Auburn call.

Newton was stumped. Any good quarterback should be able to rattle off a play like they’re the lyrics to “Happy Birthday.”

A perplexed Newton finally admits to seeing a number on the sidelines and going with the play. “Simplistic equals fast,” is all Newton can muster for an answer.

That’s not good. In the NFL, quarterbacks need to be fast, smart and skilled. Of those three, Newton is only the latter.

For the Carolina Panthers, or whomever ends up taking Newton, that should be concerning.

H/T: Sports by Brooks