Here is what his coach had to say after dismissing him from the program:

In somewhat surprising news, Arkansas coach Gus Malzahn announced Sunday night that Dyer had been dismissed from the team for an undisclosed violation of team rules.

“I am truly disappointed that it didn’t work out here at ASU for Mike,” said Malzahn in the statement. “I wish Mike nothing but the best in the future.”

5 words of advice for Mr Dyer: Get ready for the draft.

Dyer, who came to Arkansas State from Auburn, had his waiver for immediate eligibility denied by the NCAA earlier this month. In transferring down a level, Dyer could play right away.

A decision should be made soon one way or the other.

By now you all have seen the Jon Gruden QB camp segment with Cam Newton.  If you go to any football forums people have been ripping Cam for everything from what he wore to his laxed attitude. The guy clearly lives in his own world, whether that is good or bad.  He is bizarre, yes, but still the guy is 6’5 235 and won the Heisman and National Title.

On the show Gruden tried his best to bring Cam out of “Cam World” and into Planet Earth but there was no getting through.  Here are 5 things that had me cringing as I watched the program.

1. Could Not Name an Auburn Play at Short Notice

Really? The QB could not give Gruden any play?  ANY play? I know Auburn ran a different kind of play system but you’re on national TV for goodness sake.  Make something up!

Gruden: Give me a play at Auburn

Newton: Ahhhhh….. ummm… you got me.

2. Used the Analogy of a Gun

Gruden: What do you think about the critics?

Newton: I like to use the analogy of a simple gun.

Gruden: You like to… WHAT? Say that again?!!!!!!

And this ties into number three…

3. Didn’t Recognize the MANY Times Gruden Tried to Climb Him Out a Hole

Jon Gruden tried his best.  He covered for Cam on the initial playcall question, then gave Cam an out from the gun analogy.  But Cam living in Cam World….

4. Didn’t Take Responsibility For Changing The Play in the National Championship

On the goal line, Cam Newton was instructed to take a knee and set it up for his field goal kicker.  Instead, he changed the play with his interior linemen and tried to sneak the ball in for a score.

Not trusting your coach? In the NFL, that can get you a permanent seat on the bench.  No coach is going to pony his future to a QB that changes plays on  him.  Not to mention, Cam never took full responsibility for it.  He simply said “I know it wasnt the right thing to do…” and justified why he did what he did.

5. Wore His Sunday’s Best to a Football Meeting

I’m being funny here, but I have read that people think that Cam was playing up for the cameras via his wardrobe.  Knowing that Gruden was going to have him run a workout, why not just show up in some athletic gear like the other QB’s did?

It is clear that Cam Newton is going to continue to live by the rules of “Cam World”, for better or worse.  If you wish to see the program here some of it:

Now, why would this show air and why would it focus on Auburn University?  Could it be because Auburn’s most recent QB Cam Newton is the most polarizing figure in the 2011 draft? Very possibly so.  It just seems like a very thinly veiled attack on this young man during what should be his proudest moment.

Yes, even I in the past was extremely critical of the “pay for play” scandal that Cam and his dad Cecil Newton were engaged in.  Everyone raised an eyebrow to the situation when it happened.  But now that it is over and Cam has spoken to all 32 NFL teams personally, along with private workouts with the Panthers, Broncos (sorry Tim), Bills, and Vikings, why should pundits continue to berate this point?  If he took the money then so be it.  Auburn will be evacuated of their National Title when the time is due.  It won’t have any effect on whether he gets the consistent accuracy to be a Pro Bowl QB or not.

Another story came out on Cam’s personality in which he was described as being fake and contrived.  Really?  How would a writer that doesn’t know Cam personally be able to tell that?  Now I admit I have said in the past that Cam may just be a “big fat liar” but as of right NOW we do not know.  Nothing has come out that has contradicted his story, no matter how much it still does not make sense.

Another story came out this week about Patrick Peterson.  A trainer allegedly negotiated a “pay for play” deal with Texas A&M that didn’t go through.  Though Peterson is not guilty of anything, it just makes you wonder.  Between that and his single digit wonderlic score why do people still place this cornerback as a top 3 “can’t miss” prospect?  What is so different between him and Cam Newton?

It is time to let Cam Newton’s past play out in the hands of those responsible for vetting Auburn University and focus on what really matters.

It sucks for them because many people who played the sport will never ever get a chance to walk that stage and hear his name called.  And now that they have that moment in their grasp it is being taken away because millionaires and billionaires can’t agree how to split billions in revenue.

Enough about the labor issues for now.  What about the biggest entertainer and ICON in this years draft class, Cam Newton? Would he be able to quench his thirst for the spotlight and sit at home or would he show up to the draft as the lone in-person attendee and be the darling of the fans and league management in attendance?  I am not ruling it out to see Cam Newton come out on stage in a surprise moment a la Brandon Jennings at the NBA Draft a few years ago:

What’s more interesting about the NFL.com story is that the Broncos have stayed behind Kyle Orton as their started when inquired by the Vikings on his availability.  Maybe we will see Tim Tebow be moved there? Not likely, but it is a thought to think about.

Well really, nothing but you know how it is this time of the year.  The slightest piece of news can send a player hurling to the top of the board or all the way out of round one.

The only major thing that changed was that teams finally got official measurements on all of the players which caused the hype machine to cool on Nick Fairley.  Fairley once thought of as a 6’5, 300 lb. prospect is really only 6’3 and 290 pounds.

Ouch.

Dareus measured as expected and finished with a faster shuttle time than Fairley despite being a few inches and several pounds larger.  Fairley’s size is now going to hurt him going forward but he will still likely be a top 5 selection.  If anything, the combine caused these guys to flip in ranking more so than anything.  Teams that were checking out Fairley may be more apt to go ahead and take Dareus over a Bowers or Robert Quinn because these guys are being looked at more and more as the number 1 and 1A options for defensive tackle.

One of these players is guaranteed to be a Carolina Panther, and the other is destined to be a Bronco, Bill, Bengal, or Brown.

He ran pretty well, showed up in top shape, and tested in every physical drill either as well as expected, or slightly better.  The only issue Cam really had was the passing drill and his personal interview.  In the passing drill Cam went 11-21.  In that drill, Cam was working with receivers he did not know but still 11-21 is not good enough any way you cut it.  There is also word getting out that some scouts were rubbed the wrong way in his personal interviews.

I have always said this and I think we all need to be reminded of one huge thing when trying to evaluate Cam Newton.  He does not have nearly as much experience as it seems. The players that Cam is constantly compared to in Vince Young and Tim Tebow both had years of collegiate experience over Newton.  Cam only played one season in the FBS, yes winning everything, but you cannot ignore the fact that it was just one season “under the gun.”  You can get by on talent for one year. Those teams in the $EC had no idea what they were going up against as far as a Cam’s physical running ability.  He was able to catch a lot of teams early by surprise.

Not to knock him, but that is the situation.  Cam Newton is a player who played one season in Junior College, and just one season in the $EC.  That is who you are drafting.

Cam had nothing to lose by going to the combine.  He showed he will accept any challenge head on which is a great trait.  He will throw better at his private pro day.  But teams have to realize that they are evaluating a player that has largely been untested other than a couple close $EC games.  If you are a gambler, then by all means take him.  There is no ceiling with his talent but know that there is just as equal chance that he isn’t able to get by on physical talent alone in the league and craps out.

There is a long way between now and the draft with team pro days and the combine on the way.  Gabbert will throw on March 17th at his pro day.

Can Cam Newton close the gap on Gabbert?  Is he going #3 overall regardless?  Or are both QBs going to freefall? Things are about to get VERY interesting.

Mel’s top 5 Quarterback list was the following:

1. Blaine Gabbert
2. Cam Newton
3. Ryan Mallet
4. Jake Locker
5. Andy Dalton

McShay ‘s list moved Cam down and elevated Jake Locker:

1. Blaine Gabbert
2. Jake Locker
3. Cam Newton
4. Ryan Mallet
5. Andy Dalton

Kiper even went on to say that in 5 years we will look back and see the best physical talent in the draft was Cam Newton.  No arguements there, it could defnitely happen but we know how foolish Mel has been in the past saying things like Jamarcus Russell is the next John Eway….

Mel also said his red fag was on Ryan Mallet.  Not because of the rumors you can read on forums, but because Mallet couldn’t lead his team from behind in big games. Fair, fair, I can definitely see that.

However I tend to lean a little closer to Todd McShay’s analysis.  He said that Blaine Gabbert’s accuracy would make him the best talent out the bunch in 5 years.  Though I am not sold on Gabbert at all, I have to strongly agree with Todd’s take that Cam Newton is the biggest red flag because he comes from a system that’s hard to translate into the pros and there may be maturity issues to boot.

Andy Dalton was the consensus “under the radar” pick and compared to Jake Plummer.

The NFL Draft will air on ESPN April 28, 2011.