Cam Newton to Be Mentored by Brett Favre - Better Get Your Popcorn!

Recently, Cam Newton mentioned in an interview that Brett Favre's recruitment tactics influenced him to select Bus Cook as his agent. Further, Newton maintains that he views Favre as a mentor who will help prepare Auburn's Heisman Trophy winner for life as an NFL quarterback. Given that Newton's involvement with recruitment activities has been such a sensation and that Favre is noted for his thoughtful, deliberate decision-making capabilities, this seems to be a match made in NFL heaven.

Levity aside, is Favre really the best role model for Newton to latch onto as he tries to prove, implicitly or explicitly, that he was not involved in any recruiting violations on his behalf and that he can cut it as a passer in the NFL? Admittedly, Favre has shown a propensity for working with young players, but that has generally been at the high school level while the Old Gunslinger prepared for another season. Favre was not exactly a master professor to young Aaron Rodgers when the two were paired during Favre's final years in Green Bay. In fact, Favre seemed to go out of his way to be churlish and block Rodgers' development. Maybe the fact that he's not in direct competition with Newton will help on that front, but they probably will be competing for the spotlight in Cook's stable, for awhile at least. As Favre's cell phone problems continue to unfold, it may become more clear that he's not exactly in a great position to direct young guys in off-field matters, either.

If Newton is looking for instructional help from Favre, he may be barking up the wrong tree on that front as well. Newton probably needs to learn from someone who made the transition from great athlete to mature quarterback, not an incredibly talented arm who ran around NFL fields like a maverick for 20 years. Maybe Michael Vick or Randall Cunningham or Kurt Warner would be a better choice.

However the Favre-Newton relationship works out, it's bound to give us all plenty of comedic fodder and the chance to keep Favre in the glow of the mainstream where he longs to be. Everyone wins!