Auburn Talking Points on the Cam Newton Tapes

Scott Moore continues to spread word of the Cam Newton tapes today.  Moore appeared on Tim Brando and Clay Travis' shows this afternoon.  The tapes and what might be on them have set off a round of counter shots from the Auburn family as well.

First, they claim that Moore is not a reliable source.  We won't delve into this point in its entirety here, because we already did that once today HERE. Sufficed to say that John Bond, Bill Bell, Cam Newton and Cecil Newton have NOT come out and said that Moore is lying.  If there weren't tapes, and they didn't say what Moore is claiming they say, it would be in the interest of all of those individuals to make it publicly known.

Phillip Marshall of Auburn Undercover has put forth two new talking points today, both are worth looking at.  Marshall's first new argument against Moore is this:

"Moore also claims that the NCAA recommended Auburn not play Cam Newton and Auburn played him anyway. That is just flat out untrue. Period. That he presents that as fact calls everything he claims into question."

How does Marshall know this is not true?  Was Marshall privy to what was said between Auburn and the NCAA?  If he was, what is his source?  Where is the hard proof, as the Auburn faithful love to say.

The second new talking point against the tapes is that they don't matter.  The argument was laid out today by Phillip Marshall of Auburn Undercover. Marshall writes:

"Does the tape implicating Cam Newton really exist? I certainly can’t say it doesn’t. What if it does? What would that mean to Auburn?

It would mean nothing in terms of institutional culpability unless Auburn officials knew or should have known and did nothing. If the NCAA determined Auburn officials did know or should have known, Auburn’s BCS national championship could be in danger.

 Considering that Auburn worked by the side by side with the NCAA through the entire process, it’s not likely the NCAA would rule officials knew or should have known. And if the NCAA says they didn’t know, it is unlikely that Auburn’s national championship would be in danger."

 If the tapes are real and Cam Newton is proven to have known that he was being shopped around, it changes everything.   The "Cam didn't know" excuse is only valid if Cam didn't know.  The fact that Auburn didn't know Cam was lying does not change the fact that he was.  Cam would have lied to the NCAA, violation.  If Cam knew he was being shopped he broke the agent rule, another violation.  

The argument that Auburn didn't know Cam was ineligible, therefore they are not culpable, is also false.  Auburn knew that Cam could be ineligible in November, they played him anyway.  A school not knowing a player is violating NCAA rules doesn't make that school immune to punishment from the NCAA.  If that were the case all schools would simply claim ignorance and avoid any punishment.  

Marshall's last point is that the Championship would not be in danger, also false to a certain degree.  If all this comes out Cam will probably lose his Heisman.  Auburn will be forced to vacate their wins, taking their season to 0-0.  Auburn will most likely also lose the BCS championship, much like USC did.  But, they would probably retain their AP championship, as USC did. 

What we find interesting about these talking points is the Auburn faithful are already starting to turn on Cam.  The tapes haven't even been released yet and they are backing away from their "all in" association.  Marshall says no matter what Cam did, if Auburn didn't know, Cam is culpable not Auburn.  The Auburn talking point will become that Cam is to blame, he did all this, he lied to them.  Auburn had no idea they were being fooled by Cam. 

Once Auburn begins to turn on Cam we would probably not have to wait long for Cam or Cecil to turn back on Auburn.  Auburn better be careful what they wish for.  If they turn Cam into a scapegoat he may point the finger right back at them.  If there is one person who would know what Auburn knew, and when they knew it,  it would be Cam Newton.  If he is thrown out by the Auburn family he might be quick to throw that family under the bus.  After all, Cam doesn't want it to fall on him right before the NFL draft.

We are curious to see how many Auburn faithful are willing to live up to their previous comments on the Cam Newton saga.  Most of the Auburn talking points up to now have been based on the argument that there is no hard proof.  If these tapes come out and there is solid proof, will Auburn fans accept the facts?  We wouldn't bet on it.   

hard proof we are awesome



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