CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Not ready to be an NFL starter. Bad footwork. Off-the-field issue.

These were things said about Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton and the Dallas Cowboys’ Dak Prescott following their respective NFL combines.

Both went on to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors; Newton in 2011 and Prescott this past season.

Newton, the first overall pick in 2011 out of Auburn, threw for 21 touchdowns and rushed for 14 more. Prescott, a fourth-round pick out of Mississippi State, had 26 touchdown passes and six rushing scores.

Prescott had better team success as the Cowboys went 13-3 and made the playoffs in his rookie season. The Panthers were 6-10 in Newton’s first season and didn’t make the playoffs with the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner until his third year.

But both players quickly established themselves as the organization’s franchise quarterback despite what was said about them at the combine.

With the 2017 combine set to begin next week in Indianapolis, let’s look back at how Newton and Prescott compared:

Newton obviously was the more athletic of the two. Neither scored great on the Wonderlic, a cognitive ability test the NFL uses to assess aptitude.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz, the second overall pick last season, had a Wonderlic score of 40. Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff, the first overall pick, had a 34.

Not that you can put too much stock in that. Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger scored a 25, and he went on to become a five-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time Super Bowl champion.

Here’s what the NFL.com analysis said about Newton and Prescott after the combine:

Strengths

Newton: “Has a rare blend of height, strength and speed. Fierce competitor and emotional leader. Flashes the ability to zip the ball into tight spots. Has a quick, over-the-top delivery. Puts a ton of revolutions on the ball and can make all the throws. Frequently evades the rush for second-chance opportunities. Threat to pick up large chunks when he tucks.”

Prescott: “Thick, muscular frame. Has proven over the last three seasons that he can withstand a pounding. Has enough natural arm strength and hip snap to fit throws into an NFL window. Stands tall and delivers a tight spiral with the over-the-top delivery. When pocket is clean, can deliver accurate strikes around the field. Played with improved vision and care for football this season and eliminated many of the ill-fated throws that turned into interceptions in 2014. Still a work in progress, but continues to show a level of growth as a passer. … Willing to extend plays outside of the pocket with legs, but look to finish the play with his arm. Mentally tough enough to carry a heavy offensive burden for the Bulldogs over the last three years.”

Weaknesses

Newton: “Not proficient at going through his progressions or making NFL reads. Doesn’t anticipate receivers getting open, must see them in a window. Inconsistent accuracy due to poor footwork and falling away to avoid a big hit. Despite athleticism, needs to improve his drop mechanics and the finer points of pocket mobility. Numerous off the field issues worth investigating.”

Prescott: “Beat up this year thanks to poor protection. When he wasn’t being sacked, he was being hit hard. Not as competitive a rusher in 2015. Sacks and usage in run game might be taking a toll. Increase in short pass attempts from 86 to 208 this year reason for higher completion numbers. Accuracy on intermediate and deep throws dropped sharply. Pocket poise has been compromised. Hyper aware of pressure around him and lacks awareness to slide and find a temporary shelter to make throw. Concern over pressure too often trumps ability to get through progressions. Must speed up the pace of his reads. Footwork is a mess. … Throws to target rather than leading or throwing them open on short/intermediate throws. Too respectful of underneath coverage, and must be more willing to challenge the defense. Needs to improve anticipation.”

Both quarterbacks obviously overcame their weaknesses. Newton was the NFL Most Valuable player in 2015 with a career-high 35 touchdown passes to go with 10 rushing TDs.

Prescott was so efficient in 2016 that veteran Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo never got his job back and is expected to be released.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — There’s no telling how the Kansas City Chiefs would have finished in 2016 without either Eric Berry or Tyreek Hill, but it’s clear they wouldn’t have gone 12-4 or captured their first AFC West championship since 2010. They probably wouldn’t have made the playoffs at all.

That’s how strong Berry and Hill were for the Chiefs. Berry, the do-everything safety, made several big plays to help deliver victories to the Chiefs in close games. Hill, the rookie receiver and kickoff returner, led Kansas City with 12 total touchdowns. None of his teammates had more than five.

The Chiefs are scheduled to announce on Sunday their 2016 most valuable player and rookie of the year. When it comes to MVP, the choices occasionally surprise, so it wouldn’t be a total upset if quarterback Alex Smith, tight end Travis Kelce or cornerback Marcus Peters won or shared the award.

But Berry and Hill are the most deserving choices. If either one wins, justice is done.

Berry is my pick. The Chiefs wouldn’t have won the division title without his knack for fourth-quarter big plays. His interception and spectacular return for a touchdown – Berry successfully completed two spin moves on his way to the end zone – ignited a late comeback in a November game against the Panthers. His interception and score on an Atlanta two-point conversion try in the final minutes gave the Chiefs the necessary points to take a 29-28 victory over the Falcons in December.

These and other big plays – between interceptions and forced fumbles, Berry had five takeaways, tied for second on the team behind only Peters – were in addition to his usual, steady, down-by-down presence.

Hill exceeded Berry in spectacular plays. Of his 12 touchdowns, eight were from longer than 34 yards, providing a much-needed boost to an offense that often struggled to put together long drives or score points. Hill had all three Chiefs touchdowns – one on a rush, one on a pass reception and one on a kick return – in a crucial November victory over the Denver Broncos, the final score coming with 12 seconds left. That touchdown, paired with the two-point conversion, sent the game into overtime, and the Chiefs won with two field goals.

Claudio Ranieri planned to remain at Leicester City forever after guiding the club to its first Premier League title.

Forever turned into nine months when Leicester’s owners opted to part ways with the manager Thursday, a decision that triggered an outpouring of support and sympathy for Ranieri.

Ranieri revealed the heartache associated with losing his job in a statement Friday. He also took the opportunity to reminisce about the fairy-tale season in which he played an instrumental role in leading Leicester to the summit of England’s top flight.

He wrote:

Yesterday my dream died.

After the euphoria of last season and being crowned Premier League Champions, all I dreamt of was staying at Leicester City, the club I love, for always.

Sadly this was not to be.

Related – Leicester vice chairman: ‘We will forever be grateful’ to Ranieri

Ranieri went on to thank his family, his agents, and two of his coaches who were also sacked Thursday, and praised the media for its coverage and reporting on the “greatest story in football.”

“Mostly I have to thank Leicester City Football Club,” he wrote. “The adventure was amazing and will live with me forever.”

Related: Leicester interim boss says players didn’t force Ranieri out

Ranieri reserved his largest measure of gratitude for Leicester City supporters:

You took me into your hearts from day one and loved me. I love you too. No one can ever take away what we together have achieved.

I hope you think about it and smile every day the way I always will. It was a time of wonderfulness and happiness that I will never forget. It’s been a pleasure and an honour to be a champion with all of you.