The Carolina Panthers did a smart thing Tuesday by locking down wide receiver Steve Smith for another three years. But they did a smarter thing a year ago when they stuck to their convictions and chose Auburn quarterback Cam Newton with the first pick of the NFL Draft.
Basically, the Panthers followed one of the draft's most important tenets, which is to be true to yourself -- even if it means making an unpopular or controversial decision. The Panthers were, and look where it has them now.
On the road to recovery.
While Newton's choice was popular with Carolina fans, it wasn't the safest one out there. Alabama defensive tackle Marcell Dareus or LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson were less risky, but you don't put people in seats with a defensive tackle or a cornerback. You put them there with a quarterback who is talented, who is creative and who can win.
The article also goes into great detail on why Hurney should get way more credit on this board: when everyone around Marty was telling him to stay away from Cam he doubled down on his homework and trusted his own intuition instead.
