Cam Newton is center of attention, speculation

[pantherfan81]

The rock star had arrived.

While everything about Auburn quarterback Cam Newton seems bigger than life, his scouting combine news conference Saturday began on a sheepish note.

Newton explained that his "entertainer and icon" remarks that drew criticism earlier in the week were regrettable.

"After that got out, he called me and said 'I'm not Michael Jordan, I'm not Derek Jeter,'" said George Whitfield Jr., Newton's quarterback tutor.

No, but in this year's NFL draft, he's the next best thing.

The Carolina Panthers are one of many teams that want to know whether they can trust him with their offense and the identity of their franchises.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera said they were going to dig deeply into each of the seven to 10 candidates they were considering.

"The process will be very extensive whether it's for Cam Newton or for other guys on our list," Rivera said. "We also keep an open mind there's a lot of things these young guys will do when they're 18 years old. To judge people and not realize they have grown would be unfair.

"We're going to try to keep an open mind with everybody we do this process with."

Rivera said he wanted to know how Newton would handle playing under center in a pro offense, but also, how he'd handle the off-field pressures.

"It's how they're going to handle that transition to the NFL," Rivera said. "A lot of first, second, third, fourth picks didn't pan out, and you've got to find out how they handle that transition; not just what he does on the football field, but what potentially could be off the field."

Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/02/26/2095914/newton-is-center-of-attention.html#ixzz1F83elaMB

Read the bold & look at my sig :lol:

[teeray]

Rivera keeps mentioning Newton. A lot of positive vibes although I am sure that is likely due to media prodding. Still he could gloss it over but he continues to throw good vibes out there.

[pantherfan81]

Off topic. This is from the observer blog section here.

I thought it was hilarious though lol:

I'm white and I really want Cam Newton.

Some poster on the responses :lol:

[teeray]

"We also keep an open mind there's a lot of things these young guys will do when they're 18 years old. To judge people and not realize they have grown would be unfair.

"We're going to try to keep an open mind with everybody we do this process with."

:agree:

[teeray]

"We also keep an open mind there's a lot of things these young guys will do when they're 18 years old. To judge people and not realize they have grown would be unfair.

"We're going to try to keep an open mind with everybody we do this process with."

:iagree::iagree::iagree:

[Wither]

Another one, lmao.

[pantherfan81]

Another one, lmao.

This one was more like a "caption that pic" for my sig :D

[Matt Moore]

[rippadonn]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/sports/dolphins/cam-newton-at-nfl-scouting-combine-tries-to-1284149.html?cxtype=ynews_rss

14min news conference. More mature than I thought he would be. Handled the process well.

[PantherFan52]

God I don't want this guy.

[CatMan72]

LOL @ Gantt, nice stalker smile.