Panthers haven’t ruled out Cam Newton with the No. 1 pick
New Carolina coach Ron Rivera said, "Bring it on Falcons." (D. Orlando Ledbetter/dledbetter@ajc.com)
INDIANAPOLIS – “Team AJC” has arrived at the 2011 NFL scouting combine.
Today, the following position groups will stream through the interview room: Offensive linemen, kickers, punters, long snappers and tight ends.
Some team executives have been through already. Denver coach John Fox just finished. A. Detroit coach Jim Schwartz is finished. (I’m going to ask him about Chris Houston and Erik Coleman when he gets off the podium.)
Miami’s Jeff Ireland, Buffalo’s Chan Gailey and new Carolina coach Ron Rivera have already spoken to the gathered media.
Rivera didn’t rule out the Panthers selecting Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, of Westlake High, with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.
“There are 8 to 10 young men that we feel fit our needs real well,” Rivera said. “We’ll explore every avenue with them. We are going to try to keep an open mind with everybody we deal with.”
He’s believes the Panthers will face an uphill battle in the NFC South with the Falcons, Saints and Bucs all coming off 10-win seasons.
The Media Entrance at Lucas Oil Stadium, site of Super Bowl XLVI, you know if there isn't a lockout. (D. Orlando Ledbetter/dledbetter@ajc.com)
“It’s going to most certainly be a challenge,” Rivera said.
He also addressed whether wide receiver Steve Smith will be retained by the Panthers.
“Steve is a Carolina Panther,” Rivera said. “Let us put it all together and see if it works first.”
Rivera, who interviewed for the Falcons head coaching position before they hired Bobby Petrino for the 2007 season, could have been in the NFC South earlier.
“I’m very excited and it’s great to have the opportunity,” Rivera said.
–D. Orlando Ledbetter, The Atlanta Falcons beat blog
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162 comments Add your comment
just sayin'
February 24th, 2011
1:25 pm
looks like 5150 has been reincarnated..as WDE…..cut/paste/one line comment…kinda takes away from any meaningful discussion…
WDE
February 24th, 2011
1:25 pm
Wow Tech Finger, I don’t think I’d have admitted to loving barn animals. You need to seek help. LOL
Oh, and thanks for stealing my blog handle.
WDE
February 24th, 2011
1:26 pm
just sayin’
It’s ironic that you write that yet you haven’t said one intelligent thing.
The Mask
February 24th, 2011
1:27 pm
It wasn’t me, it was the one-armed man.
just sayin'
February 24th, 2011
1:27 pm
point is made….
WDE
February 24th, 2011
1:28 pm
“point is made….”
Nope.
Buckeye
February 24th, 2011
1:28 pm
Tech Stinger,
At least someon’e on the ball this afternoon! Thank you.
Tech Stinger
February 24th, 2011
1:29 pm
Buckeye
Remember that time you bragged about O State being number one in basketball?
Buckeye
February 24th, 2011
1:30 pm
Anyone else glad we’ve see the last (let’s hope) of Jeremy Shockey in the NFL South?
He’s one of those punks that makes my skin crawl.
just screamin'
February 24th, 2011
1:30 pm
Just because you say something doesn’t mean it’s true.
Tech Stinger
February 24th, 2011
1:30 pm
Buckeye
February 24th, 2011
1:28 pm
Tech Stinger,
At least someon’e on the ball this afternoon! Thank you.
First of all Buckeye that wasn’t me, someone stole my blog name also. And mind your business clown
DawginLex
February 24th, 2011
1:31 pm
Anyone else ever notice that when WDE shows up on a blog that the blog ends up being a crapfest?
Yet he is so delusional that he thinks he never does anything wrong.
Tech Stinger
February 24th, 2011
1:31 pm
wow someone stealing my name
Tech Stinger Got Bit Off
February 24th, 2011
1:32 pm
“someone stole my blog name also. And mind your business clown”
Payback’s a b!tch ain’t it?
Tech Stinger
February 24th, 2011
1:32 pm
WDE
You need to get a life and stop making childish remarks on the blog
WDE
February 24th, 2011
1:32 pm
“wow someone stealing my name”
Pot, meet kettle.
WDE
February 24th, 2011
1:32 pm
“You need to get a life and stop making childish remarks on the blog”
Pot meet kettle.
WDE
February 24th, 2011
1:33 pm
“Anyone else ever notice that when WDE shows up on a blog that the blog ends up being a crapfest?”
No, but I noticed that you and Tech Stinger are bad at stealing blog handles.
“Yet he is so delusional that he thinks he never does anything wrong.’
Dude, you are one strange human being.
Buckeye
February 24th, 2011
1:34 pm
Tech Stinger,
Yep, sure do. We dropped all the way to #2 after dropping two in-conference games to ranked teams. One to Wisc who is undefeated at home and the to Purdue against a career day. We’re still a heavy favorite for a #1 seed if not the # 1 seed in the Dance.
As I posted on Bradley, sorry your program is in such tatters. I was a fan back in the Price and Salley and Lethal Weapon days.
I’d offer to trade places but I kinda like our position.
WDE
February 24th, 2011
1:36 pm
Buckeye
Tech Stinger may be the most confused person on this blog. Who knows, maybe he’s having a hard time coming out of the closet to his parents. I mean, anyone who admits to loving barn animals has some serious problems to begin with.
WDE
February 24th, 2011
1:37 pm
“and the 5 players who disgraced themselves and your school…are they not punks, also?’
Yep, so are the 12 UGA players who got arrested.
DawginLex
February 24th, 2011
1:37 pm
WDE
February 24th, 2011
12:46 pm
“Draft A.J. Green 1st overall since he will by himself make any quarterback look better.’
Yeah, cause he really made Aaron Murray look great! What was that record? Oh yeah, 6-7. Yeah, AJ is awesome.
WDE
February 24th, 2011
12:51 pm
“Cam’s Wunderlich test will be worse than Vince Young’s and everyone will realize that all the natural talent in the world doesn’t put a brain between your ears.’
Yeah, and the dawgs will win the BCS Title this year. I love dumb dawg fans whose predictions NEVER come true. Speaking of dumb, did Herschel ever learn how to read?
“He’s as dead as those ugly arse trees. ‘
Not nearly as ugly as your 6-7 dawg team.
Hey, do you think you’ll have enough money left over from your
************************************************************
I am overwhelmed at your innocence. You never start anything anywhere on any blog at any time.
I stand corrected.
Buckeye
February 24th, 2011
1:38 pm
Tech Stinger,
Sorry you were hijacked. You’d think they would have the technology to protect an ID and an email address combination. When I get hijacked my grammer and language skills usually suffer. I’m dragged down to a lower level of competition.
You’ve got to admit, the Fulmer Cup comment was funny relative to DawinLex and WDE’s bantor.
WDE
February 24th, 2011
1:39 pm
“I am overwhelmed at your innocence. You never start anything anywhere on any blog at any time.’
You aren’t smart are you. I never claimed to be “innocent.” All I did was say that I didn’t attack you first.
“I stand corrected.’
No, you are confused.
DawginLex
February 24th, 2011
1:39 pm
Stinger and Buckeye,
I’m more than willing to continue the list
11. fulmer Cup
12. We hit and run this state
DawginLex
February 24th, 2011
1:40 pm
No you attack UGA constantly and call people names that stand up for their school and twist words to justify your delusion that you are never wrong.
WDE
February 24th, 2011
1:41 pm
“I’m more than willing to continue the list”
But why embarrass yourself further?
FalconsFan284
February 24th, 2011
1:41 pm
Wow Joe Tess, 10 INT’s for a season is now too many. LOL! I suppose throwing around 30 TD’s is too many also.
DawginLex
February 24th, 2011
1:42 pm
WDE
February 24th, 2011
1:41 pm
“I’m more than willing to continue the list”
But why embarrass yourself further?
*******************************************
I guess you ARE the king of that aren’t you?
WDE
February 24th, 2011
1:42 pm
“No you attack UGA constantly and call people names that stand up for their school and twist words to justify your delusion that you are never wrong.’
No, I attack people who attacked Auburn’Cam first. Again, not my problem if you can’t read. I never twisted anyone’s words, Gump.
Oh, and I love how you scold me about name calling when you threw the first stone.
DawginLex
February 24th, 2011
1:42 pm
It’s been fun boys. Later to all.
WDE
February 24th, 2011
1:43 pm
“I guess you ARE the king of that aren’t you?’
What are you doing on a Cam Newton blog, Dawg? I don’t see the topic having anything to do with UGA.
WDE
February 24th, 2011
1:44 pm
“It’s been fun boys. Later to all.’
You keep saying that yet you never leave.
WDE
February 24th, 2011
1:45 pm
I paid lots of money for Cam Newton’s jock strap, and I just love that big head he has. I have his fathead posted on my double wide trailer outside
Dumb Dawgs
February 24th, 2011
1:46 pm
How come dawg fans have to steal Auburn fans blog handles?
Answer: Because they aren’t good at anything else.
Take the money and run...a spread offense
February 24th, 2011
1:47 pm
Cam Newton would be awesome as a falcon!!! We would be unstoppable with him at TE!!! He could learn from Tony G!!! Make it happen TD!!
Mike Bobo
February 24th, 2011
1:47 pm
Hey, anybody seen my play book? I gotta get ready for more field goals in Memphis.
Buckeye
February 24th, 2011
1:49 pm
DawginLex,
Funny. LOL.
Thanks to adding to the list. I will print it out and use for future reference when faced with the tired 1-9 argument. You’ve helped your fellow man today.
Mike Price
February 24th, 2011
1:51 pm
I’d still be at Bama now if that girl hadn’t told me she was from Auburn.
I wanted her to call me daddy just one time
Buckeye
February 24th, 2011
1:51 pm
DawginLex offers interesting points of view and shares a historical perspective. He can be a pain but one thing he is is knowledgeable. WDE, on the other hand, is simply annoying.
gcs
February 24th, 2011
1:51 pm
Cam Newton is a stupid number one pick. But since it is Carolina, I say go for it!
The Panthers have no second round pick. They would be smart to find a team that wants to swap first rounds and include a second rounder.
.
Mike Price
February 24th, 2011
1:51 pm
Plus she said something about bringing a goat along
Dumb Dawgs
February 24th, 2011
1:53 pm
“Plus she said something about bringing a goat along”
Oh, so that’s why you went to jail.
Dumb Dawgs
February 24th, 2011
1:54 pm
“Cam Newton is a stupid number one pick.’
Wow, what a profound statement.
Mike Price
February 24th, 2011
1:55 pm
It’s fun out here at UTEP.
Bama would have been ok but the farm animals in Texas are bigger.
i think they are smarter too.
McDawg
February 24th, 2011
1:59 pm
the panthers need an OL-doesn’t matter who is playing QB
i think Cam Newton will be a fine pro unless he is thrown into a situation like Carolina’s
McDawg
February 24th, 2011
2:01 pm
Oh great tree on the corner cleanse me of my sins with this offering of toilet paper
Tide Roll
February 24th, 2011
2:05 pm
Cam will be the first player taken in large part because of his marketing strength. NFL owners see the same opportunities that Under Armour sees. For richt and Bobo to still evaluate this guy as a tight end AFTER his JUCO career is ludricrous. Uga is a laughable program.Roll Tide
McDawg
February 24th, 2011
2:09 pm
from 1997 to 2007 the tide wasn’t laughable just plain sad
Dumb Dawgs
February 24th, 2011
2:17 pm
“from 1997 to 2007 the tide wasn’t laughable just plain sad’
They’re currently on probation until 2012.