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
Bryant
February 24th, 2011
2:35 pm
Is there any more blackouts scheduled?
Gene
February 24th, 2011
2:47 pm
Please leave Forrest Gump out of the smack talk. Forrest never got locked up.
Joe Tess Fish House
February 24th, 2011
2:56 pm
What do U mean hall pass? I dont no what you are tlakin about.
Joe Tess Fish House
February 24th, 2011
3:04 pm
Had the Flacons ever had a good fist round draft pick? I dont thing so.
just sayin'
February 24th, 2011
3:09 pm
tommy nobis…
McDawg
February 24th, 2011
3:13 pm
Roddy White
Joe Tess Fish House
February 24th, 2011
3:17 pm
Roddy fumbel the ball 3 much.
Mark Richt
February 24th, 2011
3:21 pm
Hmm… A tight-end with the first pick? Hmm….
DawginLex
February 24th, 2011
3:24 pm
I’m back briefly.
Thanks buckeye for the kind words.
WDE is someone to be pitied. He calls Dawgs delusional yet he lives in a fantasyland where he believes he never does anything wrong.
dawgfacedboy
February 24th, 2011
3:28 pm
WDE- take your &*%($# out of Cam Newton’s backside for a sec. He was successful throwing because of the threat of him running. Tim Tebow was the same way. Tebow was/is no Dan Marino but he was able to throw downfield because he kept defenses honest with the threat of running. They were both amazing college QBs because of this. If the receivers were covered then they ran, if they couldn’t run someone was probably open. HOw many college defenses can defend a QB like those two?? If the OL is having a good day the answer is none.
He was a great college QB and you were lucky to have him but how many Heisman winners in the last 20 years have amounted to much in pros?? 5?
Falcons relax
February 24th, 2011
3:33 pm
Panthers taking Cam Newton will be the dumbest thing. Newton coming into a division with Brees, Ryan, and Freeman? No way, why you think Luck went back to college. lol! Cats better take AJ Green
Cam Newton NFL BUST
February 24th, 2011
3:39 pm
You gotta be smart to be a really good QB in the NFL,no more questions please Newton will never be legit QB in NFL !!!
DawginLex
February 24th, 2011
3:43 pm
What are you doing on a Cam Newton blog, Dawg? I don’t see the topic having anything to do with UGA.
*************************************************************
I can post where I want, when I want Gump.
You post on UGA blogs all the time.
I tell you what gump, you don’t post anymore on UGA blogs and I won’t post anymore on Auburn blogs.
How about it gump?
DC
February 24th, 2011
3:49 pm
you have to be smart? on what..that stupid little test?..how about football smarts?..trust me there is a difference. So some are saying he wont be great b/c he was a former heisman winner? that doesn’t make any sense whatsoever….and cam has a stronger arm than tebow. I love how so many bloggers are all of a sudden scouts…
Yes its great to have an opinion…but please back it up with facts. FACTS! Like if i said UGA had a horrible program…I would have so much facts I could ramble for hours
DC
February 24th, 2011
3:50 pm
for the record..there are only like 2 UGA blogs..the rest UGA fans think are UGA blogs..everything else is free game to chime in and not be considered a “troll”
dan
February 24th, 2011
3:54 pm
WHO DAT NATION
You have officially proved my theory that Saints fans are the biggest swamp rat idiots ever. Matt Ryan is defintely not a bust, and Peria Jerry adds depth to out D-Line. A bust is someone like Glenn Dorsey who everyone was touting 3 years ago and hasn’t done anthing. Ryan is a Pro Bowl player, that make him not a bust in the eyes of a LOT of people.
Also, I don’t understand why Saints fans come on here and talk trash about the Falcons when ya’ll were the defending Super Bowl Champions and lost to a 7-9 team in the playoffs!! That my friend is a new standard for bad! The Falcons looked horrible in the playoffs too, but at least we lost to the team that eventually won the Super Bowl. What’s your excuse?
John
February 24th, 2011
4:29 pm
WDE…you went way back with some of those names…and I’ll give you credit for a couple that had good to decent careers…but none lately. And Reggie Bush…as the 2nd overall pick…I think he should be more than a “servicable RB” and special teams contributor. He’s not a no.1 RB on any team.
Ye Original WDE
February 24th, 2011
4:34 pm
Well it looks like a turd sandwich has taken my name WDE once and for all. I’ve changed my name accordingly.
While I’d like to say I’m the breath of fresh air y’all need, I must remind you I do in fact hate Georgia.
John
February 24th, 2011
4:37 pm
To you Georgia fans: Cam Newton could’ve taken last years Georgia team to the national title. Auburn’s team wasn’t as good as Georgia outside of Cam. Another thing…A. Murray will not take you to a national title.
From Where I Sit
February 24th, 2011
5:45 pm
Cam Newton will FLOP in the pros bank on it! He will not even compare to Tebow!
The thief and pimped player needs to fade in the media as I am sick of hearing about this guy!
Enough Said!!
AU Alum
February 24th, 2011
6:14 pm
All the folks crying Scam or tainted title should just go ahead and get over it. Even the NCAA President came out earlier this month saying they have nothing on Auburn or the Newtons. The issue is dead; they’re wont be any USC/Reggie Bush saga in 2-3 years.
On the NFL, I think the SEC guys will do well. Cam and Fairley will both be picked top 10, at least. We’ll see how these guys do within 1-3 years. Keep on hatin’ in the meantime
Auburn, 2010 National Champs!
/I like the sound of that, oh yea!
sports
February 24th, 2011
6:33 pm
will always be known SCAM THE CAM!
WDE
February 24th, 2011
7:06 pm
“I can post where I want, when I want Gump.’
LOL!!!!!! Wasn’t it you that told me to take a hike because I posted on a UGA blog?
“I tell you what gump, you don’t post anymore on UGA blogs and I won’t post anymore on Auburn blogs.”
Guess you can’t come up with comebacks on your own huh, ma’am.
WDE
February 24th, 2011
7:07 pm
“WDE is someone to be pitied. He calls Dawgs delusional yet he lives in a fantasyland where he believes he never does anything wrong.”
Why are you obsessed with me? You’ve spent most of today talking to me, about me etc.
Get a life.
WDE
February 24th, 2011
7:08 pm
“Cam Newton will FLOP in the pros bank on it! He will not even compare to Tebow!”
Not that your opinion matters. Tebow? Tebow never went undefeated. Tebow never did what Cam did. Tebow lost 3 games in his Heisman season.
Tebow is 1-2 in the NFL.
cupcakewithsprinkles
February 24th, 2011
7:09 pm
Cam is not sufficiently intelligent to run a successful NFL offense. If he is drafted first, look for a replay of the Vince Young situation. His natural talent will keep him afloat to a point, but he can never move to championship quarterback-dom without the whole package. Jeff Fisher tried to use a dumbed-down offense for Vince (as Mack Brown was able to do at Texas), but that simply won’t cut it in today’s NFL with increasingly complex offenses and defenses. For any team to successfully compete, the starting quarterback must be intelligent, hard-working, and have the physical attributes and leadership qualities like the Manning brothers and Drew Brees. All the athleticism in the world–which might suffice for playing any other position–will not fly for the QB. Cam was one step ahead of being expelled at Florida when he left for cheating and he has never directly denied knowledge of his father’s money-grubbing activities, but not a sole sports reporter will raise that point.
WDE
February 24th, 2011
7:09 pm
“Auburn’s team wasn’t as good as Georgia outside of Cam.”
Gotta love delusional 6-7 dawg fans.
BTW, if Cam played for UGA he’d have been a tight end. CMR said so.
WDE
February 24th, 2011
7:11 pm
“will always be known SCAM THE CAM!”
And you will always be known as WHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA NICK FAIRLEY HURT MY MAN-CHILD QB AARON MURRAY!!!!! WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
WDE
February 24th, 2011
7:12 pm
“Panthers taking Cam Newton will be the dumbest thing. Newton coming into a division with Brees, Ryan, and Freeman? ”
Brees is a one year wonder. Ryan can’t get past the first round of the playoffs and is INCAPABLE of winning a big game. Freeman???????????
WDE
February 24th, 2011
7:13 pm
“Georgia has 8 players at Combine, but 6-7 record last year. What’s up with that?’
Guess they figured they’d head to the NFL to escape future 6-7 seasons.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
February 24th, 2011
7:13 pm
TODAY AT THE COMBINE, A QUESTION FOR UGA’S CLING BOLING:
Q. Georgia has 8 players at Combine, but 6-7 record last year. What’s up with that?
A. BOLING: I don’t know if there’s one thing. We obviously had a lot of talent out on the field. I think it’s a combination of different things,
I’m not really sure what they all are. We didn’t play up to our potential and A.J. (Green) being suspended those first couple games definitely hurt.
After that we got off to a slow start, but we kind of turned things around after that.
WDE
February 24th, 2011
7:15 pm
“We obviously had a lot of talent out on the field.’
Talent doesn’t equal wins. SEE: 6-7 UGA 2010.
WDE
February 24th, 2011
7:16 pm
“The thief and pimped player needs to fade in the media as I am sick of hearing about this guy!”
Yet you say nothing about UGA’s AD getting arrested for being drunk, 12 players arrested and employees at UGA arrested for child porn.
Nuff said.
UGA fans: Delusional since 1980
February 24th, 2011
7:19 pm
Hey Dawgies,
You guys sure are a bunch of jealous losers! Cam and Nick will go in the top 5. AJ will end up going to Cincy where he’ll remain on a losing team just like UGA.
But hey, you all still have 1980!!!!!!!!!!!!
suwanee dawg
February 24th, 2011
7:25 pm
WDE, you sound pretty bitter about going 1-4 against UGA. Cannot wait to face your awesome defense next year. I mean statistically your defense rocked last year and, well without Saint Fairley, you should only improve.
AJ Green
February 24th, 2011
7:26 pm
Hey,
I thought I was gonna be #1? The AU guys hit too hard. They are meanies!
WDE
February 24th, 2011
7:27 pm
“you sound pretty bitter about going 1-4 against UGA.”
Uh, we just won the national title, ma’am.
“Cannot wait to face your awesome defense next year.’
I can’t wait to see Man-child Murray laying on the ground.
“well without Saint Fairley, you should only improve.’
Fairley came out of nowhere. I’m sure someone else will come out to make dawg fans like you cry.
WDE
February 24th, 2011
7:27 pm
suwanee dawg
You do realize that Auburn owns UGA all-time, right?
WDE
February 24th, 2011
7:28 pm
“You gotta be smart to be a really good QB in the NFL”
No you don’t. The ex-Falcons QB proved that.
suwanee dawg
February 24th, 2011
7:28 pm
“UGA fans: Delusional since 1980″ – aside from going 4-1 in our last five, the last I checked we both 2 SEC championships in the last decade. Yes, 1980 was very special.
WDE
February 24th, 2011
7:30 pm
“the last I checked we both 2 SEC championships in the last decade.”
Yeah, but Auburn’s is recent. UGA, not so much.
“Yes, 1980 was very special.’
Yes, Reagan was president.
WDE
February 24th, 2011
7:33 pm
“aside from going 4-1 in our last five’
Why is the last five games so significant? I’m not understanding that logic along with your rationale about winning the SEC Championship 6 years ago.
suwanee dawg
February 24th, 2011
7:40 pm
I guess in your mind the last game is the only game that matters (aside from the overall record commment). With that you guys are awesome as there is nothing i can say. In all seriousness you had a hell of year. What you did against Alabama was unheard of. It is unfortunate that after this year’s game the “friendly” rivalry is over. I referenced the past five years for obvious reasons – our record and those games reflect the most recent trend, in response to your comments about Auburn domination over UGA, which is really quite stupid after losing 4 in a row.
D. Orlando Ledbetter
February 24th, 2011
8:04 pm
Y’all need to stop the foolishness. I had to banned someone today.
T-DAWG
February 24th, 2011
8:44 pm
Steve Smith to the Falcons for a 2nd or a late first round draft pick…..
The Truth
February 24th, 2011
8:54 pm
Enter your comments here
Cards PA 1
February 24th, 2011
9:01 pm
WHY ARE THERE SO MANY ILLITERATE PEOPLE ON THIS SITE!?
P. Bull Terrier
February 24th, 2011
9:28 pm
I wouldn’t want to be the GM of a team that needs a QB and have to make the decision about whether or not to draft Cam Newton. There is no doubt he has the physical tools to be an outstanding NFL QB. The thing that would concern me the most is Newton’s history of off the field problems. Maybe he has learned from his mistakes and put those kinds of things behind him, but the risk of having your multi-million dollar starting QB in jail is something a team has to take seriously.
If you draft Cam Newton near the top of the draft and he ends up disrupting the organization with off the field problems, you look like an idiot for not seeing that coming. If you pass on Newton and he ends up becoming a pro bowl QB for someone else, you look like an idiot for missing out on his talent. Either way, everyone will be saying, “I told you so”.
DC
February 25th, 2011
8:39 am
this weekend we’ll see how much of a “flop” cam is…I just hope you all can have an objective view…if you do..you’ll realize that Cam is a NFL prospect
DawginLex
February 25th, 2011
8:41 am
Talk about obsession.
WDE must have not been able to get into UGA.