Carolina Panthers general manager Marty Hurney insists he's still undecided and his phone isn't ringing as he prepares to use the top pick in next week's NFL draft. In an interview with The Associated Press on Thursday night, Hurney was quick to praise Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, but stressed they've made no final decision and haven't received an offer from another team to move up to No. 1. "If the draft was tomorrow we could go ahead and make decisions," Hurney said, "but we have a week left and we're going to continue to refine those decisions." Newton has become the popular choice for Carolina in various mock drafts. The 6-foot-5 Newton took college football by storm in his only season as a starter in 2010 when he won the Heisman Trophy and led the Tigers to the national championship. But there are numerous questions about his character stemming from a 2008 arrest after buying a stolen computer and the NCAA investigation into allegations his father solicited money during his recruitment. Read more: http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/draft2011/news/story?id=6406005
After posting a 2-14 record last season, it's clear the Carolina Panthers have a lot of needs to fill this offseason if it wants to be a lot more competitive whenever next season gets rolling. The No. 1 pick in Thursday's first round of the NFL Draft will help fill one of those needs. The Charlotte Observer reports that the team is down to four possibilities to select with that first pick. That group includes Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, Georgia receiver A.J. Green, Louisiana State cornerback Patrick Peterson, and Alabama defensive tackle Marcell Dareus." "You just never know what's going to happen," said Panthers general manager Marty Hurney, the Observer reports
Maybe Cam Newton talk is a smoke screen by the Panthers? I'm sure they would love to trade down a few spots and there has to be a team out there (Raiders? Bills?) who really wants Cam Newton.
Cam Newton is pretty much the consensus pick by most analysts. But the thing to ask is: if it's taken THIS long to decide whether or not he's the QB for you, then you probably shouldn't take him. With that said, I hope they take him.