By Jason DeCrow, APThe lights shined on Cam Newton after the Panthers made him the first overall pick on Thursday.
By Jason DeCrow, APThe lights shined on Cam Newton after the Panthers made him the first overall pick on Thursday.
Carolina Panthers took less than five minutes to turn in their Charter and baptizes the NFL draft on Thursday night by Auburn quarterback looked a lot.Now for the next round of questions. "All is not only to stop and say, "That is Cam, take the No. 1 and we leave him alone," Newton said of his critics, as he met the press at Radio City Music Hall. "If anything, the floodgates have officially been opened. "Newton, 21, is the 11TH quarterback in past 14 drafts to be selected with the top pick in the draft — which adds a significant race in recent months which included leading the Tigers to a national championship and winning the Heisman Trophy. "He's the first player from Leon Hart, Notre Dame at choice with top pick After He won the Heisman and a national title.Still, Newton, 6-4, 248, was without doubt the most scrutinized player in the draft after playing in a spread offense at Auburn, and for only one season after transferring from Blinn (Texas) Junior College. As any quarterback from a spread offense, the probability of Newton for success will depend largely on whether he can make the transition to a pro-style offense, with a more sophisticated level of reading defenses. The Panthers are banking on it. New coach Ron Rivera, previously the defensive coordinator for the San Diego Chargers inherited offense the NFL's lowest score. "He has special qualities, "Panthers General Manager Marty Hurney told reporters at the headquarters of the team in Charlotte. "We had a strong feeling for some time that he was the only person that we felt could come in and have the greatest impact on our football team." Newton, with an arm cannon and speed that suddenly make it faster according to NFL quarterback Michael Vick, later accounted for 50 touchdowns (8 rushing, passing 30) last season. "Throwing his mechanics is there," NFL Network Analyst Mike Mayock said before the project. "It's not his throwing mechanics within a system of non-disclosure. You have to give this guy a chance to succeed, and I think the way to do this is to put him in a comfort zone. "Experts envision Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski will incorporate features in offense that you play to the strengths that Newton has demonstrated in Auburn — as rollout, play action passes and transition options. "I am ready to get this show on the road now," said Newton, dapper in a greyish Brown suit, purple shirt and tie.Although he would not declare whether it is his goal to start as a rookie, he spoke of the ongoing maturation. "It is a goal for me constantly challenge myself to get better on a daily basis," he said. "I don't know when that phone call (to start) is going to happen. But you know, every day, I'm just going to go out and learn something about the whole offense. " During the process, while several analysts questioned Newton's commitment after he accidentally told Sports Illustrated that he wanted to be an icon and entertainer.Newton has stressed in recent weeks that his work ethic will not be a problem and understand how much on Thursday sent another message.Still considering critics, he also seemed to suggest that he'll have thick skin. "I'm not trying to prove anything to anyone that I'm not trying to prove to myself, "he said. "I'm my biggest critic."At the end of the day, he added, "I can't go to sleep not knowing that I have better that particular day, that does not have to push me toward where I want to be."NFL labor problem has thrown a cloud over the draft and also uncertainty to the expectations for the first contract of Newton. Last year's Top pick, quarterback for the St. Louis Rams Sam Bradford, received a rookie-record 50 million guaranteed with its five-year contract.But the NFL has proposed a rookie wage scale that would reduce the amount of guaranteed money for top-10 picks. At the moment, without a job, it is not clear if a rookie scale would be set up to 2011 and what these parameters.Newton did not seem to be stressing about it, as he basked in his New Jersey and cap Panthers. "I'm not focused on money, "he said. "That will take care of itself."Newton said it found that the Panthers — that take into account also LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson, defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, Alabama and Georgia receiver A.J. Green for first place — had settled upon him until shortly before the start of the project. He joked that he expected to hear of the plans of the team from reporters.Instead, Word came in a call from The anticipation of Rivera, admitted his nerves tested and did for restless nights. "This organization has kept me more than anything else, "he said. "So I need to catch up on some sleep."When someone asked Newton, if he had a message for the Panthers, he sounded a bit like the New York Jets linebacker Bart Scott during the NFL playoffs. "What message? ", he said. "I can't wait."For more information about reprints & permissions, visit our FAQ. To report corrections and clarifications, contact standards Editor Brent Jones. The publication of the newspaper, send comments to letters@usatoday.com. Include name, telephone number, city and State for verification. To view our corrections, go to corrections. usatoday.com. We've updated the guidelines of the conversation. Changes include a brief review of the process of moderation and an explanation on how to use the "report abuse" button. To learn more.
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