Auburn University quarterback and winner of the Heisman Memorial Trophy, Cam Newton, attends a team practice in Scottsdale, Arizona, January 5, 2011. Auburn University will play the University of Oregon in the 2011 NCAA BCS National Championship football game in Glendale, Arizona. REUTERS/Joshua Lott (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL PROFILE)

While appearing on CBS Radio in Charlotte on Friday, Carolina GM Marty Hurney defended future Panther Cam Newton against Pro Football Weekly draft analyst Nolan Nawrocki, who had not-so-nice things to say about the 2010 Heisman winner in his annual scouting report.

“I don’t pay much attention,” said Hurney. “(Nolan Nawrocki) has never met Cam Newton. So who’s he talked to? He says he’s talking to decision makers. We have the No. 1 pick. He hasn’t talked to me.”

That’s a fair point by Hurney, although in Nawrocki’s defense he probably can’t get access to the Panthers’ GM either. Hurney did note that Nawrocki did his job, which is “selling books.”

I was half-kidding about the “future Panther Cam Newton” remark, but it is interesting to see Hurney defend a player that many people will be the Panthers pick at No. 1. Not that that means they will draft him, but I only imagine that the Newton-to-Carolina sentiment will grow following Hurney’s comments. (Even if he was just answering a question honestly and wasn’t intending to give a hint as to whom he’ll take with the first pick at the end of the month.)