Tag: Cam Newton (Page 8 of 17)

      Panthers’ GM: “This is a quarterback league.”

      April 25, 2011 /
      Auburn Tigers Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Cam Newton warms up for the Tigers game against the Oregon Ducks at the BCS Championship game at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, AZ, January 10,2011. UPI/Art Foxall

      While appearing on FOX Sports Radio with the Charlotte Observer’s Darin Gantt, Panthers’ general manager Marty Hurney suggested that Carolina will take a quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick on Thursday.

      “This is a quarterback league,” Hurney said. “Look at the order of the draft. The ones who have them are picking low, and the ones who don’t are pick high.”

      Hurney went onto say that “this has nothing to do with Jimmy Clausen.” It’s noteworthy that Gantt is convinced that the Panthers will take Cam Newton with the top pick, although that conflicts with Tony Softli’s prediction over the weekend that Carolina will take Alabama DT Marcell Dareus. Softli is a former high-ranking executive with the Panthers, so take his Dareus prediction for what it’s worth.

      Hurney could be setting up a smokescreen with his comments about quarterbacks, although the only benefit there would be if some team were interested in trading up for Newton. If no team is, then there’s really no reason for Hurney to be coy about the Panthers’ draft plans at this point. It’s not like someone is going to sneak up ahead of them seeing as how they hold the first overall pick.

      My gut says Newton and when I release my final mock draft on Thursday, I don’t imagine that you’ll see anyone else’s name written into that top spot.

      External Sports, NFL, NFL Draft

      Will the Titans use their first round pick on a quarterback?

      April 25, 2011 /
      Tennessee Titans quarterback Vince Young throws the football under pressure from Indianapolis Colts defensive ends Dwight Freeney (L) and Robert Mathis (R) during their NFL game in Indianapolis December 6, 2009. REUTERS/Brent Smith (UNITED STATES SPORT FOOTBALL)

      Of all the teams that are currently slated to draft in the top 10 on Thursday, the Tennessee Titans might be the biggest enigma of them all.

      Spend some time scouring the internet for mock drafts and you’ll find that the majority of them have the Titans taking a defensive lineman with the eighth overall pick. There are a handful of draft observers that have the Titans taking Auburn’s Nick Fairley, who remind some of former Tennessee defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth.

      But when you consider the Titans’ list of needs, defensive tackle isn’t among them. Guard is a potential need, as is inside linebacker and cornerback. Outside linebacker is also a bigger need than defensive tackle, and one could make the argument that safety is as well.

      Oh, and the Titans may want to think about doing something at quarterback, which is easily the team’s biggest hole heading into Thursday night.

      Vince Young’s name may still be on the Titans’ roster, but at this point it’s just a formality. Young’s days in Tennessee are numbered, as confirmed by new head coach Mike Munchak over the weekend. Seeing as how Kerry Collins is set to become a free agent once the labor issue is resolved, there’s a ton of uncertainty for the Titans surrounding the most important position on the field.

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      External Sports, NFL, NFL Draft

      Panthers to take a pass on Cam Newton?

      April 23, 2011 /
      Auburn Tigers quarterback Cam Newton (L) is tackled by Oregon Ducks Kenny Rowe during the second quarter of the NCAA BCS National Championship college football game in Glendale, Arizona, January 10, 2011. REUTERS/Mike Segar (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

      Rotoworld.com shares some interesting news about the Panthers and whether or not they may pass on Auburn quarterback Cam Newton:

      Former high-ranking Panthers executive Tony Softli predicts that Carolina will pass on Cam Newton and take Alabama DT Marcell Dareus with the No. 1 overall pick in the draft.

      “They need defensive linemen. They have for awhile,” says Softli, who also has a history with the Rams. “I really think they’re gonna pass on Cam Newton. … I really believe it’s gonna be the defensive tackle.” While we still take everything with a grain of salt, it’s important to note that Softli’s info has been solid this offseason. He was the first to point out Adrian Clayborn’s Erb Palsy condition, and among the first to explicitly report on Ryan Mallett’s drug use at Arkansas.

      At this point, we can’t rule out anything as it pertains to the draft and who could be selected where. Since the combine, the majority of draft observers have had Newton mocked to the Panthers with the first overall pick – including myself. I don’t see the Panthers taking a defensive tackle at No. 1 overall, but Softli has more insight into the situation than I do so maybe he’s on to something.

      Truth be told, defensive line is a bigger need for Carolina than quarterback. And if they’re not sold on Newton or Missouri’s Blaine Gabbert, then why invest all that money into a player that you’re not completely in love with? (Especially when said player is a quarterback?)

      Still though, despite this report I would have to believe that the Panthers will take Newton with the first pick next Thursday. They need to find an impact player with that pick and that’s not to say that Dareus can’t be that type of contributor at some point in his career. But there is no other position on the field that creates as much of an impact as quarterback. And if the Panthers think that Newton can be “the guy,” then there’s no reason not to take him.

      External Sports, NFL, NFL Draft

      2011 NFL Mock Draft 4.0: Patrick Peterson to the Bills?

      April 18, 2011 /
      University of Alabama quarterback TC McCarney (8) runs for a first down past Louisiana State University cornerback Patrick Peterson (7) during their NCAA football game in Baton Rouge, Louisiana November 6, 2010. LSU won the game 24-21. REUTERS/Sean Gardner (UNITED STATES – Tags: SPORT FOOTBALL)

      It’s amazing that it’s been over a month since I last compiled a mock draft. I mean, with all of the free agency rumors flying around the web these days, I find my decision not to release an updated mock rather irresponsible.

      Oh wait, that’s right: There is no free agency. Thank YOU, NFL players and owners…you unbelievable bums.

      With a week left to go, here’s my latest crack at predicting the first round of 2011 NFL Draft. I’ll send out one final mock next week before we do the damn thing at Radio City Music Hall on April 28.

      View NFL Mock Draft 3.0

      1. Carolina Panthers: Cam Newton, QB, Auburn
      The Panthers have been tight-lipped about who they’re taking, and they should be. Hey, it’s not like they can fire up contract talks with Newton’s agent seeing as how there’s no CBA currently in place. It’s time for the Panthers to settle on a franchise quarterback and even though there are plenty of warning signs surrounding Newton, I believe he’ll be their pick.

      2. Denver Broncos: Marcell Dareus, DT, Alabama
      The Broncos have several needs, including safety, tight end and running back. But John Fox is a defensive-minded coach and defensive tackle is arguably the team’s biggest need, making Dareus the pick here.

      3. Buffalo Bills: Patrick Peterson, CB, LSU
      Is cornerback a pressing need for the Bills? No. Was running back a pressing need for the Bills last year when they took C.J. Spiller? For the second year in a row, I think GM Buddy Nix will take the best player available, regardless of position. And seeing as how Peterson is viewed as the most complete player in the draft, I like his chances of winding up in Buffalo.

      4. Cincinnati Bengals: Julio Jones, WR, Alabama
      The Bengals seem dead set on bringing back Carson Palmer, even though he seems dead set on retiring if the team doesn’t trade him this offseason. T.O. won’t be back next year and Chad Ochocinco’s days in Cincinnati are running out as well. Jones has really impressed teams this offseason with his blend of size, speed and route-running ability. Some believe he’s a better prospect than Georgia’s A.J. Green.

      5. Arizona Cardinals: Von Miller, LB, Texas A&M
      Miller might be gone by this pick but if everything breaks right, I like Arizona selecting him at this spot. The Cardinals desperately lack a pass-rushing presence at the linebacker position and Miller can really get after the quarterback. So you do the math, buck-o.

      6. Cleveland Browns: A.J. Green, WR, Georgia
      Mike Holmgren is slowly adding pieces to his West Coast Offense and it’s time for him to find his Jerry Rice. Jones would arguably be a better fit for the Browns because of his blocking ability, but Holmgren wouldn’t complain if Green fell to him here. The former Georgia product can help aid in the development of Colt McCoy.

      7. San Francisco 49ers: Prince Amukamara, CB, Nebraska
      This team is hard to figure out. They would seemingly like to bring back Alex Smith for one year and take a QB in one of the first two rounds to groom this season. But they could always wait and draft their signal caller of the future next year. San Fran also has needs along the defensive line and at linebacker, making Nick Fairley and Robert Quinn possibilities at this pick as well. They would do back-flips if Peterson fell to them here, but with him off the board they’ll go with the next best thing in Amukamara.

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      External Sports, NFL, NFL Draft

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