Despite his concerns regarding the criticism by some in the media of former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton, Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon agrees with others in the media regarding the likelihood that the Panthers will pick Newton with the first selection in the 2011 draft.
“Ron Rivera came and watched him practice the day before his Pro Day as Cam was going through his routine for the pro day and said, ‘I’ve seen all I need to see as far as him throwing a football. I’m already convinced there. We just need to talk to him more about who he is and get to know him a little bit better,’'' Moon told Jim Corbett of USA Today.
But no one has denied Newton’s talent and potential, despite playing in a Tebow-style one-read-and-run shotgun spread offense at Auburn. The question, as NFL Network’s Mike Mayock explained it last month during a visit to PFT Live, is whether a team is comfortable with Cam Newton the person.
Moon thinks that the Panthers are.
“The Panthers had a great meeting with him over dinner that night,” Moon told Corbett. “I think they came away very impressed with the kid. It’s just a matter of whether they want to go defense or offense. If they go quarterback, it’ll be Cam.’'
The Panthers will continue their due diligence this week. Agent Bus Cook told Corbett that Newton will visit the Panthers on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week.
In past years, the Panthers could have begun negotiations with Newton and other players in an effort to get the first pick under contract before selecting him. Thanks to the lockout, the Panthers won’t have that luxury.