Panthers rookie Newton expresses support for Smith staying

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- As the Carolina Panthers try to retain their core group of players -- they agreed to terms with defensive end Charles Johnson on Tuesday -- there remains uncertainty as to whether or not wide receiver Steve Smith will be dealt.

Wyche: Newton off to good start Cam Newton has yet to take a snap at an official NFL practice, let alone a game. But the No. 1 overall pick already is showing signs
he gets it, Steve Wyche writes. More ...

» Panthers prep Newton | QB opens up

Smith reportedly has asked to be traded, and first-year coach Ron Rivera has said he'll address the receiver's situation once the NFL lockout ends, which it has. But rookie quarterback Cam Newton said he wants Smith, one of the best receivers in the NFL, as his main target.

"Steve, he's extremely credible around the NFL," Newton said in an exclusive interview with NFL.com and NFL Network. "Everybody knows about Steve Smith's situation. I'm going on to say I really want, not just me, but so many people around the organization want Steve back. I don't know how else to put it. I'm about to speak foreign languages to get Steve back.

"After talking to him, working out with him, he's just at crossroads right now. I'll respect him, whatever decision he makes. Hopefully that decision is to stay in Carolina."

The San Diego Chargers reportedly have expressed interest in Smith, who is coming off a down year in which he finished with just 46 receptions for 554 yards and two touchdowns in 14 games.

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Panthers No. 1 pick Newton: 'I don't bring race into the game'

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Newton: Veteran Smith has attended some Panthers workouts

CHARLOTTE -- Veteran Carolina Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith has attended some player-organized workouts, according to rookie quarterback Cam Newton. Newton did not say how many sessions Smith has attended, but did say he has thrown passes to him.

"Steve has been out here and we've had an opportunity to throw it around," Newton said. "You hear a lot of stories like 'He's going to do this, he don't miss any passes.' I learned that first hand."

Smith, who reportedly has asked to be traded, was not in attendance during the media availability portion of Thursday's workout. More than 40 players participated in the final session of the two-week minicamp.

First-year Panthers head coach Ron Rivera and general manager Marty Hurney said they spoke to Smith, 31, about his future with the team before the lockout and the situation would be addressed once the lockout is lifted.

Smith's star has dimmed in recent years as he's dealt with injuries and ineffective play at the quarterback position. A four-time Pro Bowler, Smith is the Panthers' all-time leading receiver. Last season, he caught 46 passes for 554 yards and two touchdowns.

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Panthers WR Smith showers praise on Newton, Rivera

FORT MILL, S.C. -- Panthers receiver Steve Smith describes new Carolina coach Ron Rivera as "a great guy." Smith calls the decision to draft quarterback Cam Newton No. 1 overall "outstanding."

The four-time Pro Bowl pick still isn't ready to say he wants to stay with the Panthers, however.

Smith showed up to take batting practice with several of his teammates before a minor league baseball game Monday night, but he remained tightlipped when asked about his uncertain future in Carolina following a 2-14 season.

"When football gets going I'll be able to evaluate football at that time. But football is not going on," Smith said, referring to the lockout. "So all the what-ifs and speculation and how I feel is what everyone has -- an opinion. I choose to keep my opinion to myself and will continue to take that road."

Smith, who turned 32 last month, was limited to 46 catches for 554 yards and two touchdowns last season amid terrible quarterback play by the NFL's worst offense.

Smith's hesitancy to commit to Carolina has raised speculation he'd like to move to a contending team late in his career. Rivera last week indicated that trading Smith was "not a foregone conclusion," but the first-year coach acknowledged he was uncertain where Smith stood as he comes off his worst statistical season during a year in which he remained healthy.

"He did kind of leave me at a point where I was wondering exactly where did he want to go with this?" Rivera said of their talk before the lockout began. "I will wait until we sit down and talk when the time comes."

Eyebrows were raised when Smith didn't show up for player-organized workouts last week that have drawn more than 50 Panthers players daily at a Charlotte high school. But Smith, accompanied by his wife and three children at the Lehigh Valley-Charlotte Triple-A game, said his absence was for family reasons.

"There's a lot of things on my plate with my wife and her health that my family needs me at home," Smith said, without elaborating. "That's the most important thing."

While Smith comes off the most frustrating season of his career, he said "the fundamental things the Carolina Panthers are doing right now are huge."

In hopes of securing a franchise quarterback for the first time, the Panthers selected Newton, the Heisman Trophy winner from Auburn, with the first choice in the draft.

"The drafting of Cam is outstanding," Smith said. "Met with him a few times and very much impressed by Cam."

Smith said after Rivera replaced John Fox, several people immediately told him it was a good choice.

"When I met Ron I would say they maybe sold him short. He's great, a great guy," Smith said. "My first meeting with him was pretty good, it was outstanding. I walked away very impressed."

Smith, Carolina's alternate player representative for the former union, attended last week's court hearing in St. Louis and called last week's secret meetings between the owners and players "very much a positive."

Smith has been staying in shape by working with a personal trainer, but the labor dispute has put his future -- and the team's -- in limbo.

"You just have to be patient and I'm an impatient guy, so it has been hard," Smith said. "But as they say, when they give you sour lemons you just make lemonade out of it. So that's what we're doing.

"As the (NFL's) lawyer said in the St. Louis case, 'The players are enjoying their off time.' All I can say about that is I have no choice. I'm locked out. I'm forced to do it so I'm going to enjoy it. Why complain? Why gripe about it?"

Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press

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Newton receives Gruden's endorsement after personal workout

Count Jon Gruden among those who believe in Cam Newton.

Gruden, a former NFL coach and current ESPN analyst, put the Auburn quarterback through passing drills Friday and came away impressed, telling The Tampa Tribune "I think Cam Newton's the best player in the country."

"I agree with the Heisman Trophy people that gave him the award," said Gruden, the famously quarterback-minded ex-coach of the Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. "He's got everything I'm looking for."

But do the Carolina Panthers, who own the No. 1 overall pick, agree with Gruden? Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Friday that the team is beginning to narrow its candidates for the top selection in the April 28-30 draft.

Newton has met with the Panthers and hopes he makes the cut.

"To some degree, I'd like to go No. 1," Newton said after the 20-minute workout at the University of South Florida. "The most important thing is to come out each day and get better. That's what I can control. ... I can't control where I get picked."

Gruden's praise of Newton came just days after coach Marvin Lewis, whose Cincinnati Bengals own the No. 4 pick, backed the quarterback's credentials. Lewis said Newton is "a real fine NFL prospect" who has "kind of had that 'it,' been that kind of guy for awhile."

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