JR 'Puts Newton on the Clock'

[Dpantherman]

The most famous piece of furniture in Charlotte, and perhaps the NFL, is a clock at the home of Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson.

When Cam Newton visited Richardson April4, he asked only two questions. The first was, "Is that the clock?"

How did Newton know?

"Everybody in the NFL knows about the clock," Richardson says.

Richardson and I talk Friday afternoon. We sit at a table on his patio. In front of us is a vast lawn as smooth and lush as an Augusta National green.

Richardson did not select Newton on Thursday with the No.1 pick in the NFL draft. General manager Marty Hurney did. But Richardson could have vetoed the selection.

So the April 4 meeting was not without import.

Richardson is 74. Newton will turn 22 May 11. The younger repeatedly called the older sir.

"Are you calling me sir because you're trying to impress me?" Richardson asked.

"I'm calling you sir because that's the way I was raised," Newton said.

Richardson said he didn't want to talk about the past.

Newton thanked him.

If the Panthers draft you, you'll be part of our family, Richardson said. We'll move forward.

Richardson wants to move forward. Last season, the Panthers went 2-14. There was infighting within the organization. There was criticism from once-respectful fans.

Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/04/29/2261357/owner-puts-newton-on-the-clock.html#ixzz1KyiDYW6o

plenty more, its a great read.

[Dpantherman]

this one SHOCKED me:

Back on the patio, Richardson says: "I'm not a choirboy. I've never said I was. And I don't want a roster of 53 choirboys. I told Jeremy Shockey (Carolina's new non-choirboy tight end), 'Don't change your personality. It'll be good for the team. I could do without the tattoos, though.'"

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/04/29/2261357/owner-puts-newton-on-the-clock.html#ixzz1Kyipaszn

last part was hilarious :lol:

[Tarheels23]

Damn I just posted this too! LOL

Mod's please merge the two!

[CatMan72]

Very interesting... what is this clock?

Nice touch by Cam to write a note to JR after their meeting, shows a side of Cam most people wouldn't expect.

The more I hear about this kid, the more I like him.

[Ruff]

My favorite part, and the part most telling to me as a Panthers fan:

The door to the patio opens and Richardson is told he has a telephone call. It's NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell. He excuses himself.

When Richardson returns, I ask: Do you like Newton?

"A lot," he says. "A lot.

Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/04/29/2261357/owner-puts-newton-on-the-clock.html#ixzz1Kyk0v2x8

[Cat'sGrowl]

Incredible article. One of the best I've seen from the Observer.

Wished it would've been longer, but oh well..

[Dpantherman]

Has to be Tom Sorensen's best work. I felt like I was reading a chapter out of a book :lol:

[Ruff]

So, what's up with the clock?

[Tarheels23]

Is this question from how Peppers did us?

Richardson asked Newton what mattered most - being drafted No. 1, or becoming a Panther.

"No, sir, I want to play for the Carolina Panthers," Newton said.

"You don't want to play in New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, some place like that?" Richardson asked.

"No sir," said Newton. "I would be very happy to come here and make my career here."

[Sword]

awesome article..makes me feel even more confident about where we are headed in the future..

[Carolina Mike II]

Is this question from how Peppers did us?

Funny - First thing I thought too!

[CatMan72]

JR also remembers that Collins didn't want to be drafted by us and longed to be in NY or on some "more established" team, thought we had goofy looking uniforms.

[Bj-Monster23]

I believe Cam will be a good guy....

[SmootsDaddy89]

Sorenson is baffling. He's capable of writing great, informative, and well-written pieces such as this.

But he chooses to write like an angry drunk most of the time.