The Facts:
Newton said he was surprised -- like everyone else -- when the team
released WR Steve Smith last month. “Did it catch me by surprise? It caught all of us – if you were in the 704 [area code], you were caught by surprise,” Newton said Tuesday. “Everybody in the Carolinas was surprised, including myself.”
Reported by the Charlotte Observer
Fantasy Football Diehards Line:
Newton said he still talks with Smith and wished him well with the Ravens. But Newton said he’s moving on and eager to get started working with an entirely new group of wideouts. In addition to Smith, the Panthers lost three other key receivers in free agency -- Brandon LaFell, Ted Ginn Jr. and Domenik Hixon. Newton met the Panthers’ new receivers -- Tiquan Underwood, Jerricho Cotchery and Jason Avant -- for the first time Monday when the team’s offseason workouts began. Though Newton won’t be on the field with the group until training camp
following offseason ankle surgery, he said he will have “plenty of time” to develop chemistry with them. Newton said he hopes the Panthers will draft a receiver or offensive player with their first-round pick, but only if it’s the right player who can help them. Whatever the case, Newton's recovery from his ankle surgery and ability to get up to speed with his receiving corps will be something fantasy football owners need to watch closely.
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