By Mike O'Hara
FOX Sports Detroit
Feb. 24, 2011
INDIANAPOLIS -- Gentlemen, start your stop watches -- and keep your draft plans vague.
The NFL Scouting Combine got underway Thursday morning with a parade of coaches speaking to the media about their plans for this year's draft.
And to the surprise of no one, the Carolina Panthers are wide open over what they'll do with the first pick.
Ron Rivera, the Panthers' first-year head coach, has not ruled out drafting a quarterback. The first round isn't until April 28, but the Panthers have reduced the list of possible candidates to "seven or 10 guys," Rivera said.
"We've limited it to a specific number of players," Rivera said. "We're looking at which player, regardless of position, fits our needs."
Blaine Gabbert of Missouri is regarded by most experts as the top quarterback prospect, but Cam Newton of Auburn -- the Heisman Trophy winner -- also has a high rating.
The Panthers drafted Jimmy Clausen of Notre Dame in the second round last year, but he struggled in his rookie season. The Panthers have to decide if any quarterback in this draft is worthy of being drafted first overall, or if Clausen can become a franchise quarterback.
"We're exploring all positions," Rivera said. "Quarterback is one of them. We do believe you have to have a franchise quarterback, someone who can lead the team for the next six or seven years -- or is that guy on our roster now?"
