-- NFL draft "Round 1 Winners, Losers," by ESPN.com senior writer John Clayton: "No one figured four quarterbacks would go in the first round, the biggest surprise being Christian Ponder going to the Vikings at No. 12. The Ravens shook up the latter part of the first round by letting their 15 minutes elapse, but still coming back and getting cornerback Jimmy Smith of Colorado. The Chiefs made a couple of trades but added a wide receiver, Jonathan Baldwin. ...
"Commissioner] Roger Goodell ... had to endure the boos from fans at the draft who aren't happy about the NFL's current labor problems. At the beginning of the draft, Goodell had to go to the podium and politely calm down attending fans who chanted 'We want football!' At times, the scene was painful. Goodell had to stand by the podium and look like a father trying to quiet kids who were making too much noise in the house. Goodell has been a popular commissioner among fans." http://es.pn/iRb7TS
--"QB Cam Newton goes 1st in NFL draft to Panthers," by AP Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner: "The Auburn quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner went to the Carolina Panthers - the worst team in the league ... 'I'm ready to change this whole organization around, to go from worst to first,' he said. ... Moments before the annual spring ritual got under way, Goodell requested a moment of silence for victims of Wednesday's storms ... On stage, he was surrounded by the Auburn and Alabama stars and their coaches. Of those stars, none shined brighter than Newton, who has shown he can handle the heat of a spotlight."
