Goodell met with boos as NFL draft opens

NEW YORK - Cam Newton's personal winning streak continued at the NFL draft Thursday night, but it was a difficult evening for NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.

Goodell, introducing each first-round pick at what is supposed to be the league's marquee offseason event, was angrily booed for much of the night as fans at Radio City Music Hall vented their frustration with the NFL's ongoing lockout.

From the start of the event fans blasted Goodell with chants of "We want football!" Goodell, seeming like a substitute teacher trying to regain control of an unruly classroom, said: "I hear you." It was another rough moment for a commissioner who has come under increasing criticism in recent days as the lockout has grown even more acrimonious and owners have lost a series of court decisions.

With fans in a sour mood, even Newton was booed after he was the first overall pick.

But he was still smiling broadly. The talented and charismatic quarterback, who since December has won the Heisman Trophy and a college national championship, is now the choice to revive the flagging and dull Carolina Panthers.

"I'm ready to get this show on the road right now," Newton said.

Newton's selection was soon followed by an early run on quarterbacks. Three more would go in the first 12 picks - Jake Locker to Tennessee, Blaine Gabbert to Jacksonville, and Christian Ponder to Minnesota.

With free agency and trades still uncertain because of the lockout, these quarterback-needy teams obviously felt they had to address their holes in the draft even though Locker and Ponder were both rated as second-tier prospects who might normally have lasted until late in the first round or even into the second.

Even Newton, a winner at Auburn, comes with questions. The NCAA investigated allegations that his father solicited payments as part of Newton's recruitment, and others have raised concerns about his work ethic, questioning if Newton is too focused on being a celebrity.

But all of that was evidently outweighed by Newton's combination of size, athleticism, and winning track record.

"Everything is under the watchful eye, from this point on. And it has been, for me," Newton said.

Newton will have to adapt to running an NFL offense after using a simplified spread system at Auburn that often let him simply use his athleticism to make plays.

"I understand that preparation is going to be key. That's part of the maturation process," he said.

The Newton pick was widely expected for months, but after the first four selections the draft spun in a way few had predicted. The Falcons dealt the Browns five draft picks, including their first-rounders this year and in 2012, to leap from 27 to six and grab wide receiver Julio Jones, making a huge investment and hoping to add firepower to their offense.

Two picks later, the Titans drafted Locker, passing on Gabbert, who was widely seen as one of the top two passers in the draft. Gabbert slid down to No. 10. Ponder went at 12, far earlier than most analysts expected.

Two quarterback-needy teams, San Francisco and Arizona, declined to take passers near the top of the draft, perhaps leaving openings to deal for Eagles backup Kevin Kolb - though it remains unclear when trades will be allowed. They will also have chances to get quarterbacks early in the second round Friday.