The official 40-yard dash times for wide receivers have been filed. Abilene Christian's Edmond Gates and Fort Valley State's Ricardo Lockette led the group with a time of 4.37 seconds. "That's going to get my attention, but I'm going to look at the tape to see if that translates," NFL Network analyst Brian Billick said. "I'd much rather have a hurdler, because that's explosion." Highly touted Georgia receiver A.J. Green clocked a 4.5, while Alabama's Julio Jones was much faster at 4.39.

Cam Newton addressed the media with a prepared statement in an attempt to clarify his recent comments about being an "entertainer" and an "icon." Newton expressed humility and said he was excited about the combine and draft experience, then later answered a question about his comments by saying he believed he was misunderstood. He also said he would participate in every combine drill, as well as Auburn's March 8 pro day.

USC offensive tackle Tyron Smith won't participate in workouts Saturday at the NFL Scouting Combine, according to the NFL Network. Smith told NFL.com's Steve Wyche that he's still recovering from a knee injury and was advised by his trainers to wait until his March 30 pro day before going through a full workout.

Former Alabama running back Mark Ingram had a disappointing season after winning the Heisman Trophy in 2009. He missed the first two games with a knee injury, thrust himself back into the Heisman conversation with two big games, then split carries with Trent Richardson the rest of the season and never had another 100-yard game. Now, he's ready to show he's fully healthy and ready for the NFL. "I just want to go out here and compete," said Ingram, who will compete in all phases of the combine. "I have nothing to hide." Ingram said the team that drafts him will get a special player. "A focused and determined person, really competitive and really driven," he said. "I'm going to try to be the best person I can be and the best player I can be."

Former Missouri star Blake Gabbert isn't conceding the draft spotlight to fellow quarterback Cam Newton. Gabbert said he, Washington's Jake Locker and Arkansas' Ryan Mallett all are competing with Newton to be the first quarterback chosen. "He may move up on the draft boards in your eyes, but I'm still going to go out and have a great pro day and still work my tail off," Gabbert said. "Nobody knows what's going to happen until draft day." Gabbert said he'll have a formal interview with the Panthers, who have the No. 1 pick, on Saturday.

Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Thursday that the team, which holds the first overall pick in April's NFL Draft, is looking at "seven to 10 guys." He hinted that the selection could be made on a quarterback, despite the drafting of Jimmy Clausen last spring. "We do believe you need to have a franchise quarterback," Rivera said.

Auburn quarterback Cam Newton has made headlines for a number of reasons over the last year. Now, after leading the Tigers to a national championship, Newton has declared that he wants to be the first player selected in April's NFL Draft. "I want to be the No. 1 pick," he said before indicating that he's aware of what the statement sounds like. "I'm aware of that statement," Newton said. "I don't want to sound arrogant but I did something in one year people couldn't do in their whole collegiate careers. We had a chance to do something great and we did it."

The Jets are expected to target an outside pass rusher with their first-round pick in April. New York has the No. 30 overall pick. There is a chance they can add a difference maker since the Packers took linebacker Clay Matthews late in the first round back in 2009.

Cam Newton plans to fully participate in the NFL combine that begins later this week, saying he wants "to be transparent" through the whole draft process. Newton intends to work out for NFL teams in Indianapolis, and said he is ready to answer any questions they may have. "I don't have nothing to hide, and I'm a competitor," Newton said Monday night before accepting the Davey O'Brien Award that recognizes the nation's top quarterback. "I'm going to go out here and do what I've been working on this whole time and preparing for this moment right now."

The Eagles could trade down in the draft once again. Philadelphia has the 23rd pick in the first round of April's NFL Draft. "They're in one of those spots where (other) teams start to look to trade back into the first round," said Todd McShay, ESPN's director of college football scouting, in a conference call. "And you have all this depth at offensive tackle and offensive guard, and I know its early and we're just projecting, but I could very easily see them taking advantage of teams trying to get up."