Some have labeled Auburn defensive tackle Nick Fairley a "dirty player" and he addressed the label on Sunday. "I haven't really met with a team yet, but I have talked to the media, and how I've addressed it is everybody's entitled to their opinion," Fairley said. "A lot of folks out there say I play the game the way it should be played. I hit a light switch when I hit the field and don't turn it off 'til I leave. "I don't think I took plays off," Fairley added. "I think I play the game as it should be played. I play with a high motor. I've been playing football since I was 8 years old, and every time I hit the field, my motor was always running."

Cam Newton came away "frustrated" with his workout at the combine in Indianapolis on Sunday. Newton disappointed, overthrowing a number of receivers. "I underestimated the timing aspect of playing quarterback," Newton said. "You had receivers from the SEC, the SWAC, the MAC. ... I was somewhat frustrated, but at the same time, I was having fun out there." Newton wants to show more consistency during Auburn's pro day March 8.

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 got defensive when asked by an NFL assistant why he disobeyed his coach's orders during the BCS Championship Game, according to a source. Newton ran a quarterback sneak toward the end of the game rather than take a knee as he was instructed. He wasn't expecting the question and got defensive, according to sources. Asked about the interviews, Newton said, "Each and every team keeps you on your toes."

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."