Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton doesn't agree with the perception that he has racial stereotypes to overcome. Newton was asked in the latest edition of GQ if negative reviews of his game go back to "that ugly old trope" about the black quarterback being a "natural athlete" and the white quarterback being a "student of the game." "Sir, it all comes down to whether a person wins or loses," Newton said. "I don't bring race into the game, 'cause then you're talking about excuses. I. Hate. Excuses. Excuses are a disease." Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon, who served as an unpaid advisor to Newton before February's NFL Scouting Combine and April's NFL draft, garnered headlines two months ago when he took exception to a publication's unfavorable critique that labeled Newton as "selfish" and "immature," among other pointed barbs. Moon said then that "a lot of the criticism (Newton) is receiving is unfortunate and racially based."

The father of Panthers wide receiver Armanti Edwards has been convicted of murder in South Carolina, according to an NFL.com report. Prosecutors say 63-year-old Freddie Edwards of Greenwood was sentenced Thursday to 30 years in prison after being convicted of murder in the shooting death of a man during a poker game. He also was convicted of possession of a gun during a violent crime.

Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith says he considered retiring because of his wife's poor health. Now, he's committed to playing football. "I've grown maybe a little bit of maturity. So what I'm going to do is keep saying it: It's between me and my family," Smith said. "And when we decide what we're going to do, whether people like it or not, as long as my family is happy, I hope they would understand." When there were fears his wife, Angie, had lupus, a disease found mostly in women that affects the immune system, Smith considered ending his career. "Retiring at that time was one of the things that we were thinking about, because I needed to be home with my wife," Smith said. "I needed to make sure I didn't let her down."

Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton would love to throw the football to veteran Steve Smith next season. Smith, a four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, has been rumored to be on his way out of Carolina. Newton, taking part in Smith's youth football camp on Friday, said he was glad the Panthers took him with the first overall pick because he "wanted to have someone great to throw to." Asked later if he was lobbying for Smith to stay in Carolina, Newton smirked. "Hopefully, he got the message," Newton said.

Panthers rookie quarterback Cam Newton has impressed his teammates during Carolina's informal workouts this month. Newton worked out with teammates on Wednesday, flew to Washington, D.C. to meet the president in the afternoon and then hopped back on a plane to make sure he attended the final player-organized workout Thursday. "He showed up every day early. He's working hard," Panthers linebacker Jon Beason said. "He's interacted well and he's shown some great leadership." Newton can't talk with Carolina's coaching staff, leaving him to learn the playbook on his own without a contract because of the NFL lockout. "Preparing as a quarterback in the NFL is completely different," he said. "The terminology, the blitz schemes, and at the end of the day, you're not playing freshmen anymore. You're playing grown men. This is where speed comes into play at all times."

Panthers wide receiver Steve Smith had some kind words for rookie quarterback Cam Newton and new head coach Ron Rivera. Smith's name has been mentioned in trade rumors and there have been reports that he wants out of Carolina. Smith deserved Rivera as "a great guy" and the drafting of Newton as "outstanding." However, he still isn't ready to say he wants to return to the Panthers. "When football gets going I'll be able to evaluate football at that time. But football is not going on," Smith said, referring to the lockout. "So all the what-ifs and speculation and how I feel is what everyone has -- an opinion. I choose to keep my opinion to myself and will continue to take that road."

Steve Smith has indicated that he might be ready to move on, but new Panthers coach Ron Rivera doesn't think a trade is an inevitability. Rivera said "it's not a foregone conclusion" the Panthers will move Smith, who is signed through the 2012 season. He added that their conversation prior to the lockout left Rivera uncertain about Smith's intentions. "We had a great conversation. He was honest. He was forthright," Rivera said. "He did kind of leave me at a point where I was wondering exactly where does he want to go with this? I will wait until we sit down and talk when the time comes."