ERST LESEN! » ect production, execution, poi

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Panthers coach Ron Rivera said he fully expects Cam Newton to play this Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers despite taking at least four helmet-to-helmet hits in a Week 1 loss to the Denver Broncos.Rivera said that while Newtons body is sore, his head is fine.Hes tough, hes resilient and hes moving around pretty good, Rivera said Monday, reiterating that his QB has passed a number of concussion tests.Newton made a brief appearance in the locker room, but did not answer questions. Hes expected to address the media on Wednesday.The NFL and the Players Association are both looking into whether more should have been done when Newton took a shot to the head in the final minute of the game from Denver safety Darian Stewart.The NFL released a statement last Friday saying there was communication between medical personnel on the Carolina sideline, including the unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant, and the two independent certified athletic trainer spotters in the booth. They ultimately concluded there were no indications of a concussion that would require Newton to be removed from the game.Center Ryan Kalil said Monday that Newton did not seem dazed after taking the final blow to the head with 36 seconds left in the game.If he had any problems I didnt see it, Kalil said. We were talking about one the protections and he reminded me about something we talked about earlier in the week (in practice), so I thought he was fine.Rivera said he has full confidence that the Panthers medical staff handled the situation properly and understands the concussion protocol. Rivera pointed out that the Panthers held out their top defensive player, middle linebacker Luke Kuechly, for three games last season because of a concussion.You look at how Luke was taken of last year and I have a tremendous amount of confidence in our doctors and our medical staff, Rivera said.Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen remains upset that Newton was hit in the head four times and the Panthers were awarded no penalty yardage. Only one roughing the passer penalty was called on the Broncos and that was nullified by an intentional grounding call on Newton. The league told The Associated Press last week that the officiating crew erred on one play and should have called a penalty.If there is a penalty, then throw a flag -- that is very simple, Olsen said.Olsen disagrees with the notion that its harder to make calls on Newton because if a big, physical quarterback who runs the ball a lot.That is what drives me nuts, Olsen said. They say, `Oh, but he runs the ball so much. Well, every single one of those times he was hit he was playing quarterback. ... (I dont care) if he ran the ball 10 plays in a row as a running back, when he is a passer, he is a passer. Period. Were not saying Cam should get different rules than anybody else. Call the rules the same for every single person who is the quarterback.Olsen points to a play on Sunday where he felt New York Jets quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick got brushed in the face with a hand of a defensive player and drew a 15-yard penalty for roughing the passer -- nothing compared to the shots that Newton took against Denver.Its insulting, Olsen said. Newton is treated like a running back. And hes not. Hes a quarterback, who happens to big and fast and strong.The NFL will review all of the Week 1 games and will hand out fines later in the week. Rivera has sent in a number of plays into the league for review.If what they did was illegal, then they should be treated accordingly, Rivera said. If they are not treated accordingly, then I will be disappointed.Rivera said the Panthers may have to alter how they use Newton moving forward.As far as what we do and how we do it, there are some things we have to look at, Rivera said. A lot of it is him. Hes a competitive guy and we do have to be aware of it too, because he wants to be the guy with the ball.Panthers offensive coordinator Mike Shula said he wants to limits Newtons carries, too. Newton ran 11 times against Denver, but Shula would like that average to be about 7 or 8 per game.--AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFLDetroit Tigers Store . The winner Saturday will remain in the elite 10-team field next year. "We talked about wanting to be disciplined and stick with our game plan and good things will come," Draisaitl said, who had two goals for the victors. Tigers Jerseys China . -- Jonathan Drouin gave Halifax the boost it needed to edge host Sherbrooke Phoenix 3-2 in a shootout in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. https://www.cheaptigers.com/ . PETERSBURG, Fla. Detroit Tigers Gear . After Gasquet beat fifth-seeded Ivan Dodig of Croatia 7-5, 6-3, Tsonga followed up with a 6-7 (3), 6-2, 6-2 win against sixth-seeded Edouard Roger-Vasselin in an all-French match. Wholesale Tigers Jerseys . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap.LOS ANGELES -- Although the boos started early in the first half, the chant took a bit longer to get going.It started in the west end zone and eventually rose throughout the Coliseum in the second quarter after another Los Angeles Rams drive foundered.We want Goff! We want Goff!Case Keenum heard it, and the sentiment frustrated him. Coach Jeff Fisher claimed he didnt hear the words, but they didnt change his mind about the best candidate to lead the Rams sputtering offense.I would submit that Case wasnt the reason we lost this game today, Fisher said after the Rams fourth consecutive loss, 13-10 to the Carolina Panthers.We just didnt make plays in all three phases of the game, Fisher said. Well circle our wagons with the coaches and look at the tape, but Im pleased with the way Case has fought, and consistently, week after week, Im pleased with Jareds progress.That would be Jared Goff, the No. 1 overall pick in the most recent draft. The Rams mortgaged a big chunk of their future while trading up to grab the California product, but Goff hit the halfway point of his rookie season Sunday without ever taking a regular-season snap for his new team.Keenum went 27 of 46 for 296 yards with one touchdown pass and one interception for the Rams (3-5), whose Hollywood honeymoon could be finished. Although theyve got one of the NFLs best defense, theyve erased many of the good feelings from their 3-1 start to their homecoming season with an offense that has scored exactly two touchdowns in three home games so far this season.When Keenum threw four interceptions in a loss to the New York Giants two weeks ago, Fisher aggressively defended the veteran quarterback. With Keenum playing a fairly ordinary game against the Panthers -- not terrible, not great -- Fisher indicated the Rams wont pursue a change before next weeks visit to the New York Jets (3-6).I dont think Cases play was indicative of raising the question, Fisher said.ddddddddddddYet something is clearly missing with the Rams offense, which was the NFLs worst last season as well.The Rams have only scored two touchdowns in their last two games, and there was a 115-minute, 41-second gap between them. Los Angeles scoreless streak reached 102 minutes, 12 seconds before Greg Zuerleins 25-yard field goal with 8:01 to play -- one play after Lance Kendricks dropped a sure touchdown pass from Keenum on the goal line.Keenum eventually led a solid drive and threw a 10-yard TD pass to Kenny Britt with 34 seconds left, but the Rams botched their onside kick attempt.Los Angeles outgained Carolina 339-244 despite having the ball for less than 26 minutes, but couldnt score enough to support a defense that largely dominated Cam Newton and the Panthers (3-5).The fans expect production, execution, points, Fisher said. I totally get that. Weve been through that before. I totally understand their position on that. I honestly didnt hear them root for Jared.Keenum isnt the only prominent starter having a forgettable half-season.Todd Gurley had 48 yards in another quiet game, although he broke his longest run of the season for 18 yards out of the wildcat in the first half. Last seasons offensive rookie of the year watched the Rams final series from the sideline while Benny Cunningham played in their 2-minute offense.Enough is enough, Rams guard Rodger Saffold said. We know we have to score touchdowns. The defense is out there playing a great game. Enough is enough. Its time to just work hard. We need to find a way to get it together or its going to be a long season.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '