CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Panthers quarterback Cam Newton said that while this season has been demoralizing, his struggles on the field arent from a lack of preparation off of it.Newtons numbers are down -- way down -- from his MVP season a year ago when he threw 35 touchdowns passes and led the Panthers to a 17-2 record and an appearance in the Super Bowl. He has only 14 TD passes through 11 games and the Panthers (4-8) are all but out of playoff contention entering Sundays game against the San Diego Chargers.It doesnt matter how much I prepare, if it doesnt translate on the field people will say `Oh hes garbage, Newton said. So for me, its trying to get it to carry over from practice to games. It just hasnt (translated) this season, and I dont have nobody to blame but myself.But teammates and coaches are quick to rally to Newtons defense.Backup quarterback Derek Anderson said Newton is putting in just as many hours, if not more, in the film room this season. Anderson also suggested the mounting injuries to the offensive line have played a huge role in the teams decline.If anything at times, its over, he does more work, Anderson said. When we were out in Oakland he was in (the film room) at 11 oclock at night. So I know its not from a lack of preparation. And it never has been. ... He does countless hours of stuff on his own and sometimes Im like, `Go home. Get some sleep.Panthers coach Ron Rivera, who sat Newton for the opening series against Seattle on Sunday night for violating a team rule for not wearing a tie on the team flight, said hes never doubted his quarterbacks dedication to getting better.Rivera said its also unfortunate that people dont see that Newton is a regular at the stadium on Tuesdays, normally the players day off. The sixth-year head coach said his QB is routinely involved in developing strategy, drawing up potential plays on the grease board with coaches.The young man is dedicated and when he comes here it is phenomenal, Rivera said.Still, Newton has been a lightning rod for criticism since he came into the league in 2011 as the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft.Hes been chastised for how he handled himself during a Super Bowl news conference and for his touchdown dances on the field.He also received some flak this past offseason for spending several weeks in California filming the childrens show All in with Cam Newton for Nickelodeon instead of spending that time working on his football skills.Newton defended his decisions, saying he has a life outside of football and no matter what he does he cant please everyone.He wouldnt rule out doing the show again next offseason if the opportunity presents itself. Nor does he believe he had too many distractions in the offseason following the Super Bowl.Im not living for people like that, Newton said. I am trying to inspire people as much as possible while I do have this (pedestal). If I do, then good. If I dont, then to pay me no mind doesnt hurt you.Rivera he was very confident in the preparations Newton put in during the offseason and thats all that matters.I understand we arent having the season we need to have, but there is no reason for people to just maliciously go out and say, `He was worried about this or that, Newton said.Newton has taken full accountability for his dress code violation on Sunday night, saying hes human and he made a mistake.He also publicly dismissed some internet reports that the discipline was something other than a forgotten tie that resulted in him getting benched.I violated the wardrobe (rule) and that was it, Newton said. You dont have to dig into certain stories that I violated curfew or was out a club, or somebody was caught in a room. I still stand by coach Riveras decision.Newton said he doesnt feel like hes above the law, saying Im not that type of player.He also said he hopes the punishment serves as a warning for other players on the team to follow the team rules.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Football Jerseys China . Shot outdoors against the stunning backdrop of Banff, Alta., the networks 30-minute original production airs tonight at 8pm et/5pm pt on TSN2. The four All-Star teams will play for $100,000 in prize money during TSNs annual skins game, airing live this weekend on TSN from The Fenlands Banff Recreation Centre. Football Jerseys Outlet . Jordan Lynch, the all-purpose Heisman Trophy finalist from Northern Illinois, failed to make it into that exclusive club. http://www.cheapfootballjerseysoutlet.com/ . Anthony Calvillo, through 20 CFL seasons, was frequently invincible and largely stoic in the heat of competition. But underneath the professional exterior he was, and is, compellingly human. Wholesale Football Jerseys Authentic . LOUIS -- Cardinals cleanup hitter Allen Craig says hes recovered from a foot injury and ready to be put on St. Cheap Football Jerseys China . The Americans, skipped by John Shuster, seized the advantage in the eighth end by scoring five points for a 7-3 lead. The Czechs pulled two back in the ninth, but Shusters team of third Jeff Isaacson, second Jared Zezel and lead John Landsteiner ended with another point to secure the last Olympic berth on offer. MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin cornerback Sojourn Shelton jogged out to practice last season and heard the unmistakable rasp of Rick Ross rapping over a pounding bass through the stereo system. This scene would not normally have given Shelton reason to pause. But when he discovered the orchestrator of the playlist was none other than Badgers head coach Paul Chryst, he couldnt believe what he was hearing.We came in one day, and he had it blasting, Shelton said. He knew the artist, and I was like, Wait, what?Few social circles exist in which Chryst wouldnt be considered tragically unhip. His noncontroversial press conferences, placid sideline disposition and general proclivity toward wearing dad crewnecks during games make him easy fodder for Twitter memes ironically juxtaposing Chryst with coolness -- not that he would care while buried in football preparations. Chryst doesnt even own a Twitter account.But what Chryst does possess is an innate ability to connect with players behind the scenes, despite what can seem like a cultural and generational gap as wide as the Wisconsin River. Those relationships, in part, have helped him quietly lead Wisconsin to the Big Ten championship game against Penn State on Saturday and, improbably, to the cusp of the College Football Playoff.Players say the 51-year-old country music-lover, who has entered national coach of the year discussions, routinely uses song lyrics and movie quotes to provide inspiration and bring the Badgers closer together. Sometimes, he even surprises his players.He liked Young Jeezy before we talked to him, running back Dare Ogunbowale said. A lot of the Florida guys like Rick Ross, so hes become keen to Rick Ross music. Its really just anything that we like to listen to.Chrysts ever-expanding musical knowledge base begins before practice, when the entire team meets at 1:30. He picks a different player each day, based on their assigned seating arrangement, to provide a quote to the team. That player is then given the opportunity to pick the Badgers first song during practice warm-ups. It is not uncommon for a player to select a hip-hop lyric and then choose the corresponding song.The reason for it is this is their team, and they get an opportunity to speak whatever is on their mind that day, Chryst said. And I think its one way that we can learn more about each other, whether its what you choose to share in speaking to them or a song that you want to share with them. Theres thought that goes into it by them. I think its a way for everyone to connect. Its also a platform for them to have in front of their team.Chryst recently listed country musician Phil Vassar as his favorite artist. Kenny Chesney ranks high on his iPod catalog as well. But he loves learning from players about new words or rap artists and sharing his wisdom with his three college-aged kids. Players say they have introduced him to the likes of Tupac, Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz and Future.Hell say, OK, I might add that to my playlist, Wisconsin receiver Rob Wheelwright said. I feel like he does a great job of getting to know each player, seeing what they like or getting hip to our new generation.Added Shelton: When we do pick hip-hop songs, he asks, What is this song? If hes feeling it, you can tell because helll take out his pad and write the song down.ddddddddddddCoach Chryst has grown to like all types of genres. Its just cool to be around him.That doesnt mean Chryst always understands what is being said. He thought one rap song by YC featuring Future, entitled Racks on Racks, sounded like red zone when repeated quickly. So he made it the teams unofficial red zone drill song.We let him have that, Wisconsin center Michael Deiter said. Thats his thing.When things come on, sometimes you can tell he has absolutely no idea what it is thats being played or what words are being said, receiver Jazz Peavy said. You see him bobbing his head sometimes and things like that. When country songs are on, hes always trying to get in a groove. He tries to get us to listen to the country side, the guys who dont. I dont think he likes some of the music that we pick.As in any strong relationship, there is give-and-take between Chryst and his players, who appreciate his willingness to accept their musical stylings. Most Fridays, Chryst picks a country song for the Badgers practice playlist. Chryst isnt afraid to cite movies and songs that existed before his players were born, with a dry sense of humor that can occasionally be difficult to spot.During his season-opening news conference in August 2015, Chryst was asked how Badgers players were adjusting to a new coaching staff. He wound up subtly referencing a Clark Griswold quote from the 1983 movie National Lampoons Vacation.I think theyre getting the idea that its a great time of the year, he said. Its the most fun theyll ever have. He stopped and laughed. Were on a quest, a quest for fun.He always used to say were on a quest for fun, like they are in the movie, said former Badgers quarterback Scott Tolzien, now a member of the Indianapolis Colts, who played under Chryst when he was Wisconsins offensive coordinator. What he meant by that, along with getting a laugh out of us, was its about the process and its about the journey.Chrysts oldest daughter, Katy, said her dad likes to find the meaning in song lyrics and movie quotes before offering them to players. He has regularly applied lyrics to the song He Lives In You from The Lion King 2.He shared that with me, and then he shared that with the football players, Katy said. For the football players, hell tell the quarterbacks, Youre playing for the quarterbacks that have been playing for years here.If he was talking to Alex Hornibrook, hed be telling Alex, You have Russell Wilson, all these quarterbacks living in you that have the legacy of Wisconsin. Hell take a song thats completely random, like a Disney song, and hell make that a life lesson.Chryst might not be the hippest person to walk the earth. But his natural warmth, compassion and curiosity have allowed him to quickly build trust with players and attain a 20-5 record in two seasons with the Badgers. That in itself, players say, is pretty cool.He definitely tries to stay with the times, Ogunbowale said. Its kind of funny just the difference in taste in music. We dont have to try to keep him hip. He wants to be into the pop culture and stuff like that on his own. Chiefs Jerseys China Cheap Nike Chargers Jerseys Cheap Nike Raiders Jerseys Wholesale Cowboys Jerseys China Cheap Nike Giants Jerseys Philadelphia Eagles Jerseys For Sale Wholesale Redskins Jerseys China Cheap Nike Lions Jerseys Packers Jerseys China Cheap Vikings Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Panthers Jerseys Hoodies Cheap Saints Jerseys Free Shipping Cheap Nike Buccaneers Jerseys Cardinals Jerseys China Cheap Rams Jerseys Hoodies Cheap Nike 49ers Jerseys Seahawks Jerseys China Bears Jerseys China Cheap Nike Bills Jerseys Ravens Jerseys China Wholesale Falcons Jerseys China ' ' '