CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Cam Newtons numbers this season are pedestrian at best, a far cry from the type of video game statistics he put up during an MVP season in 2015.But coach Ron Rivera isnt about to blame the teams 4-6 record on his franchise quarterback.Rivera points to a variety of reasons for the offenses struggles -- the slow start the team had on defense, the injuries that have plagued running back Jonathan Stewart and the offensive line and some tough competition.A year ago Newton had a breakout season with 45 combined touchdowns -- and 35 passing and 10 rushing -- and only 14 turnovers while leading the Panthers to a 17-2 season and a trip to the Super Bowl. This year Newton has 15 combined touchdowns and eight turnovers in nine starts. He missed one game due to a concussion.His quarterback rating is 27th in the league, barely ahead of lesser-known QBs like Case Keenum, Blaine Gabbert and Ryan Fitzpatrick.We have been shuffling our offensive line, our top running back missed a game and I think that has a little bit to do with it, Rivera said. And when we play teams where we get their best shot.Rivera makes valid points.A year ago the Panthers were able to maintain the same starting line for most of the season, but this year it has been a game of musical chairs up front. Left tackle Michael Oher has missed seven games with a concussion, forcing right tackle Mike Remmers to move to Ohers spot and Daryl Williams to step in at right tackle. Two-time All-Pro center Ryan Kalil has already missed two games and could miss even more after reinjuring his right shoulder in Carolinas 23-20 win over New Orleans last Thursday night.He has been sacked 25 times already after being dumped only 33 times all of last year.The potent running game that finished second in the league a year ago has grinded to a halt, averaging just 69.3 yards rushing per game over the past three weeks. The Panthers ran for at least 100 yards in every game last season. Running back Jonathan Stewart, who missed three games with a hamstring injury, is averaging a career-low 3.3 yards per carry.Newton said the dropoff in statistics dont bother him, but the teams win-loss record does.The most important stat In sport is if you are winning and losing, Newton said Wednesday. So I can really care less about point production and leading the league in scoring.Newton said its unfair to compare last years offensive success to this year.Its a different season, a different year, Newton said. Here we are going into our 11th game and were still talking about last year. Theres no need for us to keep dwelling on it because it is what it is. Its time for us to turn the page. We just have to focus in on in-game performance.Still, the Panthers talked at length during training camp about the sky being the limit with wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin returning from a torn ACL.Benjamin has produced solid numbers, but the Panthers have taken a step back, going from first in the league in scoring to 12th.Benjamin said he believes Carolinas emotional loss to Denver in the regular season opener has had a snowball effect on the season and I think that played a role in the stats.Added Remmers: Last year I think a lot of people overlooked us a little bit and I think this year people realize were not just some team.The Panthers are seeking their fourth straight NFC South title, but are two games behind the Atlanta Falcons with six games remaining. Although they have won three of their last four games, the Panthers head West looking to find their stride on offense against two quality defensive teams in Oakland (8-2) and Seattle (7-2-1).Needless to say this is a must win for us, Newton said.Game notes Middle linebacker Luke Kuechly (concussion), defensive end Mario Addison (foot), cornerback Leonard Johnson (chest), Oher, Kalil and offensive tackle Donald Hawkins (illness) did not practice on Wednesday. Rivera offered no update on the status of Kuechly, although teammate Thomas Davis told reporters he doesnt expect Kuechly will play this week.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Nike Zoom Saldi .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. Nike Zoom Outlet Italia .R. Smith realized how easily basketball can be taken from him, and he wasnt going to take his place in the NBA for granted anymore. http://www.nikezoomscontate.it/ . -- Ryan Getzlaf grabbed the three pucks wrapped in tape and held them up to his chest in the Anaheim Ducks dressing room for a celebration nine seasons in the making. Scarpe Zoom Scontate . "Jeff is a hard worker who was an important special-teams contributor for us last season," said Stamps GM John Hufnagel. Nike Zoom Scontate Italia . But Bourque, who has missed three games with a lower-body injury, wont be in the lineup when the Habs travel to Buffalo to take on the Sabres on Wednesday. It was three years ago when EA Sports announced it would no longer make its college sports video games. The announcement was made in the midst of a battle with former college players who alleged that the game maker and the NCAA were using their likenesses in the game without permission or compensation.It took another three years, but in 2016, players who were in the games for the past decade of the production of the college basketball and football games were paid off as part of a settlement (the median payout was about $1,000).Players who discussed their compensation checks in public were scrutinized on social media by fans of the game, and the man who lent his name to the fight for athlete royalties, Ed OBannon, also drew a lot of criticism.Over the years, rumors of the games resurrection have popped up among an audience eager to play again. In fact, just as the NCAA said it wouldnt support a game in the future, EA rounded up the top schools through licensing agent CLC and extended deals with guaranteed money through 2017.But after interviews with more than 10 inside sources -- including those in the video game industry and executives at schools -- as of now there is no traction on EA making a new college game.There are several reasons for this.In order to make a game worth buying, EA is going to have to use the players likenesses again. What the structure for payment would be is unclear because the settlement is one for past use, not a guide for the future.Also, the settlement which produced roughly $1,000 per player was for that class (football and basketball players in that time frame). Its certainly up for debate whether any royalty generated and distributed -- as of the last agreement, around $10 million total went to schools -- would have to be distributed to all student athletes, which significantly lowers the individual payout each athlete would get.Several athletiic department sources suggested that the lack of an NCAA football game in particular has been detrimental to the sport, as young players have had to gravitate to other games.dddddddddddd One AD wondered aloud whether schools would be willing to forgo their royalties and put the money into getting a game back on the shelves. He wondered how many kids have started watching European soccer games instead of college football on Saturdays as a result of playing EAs FIFA game.That idea, at least initially, has been shot down because there is still concern about the prospect of being sued. The schools and EA would have to be indemnified against any lawsuit in order to move forward with that plan.Another point often overlooked is that before the OBannon trial made its way into the spotlight, EA lost its right to make college games exclusively. That begs the question: Is there someone else willing to take on the legal responsibility to make the games?Two Alabama residents reportedly are going to try to raise $850,000 on Kickstarter at the beginning of September to begin making their own game by 2019.But beyond securing the licenses, it will be hard to make a quality game and set up distribution similarly to what EA had accomplished.That is unless Sony or Microsoft want to get involved. Whats their incentive? It may pay for console makers to use the game to sell the consoles. Imagine how many could be sold with an exclusive NCAA football game bundle.Having reported on the OBannon lawsuit from the beginning, I know theres little interest from fans on the nitty gritty of college athlete compensation. Most fans just want to know what happened to the video game. Right now, the future doesnt look particularly bright for a good game to be produced anytime soon. Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '