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Rivera said if there is one concern about Newton it is making sure he is protected in the pocket,Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys, particularly on blindside hits. Newton has been sacked 36 times in 12 games.
Newton practiced Friday for the third straight day and Rivera said he feels "very confident and comfortable" that the fourth-year quarterback will start Sunday,Wholesale World Cup Jerseys, 12 days after a two-vehicle wreck left him with two lower back fractures.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Panthers coach Ron Rivera said he's awaiting final clearance from team physicians before officially naming Cam Newton the starter for Sunday's game against the Cleveland Browns.
"It adds another dimension," Rivera said. "He and (Anderson) are similar, but they are different. Cam obviously is a better runner. They both bring a lot to the table. What Cam does is he adds that extra dimension,Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys, the ability to run.
Newton enters the weekend 3-8-1 as the team's starter this season.
He said the only way Newton wouldn't play is if he suffers an unforeseen setback this weekend, but added the quarterback "has had no ill effects" waking up every morning this week.
That clearance is expected to come Saturday.
"Right now, everything is pointing in the right direction," Rivera said Friday. "The reason I haven't said anything (definitive) is because of that one big thing — waiting for doctors to tell me they feel good about it."
"That was big for us against New Orleans. He had a really good rhythm. We're hoping to recapture some of that. As long as we can continue to do those things and he can do them well, he'll stay out there."
Rivera said he expects Newton to start "as long as he keeps going,Soccer Jerseys From China. Good things have happened and we've done a lot of positive things."
The Panthers have increased Newton's workload every day this week to make sure he's ready to play. That includes having him run the football,Wholesale Jerseys USA, which will be a part of the game plan.
NOTES: Rivera said running back DeAngelo Williams will likely miss his third straight start with a broken bone in his hand. Jonathan Stewart is expected to start against Cleveland.
Derek Anderson filled in last week for Newton and threw for 277 yards and one touchdown, leading the Panthers to 19-17 win over Tampa Bay. Anderson is 2-0 as the team's starter with both wins coming against the Buccaneers (2-11).
"He did a lot of turning and twisting today," Rivera said. "We put a lot of pressure on it. We had to do some things on purpose just so we could see. He seems to be right on track."
The 25-year-old Newton said Thursday he feels pain-free,NFL Jerseys Wholesale.
Newton had one of his best games of the season on Dec. 7, two days before he flipped his 1998 Dodge truck one block from the team's stadium on the way in to watch film. He completed 21 of 33 passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns lead the Panthers to a 41-10 victory at New Orleans. He also ran 12 times for 83 yards and a touchdown, the majority of those rushes on designed running plays. |
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