CHARLOTTE, N. Swell Bottle Black Friday .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 Cheap Hydro Flask .5 million, one-year contract on Friday. Hawkins, who turns 41 in December, will compete with Rex Brothers for the closers role at spring training. Swell Wood Water Bottle . -- The boos poured down on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots at the end of a horrible first half. http://www.waterbottlecybermonday.com/ . The recently retired Stern was elected Friday to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and will be enshrined with the class of 2014 on Aug.Patrick Roberts says he fully understands why Celtic fans reacted angrily at the end of their goalless draw with Dundee in midweek.The on-loan Manchester City wingers first start ended in a crescendo of jeers at Celtic Park on Wednesday after the home side saw their lead over Aberdeen at the top of the Ladbrokes Premiership cut to four points following a second consecutive draw.Its not what you need, Roberts said. At any club you dont like hearing boos in the stadium. But you can feel their frustration. We see it on the pitch ourselves, we are annoyed ourselves. It was a devastating draw so we have to pick ourselves up. The 19-year-old is confident he will rise above the negativity ahead of Sundays William Hill Scottish Cup clash with Morton at Celtic Park, live on Sky Sports.Personally it doesnt affect me, I try to stick to my job and do what Im there to do, he said. I get as frustrated as anyone, Im like a fan on the pitch. I get angry at myself and I get angry when were not winning. Its just how I am.Ive been sat in the stands a few times myself watching games and got angry with players on the pitch. So I can sense their frustration. Celtic were held to goalless draw by Dundee in front of a sparse crowd at Celtic Park Former Celtic winger Joe Miller this week claimed players were not giving their all for under-fire manager Ronny Deila but Roberts insists there is full commitment.Every player is giving 100 per cent, you can see that in training and they try to bring that to games, he said. Obviously its not paying off at the moment, but everyone is giving 100 per cent in games. sWell Marble Water Bottle. The connection between us and the manager is great. There is no disconnect, we just obviously arent doing it when it matters. We just need to perform to our maximum. Celtic are the biggest club in Scotland so there is obviously going to be pressure to win. Patrick Roberts, on loan from Manchester City Maybe its pressure from Aberdeen behind us, I dont know, but we are not playing to our potential and we need to get back to the way we played near the start of the season.The title is close but we have confidence in ourselves to get the job done because we are all good players. A big club like Celtic should be winning games comfortably. All the boys know that.Roberts may be a teenager but he has already had to cope with the mantle of a £12m signing following his big-money move from Fulham to Manchester last summer. And he vowed to thrive in the Celtic Park pressure. I was at Manchester City, it was exactly the same there, said Roberts, who is on loan at Celtic until the end of next season.Its the biggest club in Scotland so there is obviously going to be pressure to win. You need to win every game. Thats why I came here. I strive for that. Thats what defines you as a good footballer.Also See:Celtic videoCeltic fixturesCeltic statsBet ￡5 get ￡20 free Wholeslae Jerseys NFL Jerseys Cheap Wholesale NBA Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys Cheap MLB Jerseys Wholesale Soccer Jerseys Cheap College Jerseys Cheap Football Jerseys Cheap Basketball Jerseys Cheap Baseball Jerseys ' ' '