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 Authentic Vans Old Skool . The 15th-ranked Canadian men lost the opening two games of their European tour: 19-15 to No. 17 Georgia and 21-20 to No. Cheap Vans Old Skool . Those lessons were more than enough to overwhelm the Utah Jazz. Lou Williams scored 25 points and the Hawks continued their offensive upswing as they rolled to an easy 118-85 victory over the Jazz on Friday night, winning their third straight and for the fourth time in five games. http://www.cheapoldskoolwholesale.com/wholesale-old-skool-vans.html . Now, with Game 6 set for Fenway Park and an 8:07 p.m. ET first pitch, the Detroit Tigers face the unenviable task of having to beat the Boston Red Sox twice, on the road, to advance to the World Series. Slip On Vans Discount . - Derek Wolfe says hes finally healthy after suffering a seizure in November that doctors now believe was related to the spinal cord injury he suffered in the preseason. Cheap Vans Old Skool For Sale . -- Jimmy Walkers first PGA Tour trophy came with a special gift tucked inside. No. 21 Iowa State got away from what it does best, but still managed to survive in a two-point win over Indiana State on Thursday in the opening round of the AdvoCare Invitational.Cyclones coach Steve Prohm is hoping his squad finds its flow in Fridays second-round showdown with Miami in an early Big 12-ACC battle of unbeatens at HP Field House in Orlando, Fla. The game tips off at 11 a.m., so itll be a quick turnaround for both.Iowa State arrived in Florida averaging 112.2 points and with three wins by an average margin of 42.3 points per game. The high-scoring Cyclones were coming off a 130-point outburst in a win over The Citadel but never found their touch in Thursdays 73-71 win over Indiana State.Iowa State (4-0) shot a season-worst 34.2 percent from the floor against Indiana State. Even the Cyclones biggest shot of the game, a 3-pointer by Matt Thomas with 58 seconds to play, bounced off the rim and hit the backboard, before falling.We know we can make shots, Iowa State star senior point guard Monte Morris told reporters after the Indiana State game. Just have to adapt to the atmosphere.Miami (4-0) adjusted to the holiday tournament atmosphere much quicker than Iowa State and pulled away from Stanford for a quality 67-53 win Thursday. The Hurricanes were down 27-23 at halftime, but got going in the second half, behind junior guard JaQuan Newton.It wasnt frustrating at all in the first half, Newton told reporters after the win. It was more, weve just got to play better, play harder.dddddddddddd. We knew on the offensive end we werent playing as good as were capable of. We decided to keep it going on the defensive end. We kept doing that, and that led to our offense.Miami held Stanford to 41.2 percent shooting.Iowa State barely shot 50 percent from the foul line against Indiana State, hitting just 15 of 29 free throws. Even Morris, who was coming off a triple-double and scored 20 points, wasnt able to get his teammates going. He had just one assist.Prohm said his teams shot-selection and ball-movement was awful against Indiana State.We were just facing guys up and sizing guys up, and thats not what the strength of our team is, Prohm said in the post-game press conference. Weve got to move the ball and play off the extra pass.In contrast, Miami had good flow to its offense against Stanford. Newton finished with 20, and sophomore forward Anthony Lawrence scored all 18 of his points in the second half. The Hurricanes shot 62.5 percent from the floor in the second half.I think they were just giving me the ball in the right moments, Lawrence said. My teammates were penetrating, kicking it to me. Once I hit the first one, I felt like I was on fire.Iowa State reserve forward Darrell Bowie had 13 points and 11 rebounds against Indiana State, the seniors fourth career double-double. ' ' '