CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is hopeful his concerns over taking “illegal hits” from defensive players while in the pocket will be addressed on the field following a “great conversation” with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell.
The two spoke Tuesday by phone, and Newton says that Goodell was receptive to his concerns.
THURSDAY NIGHT'S GAME
FALCONS (5-3) at BUCCANEERS (3-4), 8:25 p.m.
Outlook: Tampa Bay won at Atlanta in Week 1. But resist the temptation to go there! Atlanta is the NFL’s best offense; Matt Ryan has sprayed TD passes to 10 receivers. And he’s facing a defense that last week was strafed for 626 yards – more than 500 in the air – by Oakland. Bucs are injury-wracked on offense, too, especially at running back, so Jameis Winston won’t have a lot of help.
Television: NFL Network.
Prediction: Falcons, 30-17
By Greg Cote, Miami Herald
“I got my point across. He got his point across. That’s it,” Newton said at his weekly press conference Wednesday.
Newton said after Sunday’s game he didn’t feel protected in the pocket after no flag was thrown when Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Calais Campbell crashed into his legs as he was releasing the football.
Asked if he thinks his concerns will be enforced on the field, Newton replied, “We’ll wait to see Sunday and moving forward.”
The Panthers visit the Rams on Sunday.
DOLPHINS: Jarvis Landry says he’ll change the way he targets his blocks in the wake of his illegal hit that briefly hospitalized Buffalo Bills safety Aaron Williams.
But while the Miami receiver acknowledged that Williams’ injury personally affected him, he said he’ll appeal his $24,309 fine from the NFL for the illegal crackback block.
Bills Coach Rex Ryan called Landry’s block dirty and deliberate. Williams is out indefinitely with head and neck injuries, and he plans to wait until the offseason to decide whether to play again, his father said.
CHIEFS: Running back Jamaal Charles had exploratory surgery on his right knee as Kansas City tries to determine why there is lingering pain from reconstructive surgery last season.
Charles was placed on injured reserve, which means he will miss at least eight weeks.
The four-time Pro Bowl running back could conceivably return for the playoffs, but that appears to be a longshot.
• Quarterback Alex Smith will miss Sunday’s game against Jacksonville after his head bounced hard off the turf twice during last weekend’s game in Indianapolis.
Nick Foles will start in his place.
VIKINGS: Coming off two double-digit losses during which his Minnesota offense scored three points in the first three quarters of each game, veteran offensive coordinator Norv Turner surprisingly resigned Wednesday morning.
Tight ends coach Pat Shurmur will replace Turner as interim offensive coordinator and play-caller. Turner’s son, Scott, will remain on staff as quarterbacks coach.
AUTHORITIES SAID former San Francisco 49ers tight end Bruce Miller pleaded not guilty to seven felony charges stemming from a violent, drunken rampage that injured a 70-year-old man and his adult son.
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