CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Cam Newton turned in an MVP performance last season while leading the Carolina Panthers to the Super Bowl -- and he didnt even have his favorite wide receiver.So theres plenty of curiosity over what the leagues highest-scoring team can accomplish this year with Kelvin Benjamin returning from a torn ACL.Benjamin caught 73 passes for 1,008 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie in 2014 before surgery. Hes back now, and will start alongside second-year wideout Devin Funchess, who replaces veteran Jerricho Cotchery following an impressive training camp.Along with Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen and deep threat Ted Ginn Jr., who accounted for 10 TD receptions in 2015, Newton has plenty of options in the passing game.Benjis coming back with a vengeance -- and I mean it, Newton said earlier this offseason. And not only that, hes challenged more so from the production that Ted Ginn has had, the production that Fun (Funchess) has had, that Philly (Brown), that Greg (Olsen), everybody.Rivera said Benjamins return is exciting, but he wants to make sure Newton doesnt lock in too much on the big man.Everyone has to understand that last year a lot of guys established who they are in this league, Rivera said. I think those (other) guys really took another step. I think our offense has to continue to grow and take steps. I know a couple years ago we were really heavy at getting the ball at Kelvin and I would love to continue to see us spread it because it will only open things up for everyone else.That includes the running game.Jonathan Stewart returns to anchor a group that has rushed for at least 100 yards in an NFL-best 32 straight games, including the playoffs. Cameron Artis-Payne and Fozzy Whittaker will see action in the backfield along with fullback Mike Tolbert.Newton, of course, is a threat all by himself.The Panthers have turned the read-option into a dangerous weapon behind the powerful 6-foot-5, 245-pound quarterback. With one more rushing touchdown Newton will move past Steve Young for the most ever by a quarterback.Some things to watch this season for the Panthers:ROOKIE CORNERBACKS: The Panthers are expected to start rookies James Bradberry and Daryl Worley at cornerback after losing All-Pro Josh Norman to free agency and Charles Tillman to retirement. Thats a lot of pressure on young players, considering they will face Drew Brees, Matt Ryan and Jameis Winston each twice this season.However, its clear the Panthers arent looking back at the decision to remove the franchise tag on Norman with any trepidation.Football is the truest of all team games, Gettleman said. It takes 53 guys. ... I dont subscribe to the one-player-away theory. I dont believe in it. Lets find out.KUECHLY AND COMPANY: Behind middle linebacker Luke Kuechly, the Panthers led the league in takeaways last season with 39, with 24 coming on interceptions. The Panthers scored an NFL-leading 148 points off turnovers in 2015, shattering a franchise record.The takeaways often provided short fields for Newton to work with on the ensuing possession.EALYS TIME TO SHINE: After an incredible Super Bowl in which he had three sacks and forced two turnovers by Peyton Manning, defensive end Kony Ealy is looking to carry that success over to 2016.Ealy had steadily improved throughout his second season in the league, culminating in the big game against the Broncos. But with Jared Allen gone, Carolina will need Ealy to step up and be a pass-rushing force playing opposite Charles Johnson. Johnson has something to prove after missing all of last season with a hamstring and returning to the team after taking a $6 million pay cut to return to the team.RED-ZONE EFFICIENCY: The Panthers started off 14-0 last season in large part due to their red zone offense, converting 68.3 percent of their attempts into touchdowns -- second-best in the league. Newton was near perfect inside the opponents 20-yard line, tossing 24 touchdown passes with no interceptions.That number could go up this season as the 6- 5, 250-pound Benjamin figures to be a big weapon near the goal line given his height advantage over smaller cornerbacks and his jumping ability.NEWTONS MILESTONES: Newton needs 996 yards passing and four touchdown passes to set franchise career records.Nationally, hes the only player in NFL history to record five seasons with at least 3,000 yards passing and 400 yards rushing.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Cheap Wholesale Air Max 95 Air Max 95 Clearance .com) - The red-hot Los Angeles Kings will try to extend their winning streak to a season-high seven games when they visit the Edmonton Oilers for Sundays clash at Rexall Place. http://www.wholesaleairmax95.com/ . Paul Pierce couldnt believe he missed at the end. Young scored a season-high 26 points to spark a huge effort from the leagues most productive bench, and Los Angeles beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-94 on Wednesday night after blowing a 27-point lead. Air Max 95 Sale Cheap .05 million next season unless Graham and the Saints subsequently agree on a long-term deal. The designation was released Monday after the deadline passed for NFL teams to use franchise or transition tags on players becoming free agents. Cheap Air Max 95 Free Shipping . It just didnt show when he hit the ice. Berra made 42 saves and Kris Russell scored at 1:32 of overtime, lifting the Calgary Flames to a 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday night.Each week, The Reporters put their thumbs out to the good and the bad in the world of sports. This week they discuss the IOC and Russias policy towards homosexuality, the poor defence of the Toronto Blue Jays, the stellar defence of Los Angeles Angels outfielder J.B. Shuck and the Canadian mens basketball team. Bruce Arthur, National Post: My thumb is up to the pressure being exerted on the International Olympic Committee and its partners over Russias violent and despicable oppression of homosexuality in advance of the 2014 Games in Sochi. Russia is sending mixed messages; public support of homosexuality will or wont be allowed, but its policies are abhorrent, either way. Opponents are pushing boycotts, none of which seem likely, though its a worthy debate. Either way, this has a chance to be a critical moment in the global push for equal rights. The world will be watching, someone will speak up and the IOC and its sponsors will have a small and unlikely chance to prove that their amoral globe-trotting sporting carnival has any morals whatsoever. Steve Simmons, Sun Media: My thumb is down to the Toronto Blue Jays, and no, Im not going to squawk about starting pitching this morning. Its about their defence - which has been described by one American League scout as being similar to a slo-pitch softball team. Thats not meant as a compliment. Ive been watching this team from its infancy and honestly, I cant remember a Jays club as poor defensively as this one. Its one thing to be near the bottom in earned runs given up. Its another thing entirely to marry that with being near the bottom in unearned runs allowed. Its a formula that adds up to a last place finish. Gary Lawless, Winniipeg Free Press: Thumbs up to the future of Canadas senior mens basketball team which has gone from a witness protection program to one of promise.dddddddddddd New GM Steve Nash gave the program buzz and substance all in one make-it-look easy, no-look pass. Not long ago Basketball Canada had difficulty attracting NBA players but now, according to coach Jay Triano, theyll find themselves in a position where theyll be strong enough to cut an NBA player. Nash and Triano can look at their top end talent and see Tristan Thompson, Cory Joseph, Andrew Nicholson and Joel Anthony. First overall pick Anthony Bennett and lottery selection Kelly Olynyk and also on the radar as is 2014 projected no. 1 pick Andrew Wiggins. Nash calls this new era the golden age of Basketball in Canada. Fair enough. The fun part starts now as we get to watch and see if they can transform from paper tigers to giant slayers. Dave Hodge, TSN: Steve talked about shoddy defence by the Toronto Blue Jays -- well, on Friday night, a sensational defensive play by Angels outfielder J.B. Shuck reminded the Jays how important plays in the field can be--they can be as good as a Jose Bautista homer, if they can rob Jose Bautista of a homer. Undoubtedly this play made Bautista say something stronger than "shucks". The otherwise little-known J.B. Shuck had a long run to the left-field corner -- he had the ball and the wall to deal with, and he had to leap to make the catch, and then he disappeared.... with the ball in his glove. It was one of those plays that made everyone who saw it happen "live" say the same thing in unison -- "Sportscentre highlight." Indeed, it was. 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