CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers would like to be talking about what Cam Newton can do on the field after a long week of conversations relating to other issues.The discussion about the San Francisco 49ers might finally veer more toward their starting quarterback after a backup received a bulk of preseason attention.The teams square off Sunday afternoon at Bank of America Stadium in the second week of the season coming off extremely different results.Newton, the reigning Most Valuable Player in the league, has been cleared to play this week after a series of rough hits absorbed in the opener at Denver, where Carolina lost 21-20 in a Super Bowl rematch.Several of those hits drew considerable scrutiny because of the perceived nastiness and claims from that Panthers that Newton isnt protected through officiating as well as other quarterbacks.Some of them obviously youd like to see them throw a flag, Panthers coach Ron Rivera said. Again, thats up the referee. ... People react to big hits differently.In the opener, Newton ran for a 2-yard touchdown to set the NFL career record for rushing touchdowns for quarterbacks with 44, eclipsing the mark held by former 49ers standout Steve Young.His ability and willingness to run often puts him in harms way.Hes an imposing figure and sometimes those hits dont look so bad on a big guy, Rivera said. Because hes a big guy, I think sometimes they think he can take it.The 49ers received a solid outing from quarterback Blaine Gabbert in his first opening-day start with the team in the 28-0 romp past against the Los Angeles Rams.49ers backup Colin Kaepernicks protests regarding social justice that has him declining to stand for the national anthem had become an overriding theme about the 49ers.Then Gabbert finished 22 of 35 for 170 yards and a touchdown without a sack or an interception and the defense delivered the first shutout in an opener in the franchises history.The 49ers preferred to discuss those topics.First game in our system, there were some real things we can build on, 49ers coach Chip Kelly said of Gabbert and the offense. I see him getting better. He kept plays alive. He kept drives alive with his feet. Were pleased with where he is right now.Kelly, in his first season with San Francisco, figures there could be some growing pains ahead, but he likes the direction.Offensively, there was a little inconsistency in some of the drives, Kelly said. But I think overall when you have 28 first downs ... there were some positives. Ive seen them grow and develop since we got them in April.With Panthers linebackers Luke Kuechly and Thomas Davis, Kelly said the 49ers will encounter a stern test.That might be the best tandem that we face, he said. Youre not going to fool those guys very much.Week 2 will mark the home opener for the Panthers, who went undefeated at home in 10 games, including two in the postseason, last season. Carolinas home-field winning streak sits at 13 games.A year ago, the Panthers went to the last week of December before losing, so coming off a loss in the opener might seem strange.We didnt do everything we needed to do to give ourselves a chance to win, Rivera said. I know our guys have all taken it very personal.Kelly would like to ride the wave of good vibes stemming from his first game in charge.There was a real good energy on our sideline, Kelly said.Sundays game will put new Panthers punter Andy Lee up against a team he played with for more than a decade (2004-14).When the Panthers came on board as an expansion team, they were in the NFC West with the 49ers and they became rivals. But since the end of 2001, the teams have met only four times. The most recent of those resulted in San Franciscos playoff victory in 2013 in Charlotte.This weekends game marks teams coming of extremes in terms of rest.The Panthers played in the NFLs first game of the season on Sept. 8, and the 49ers played in Monday nights late game (the final game of Week 1) and must make the cross-country trip for Sundays early afternoon kickoff.We got a jump-start on breaking down the film (during the weekend), Kelly said. When you have a Monday night game, you know youre going to be short. You know your schedule in April, so weve got everything laid out. Were really efficient with our time. Fake Royals Jerseys . "Thank you for the warm welcome," Beckham said on an 80-degree February morning. In this case, it was soccer weather. The sport moved a step closer to returning to South Florida on Wednesday, when Beckham confirmed he has exercised his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Miami. Custom Kansas City Royals Jerseys . The mixed zone is not a place to make friends. https://www.cheaproyals.com/ . Having already announced that the race will start May 9 with three stages in Northern Ireland and Ireland and finish in Trieste on June 1, the rest of the route was unveiled Monday. Wholesale Royals Jerseys . The Brazilian goalkeeper signed a loan deal with the Major League Soccer club on Friday as he looks to get playing time ahead of this summers World Cup in his home country. Cheap Royals Jerseys .In my heart and mind Im competing for India, luge competitor Shiva Keshavan told The Associated Press in an email interview. Every day Im flooded with messages from Indians all over the world telling me they are supporting me. CLEMSON, S.C. -- In the aftermath of allegations by some South Carolina players that Clemson players used racial slurs before their game last week, Tigers offensive lineman Jay Guillermo offered a figurative olive branch to the Gamecocks and coach Dabo Swinney attacked the media for its coverage of the story.While Clemson?has vehemently denied the allegations -- and some of the South Carolina players have since backed off the claims, suggesting that fans were responsible for the language -- Guillermo tried to mend fences.South Carolina defensive lineman Dante Sawyer had tweeted his outrage regarding racism at Clemson after the game, but on Sunday he tweeted that Guillermo had reached out to clear the air.Guillermo was asked about the conversation Tuesday and said he wanted to keep most of what was said private, but he said he assured Sawyer that Clemson was not a place that would tolerate racist behavior.We talked about it, and I let him know thats not what we do, Guillermo said. If anything was said, thats not how we are, not what we are as an offensive line or as a team. We have a good culture here, and its a classy culture. Thats something Coach Swinney prides himself on. We do have good people here.Swinney, meanwhile, said he is convinced his team didnnt use racial epithets before the game.dddddddddddd. Hes upset that the media picked up on the story, saying that journalists who covered the allegations showed zero accountability and should be fired.After Clemson beat South Carolina 56-7 on Saturday, Gamecocks defensive lineman Bryson Allen-Williams said an unnamed Tigers offensive lineman had used a racial slur, and several of his teammates echoed those allegations after the game on social media.On Sunday, Swinney was asked about the accusations and said hed talked to his team and believed the story was absolutely false.During his Tuesday news conference, Swinney was asked whether hed had any communication with South Carolina coach Will Muschamp regarding the situation. Swinney used the opportunity to slam the media for the way the story was handled.I dont have a problem giving young people some grace, Swinney said. Young people will say some things from time to time, emotional or whatever. Media people, I dont give them much grace. ... Its just like theres no credibility anymore. You dont need to confirm anything anymore. Just write it. ... Shoot first, ask questions later. ' ' '