o that not only was he commenting on behalf of Mercedes, but Ferrari as well that the way Max was conducting himself wasnt winning him any favours and he should win

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The jovial, fun-loving and wide-smiling Cam Newton was nowhere to be found Sunday.The NFL Most Valuable Player instead took on a serious tone talking about Thursday nights regular season opener, a Super Bowl rematch with the Denver Broncos.No one likes losing, so I took it extremely personal, Newton said about the Carolinas 24-10 loss to the Broncos in the title game.Newton had a league-high 45 combined touchdowns in a memorable 2015 regular season and added five more in the NFC playoffs. But he never got a chance to dab on the games biggest stage with running back Jonathan Stewart scoring Carolinas only touchdown.Simply put, Denvers defense dominated.Newtons 60 minutes of frustration on the field spilled over to his post-game interview where he answered questions with terse, short answers while slumped behind a podium with a hoodie covering most of his face. After three minutes he abruptly got up and walked off, drawing the ire of some other athletes who criticized his antics.Two days later, upon returning to Charlotte, Newton defended his actions saying Ive been on the record saying that Im a sore loser. Who likes to lose? You show me a good loser and Im going to show you a loser. Its not a popularity contest. I am here to win football games.Newton has since backed away -- at least some -- from that stance.With time to reflect he told Ebony magazine this offseason that he let down friends and family.He hasnt talked much about the Super Bowl loss or his post-game press conference since, avoiding most questions related to the game by spinning them toward the upcoming season.That approach continued on Sunday.A lot of people want to make it a rematch. Its not a rematch, Newton said. Its just our next opponent.Its been seven months now since the devastating defeat, and Panthers coach Ron Rivera believes his quarterbacks mind is in a good place.I think his game is right where it needs to be, Rivera said. Hes focused in on this game. Hes focused in on the 2016 season. As I told the players, the most important thing we do is get ready for this game.Newton wouldnt say if hes watched the Super Bowl.But he believes the Panthers will be better prepared to handle Von Miller and Denver pass rush this time around.The Broncos sacked Newton six times in the Super Bowl, two of those resulting in turnovers leading to 14 Denver points. Newton finished 18 of 41 for 265 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.Our preparation will be different, and we will be locked and loaded and ready to go Thursday, Newton said.Newton spent much of his offseason adjusting to becoming a father and working on a Nickelodeon TV show for kids called All In With Cam Newton.But escaping the Super Bowl loss wasnt easy.When he posted a picture of himself playing water polo with the U.S. National team on his Instagram account this offseason, Miller photo-shopped himself in sacking Newton in the pool. Miller said did it only because he has immense respect for Newton, whom he called the best player in the league.Rivera isnt thrilled the Panthers open the season on a Thursday night against Miller and company in Denver.Defending NFC champs, it would have been nice to open the season at home, but it didnt happen that way, Rivera said Sunday.He knows it will be a huge challenge for his team playing on the road against the team that has a huge ceremony planned to recognize its Super Bowl win. Even Peyton Manning plans be there.With all of the emotion surrounding the game, Rivera said it will be interesting to see how Newton performs.He knows this is the big stage, Rivera said. Its probably one of the biggest stages we will be on as a football team. He has an opportunity to play well and go out and show what hes made of.If the sixth-year quarterback views this as a revenge game, hes not saying it.When asked if beating the Broncos would take the sting out of losing the Super Bowl, Newton simply shook his head.No, he said. Wed just be 1-0.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Nike Off White Air Force 1 Australia . -- Kyrie Irvings last-minute 3-pointer helped seal another victory for Cleveland -- and the Cavaliers longest winning streak since LeBron James left. Balenciaga Speed Trainer Australia . PETERSBURG, Fla. http://www.salenikeshoesaustralia.com/air-max-90-clearance/max-90-mens-cheap.html . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. Vapormax Sale Australia . Thousands of fans at Mosaic Stadium will be cozying up to each other in an effort to stay warm in chilly temperatures and block the Prairie wind that locals say can knock your socks off. Nike Air Force 1 Mid Australia .com) - Manchester City midfielder David Silva is expected to miss the next four weeks because of a calf problem.Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and Red Bull chief Christian Horner have clashed over the Austrians phone call to Jos Verstappen about his son Max. Wolff has admitted to Sky Sports F1 he did discuss the Red Bull drivers on-track approach during his conversation with Jos but said that such calls between them were commonplace and was scathing in reponse when told of Red Bulls unhappiness. I just want to have a great season finale and no controversy because of another car causing a collision and being blamed for having interfered in the championship, said the Austrian. I did it probably out of a more holistic approach of sympathy for Max, but if things are perceived in the wrong way in another team they dont need me, they need a psychiatrist.While team boss Chrstian Horner has criticised Wolffs actions, Verstappen himself has shrugged off the controversy.I was next to my dad when he called, the teenager told Sky F1. He went outside, I was watching TV and didnt want to be disturbed.I am just here to focus on my job and that is to drive fast for Red Bull, not Mercedes.Verstappen and championship leader Rosberg made contact in Mexico as they battled over second place at the start of the race and the teenager was criticised by Wolff following the race.The Austrian branded Verstappen ruthless and told reporters you dont bang wheels with the championship leader three races until the end following the incident. Both Mercedes run wide on the first lap of the Mexican Grand Prix, whilst Pascal Wehrleins race ends prematurely following a clash with Marcus Ericsson.dddddddddddd Among my discussion with Jos, we talked through a situation, imagine the title is down to the wire between Lewis and Nico and there is a hard manoeuvre and Max loses it and shunts into one of our guys and the championship is over, he doesnt need that discussion, Wolff confirmed to Sky Sports F1. I didnt say dont race them, just keep that tiny little margin of avoiding a collision because that would be very controversial for everyone.However, Red Bull team principal Horner was surprised to learn a rival team had been discussing the driving of one of his drivers.Jos told me when he got here on Thursday and I was just a bit surprised that Toto was calling another drivers father from another team, the Red Bull boss told Sky Sports F1.I think Jos was a bit surprised when he put the phone down to Toto that not only was he commenting on behalf of Mercedes, but Ferrari as well that the way Max was conducting himself wasnt winning him any favours and he should wind his neck in.Ive not heard of a team principal calling up other drivers fathers before, but obviously Toto felt the need to do so.Horner joked Mercedes could have their own private one-on-one race before the actual Grand Prix on Sunday if that is what Wolff wanted.I think it is total rubbish. If Toto wants to have a race for his drivers we can do that at 11am tomorrow then we can have the Grand Prix at 2pm where everybody can race, he added.Dont miss the Brazilian GP on Sunday evening. The race is live at 4pm on Sky Sports F1; Watch with a NOW TV day pass - £6.99, no contract Also See: Hamilton lauds Verstappen rule Mark Hughes on Verstappen Mercedes unhappy with Max attack F1 gossip column ' ' '