Cam Newton compiles record yardage but is far from perfect

Cam Newton continues to compile impressive statistics as the Carolina Panthers' rookie quarterback -- impressive, that is, if the main stat you're interested in is passing yards.

Otherwise, he came back down to earth a bit during Sunday's 30-23 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

Newton passed for more than 400 yards for the second week in a row -- that's the entirety of his NFL career -- and set a rookie record with his 432 yards. According to the NFL, Newton's 854 yards are the most ever in the first two games of a career.

That's impressive, no question about it.

But the defending Super Bowl champs also forced Newton into throwing three interceptions, including two that led to Green Bay field goals during a disastrous third quarter for the Panthers.The reigning  Heisman Trophy winner now has more interceptions (four) than passing touchdowns (three).

Not as impressive.

But overall Newton is performing better than most people expected. Particularly for a rookie who had to start from Day 1 after being locked out with the rest of the NFL most of the off-season.

And if he can somehow turn those passing stats into wins for the Panthers ... now that would be impressive.

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-- Chuck Schilken

Photo: Carolina rookie quarterback Cam Newton rolls out against Green Bay. Credit: Bob Donnan / US Presswire

Kings announce likely lineups for first exhibition games

The Kings on Monday announced the expected lineups for their first exhibition games, a pair of split-squad contests Wednesday against the Phoenix Coyotes. One game will be played in Glendale, Ariz., and the other at Staples Center.

Goaltenders Jonathan Quick and Martin Jones are scheduled to play at Staples Center, where Mike Richards is expected to make his first appearance in a Kings uniform. Defensemen Thomas Hickey and Viatcheslav Voynov are also scheduled to play in Los Angeles, giving local fans a chance to evaluate two of the prime candidates to get more playing time while Drew Doughty remains unsigned.

Here are the expected lineups for Wednesday, subject to change:

at Phoenix

Goalies
Jeff Zatkoff
Jonathan Bernier

Skaters
D Matt Greene
C Anze Kopitar
R Justin Williams
C Brad Richardson
L Ethan Moreau
R Kevin Westgarth
C Trevor Lewis
L Dustin Penner
D Alec Martinez
D Willie Mitchell
R Brandon Kozun
L Rich Clune
D Patrick Mullen
C Justin Azevedo
C Tyler Toffoli
L Dwight King
D Andrew Campbell
D David Kolomatis
 
at Los Angeles

Goalies
31 Martin Jones
32 Jonathan Quick

Skaters
D Jack Johnson
D Jake Muzzin
D Rob Scuderi
C Mike Richards
L Simon Gagne
L Kyle Clifford
L Scott Parse
R Dustin Brown
C Jarret Stoll
D Thomas Hickey
D Davis Drewiske
R Trent Hunter
C Andrei Loktionov
L David Meckler
C Marc-Andre Cliche
C Jordan Nolan
D Viatcheslav Voynov
L Ray Kaunisto

-- Helene Elliott 

Kings sign Kevin Westgarth to two-year extension

The Kings have signed enforcer Kevin Westgarth to a two-year contract extension. Westgarth, whose current contract expires after this season, will earn $700,000 in 2012-13 and $750,000 in 2013-14.

That's a raise from the $525,000 the 6-foot-4, 228-pound winger will earn this season.

Westgarth, 27, had no goals, three assists and 105 penalty minutes in 56 games with the Kings last season.

The new contract follows another happy event in his life: Last month, he married Meagan Cowher, daughter of former NFL coach Bill Cowher. She and Westgarth met while they were students at Princeton, where she was an outstanding basketball player.

-- Helene Elliott

F1 banks the Bahrain money – who saw that coming?

So after all that F1 has banked Bahrain's estimated $40million race fee, despite the grand prix not taking place in 2011. No surprise there.

Despite telling the Telegraph in February, at the height of the unrest, that he would "not charge them for a race they are not getting", no one really expected Bernie/F1 to lose out over the saga. Once Bahrain officially pulled the plug on the grand prix rather than the teams/Bernie there was no question of that happening, although Ecclestone claims he tried to return the fee.

"I don't think turnover will be down this year," the 80-year-old was quoted as saying this morning when asked about the sport's 2011 balance sheet. "I think it will be flat because we were paid for Bahrain. I said we will give them the money back and they said 'Don't bother'…. They are lovely people."

And clearly desperate to get their race back. It will be interesting to see how much goodwill their 'largesse' has bought, particularly if there are any repercussions before next April's race.

Ecclestone is hopeful. "I spoke to the Bahrainis yesterday and they said everything is going to be fine," he said. "I hope they are right for their sake, not ours."

UCLA to play USC at Dodger Stadium on March 13

UCLA announced its 2012 baseball schedule on Monday, and one of the highlights is a game against rival USC on Tuesday night, March 13, at Dodger Stadium in a nonconference game.

UC Irvine will play Pepperdine at 2 p.m. on the same day at Dodger Stadium.

UCLA will open its season with a three-game home series against Maryland on Feb. 17-19. It will be the first meeting between the two schools.

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-- Eric Sondheimer

NFL should suspend Danta Robinson for his flagrant hit

There is no question the NFL should suspend Atlanta’s Dunta Robinson for his brutal helmet-to-helmet hit Sunday night on Philadelphia receiver Jeremy Maclin.

The only question: Why wasn’t Robinson immediately ejected?

The hit came midway through the third quarter when Maclin had made a catch and was running across the middle of the field. Replays clearly showed Robinson launching at him with his head, and bashing his helmet into the side of Maclin’s. Robinson was flagged for unnecessary roughness, a 15-yard penalty.

Maclin was slow to his feet but was able to return to the game.

The NFL is reviewing the hit, which is a textbook violation of the league’s launching ban. This off-season the league said it would reserve the right to suspend flagrant offenders. Last season Robinson was fined $50,000 for a similar hit on Eagles receiver DeSean Jackson. That fine was later reduced to $25,000.

After Sunday’s game, Jackson said of Robinson: “I guess that’s what type of player he is. He tries to go for the kill shot and things like that. He got a flag for it, so I’m just glad Jeremy is OK.”

Not surprisingly, Robinson argued that the hit was legal and said he feels “strongly” that the league won’t react further.

Here’s hoping he’s wrong.

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-- Sam Farmer

Photo: Atlanta's Dunta Robinson would be penalized for leading with his helmet on this tackle of Philadelphia's Jeremy Maclin. Credit: Scott Cunningham / Getty Images

Michael Vick or Matt Ryan: Who would you want as your QB? [Poll]

Michael Vick returned to the Georgia Dome on Sunday to face his former team, the Atlanta Falcons, as the starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles (in case you hadn't heard).

Some fans wore Falcons jerseys with Vick's old No. 7 and some wore Ryan's No. 2 -- and they got the showdown they were looking for.

Ultimately, Ryan led the home team to a 35-31 victory, completing 17 of 28 passes for 195 yards and throwing for a career-high four touchdowns, including two to Tony Gonzalez. But the current Falcons quarterback also threw a pair of interceptions.

Vick completed 19 of 28 for 242 yards and two touchdowns in addition to rushing six times for 25 yards. But he also threw an interception and lost two fumbles before leaving the game in the third quarter with what's now being called a concussion.

So Ryan won this particular showdown, at least on the scoreboard, but who would you rather have as your team's quarterback? Vote in the poll and then leave a comment explaining your reasoning.

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-- Chuck Schilken

Photo: A sign at Sunday night's Eagles-Falcons game at the Georgia Dome shows support for both Michael Vick and Matt Ryan. Credit: Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images