eighth Bryce Cartwright (56) leading the league and in-form back-rower

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers?coach Ron Rivera said he expected a feeding frenzy when he benched quarterback Cam Newton for the first series of Sundays 40-7 loss at Seattle for violating a team travel dress code.But Rivera said he remains comfortable with the decision, pointing out that he has disciplined other players in the past for similar offenses.Im very comfortable with it, Rivera said Monday. The truth of the matter is I have to treat everybody the same. I really do. And thats all that was. There was no underlying message. There was no feud, because Ive done this before.Its just unfortunate, the guys that I did this to before werent the quarterback. Thats why its such a big deal. Thats why I think its quite honestly being made really bigger than it really is.Newton, the reigning NFL MVP, was benched because he didnt wear a dress shirt and tie Saturday on the team flight from San Jose, California, where the team spent the week preparing for the Seahawks, to Seattle.Newton said he didnt have a dress shirt and tie because he sent most of a weeks worth of clothes back to Charlotte on Friday, as the rest of the team did.He wore a black turtleneck and jacket instead, adding it felt like I wore a similar outfit as this before and nothing was done.Newton addressed his dress-code violation with the Carolina offense at a meeting on Saturday night, a team source told ESPNs Adam Schefter, and Rivera addressed it at the full team meeting Saturday, the source said.?Rivera remained adamant that the punishment was no different than he has made for other players and that hes moving on to Sundays game against San Diego.I knew it was going to be a feeding frenzy, he said. Thats the way it is. As far as Im concerned, Ive addressed it, hes addressed it and Im treating everybody the same, and I will continue to do that. So Im done with it.Newton missed only one play, as the Panthers first series ended on the games first play from scrimmage -- when backup Derek Anderson threw an interception. Offensive coordinator Mike Shula said Newtons punishment didnt impact the way he played, noting that Newton was very focused.The decision to bench Newton created a debate over whether Rivera did the right thing.Rivera said he isnt concerned whether the issue will create unrest in the locker room, but he is concerned about the mental state of his team, which is 4-8 this season after going 15-1 and reaching the Super Bowl last year.We have five core values here that Mr. Richardson preaches, Rivera said of team owner Jerry Richardson. Hard work, harmony, teamwork, listen, respect. Its all over the place. You can be who you are. You can keep your personality, but youve got to keep it within that framework.Thats whats important. We try to be who we are, but there is a framework that we have. Theres a set of rules, and its true for society. A lot of thing that I do here isnt just about football ... Thats what this was. It was a learning opportunity. Were going to move on from there. Authentic Custom Avalanche Jersey . Team physician Dr. Steve Traina performed the surgery Friday. Robinson was injured in a spill underneath the Nuggets basket during the first quarter of Wednesday nights loss to the Charlotte Bobcats. Custom Avalanche Jerseys . The 18th player to shoot 60 on the tour, Jamieson settled for par on the final hole when his 15-foot birdie chip grazed the edge of the hole and stayed out. After opening with rounds of 66 and 73 to make the cut by a stroke, he had 11 birdies in the bogey-free round. http://www.customavalanchejersey.com/ . Just not the game. Kyle Palmieri scored two straight goals in the third period to rally the Anaheim Ducks past the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night. Rob Ramage Jersey Large . The parade and rally were held to celebrate the Saskatchewan Roughriders 45-23 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday in the CFLs championship game. Custom Avalanche Jersey China . -- Aldon Smith believes he is on the path to being sober for good. WHY YOUR NRL TEAM CAN WIN THE NRL PREMIERSHIP* MELBOURNEThe purple wall. Melbournes defence has been peerless this season and, having conceded an average 11.5 points per game, they are on track to go down as the best defensive team in the NRL era. They also miss the fewest tackles (19.1) and concede the fewest linebreaks (2.4).* CRONULLAThe best all-round team in the competition. Cronulla mixes defensive steel with real attacking power, and is ranked second for points scored (25.7 per game), tackle busts (28.5) and offloads (12) as well as sitting third for run metres (1489m) and line breaks (5.5).* CANBERRAThey have strike power like no other side. There is plenty to like about Ricky Stuarts backline, which boasts two of the competitions top four try scorers in Jordan Rapana and Jarrod Croker (both 15) while Croker is the comps highest point scorer. Rapana leads the league for line breaks (22) and tackle busts (111) while Joey Leilua is second for tackle busts (97).* CANTERBURYThe best pack in the competition. Going into round 23, David Klemmer had made more metres than any other forward (170m per game) while James Graham was fifth with 153m. Also, Graham (18.4 per game) and fellow prop Aiden Tolman (16.6) led the league for most runs.* NORTH QUEENSLANDNo one is better at controlling field position. On the back of the likes of Jason Taumalolo, Matt Scott and James Tamou rolling up their sleeves, the Cowboys make more metres than any other team. Paul Greens side then leads the way in forced drop outs (2.5 per game) and is second in tackles inside opposition 20 (30.6 per game).* BRISBANEThe Wayne Bennett factor. TThe Broncos are in a slump, having won four of their past 12, but they have come from a similar position to win the title before.dddddddddddd In 2006 Brisbane had a run of five wins from 13 mid-season before recovering to win the title. If anyone can get them to lift, its the mastercoach Bennett.* PENRITHUncertainty. No team is better at creating second phase play. Penrith boasts more offloads than any side this year, with hulking five-eighth Bryce Cartwright (56) leading the league and in-form back-rower Trent Merrin is fifth and combined they give the Panthers a real x-factor.* WARRIORSShaun Johnson. Theres no way the Warriors can win their maiden title without their No.7 firing. He leads the league for try-assists and is just 15 points away from surpassing Stacey Jones as the sides all-time leading points scorer.* WESTS TIGERSTheyve turned their defence around. There hasnt been anything wrong with their attack this year while fullback James Tedesco is in form reminiscent of Jarryd Hayne in 2009. Importantly, the Tigers have turned around their horror defensive record, conceding conceded the fewest points and the second fewest linebreaks in their past four matches.* GOLD COASTAsh Taylor. While Jarryd Haynes shaping as the ace up the sleeve, the rookie halfback has been their most important player all year and has been a big reason why the Titans are surpassing all expectations. He leads the league for most drop outs forced (21) and looks the complete package.Source: Fox Sports Stats ' ' '