CHARLOTTE Blue Cam Newton Jersey , N.C. (AP) — coming a smarter, more efficient passer.It’s only been two games, but the Panthers‘ eighth-year quarterback is completing a career-best 69 percent of his passes — well above his career completion mark of 58.3 percent — entering Sunday’s game against the unbeaten Cincinnati Bengals.Those numbers may not turn a lot of heads, but the Panthers (1-1) believe it’s a sign that Newton is gaining a solid grasp on new offensive coordinator Norv Turner’s scheme and developing as a passer. He’s being more patient, often working through his progressions and finding his second, third and sometimes fourth options on pass plays.That was evident last Sunday when Newton completed 14 passes to running back Christian McCaffrey resulting in 102 yards — most of those on “check downs,” where Newton was forced to read the defense and wait until the play developed before releasing the football.“He’s made a lot of good decisions these first two games,” coach Ron Rivera said. “I’m real excited about the progress Cam has shown in terms of understanding and getting a feel for what coach Turner wants.”The 2015 league MVP completed 32 of 45 passes for 332 yards and two touchdowns in a 31-24 loss to the Falcons on Sunday —although those numbers would have been higher had his receivers not dropped five passes Cam Newton Jersey 2019 , including one bobbled ball that resulted in Newton’s only interception of the season.Despite the loss, Rivera praised Newton’s performance.“He was patient, he went through his reads and he didn’t force balls in,” Rivera said. “And he threw check downs when he needed to. And that was huge. … Not always do you have to force the ball in or take off running.”Rivera expects Newton’s completion percentage will increase the more time he spends in Turner’s offense.Newton said it’s just a matter of learning to take what the defense gives him.One of the biggest keys, he said, is trusting teammates around him to do their jobs — the offensive line giving him time to work through his progressions and receivers making plays with the ball in their hands.That happened against Atlanta when Newton found D.J. Moore — his second option — with a pass over the middle that the speedy rookie wide receiver caught and turned into a 51-yard touchdown.“Wherever the read takes (me) I have to get the ball out of my hands and allow those guys to” make plays, said Newton, whose completion percentage ranks 15th in the league.“That has been a bigger part of what they doing Blue Luke Kuechly Jersey , no doubt,” Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said of the check downs.McCaffrey was drafted last year with the purpose of giving Newton an option when things begin to break down, instead of having to tuck and run as often.The running back from Stanford set a franchise rookie record with 80 receptions. This year, he’s on pace to double that output.McCaffrey is unlikely to get to 160 receptions because at some point teams are going to adjust and take him away. But the Panthers are counting on that, figuring it will open things up downfield for other receivers.“Eventually teams will have to start to play that,” McCaffrey said, “and that’s when it all opens up.”While Newton’s intended target may change as the season unfolds, Panthers wide receiver Torrey Smith said Newton has a good chance of maintaining that 69 percent completion rate — or even improving on it.“Cam has been working his tail off and he has been making great decisions Luke Kuechly Jersey 2019 ,” Smith said.Newton said he couldn’t care less about his completion percentage, as long as the team wins. PITTSBURGH (AP) — Beatrice Mompremier scored 23 points with 13 rebounds and No. 25 Miami kept Pitt winless in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 65-51 victory on Sunday.Mompremier was 9-of-12 shooting in posting her 19th double-double this season and Emese Hof added 11 points and 11 rebounds for her ninth double-double this season.Miami (21-5, 9-2) led by one after the first quarter then opened the second period with 13 straight points. Pitt’s only points were a pair of free throws in the final minute to cut the deficit to 32-20 at halftime. Pitt missed all 10 field-goal attempts in the period.Mompremier had six points in an 8-0 spurt to a 17-point lead midway through the third period and the Hurricanes remained comfortably in front.Danielle Garven scored 13 points for the Panthers (9-16, 0-11), who made only 2 of 19 3-point attempts.Miami, which was coming off a win over defending national champion Notre Dame, has won the last five meetings with Pitt and 10 of the last 11.Pitt is still looking for its first win since defeating Duquesne on Dec. 29.