vers physical secondary.On one play Broncos cor

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Colin Kaepernick threw three touchdown passes, ran for 113 yards and nearly rallied the woeful San Francisco 49ers from a 17-point deficit in the final eight minutes Sunday, which left a lot to talk about afterward.That included communism in Cuba.Kaepernick drew loud boos from Miami Dolphins fans early in the game for his political views, including recent comments in defense of the former Cuban leader Fidel Castro. Following the 49ers 31-24 loss, Kaepernick spoke at length about Castros policies.I agree with the investment in education, Kaepernick said. I also agree with the investment in free universal health care, as well as the involvement with him in helping end apartheid in South Africa. I would hope that everyone believes those things are good things. Trying to push the false narrative that I was a supporter of the oppressive things that he did is just not true.In August, Kaepernick drew attention for wearing a T-shirt that featured Castro along with Malcolm X. In a conference call Wednesday with South Florida media, Kaepernick defended Castro, who was enormously unpopular in Miami.The timing of Kaepernicks visit to Florida, coinciding with Castros death, became the latest chapter in a surreal season for the 49ers quarterback. He has drawn strong, mixed reactions for kneeling during the national anthem to protest the treatment of minorities.He also has gone 0-6 as a starter, but the latest game might have been his best yet.The 49ers trailed 31-14 with eight minutes left but scored twice, forced a punt and started at their 38 with 1:44 to go. Kaepernick drove them to the 6 but scrambled on the final play and was stopped at the 2 when sandwiched by Kiko Alonso and Ndamukong Suh.I could tell he was going to try to tuck it in and run, and everyone did a good job of running to the ball and stopping him, Alonso said.Alonso, ironically, is a Cuban American. He said he knew nothing about Kaepernicks comments regarding Castro, but was pleased to learn from relatives about the former dictators death and the resulting celebrations in Miami.I heard there were some big parties on Calle Ocho, Alonso said. I know that my father was happy.There was no celebrating -- again -- for the 49ers (1-10), who set a franchise record with their 10th consecutive loss. Kaepernick said he misfired on some passes but was pleased his team didnt quit.Our guys did a great job fighting to the end, he said. At the beginning of the game I asked them to go four quarters with me, and they did.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL.---Follow Steven Wine on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Steve-Wine. His work can be found at http://bigstory.ap.org/content/steven-wine Cheap Shoes Outlet Stores . P.A. Parenteau scored early in the third period to help the Avs edge Toronto 2-1 on Tuesday night. Cory Sarich also scored for Colorado (3-0-0), which is off to its best ever start. Authentic Shoes For Cheap . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. http://www.cheapshoes.us.org/ . Hargreaves began his career in 2008 with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and has played with the Edmonton Eskimos and last season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Wholesale Shoes China Free Shipping . Rob Manfred, baseballs chief operating officer, testified last week during the grievance filed by the players union to overturn Rodriguezs 211-game suspension. A person familiar with the hearing, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Associated Press on Saturday that Manfred testified the sport wasnt concerned whether Bosch distributed performance-enhancing drugs to minors because MLBs interest was his relationship with players under investigation. Shoes From China Wholesale . A forerunning sled crashed into the worker Thursday at the Sanki Sliding Center. The unidentified worker broke both legs and was airlifted to a nearby hospital. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Coach Ron Rivera says if the Carolina Panthers want to beat the Denver Broncos Thursday night theyll need to stay out of third-and-long situations.Thats something Cam Newton and company failed to do in a 24-10 loss to the Broncos in the Super Bowl seven months ago.Denvers top-ranked defense forced the Panthers into third-and-8 or longer on 12 separate occasions. That didnt bode well for the Panthers; those plays resulted in seven punts and two game-changing strip-sacks by MVP Von Miller leading to 14 Denver points -- the difference in the game.A big part of it is you have to have success on first and second down, Rivera said. We didnt have the success in the Super Bowl.The Broncos took full advantage, disguising coverages and sending extra pass rushers at Newton as part of their green dog blitz package.On Carolinas second possession, Miller beat right tackle Mike Remmers on the edge and ripped the ball away from Newton. Malik Jackson recovered in the end zone to give the Broncos a 10-0 lead.Carolina, which averaged a league-high 31.3 points per game during the regular season and 40 per game in the NFC playoffs, never could get in sync after that.Being in third-and-long is a difficult thing, whether they green dog you or blitz you straight up, Rivera said. Its tough to be successful.Newton said Sunday the Panthers have a great game plan this time around.While the league MVP wouldnt reveal the details, he confidently said the Panthers are locked and loaded for Thursday night, saying that this is a different season with different players.Were trying to get guys on the same page, Newton said. If we do that I believe well put ourselves in an unbelievable position to do what were capable of doing, and that is to win this football game.Panthers running back Jonathan Stewart, who was injured his foot early in the Super Bowl but did return, said the impetus is on the running game to gain more yards on first and second down.Its very pivotal, Stewart said. Third-and-8 or third-and-11 makes it tough on the coordinators, tough on quarterbacks and tough on the offensive line to really grasp the situation.Tight end Greg Olsen said that Panthers siimply made too many mistakes in the last meeting -- whether it was missing a blocking assignment, not being in the right place on a route or dropping passes.ddddddddddddarolina also had a season-high four turnovers against Denver in the Super Bowl.Denver has a good defense and good defenses force you into bad plays, Olsen said. At the same time we did a lot of things that were uncharacteristic of ourselves. They were plays that we were accustomed to making. That day it all snowballed on us and we never really got much going.The Panthers offense expects to benefit from the return of Kelvin Benjamin, their top wide receiver in 2014 who missed all of last season with a torn ACL.Although hes only expected to play about 35 snaps while rounding into football shape, Benjamins 6-foot-5, 245-pound frame and physical brand of play could give the Denver secondary trouble.Carolinas smaller receivers struggled against Denvers physical secondary.On one play Broncos cornerback Aqib Talib dragged wide receiver Philly Brown down by his facemask after a reception, drawing an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. Talib said after the game he did it on purpose.Brown, who was shocked to hear that, said he wont let the past affect his play in the season opener.Aqib Talib dont run my life. I dont walk around thinking about him 24/7, Brown said. Thats not what Im thinking about right now. Im more focused on getting the victory.When asked if Talib has ever tried to contact him to offer an apology, Brown replied, I will block him. He will never have my number.While Benjamins return gives the Panthers a physical presence at wide receiver, Miller said the Broncos defensive backs will once again be up to the challenge.Benjamin is like a safety blanket for Cam, Miller said. Hes a deep, really big receiver -- really talented, very fast and can jump. Luckily we have the best secondary in the National Football League. ... Im totally comfortable in the no-fly zones ability to play the pass this game.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '