CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Carolina Panthers third-year defensive end Kony Ealy is looking to parlay a huge performance in the Super Bowl into a super season in 2016.Had the Panthers defeated the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl 50, theres a strong chance Ealy would have been named the games MVP. He was a terror on defense, sacking Peyton Manning three times and forcing two turnovers, including an interception after dropping back in coverage. The Panthers lost 24-10, but Ealy clearly had turned some heads.I gained a lot of confidence from that game, Ealy said. But I have always been a confident person. Now Im just really starting to apply it all. I am putting everything together.The Panthers hope he continues to do just that.The 24-year-old Ealy started nine games early last season after Charles Johnson was placed on short-term injured reserve with a hamstring injury. When Johnson came back, Ealy returned to a reserve role but didnt stop working to improve.He had a stretch during the regular season where he had a sack in five straight games, four of those as a starter. He took his game to an entirely different level in the Super Bowl.We all knew he had that type of game in him, and thats a tribute to how hard hes worked, Panthers defensive coordinator Sean McDermott said of Ealys performance in the Super Bowl. Now were looking for consistency.With defensive end Jared Allen retiring, Ealy will have that chance.Hes penciled in to start opposite Johnson as Carolina looks to become the first team to return to the Super Bowl the year after losing the big game the year before since the Buffalo Bills in 1994.Ealy said while hes excited about being a starter, he hasnt set any personal goals for this season. Nor does he plan on it.Im just going to let my performance do the talking, Ealy said.The Panthers drafted the 6-foot-4, 275-pound Ealy in the second round in 2014 out of Missouri, feeling strongly at the time theyd gotten a first-round talent. He managed 12 tackles and four sacks as a rookie. There were flashes of brilliance mixed in with a tendency to jump early on a hard count.You come in and, obviously, they draft you for talent, but the mental thing is the different part, Ealy said. Everybody doesnt come in mentally ready. I mean, I was just out there running around.Not anymore.Teammates describe him as being more poised, focused and mature than when he first arrived two years ago.He has to come back and build upon that (Super Bowl) now, Johnson said. He knows he can do it now, so that gives him a confidence boost. It will all be a credit to how he works.Coach Ron Rivera said every week during the season, Ealy did things to contribute and was letting us know that hes getting closer and closer.So Rivera wasnt surprised with Ealys performance in the Super Bowl.I think it was a culmination of things for him, Rivera said.Ealy views it more as a beginning.Hes eager for the season, and a chance to show everyone that his stellar performance was far from a fluke. He feels the more he plays, the better hes going to become.Its a process for everybody, Ealy said. Some people never get it. Some people get it, but it takes time. I was just one of those people who took some time to get it.Game notesPanthers Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen returned to practice after missing Saturdays preseason game against Tennessee with back spasms. Rivera hasnt ruled out Olsen for Friday nights game against the New England Patriots.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFLAdidas NMD R1 Alennus . Francis told several hundred members of the European Olympic Committees that when sport "is considered only in economic terms and consequently for victory at every cost . Adidas NMD Halvalla .R. Smith realized how easily basketball can be taken from him, and he wasnt going to take his place in the NBA for granted anymore. http://www.nmdhalvalla.com/yeezy-boost-350-halvalla.html . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. Adidas Falcon Suomi . Miller reached right to deflect Mikhail Grabovskis attempt with just over 2 minutes remaining in regulation, and then made two more saves in the shootout Sunday to give the Sabres a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals. Adidas Falcon Ale . Pence singled in the winning run with no outs in the ninth inning to give the Giants a 7-6 victory over the San Diego Padres on Sunday.LAKE FOREST, Ill. -- Chicago Bears linebacker Lamarr Houston will miss the rest of the season because of a torn ACL in his left knee.Coach John Fox confirmed the injury to WBBM-AM 780 on Tuesday night.Houston was one of a long line of Bears hurt in Mondays 29-14 loss to Philadelphia, along with quarterback Jay Cutler (sprained right thumb).Houston clutched his knee and was tended to on the field afteer trying to rush the quarterback in the second quarter.ddddddddddddHe tore the ACL in his right knee celebrating a late sack in a blowout loss at New England in October 2014.---AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '
