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CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Cam Newton said his focus is on getting back on the football field, not a new contract. The Panthers quarterback said Wednesday hes happy for San Franciscos Colin Kaepernick, who recently signed a six-year, $126 million contract. He even sent a congratulatory text message to Kaepernick, who beat Newton and the Panthers in the NFC divisional playoffs 23-10 in January. The Panthers have talked about a long-term contract for Newton but no deal has been completed. "For me, thats the last thing thats on my mind," Newton said. Newton didnt practice Wednesday as he continues to rehab his left ankle following surgery in March, but spoke to the media inside the stadium afterward. He said he wants to participate in next weeks three-day minicamp, but isnt sure if hell be ready. Newton and Kaepernick are linked in many respects because they came out of college the same year. Newton was selected first overall in the NFL draft in 2011, but only this past year did he finally get the Panthers to the playoffs. Kaepernick was selected 35 picks behind Newton but has helped the 49ers reach the NFC championship game three straight seasons. "Two different people, two different organizations," Newton said. "I wish Colin the best. ... I reached out and told him he deserved it. To do what he has done up to this point, he deserves to get paid." Newton can make an argument he does too based on three impressive statistical seasons. He has started every game for the Panthers since coming into the league and thrown for 11,299 yards with 64 touchdown passes and 42 interceptions. Hes also run for 2,032 yards and 28 TDs. But while general manager Dave Gettleman said Newton has proven to him that hes a franchise quarterback, the salary cap strapped Panthers havent signed the former Heisman Trophy winner to a long-term deal. The Panthers did pick up the option on the fifth year of Newtons rookie contract, which means Newtons salary will jump from $3.3 million this year to $14.6 million in 2015. Newton has been working on an underwater treadmill in recent weeks, receiving ice and stem treatments for his left ankle. Hes also been throwing passes on the side during six of the teams last nine OTA practices. He said hes still experiences some pain in his ankle that reminds him hes not quite 100 per cent. The teams three-day minicamp begins Tuesday. "Physically Im coming along fine and Im on page right where I expected to be, but mentally Im bored," Newton said. Newton said hes spent the last seven weeks pouring over game film from last year and practice film from OTAs. He acknowledged that while the extra time in the film room has been beneficial, he said it has become "a little monotonous." When he returns to the field Newton will be looking to develop some chemistry with an overhauled corps or wide receivers. The Panthers cut ties with their top four wide receivers from last year, including Newtons go-to guy Steve Smith. The team added free agents Jerricho Cotchery, Jason Avant and Tiquan Underwood and drafted Kelvin Benjamin in the first round. While Newton wasnt ready to say this years group of receivers is better than last years, he did say they have a chip on their shoulders. "The elephant in the room has already been stated," Newton said. "Those guys have already accepted the challenge. You dont have to go in there and tell those guys, Hey, youre projected (to be) the sorriest receiver (group) in the NFL. We already know. "But with that, those guys already have that fire in their eyes. I would rather those guys be like that and for them to go out there and bust their tails like theyve been doing. 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But when it was all over they had wasted another lead, seen another pitcher flame out on the mound and lost their fourth straight at home.The Rochester Knighthawks acquired the second and 11th overall picks in Mondays Draft from the Vancouver Stealth in exchange for Johnny Powless and Joel McCready as well as the ninth and 23rd picks. Rochester also receives the Stealths first-round picks in the 2015 and 2017 drafts. I enjoyed my three years with the Rochester Knighthawks, said Powless. I am looking forward to playing with Vancouver this year. Powless has played in Rochester for three seasons and won three straight Champions Cups. The former first-round pick has collected 144 points (78+66) in just 50 games. In 2014, he reached career highs in goals (30) and points (53), and finished third and fourth on the team in those categories respectively. During the 2014 Playoffs, Powless scored four goals and dished out four assists in six games. The 21-year-old forward has won six championshipps in the past three years.ddddddddddddTo go along with three NLL titles, he has won back-to-back Mann Cups with the Six Nations Chiefs and a 2014 Minto Cup with the Six Nations Arrows. Powless was also named the Minto Cup MVP after leading the series with 21 assists and 29 points. McCready played five seasons in Rochester, and contributed 23 goals, 27 assists and 180 loose balls in 48 games. In 2014, he notched career highs in every offensive category with 14 goals, 15 assists and 29 points. The St. Catharines, Ontario native netted his biggest goal of the year in the East Division Finals, tallying the game-tying goal in the 10-minute mini-game. The Knighthawks won the game in overtime to return to the NLL Finals. Rochester would defeat the Calgary Roughnecks to give the 26-year-old McCready his second straight NLL Championship (2013-14). ' ' '