both of which led to Vikings scores. The 62-yarder set up Hunters sack | Forum

Former All Blacks captain Richie McCaw wants New Zealand to change their flag to one with a silver fern. Authentic Wholesale Nike Shoes China . The 35-year-old, who earlier this week was named New Zealander of the Year, said he felt his country needed to change the flag when he ran out ahead of last years World Cup final against Australia.McCaw won 148 Test caps for the All Blacks and, as one of the countrys greatest ever sportsmen, his opinion carries substantial weight. The moment when I decided a new flag would be great for our country (was when) running out at Twickenham and seeing the two flags looking so similar. Richie McCaw New Zealand is currently undergoing a two-part referendum to determine whether or not to change its flag, with the second phase due to be held next month when a design featuring a fern on a blue and black background, will face off against New Zealands current flag.The existing flag features the United Kingdoms Union Jack in the corner and four red stars in a Southern Cross formation, indicating New Zealands location in the South Pacific.The moment when I decided a new flag would be great for our country [was when] running out at Twickenham and seeing the two flags looking so similar, McCaw wrote on his Facebook page on Sunday, with a picture of the two flags side by side. Richie McCaw holds up the Webb Ellis Cup after winning the World Cup in 2011 The silver fern has always been the special symbol on the All Black jersey that represents who we are as Kiwis, so the new flag with a silver fern as a part of it would be a great option I believe.McCaw joined fellow All Blacks team mate Dan Carter, who now plays in France, as two high-profile sports people to come out in favour of a new flag in the last week. Also See: Jones has three-year plan Warburton: Im never complacent Rugby on Sky Follow @SkySportsRugby Cheap Nike Shoes Online Free Shipping . Numbers Game examines the deal that sees Michael Del Zotto and Kevin Klein switch places. The Predators Get: D Michael Del Zotto. Cheap Nike Shoes China Free Shipping . -- New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis is retiring after a 16-year career to become the goalie coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy. http://www.wholesaleshoesnike.com/ . Paul Pierce couldnt believe he missed at the end. Young scored a season-high 26 points to spark a huge effort from the leagues most productive bench, and Los Angeles beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-94 on Wednesday night after blowing a 27-point lead. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Vikings cornerback Captain Munnerlyn has a message for Panthers wide receiver Devin Funchess: Youre not that good.Munnerlyn said the Vikings concentrated on slowing down Carolinas No. 1 receiver Kelvin Benjamin, who came into the game with 13 catches for 199 yards and three TDs, while largely ignoring Funchess.Funchess couldnt take advantage of seeing mostly single coverage. Neither he nor Benjamin recorded a catch in Carolinas 22-10 loss to Minnesota.We just knew where Benjamin was the whole time, Munnerlyn said. Funchess, we werent worried about him. It was Kelvin Benjamin. Im just going to be honest. Me personally, I dont think he is that good, No. 17 (Funchess). So we werent really worried about him.Funchess was unavailable for comment after the game.After a solid training camp and preseason, Funchess has struggled this season with only three catches for 28 yards and one touchdown.The Panthers opened the game in a three-receiver set on Sunday that did not include Funchess. Ted Ginn Jr. and Philly Brown started alongside Benjamin. Ginn had three catches for 62 yards and Brown four grabs for 57 yards.NEWTON FINE: Cam Newton said hes fine after Vikings defensive tackle Linval Joseph landed on his leg while chasing him out of the pocket.Newton sat out a play then returned and finished the game.The leagues MVP has a chance to get back in a rhythm next Sunday when the Panthers play their first NFC South game against the Falcons, who surrendered four TD passes to the Bucs Jameis Winston in Week One and three to the Raiders Derek Carr in Week Two.BRADFORD COMFORTABLE: Minnesota quarterback Sam Bradford is now 2-0 as the Vikings starter, despite getting off to a slow start against the Panthers.Bradford was 4 of 11 for 26 yards passing over the first two quarters. But in the second half, he went 14 of 17 for 145 yards and a touchdown , a 15-yarder to Kyle Rudolph in the third quarter that put Minnesota in the lead.We just never really found the rhythm, in the first half, Bradford said.While not as impressive as his debut -- 286 yards and two touchdowns in beating the Green Bay Packers last week -- Zimmer is ready to say that Bradfford now knows the Vikings offense heading into their matchup against the New York Giants. Wholesale Nike Shoes Online. I think we probably need to put the whole `learning the offense thing away. Hes good to go with all that stuff, Zimmer said.VIKINGS GROUND GAME: The Vikings are winning despite not having much of a ground game.They came in ranked 32nd in the league in rushing and only had 58 yards rushing against the Panthers without Adrian Peterson. Third-year pro Jerick McKinnon finished with 16 carries for 45 yards. Matt Asiata started but had just 15 yards on six carries.Those guys ran the ball pretty good today, Zimmer said. We stuck to it a little bit more in the second half. It helps take some of the pressure off of the pass rush when you can do those things.SAFETY STREAK: Minnesota defensive end Danielle Hunters first-quarter sack on Newton gave the Vikings their first defensive safety in nearly five years. Hunter brought Newton down from behind for a five-yard loss with 1:44 remaining in the first quarter for the safety, Minnesotas first since Dec. 4, 2011, during a 35-32 loss to the Denver Broncos.That safety that Danielle Hunter got was a big turning point in the game, Zimmer said as it cut Carolinas lead to 10-2.WINNING SPECIAL TEAMS: After struggling through the first two weeks of the season, Minnesota punter Jeff Locke found his range against the Panthers. Entering Sundays game averaging a league-worst 38.6 yards per punt, Locke averaged 48.4 yards per on his seven punts, including a season-best 62-yarder in the first quarter.Locke twice pinned the Panthers inside their own five-yard line with long kicks, both of which led to Vikings scores. The 62-yarder set up Hunters sack and safety, and a 58-yarder in the second quarter pinned Carolina at its own 2 in the second quarter.Meanwhile, Carolina gave up a 54-yard punt return for a touchdown to Marcus Sherels and Graham Gano missed a 54-yard field goal.---Freelance Writer Bill Kiser contributed to this report.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '