AUBURN, Ala. Roberto Osuna Jersey . -- Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton now has a huge statue of himself to go along with his Heisman Trophy and AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. He also has outsized expectations for Year 2. "With reviewing all the games from last year, I feel that the improvement is through the roof for me," said Newton, a few hours after Auburn unveiled statues of him and fellow Tigers Heisman Trophy winners Bo Jackson and Pat Sullivan. "Ive had the whole off-season to work on the things that I feel like I need to get better at (and that) will come into fruition. With the upcoming OTAs, I feel like thats another time for me to get better." Newton thrived as a rookie despite taking a crash course in mastering an NFL offence after a lockout wiped out most of the off-season. Now, hes also got the security of having Steve Smith around for at least three more years after the wide receiver signed a contract extension on Tuesday. "Having him back is a big thing for not only me as my whole evolution is going to change -- to have his leadership there -- but for the whole team," Newton said. "We need Smitty not for what he does at the receiver position but for the leader that he is, how much he holds everybody accountable. "Im excited for him." Newton got an enthusiastic reception from fans before the Tigers spring game, blowing a kiss to the crowd. He only spent one season at Auburn but led the team to the 2010 national title and won the Heisman. Jackson captured the trophy in 1985 and Sullivan in 1971. Both have long been Auburn icons, but Newton got his own statue less than 28 months after signing to play for the Tigers. "God works in mysterious ways," Newton said. His 1,900-pound bronze statue features him running with the ball tucked into his right arm, a sign of his versatility as a quarterback. Newton said he still has "a warmth in my heart" for Auburn despite his relatively short stay. "Every Saturday I was in that team hotel glued to the tube, trying to find out what in the world we were doing so I could have bragging rights," he said of last fall. Newtons lone season was marred by an investigation into a pay-for-play scheme, but the NCAA has since cleared both him and Auburn. He even wrote a poem for the ceremony that read in part: "My road to the top had a couple pit stops, but during my time at Auburn, The love of the Auburn family would not let my morale drop. Greatness was what I strived for, and greatness was what I got." Newton and Jackson, a former NFL and Major League Baseball player, playfully dodged any debate about who is Auburns greatest athlete. "I think..." began Newton, getting interrupted by Jackson. "To be honest with you, the best athlete to ever come out of Auburn University is Charles Barkley," Jackson said. Countered Newton: "Uncross your fingers." The university also erected a bust of John Heisman since Auburn was the only school he coached that has produced a winner of the award that bears his name. "Its a unique club," Jackson said. "Theres only been 76 of those trophies handed out over the years, and we have three of them. Its almost like, wow. Its almost like finding a rare coin that doesnt exist anymore and you come across it. And we have three right here in Auburn." Kevin Pillar Jersey .J. -- Marshawn Lynch said Thursday it will be good to get back to football after the Seattle quiet talking running back wrapped up his final mandatory media session of Super Bowl week. Tony Sanchez Jersey . Brooks scored 10 of his 14 points in the fourth quarter against his former club, spearheading a 101-92 victory over Boston on Friday night and helping snap a franchise-record eight-game home losing streak. Bazemore had 15 points, including a pair of clutch 3-pointers less than 2 minutes apart during the final 4:20 as the Lakers outscored the Celtics 38-18 in the final period.STANFORD, Calif. - Venus Williams feels like the hometown girl when she plays at Stanford even though she grew up in Southern California and currently resides in Florida. She has enjoyed a lot of success here, made her professional debut at the event, and the crowd was clearly supporting her. "Its nice to have that support," Williams said after advancing to the Bank of the West quarterfinals Thursday night, beating fourth-seeded Victoria Azarenka 6-4, 7-6 (1). "It was good to hear the oohs and aahs for both of us," the unseeded Williams said. "I dont want to let anybody down. This year has been a lot more relaxing than Southern California." Williams and Azarenka, both former world No. 1s, are working their way back to high level tennis following injuries and illness. Williams, who is 4-0 against the Belarusian, appears slightly ahead in her development. "Its always great to get a win against a player like Victoria, who is a champion," Williams said. "We played a high level and it got better as the match went on." After the 10th-ranked Azarenka, who celebrated her 25th birthday, saved three match points to tie it 6-6, Williams won the first five points in the tiebreaker. "The tiebreaker felt great," Williams said. "It brought out my best tennis. I needed the challenge." Azarenkas second serve was the biggest difference between the hard-hitting players. She won just 32 per cent of her second serves, handing Williams a significant advantage. "We both had good points," Azarenka said. "Venus was a little better on her execution on important points. I have to be realistic and look at the things that have to be done. Its not easy being patient but if I wanted easy, Id go sit on a couch." Despite losing, Azarenka was glad to be playying tennis on her birthday. Paul Molitor Blue Jays Jersey. "Losing is never satisfying," she said. "But I left the best part of my day on the court. I was able to do something I love on my birthday." Williams, who reached her third quarterfinal of the season, will face eighth-seeded Andrea Petkovic on Friday. Williams, in her 12th career appearance at Stanford, reached her 10th quarterfinal. She has won twice and finished second five times. Azarenka won the event in 2010 and has been eliminated in the second round in her last two appearances. "I was moving well and it was a good start," Azarenka said. "I know there is work to be done and that is what I want to do." Fifth-seeded Ana Ivanovic also advanced, beating qualifier Carol Zhao 6-1, 6-1. The 11th-ranked Serb, looking for her fourth title of the year, will face top-ranked Serena Williams on Friday. "It will be a tough challenge but a good test to see where I need to work," Ivanovic said. "Its a different part of the season and a different kind of tournament." Ivanovic will move into the top 10 next week for the first time in five years. "I cant think too much about the future," Ivanovic said. "I am looking to turn it around at the U.S. Open. After the match today I went back out on the court to get the rhythm back on my serve. Thats what I need to be doing." Zhao, a sophomore All-America at Stanford, appeared in her second WTA Tour event and gained her first career win at the level Tuesday when Yanina Wickmeyer retired because of a viral infection. Ivanovic, a former No. 1, had three aces and won 75 per cent of her first-serve points. In other matches, third-seeded Angelique Kerber beat Coco Vandeweghe, 7-6 (4), 0-6, 6-2, and Garbine Muguruza topped Daniela Hantuchova, 6-4, 6-4. 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