SEATTLE -- Observed and heard in the locker room after the Carolina Panthers' 31-17 loss to the Seattle Seahawks:
Quarterback Cam Newton, with only a towel wrapped around his waist, had as much trouble getting past reporters to the shower as he did getting past the Seattle defense. He also had trouble summing up his emotions on a game in which he had an interception returned for a touchdown and a fumble. "I don't know how to feel," he said.
Cornerback Josh Norman had his head down, looking at every item as he packed his bag for the final time this season. Asked for his thoughts on the game, he politely replied, "I'll get you back in Charlotte."
Fullback Mike Tolbert has been talking for weeks about the made-for-TV movie that would be made about all the crazy things that have happened this season after the Panthers won the Super Bowl. After falling short of that goal, he said, "It's tough because we know we can be so much better."
Middle linebacker Luke Kuechly, the reigning NFL defensive player of the year, when asked about Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson going 8-for-8 for three touchdowns on third down: "That's a good way to win games."
Left tackle Byron Bell said he played well enough this season to get a new contract and that he hopes he gets another chance.
Head coach Ron Rivera continued to defend his team's right to be in the playoffs, despite its losing regular-season record, to the very end. "They played together, they came together and they deserved to be here," he said. "Again, I know a lot of people don't agree with me, but that's too bad. That's the way it is."
