Unser Chat » McMorris responded in an email to The Associated Press

Mark McMorris fractured rib is steadily improving, so much so that the gold-medal favourite in Sochi plans to snowboard in a few days to "see how it goes." McMorris responded in an email to The Associated Press on Friday that he feels "pretty good" nearly a week after his crash during the Winter X Games slopestyle final. He has a few more days to heal with slopestyle qualifying at the Sochi Games not beginning until Feb. 6. Last weekend, the 20-year-old from Regina caught his snowboard on the lip of a rail and landed hard on the bar, then slid down on his right side before hitting the snow. "I was in a lot of pain and I couldnt breathe," he said in the email. "I just had to get up. I couldnt lay there. I was so disappointed." He made it down the hill that afternoon under his own power and headed to the hospital, where X-rays revealed he had a fractured rib but no other damage. And now McMorris refuses to let the fall derail his Olympic aspirations. "I am really blessed and lucky I get a second chance to try and give it a shot," he said. Asked if his rib might hamper him during competition, McMorris responded: "I cant predict it until I get out there and try." McMorris arrived in Europe early so he could get accustomed to the time difference. He said hes pretty much been "in a stationary place trying to get better. Feeling Ok but my rib is still broken so its not 100 per cent. ... Every day (the rib) gets better and I still have 4 or 5 days before I compete." Sore rib and all, McMorris will still be one of the favourites as slopestyle makes its Olympic debut. He could be the biggest challenger to Shaun White, who will also try to defend his title in the halfpipe. Pressure being the front-runner? "For sure," McMorris said in an interview at Winter X, a few days before his crash. "Whenever youre at the top of the sport, people look to you to keep going. Ive proven time and time again, that I can get the result. "Now, when were talking on an even bigger level, the Olympics, its really put on my shoulders. But everybody feels pressure. You can either take it in a positive or negative way. I try to feed off of it." McMorris doesnt view White so much with a sense of awe, but rather as simply another competitor in a talent-rich field that includes fellow Canadian rider Max Parrot, who won at Winter X with back-to-back triple-cork jumps. In fact, its White whos been doing most of the chasing in this event, because McMorris has been the snowboarder with the innovative tricks. "(White) is another guy youve got to beat," McMorris said in the interview before his crash. "I go to a contest to ride the best I can. Its in the judges hands after that. Thats what everybody does. I dont think its a sport where youre trying to take down any certain person. Youre trying to win a contest and do the best you can do." Bill Russell Celtics Jersey . 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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Coach Ron Rivera expects to have his starting backfield ready to play Sunday night when the Panthers host the Pittsburgh Steelers. Running back DeAngelo Williams and Pro Bowl fullback Mike Tolbert practiced full on Friday and are expected to start. Williams is listed as questionable on the injury report; Tolbert is probable. Quarterback Cam Newton has been battling rib and ankle injuries but isnt listed on the teams injury report. Thats good news for unbeaten Carolina considering the Steelers (1-1) rank 29th in the league against the run after two games and allowed 157 yards rushing in a 26-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens last week. "The formula that we talked is being able to control the ball, control the clock and take the pressure off our quarterback," Rivera said. "Thats what were hoping for. Its great to have Jonathan Stewart back and Tolbert rolling and DeAngelo hopefully back out there." Third-string running back Fozzy Whittaker is doubtful with a quadriceps injury. While the running backs are getting healthy, Carolinas wide receiver position is a little more unsettled heading into Sunday. Rivera said there is some concern over starting wide receiver Jerricho Cotcherys status. Cotchery, who caught 10 TD passes last season for the Steelers, didnt practice Friday and is listed as questionable along with backup wide receiver Jaason Avant.dddddddddddd Both are struggling with hamstring injuries. Cotchery said Friday he ran in the pool instead going outside to practice and will be cautious with the injury, even though he desperately wants to play against his former team. "Im preparing for a long year," Cotchery said. "I came here to play to play ball in January and February. If I feel good on Sunday then I will go. But if not Im just looking forward to the long season." Rivera is anxious to get Williams back on the field. The 31-year-old running back sat out last weeks game against Detroit with a hamstring injury and the Panthers struggled moving the ball on the ground. Williams had a strong debut in the season opener, rushing for 72 yards on 14 carries against Tampa Bay. Stewart started in place of Williams last Sunday and ran for 37 yards and a touchdown against a Lions defence that repeatedly put eight and nine men in the box, forcing Newton to beat them with his arm. Tolbert missed practice earlier in the week with a bruised sternum after taking what he called the hardest hit of his NFL career last Sunday from Lions defensive tackle Nick Fairley. Fairley came through Carolinas offensive line unblocked on a goal line play and levelled Tolbert, who was left gasping for air. The Panthers are looking for their first 3-0 start since 2003, the year they went to the Super Bowl. ' ' '