Rams won’t hold back against Carolina’s Cam Newton

Cam Newton complained about alleged illegal hits and his voice presumably reverberated all the way to the NFL commissioner’s office.

Not that the Rams seem to care all that much.

As they prepared to play Newton’s Carolina Panthers, Rams defensive linemen Tuesday said they did not plan to change a thing in their pursuit of the reigning NFL most valuable player Sunday at the Coliseum.

“He probably needs to slide a little bit faster,” end William Hayes said.

“The whole point of the game is for 11 people to hit 11 people,” tackle Dominique Easley said.

Newton complained Sunday after the Panthers’ 30-20 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. The quarterback said that defensive lineman Calais Campbell should have been penalized for an illegal hit below the knees.

“It’s really taking the fun out of the game for me,” Newton was quoted after the game. “At times, I don’t even feel safe. And enough is enough.”

Newton said he planned to speak to Commissioner Roger Goodell about the issue.

On Monday, Panthers Coach Ron Rivera said the 6-foot-5, 245-pound Newton was victimized by what he described as “a little bit of the Shaquille O’Neal treatment” from officials.

“He’s a bigger guy for that position as opposed to some of the smaller quarterbacks of stature,” Rivera told reporters in Charlotte. “When they get hit, they roll around to the ground. When he gets it, he absorbs them and it doesn’t look as bad.”

Rivera also said he had contacted Goodell.

Rams Coach Jeff Fisher said Tuesday that Newton “overreacted” to Campbell’s hit “but I can understand his frustration on that.”

Fisher noted that illegal hits are missed by officials in every game, including “half a dozen or so” on Rams quarterback Case Keenum this season.

The Rams have been penalized 68 times this season and have had two defensive players ejected from games.

Tackle Aaron Donald was tossed from the season-opening loss against the San Francisco 49ers. End Eugene Sims was ejected against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Donald was also fined for unnecessary roughness penalties at the end of the game against the Detroit Lions.

Asked if they were concerned that the Rams might come under greater scrutiny in the immediate aftermath of Newton’s comments, Fisher and Rams players said no.

“I’m not concerned about it at all,” Fisher said. “I’m more concerned about him extending plays with his legs and making plays with his arm. He was an MVP for a lot of reasons last year.”

Newton, who led the Panthers to the Super Bowl last season, is completing 57% of his passes, eight for touchdowns, with six interceptions.

On Sunday, he passed for 212 yards and rushed for 43 in a victory over the Cardinals that ended a losing streak at four games and improved the Panthers’ record to 2-5.

“He’s like a defensive end with running back athletic ability and he can throw the ball,” Donald said.

Donald said “you’ve got to bring your big boy pads if you’re going to tackle him,” but the Rams would not change the way they play.

Hayes concurred.

“We’re not going to out there to play dirty,” he said. “We just play physical and fast.

“We’re not going to target him because he’s complaining about getting hit.”

Easley took issue with Newton complaining about not feeling safe.

“I don’t think they should be playing the game if you’re worried about being safe,” he said.

Quick hits

Offensive lineman Jamon Brown, who was sidelined against the New York Giants because of a left hand injury, said he underwent surgery Oct. 25 and is ready to play against the Panthers. … Cornerback Trumaine Johnson (ankle) and defensive tackle Michael Brockers (thigh) worked out. Fisher said they probably will be game-time decisions. … Fisher on rookie quarterback Jared Goff, who took first-team reps during the bye week: “He’s good and he benefited from it, no doubt. We’ll continue to give him the same reps we’ve given him the last few weeks, work him in with the 1s during the preparation week.”