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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Panthers starting defensive end Greg Hardy said he isnt about to let his contract be a distraction and keep him from being a "dominant" player this season. It might even inspire him to play harder. The Panthers outspoken fourth-year player said Tuesday he plans to report to training camp on time and play this season even if he doesnt get a new contract from the Panthers. Hardy had been hoping for a new contract after a breakout season in 2012 in which he posted a career-high 11 sacks and 61 tackles. But with Carolinas struggles getting under the NFL salary cap this off-season no long-term deal has been reached. Hardy said he understands the teams financial restrictions and wont allow his contractual situation to be a distraction. Hardy missed four voluntary practices during OTAs raising speculation he might hold out. But he attended the teams first mandatory minicamp practice Tuesday and dispelled that notion. "Yeah, I will be there bright and early, same as always," Hardy said of his plans for training camp. Hardy is in the final year of a four-year contract and will make $1.35 million this season. He would become an unrestricted free agent after the 2013 season if the Panthers dont reach a long-term deal with him. Hardys agent Drew Rosenhaus has not returned phone calls. Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman has said the team will not comment on contract matters. "You cant think about it," Hardy said of his contract status. "Its one of those things where I know the position of the team. Thats what I have an agent for. Its not really my job... I told my agent dont even tell me. I feel like its hard to play and be an agent for yourself at the same time. So I will come up and do my part and let him do his part." In the meantime, Hardy said his focus is on taking another step forward. Last year he and fellow defensive end Charles Johnson combined for 23.5 sacks and the Panthers were ninth in the league in sacks per play. The outspoken Hardy said feels like the Panthers defensive line -- which he has already dubbed "Monsters Inc." -- can be one of the most dominant in the league following the addition of defensive tackles Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short, the teams top two draft picks. "I feel like we finally have a full D-line, our whole team and were ready to dominate," Hardy said. "... It comes down to who do you double team? If you cant double team everybody or youre (in trouble). Its only five against four." Hardy is not one who lacks for confidence. Last year he predicted the out-of-playoff-contention Panthers would beat up on quarterback Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons late in the season, and Carolina did just that. This year, Hardy said he feels like "nobody can stop me" when it comes to his pass rush. Hes slimmed down to about 280 pounds in an effort to improve his speed coming off the edge. When asked about his personal goals this season, Hardy grinned and said he wants 50 sacks. "Why shoot low, right?" Hardy said. "If Im going to shoot at it, Im going to shoot at it with a 50 calibre. Im going to shoot at a little bird with a 50-calibre bullet. Thats the goal for this year, 50 sacks, thats where Im at." Hardy has become known for his outlandish statements and bold predictions. Now the man who paints his face and turns his persona into an imaginary creature he calls "Kraken" on game day, is hoping his confidence will rub off on his Carolina teammates. "This year, its complete domination, savage, ruthless, disgusting all-out Kraken-type stuff," Hardy said. "Except its going to spread. Im tired of having to stick up for everybody. Were about to come out with a nasty attitude. Its going to be monstrous." 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Isner, ranked No. 14, won his eighth career singles title and took the title in New Zealand for the second time after his victory in 2010. The match was similar to Isners quarterfinal victory over fifth-seeded Philipp Kohlschreiber which went to three sets, all tiebreaks and contained no breaks of serve. Tracy McGrady Jersey . Oyama had six birdies and two bogeys at Kintetsu Kashikojima in the event also sanctioned by the Japan LPGA Tour. "I have been having this neck ache thats been affecting my golf recently," Oyama said. This story is part of ESPN The Magazines Oct. 31 NBA Preview Issue. Subscribe today!Chicago White SoxOverall: 96 Title track: T35 Ownership: 103 Coaching: 122 Players: 90 Fan relations: 116 Affordability: 27 Stadium experience:?91 Bang for the buck: 78 Change from last year: -11This spring, a baseball team in Chicago steamrolled through April and early May, winning at a .697 clip through game No. 33 on the backs of a gleaming sub-3.00 team ERA and a .300-plus OBP. And that team was not the Cubs! OK, it was. But it was also the White Sox, who played like world-beaters for the first five weeks of the season, only to let the world dole out beatings at their expense for the final 21. The Sox finished the year under .500 for the fourth straight time, then said goodbye to Robin Ventura, their all-time best third baseman-turned-beleaguered manager. It was ... not a winning formula in the AL Central (11 games out of the wild card) or the Ultimate Standings. The Sox rank No. 96 overall, the teams lowest ranking since 2004.Whats goodThe expiration date on the White Soxs 2005 World Series-engendered goodwill still looms far off, at least according to Chicagos T35 showing in title track. (When your team lands in the postseason nine times since 1901, a long shelf life makes a sad kind of sense.) Besides championship runs, the Sox logged just one top-50 grade, in affordability. An average White Sox ticket ran fans $29.55, compared to their crosstown rivals $51.33. If you cant beat the Cubs on the fieeld, beat them off of it!Whats badVentura spent a decade on the South Side, where he collected five Gold Gloves and an All-Star berth from 1989-1998.dddddddddddd But his success as a player in pinstripes did not translate to success as a skipper in pinstripes. In five seasons at the helm, Ventura won only 46 percent of his games, and this year -- with the organization expected to finally contend for the playoffs after a seven-year absence -- he fell short again, as his team finished 16? games behind the AL Central-leading Indians. Ventura chose to not return to the White Sox, and as a parting gift, the fans gave him a No. 122 ranking in coaching, dead last among all four sports.Whats newWho do the White Sox want to be? Which direction do they want to pursue? Do they go win-now mode and buffer their stable of stars with some high-priced free agents? Or do they burn the house down, offload Chris Sale and Jose Quintana and turn their focus to the farm? Owner Jerry Reinsdorf, at the helm since 1981, doesnt seem to know, and the fans confidence in him has plummeted in turn. Chicago dropped 38 spots in ownership since last year, and Reinsdorfs wishy-washy handling of Venturas departure this fall -- the Sox said theyd bring the manager back next season if he wanted to return -- wont do much to endear him to a restless fan base.Next: New York Yankees | Full rankings ' ' '