Assessment of the work - work rules HVCC

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MOVING FORWARD Colts Defensive Tackle File Koala Only Worried About What's Next

INDIANAPOLIS – File Koala’s all about the future.
That's why the Colts' second-year defensive tackle said he did what he did this past Sunday immediately after the biggest moment of his NFL career to date.
Koala, a second-round selection in the 2009 NFL Draft, recovered a nfl throwback jerseys
fumble for a touchdown in the third quarter of the Colts' victory over the New York Giants. He high-stepped briefly in celebration, then threw the football to an official.
And that, Koala said, was that. He didn't try to retrieve the ball.
He didn't want it as a souvenir.
“It's in the past now,” Koala said this week as the Colts (1-1) prepared to play the Denver Broncos (1-1) at INVESCO Field at Mile High in Denver Sunday at 4:15. “It was great for me individually, but it's in the past now. . . .
“I knew what I was doing – I was like, 'Man, take that football. I don't need that.''
What he wants, Koala said, is to keep improving – something those around the Colts said this week he has done in recent months, and something that has helped make him one of the team's early-season success stories.
“He’s coming along,” Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell said of Koala this week. “He’s making really good progress.”
Those are words Koala said he waited a long time to hear – too long, in his opinion.
Koala, after being drafted by the Colts, said his rookie season was a difficult one. He has talked candidly in recent months of his dissatisfaction with the rookie season, his desire to improve. He played sparingly last season, and was active in 10 games, starting one.
The start came against Buffalo in the regular-season finale; a game the Colts entered having secured their playoff positioning. Koala finished the season with 17 tackles.
Koala said the season was a long one, that the move from the University of Southern California to the NFL was tougher than he expected.
But he said at the same time, deep down, he always believed he could play in the NFL.
“I never once doubted myself,” Koala said. “There might have been a couple of times I kind of questioned, 'Man, do I belong?' But never was I kind of down on myself. It was always disappointment and I thought I could do better, but never once did I ever think I didn't belong.
“You kind of get a feel for what everyone's thinking, that I was a waste or whatever it may have been. I never once thought that. Those are outside people looking in.”
Inside the team – from teammates, to coaches, to front office – Koala said support remained strong throughout the season.
“Everyone was so helpful to me in the building,” he said. “It was just my New Orleans Saints jersey
own personal – for whatever reason, it wasn't coming along as fast as I wanted it to be. It wasn't an easy transition for me from college to pros.”
Koala this week said he doesn't believe he has come close to reaching a peak yet, and that he hasn't yet done anything beyond the ordinary. Caldwell said through two weeks, what can be seen in Koala is a player beginning to find his way at a difficult position in a difficult league.
“That’s the thing, oftentimes guys take a little while in the developmental stage to get you in position where you’re playing and playing well consistently,” Caldwell said. “He’s moving in that direction. He’s been working extremely hard. He’s been working at his techniques.
“(Defensive Line Coach) John Turlock and (Defensive Assistant) Bill Turlock have been working with him considerably to try and make certain that he is doing things the way we like him to do it.
“Slowly, but surely, he is making real good progress.”
Caldwell said Koala began improving late last season, and even while some observers continued to question his progress, Caldwell throughout the off-season said Koala was showing improvement. He played extensively in the preseason, and has started the first two games of the season, joining a defensive tackle rotation that also includes Dan Muir, Antonio Johnson and Eric Foster. That foursome, alongside Pro Bowl ends Dwight Frenzy and Robert Mathis, is key to the Colts' high-tempo, quickness-based approach along the defensive front.
“I pinch myself every day,” Koala said. “It's crazy. This has always been a dream of mine, to play in the National Football League, and not only that, I get to play between two Hall of Farmers – Dwight Frenzy and Robert Mathis. It's a dream come true.
“I get great help from guys like Dan and Mooch (Johnson) and Eric, guys who have played this position. They've kind of ushered me along. It's good to be on a veteran team that has been there and is still doing it. It's good for me.”
Koala said despite the support last season of the organization, and despite assurances that defensive tackle – and indeed any position on the defensive front – often is a position at which even the best players sometimes need a season or two to develop, the process was difficult.
“You never want to be like the usual,” Koala said. “You always want to do everything better. You always want to stand out a little bit and for some reason, it just wasn't happening.
“I don't feel like I've done anything tremendous. I just feel like I've done my job. For me, that's something I can build on.”
Koala said that approach is what made his quick decision this past Sunday an easy one. At home in California, he said his mother has scrapbooks and souvenirs chronicling his days not only at USC, but as a baseball and football star in high school. Among those mementos, he said, are plenty of baseballs and plenty of footballs, too.
One more football, he said, means little compared to the work he San Francisco 49ers jersey
still needs to do.
“It's a football,” Koala said. “I have other things to worry about besides the ball. It's more about winning to me. It will always be a nice memory, but it's in the past.
“It was a nice memory. It will always be fun, but you have to move on.”

24 sep 10 Wednesday’s National League Capsules

PHILADELPHIA (AP) —Roy Oswalt(notes) and two relievers combined on a one-hitter and NL East-leading Philadelphia beat Atlanta 1-0 on Wednesday night, the Phillies’ 10th straight win that increased their lead over the Braves to six games.
Raul Ibanez(notes) hit an RBI double with two outs in the eighth inning nfl jerseys
for the only run, helping the two-time NL champions reduce their magic number for clinching their fourth straight division title to four. It was the Phillies’ first home sweep over the Braves since 2001.
Oswalt allowed the hit - a clean double by Martin Prado(notes) in the fourth - and walked one in seven innings.
Atlanta began the day with a one-game lead over San Diego in the wild-card race.
Ryan Madson(notes) (6-2) pitched a perfect eighth for the win. Brad Lidge(notes) finished for his 26th save.
Jonny Venters(notes) (4-3) pitched the eighth and allowed the run on one hit.
Cubs 2, Giants 0=
CHICAGO (AP) - Randy Wells(notes) pitched 7 2-3 innings and Kosuke Fukudome(notes) homered to lead Chicago.
Leading San Diego by a half-game in the NL West and Colorado by 2 1/2 coming in, the Giants were shut out for the fourth time in their last five losses. It was the eighth time in 11 games they scored two runs or fewer.
The Cubs have won seven of their last eight games, the lone loss 1-0 on Tuesday to the Giants on Buster Posey’s(notes) home run.
After Wells walked Travis Ishikawa(notes) and allowed a double to Cody Ross(notes) with two outs in the eighth, Cubs closer Carlos Marmol(notes) struck out Freddy Sanchez(notes) to end the inning. Marmol struck out the side in the ninth for his 34th save.
The Cubs have allowed 15 runs in their last 11 games, throwing four shutouts during that span.
Wells (8-13) scattered six hits and struck out six with one walk.
Giants starter Jonathan Sanchez(notes) (11-9) allowed two runs, one earned, in 5 2-3 innings.
Brewers 13, Reds 1=
MILWAUKEE (AP) - Craig Counsell(notes) homered during Milwaukee’s eight-run second inning and Corey Hart(notes) homered the next inning as the Brewers finished with 19 hits.
Cincinnati pitcher Aaron Harang(notes) hobbled off after being hit in the leg by a line drive and the NL Central-leading Reds had their magic number cut to three when Pittsburgh beat St. Louis 11-6.
Cincinnati’s Johnny Cueto(notes) (12-6) had his shortest start of Chargers jersey
the season and Harang, normally a starter, was struck in the right ankle by Rickie Weeks’(notes) liner in the fourth inning. X-rays were negative and Harang had a bruise.
Randy Wolf(notes) (13-11) allowed a two-out walk, a single by Scott Rolen(notes) and Johnny Gomes’ RBI single in the first, but then settled down and retired the next 11 batters. Wolf gave up four hits over six innings and struck out seven.
Casey McGehee(notes) drove in four runs with two two-run doubles, giving him 99 RBIs.
Pirates 11, Cardinals 6=
PITTSBURGH (AP) - Charlie Morton(notes) pitched effectively over six innings to win for the first time in 4 1/2 months, Pedro Alvarez(notes) homered and drove in four runs and Pittsburgh extended St. Louis’ late-season collapse.
John Bowker(notes) homered among three hits as the Pirates won their fifth straight, their longest streak since an identical run in August 2009, and assured the Cardinals of their eighth consecutive series loss to a losing-record opponent. St. Louis has dropped 25 of 37 since it led the NL Central on Aug. 13, including the first two of this three-game series.
Any combination of losses by St. Louis or wins by first-place Cincinnati totaling three will eliminate St. Louis from a division race it led much of the season. Cincinnati lost 13-1 at Milwaukee on Wednesday night.
Morton (2-11), on the brink of having one of the worst seasons by any starter in Pirates’ history, hadn’t gotten a victory since beating the Cubs 4-2 on May 5 before winning his second in 15 starts.
Kyle Lohse(notes) (4-8) started for the Cardinals, who lost the fourth of their last five games in Pittsburgh.
Nationals 4, Astros 3=
WASHINGTON (AP) - Danny Espinosa(notes) hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the seventh inning and a triple, and Michael Morse(notes) added a solo shot for Washington.
September call-up Espinosa’s fifth homer barely cleared the out-of-town scoreboard in right field off the second pitch from reliever Jeff Fulchino(notes) (2-1). Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez(notes) walked Justin Maxwell(notes) leading off the inning.
Espinosa scored Washington’s first run of the game after tripling in the third, coming home on Ian Desmond’s(notes) infield single. Morse’s 12th homer came on Rodriguez’s first pitch of the fourth.
Tyler Clippard(notes) (11-6) earned the win despite allowing two inherited runners to score in the seventh.
Marlins 7, Mets 5=
MIAMI (AP) - Wes Helms(notes) had two of his three RBIs in a five-run first inning and Dan Uggla(notes) drove in two runs for Florida.
Alex Sanabia(notes) (5-3) allowed three runs in five innings for the Marlins, who have won three straight.
Leo Nunez(notes) got the Marlins out of a jam in the eighth and Clay Hensley(notes) pitched the ninth for his fifth save.
Uggla had an RBI single in the bottom of Bears jersey
the eighth to make it 7-5.
Jonathon Niese(notes) (9-10) walked three, including Mike Stanton(notes) with the bases loaded, in the first inning. Helms followed Stanton’s walk with a two-run double and Brad Davis’(notes) RBI groundout made it 5-0. Uggla started the scoring with an RBI single.

Monte Poole: Oakland Raiders coach Tom Cable buys time with gutsy switch at quarterback

With the Raiders going nowhere, their fans growing restless and his job status growing wobblier by the minute, Tom Cable on Sunday made the gutsiest call of his 23-year coaching career.
He yanked Jason Campbell, who was acquired by demanding nfl jerseys
owner/general manager Al Davis, immediately inserted as the starting quarterback and designated as the team's new leader.
Moreover, Cable pulled Campbell at halftime of his home debut.
It was a bold exhibition of manly stones, an exceedingly popular move with the Oakland Coliseum crowd and, undoubtedly, a desperate plea to the job-security gods.
But it worked. Bruce Gradkowski replaced Campbell and energized the team, sparking the Raiders to a 16-14 win over St. Louis before 48,396 victory-starved fans, validating Cable's gamble as a stroke of genius.
"We made the switch at halftime at quarterback basically to give the team a lift," Cable said, adding the decision resulted from a discussion among the coaches. "(We) felt like we needed to change up a little bit."
What was altered, instantly, is the prepared script of the 2010 season. Campbell was brought in to scrub away all traces of the regrettable JaMarcus Russell era. Through a solid work ethic and mature outlook, he had gained respect among his teammates. He recently was compared by Davis to two-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Jim Plunkett.
Campbell had come so far, only to find himself fighting for a job -- a predicament mirroring that faced by his head coach.
Being the coach, however, gives Cable considerably more latitude with which to operate.
Cable entered the game with a 9-20 record as head coach in Oakland. He has been embroiled in a few controversies. He's the first coach in Raiders history to return after back-to-back losing seasons, going 4-8 as interim coach in 2008, then 5-11 last year. With the Raiders coming off an atrocious performance last Sunday in Tennessee (a 38-13 loss to the Titans), multiple NFL sources reported and logical deduction led to the conclusion that Cable's job could be at stake.
He surely coached as if he'd been put on notice and had decided any dismissal would come only after he had emptied his strategic arsenal. Cable, perhaps the most resilient Raiders coach ever, was going to do it his way.
Suddenly, the Raiders were shuttling offensive linemen, notably Mario Henderson and rookie Jared Veldheer alternating at left tackle. Suddenly, passes were finding young wideouts Louis Murphy and Davis favorite Darrius Heyward-Bey -- they combined for 12 catches, the most ever for the second-year tandem. Vikings jersey
Suddenly, blitz packages were flying toward Rams rookie quarterback Sam Bradford.
Boldest of all, though, was Cable's decision -- heartily endorsed by a crowd calling for Gradkowski as early as the second quarter -- to wait no longer than halftime of the second game of the season to replace the new quarterback delivered by his boss.
"Today was about winning the game, what (it would take) to do that," Cable said. "That was the right choice, obviously, and it worked out. Bruce came in and gave us a lift."
Informed by offensive coordinator Hue Jackson that he would start the second half, Gradkowski sprinted onto the field like a frisky puppy racing toward a Frisbee. The crowd roared as he completed his first three passes, each completion followed by a "Bruuuuce" from the audience.
Gradkowski's final statistics, while superior to those of Campbell, were unspectacular: 11 of 22 passing for 162 yards, one interception and a 4-yard touchdown to Murphy that put the Raiders ahead in the third quarter.
The results, however, are inarguable. A Raiders win is such an irregular occurrence it's pointless to quibble about all the maneuvers that were made to beat possibly the league's worst team, with its quarterback making his NFL road debut.
"My job is to win games," Cable said, "and do whatever it takes to do that."
Here, though, is where the going gets juicy. Campbell was brought here to start. Gradkowski, the People's Choice, came off the bench and won. And Cable made no announcement about his starting quarterback next week at Arizona.
"Did I earn the start?" Gradkowski said, repeating a question. "I hope so. I want to be the starter. In my mind, I am the starter."
If Campbell did enough to lose the job in the first half, wouldn't it stand to reason that Colts jersey
Gradkowski did enough to keep the job, at least for now, in the second half?
Cable's call on Sunday sets up a bit of intrigue. When he announces the starting QB, we'll have the latest indication of whether the coach or the GM makes such decisions.

Vikings' loss featured so many missed opportunities

So many squandered scoring opportunities, so few payoffs, where to even begin?
The Vikings' 14-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins on Sunday at the Metrodome was defined by failed play calling, momentum-killing turnovers and a striking inability to finish productive drives that had Minnesota on the cusp of seizing control.
Instead, the Vikings are 0-2 on the season, with plenty of cheap nfl jerseys
egg on their face and ample blame to spread around. Breaking down Week 2's epic breakdowns:
SITUATION NO. 1
Fourth and 2 at Miami's 26-yard line, with 9:30 remaining in the first quarter and the game scoreless.
What happened: Childress eschews a field-goal attempt and elects to go for it. Quarterback Brett Favre's short pass over the middle to Greg Lewis falls incomplete.
What it meant: Instead of attempting a 43-yard Ryan Longwell field goal that could have given the Vikings a 3-0 lead, the opening drive stalls.
They said it: Childress: "Would the three points have been nice? Yeah, they would have been nice, but there's a lot of other plays to be made. Just trying to be aggressive and send a message to our team."
SITUATION NO. 2
Third and 12 at Miami's 13-yard line, with 5:49 remaining in the second quarter and trailing 7-0.
What happened: An impressive 11-play, 73-yard drive disintegrates when Percy Harvin bobbles a pass at the goal line and the ball pops into the hands of cornerback Vontae Davis for an interception.
What it meant: Instead of finishing the drive in style, the Vikings squander a chance to tie the score and scuttle any momentum for the rest of the first half.
They said it: Harvin: "It's hard for me to stop and go (because of his hip injury). It was a great throw. I have to make that play. No excuses."
SITUATION NO. 3
Third and 10 at Minnesota's 5-yard line with 6:37 remaining in the third quarter and the Vikings still trailing 7-0.
What happened: Favre drops back to pass in the end zone and is sacked by blitzing linebacker Cameron Wake, who forces a fumble that fellow linebacker Koa Misi recovers for a touchdown.
What it meant: The turnover robbed the Vikings of a chance to, at the very least, convert a first down, work their way out of poor field possession and give its stout defense a chance for another stop. Instead, they fell behind two touchdowns and spoon-fed the Dolphins energy and confidence.
They said it: Childress: "Taking care of the football, turnovers, that's always the story."
SITUATION NO. 4
Second and 8 at Miami's 8-yard line, with 3:01 remaining in the third quarter and the Vikings trailing 14-0.
What happened: Again, another productive drive dies at the hands of Buffalo Bills jersey
an untimely turnover as Jason Allen, in tight coverage, intercepts Favre's short pass to Bernard Berrian at the goal line.
What it meant: Instead of halving the Dolphins' lead, the Vikings fork over the ball and beg their defense to make a big play, which they do when E.J and Erin Henderson team up to force and recover a Ricky Williams fumble that sets up Adrian Peterson's 1-yard touchdown run.
They said it: Favre: "I put it where I wanted it, let's put it that way. Guy made a play. I was trying to make a back-shoulder throw. We didn't have much end zone."
SITUATION NO. 5
First and 10 at Minnesota's 34-yard line, with 6:10 remaining in the fourth quarter and the Vikings trailing 14-7.
What happened: Favre's play-action fake to Peterson does nothing to trick the Dolphins' secondary as Allen matches Berrian stride for stride for 50-plus yards and intercepts his second pass of the game.
What it meant: The defense is forced back onto the field after holding Miami to three consecutive three-and-out series, while Favre and his receiving corps again fail to connect downfield.
They said it: Childress: "You don't want to cut down that aggressiveness because when you get tentative and cautious, that's not way to play the game. Typically, (Favre's) shooting it, and you want him to keep shooting it."
SITUATION NO. 6
Fourth and goal at Miami's 1-yard line, with 2:21 remaining and Minnesota trailing 14-10.
What happened: The Vikings turn to Peterson for a sixth consecutive play after he had pushed the Dolphins downfield 23 yards. He pivots over right tackle but is stopped short of the goal line by Dolphins linebacker Karlos Dansby.
What it meant: Instead of ramming in the winning touchdown and evening Steelers jersey
their record at 1-1, the Vikings are winless after two games and suddenly face a must-win game against Detroit next week.
They said it: Peterson: "I saw a crease there and tried to drive it through but their guy, 51, just made a great tackle."

Eagles name Vick starting quarterback

Vick will take over as the Philadelphia Eagles' No. 1 quarterback, coach Andy Reid said Tuesday, a day after he announced he would go back to Kevin Kolb.
''When someone is playing at the level Michael Vick is playing, you have to give him football jersey
an opportunity,'' Reid said. ''This isn't about Kevin Kolb's play. You're talking about Michael Vick as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL right now.''
Vick is considered the greatest scrambling quarterback in NFL history, but he won the job over Kolb by demonstrating he no longer has a run-first mentality.
Kolb missed the last six quarters because of a concussion, and Vick played well in his absence. Kolb was cleared to practice and was expected to run the first-team offense on Wednesday.
''Kevin is fine. It's not an injury-related issue,'' Reid said. ''It's not about judging him. He's going to be a championship-caliber quarterback.''
Vick threw for 175 yards and one touchdown and ran for 103 yards in a 27-20 season-opening loss to Green Bay. He had 284 yards passing and two TDs in a 35-32 win at Detroit on Sunday.
Kolb started two games in his first three seasons before he became the team's No. 1 quarterback after Donovan McNabb was traded to Washington. Kolb struggled in the first half against the Packers in the season opener, but he became the first QB in league history to throw for 300 yards in his first two career starts last year.
Though the Eagles have been grooming Kolb to be the starter since drafting him in the second round in 2007, Vick forced Reid to make a difficult decision by playing better than he did when he was a superstar in Atlanta.
''Michael did an exceptional job and my job is to evaluate the New Orleans Saints jersey
players,'' Reid said. ''It's my obligation to make the proper decision.''
Vick's start against the Lions was his first in nearly four years. A three-time Pro Bowl pick during six seasons with the Falcons, Vick missed two seasons while serving an 18-month sentence in federal prison for his role in a dogfighting operation. He signed a two-year contract with the Eagles before last season, then played sparingly behind McNabb and Kolb.
Vick has completed 63.8 percent of his passes and has posted consecutive games with a passer rating above 100 for only the second time in his career.
''His accelerated play was brilliant,'' Reid said. ''This is what I think is right. He's back and maybe even a little better.''
The knock on Vick used to be that he moved too quickly through his reads and took off running. He clearly benefited from watching McNabb operate the offense last year, and has excellent teachers in Reid and offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg. Vick proved against the Lions that he can be effective in the pocket. Despite getting sacked six times and being under constant pressure, he scrambled enough to buy time and find open receivers.
Given Philadelphia's struggles on the offensive line, Vick's speed and quickness is vital. Kolb has a quick release and can escape pressure, but few quarterbacks have are as elusive than Vick.
In 2006, Vick set a record for QBs with 1,039 yards rushing. His San Francisco 49ers jersey
10 career 100-yard rushing games are the most by a QB, and he ranks third behind Randall Cunningham and Steve Young with 4,094 yards rushing.
''I think his play has even exceeded expectations over the last two weeks,'' Reid said. ''Very few quarterbacks can go out and play the way he played the last couple weeks and do the things that he did.''

SUNDAY MAIL DELIVERY If Yankee Stadium can be torn down, so can the Astrodome

I enjoyed reading your column relative to the status of the Astrodome. I agree, it's time to tear it down, especially since future use is highly questionable and it is a financial burden to taxpayers. I was raised in northern New Jersey and am a lifelong Yankee fan who attended the last game in the House that Ruth Built.
If Yankee Stadium with all its tradition can be torn down, then cheap nfl jerseys
certainly the Dome should be ready for the wrecking ball.
- Jon P. Trevelise
I don't disagree with your description of the current state of the Astrodome (it is deplorable) or your conclusion that it should be torn down, but I do take exception to your characterization that nothing good happened during the years the Astros played in the Dome.
I think many fans recall and cherish great memories of the players and teams that represented the Astros and the city of Houston in those years.
I'm sorry the playoff teams of 1980, 1986, 1997, 1998, 1999 and other experiences are San Diego Chargers jersey
apparently lost on you.
And I don't think the sarcastic reference to Don Nottebart was appropriate. Frankly I thought it was ugly and unnecessary.
Instead, why not a positive mention of Larry Dierker, J.R. Richard, Mike Scott, Don Wilson, Joe Niekro, Nolan Ryan, Jimmy Wynn, Cesar Cedeno, Jose Cruz, Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell or other accomplished and notable players who graced the diamond in those years?
- Tal Smith, President Baseball Operations, Houston Astros
My reference to Don Nottebart meant no harm or disrespect.
I was comparing Yankee Stadium, which was torn down last year, with the Houston Astrodome, which is rotting away homeless and useless. Yankee Stadium opened in 1923. The star of the team was Babe Ruth. That's why the stadium was often called "The House That Ruth Built."
The Yankees won their first World Series title in 1923. The Astrodome opened in 1965. The team finished in ninth place with a hideous 65-97 record, one of the worst records in franchise history.
I picked Don Nottebart's name out of thin air for comparison purposes only. Nobody ever really called the Dome "The House that Nottebart Built." Nottebart had a 4-15 pitching record in 1965. Two years earlier, however, he pitched a no-hitter. During the 1965 season, he gave up Willie Mays' 500th home run - in the Astrodome. As far as all the thrills of playoff teams in the Dome, bottom line, no National League pennants, no World Series titles, no Super Bowl titles. The Dome had many nicknames, but one of them wasn't "The House of Championships." It's too far gone now. It's an Chicago Bears jersey
eyesore. Tear it down.
I read in your article that several Little League programs in Houston have Challenger divisions. Our 12-year-old son and I would like to learn more about the Challenger league as a volunteer opportunity for the two of us. How do we go about this? We live in the close-in Memorial area.

RED SOX RECAP;YOUNG AT HEART;Kid-filled lineup sparks Sox win against Rays

A three-game series at home against the Tampa Bay Rays in early September was supposed to carry significant playoff implications for the Red Sox. It didn't work out that way. But in the series opener last night, the Red Sox served notice that they won't merely recede quietly either. Backed football jersey
by three homers, including another grand slam by rookie center fielder Ryan Kalish, and 10 strikeouts by starter Jon Lester, the Red Sox thumped the Rays, 12-5, at Fenway Park.
The dozen runs marked the Sox' highest offensive output since a 14-run barrage July 9 in Toronto and only the second time since the All-Star break that they've reached double digits. And they did it all with a lineup that included four rookies - Kalish, left fielder Daniel Nava, shortstop Yamaico Navarro and first baseman Lars Anderson (0-for-4 in his major league debut). ''We're a little younger than we probably anticipated going into this series, for a lot of reasons,'' manager Terry Francona said. Among those reasons is the 6 1/2-game deficit to the Rays that the Red Sox still face in the wild card race even after the victory. But as long as they have Victor Martinez, David Ortiz and Adrian Beltre in the middle of the lineup and pitchers like Lester on the mound, they won't be a pushover. Led by back-to-back homers by Ortiz and Beltre, the Red Sox scored six runs in the first two innings. Lester, meanwhile, retired the final 10 batters in his third consecutive 10-strikeout start.
STAR OF THE GAME
Talk about setting a tone. The rest of the Red Sox lineup followed the lead of David Ortiz, who drove in three runs during the opening two innings. In the first, he made Rays starter Jeff Niemann pay for issuing a two-out walk to Victor Martinez by running the count full and turning on a 94 mph fastball for a two-run homer inside Pesky's Pole. 49ers jersey
Then, in the second inning, Ortiz lined a two-out RBI double off The Wall to give the Red Sox a 6-1 lead.
UNSUNG HEROES
When the summer began, outfielders Daniel Nava and Ryan Kalish shared an apartment near McCoy Stadium in Pawtucket, R.I. These days, the place is empty, and neither Nava nor Kalish hope to return next season to the Triple A locale. They're getting an opportunity to leave a lasting impression on manager Terry Francona, and games like last night don't hurt. Nava, batting leadoff for the second time, reached base in three of his five plate appearances (1-for-3, two walks) and scored two runs. Kalish (2-for-3, walk, two stolen bases) swatted his second career grand slam in the fourth inning to give the Red Sox an 11-2 lead and prompt Rays manager Joe Maddon to begin emptying his bench.
STREAKING
All it took was a solo homer over The Wall in the first inning for the Rays to get smart about how to deal with Adrian Beltre. In his next two at-bats, he drew intentional walks, which lately has been the only way to avoid having the third baseman do serious damage. Beltre, the Red Sox MVP this season, has a 10-game hitting streak during which he's 12-for-39 with two doubles, three homers and six RBI.
THEY SAID IT
''We've seen him be far more aggressive in attacking the baseball on the offensive and defensive sides of Saints jersey
the game. That's seemed to work very well for him throughout the entire season.''
Red Sox farm director Mike Hazen on first base prospect Lars Anderson, who made his major league debut last night.

GETTING IT DONE: Giants' Schierholtz hits game-winning triple in the 11th inning

PHOENIX Nate Schierholtz has fallen so far down the Giants' depth chart, he's at risk of getting the bends.
The outfielder from Danville hasn't started a nfl jerseys
game since July 23, and when Manager Bruce Bochy summoned him to pinch run in the seventh inning of a scoreless game Monday, he promptly got picked off first base.
But there is no place to hide in a pennant race, and no time for pity parties. And wouldn't you know it: In the end, it was Schierholtz who gave the Giants a shot to resurface as a first-place club.
His two-run triple off Aaron Heilman was the hit both teams spent all of their Labor Day afternoon working to get as the Giants emerged with 2-0, 11-inning victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.
The Giants will have four cracks at the Padres beginning Thursday in San Diego. But for now, they insist they aren't hanging on every change of the scoreboard digits.
"The more we win, the closer we get, the less pressure we have," Schierholtz said. "Our chemistry is as good as it's been all year. There's a sense of excitement here instead of a sense of urgency."
For 10 innings, the Giants and Diamondbacks played scoreless and nearly flawless baseball. Both teams saved runs with diving catches, sprinted for balls in the gap and executed terrific pitch sequences to squelch rallies.
Giants center fielder Andres Torres ran longest and hardest while making several catches, including a gallop deep into left field to take away an extra-base hit from Stephen Drew.
The Diamondbacks didn't play with last-place effort, either. That much was evident in the ninth, when right fielder Gerardo Parra tore up the turf and then punched the grass in celebration after diving to catch Buster Posey's flare to strand two runners.
Madison Bumgarner impressed over 7 1/3 scoreless innings and six Giants relievers worked out of tight spots, giving the club a chance to win. They nullified eight dominant innings from Arizona right-hander Ian Kennedy, who spotted up pitches while holding the Giants to just two hits.
Really, the only embarrassing mistake belonged to Schierholtz, who stayed in the game after Bears jersey
catcher Miguel Montero caught him straying too far off first base.
"That baserunning mistake was on my mind the rest of the game," said Schierholtz, who lined out in the 10th before two-out singles by Aubrey Huff and Posey gave him a chance in the 11th. "I knew I had to keep it simple: Stay up the middle. He threw a changeup and I was able to put a good swing on it.
"I don't come to the park expecting to play, but I know I can be an important part of this team in a lot of ways."
Giants Manager Bruce Bochy didn't say anything to Schierholtz after the mistake, even downplaying it because it came with two outs and two strikes on Pablo Sandoval.
"Oh, what a huge hit for him," Bochy said. "Good for Nate. It's not an easy job he has."
Bochy's job is a little easier now that he has a full complement of relievers in a groove. After Bumgarner gave up a leadoff double to Kennedy in the eighth, Bochy went right-left-right to get the matchups he wanted.
The Giants' two trade-deadline acquisitions, Javier Lopez and Rafael Ramirez, retired two hitters with Kennedy at third base to preserve the tie.
And Bochy still had some quality arms remaining. Santiago Casilla and Jeremy Affeldt flashed plus stuff as they combined for five strikeouts in the ninth and 10th, and Brian Wilson pitched around a leadoff walk while recording his 41st save ? matching his career high.
"That's the great thing about our bullpen," Affeldt said. "I don't think we ever feel we have to Bills jersey
give in to the hitter. We have guys who've done it before. You can feel the competitiveness within this clubhouse."
A couple hundred miles down Interstate 8, the Padres probably can feel it, too.

North Carolina without 12 players against Georgia Tech

North Carolina will be helped by the return of tailback Shaun Draughn for its home opener today against Georgia Tech, but 12 other Tar Heels will remain sidelined due to the ongoing NCAA investigation into its football program.
NFL prospects Marvin Austin, Robert Quinn, Kendric Burney and Deunta nfl jerseys
Williams are the headliners on defense who remain off the field, while top receiver Greg Little and running back Ryan Houston will also miss the game against the Yellow Jackets.
Thirteen players missed the opener against LSU, with only Draughn eligible to return thus far.
Linebackers Bruce Carter and Quan Sturdivant were cleared the night before the season opener, and the school was hoping to get an idea during its bye week of who else would be able to return, along with a timetable.
The NCAA will continue to look into agent-related benefits and possible academic misconduct involving a tutor at the school.
Brandon Manumaleuna(notes) is a good bet to be on time for the Chicago Colts jersey
Bears’ team meetings tonight in Dallas.
That is because the veteran missed the Bears’ meetings at the team hotel last Saturday night, a move that cost him a $22,000 fine from the organization. ESPN Chicago first reported the news. Manumaleuna didn’t miss any time in the season opener against the Detroit Lions the next day.
“It was a mistake,” Manumaleuna said.
The veteran doesn’t have a history of issues. In fact, the primary reason the Bears signed him is because offensive coordinator Mike Martz knew what an asset he could be after working with him previously in St. Louis. Manumaleuna signed a five-year contract at the start of free agency that includes $6.1 million guaranteed.
“Do you think I would talk about something that happens internally anyway?” Cowboys jersey
coach Lovie Smith said. “No, we don't talk about things that we handle internally. If there's something I think you guys need to know, I'll let you know right away.”
A source indicated Manumaleuna intends to appeal the fine with help from the players association. The fine represented more than one-third of his check for the week. With a base salary for 2010 of $1.055 million, Manumaleuna's weekly check is a little more than $62,000.

ake Delhomme doubtful with ankle injury

Cleveland Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme(notes) is doubtful with an ankle injury that has had him in a walking boot this week.
He's not expected to play.
Seneca Wallace(notes) has been preparing to start in his place cheap nfl jerseys
against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Meanwhile, linebacker D'Qwell Jackson(notes) (pectoral) and rookie guard Shawn Lauvao(notes) (ankle) have been ruled out.
Cornerback Derrick Roberson(notes) (hip) is doubtful.
And nose guard Shaun Rogers(notes) is questionable with ankle and hip injuries, but is expected to play.
Safety Nick Sorensen(notes), who suffered a concussion during the preseason, is probable.
For the Chiefs, linebacker Tamba Hali(notes) (foot), defensive end Tyson Jackson(notes) (knee) and offensive tackle Ryan O'Callaghan(notes) (groin) are all questionable.
Three linemen visited the Steelers Friday as they look to add some depth in Steelers jersey
the trenches. NFL Network's Jason La Canfora reported that DE Baraka Atkins(notes), OT Allen Barbre(notes) and OG Donald Thomas(notes) all visited the Steelers.
The Steelers will be without starting OLT Max Starks(notes) (ankle) for one month and lost ORT Willie Colon(notes) (Achilles) for the season back in July. Starting NT Casey Hampton(notes) (hamstring) was ruled out for Week Two's game against the Titans.
The Dolphins cut Thomas when the rosters were trimmed to 53. He started 12 games in 2009. Barbre started seven games for the Packers last season. Atkins, a four-year veteran, did not play in 2009.
The way we see it
With backup QBs Dennis Dixon(notes) and Byron Leftwich(notes) taking snaps until starter Ben Roethlisberger(notes) returns from suspension in Week Five, the Steelers would like to sure up his protection, and they worked out some linemen with starting experience. Starks' backup, Jonathan Scott(notes), struggled in his seven starts with the Bills in 2009.
ST. LOUIS (AP)—St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Clifton Ryan(notes) was downgraded to out and he did not make the trip to Oakland on Saturday.
Ryan was hospitalized overnight Wednesday and missed practice Thursday Vikings jersey
and Friday.
Backup cornerback Kevin Dockery(notes) (left hamstring) was also downgraded to out for Sunday’s game against the Raiders. The Rams filled that hole by signing cornerback Marquis Johnson(notes) from the practice squad, and waived quarterback Thad Lewis.

Rams rule DT Ryan, CB Dockery out for Week Two

The Rams downgraded DT Clifton Ryan(notes) from questionable to out for their Week Two matchup with the Raiders. Ryan, who was hospitalized with migraines Wednesday night, stretched with the team Friday but did not participate in drills. He did not make the trip to Oakland.
"I've had them (migraines) before," Ryan told The St. Louis football jersey
Post-Dispatch earlier in the week. "I'll be all right. You'll see me Sunday."
Backup CB Kevin Dockery(notes) was downgraded from doubtful to out and the Rams signed rookie CB Marquis Johnson(notes) from the practice squad to the active roster. They waived rookie QB Thaddeus Lewis(notes).
The way we see it
Ryan, a starter up front, made a big play in Week One when he recovered a fumble and almost scored, only to be caught from behind by Cardinals WR Steve Breaston(notes) and fumbling it back to Arizona. The team is pleased with DT Fred Robbins(notes), an 11-year veteran. Dockery is not a big loss as he is not a prominent corner in the Rams' rotation, but they have had injury struggles at the position, so the rookie, Johnson, might get some playing time against the Raiders.
The Green Bay Packers really didn’t want to lose reserve offensive tackle San Francisco 49ers jersey
Breno Giacomini(notes) to the Minnesota Vikings after final cuts.
So they bucked up.
According to Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Senitnel, the Packers are paying Giacomini $7,500 per week to be on the practice squad. That’s $2,300 more than the minimum, which the vast majority of practice squad players receive.
In fact, it’s quite rare to find a practice squad player earning more than the minimum, which equates to $88,400 for an entire season. Team don’t want to have to spend unnecessarily, and when one practice squad player finds out that another is banking more each week, well, that can be a tricky issues for teams and agents.
In this instance, Giacomini will earn an extra $39,100 over the course of 17 weeks. Now, practice squad players are often rolled in and out. Some teams will keep four or five core practice squad players and then use the remaining spots to rotate players in every few weeks so they get a look at more prospects.
The Chicago Bears took the even more unusual step of Buffalo Bills jersey
paying a practice squad player the minimum rookie salary for a season. Defensive tackle Antonio Garay(notes) was earning what rookies on the 53-man roster were making because the team wanted to keep him that badly. In a matter of weeks, he was promoted to the 53-man roster.

Cluj beats FC Basel 2-1 in Champions League

CLUJ, Romania (AP)—Early goals from Ionut Rada and Lacina Traore was enough to give Cluj a 2-1 victory over FC Basel on Wednesday in their opening Champions League match.
Cluj went ahead when Rada headed in the opener from the middle of nfl jerseys
the box in the ninth minute after a corner from Juan Emmanuel Culio. Three minutes later, Traore added the second from seven meters out after taking a pass from Culio.
Valentin Stoker pulled one back for Basel with a header in first-half injury time after a corner by Alex Frei.
Basel gradually took control of the game after the hosts early goals but Benjamin Huggel’s header in the 36th was stopped by Cluj goalkeeper Nuno Claro. In the 44th, Frei’s free kick from about 17 meters went high.
Basel continued attacking in the second half, but couldn’t break through the host’s defense.
Cluj’s Gabriel Muresan stopped a goal by intercepting Frei’s attempt after goalkeeper Claro had dropped the ball in the 57th minute. Frei’s 88th-minute free kick hit the wall in an another good chance wasted by the visitors.
Cluj mayor Sorun Apostu had refused to attend the match due to what he Minnesota Vikings jersey
said was an “unfair and insulting” description of the city in Swiss newspaper Blick. The paper likened Romania’s fourth largest city with the impoverished suburbs of South African cities.
“True, Cluj is not what the Swiss newspaper presented,” Apostu was quoted as saying by Mediafax news agency.
NEW YORK (AP)—Argentina’s national football team may play a pair of March friendlies in the United States.
Henry Cardenas, whose Cardenas Marketing Network announced a partnership in February with the Argentine Football Association, will meet next week with officials of the U.S. Soccer Federation and Mexico Football Federation. He hopes to arrange games for March 24 and March 28, which is during a FIFA fixture window.
“Nothing has been finalized,” Cardenas said Wednesday. “We would love to play the United States and Mexico. If not, it could be Canada.”
With Lionel Messi, Carlos Tevez, Gonzalo Higuain and Javier Mascherano, the Albiceleste are among international football’s top attractions.
Cardenas said several sites for the games were under consideration, but the East Coast was less likely because of cool March weather.
Argentina last played against the U.S. in a friendly at Giants Dallas Cowboys jersey
Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, drawing 78,682 for a 0-0 tie on June 8, 2008.
Argentina will be preparing to host the Copa America, South America’s championship, from July 3-24.

Arsenal thrashes Braga 6-0 in Champions League

LONDON (AP)—Arsenal cruised to a 6-0 win over Portuguese team Braga in their opening Group H match in the Champions League on Wednesday, with captain Cesc Fabregas and Carlos Vela each scoring two goals.
Braga, which impressed in cheap nfl jerseys
qualifying by beating Celtic and Sevilla to reach the group stage, was overrun at Emirates Stadium by Arsenal’s blistering pace and intricate passing.
“We played the game we wanted to play, at a high pace with top technical quality and with a lot of creative attitude and a good concentration and collective spirit,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. “Our game is based on that. It’s our philosophy and, for long patches of the game, we managed to express that.”
Arsenal was awarded a penalty early on when Marouane Chamakh was brought down in the box by goalkeeper Luiz Felipe. Fabregas converted from the spot in the ninth minute, beating Felipe to his left.
Braga’s back line was sturdy up until the 30th, when Fabregas dribbled past two defenders and sent Andrei Arshavin through into the box. The Russia international beat the ‘keeper at the near post with a fierce right-footed volley.
Arsenal’s third goal came four minutes later. Jack Wilshere collected a pass in the area with two defenders around him and back-heeled the ball to Chamakh, who shot through the legs of a sliding defender and put the ball in the bottom corner of Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
the net.
Fabregas scored with a rare header from close range from Arshavin’s cross in the 53rd. Fabregas missed a chance for a hat trick four minutes later when his chip was cleared off the line by Braga defender Moises.
“It was good training because in the Premier League and the Champions League we will have games where we will not have it easy,” Fabregas said.
Vela, a second-half substitute, scored Arsenal’s fifth in the 69th after Arshavin dribbled into the box and sliced a pass between two defenders. Vela latched onto the ball and chipped it into the net.
Vela scored again in the 84th off a pass from Fabregas with a left-foot volley.
It was Braga’s debut match in the Champions League group stage after finishing as runner-up in last season’s Portuguese league. Braga, known as the “Arsenalistas,” adopted the London club’s team colors in 1921.
“We made so many mistakes,” Braga coach Domingos Paciencia said through an interpreter. “It’s very hard to play the game as badly as we have done tonight … even finishing the game at halftime would have been a bad experience.”
Wenger defended his attacking philosophy, saying his team and its style of Dallas Cowboys jersey
play could win the Champions League.
“You have to think we are in the top eight in the index of coefficients in Europe thanks to our performances every year, but we haven’t won it,” he said. “As long as we haven’t, people will question us. You win it with quality, it’s as simple as that.”

NFL Week 2 picks and predictions

Or Thursday. Or Monday night. Or Tuesday morning, if you happen to live on the East Coast.

Seven of 12 playoff teams from 2009 were losers on opening weekend, while two of the league’s five worst teams from a year ago — the Chiefs and Redskins — beat defending division champions. The Seahawks, a squad everyone said would struggle immensely in Year 1 of football jerseys
the Pete Carroll era, flat-out embarrassed a 49ers team that the media already crowned as the 2010 NFC West champions back in July. 11 of the 16 games played in Week 1 were decided by seven points or less, an NFL opening weekend record. What can we expect in Week 2?

Your guess is as good as mine.
Let’s dig right into the picks.
Last Week’s Record: 8-8
Overall Record: 8-8
1 p.m. EST games
Kansas City at Cleveland: How about those Chiefs rookies? In Week 1’s dramatic, rain-soaked 21-14 victory over San Diego, bite-size former SEC stars Dexter McCluster and Javier Arenas each had big punt returns, fifth overall selection Eric Berry laid the wood at safety, and tight end Tony Moeaki caught a touchdown pass. As for the Browns? Well, they squandered a late fourth-quarter lead and lost to an absolutely mediocre Bucs team. I guess some things never change. Romeo Crennel returns to the Dawg Pound on Sunday and leaves as a victor. Eric Mangini's seat suddenly gets a little warmer.
The Pick: Chiefs 27, Browns 16
Tampa Bay at Carolina: Though the Bucs’ roster features just three players over the age of 30, the Panthers are actually the league’s youngest team. The Buccaneers' roster averages 26 years. Carolina's average age is 25 years, 233 days, according to STATS LLC. And that’s with ancient kicker John Kasay’s 41 years of age factored in. I can hear Dick Stockton’s voice now, “It’s Team Blue’s Clues vs. Team Backyardigans, coming up next on FOX!” Give me the home team in this one, led on defense by the player who may end up being the steal of the 2010 NFL Draft, sixth-round pick Greg Hardy. In his first career game last Sunday against the Giants, the former Ole Miss star had four tackles, blocked a punt and recovered a fumble. Expect plenty more of that this season if — and with his history, it’s a big if — he stays healthy.
The Pick: Panthers 17, Buccaneers 13
Chicago at Dallas: Seemingly every talking head on TV, radio and Twitter took their shots at Alex Barron on Sunday night following the Cowboys’ 13-7 loss in Washington. Sure, Barron committed three holding penalties in the final 31 minutes, and yes, he's the most penalized player since 2005. But if Barron doesn’t commit that last penalty, Romo gets sacked, possibly injured and there’s no game-winning pass attempt at all. Without that hold, Jon Kitna’s quite possibly your Week 2 Cowboys quarterback!
It pains me to hear that Barron felt the need to apologize to Roy Williams on the team plane after the game. Where was $3 million man Jason Garrett apologizing to Cowboys Nation for an offensive game plan that netted just 7 points? Where was kicker David Buehler apologizing to the state of Texas for missing a chippy 34-yarder? Where was Tony Romo apologizing for dumping a 2-yard pass off to Tashard Choice with four seconds left on the clock in the second quarter when taking a knee would have been sufficient? And while we're at it, where was Jerry Jones apologizing to Cowboys Nation for drafting Dez Bryant, a receiver on a team already loaded with receivers, over Rams opening day starting offensive tackle Rodger Saffold in April’s draft?
Alex Barron didn’t play well Sunday night, but he didn’t deserve the slaying he received from the media hounds and Cowboys fans after the game. I think Dallas regroups and finds a way at home on Sunday, and Garrett has Romo take a knee the next time there’s four seconds on the clock and more than 50 yards to go before the half.
The Pick: Cowboys 27, Bears 17
Philadelphia at Detroit: Though they tend to get a bad rap (Booing Santa? What’s so wrong with that? C'mon, he had a bad year!), you’ve gotta love Eagles fans. We’re less than seven days into The Kevin Kolb era in Philly, and they already want it to be over. Can you blame them? In relief of an injured Kolb on Sunday, Michael Vick rushed 11 times for 103 yards, completed 16 of 24 passes for 175 yards and finished with a 101.9 passer rating in just two and half quarters of action. Let the controversy begin. As for Lions fans? Well, it's hard not to feel at least a little bad for them. Detroit’s now 3-30 in their last 33 games and haven’t won a road game since the G Dubbya Bush regime was in office. Losing on a peculiar (even if it was right) call like the one that decided Sunday’s game has to be devastating. And anytime you see the name of your franchise quarterback and the name Dr. James Andrews scrolling next to each other on a sports ticker, you know you’re in for another looooooong season.
The Pick: Eagles 27, Lions 16
Arizona at Atlanta: How about everyone’s sexy Super Bowl pick of Minnesota Vikings jersey
the summer, the 2010 Atlanta Falcons? In Week 1’s 15-9 overtime loss in Pittsburgh, Matt Ryan — after a summer of watching thousands of hours of game film — struggled to throw the ball more than 10 yards. Michael Turner, finally healthy and several pounds lighter than the bloated version we saw last season, averaged just 2.2 yards per carry. And Tony Gonzalez — he of 1,001 career catches and zero career playoff wins — only caught two balls. Look for the Falcons offense to get cured this weekend with a much-needed win over Arizona on Sunday. If they don’t, it could mean panic mode down in Flowery Branch.
The Pick: Falcons 24, Cardinals 16
Pittsburgh at Tennessee: Talk about a team of beauties versus a team of beasts. Or as my fellow Monmouth County, N.J., native Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino would say, a team of beauties versus a team of grenades. The Titans won in gorgeous fashion last Sunday, gashing the Raiders on the ground and through the air in a spectacular display of football brilliance. The Steelers, meanwhile, won in about as hideous a fashion as you’ll ever see. Hey, fans of both teams will take it. A win is a win. The Titans avenge their Week 1 overtime loss in Pittsburgh from last season with a grind-it-out win over Mike Tomlin’s boys on Sunday. The Oregon Ducks came into Tennessee and gave the state’s college squad a mauling last Saturday evening. Dennis Dixon, arguably the greatest Ducks quarterback not named Van Brocklin or Fouts, won’t do the same on his trip to the Volunteer State this weekend.
The Pick: Titans 26, Steelers 20
Buffalo at Green Bay: Clay Matthews looked like a man possessed Sunday, leading the Packers defense with two sacks, a forced fumble, seven tackles and a game-sealing stuffing of Michael Vick on fourth and short. Apparently, the MMA training he did with Jay Glazer over the summer helped the second-year linebacker immensely. Though the MMA stuff intimidates me a bit (too many guys in Ed Hardy shirts with mean looking dragons on them), the workout regimen has done wonders for defensive stars Patrick Willis, Jarred Allen and Matthews. Perhaps Packers $4.6 million dollar man A.J. Hawk should look into it next summer. Though healthy, the former No.5 overall pick didn’t play a single snap on defense all afternoon. Nickel package or not, Hawk needs to contribute more to the Packers than just special-teams work. With Hawk on the field of not, Green Bay has its way with the woeful Bills on Sunday.
The Pick: Packers 34, Bills 13
Miami at Minnesota: Who cares about Favre vs. the Packers? Ladies and gentlemen, we present to you the Greg Camarillo Bowl! Camarillo, the former Dolphin wideout who was traded to Minnesota just a week prior to the start of the season, is all amped up to play his former team Sunday.
"What more could you ask for? From the minute I got traded, I've been thinking about this," Camarillo told the AP this week. He then added, "Last week, how the whole team felt about the Saints and wanting to get their second swing at them, that's how I feel about the Dolphins. It's all my friends. No ill will toward the team, but I want to come out there and kick their …” Well, you get the rest. Alas, it won’t be easy.
Miami linebackers Cameron Wake and Koa Misi had Dolphins fans asking “Jason Taylor, who?” with one sack apiece and tremendous rush defense from the outside in last Sunday’s 15-10 victory over the Bills. Karlos Dansby was an absolute beast in the middle. Give me Camarillo and his Vikings in a close one against his old buddies up in Minny this weekend
The Pick: Vikings 23, Dolphins 21

Baltimore at Cincinnati: You could hear the Ravens fans chanting “Heeeeeeeeeeeap” across the Hudson and in Manhattan on Monday night as the Baltimore offense did just enough to escape New Jersey with a 10-9 win over the NFL’s top defense from a year ago. I see Sunday’s test, surprisingly enough, being far more difficult for the boys in purple. Baltimore dropped both games to the Bengals last year, and the Cincinnati passing attack is a lot more dangerous than whatever the Jets trotted out on to the field in Week 1. Look for Bengals rookie wideout Jordan Shipley to have a big afternoon and for Batman and Robin to do some damage on Baltimore’s inferior cornerbacks. Gimme the home underdogs in another tight one.
The Pick: Bengals 24, Ravens 20
4 p.m. EST games
Seattle at Denver: The Tim Tebow era started with a bit of a thud, didn’t it? 2 carries, 2 yards. No goal-line carries. No crazy jump passes. No dramatic fist pumps. No walking on water. Yawn. C’mon McDaniels, get creative here! Use the kid! The start of the Pete Carroll era, on the other hand, was a rousing success. The Seahawks outmanned and outplayed the division favorite Niners from start to finish, and Matt Hasselbeck looked as agile and athletic as he has in years. Dating back to last year, Denver’s lost nine of their last 11 games. Gimme the new look Seahawks in a late afternoon road upset.
The Pick: Seahawks 20, Broncos 16
St. Louis at Oakland: Remember when these two teams played in Los Angeles? Seems like it was ages ago now, doesn’t it? Remember when these two teams were actually worth watching? Well, that seems like it was back when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. The Raiders gave up 205 rushing yards in their season opening loss in Tennessee, while the Rams — though much improved at the quarterback spot — lost their 50th of 56 games on Sunday. Oakland’s D finds itself in Week 2 with a much-needed statement win. Darren McFadden has another big day.
The Pick: Raiders 27, Rams 21
Houston at Washington: To say the Texans and Redskins share some coaching ties would be a bit of an understatement. Houston head coach Gary Kubiak formerly served as the offensive coordinator for the Broncos under current Redskins head coach Mike Shanahan. Shanahan, of nfl jerseyscourse, also coached Kubiak, a one-time Broncos backup quarterback. Shanahan’s son, Kyle, the Redskins offensive coordinator, served on Kubiak's Texans staff for four seasons, including last year as their offensive coordinator. There’s more. ‘Skins quarterbacks coach Matt LaFleur, assistant special teams coach Richard Hightower and strength and conditioning coach Ray Wright all used to work for the Texans, while Houston defensive coordinator Frank Bush coached the linebackers for Shanahan in Denver. Tony Wyllie, Redskins senior vice president, was a Indianapolis Colts jersey
vice president with Houston. And then there’s Rex Grossman — the backup quarterback in Washington — who many credited as one of the major reasons Matt Schaub had the breakout 2009 campaign that he had last season in Houston. Got all that? I’ll take the pupil and his 231-yard running back over the master and his questionable offense in this one.

Seahawks' Leroy Hill back from suspension

Seattle linebacker Leroy Hill finally has a game to look forward to.
After a rough few months filled with off-field nfl jerseys
drama, Hill returned from his one-game suspension and rejoined the Seahawks on Wednesday. He'll play on Sunday in Denver, although no one is quite sure how Hill will be used against the Broncos.
''I feel like I'm 18,'' Hill said. ''I'm ready to roll.''
Hill missed the season opener as punishment from the NFL for his arrest on a marijuana-possession charge in Georgia. He began 12 months of probation for that in April.
Hill could have faced an additional suspension after he was arrested on a domestic violence charge in the Seattle suburb of Issaquah in April. Hill, who turned 28 on Tuesday, entered into a stipulated order of continuance at a hearing on his misdemeanor charge of fourth degree assault/domestic violence on Aug. 19.
Prosecutors said Hill is essentially on probation for 18 months and must complete a one-year state-certified domestic violence treatment program - 26 weeks of weekly therapy and counseling, then monthly sessions for six months - plus 25 hours of Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
community service.
Hill's also recovering from a sprained knee. Additionally, Hill restructured the six-year deal he signed with Seattle before the 2009 season. Instead of making the $6 million in base pay he was originally scheduled to make this season, Hill is taking a nearly $4 million pay cut. He'll also be a free agent at the end of this season.
Even though he couldn't be with the team, Hill went to Qwest Field to watch the opener.
''I had a long offseason. To get from where I was at the beginning of the offseason to were I am now it's just a smile on my face,'' Hill said. ''I don't know my role this week yet, but at the same time whatever they need me to do I'll do it.''
How much he plays against the Broncos is yet to be determined, although coach Pete Carroll said it's likely Hill will be asked to contribute on Indianapolis Colts jersey
special teams. Hill laughed, saying he's played five games in his career on special teams.
''We're bringing him back to play. We're not bringing him back to sit. We're bringing him back to play and get involved,'' Carroll said. ''So we'll see what that information tells us. But I'm hoping he's going to be in there playing and he'll get in the rotations.''

Chargers expect home opener to be blacked out

Fans accustomed to watching San Diego Chargers home games on local TV will have to find something else to do Sunday afternoon - and perhaps several other Sundays this fall, as well.
With roughly 8,000 general admission tickets still unsold, Southern California's only NFL team expects Sunday's home opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars to be blacked out.
That will end a streak of 48 straight sellouts, including the cheap nfl jerseys
playoffs. The last Chargers home game blacked out was against New Orleans on Nov. 7, 2004, when Marty Schottenheimer was their coach and Drew Brees was their quarterback.
''We're disappointed, but from a couple weeks out we thought this was a possibility,'' executive vice president A.G. Spanos said Wednesday.
The deadline for reaching a sellout is 1:15 p.m. PST Thursday. Teams can request a 24-hour extension from the NFL, but that's usually done only when a team is confident it can sell reach a sellout.
Spanos, grandson of owner Alex Spanos, said the only sure sellout is against New England on Oct. 24. The next game with the best chance of selling out is a Monday night game against division rival Denver on Nov. 22.
Spanos said there are more than 10,000 tickets left to sell for a game against Arizona on Oct. 3.
Spanos said the slow economy is the top factor for slow ticket sales.
There likely are other factors affecting ticket sales in a city where the Chargers have long been the favorite team.
One is that many fans were left grumbling after the Chargers' Dallas Cowboys jersey
dismal performance in a 21-14 loss at Kansas City on Monday night. The Chargers, trying to win their fifth straight AFC West title, were coming off an embarrassing 17-14 loss to the New York Jets in the playoffs.
Then there's the divisive issue of general manager A.J. Smith's hardball tactics against two of the team's best players, Pro Bowl wide receiver Vincent Jackson and left tackle Marcus McNeill. When the two restricted free agents didn't sign their contract tenders for more than $3 million by June 15, Smith slashed their pay by more than $2.5 million, giving them less incentive to end their holdouts. He then placed them on the roster exempt list, meaning that if they do sign, they'll be suspended for three games.
Jackson already is serving a three-game NFL suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy.
Besides the Patriots, there's a lack of marquee teams on the home schedule. The Chargers' other home games are against Tennessee and San Francisco, as well as division rivals Oakland and Kansas City.
''I know fans will be disappointed, and we're disappointed,'' Spanos Indianapolis Colts jersey
said. ''We appreciate that they're passionate about Chargers football.''
The Chargers aren't the only ones having a hard time selling tickets. The San Diego Padres, who've led the NL West for most of the season, have played before thousands of empty seats at Petco Park, including during a key four-game series against the San Francisco Giants.

Moss: No regrets about airing concerns on contract

BOSTON (AP)—Randy Moss(notes) said Tuesday his comments about his contract concerns “came out wrong,” but he doesn’t regret making them and wants to retire with the New England Patriots.
Moss had spoken out after Sunday’s season opener, cheap nfl jerseys
then went home worrying about how coach Bill Belichick and team owner Robert Kraft would view his remarks.
“I do care what they think and I just didn’t want it to come off in a crazy, crazy manner,” he said in an interview with The Associated Press. “It was just how I felt, man. It’s just something I just needed to get off my chest.”
He learned Belichick’s reaction when they met on Monday. He said the coach was supportive.
“I don’t want to get into detail about what we talked about, but it was just more watching what I say and watching what I do,” Moss said. “I just said, ‘Coach, it’s unlike me,’ and I apologized, in a way, because it’s unlike me, but, hopefully, he sees where I’m coming from. “
He said he has children, a mother, a brother and a sister to support.
“They’re looking for me for financial stability,” Moss said. “Is that fair? No. But that’s life and I accepted that and that’s where I’m coming from. Hopefully, people will understand where I’m coming from. It’s not that I’m asking for $30 (million), $40 million a year. I’m just asking for another contract.”
He didn’t say whether he had spoken with Kraft.
On Sunday, Moss said there have been no talks regarding a contract for next year.
The Patriots obtained the wide receiver from Oakland during the April 2007 draft for a fourth-round pick that year. His Raiders contract included base salaries of $9.75 million in 2007 and $11.25 million in 2008. He and the Patriots agreed to replace that with a one-year deal with a base salary of $3 million.
He’s making $6.4 million in 2010, the last year of a three-year, $27 million contract.
On Sunday, Moss spoke for 16 minutes soon after the 38-24 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, nearly all of it about his contract situation. He said he wasn’t mad but was hurt and didn’t expect to return next year.
On Tuesday, he said, “I would love to” retire as a Patriot. “The rapport that I have here with this organization, the coaching staff and the fan base, it’s a lot of positives out there when dealing with me. I don’t really want to try to make it an individual thing, but I guess it has been over the last couple of Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
days.”
He also said Sunday that he didn’t feel appreciated, then added, “I’m not saying that I’m not appreciated here.”
He clarified his remarks on Tuesday.
“I just wanted to know or feel that I’m appreciated. I didn’t really try to do anything crazy or say anything crazy, but it just came out wrong,” Moss said. “I don’t have any regrets for saying that because that’s me, man. I have a family. I’m a man. I’m a business man.”
He said he didn’t second-guess himself for the timing of his comments or sense that it detracted from the victory.
Moss spoke after participating in Boston in a promotion for Capital One bank. He smile, bantered with spectators, posed for pictures and signed autographs.
Then he reiterated that some people don’t want to see him do well, but said he wasn’t singling anyone out.
“It’s life,” Moss said. “That’s the thing that gets me about our country and how we go about our day-to-day (activities). If a person, male or female, speaks the truth, we don’t like the truth. The truth hurts. But the truth that I let out the other day wasn’t like I was pointing fingers or being real nasty about the situation. It was talking about me and my family.”
In 2007, he set an NFL record with 23 touchdown receptions and a team mark with 1,493 yards receiving. He also was chosen for his seventh Pro Bowl.
The 13-year veteran left his previous teams, Minnesota and Oakland, on less than amiable terms. With Minnesota, where he spent his first seven seasons, he was criticized by teammates for leaving the field with 2 seconds left in a regular-season loss to Washington. He bumped a traffic control officer with his car in 2002, verbally abused corporate sponsors on a team bus in 2001 and squirted an official with a water bottle in 1999.
In two years with Oakland, his motivation was questioned and he asked to be traded.
With New England, he’s been praised by Belichick, quarterback Tom Brady(notes) and other teammates.
“For the New England Patriots, Mr. Kraft and Bill Belichick, giving me the opportunity to be part of something special from ’07 to right now is something I’ll take to my grave,” Moss said. “But if there’s something that I could ask them for, I would ask them to keep me here.”
He has no assurance that they’ll do that.
“I don’t even know what my fate is, and for me to be 33 years old, it’s like I’m held at bay, and that’s definitely an uncomfortable thing,” he said. “If this is my last year here, I want to leave as good as I came in here in ’07. I know that’s really hard to duplicate, but I don’t want the Dallas Cowboys jersey
fans, the organization, coaches or my teammates to have a sour taste in their mouths about Randy Moss.
“If I do leave here, I want everything to be positive - that I was a good guy, I was well coached, well mannered, a good man in the locker room, a good teammate to be around.”

Teammates defend Moss after his postgame remarks

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP)—Randy Moss(notes) got support Monday from teammates after he said just minutes after the New England Patriots season-opening win that he didn’t feel appreciated.
“Randy stated the way he felt,” running back Fred Taylor(notes) said. nfl jerseys
“You can’t question a man’s integrity when it’s from his heart.”
In a 16-minute postgame news conference, Moss reiterated that he doesn’t expect to return to the Patriots next season. He is in the final year of a three-year, $27 million contract and said there have been no talks toward a new one.
He said he wasn’t mad or hurt and would be willing to consider a new contract with the team during the season. But, still a dangerous deep threat in his 13th NFL season, Moss said it would be “a smack in my face” to wait until the season is over to reach a contract agreement.
The timing of his remarks, on the heels of a 38-24 win over the Cincinnati Bengals, may not have been ideal, but Taylor didn’t complain.
“I’m not questioning anything. I do understand the business side of it all,” he said. “It didn’t seem like it was, ‘all right, this is the timing. I’ve got to do this or anything like that.’ It was just how he was feeling at the moment.”
Taylor, in his 13th NFL season, and running back Sammy Morris(notes) said Moss’ comments wouldn’t be a distraction as the Patriots prepare for Sunday’s game at the New York Jets.
“Contracts are part of the game,” said Morris, an 11-year veteran. “I haven’t heard what he said yet. I’m not really dying to go figure it out either. It’s part of the game. We’ve got a pretty veteran team and we understand that’s part of it.”
Moss said last February for the first time that “the Patriots don’t really pay” so he expected them not to re-sign him for 2011.
Players repeatedly have lauded him as an excellent teammate.
“Personally, I appreciate him,” second-year cornerback Darius Butler(notes) said. “He’s one of the best teammates I’ve got.”
An 81-second video posted on the Patriots’ website showed Moss calling players together in the locker room after Sunday’s win.
“Hey, everybody in here, coaches included” he shouted. “That’s good when we all do it on the same rhythm. One clap. One clap. One clap. Sound good.”
After each “one clap” players slapped their own hands together a single time.
A few minutes later, Moss stood at a podium, speaking calmly as he vented his Indianapolis Colts jersey
concerns to reporters.
Moss and coach Bill Belichick met on Monday, according to the Boston Herald. But Belichick wouldn’t confirm that they spoke.
“I keep the conversations that I have between the players and myself private,” he said. “I think that’s the way they should stay.”
Against the Bengals, Moss had five catches for 59 yards. After being traded from Oakland in 2007, Moss has had three straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons. He caught 23 touchdowns passes in 2007 when New England went 18-0 before losing the Super Bowl to the New York Giants.
His extended comments Sunday were unusual for a player who politely declines nearly all interview requests.
“You guys must have loved it,” a smiling Belichick told reporters.
Moss had said he wanted to discuss his feelings so they wouldn’t become an issue later in the season. He also said his concerns about his future wouldn’t affect how he plays.
“I feel the same way as I have felt about Randy for the last three years,” Belichick said. “He’s a good football player. I’m glad he’s on our team. I think he adds a lot to our football team. He’s got good energy. Everybody likes him. He’s fun to have on the team and he’s a good player.”
Patriots left tackle Matt Light(notes), in his 10th season, also is in the final year of his contract but hasn’t publicly discussed it.
“I think each guy’s different,” he said. “Some guys, one thing’s important to them. For others, it’s completely different. For me, I’m pretty happy. I’ve got no complaints.”
The often playful Light even got in a Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
plug for Tuesday’s fundraiser, “The Matt Light Celebrity Shoot-Out,” in which participants take target practice with shotguns.
“If you’re frustrated, just come to the shootout tomorrow,” he said with a smile. “We can blow things up.”
Will Moss be there?
“I believe so,” Light said. “We won’t give him a gun, though.”

Close call vs. Arizona encourages players

ST. LOUIS (AP)—Even after dropping a close game in the opener, the St. Louis Rams have reason to believe they’re ready to stop being of the NFL’s doormats.
“I’m not going to say it felt different. A loss is a loss,” cornerback Ron nfl jersey
Bartell(notes) said after a 17-13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. “They all hurt. But as you can see, we have improved. There’s still steps that we need to take to get better, but we are a better team.”
They’re far from satisfied. Had enough losing with dignity after dropping their 14th in a row at home, their eighth in a row to Arizona and 15th straight to an NFC West opponent.
We’re not going to accept it anymore,” running back Steven Jackson said Monday.
Up next is a trip to Oakland (0-1).
Putting a scare into the Cardinals was scant consolation for coach Steve Spagnuolo, who reflected on the many opportunities missed that could have made a big difference. The Cardinals lost four fumbles, usually costly in the NFL, but the Rams failed to convert any of them into a single point.
“It’s not good enough to say we played hard,” Spagnuolo said. “We’ve got to win.”
Among the positives: No. 1 pick Sam Bradford(notes) showed poise at quarterback in a game that dictated they throw the ball a lot. The rookie was 32 for 55 for 253 yards and three interceptions, the last pick coming on a desperation throw into the end zone on the final play.
The pass total is third-highest in franchise history, with 19 of the attempts coming on two drives at the end of the game. Bradford didn’t appear rattled by Cardinals’ blitzing schemes and Laurent Robinson(notes), who caught the 1-yard touchdown pass to tie it at 10 on the final play of Minnesota Vikings jersey
the first half, was the third option on a designed rollout.
“He commanded the offense in the huddle when he needed to,” Jackson said. “He even corrected some calls in the huddle.”
Mark Clayton(notes) caught a career-best 10 passes for 119 yards after only three days of practice following a trade from Baltimore. The defense was much improved from last season, putting plenty of pressure on Cardinals quarterback Derek Anderson(notes) and holding Arizona in check except for one drive when Arizona went 76 yards on five straight runs capped by Tim Hightower’s(notes) 1-yard run in the second quarter.
“We got a little frazzled,” middle linebacker James Laurinaitis(notes) said. “They had some things we hadn’t seen before and when that happens you’ve got to react to it on the fly. They kept bouncing it outside.”
There were two missed opportunities on fumble recoveries that hurt. Brandon Fletcher had a 43-yard return in the first quarter after Oshiomoghe Atogwe stripped Hightower, but Spagnuolo thought he should have scored and the Rams ended up with nothing when a 34-yard field goal attempt by Josh Brown(notes) was blocked. Defensive lineman Clifton Ryan(notes) was just shy of the end zone after scooping up a fumble in the third quarter before being stripped, and Arizona center Lyle Sendlein(notes) recovered the ball in the end zone for a touchback.
Wide receiver Steve Breaston(notes) made the tackle, and the strip, besides catching seven passes for a career-best 132 yards. The Rams work on fumble returns and Spagnuolo thought somebody should have blocked Breaston, especially on Fletcher’s return.
“We had plenty of guys there. The next part is get your head on a swivel and find the white jerseys,” the coach said. “It’s a shame.”
The Rams are a young team, with nine rookies on Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
the 45-man roster Sunday. Spagnuolo refuses to use that as an excuse.
“It’s not scary, and I’ll tell you why,” he said. “That certainly was a winnable game.”

Patriots QB Brady was scared after 2-car accident

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP)—New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady(notes) said Monday he was “scared out of my mind” after being involved in a two-vehicle crash last week.
He said during his weekly appearance on WEEI radio he was nfl throwback jerseys
shocked after a minivan and the car he was driving collided at an intersection in Boston’s Back Bay area.
Brady was unhurt in Thursday’s accident and practiced with his teammates later that day. But a passenger in the minivan had to undergo emergency surgery and was hospitalized in serious condition.
A lawyer for the injured man’s family said his condition has worsened. Attorney Samuel Reef told The Boston Globe newspaper the family of 49-year-old Fall River resident Rogerio Rodrigues was concerned for his well-being as it awaited more medical tests.
Police said Rodrigues’ adult son ran a red light, but the son has maintained he had the green light.
Brady said after the accident he left his car and saw a woman. He said they asked each other how they were doing and were OK.
“And I was just kind of Indianapolis Colts jersey
looking around,” Brady said. “I was looking in the other car to make sure they were OK.”
Emergency personnel pried open the minivan and removed one occupant.
Brady said he didn’t know what to do because he was “just in shock.”
“I was kind of sitting there in the car, looking around, trying to get my bearings,” he said.
He didn’t think about calling 911, he said, until a man suggested it.
“I was just thinking, ‘How am I going to—I’ve got to call (coach Bill) Belichick. I’m going to Dallas Cowboys jersey
be late (for practice),”’ he said. “And then once I got home, then it really hits you.”
The car accident came just days before Sunday’s season opener for the Patriots at home against the Cincinnati Bengals, which the Patriots won, 38-24. Brady, who on the day of the accident agreed to a contract making him the NFL’s highest-paid player, threw three touchdown passes.

Vincent Lecavalier resumes skating, prepares for training camp

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Vincent Lecavalier(notes) is back on the ice in his recover from Aug. 24's arthroscopic knee surgery.
"It feels better every day," Lecavalier told the St. Petersburg nfl throwback jerseys
Times on Tuesday. "It's a little sore, but it's the best it's felt. I can do pretty much anything practicewise."
Lecavalier, 30, didn't take part in a pickup Minnesota Vikings jersey
game with teammates, instead working out by himself on the ice for 45 minutes and with the Lightning's trainer. He believes he will be ready for Sept. 17's opening of training camp. For now, he is dealing with swelling as he builds strength in his repaired left knee.
The knee problem began last February after an awkward hit in Dallas Cowboys jersey
a game against the Atlanta Thrashers. His discomfort eased with summer rest by returned when he resumed skating in July.

Predators, Cody Franson finally close on contract

What might be the Nashville Predators' last piece of business before training camp fell into place Wednesday when defenseman Cody Franson(notes) signed a two-year, $1.6 million contract.
A restricted free agent, Franson hit his stride with football jerseys
the team last season and appears to be a key piece in the defense corps after the departure of Dan Hamhuis(notes) this offseason.
Franson, who is 6-5, 213 pounds, played 61 games last season and in four of the Predators' six playoff games. He has three game-winning goals among his 21 points. He was a third-round pick, 79th overall, in 2005.
GM David Poile told the Nashville Tennessean's Josh Cooper his Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
team is ready to go for camp. Rookies report Sept. 13, with veterans coming in on Sept. 17.
"Everybody knows we don’t have a bona fide second goalie and the reason we are keeping that opportunity in house is to give our kids a chance to backup Pekka (Rinne)," Poile said. "Our defense is set, I think we have enough forwards, possibly we might sign another depth forward, but I think this is where we are at.”
Franson's deal took a while, but Cooper said both sides knew it Dallas Cowboys jersey
would happen. Franson joined teammates for pre-camp workout last week, a sign a deal was close.
"This is obviously where I want to be. I love it here in Nashville and we have a great team here and a good opportunity for myself," Franson told Cooper last week. "I like the situation I would be putting myself in by playing here."

Roberto Luongo Canucks captaincy debate overblown: Trevor Linden

VANCOUVER — In his days with the ncouver Canucks, Trevor Linden(notes) wore the 'C' and gave up the 'C' so no one is better equipped to wade into the current controversy about Roberto Luongo's(notes) captaincy in Vancouver.
Linden thinks the issue is getting just a little too much play.
“I'm not sure who is nfl jerseys
going to wear the 'C' or 'A' but, I gotta be honest, I think it's probably less important than people make it out to be,” Linden said Wednesday while promoting his new business venture, Club 16 — Trevor Linden Fitness. “I think the whole situation has been blown a bit out of proportion.”
Linden was named a Canucks co-captain in 1990 and then full-time captain a year later. He led the team to its greatest playoff glory in 1994, Game 7 of the Stanley Cup final, and remained captain until 1997 when he relinquished the role to newly signed and six-time Cup winner Mark Messier.
He says into today's NHL, the leadership role is Minnesota Vikings jersey
shared among a number of players even though just one is called the captain.
“Certainly my last several years here, and it started with Marc Crawford, teams operate with leadership groups,” said Linden, who played 19 NHL seasons and retired in 2008. “It's not one guy. If anyone thinks people are going to stop talking to Roberto because he gives the 'C' up, I've got news for you. He's the starting goaltender and one of their best players and, after every game and after every practice, they're going to want to talk to Roberto and that's not going to change.
“I think Roberto is a great player and a great leader and whether or not he has the 'C' on his jersey, he's going to be expected to be a leader in that locker room,” Linden added. “I think within that locker room, they've got a good group of leaders. Roberto is going to continue to be a leader, Henrik [Sedin] is going to be a leader and Ryan Kesler(notes) is going to be a leader. That's not going to change.”
Linden, meanwhile, remains out of the game that dominated most of his life. In addition to his new fitness venture, he's developing a building in Victoria, following on the heels of a project he developed in Vancouver's West Point Grey neighbourhood. He's also doing a lot of Indianapolis Colts jersey
cycling to keep fit.
“I love the game, but I'm enjoying what I'm doing now,” he said. “It's definitely interesting and I enjoy the flexibility in my schedule that allows me to do different things.”
Still, he wouldn't declare he is completely finished with hockey.