d the game.---AP NFL websit | Forum
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Dec 25 '17
CHASKA, Minn. Vernon Davis Jersey . -- Give Phil Mickelson credit for being prepared for a Ryder Cup that has his fingerprints all over it.He tees off Friday morning secure in the knowledge that this is his team, even if the official title of captain belongs to Davis Love III. Hes paired with his choice of partners, and doesnt have to worry about Tiger Woods stealing any of the credit for what he surely believes will be the biggest U.S. win ever.Just to make sure he hasnt forgotten anything, Mickelson went over his list of things to do while waiting for play to actually begin:- Welcome rookies with tales of Ryder Cup failures of the past. Check.- Give out gift of dog tags to teammates to signify just how important this is. Check.- Make sure the pingpong table in the team room has extra balls. Check.- Publicly trash former captain Hal Sutton for a Ryder Cup debacle from 12 years ago. Double check.Its been a busy week for Mickelson, who shoulders the burden of being both the leader of the Ryder Cup team and the smartest guy in golf. With all thats been going on, its amazing hes even had time to practice.Still, everything finally seems to be like Phil wants it as he tees off in his 11th Ryder Cup.Hes playing a ball he likes. Hes playing clubs he likes. Hes playing with whom he likes.Not having to answer to any captain? Well, that he really likes.That wasnt the case two years ago when Mickelson publicly grumbled about how bad a captain Tom Watson was. It certainly wasnt the case 12 years ago when Mickelson and Woods were put together in a dramatic pairing by Sutton.Mickelson took it upon himself Wednesday to dredge up the past failure, complaining that Sutton didnt give him enough time to get used to Woods and a different golf ball in the alternate-shot foursomes format. For reasons unknown to anyone but Lefty, he tossed Sutton under the bus without being prompted.It all starts with the captain. I mean, thats the guy that has to bring together 12 strong individuals and bring out their best and allow them on a platform to play their best, Mickelson said. Thats the whole foundation of the team. I understand and I hear, `Well, guys just need to play better or they just need to putt better. Absolutely you do. But you play how you prepare.Mickelsons preparations apparently havent been that great during much of his Ryder Cup career. Hes played on only two winning teams since 1995, and has an overall record of 16-19-6.Hes the leader of this Ryder Cup team only through longevity and the force of his own personality. Still, he seems sure that only he understands the key to getting 12 players to work together over three days to win back the Ryder Cup.When you look back on what the difference is, when players are put in a position to succeed, more often than not they tend to succeed, Mickelson said. And when they are put in positions to fail, most of the time they tend to fail.Mickelson backed off a bit Thursday, saying he didnt mean to disparage Sutton like he did. But words hurt, and Sutton was taken aback when told what Mickelson said.Making it worse was that Sutton is here as part of a U.S. plan to bring former Ryder Cup captains together to foster some camaraderie for a team that has won only two of the last 10 Ryder Cups.My God, somebodys got to be the fall guy, Sutton told Golfweek magazine. If it needs to be me, I can be that. I dont have anything to say to that. My God. The world saw what happened. They saw it. I didnt have to cover it up.The world did see what happened, and on the U.S. side it wasnt pretty. Mickelson and Woods lost both their matches, and the Europeans ended up trouncing the American squad.What Mickelson failed to mention this week, though, was that he had just switched equipment companies right before the Ryder Cup, something that may have been as much to blame for his bad play as having to play an unfamiliar ball.No reason to let the facts get in the way of his revised narrative.Sutton said hes surprised Mickelson isnt focusing more on what he has in front of him.I think Phil better get his mind on what he needs to have it on this week instead of on something that happened 10 years ago, he said.Thats the kind of advice that should come from a captain.But its hard to imagine Mickelson giving it to himself.----Tim Dahlberg is a national sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at tdahlberg(at)ap.org or http://twitter.com/timdahlberg ;Samaje Perine Jersey . -- Nate Robinson has played for seven teams, so beating one of them is no longer a rare occurrence. Fabian Moreau Jersey . Supported by three-run homers from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos, the young right-hander went seven strong innings in the Washington Nationals 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. http:///...Jersey.html?cat=1343 . The (11-11-4) Jets are seventh in the Central Division with 26 points. Fifth place Dallas and sixth-seeded Nashville also have 26 points, but the Stars have three games in hand on Winnipeg while Nashville has two. CINCINNATI -- The Bengals arent sure how many plays theyll get out of linebacker Vontaze Burfict in his first game back from a league suspension.They know that no matter what the number, itll likely make a difference.Burfict sat out the first three games for his repeated illegal hits, including one during the Bengals latest first-round playoff loss. His hit to receiver Antonio Browns head drew a penalty that set up Pittsburghs last-minute field goal for an 18-16 win at Paul Brown Stadium.The Bengals (1-2) had their defense shredded during a 29-17 loss to Denver on Sunday, with Trevor Siemian throwing a career-high four touchdown passes.Cincinnati hosts the Dolphins (1-2) on Thursday night needing something -- or somebody -- to get the defense turned around.Coach Marvin Lewis said the defense felt different when Burfict went onto the field for a light practice on Tuesday.You feel it as soon as he walks on the field, Lewis said. His command of things is excellent.Burfict is known for his grasp of the defense and his innate ability to read plays and get to the ball. The question is whether he can rein in his propensity for illegal hits.The linebacker has been repeatedly penalized and fined during his career. The NFLs three-game suspension gave notice that his behavior wont be tolerated. Although Burfict insists that he wont change his style of play, the coaching staff has talked to him about his decisions on the field. Theyve prepared him for opponents trying to goad him.Burfict also has had concussions because of his head-first style of play, something else that the coaches have tried to change.He knows, defensive coordinator Paul Guenther said. Weve talked at length about all that stuff. Im sure hes aware of whats at stake.I still want him to be ann aggressive player. Charles Mann Jersey. I dont want any linebackers being passive. But again, at the same time, people are going to be looking for him, so hes got to understand that and do it the right way. Hopefully he learned his lesson off what happened.Burfict could get a significant number of plays. Last season, he missed the first six games while recovering from offseason knee surgery. He returned for a 16-10 win at Pittsburgh, had solo tackles on each of the first two plays, and was on the field for nearly half of the defensive plays.Burfict said hes in better physical condition this time because hes not returning from an injury. He worked out on his own during the suspension.This is totally different, Burfict said. I was coming off an injury last time. Ive had more time to condition and work out. I feel I can play a full game, but its up to them. They said if I look tired, theyre going to pull me out.Game notes TE Tyler Eifert said his ankle feels strong after a full week of limited practices. Eifert had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left ankle -- injured during the Pro Bowl -- and wasnt able to practice until last week. Im super eager and excited, too, Eifert said. Lewis was noncommittal again on Tuesday about whether Eifert will play against the Dolphins. If he does, it would be in a limited role. ... CB Dre Kirkpatrick was held out of practice for a second straight day because of a hamstring injury suffered on Sunday. Kicker Mike Nugent fully practiced -- he suffered a shoulder injury while making a tackle on Sunday but finished the game.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ;Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic Wholesale Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys China NFL Cheap Jerseys ' ' '
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