ally in the first 15 minutes of games.INJURIES: Broncos TE Virgil Green left with a concussion and DE Derek Wolfe misse | Forum

Barcelona has agreed terms with a relatively unknown Argentine league coach, Gerardo Martino, to follow in the footsteps of two of European footballs most successful coaches. Glen Rice Jersey . According to a club statement on Tuesday, Martino will be given a two-year contract. He will replace Tito Vilanova, who in turn succeeded Pep Guardiola. Vilanova began as Guardiolas assistant, providing the tactical know-how that helped his then boss forge one of the best teams in the history of the sport -- winning 14 of a possible 19 titles from 2008-2012, including two Champions League trophies. During Vilanovas single season in charge, he led Barcelona to the Spanish league title with a record-tying 100 points. He stepped down as Barcelona coach last week following a recurrence of throat cancer. Despite having no experience coaching a European club, the 50-year-old Martino received backing from Barcelona star Lionel Messi before the clubs sporting director travelled to Buenos Aires to negotiate the deal. Messi spoke glowingly of Martino, better known in Argentina by the nickname "Tata." "I like Tata Martino," Messi said recently. "He is a great coach," adding that "his teams play well and we all respect him." Martino acknowledged Messis influence in landing the job. "I have no doubt that Jorge (Messis father) and Lionel have had importance," Martino said at a news conference in Rosario, Argentina. "They surely have spoken with the club officials. Surely they were asked their opinion." The club praised Martino on its website for "his clear commitment to the passing game" and the attacking style that have become Barcelonas on-field trademark. However, in a poll published Tuesday by the Catalan regions leading newspaper, La Vanguardia, under the banner "Do you approve of Tata Martino signing?" 58 per cent of readers answered "no" and only 32 per cent approved. Ten per cent of the 1,000 people polled had no opinion. Barcelona said it will specify plans for the Argentines arrival in Barcelona "in the coming hours." Martino is expected to travel from Argentina to sign a contract and be presented officially to the club. Martino played as a midfielder from 1980-1996, including a short spell in 1991 at Spanish club Tenerife in the Canary Islands. He also led Paraguay to the quarterfinals of the World Cup for the first time, in 2010. Martino is due to arrive with his assistant from coaching Newells Old Boys last season, Jorge Pautasso, fitness coach Elvio Paulo Rosso and coach Adrian Coria, who once was in charge of Messi at the Argentine club. Barcelona says Martino will become the fourth Argentine to coach the club, after Helenio Herrera (1958-60, 1980 and 1980-81), Roque Olsen (1965-67), and Cesar Luis Menotti (1983-84). Barcelona is due to travel to Germany on Wednesday for a preseason friendly match against Bayern Munich -- which is now coached by Guardiola -- but Martino is not going to be able to accompany the squad, the club said. In what he called an "open letter" released Tuesday, Vilanova said his doctors had advised him to give up coaching, but said he would not be leaving the club altogether. "I will continue to be very close and will carry on working at this club that I love so much on other tasks within the area of sports," said Vilanova without specifying any further. Caleb Martin Hornets Jersey . But when it comes to determining if Raymond will find a place on the Leafs roster when training camp concludes in a week, well, that decision will ultimately fall to the head coach. Marvin Williams Jersey . -- Three close looks at the bucket, three misses. https://www.hornetslockerroom.com/Nicolas-Batum-City-Edition-Jersey/ . The 18-year-old American had five birdies in her bogey-free round for a 17-under total of 196. Lee held the overnight lead but mixed three birdies with two bogeys for a 70. DENVER -- Tom Brady brought a power run game and a sturdier offensive line with him to the Mile High City this time.They helped him walk away a winner for just the third time in 10 trips to Denver.Brady overcame both a slow start and another dazzling performance by Denvers defense in New Englands grinding 16-3 win Sunday that secured a first-round bye in the playoffs. It also dealt a crushing blow to the Broncos playoff hopes.It was a great feeling, Brady said.He was equally pleased with the rare win in Denver as he was with his avoidance of another beating like the one he suffered in the AFC championship last January, when the Broncos hit him a career-high 23 times .This time, they only got to him seven times -- the same amount Von Miller had in the conference championship. Miller didnt get his hands on Brady at all Sunday.They played great, Brady said of his O-line that allowed only two sacks and five QB hits . We ran the ball well. It was a great feeling. They did a great job.Brady missed his first six passes for just the second time his career -- the first was way back on Oct. 12, 2003, against the Giants -- but he came back to lead the Patriots (12-2) to a record eighth consecutive division title.This time, it was the Broncos hopes of defending their Super Bowl title that took a beating.The Broncos (8-6) lost for the third time in four games and were supplanted by the Dolphins for the sixth and final playoff spot in the AFC race with two weeks remaining.Brady completed just half of his 32 passes for 188 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions for a passer rating of 68.2. That was actually worse that Broncos QB Trevor Siemian, who was 25 for 40 for 282 yards with an interception for a rating of 73.1.Those numbers alone belied the Patriots all-around dominance of their nemesis.Behind Dion Lewis 95-yard effort, New England outrushed Denver 136 yards to 58.Bradys first completion was a 17-yarder to Julian Edelman a minute into the second quarter, igniting a drive that ended with LeGarrette Blount powering his way in from the 1 . That was his 15th rushing touchdown, which set a single-season franchise record and broke a 3-3 tie.The Patriots put the ball on the ground twice on that drive. Brady was sack-stripped on the first snap with left guard Joe Thuney pouncing on the fumble, and Lewis recovered his own fumble at the Denver 1 just before Blount scored.Thats what makes us sick, when we come out and play stout like wwe did today and still lose, Chris Harris Jr. Muggsy Bogues Jersey. . said.Unfathomable is how Aqib Talib described losing a game in which the Broncos held Brady to 16 points and 16 completions.Its football, Talib said.The Broncos outgained New England by more than 100 yards in the first quarter, but Siemian made two bad decisions that thwarted promising drives.His throw to Emmanuel Sanders from the New England 14 was both poorly timed and poorly placed. Cornerback Ryan Logan picked it off and returned it to midfield, setting up Blounts TD run.The Broncos reached the New England 31 on the ensuing drive. Siemian was pressured and instead of throwing the ball away dumped it off to running back Justin Forsett for a 6-yard loss that pushed Denver out of field goal range.I missed a couple of opportunities to at least get us some points early on, Siemian lamented. It comes back to haunt you for sure.PUNT RETURN PROBLEMS: Jordan Norwood, benched in favor of rookie speedster Kalif Raymond after two muffed punts in a loss against Kansas City last month, muffed his first chance Sunday when Raymond was a surprise scratch.Norwood allowed Ryan Allens punt to go through his arms and legs, giving the ball to the Patriots at the Denver 31. That resulted in a 45-yard field goal by Stephen Gostkowski.Kubiak explained he needed Norwood in three-receiver sets on offense, but Norwood fumbled away his only touch from scrimmage following a 15-yard gain in the final minute.He doesnt want to go out there and make a mistake, Kubiak said. He wants to go out there and make plays. And hes done that for this team many, many times over.SLOW DOWN: Brandon McManus 33-yard field goal accounted for Denvers only points. They came in the first quarter, when the Broncos are the slowest starters in the NFL with just 26 points this season. But Denver limited the Patriots to a field goal in the first quarter, and New England came in with a league-leading 103-point tally in the first 15 minutes of games.INJURIES: Broncos TE Virgil Green left with a concussion and DE Derek Wolfe missed the second half with a neck injury. Patriots DT Malcom Brown went out in the second quarter with a stomach issue.UP NEXT:Patriots: Host Jets on Saturday.Broncos: Visit Chiefs on Sunday.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '