on how much playing time he can earn after his long layoff. Ultimately, Vancouvers scoring prowess could hinge on Robinson, from zgr123's blog
GREEN BAY, Wis. Jonas Siegenthaler Jersey . - Newly picked to the Pro Bowl, Aaron Rodgers practiced on his sore left calf Wednesday before returning to a locker room full of Christmas gifts.Brand new 55-inch curved screen televisions sat in cardboard boxes, tokens of appreciation from the Packers franchise quarterback to the offensive line and backup QBs.As if the linemen needed any more motivation to protect Rodgers from the fearsome defensive front of the Detroit Lions on Sunday.Its pretty amazing. Pretty thankful that Aaron did something like that, rookie centre Corey Linsley said. I mean, just the way he plays, and the way everybody plays around here, the level of excellence especially by him — you want to play as well as you can for him.Keeping Rodgers clean and upright will be especially important with tackle Ndamukong Suh leading Detroits defensive charge into Lambeau Field.Rodgers was limited in practice with a sore left calf that he strained during Sundays win over Tampa Bay. He is also getting over a lingering head cold that has slowed him down since last week.Coach Mike McCarthy said Rodgers took snaps and threw the ball around, including in no-huddle drills.He basically got done what he needed to get done today and hes getting better, McCarthy said.How Rodgers feels Sunday will be most important to Green Bay, which can claim its fourth straight NFC North title and a first-round bye by beating Detroit.Otherwise, the Packers were mostly healthy at practice. Guards T.J. Lang (ankle) and Josh Sitton (toe) were limited, as usual, with lingering injuries. Linebacker Clay Matthews was limited with a biceps injury, though that has been a lingering injury as well.Sitton and Matthews were also picked to the Pro Bowl roster Tuesday night, along with receiver Jordy Nelson and fullback John Kuhn.Sitton has had a painful season after injuring his left big toe two months ago against New Orleans. This will be his second Pro Bowl. In 2012, though, he made it as an alternate.Sitton said he can cross one of his career goals off his list. What makes Sittons season even more impressive is that hes playing between left tackle David Bakhtiari, a second-year player, and rookie centre Linsley.It doesnt surprise me at all. We watch a lot of film of a lot of guys, and I havent really seen anybody better, Linsley said. I say it all the time, but something that goes understated is how intelligent he is.Now theyve got to figure out how to stop Suh, who has 8 1/2 sacks, four in his last three games. Lang called the 6-foot-4, 305-pound Suh a complete player.If hes in there, its a battle from whistle to whistle, from snap to the whistle, Lang said.The Packers right guard was also fighting what appeared to be a cold. Hell likely relish Christmas Day off while trying to find a place for the new television supplied by Rodgers.The players apparently didnt know that reporters would be in the locker room on Christmas Eve. The TVs arrived Tuesday night, and the ever-private Rodgers likely didnt want people outside the team to know about the gifts, Sitton said.Hes a hell of a dude, and weve had a hell of a year for each other. He just wanted to thank us, Sitton said. We appreciate being appreciated.Notes: Nelson made his first Pro Bowl, while Kuhn made his second. Rodgers has made four Pro Bowls, while Matthews has one more appearance. ... LB Mike Neal (abdomen) was limited in practice, while CB Davon House did not participate. He hasnt been cleared from a right shoulder injury.___Online: AP NFL websites: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Brett Connolly Capitals Jersey . -- The defending Canadian womens curling champions squandered an opportunity to take sole possession of first place in the standings Tuesday at the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Ilya Samsonov Jersey . Jesus Navas bookended yet another huge home win for City by scoring after 14 seconds and again in second-half stoppage time, with Sergio Aguero also netting in each half to add to an own goal by Sandro and a brilliant strike by Alvaro Negredo.VANCOUVER - Around this time last year, the Vancouver Whitecaps displayed considerable bravado as they aspired to place among the top teams in MLS. But in 2014, the Whitecaps will have a new coach, a new look and less attitude, starting with Saturdays season-opener against the powerhouse New York Red Bulls at B.C. Place Stadium. Watch the Whitecaps vs. Red Bulls live on TSN tonight at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt. "Were all looking ahead with a cautious optimism," Whitecaps president Bob Lenarduzzi said before the team held its final pre-season practice Friday. The Whitecaps finished seventh in the Western Conference with a 13-12-9 record in 2013 after becoming the first Canadian team to make the playoffs the year before. New York, which features a star-studded lineup, finished first overall with a 17-9-8 mark. Carl Robinson, a former Whitecaps assistant coach, will try to excel in the top job after Martin Rennie was fired at the end of the last campaign. "Obviously, with a new coach coming in, theres going to be a transition, but hes had a full pre-season to work with a majority of the guys," said Lenarduzzi. "And then, getting the guys that weve added over the course of the pre-season, therell still be I would think a required time for players to gel and for the newer guys to get to know Carl and his coaching staff and their teammates." Robinson has brought in several new players from South America and Europe, including new designated player Pedro Morales, a Chilean midfielder who was signed earlier this week. "We dont want to put too many unrealistic expectations on him, but were hopeful that hes going to produce and well see results of that in goals and assists," said Lenarduzzi. "But ultimately what were looking for from him is to bring out the best in players around him." Other prominent newcomers include attacking Nicolas Mezquida and Sebastian Fernandez, who both hail from Uruguay, and Mattias Laba of Argentina, a designated player who was acquired from Toronto FC. Vancouvers acquisitions have paled in comparison to TFCs splashy off-season signings, but Lenarduzzi did not feel pressured to match them. "I dont think any team in the league feels the pressure to match $100 million spent on three players," he said. As a result of the changes, the Whitecaps lineup features players from 16 countries, who bring diverse skill levels, backgrounds and languages. "Football is a global sport," said Lenarduzzi. "The language barriers? I dont believe they are barriers. Obviously when you get on the field youd like to be able to communicate with your teammates. But really, if youre good players, your ability will do the talking for you." Lenarduzzi is hopeful that Robinson, 37, a former Welsh international player who toiled in England and in MLS with Toronto and New York, will be able to get his message across. Known as a strong communicator, Robinson developed close relationships with players in his assistants role and, according to Lenarduzzi, succeeded in getting them to accept what they sometimes did not like to hear about their play. "Now that hes the head coach, hes the guy where the buck stops," said Lenarduzzi. "So it wont be the same as it was the previous two years. Tom Wilson Capitals Jersey. Itll be different. But Im encouraged that up until now hes maintained his willingness to communicate with the guys." Lenarduzzi also likes the fact that Robinson stresses a possession-oriented, attacking style of play while still requiring the club to display a disciplined defensive structure, and "puts a premium" on young players. "We havent kicked the ball in anger yet, so were not getting carried away," said Lenarduzzi. "We think weve got a good squad of players. But if he applies all of those things then I think weve got an opportunity to make the playoffs this year, which is really our objective." The quest for a post-season berth became more difficult following the departure of striker Camilo Sanvezzo — who led MLS with 22 goals last season — to Queretaro of the Mexican League. Camilo angered the club by donning the Mexican teams jersey while he was still a Whitecap and a transfer was eventually negotiated. "The hope is that two players or, more than likely, three players will help pick up that (scoring) slack," said Lenarduzzi. One likely source of more offence is striker Darren Mattocks, who had a disappointing sophomore season marred by injuries, inconsistent play and international absences that limited him to just three goals. Lenarduzzi also hopes to get "10-plus" goals from striker-midfielder Kekuta Manneh, a gifted 19-year-old scorer who was used sparingly in his rookie season but still found the net six times in only 764 minutes of action over 20 games. "What I dont think we want to do is heighten the expectations of Kekuta," said Lenarduzzi. "Hes a very good player, and he proved that late last season." Former Scottish international striker Kenny Miller will be expected to produce early as he plays on an unusual six-month contract that could see him leave the team in mid-season. "Kenny will need to do what he did the first half of last season and if thats the case, then certainly thats going to encourage us to keep him around," said Lenarduzzi. Striker Omar Salgado, 20, the teams first-ever MLS draft choice who has missed most of the past two seasons with foot injuries, could also help make up for Camilos absence, depending on how much playing time he can earn after his long layoff. Ultimately, Vancouvers scoring prowess could hinge on Robinson, also a former Red Bulls assistant coach, who was not managements first choice to replace Rennie. "Im excited. I really am," Robinson told reporters this week. "But Im trying to keep a calm head on my shoulders in (the dressing room) and in front of the guys." Notes: The Whitecaps loaned five players, including seventh-overall 2014 draft pick Andre Lewis, to the second-tier Charleston Battery on Friday. Lenarduzzi said the Whitecaps made the move to ensure that Lewis, a 19-year-old midfielder from Spanish Town, Jamaica, gets plenty of playing time. Strikers Mamadou Diouf and Marlon Ramirez, midfielder Aminu Abdallah and defender Jackson Farmer were also sent to Charleston. … Vancouver beat New York in their lone meeting last season. The Whitecaps are unbeaten (1-0-2) against the Red Bulls in three all-time games. 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