Bewerbungen » ue: AL WestRecord:?95-67Odds:?19

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Linval Joseph had solidified himself as one of the leagues best run stoppers, entering his seventh year in the NFL, but the Minnesota Vikings still saw room for their big man in the middle to play even better.The typical hunker-down mentality of the nose tackle, whose ideal role is to push back the point of attack, plug the holes in the line and occupy multiple blockers, doesnt automatically translate to aggressively pressuring the quarterback when hes dropped back in the pocket.He loves playing the run, but if he could ever develop that mentality of when its time to pass rush, coach Mike Zimmer said during training camp, I think he could go to the next level.Three games into this season, Joseph has taken that step. He already has three sacks, closing in on his career high of four and contributing to Minnesotas league-leading total of 25. Hes fourth on the team with 10 quarterback hurries.Just picking up where I left off, Joseph said, trying to downplay his pass-rush improvement, and everythings falling into the right place for me right now.Joseph will find himself facing some of his former teammates on Monday night when the Vikings (3-0) host the New York Giants (2-1), the team that drafted him out of East Carolina in the second round in 2010.Bygones are bygones, he said. Theyre another team. Theyre on schedule, and we need to win.When he signed a five-year contract in 2014 worth as much as $31.25 million with $12.5 million guaranteed, Joseph left behind plenty of admirers in New York.One of the hardest-working guys. Always in the weight room. Probably one of the strongest guys in the NFL, Giants left guard Justin Pugh said. Definitely got our work cut out for us.Joseph is listed on the light side at 6-foot-4 and 329 pounds. Theres hardly a player in the locker room who will recite the company line more consistently, whenever the subjects of personal accolades or long-term team success are raised by media.We really dont care about what people say about us, to be honest with you, Joseph said. We just want to go out there and do our best.Joseph needed time to adjust to Zimmers system in his first year with the Vikings in 2014. His first training camp was frighteningly interrupted by a calf injury caused by a stray bullet at a nightclub shooting a few hours after a preseason game. Last year, Joseph made significant strides, but he missed four games because of a painful turf toe injury.Now?Hes playing at the level that we thought he was capable of and has played at before, so nobody in here is surprised, linebacker Chad Greenway said. I think hes obviously a complete monster in the middle, and youve got to block him with multiple people, and thats so great for us linebackers.The Vikings arent even to the quarter mark of the schedule, of course, but the defense appears to be in full stride in Zimmers third season. The Vikings also lead the league with a plus-8 turnover margin.Three years working together, I think that helps. Just sticking to the repetition, day in and day out, working with each other, playing with each other, just being around each other, Joseph said. If we just keep playing at a high level and everybody stays healthy, the skys the limit.The 4-3 scheme, well-known for the double A-gap blitzes that Zimmer calls, or bluffs, for linebackers Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks, is predicated on a synchronized pass rush along the defensive line. If one player freelances, even if he believes he can complete a sack, the plan wont work. Individual sack totals, then, can be lower because the rush in Zimmers system comes from so many different places.I think were all having fun and enjoying playing with one another, safety Harrison Smith said. Thats not just the makeup of the defense, but of the team.---Online:AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL coverage on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFLKyler Fackrell Super Bowl Jersey . The 20-year-old Pelicans big man glanced up and smiled widely at the well-wishers -- a fitting end to a day he wont soon forget. Davis responded to his selection earlier in the day as a Western Conference All-Star with 26 points and 10 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 98-91 on Friday night. Corey Linsley Super Bowl Jersey . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap. http://www.officialgreenbaypackerspro.com/Josh-jackson-packers-jersey/ . After a lengthy wait, persistent rain finally forced the postponement of the Nationals game against the Miami Marlins on Saturday night. The teams, and a few thousand fans, waited nearly four hours from the 7:05 scheduled start time before an announcement was made shortly before 11 p. Geronimo Allison Super Bowl Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla. Lane Taylor Super Bowl Jersey . -- The goal posts lying flat on the field, Arizonas fans lingered on the field, congregating around the locker room entrance nearly 30 minutes after rushing out of the stands.The regular Major League Baseball season concluded on Sunday which only means one thing -- the World Series is quickly approaching.Before that, 10 teams will battle it out in the playoffs to determine who plays for the right to call themselves world champions.Even if youre not a baseball aficionado, you too can have an interest in the playoffs -- and ESPN UK is here to help you pick a team to follow throughout the postseason.1. Baltimore Orioles League: AL EastRecord: 89-73Odds: 25/1Last playoff?appearance: 2014 ?Last World Series title: 1983Nicknamed the Os and use the hashtag #Birdland, the Orioles travel to Toronto Blue Jays in the first wildcard playoff.?Orioles started the baseball season very strong but tailed off towards the end, settling for a wildcard spot which was clinched on the last day of the regular season on Sunday.They suffered a stretch of 14 straight losing seasons from 1998 to 2011, but have qualified for the postseason three times since 2012.The Os home stadium, Camden Yards, is one of the most highly praised in MLB due to it being the first retro major league ballpark.Choose this team if you support: Everton FC. Both teams enjoyed a lot of success in the 1960s and 1980s. You can never write them off.2. Toronto Blue JaysLeague: AL EastRecord: 89-73Odds: 21/2Last playoff appearance: 2015Last World Series title: 1993There are striking similarities between the Blue Jays and Swansea City of the Premier League.The former is the only Canadian team in MLB, with the latter being the only Welsh team in top flight English football.Established in 1977, Blue Jays enjoyed most of their success in the 1990s, claiming the 1992 and 1993 World Series titles.Torontos most famous celebrity, hip-hop artist Drake, is well known for being a big Blue Jays fan.Choose this team if you support: Swansea City. Theyre also both named after birds.3. San Francisco Giants League: NL WestRecord: 87-75Odds: 18/1Last playoff appearance: 2014Last World Series title: 2014The Giants qualified for postseason by the skin of their teeth in the final round of regular fixtures and will play New York Mets in the other wildcard playoff.They contest probably the most heated rivalry in world baseball with the Los Angeles Dodgers.The two sides were originally both New York franchises but relocated to California in the 1950s.The Giants have won the World Series eight times, including 2012 and 2014.Choose this team if you support: Manchester City. Enjoyed a lot of recent success and the Manchester Derby bears some resemblance to Giants-Dodgers.4. New York Mets?League: NL EastRecord: 87-75Odds: 18/1Last playoff appearance: 2015Last World Series title: 1986The Mets are appearing in consecutive postseasons for only the second time in franchise history.In their 1962 inaugural season, Mets posted a record of 40-120, the worst regular season record since MLB went to a 162-game schedule.They contest the Subway Series with the New York Yankees -- who are the more successful team of the two -- but did not qualify for postseason this year.Their home colours are blue, orange and white.Choose this team if you support: Tottenham Hotspur. Often in the shadow of their fierce rivals but are looking strong this season.5. Boston Red SoxLeague: AL EastRecord: 93-69Odds: 6/1Last playoff appearance: 2013Last World Series title: 2013One of the most famous and successful sporting clubs in the world, the Red Sox will play Cleveland Indians in their first postseason game.Boston have won eight World Series -- Including the first ever in 1903 and most recently in 2013.They are owned by Fenway Sports Group, who also own Liverpool in the Premier League.Red Sox legend David Ortiz, a 10 time All-Star and three time World Series champion, will retire at the end of this season after being with the franchise since 2003.Choose this team if you support: Livverpool FC.dddddddddddd. Same owners, same colours, same history. Ortiz is the baseball equivalent of Steven Gerrard.6. Cleveland IndiansLeague: AL CentralRecord: 94-67Odds: 9/1Last playoff appearance: 2013Last World Series title: 1948Also known as the Tribe and the Wahoos, Cleveland Indians are without a World Series win since 1948.However, they have won eight AL Central titles, the most in the division.At the end of the 2016 season, they had a regular season franchise record of 9,190-8,835 (.510).Supporter John Adams, known by baseball fans as The Drummer, has played a bass drum at nearly every home game since 1973.Choose this team if you support: Stoke City. Impressive fan base, unusual nicknames. Not a lot of success but the best team in their area.7. Los Angeles DodgersLeague: NL WestRecord: 91-71Odds: 27/4Last playoff appearance: 2015Last World Series title: 1988Dodgers are one of the most famous teams in MLB with six World Series titles and 21 National League wins.They, of course, play in dodger blue.Famous fans include Danny DeVito, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kobe Bryant and Ice Cube... to name a few.Dodgers star right fielder Yasiel Puig?hit seven homeruns in 81 games through the end of July this year.Choose this team if you support: Manchester United. Massive club with a big history. Corey Seager is baseballs Marcus Rashford.8. Washington NationalsLeague: NL EastRecord: 95-67Odds: 7/1Last playoff appearance: 2012Last World Series title:?N/AWashington Nationals are one of two teams in the MLB who have never played in nor won the World Series.In 2001, the MLB considered revoking the teams franchise due to low attendances, but ultimately decided to relocate them.Nationals will begin their playoff quest against the Dodgers without star player Stephen Strasburg, who is out injured.They play their home games at?Nationals Park,?near the Anacostia River.Choose this team if you support: AFC Bournemouth. Limited success and troubled history but overall a good modern team.9. Chicago CubsLeague: NL CentralRecord: 103-58Odds: 9/4Last playoff appearance: 2015Last World Series title: 1908The favourites for World Series glory this year, winning over 100 games in the regular season.Its been a long time coming for the Cubbies who havent won a World Series since 1908.Cubs pitcher Jon Lester wrapped up an All-Star season this year with a 19-5 record and a 2.44 ERA (earned run average).He told ESPN on Sunday: This season isnt anything unless we do what we showed up at spring training to do -- win a World Series.?Cubs will play the winner of Mets vs. Giants.Choose this team if you support: Chelsea FC. Both have a big chance of winning their respective titles this year. Cubs success drought can be compared to Chelseas before?Roman Abramovich took over in 2003.10. Texas Rangers?League: AL WestRecord:?95-67Odds:?19/4Last playoff appearance: 2015Last World Series title: N/AChampions of the American League this year, Rangers will play the winner of the wildcard playoff between the Orioles and the Blue Jays.This season they broke the greatest winning percentage in one-run games in the history of baseball.Their team mascot is a horse called the Rangers Captain -- He wears the number 72 shirt in honour of 1972, the year the Rangers relocated.Former players include Fergie Jenkins and Nolan Ryan, who are both in the Baseball Hall of Fame.Choose this team if you support: Leicester City. Not the biggest club in the world but have enjoyed recent success. Their one-run games record is somewhat similar to amount of 1-0 victories the Foxes registered last season.Now pick YOUR team for the playoffs...The World Series will be contested from Oct. 25, 2016 - Nov. 2, 2016 in a best-of-seven games playoff. ' ' '