04-19-2019, 01:58 AM
ALAMEDA, Calif. Auston Matthews Jersey . - The Oakland Raiders defence was dealt a big blow back in the preseason when middle linebacker and defensive signal caller Nick Roach suffered a season-ending concussion.That injury set the tone this season for the Raiders, who have had to piece together their defence on the fly because of a litany of injuries.The Raiders (2-12) have nine defensive players on season-ending injured reserve, including the teams top two strong safeties, two linebackers, a starting defensive end and a starting cornerback.Those absences have played a big role in Oaklands struggles this season as the team will miss the playoffs for the 12th straight year.I think it takes a toll, but its hard to use those things, interim coach Tony Sparano said. Everybodys hurt right now. Its just the next-man-up mentality for us and weve been fortunate that some of these young guys have gone in there and done a good job. Thats the good news, is that youre not going to have to sit here at the end of the season and wonder whether or not so-and-so can play.Thats the one positive from all the injuries. The Raiders have gotten plenty of chances to see what some of the younger players can do when they get playing time. That will give them a better idea of what needs to be prioritized come the off-season.Were about playing together, were about playing with passion, defensive co-ordinator Jason Tarver said. Whats been great is the young men keep jumping in and rallying around each other. Thats what its about.Miles Burris stepped in for Roach and struggled at the start in his adjustment to middle linebacker but now has shown versatility to play all three spots in the future.When outside linebacker Sio Moore went down last week with a season-ending hip injury, former college safety Ray-Ray Armstrong got his most extensive time ever at linebacker with 63 defensive snaps.Its always great having good opportunity, Armstrong said. Its what you do with it. Just trying to make the most of it and help my team out.Armstrong is not alone in getting an opportunity. Benson Mayowa, claimed off waivers from Seattle earlier this season, has gotten ample time in place of LaMarr Woodley at defensive end.There has been a revolving door at strong safety after starter Tyvon Branch and backup Usama Young went down with injuries. Brandian Ross stepped in and played much better than he did a year ago as a replacement starter and also showed the ability to play in the slot in nickel packages.Larry Asante also played well before he was put on injured reserve earlier this month.The secondary has been a work in progress much of the year with starting cornerback Carlos Rogers out for the season with a knee injury and fellow starter Tarell Brown slowed in recent weeks by a foot injury.Those injuries have allowed second-year player DJ Hayden and rookie TJ Carrie to get significant playing time that will pay off in the future.I think thats very, very valuable and I think theres huge carry-over, Sparano said. I think that that provides a real easy transition into Year 2 for them. The game doesnt surprise them. The speed of the game doesnt surprise them. The preparation that it takes to play the game doesnt surprise them.NOTES: The Raiders announced the game Sunday against Buffalo is sold out and will be televised locally. Oakland sold out every home game this season. ... CB Tarell Brown did not practice for a second straight day with a foot injury but still could play Sunday. ...DL C.J. Wilson returned on a limited basis after missing practice Wednesday with a knee injury.___Online:AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Toronto Maple Leafs Jerseys . Returning to Davis Cup tennis, Federer cruised past Ilija Bozoljac, winning 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 in less than two hours. Federer faced little challenge from Bozoljac, who served well but still was no match for his Swiss opponent. Borje Salming Jersey . Karlovic of Croatia used his big serve to beat Jiri Vesely of the Czech Republic 7-6 (6), 7-6 (7). Kohlschreiber had lost all of his three previous matches against Istomin but the German broke serve for a decisive 3-2 lead in the third set and held on to reach his first final of the year. http://www.officialmapleleafspro.com/Mor...fs-jersey/ . "Well over 50 (per cent)," coach Claude Noel said Tuesday after practice, where the Jets were looking at ways to cut down the scoring chances theyve been giving away. Canadian Milos Raonic came up short in his bid to reach the mens final four at Roland Garros, dropping a 7-5, 7-6 (5), 6-4 decision to Novak Djokovic of Serbia on Tuesday. Raonic, the No. 8 seed from Thornhill, Ont., fired 21 aces but converted only one of two break opportunities in the match, which also lasted two hours 22 minutes. Raonic, the first Canadian man to reach a Grand Slam singles quarterfinal in the post-1968 Open era, stalled in the third set but managed to break Djokovic as the second seed was serving for victory at 5-2. Djokkovic closed it out two games later when a Raonic forehand sailed wide. John Tavares Jersey. The last Canadian to reach a mens singles semifinals at a Grand Slam was William Johnston at the 1923 US Championships. Robert Powell (Wimbledon, 1908) is the only other Canadian to reach a mens singles semifinal. Djokovic is a six-time major champion but he still needs to win the French Open to complete a career Grand Slam. He reached the semifinals at Roland Garros the last four years, but only made one final, losing to Rafael Nadal in 2012. ' ' '