survived.The manner in which he dealt with spin was even more

Two weeks into the NFL season and another week of an AFC South versus NFC North matchup for both teams. The major difference is the AFC South team, Tennessee, is coming off a loss versus the Minnesota Vikings in a game they expected to win. Detroit, representing the NFC, beat a solid Indianapolis Colts team in a wild shootout. This game also matches the wits of two former New England personnel men. This offseason, the Titans hired Jon Robinson as general manager and the Lions brought in Bob Quinn to run their front office. Both men worked under Bill Belichick as Patriots and are now trying to put their own stamps, with a little Patriots way, on each team.One interesting nugget about this game is the head coaches. Many pundits in the football community expected both Jim Caldwell of the Lions and Mike Mularkey of the Titans to be fired once the new general managers were put in place. Neither was fired and both men, who also happen to be second-time NFL head coaches, were given a chance to prove their worth to their new bosses.Both staffs have good quarterback play, but Detroit has gunslinger Matthew Stafford at the helm and he was up to his old tricks versus the Colts. With the retirement of wide receiver Calvin Johnson, Stafford looked more in control and took a very poignant leadership role. Stafford was 31-for-38 passing for 340 yards and three touchdowns.When hes in command and running things, he puts a lot of pressure on the defense. He doesnt give them much time. And hes been very, very accurate. When things are a bit spread out, he spreads it around, said Caldwell of his offensive leader Stafford.In past years, the Lions have always had a powerful passing attack. So an obvious key to the game for the opposing defense was to stop the run. That may not be so easy anymore. Running backs Theo Riddick and Ameer Abdullah combined for 107 yards rushing on 19 carries. Combine those statistics with the yardage the combo picked up via the air game (63 yards and 57 yards, respectively) and together they each had 100-plus total yardage days.The Titans have a solid run defense led by defensive tackle Jurrell Casey and linebacker Wesley Woodyard. This unit held Vikings All-Pro rusher Adrian Peterson to 31 yards on 19 carries. While defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau will not have to build his game plan around taking out one of the best in the business this week, the Titans defense cannot take the Lions two-headed rushing attack lightly.This same Titans defense did flash points of brilliance last week. They pitched a shutout in the first half. The blame falls at the feet of their own offense which gave up two turnovers for touchdowns. The focus this week must flip flop from facing the Vikings. Last week was all about stopping the run. Versus Stafford and wide receivers Golden Tate and Marvin Jones, the emphasis must be on the passing attack.The Titans pass defense will need to step up their game this week against Stafford. Tennessee produced zero sacks and zero turnovers against a pedestrian quarterback Shaun Hill. If the Lions offensive line, led by center Travis Swanson and tackle Riley Reiff, keeps the Titans defenders off Stafford like Minnesotas offensive line did, Stafford will throw for 400-plus yards.Tennessee head coach Mularkey knows he has a special player in Marcus Mariota at quarterback. Mularkey also believes his team has a chance to be good. But two costly turnovers versus the Vikings in the second half cost his squad the game.Theres a chance, and we still thought we had a chance. So weve got to do it obviously to confirm that we can do it, but I believe these guys feel they can win at any time, especially with Marcus as their quarterback, said the former Buffalo Bill head coach.Robinson, the Titans general manager, traded for running back DeMarco Murray this offseason to give Mariota some balance on offense. Robinson then drafted Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry out of Alabama to team up with Murray. Unfortunately for Robinson, Mariota and Mularkey, those moves did not pay off versus the Vikings. The Titans run game was limited to 65 yards and a fumble by Murray turned into a touchdown return.Against the Lions, the running game may not be as effective either so Tennessee needs to rely on Mariota through the air. This can happen if left tackle Taylor Lewan, who is traveling back to the state he played college football in, can handle Lions pass-rush expert, Ziggy Ansah. By using either Murray or Henry to chip and help Lewan, this should give Mariota time to get his offensive playmakers into the mix. Tight end Delanie Walker was barely a factor in the Minnesota game as he was held to three grabs for 42 yards. He needs to be a focal point when matched up versus safeties DaNorris Searcy and Rashad Johnson. Bobby Hull Coyotes Jersey . "No difference at all," chirped U.S. roommate and linemate James van Riemsdyk. "Its still the same cranky Phil. Jakob Chychrun Coyotes Jersey . Miller reached right to deflect Mikhail Grabovskis attempt with just over 2 minutes remaining in regulation, and then made two more saves in the shootout Sunday to give the Sabres a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals. http://www.coyotesteamstoreonline.com/authentic-dale-hawerchuck-coyotes-jersey/ . 10 VCU 85-67 on Thursday night at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. The Seminoles (4-0) have scored at least 80 points in each of their games. Darcy Kuemper Jersey . "I dont know that were close," said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "I just think, right now, the acquisition cost just doesnt work for us right now. I dont know if I can quantify how far off or things like that that they might be but I would say we continue to have dialogue. Shane Doan Coyotes Jersey . -- In a span of seven Washington Redskins offensive plays, Justin Tuck sacked Robert Griffin III four times. Just for little while, it seemed the almost impossible was becoming the merely unlikely.As Alastair Cook and Haseeb Hameed resisted for 50 overs, it seemed England really might be able to defy India in the sort of conditions English players grow up to fear. The last 10 overs - and most of all, that last ball - were a harsh way to wake from the dream.This has been an odd game. Whatever happens on the final day - and victory for India remains highly likely - England will leave Visakhapatnam encouraged by their performance. There seems every chance that this will turn out to be that most British of things: a heartening defeat. Really, it might be the most heartening defeat for years.Why? Because theyve proved (to themselves as much as any of us watching) that they can compete in such conditions. Theyve shown that they have the character and skill to cope with losing the toss and playing against good bowlers in turning conditions. And, just as importantly, theyve shown they can claw their way back into games from unpromising situations. You could make a strong argument that they have had the best of days three and four. Its just the damage inflicted on days one and two was too deep.They have learned several useful lessons, too. They have learned, or been reminded, they cannot afford even half a bad session in such circumstances. So the loss of their first five first-innings wicket before the end of the second evening - a couple of them to somewhat soft strokes - was a setback from which they have never been allowed to recover. The footwork has to be more certain; the techniques more solid. They cannot afford a bad hour here.And, while there are no easy answers to dealing with Virat Kohli - he has looked magnificent in this series - England will reflect on the chance he offered when on 56 in the first innings and know that, had they been better organised and had a better fielder than Adil Rashid in position for the hook trap, the whole complexion of this game might have been different. It was a fleeing moment, certainly, but that may well prove to be as good an opportunity as England find in this series. If they are going to win, they have to seize such moments.They may rue the tenth-wicket stand of 42 they conceded on Sunday, too. A target of 363 in 160 overs would, perhaps, have been scarcely less daunting in practical terms. But in terms of morale? Final-wicket stands drain and dispirit like little else. While England hardly bowled a poor delivery in the first 100 minutes or so of the day, when they took six for 64, they may reflect that, just for a few minutes, they then allowed their concentration to drift and were punished for it.Generally, though, since Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes resumed on the third morning, there has been much to admire about this England performance. Stuart Broad has never bowled better in India, Rashid has never bowled better in Test cricket and, for all the praise lavished upon Indias spinners, Rashid and Moeen Ali have better bowling averages and strike rates than R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja at this stage in the series.But perhaps it was the performance of Hameed that provided most cause for encouragement. For the second Test in succession, Hameed demonstrated a calm temperament in an unhurried display that belied his 19-years. It took an almost impossible ball, one that kept horribly low, to dismiss him.These were desperately tough circummstances for Hameed.dddddddddddd On a pitch offering turn and, most pertinently, variable bounce, he was tested in just about every way a batsman can be tested. Indias seamers examined his discomfort against the short ball and Indias spinners examined his ability to play the turning ball.His struggles against short-pitched bowlingt will have had fast bowlers around the world taking note. Whatever he achieves in the next few weeks, it is inevitable now that Hameed will be on the receiving end of many bouncers when he comes up against West Indies, South Africa and Australia. And they will almost always be directed at him on quicker, livelier tracks than this.There was talk of this potential weakness before he arrived in India. He was troubled by Surreys fast bowlers (Stuart Meaker and Mark Footitt) in the English summer and by Taskin Ahmed in Bangladesh.Here he was struck on the hand by the first delivery he faced - he later received treatment on his little finger, but the England camp played down any serious damage - after taking his eye off a fine, head-high bouncer from Mohammed Shami and took two more deliveries in the rib area. He wore a chest guard in this innings, but he may have a bruise or two for the rest of this week.But, whether he had been hit or not, he was right back in line for the next delivery. And whether hit or not, he was right forward to the next delivery as required. Theres no question of courage with Hameed, he is just learning to deal with that line of attack. The challenge confronting him might be compared to that confronting Ben Stokes and spin. Stokes overcame that challenge; how Hameed manages may well define how far he progresses in international cricket.There were, in all, nine deliveries that might reasonably be described as bouncers directed at Hameed. While his inclination seems to be to sway out of the way, he also ducked once and played the ball from in front of his face straight into the ground on other occasions. Short-leg was never in business and the two men out for the hook seemed utterly redundant. It was painful, but he survived.The manner in which he dealt with spin was even more impressive. Having been dismissed in Rajkot by Ashwin bowling around the wicket, he has resolved to watch the ball harder and be even more precise in his foot movement. He leaves the ball well outside off stump and gets further forward than most to smother the spin.While other batsmen - and not just young batsmen - might have become uncomfortable with the slow rate of scoring, Hameed looked supremely unworried. And while other batsmen might have allowed the match situation to play on their mind, Hameed seemed to enjoy the prospect of five sessions of crease occupation. Where else would he rather be?Every day, in every way (it was Hameed who was most insistent that England should utilise their review which resulted in KL Rahul being given out) he seems to be growing more comfortable with this level and the environment of the England team. This was a terrifically tough day and he came through it bruised but unbowed. It was another step forward in his development.It is for such reasons that, whatever happens on Monday, England will leave Visakhapatnam with spirits and heads high. They are learning and improving all the time. ' ' '