Tagebücher unser Lieblinge » eres more to life than just skatin

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings have taken another one of their priority free agents off the market before it opens, agreeing to terms on a five-year contract with defensive end Everson Griffen that features $20 million guaranteed and a maximum value of $42.5 million. A person with direct knowledge of the deal confirmed the details to The Associated Press on Sunday, speaking on condition of anonymity because the Vikings havent announced the deal. The NFL free-agent signing period starts Tuesday. The Vikings also agreed to terms on a one-year contract with middle linebacker Jasper Brinkley, according to another person with direct knowledge of that deal who spoke to the AP on Sunday on condition of anonymity because the Vikings havent confirmed the agreement. Brinkley played for the Arizona Cardinals last season. Two days ago, the Vikings reached a two-year deal with quarterback Matt Cassel worth as much as $10 million. The 26-year-old Griffen, a fourth-round draft pick from USC in 2010, has an opening to become a full-time player with the departure of four-time All-Pro Jared Allen, who will officially become a free agent on Tuesday and wont be re-signed. Allen and Brian Robison have been the starting defensive ends for almost Griffens entire NFL career, though he has seen extensive action as a situational pass rusher and on special teams. Griffen is getting paid more for his potential at a critical position in this pass-driven league than for actual production. He had 5 1/2 sacks last season, down from eight in 2012. But he has the speed and athleticism to become a force if he can continue to develop, after making major strides in maturity in overcoming some off-the-field struggles including the sudden death of his mother in 2012. Brinkley rebounded from a serious knee injury in 2007 at South Carolina to be drafted in the fifth round by the Vikings in 2009. After missing the entire 2011 season following major hip surgery, Brinkley bounced back again to become a first-time NFL starter in 2012. He hit free agency the next year and signed with the Cardinals. Brinkley played in 15 games last season and started when Pro Bowl pick Darryl Washington served a suspension for violating the NFLs substance abuse policy, but the Cardinals cut him last month to create more space under their salary cap. So hes used to playing under this type of prove-it circumstance. "They let me know the jobs wide open and its not going to be handed to anybody," Brinkley said. "Everybody has an equal opportunity to earn that spot." As the depth chart currently stands, prior to the actual opening of the free agent market and of course the draft, Brinkley will be in competition with Audie Cole for the starting middle linebacker spot. In the "Tampa Two" defence the Vikings used to use, linebackers had deep drops in zone pass coverage and Brinkley was sometimes exploited. Brinkleys skill set ought to better fit the scheme under new coach Mike Zimmer. "Minnesota has always been home for me. It has a significant place in my heart. I was raised on the frozen tundra," Brinkley said in a phone interview with the AP, foreshadowing the wintry conditions the Vikings could experience late this year at the University of Minnesotas outdoor stadium while their replacement for the Metrodome is under construction. From former Cincinnati cornerback Johnathan Joseph, a fellow South Carolina alumnus, Brinkley received a favourable report of Zimmer, who was Josephs defensive co-ordinator with the Bengals. "Hes a defensive guy. Hes a straight shooter. Hes going to tell you how it is. He does magical things with his defensive guys," Brinkley said. Juan Mata Manchester United Jersey .com) - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quickly found themselves a new offensive coordinator, and one thats quite familiar with the NFC South. Lee Grant Jersey .com) - A pair of programs shooting for their 10th win of the season get together at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, as the NC State Wolfpack tangle with 22nd-ranked West Virginia during the challenge round of the Gotham Classic. http://www.jerseymanchesterunitedsoccer.com/womens-alexis-sanchez-manchester-united-jersey/ . Dallas also Monday recalled defenceman Aaron Rome from his conditioning assignment with the Texas Stars of the American Hockey League and assigned goaltender Jack Campbell to the AHL squad. Sergio Romero Jersey . The Brazilian driver had the second-best time in last months tests at Jerez and said the "good start" could play to his advantage when the season gets underway in Australia in March. David Beckham Jersey . Nathan Beaulieu, Tomas Jurco, Danick Gauthier and Jonathan Huberdeau had a goal and an assist each as the Sea Dogs extended the longest streak in the Canadian Hockey League this season.KINGSTON, Ont. - Patrick Chan was a spectator at the Canadian championships this past week for the first time in his career, and noticed something funny from his vantage point in the stands at the Rogers K-Rock Centre.People were talking during performances. Or tapping away on their cellphones.The 24-year-old from Toronto is taking this season off to kick back and contemplate his future, and said the biggest thing hes learned thus far is perspective.When we compete, for us it feels like the end of the world, but it really isnt, he said. Its interesting because people do other things while the skating is going on. So when I think everyones looking at me, the whole world has stopped to watch me, its really not true.Maybe skating isnt always about life or death, even though it feels like it sometimes.The three-time world champion hasnt completely committed to another Olympic Games, after his heartbreaking silver-medal performance in Sochi last year. But he certainly sounds like he has another Games in him.I would love to go to another Olympics, Chan said. And also even to come here and skate at nationals, nationals is always a highlight for me, just the energy and the friends and family that are in the audience. So I miss that.And I miss training. It makes me want to train hard and come back out stronger than ever, and come up with a great new program that really wows the audience. Not to say the men werent great this year, Nam (Nguyen, the mens champion) skated really well. But I just know I can bring something different to the table again.While hell go down as one of Canadas most successful skaters in history, he has dreams of leaving an even more impressive legacy.I want to go out and skate a program people will remember, Chan said. Im at a point in my career, Ive accomplished everything, Ive won almost every event, so for me its just about going out and having people get goosebumps. . . or even watching myself on YouTube and getting goosebumps from that.Ive never been able to do that to myself. Thats a good personal challenge.Chan has thoroughly dominated the Canadian championships for close to a decade, winning the previous seven titles before the 16-year-old Nguyen won Saturday night.But there was something missing in a mens field minus Chan, whose best score at the Canadian championships was 302.14 in 2012. Nguyen, who at 16 still has plenty of room to grow, scored 256.88.Trust me, I like hearing that (theres something missing), because I want to bring something great to the table, likke when people watch me next itll be like an Oh my god, my life is complete kind of thing, Chan said.ddddddddddddhan said he had mixed feelings about being a spectator, but he watched the competition intently. During a chat with The Canadian Press, he intermittently took breaks so he could focus on watching the competition.Hes also been keeping a keen eye on his international rivals.Hes keeping tabs on whats going on, said Skate Canadas high performance director Mike Slipchuk. He knew after the (Grand Prix) Final what everyone scored, and he was checking his score. . .What was my high score last year?Slipchuk said he hasnt had any firm discussions with Chan about the odds of his return, but has a good feeling about it.Hell take the next couple months to assess what he wants to do, but to me, he inclines more that he wants to come back and win another world title, Slipchuk said.Chan is busy touring on figure skatings show circuit, which has kept him as fit as ever. He did compete once very early this season, at the Japan Open — a Pro-Am event — and was as strong as hes ever been, recording one of the best long-program scores this season.Hes at the same level and in some ways ahead of where he was a year ago, Slipchuk said. Everything technically is where it was, the quad is where it was.Chan said hes had no regrets about stepping back for a season.If I think about wanting to go to the next Olympics, then I feel like I wouldnt be able to do another four years straight, its exhausting, Chan said.My body is enjoying this, my mind is enjoying it, said Chan. And gaining the perspective, just realizing that theres more to life than just skating.Its hard to think of that, because day in and day out, your whole life as a competitor is training, skating surrounds your life.If there are regrets about the past couple of competitive seasons, he wishes he would have kept his cards closer to his chest. He pushed the boundaries of mens skating, but as he pushed, the rest of the mens field improved along with him.Ill be smart, Chan said. If I could go back in time, when I went out and did the two quads (Chan had a quadruple Salchow and quad toe loop in last seasons program), I wish Id played that a little slower, a little smarter, kept the second quad under wraps, instead of going out guns blazing.I feel like it made the men progress very quickly, which I guess isnt a bad thing either. But I think results-wise things would have been a little different.I definitely think Ill be smarter now. ' ' '