Pirate Galaxy » be focused on Saturday (against Cha

In case you havent noticed, which is virtually impossible, Peyton Manning has gone to TV commercials full time.Adrian Peterson and J.J. Watt are injured. Aaron Rodgers is struggling. Todd Gurleys breakout rookie season looks like a mirage. Megatron is gone.Russell Wilson has been gimpy. Darrelle Revis has been mediocre. Tony Romo has been invisible.Too many of the NFLs headline grabbers arent in the news, or arent producing the kind of plays and drama football fans crave. With all the consternation about TV ratings for NFL games being down, with everything from the presidential election to the Colin Kaepernick-inspired anthem protests being blamed, maybe pro football is a bit star-crossed because it doesnt have a lot of its stars being, well, stars.NFL supporters like to say its the uniform and the tradition and history of teams that make the game such a slam-dunk attraction. The counter-argument is simply that with such national teams as the Raiders, Giants and Dolphins being non-contenders so often in recent years, why didnt viewership disappear then?No, its about the stars.Arguably the biggest luminary in Roger Goodells league is Tom Brady. He sat out the first four weeks thanks to Goodells suspension of the Patriots quarterback in the deflated footballs saga. Watching Brady take vengeance on the league office by way of New Englands opponents has been one of the few compelling plots thus far.Sure, there are others. The way Ezekiel Elliott and Dak Prescott have taken hold in Dallas has been front-page worthy.There is no question that Dak and Zeke, there is no question theyre inspiring the rest of the team, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said. This game is a lot about that.How about Lorenzo Alexanders career year in Buffalo after nine seasons as an NFL journeyman?I thought he could do a lot of roles for us, Bills coach Rex Ryan says. But I had no idea that he was still the same player, but he might be a better player. How it happens, Im not sure.I know one thing, its hard work and his dedication and all that. Hes an outstanding teammate, too. He serves all the credit.Great story, yes. SportsCenter material in this age of glitz and memes? Probably not.Its unfortunate that as the sports world has become a major part of the instant-gratification, 24/7/365 social media environment, what is happening with the big names is of primary interest. Almost exclusively.So heading into a weekend of games, theres more focus on Ben Roethlisbergers rehab and LeSean McCoys potential absence than on the emergence of Vic Beasley Jr. as a sacks threat, or Dennis Pittas valiant return to the field.That way of thinking spreads to the guys with the headsets, too. Mike Zimmer isnt a star coach the way Ryan or Bill Belichick or Pete Carroll are. Had any of those three done the job Zimmer has without his starting quarterback (Teddy Bridgewater) and left tackle (Matt Kalil) and Hall of Fame-caliber runner (Peterson), hed be in line for a statue outside the stadium.Zimmer? Oh yeah, his Vikings are 5-1, the cognoscenti say, but their chatter is about Chip Kelly being 1-5.Anyone in the NFL -- well, maybe not some of the diva receivers -- will tell you how football is the most team-oriented sport. Unlike in hockey or soccer, where a goalie can steal wins, or in baseball, with a pitcher dominating hitters, football depends on three units working as much in tandem as possible. It relies on everyone doing his job on the field; a right fielder could be asleep, but if the pitcher strikes out the batter, so what. Try having the center not paying attention when the ball needs to be snapped. Or a safety charging in when two wideouts are running fly patterns.Yet, the NFL has become a star-driven league. Yes, most of those stars are quarterbacks, and when a Brady is suspended, a Manning is retired, the other Manning is floundering, it hurts the product. And the ratings.Nor does it help when players with star power such as Cam Newton, Ndamukong Suh, Jason Pierre-Paul and Joe Flacco struggle.The good news for the NFL is that new stars can develop as quickly as others fade. Goodell had better hope so, because the 2016 season could use a boost.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Aaron Ekblad Jersey . The 29-year-old Baines has established himself as one of the top attacking full backs in the country and was the subject of two bids from United during the last off-season. Everton manager Roberto Martinez says that keeping Baines at the club is a "massive boost and exciting for the future" because he brings "maturity and football knowledge in a very specialized position on the pitch" and an "infectious and positive influence to the rest of the squad. Sandis Ozolins Jersey . LOUIS -- Lance Lynn was one of the more enthusiastic participants as the St. https://www.panthersjerseycheap.com/428f-jay-bouwmeester-jersey-panthers.html .Y. - Free agent outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, fresh off winning the World Series with Boston, reached agreement with the rival New York Yankees on a seven-year contract worth about $153 million, a person familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday night. Joe Nieuwendyk Jersey . -- On the field, it was business as usual for Jameis Winston and No. Brian Campbell Jersey . -- Ryan Getzlaf grabbed the three pucks wrapped in tape and held them up to his chest in the Anaheim Ducks dressing room for a celebration nine seasons in the making.Burnley boss Sean Dyche savoured an unbelievable season after victory over QPR on Monday secured a return to the Premier League. Sam Vokes scored the only goal of the game in the 61st minute as the Clarets ensured they will finish in the top two in the Championship this season.Dyche has been in charge of the club since 2012, overseeing their promotion to the top flight in 2013/14, their relegation the following year and a 22-game unbeaten this season from Boxing Day. Two years ago, we went under the radar, he told Sky Sports. This year we have gone 22 games unbeaten and won promotion. That is unbelievable.Ian Holloway once said we had a strong jaw. He meant it as a compliment. We dont think we are the real deal, not at all, but were a real group of people. Highlights from Burnleys win over QPR The result counted today. We know we are miles better than the performance, but the resilience and work ethic was on show again today.While Dyche was content for his players to mark the occasion in style, he planned to recreate his modest celebration from the previous promotion campaign.It feels fantastic, said the Burrnley boss to reporters.dddddddddddd Its marvellous. But Ill be in the car later, driving down the M6 with my kids and my wife, he said.Ill probably grab a coffee like I normally do. Two years ago, people were staring at me like is he really in here getting a coffee?, but I am normal, I do have a life, and thats what Ill be doing.The lads will get a couple of days off, no mistake, and if they have a couple of drams they deserve it. Burnley celebrate promotion after beating QPR. (Mark Robinson/Sky Bet) But come Thursday, or Wednesday, theyll be ready to train. Weve got a chance to win the title now and we must be ready to take it.There were joyous celebrations at Turf Moor, with fans pouring on to the pitch while Dyche and his charges took in the moment with their families.But the manager was eager to stress that promotion was only one part of the seasons aims. Having finished second to Leicester in 2013/14, his eyes are firmly on lifting the Championship trophy.Well be focused on Saturday (against Charlton) I can assure you. We were runners-up last time dont forget, Dyche added.So we want to win it. That will be the focus. Well go and win it, thats our job. Lets enjoy it now because this is another part of history for this club and history runs deep here.While Dyche is enjoying promotion again, it is a first for Vokes, who missed the end of the last promotion campaign and much of the season in the top flight due to injury.Its magic, its a great feeling, he said. I missed out last time and was gutted, but I get another chance now. Its magic round here. We tried to put the tension to one side. You could feel it, but we did it. Also See: Burnley secure promotion As it happened Holloway lauds genius Dyche Get ￡10 free bet! ' ' '