Pirate Galaxy » rookie quarterback Jared Goff, wh

PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- Ten-man Italy escaped with a 0-0 draw against the Czech Republic in a World Cup qualifier Friday after star striker Mario Balotelli was sent off in the second half. The draw still allowed Italy to pull four points clear of second-place Bulgaria in Group B with four more games to go. The Czechs are third, five points behind Italy and still have hopes of reaching next years tournament in Brazil. Balotelli was sent off in the 72nd minute after receiving his second yellow card. Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon made two good saves to keep the game scoreless. He raced off his line to deny Petr Jiracek in the first half and did the same in the second to prevent Libor Kozak from netting. "The point is of great importance for us," Italy Coach Cesare Prandelli said through an interpreter. "Its clear. Without (Buffon), we would have lost, he was our best player. ... We were not able to find our rhythm. We were very slow." The Czechs went on the attack after the Italians were reduced to 10 men and captain Tomas Rosicky had his goal-bound shot blocked in the 75th minute. Six minutes from time, Jiracek beat Buffon but hit the post from Jaroslav Plasils free kick. "Its a huge disappointment," Jiracek said. "I wasted such big chances." Substitute Daniel Kolar fired just wide in injury time when left unmarked in the area, while Lazio striker Kozak tested Buffon again with a shot from the edge of the area following a flowing Czech move in the 67th. "We played a great match," Kozak said. "We just didnt score." The Czechs looked rejuvenated by the presence of Rosicky, who missed most of the campaign due to an injury. Ignazio Abate almost netted an own goal 11 minutes into the game by diverting a pass from Tomas Hubschman to Kozak and the ball just went wide of the left post. Oother attempts by Rosicky, Jiracek and Michal Kadlec missed the target while Buffon dived to his right to save a shot from Kozak from outside the area. Prandelli started Balotelli alongside Stephan El Shaarawy in attack but the Milan star forwards failed to make their presence felt. Although the visitors gradually gained composure later in the first half, they were unable to pose a threat to goalkeeper Petr Cech, with Balotelli more engaged in arguing with the opponents, fellow Italians and the referee. "Balotelli was nervous," Prandelli said. "It is his problem and he has to cope with that." El Shaarawy was replaced after the first half by Sebastian Giovinco. Next, the Czech Republic hosts Armenia on Sept. 6 while Italy plays Bulgaria at home. Italy now travels to Brazil for the June 15-30 Confederations Cup. Hydro Flask Outlet . Colin Wilson had two goals and an assist, and Mike Fisher scored a goal and helped set up two others in the Predators 6-4 victory over the Red Wings on Monday night. Hydro Flask Saldi . LOUIS -- Mike Smith is used to facing plenty of shots, so this was nothing new. http://www.italiahydroflask.it/s-well-bottiglia-italia.html . Badenhop was 2-3 with a 3.47 ERA in 63 relief appearances for Milwaukee this season. He is 18-20 in his career with three saves and a 3. Swell Bottiglie . Argentina winger Ezequiel Lavezzi and France midfielder Blaise Matuidi scored, with star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic setting up both despite having a poor game by his high standards. Forward Eduardo gave Ajaccio the lead in the sixth minute after being set up by right winger Benjamin Andre, and the Corsican side looked comfortable in the first half, with the lively Johan Cavalli causing problems with his probing runs from midfield. Borraccia Hydro Flask Italia . The native of Mont-Tremblant, Que., captured a World Cup downhill event Saturday, his second this year and fifth career victory on the circuit. THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. -- Another season is slipping away from the Los Angeles Rams, and Jeff Fisher knows he must shoulder the blame.The coach also hopes everyone remembers the extra burdens that the Rams (4-7) are carrying through their homecoming year.Fisher described the upcoming week as bounce-back time on Monday after the Rams returned from a 49-21 thrashing at the hands of Sean Payton, Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints.Im disappointed with the record, but I dont think anybody really knows what weve been going through, Fisher said. Im into this week. Im into the Patriots. ... I dont look over my shoulder.After a 3-1 start that inspired excitement throughout the Southland, Los Angeles has lost six of seven to fall to the fringe of the NFC playoff race. The Rams began 2016 in St. Louis before getting approval for relocation, and the franchise was in near-constant motion until the completion of its training complex in September.The Rams also must play eight of their first 12 games away from home, including a two-week road trip to Detroit and London. Fisher isnt saying this tumultuous year is the root of the Rams problems, but he mentioned it when asked direct questions about the slump.Weve been through a lot, and its not an excuse, Fisher said. But weve been through more than any other team in the National Football League this offseason, with the moves and the travel and all those things. So were dealing with those as best we can. ... (Fans) have the right to (blame Fisher). Its my responsibility, ultimately. The win-loss record falls on my shoulders. My responsibility is to deal with this football team and get them ready to play the next game.Fisher didnt produce a winning season in his first four years in St. Louis, and the Rams would have to finish 5-0 this fall to record their first winning record since 2003. They would have to start that highly unlikely feat on Sunday by winning at New England (9-2).Im not pleased with where we are right now, Fisher said. Each year, each roster is different. We took over a 2-14 team. We built it. We were competitive. Weve had quarterback issues, aand you guys can do the math.dddddddddddd You know how many different quarterbacks weve played with. Weve moved on. Were moving forward with Jared. Weve got a roster that we need to continue to upgrade.Fisher thought the Rams could be in for a long day against the Saints top-ranked offense, which had extra time to prepare for the Rams defense. After giving up two late touchdowns by the Miami Dolphins a week earlier, the defense was shredded by New Orleans for 49 points -- the most given up by the Rams since 2002.Fisher grimly noted that his defense has yielded nine touchdowns on its opponents last 15 drives. Put another way, thats 63 points in just over 64 minutes.I think they benefited from the extra three or four days last week, Fisher said. And the motivation , which you guys are aware of, between Sean and (Rams defensive coordinator) Gregg (Williams). We got outcoached, and I told the players that.The defense fell apart just as an inert offense showed signs of life with rookie quarterback Jared Goff, who threw his first three NFL touchdown passes at the Superdome. Fisher praised Goffs performance as a big step, praising his improved grasp of protection adjustments and his poise in a 2-minute drill.Left tackle Greg Robinson also is likely to start on Sunday after taking what Fisher described as a much-needed week off. The No. 2 overall pick in the 2014 draft was deactivated in New Orleans after a mistake-filled performance against Miami, but the decision hurt the Rams when Robinsons replacement, Rodger Saffold, hurt his hand and forced backup guard Andrew Donnal to replace him in the job of protecting Goffs blind side.(Robinson) just needed a break, Fisher said of Robinson, who committed 12 penalties in the first nine games. Guys sometimes in their career need a break. I know he refocused, he recharged, he rebooted and hes ready to go. But the mental errors and the penalties, it was just time.---For more NFL coverage: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '