Offtopic/fun » usual role -- the eighth inning -- in eac

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. -- Veteran NFL receiver Hakeem Nicks decided this offseason that persistently lobbying New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton for a job gave him the best chance at salvaging his career.The 28-year-old Nicks, who participated in his first practice of Saints training camp on Friday, is coming off several seasons in which his production dipped far below the standard he set early in his career with the New York Giants. But Nicks sounds confident that the prolific offense designed by Payton, and executed by quarterback Drew Brees, provides the perfect platform for his resurgence.If you look at the offenses I was in when I had most of my production throughout my career, I felt like this offense fit my skill set the best, Nicks said. And who else to do it with than coach Sean Payton. Hes a brainiac when it comes to offenses, and I would love to play for him.Nicks, who worked out for the Saints this offseason, is taking a spot on the 90-man preseason roster that opened up when New Orleans placed Vincent Brown on injured reserve. In recent months, Nicks said hed been sending Payton texts almost weekly in an effort to persuade the coach to give him a chance. Sometimes, those texts said something like, Lets Hunt. Other times, they included video of Nicks training.Hes obviously an experienced receiver. Hes in good shape. And he was kind of on a short list if we had a roster opening, Payton said of Nicks. Plus, he wouldnt stop texting me.Nicks posted 1,000-yard seasons in 2010 and 2011 with the Giants under then-offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride, but he has been far less productive since and at this point is far from being guaranteed a regular-season roster spot.I know the situation, Nicks said. Im a man and I know what Ive got to do.Two seasons ago, Nicks left New York for Indianapolis, joining Colts quarterback Andrew Luck. But Nicks wound up having one of the least productive seasons of his career, catching 38 passes for 405 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 games. He then went to Tennessee, but said he had a preseason knee injury that he kept quiet about and rejoined the Giants in midseason, finishing 2015 with seven catches for 54 yards.Payton said Hicks dip in production could have resulted from a variety of factors, including the systems in which he played.Each situations different ... but I cant speak specifically to his (snaps) or reasons why maybe there were certain attempts thrown his way, Payton said. Its an opportunity for him to come in and kind of find his role, if you will, a little bit -- work for a role within this system, which is a little different than maybe other places hes been.Nicks said his recent dip in production motivated him to ramp up his study of pro football.I was learning the business, Nicks said. I hadnt had much success since Id been with coach Gilbride. Being younger, you think you can just go fit in anywhere, any offense. I was oblivious. ... So as I got older and started talking to some older guys that had been in the league, you know, youve got to fit your skill set. So I started studying some offenses and I feel like this is the best fit.Nicks also said he has continued to focus on recovering from last years knee injury since leaving the Giants a second time.Ive spent my whole offseason from January up until now, rehabbing and training. So I put a lot of work into it, Nicks said. The opportunity came and Im ready for it.Game notesRookie receiver Michael Thomas drew high praise from teammates and coaches after making a lunging, off-balance, one-handed catch of a long Luke McCown pass along the left sideline during 11-on-11 drills. Thomas, a former Ohio State standout drafted in the second round last spring, corralled the ball with his left hand while tumbling into the end zone. That was really an amazing play, Payton said. ... The Saints have signed offensive lineman John Fullington, who plays center and guard. He replaces lineman Tony Carter, who was waived with an unspecified injury.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFLThilo Kehrer Paris Saint-Germain Jersey . Fred Couples, captain of the U.S. side, put it all into perspective. "We know whos in charge," he said. Sebastien Cibois Jersey . The No. 1-ranked Nadal tweaked his back warming up for the Australian Open final, which he lost almost four weeks ago in a major upset against Stanislas Wawrinka. His first stop after the layoff is the clay in Rio as he tests the back and tries to stay healthy for the French Open in three months. http://www.parissaintgermainfcstore.com/Women-Kylian-Mbappe-Paris-Saint-Germain-Jersey/ .Y. -- Canadas Kaillie Humphries and Heather Moyse have another World Cup gold medal after winning the two-women bobsled race on Saturday in Lake Placid, N. Alec Georgen Paris Saint-Germain Jersey .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. Angel Di Maria Paris Saint-Germain Jersey . Ryan Garbutt had a goal and two assists as Dallas snapped a six-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night.SAN FRANCISCO -- Two teams limping to the All-Star break hope to get good news on the injury front Monday when the Colorado Rockies and San Francisco Giants open a three-game series at AT&T Park.Rookie shortstop Trevor Story could be back in the starting lineup for the Rockies, while the Giants expect to welcome back reliever Sergio Romo -- and possible other mainstays, too.The Rockies (37-44, third place in the National League West) are looking forward to the return of Story, who sustained a bruised right middle finger when hit by a pitch last June 26 against the Arizona Diamondbacks.The All-Star candidate sat out one day, then returned to the lineup Tuesday against the Toronto Blue Jays and went 0-for-4. He was shelved for the next four days before entering the Sunday game at Dodger Stadium in the seventh inning on a double switch. He eventually struck out in his only at-bat.(Hes) much, much better, Rockies manager Walt Weiss said before Sundays game. Hes swinging in the cage and looks really good. Its just a matter of if he gets jammed or hits a ball off the end of the bat, how is it going to affect him.Story was quite a story when he belted six home runs in his first four games. He finished April with 10 homers, but he added just four in May and five in June.On the eve of All-Star selections, he still leads NL shortstops with 19 homers. However, Dodgers rookie shortstop Corey Seager has 17 home runs to go with a .303 batting average (Story is at .266), and Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford has passed Story in RBI (53-50).And then there is Addison Russell of the Chicago Cubs, who appeared well on his way to getting the fan vote as the starting shortstop in the latest tabulations.Left-hander Tyler Anderson (0-2, 2.66 ERA) will get the call on the mound Monday for the Rockies, who were swept in their series with the Dodgers that ended Sunday.Anderson, the Rockies first-round pick in 2011, has been impressive in his first four big-league starts despite going winless. He has allowed no more than two earned runs in any game, and he has more strikkeouts (24) than innings pitched (23 2/3).ddddddddddddHe has never faced the Giants.The Rockies wont have left fielder Gerardo Parra (sprained left ankle) in the series, meaning both teams will be short-handed in the outfield.The Giants won their series finale at Arizona on Sunday with Jarrett Parker, a corner outfielder, playing center field, and Brandon Belt, a first baseman, manning left field.They were forced into desperation mode with right fielder Hunter Pence (strained right hamstring) on the disabled list and center fielder Denard Span (sore neck) and super-sub Gregor Blanco (sore left knee) unable to go.Giants manager Bruce Bochy flew home Sunday night not knowing who would be available in his outfield for Mondays game. His infield, with third baseman Matt Duffy (strained right Achilles) and second baseman Joe Panik (concussion) currently out of action as well, also is hurting.Bochy was hoping, on the other hand, to have invaluable setup man Romo available.Romo, who hasnt pitched for the Giants since April 10 because of a strained flexor in his right arm, completed an extensive rehab stint in the minors over the weekend and was told to meet the team in San Francisco for an examination.The Giants (52-32, first place in NL West) struggled with Romos usual role -- the eighth inning -- in each of the past two games at Arizona.Hunter Strickland gave up a lead-losing home run to Welington Castillo in the eighth inning Saturday in a 6-5 loss. The Giants were able to overcome a game-tying shot by Jake Lamb off Cory Gearrin in the eighth Sunday to win 5-4 in 11 innings.Weve got to tighten it up, Bochy said about his bullpen before Sundays game. Were banged up, and (opponents) are finding ways to score runs. Weve just got to start holding those leads a little better.Right-hander Jake Peavy (4-7, 5.33) will get the start for the Giants on Monday. He has a 7-8 record with a 4.17 ERA in 23 career starts against Colorado. ' ' '