Suche » Malkin is also without a medal

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos will be without Wes Welker for the first four games of the season after the NFL said the receiver violated the leagues performance-enhancing drug policy. Normally, the league announces such violations on Monday. News of Welkers ban didnt come down until late Tuesday, after the league offices had closed and the Broncos had already finished drawing up blueprints for their opener against Indianapolis, undoubtedly with Welker playing a prominent role. ESPN first reported Welkers suspension, saying the violation had to do with amphetamines. Welker told the Denver Post in an email that he was "as shocked as everyone at todays news." He noted hes meticulous about what he puts in his body and would "never knowingly take a substance to gain a competitive advantage in any way." The 11th-year pro whos been the NFLs top slot receiver over the last decade added that he never concerned himself with the leagues drug rules but now realizes those policies "are clearly flawed." While it takes multiple violations of the leagues substance-abuse policies to trigger a suspension, a four-game ban is issued for a single violation of the NFLs ban on performance-enhancing substances. Welkers suspension will cost him roughly $706,000 in base salary. "Tonights news regarding Wes is very disappointing, but we understand the leagues authority in this area," coach John Fox said in a statement. "While its unfortunate to not have him to start the year, I have full confidence in our wide receivers and expect that group to continue playing at a high level." Welker played a key role in the two greatest statistical offences in NFL history: the 2007 New England Patriots and last years Broncos. He caught 73 passes for 778 yards and a career-high 10 TDs despite missing the last 3 1/2 games of last season. He returned for the playoffs and had 18 catches for 160 yards and a TD. Without Welker, Peyton Manning will have to lean more on speedy wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders, whos played in the slot before, or tight end Jacob Tamme, who filled the role at times last year when Welker was out. Tight end Julius Thomas is also better working the middle of the field. And if Sanders moves inside, that opens up playing time for rookie Cody Latimer or Bubba Caldwell opposite flanker Demaryius Thomas. "I have no doubt that Wes will remain focused on his preparations for the season and stay in excellent shape during his time away from the team," Fox said. Even before Welkers ban was issued, the Broncos were facing a daunting first month to open the season. Kicker Matt Prater has been suspended for the first four games for an alcohol-related violation of league rules and leading tackler Danny Trevathan is out for the first three games with a broken left leg. Welker will miss games against Indianapolis, Kansas City, Seattle and Arizona. All four teams won 10 or more games last season. The Seahawks and Colts both feature physical defensive backs that roughed up the Broncos receivers at the line of scrimmage in wins over Denver last season. Adept at getting open in 1-on-1 coverage and finding the holes in zones, Welker hit it off immediately with Manning last year after spending six seasons in New England with Tom Brady. Welker was excused from practices for two days last month, apparently to meet with league officials about his pending suspension. He then played in a preseason game against Houston on Aug. 23, when he sustained his third concussion since Nov. 17. Welker returned to practice Monday but declined comment afterward, saying he had to rush to a team function. His latest head injury came when he tried to duck following a catch over the middle and absorbed a helmet hit by D.J. Swearinger. Swearingers hit knocked Welker from the game and drew a 15-yard penalty and the wrath of Manning. The quarterback raced up to say some choice words to the swaggering safety, drawing his first taunting penalty of his career. He was later fined $8,268. "Obviously, Im concerned about Wes," Manning said after the game. "I didnt like seeing him come out of the game with a blow to the head. He had one of those last year that kept him out for a while." Welker will now be out of action until Oct. 12, when the Broncos visit the Jets. Fake Yeezy Boost 350 Womens . However, Jim Popp isnt sure how long hell be able to admire wide receiver Duron Carter. Fake Yeezy 350 v2 Womens . - Buffalo Bills running back C. http://www.yeezys350cheap.com/fake-yeezy...-wholesale.html. There were no real chances until Augsburg broke the deadlock through Raul Bobadilla in the 33rd minute. Frankfurt failed to clear a cross and Bobadilla slotted home from close range at the far post. Cheap Yeezy 350 . Burris threw for 247 yards in one half of a game -- on pace for a nearly 500-yard outing -- as the Redblacks downed the woeful Montreal Alouettes 26-10 in CFL pre-season play Friday night at Percival Molson Stadium. Yeezy 350 v2 Zebra Online . - Pierre-Maxime Poudrier scored twice and added an assist, and Antoine Bibeau made 43 saves as the Val-dOr Foreur downed the Baie-Comeau Drakkar 6-3 on Sunday to force Game 7 in their Quebec Major Junior Hockey League final series.PITTSBURGH -- Coach Dan Bylsma knows that the disappointing finish of the U.S. Olympic mens hockey team in Sochi will linger. But now he has shifted his focus back to the Pittsburgh Penguins and looks to get his first-place team to make a deep run in the Stanley Cup playoffs. "I dont think you get rid of the disappointment," Bylsma said Tuesday. "But you have to put it behind you. The task at hand is coming back here and playing for the Pittsburgh Penguins, and I think thats the best way to put it behind you." The U.S. nearly knocked off Team Canada in Vancouver in 2010, falling just short of a gold medal and instead settled for silver. The Americans wanted to win an elusive Olympic hockey gold for the first time since the "Miracle on Ice," in 1980, and U.S. executives felt Bylsmas team had the right blend of skill, speed, and grit to get the job done. The U.S. offence got off to a strong start through the first four games of the tournament, outscoring the opposition 20-6. Included was the exhilarating, 3-2, eight-round shootout victory against the host Russians, one of the most memorable games of the tournament. "The Russian game was as unique of a game as Ive ever coached," Bylsma said. "The stage in terms of the tournament doesnt mean a whole lot because everyones going to play a fourth game, but trying to compare it to a Stanley Cup or a Game 7 was completely different. It had a different feel." The U.S. cruised past the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals, setting up a semifinal showdown with Canada. "Its a game we all wanted," Bylsma said. "Maybe the biggest disappointment is that it wasnt the gold medal game." Regardless, the U.S. had to get through Canada to win gold, and for the second straight time in Olympic competition, the Canadians topped the U.S. Canada, which went on to win its second straight gold medal, blanked the Americans in a suffocating 1-0 effort that wasnt as close as the final score. Bylsma was criticized after the loss, some drawing comparisons to the BBoston Bruins four-game sweep of a punchless Penguins team, which had trouble scoring during the 2013 Eastern Conference finals.dddddddddddd "You can draw the comparisons, but I dont know if theyre valid or applicable," Bylsma said. "The one thing we would like to go back to in that game was playing faster and playing quicker, allowing us to be on the forecheck in a better manner." Penguins GM Ray Shero, also the associate general manager for Team USA, credited Team Canada. "That might be the greatest Olympic hockey team ever," Shero said. "You can look at how we wanted to play, but sometimes the opponent doesnt let you get to your game." The Canadians, who never trailed in the tournament, flexed their defensive muscle, allowing just three goals in six games to become the first team in 30 years to go unbeaten through an Olympic tournament. "Canada was very good," Shero said. "We came in with high expectations and theres nothing wrong with setting a high goal." Both wanted to see a different outcome after a humiliating 5-0 defeat the following day against Finland in the bronze medal game. "The bronze medal game was a tough one for us to rebound and get to," Bylsma said. "Thats the biggest disappointment of the tournament." But now the attention shifts back to Bylsmas Penguins where Olympians Sidney Crosby and Chris Kunitz are back with gold medals from Team Canada, while Jussi Jokinen and Olli Maatta earned bronze with Finland. Bylsma returned empty-handed along with U.S. Olympians Brooks Orpik and Paul Martin, who broke his hand in the quarterfinal round and is out four to six weeks. Russian star Evgeni Malkin is also without a medal, motivation that Bylsma hopes will further fuel a deep playoff run for the Metropolitan Division-leading Penguins. The Penguins return to action when they host Montreal on Thursday. "We have 24 games to get back and focus on this team being the best it can be, getting to the Stanley Cup and winning it," Bylsma said. ' ' '