Monde u. Satelliten » team had ample opportunities to move

ST. LOUIS -- Now it starts to get intense for Michael Sam and the rest of the St. Louis Rams rookies. The first openly gay player drafted in the NFL is enthusiastic about the challenge. Twice on Tuesday, he mentioned how enjoyable it was being back on the field and trading wisecracks with teammates. "Im so excited to be back with the guys," Sam said. "Footballs fun." Sam hopes there will be less attention about his sexual orientation, but added his focus has to be on making the team. He said hes in the best shape of his life, dropping 13 pounds in the month since the last OTA workout, weighing in at 257 pounds. "Feeling great," he said. "Its just where I want to be speed-wise, so I can run fast and make plays. I want to be as fast as I can." Sam declined to offer specifics about his 40-yard dash time, adding "Im not worried about the combine." He didnt have much to say about his experience at the ESPYS, where he received the Arthur Ashe Courage award. Sam got a hug from the Hall of Famer Jim Brown on his way to the stage, and teared up throughout his speech faltered at times. "You know, it was a great award and I had a great time in LA," Sam said. "But thats over and Im focusing on football now." Just as they did after the draft and during OTAs, teammates didnt seem to care that Sam was gay. Offensive lineman Demetrius Rhaney, taken the pick after the Rams created a stir by selecting Sam, had only compliments. "Hes a football player, hes not a bother," Rhaney said. "Hes laid-back, funny, jokes a lot. Pretty good." Quarterback Garrett Gilbert, drafted in the sixth round out of Southern Methodist, said there was plenty on his plate without worrying about Sam. Gilbert said this will be the seventh offence hes had to learn in eight seasons counting high school and college. "When Mike got drafted he became part of our team, and thats what he is," Gilbert said. "Were both here competing, our jobs arent guaranteed. "He as well as the other guys in our rookie class are members of this family." Coach Jeff Fisher will address the media for the first time on Friday after the first full-squad workout. Sam knows he must improve across the board to make the team. The Rams already had one of the best pass rushes in the NFL, with stars Robert Quinn and Chris Long at the ends, before taking Sam in the seventh round. Long was among those observing on Tuesday. "Its not college anymore," Sam said. "Thats childs play compared to this." A little more than two dozen newcomers participated indoors. Sam thought it felt much like another OTA, but noted no one had pads on yet. On Day 1 his biggest concern was mastering nuances of playing right end. He was the SEC co-defensive player of the year at Missouri rushing from the left side. "I thought I did pretty good," he said. "Not totally satisfied because I havent been on the right side in a few years." At times, Sam had to try and get past Greg Robinson, the No. 2 overall pick of the draft who played a little tackle on Tuesday. Robinson, wholl begin his NFL career at guard, left the first workout feeling pretty good. "It was definitely a positive feeling to have a jump start on camp," Robinson said. "I was kind of familiar with a lot of the plays that we went over today and it helped with the speed of the game. "It helped me play a little faster." Venta Zapatillas Saucony . -- Dee Ford prefers to keep things simple: Play hard and fast, and let others worry about his NFL draft stock. Saucony Outlet España . Patty Mills had 20 points, Tim Duncan had 11 points and 13 rebounds in limited action, and San Antonio rolled to a 110-82 victory over Milwaukee that kept the Bucks winless in the new year. http://www.baratassaucony.es/.com) - The Golden State Warriors have started another winning streak and theyll try to pad it Tuesday night when they head to Staples Center to face the Los Angeles Lakers. Zapatillas Saucony Rebajas . Vonn "reopened" the idea of competing in the season-opening World Cup event on Oct. 26-27 in Soelden, Austria after returning to the slopes last month in Portillo, Chile. Ofertas Zapatillas Saucony Baratas . -- Canada played to expectation up until halftime.CHICAGO -- Jonas Hiller and the Anaheim Ducks finally grabbed another shootout win. Against a good team, too. Hiller stopped Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane in the tiebreaker, leading the Ducks to a 3-2 win Friday night and sending the Chicago Blackhawks to their third consecutive loss. Anaheim was coming off consecutive shootout losses to Los Angeles and San Jose. It had lost four tiebreaker games in a row since it beat Phoenix 3-2 on Oct. 18 in its first shootout game of the season. "Its been a while," said Hiller, who had 23 saves in regulation and overtime. After Jonathan Toews scored for Chicago on the first shootout attempt, Nick Bonino responded for Anaheim. Hiller then stopped Sharp, and Kyle Palmieri beat Antti Raanta with a backhand to give the Ducks the advantage. When Hiller made the save on Kane at the other end, it was over. "Once the Bonino, the fluky one, went in it was, OK, the monkeys off our back. Were good to go. Were going to start scoring again, because we missed about 18 in a row." Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau said. Raanta had 24 saves in his first home game. It was the first NHL shootout for the rookie, who won each of his first two starts. He looked as if he could have stopped Boninos attempt in the tiebreaker, but it trickled under him for the score. "Now I know how the shootouts going to be in the NHL, so well have to keep on working with those also," Raanta said. Its the first three-game losing streak for the Blackhawks during the regular season since February 2012. They also lost three in a row against Detroit in the Western Conference playoffs last year, but managed to advance in seven games on their way to the title. "Frustrating. You cant overreact to it," Toews said of the slide. "You just have to keep improving on the little things we do well as a team, and know that if keep working, well eventually get the breaks." Ben Smith and Kris Versteeg scored for Chicago, which trailed 1-0 and 2-1, but rallied each time. The Blackhawks (20-6-5) stilll lead the NHL with 45 points.dddddddddddd Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf scored in regulation for Anaheim (19-7-5), which has won five in a row against Chicago. "We continue to know how to play against these guys," Perry said. "We have a lot of great teams in the West, and theyre one of them." Getzlaf snapped a 1-1 tie at 10:05 of the second, using a screen by Perry to send a slap shot through Raantas legs. Getzlafs 15th goal came with Johnny Oduya in the penalty box for closing his hand on the puck. Anaheim remained in front until Bryan Allen was sent off for boarding Toews. The Blackhawks made the most of the power-play opportunity, with Versteeg beating Hiller into the upper right corner with 2:12 to go in the second. Versteegs second goal since he was reacquired in a trade with Florida on Nov. 14 stopped a streak of 26 consecutive kills for the Ducks. Each team had ample opportunities to move in front in the third, but Hiller and Raanta took turns turning away prime chances. Hiller denied a streaking Sharp right in front of the goal, and Raanta grabbed a slap shot by Matt Beleskey. Hiller also made a terrific kick save on Toews about 35 seconds into overtime, and the Ducks had a potential winning goal waved off. "That was a tight game," Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "Had a couple good chances late in the game that were dangerous and a couple big stops." NOTES: Getzlaf leads the Ducks with 19 assists. He has at least one point in each of his past 12 games. ... Blackhawks C Michal Handzus returned to the ice after missing two games with an illness. C Andrew Shaw (upper body) could return as soon as Sunday against Florida, while LW Bryan Bickell (lower body) is expected to begin skating again in the next week. ... The Ducks scratched Fs Tim Jackman and Patrick Maroon and defenceman Alex Grant. ... The Blackhawks charity organization launched an online raffle for a chance to win a 2013 Stanley Cup championship ring. The raffle runs through March 21. ' ' '