Sonstiges » Wales are not bereft of back row options and Ho

CINCINNATI -- The Bengals defended linebacker Vontaze Burfict on Wednesday for his actions during a loss to New England, which drew a $75,000 fine from the league, according to a person familiar with the situation.Burfict was fined for stepping on Patriots running back LeGarrette Blount after he scored a touchdown near the end of New Englands 35-17 win on Sunday, according to the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because fines for this week have not yet been announced by the league.Coach Marvin Lewis disagreed with the linebackers punishment.I dont think he did anything wrong, Lewis said. We were not in the wrong here, in my opinion. Its unfortunate.The volatile linebacker has a history of violating player safety rules. His hit to Antonio Browns head gave the receiver a concussion and moved the Steelers in range for their winning field goal in the final minute of Pittsburghs 18-16 victory over the Bengals in the first round of the playoffs last season.The NFL suspended Burfict for that hit and numerous other ones during his career.Burfict wasnt in the locker room while it was open to the media on Wednesday. He suffered an ankle injury during practice in the afternoon that forced him to sit out the end of the session, but Lewis said its not believed to be serious.The defending AFC North champions are 2-4 -- their worst start in six years -- as they host the Cleveland Browns (0-6) on Sunday. Burfict is expected to play.Cornerback Adam Pacman Jones, who also drew a penalty that helped set up Pittsburghs winning kick, said opponents are trying to rile Burfict during games to provoke an incident.He is (targeted), but everybody knows what it is, Jones said. At a certain point, you just have to go play football and try not to let it bother you the way you play. Me talking to Tez, it does bother him.Burfict had another play in New England that drew scrutiny. He hit Martellus Bennett in the side of the knee when the tight end wasnt the intended receiver on a pass by Tom Brady. The tight end got up limping. No flag was thrown, but the play was shown repeatedly during the television broadcast.My point is that stuff like that happens during a football game, left tackle Andrew Whitworth said. Once youre labeled as a guy that does that, it becomes a bigger topic. It happens in football every day and unless youre going to point out everybody that does it, dont single out individuals.Browns receiver Terrelle Pryor tried out for a backup quarterback spot with Cincinnati last year but was released. He got to know Burfict during his time with the Bengals.I saw the hit on Martellus -- it didnt look good, but I personally like Burfict, Pryor said on Wednesday. I like the way he plays the game, not from the standpoint of some dirty stuff that goes on, but I think hes a heck of a player.Game notesThe Bengals announced that the Browns game has sold out. ... TE Tyler Eifert returned to practice on a limited basis. He hasnt played this season because hes recovering from offseason ankle surgery and he hurt his back a couple of weeks ago. ... C Russell Bodine (ankle), G Clint Boling (shoulder) and DT Pat Sims (neck) were held out of practice. Bodine suffered an ankle sprain at New England.---AP Sports Writer Tom Withers in Cleveland contributed to this report.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFLChris Wondolowski USA Jersey . The defending champion beat Gael Monfils of France 7-6 (6), 6-3, while second-seeded Andy Murray of Britain dispatched Edouard Roger-Vasselin, also of France, 6-3, 6-3. Making his first appearance since injuring his wrist a month ago, Del Potro had difficulty with his service games in the first set. Gyasi Zardes USA Jersey . Miller reached right to deflect Mikhail Grabovskis attempt with just over 2 minutes remaining in regulation, and then made two more saves in the shootout Sunday to give the Sabres a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals. http://www.usasoccerauthority.com/justin-morrow-usa-jersey/ . - The Oakland Raiders re-signed offensive lineman Khalif Barnes on Friday. Christian Pulisic USA Jersey . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. Gyasi Zardes Jersey . Bradwell was scheduled to become a free agent Tuesday. Born and raised in Toronto, Bradwell is entering his sixth CFL season, with all six played for his hometown Argonauts.Rob Howley has named the first squad of his second stint as interim Wales head coach, and his selection appears to rubber stamp a few things.Not only has Taulupe Faletau seemingly developed into such an important cog in the Welsh machine that he merits inclusion even when unfit, but that decision may in turn signal the end of Rhys Priestlands career as a Test fly-half.Howleys selection has been shaped to a certain degree by the Welsh Rugby Unions senior player selection policy, which dictates he can only pick three of the seven players playing abroad who are currently caught by it.Priestland may have hoped that Faletaus injury woes would hand him a reprieve but his own battle for form and fitness, allied to Sam Davies emergence with the Ospreys, has presented Howley with the chance to include the No. 8 in the hope that he recovers before the end of November.There is an obvious upside to this call. Faletaus importance to Wales has grown since the last World Cup, and at times it has seemed as though he is capable of winning matches single handedly.As Wales plan for the next tournament in Japan, it is vital that their best players are together for as long as possible in order to build a togetherness that is so integral to the international game.Having Faletau working with the likes of Dan Baker -- who may deputise for him this autumn -- could prove invaluable. At a time when power brokers are haggling over the release of top internationals, it was possibly not an opportunity Howley felt he could pass up.That does not mean it would have been an easy decision. Priestland still has plenty to offer, and had one of his finest performances in a red shirt against Ireland in Dublin last February, when he came off the bench to steer his country to a 16-16 draw.But his move to Bath has come at the wrong time of his career, and playing second fiddle to George Ford on a weekly basis has clearly taken its toll.That Sam Davies has played so well for the Ospreys while Dan Biggar has been away with Wales, has not only put pressure on Priestland but also the current incummbent and the third fly-half in Howleys squad, Gareth Anscombe.ddddddddddddt seems highly likely that Biggar will start against Australia on Nov. 5 but Davies inclusion offers Howley and Wales the opportunity to play a more expansive game.Given the choice that is something that many of the thousands of fans who will make the trip to Cardiff next month would like to see. If it doesnt come against the Wallabies then the match against Japan at least offers a chance to experiment.But in that sense, this is a squad that some may feel falls a little short. While there is logic to Faletaus inclusion, James Davies can feel a little aggrieved not to have received a call up, especially given Ross Moriarty will also be unavailable for the visit of Australia.The Scarlets flanker, who tweaked a hamstring against Sale, is a master over the ball but Wales are not bereft of back row options and Howley can call upon Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric and Dan Lydiate against the Wallabies.That is not the case all over the pitch, and Rob Evans absence highlights the lack of viable alternatives to Gethin Jenkins at loosehead prop. The veteran front row cannot go on forever, and this autumn represents a huge opportunity for Nicky Smith to stake a claim to the No. 1 shirt.Smith is joined in the squad by 11 other Ospreys, but could Sam Parry have made it a bakers dozen? The hooker has started the season in fine form, scoring four tries in seven appearances but misses out to his more experienced club mate, Scott Baldwin.Similarly Alex Cuthbert has been recalled when many were hoping the precocious Keelan Giles would have got the nod.Following only four first-team games for the Ospreys, that call may well have been a little too soon in the wingers development but for some Wales fans it will be interpreted as an indication of the brand of rugby they can expect over the next month.In that sense, the inclusion of Sam Davies can be seen as a beacon of hope. ' ' '