rior to the beginning of the games for the medal winners in each competition. The Philippines didnt have an athlete listed, but Diaz came through. In return, shell receive nearly $53,000, per a law enacted in 2001 that r

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- The Chicago Bears rebuilt their defense.They gave their offense a different look, too.More than anything, they insisted they put themselves in a position to make a jump in the standings.Considering they finished last in the NFC North last season, theres plenty of room for that.I feel really good where were at right now as a team and really good where our staff is at, and excited to get started, general manager Ryan Pace said.The Bears showed up Wednesday for their second training camp under Pace and coach John Fox with a renewed hope after making strides last season even if it didnt necessarily show up in the record.They finished 6-10 after winning just five games the previous season. And if history is an indication, they can expect to improve in Year 2 under Fox.The Carolina Panthers went from seven wins in 2002 to 11 with a trip to the Super Bowl the following season. The Denver Broncos went from eight wins in 2011 to 13 the following season.While Fox was quick to point out the Bears did not bring in an all-time great such as Peyton Manning, he could see some parallels between his current and past situations. More than the moves that were made, theres the comfort and familiarity that comes in Year 2.Its like when I was a kid and wed go on a trip and it seemed a whole lot longer on the way there than it did coming home, Fox said.And the reason is that youve seen it before, youve been there before. So I think thats its just kind of human development. We added Jake Delhomme in Carolina and made a big jump.Granted, we added Peyton Manning (in Denver). But to me, we added a bunch of players. Its not just the quarterback. I think weve done similar things and well see where it takes us.The Bears signed Danny Trevathan from Super Bowl champion Denver and added Jerrell Freeman from Indianapolis to fill needs at inside linebacker. They traded up to draft Georgia outside linebacker Leonard Floyd with the ninth pick, hoping his athleticism will give them a pass-rush threat who can also drop back into coverage.They envision a stout front seven after tying for 22nd in sacks and 30th in interceptions, and theyre counting on their offense to come through despite losing two of its top playmakers in running back Matt Forte and tight end Martellus Bennett.The offensive line has also been rebuilt since the start of last year, and offensive coordinator Adam Gase is gone, too. The Bears promoted quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains to replace him and maintain some continuity for quarterback Jay Cutler.They could have a dynamic receiver tandem with Alshon Jeffery healthy on the heels of an injury-filled season and Kevin White ready to show what he can do after missing his rookie season because of a stress fracture in his left shin.But with Forte gone, theyre relying on a group led by Jeremy Langford and KaDeem Carey. And at tight end, they are counting on Zach Miller staying healthy despite a long history of injuries.Even so, the Bears have a year in the system. And Cutler insisted that alone is reason to expect bigger things.Solely just Year 1 to Year 2, he said. I think theres going to be less thinking. I think we have a better idea of what we like in the offense, what we dont like in the offense, where we need to improve, what we need to add. I think personnel-wise were getting better and better.Enough to compete in the NFC North? Or at least make a jump?From a personnel standpoint, weve just got to keep putting good drafts together, Pace said.And we have to see how this draft unfolds. Weve got to stack good drafts. Weve got to be accurate in free agency. I feel good about where were at right now, but truth will be told as this plays out.Game notesThe Bears signed former Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers CB Brandon Boykin. Boykin has 131 tackles and eight interceptions over four seasons with the Eagles (2012-14) and Steelers (2015). He signed a one-year contract with Carolina in March and got cut in May prior to the start of OTAs after the Panthers drafted three cornerbacks. Chicago also signed WR B.J. Daniels, who has played in eight games over three seasons with San Francisco, Seattle and Houston. ... LB Pernell McPhee will open camp on the physically unable to perform list after missing the offseason program following knee surgery. Pace said hes not sure if McPhee will play in the preseason. WR Marquess Wilson (foot) and offensive lineman Amini Silatolu (torn ACL in left knee) will also begin camp on the physically unable to perform list.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFLOtis Sistrunk Youth Jersey . Rousey will put her perfect 8-0 record and hardware on the line against another undefeated fighter, 7-0 Sara McMann in the main event of UFC 170, which will be held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas Nevada on February 22nd. Lyle Alzado Jersey . What general manager Dave Nonis called "short and productive" negotiations ended with Kessel signing a US$64-million, eight-year contract on Tuesday. http://www.footballraidersmall.com/Youth-Maxx-Crosby-Elite-Jersey/ . PAUL, Minn. Marcus Allen Raiders Jersey .Y. -- Marcell Dareus and the Buffalo Bills defence made life miserable for Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco. Trayvon Mullen Raiders Jersey .C. -- Manny Malhotra had two goals and an assist, leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday.RIO DE JANEIRO -- Majlinda Kelmendi stood on the podium with a wide smile on her face.A gold medal hung around her neck, and not just any gold medal -- the first one ever for Kosovo. Kelmendi went to Rio with Kosovos first Olympic team, and she knew she had to deliver in the womens 52-kg judo competition to make sure her nation didnt go home empty-handed.I was really ready for this competition, Kelmendi said. It was the first time that Kosovo was in the Olympics. I wanted so badly to win.While so much attention is paid to the top of the medals table at the Olympics, where the athletic powerhouses like the United States and China practically need to charter another plane to bring home all the gold, silver and bronze they accumulate, there is an equally spirited competition at the bottom, where dozens of smaller countries hold out hopes of just getting their hands on one.Newspapers back home praised Kelmendis historic achievement Sunday. Hidilyn Diaz, whose weightlifting silver ended a 20-year medal drought for the Philippines, received a personal message of congratulations from President Rodrigo Duterte, who told her she brought honor to the country.They are not global stars on par with Michael Phelps or Usain Bolt. But to the success-starved countries they represent, they may be even more important.Coming into the Rio Games, more than 70 nations with National Olympic Committees had never won a medal of any kind. Others, like India, very rarely reach the podium. So they come to these Olympics with very few chances for glory, their collective focus pinned on one team, or one athlete, to break through.Fiji plays in the rugby semifinals Thursday in a sport that has returned to the Olympics after a 92-year absence.We need pressure. Island life is a nice, chilled and laid-back one so if we take things too easy the boys just drop off, said Fiji rugby coach Ben Ryan, who represents a country that has never won a medal of any color. We are embracing that pressure at the moment. The more the better. This is the strongest 12 Ive ever had. There are absolutely no excuses not too perform.ddddddddddddIndia has won just two medals since 1964, including one for mens field hockey in Moscow in 1980. This years team is looking to restore the countrys standing as one of the worlds elite.Thats my life. Its a dream, captain Sreejesh Parattu said. If you look at the Indian history, it is a very prestigious thing for our country.And when they finally do make it happen, the emotions can be overwhelming. Diaz openly wept after winning the silver medal in the 58kg class of weightlifting. It was the countrys first medal in any sport since the Atlanta Games in 1996 and helped her overcome failures in Beijing and London.I have tried so hard. I have stumbled many times, Diaz said. I wanted to quit, but now all of my sacrifices have paid off.The Associated Press issued predictions prior to the beginning of the games for the medal winners in each competition. The Philippines didnt have an athlete listed, but Diaz came through. In return, shell receive nearly $53,000, per a law enacted in 2001 that rewards successful Olympians.Others predicted to medal win from nations that rarely reach the podium include Ghirmay Ghebreslassie from Eritrea in the mens marathon and Francine Niyonsaba of Burundi in the womens 800 meters. Both nations have just one medal in their histories.Thats the feeling so many others are chasing. They dont have vast financial resources to help pave their ways to gold. They also dont have dozens of other teammates with prime chances for the podium to reduce the pressure.Its all on them to deliver.For me the Olympic Games is all about winning, nothing else, said India mens field hockey coach Roelant Wouter Oltmans. Many years ago someone else said something different, its about participation. But nowadays in the modern Olympic Games its all about winning and thats also why I went to India and accepted the challenge when they offered me to see if there is any possibility to come close to the history of Indian hockey. ' ' '