The Los Angeles Lakers playing on Christmas has almost become as synonym

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Tyler Eifert lined up here, there and just about everywhere during his first practice with the Cincinnati Bengals. Felt like old times. The Bengals got started on their new tight end-heavy passing game Friday at the start of a weekend rookie minicamp. A lot of the focus was on Eifert, chosen in the first round to give quarterback Andy Dalton another target. Eifert lined up in a lot of different spots at Notre Dame. Judging by the first day of practice in Cincinnati, hes going to be doing the same thing in the NFL. "A lot of the things Im learning are a lot of the same plays we had in with two tight ends -- move me around in different positions," Eifert said. "Today I was out in the slot quite a bit. I think Im picking it up pretty fast." With Dalton watching from the sideline, Eifert made a nice one-hand catch during the morning workout, a preview of what he can bring to an offence thats been overly dependent upon receiver A.J. Green. The Bengals havent added another proven receiver in the off-season. Rather, they took Eifert with the 21st overall pick, figuring his ability to catch the ball in a crowd -- he set a Notre Dame recover for catches by a tight end -- will give them some versatility and force defences to worry about someone other than Green. Eifert lined up as a tight end on either side and also as a slot receiver during practice. The biggest challenge was learning the Bengals language for each play and the pass protections. "I think I picked it up better than I thought I would at first," Eifert said. "Its not a whole lot, but its definitely something new for me. Im catching on pretty quickly and moving around quite a bit." The Bengals would like to use him along with tight end Jermaine Gresham, their first overall pick in 2010. The New England Patriots have shown that a two-tight end approach can keep defences off balance, provided that both can catch the ball. New Englands Tom Brady set career highs in yards passing and touchdowns in 2011, using his tight ends generously. Defences had trouble handling both Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez in the two-tight end approach. Gronkowski had 90 catches for 1,327 yards that season. Hernandez had 79 for 910. "You look at that year, and a lot of people dont realize that Tom had his best statistical season ever in history," said running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who was with New England then. "We threw the ball numerous times. We ran the ball three to five times a game. "Of course, thats not what you want to do when youre a running back. But we were winning games. It was a shock to the league that year. It can actually be a great thing when you have two guys who can catch the ball. It takes a lot of pressure off what you can do because you had to prepare for all those guys." Dalton thinks that having two tight ends who can catch the ball will make defences vulnerable somewhere. Dalton wasnt allowed to work out with the rookies during minicamp. He left the field as the morning workout was wrapping up. "You get the matchup of the tight ends on the linebackers and safeties," Dalton said recently. "So I think hes going to be a great addition. Hes going to make Jermaine a better player. Im excited to get him in here and get working with him." ------ NOTES: The Bengals signed seventh-round picks OT Reid Fragel from Ohio State and centre T.J. Johnson from South Carolina, the first of their draft picks to agree to contracts. ... LB J.K. Schaffer, who was signed to the practice squad last season, participated in the workouts. "I was on the practice squad last year and I just never got that many quality reps with the actual calls and making adjustments," Schaffer said. "I think its a real good opportunity for me to get back myself rolling and get back into some football." Air Force 1 Pánské . 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Nike Roshe One Dámské .5 seconds to play in the game, Kevin Love never stopped believing that they would come out of there with a win. The Los Angeles Lakers playing on Christmas has almost become as synonymous as Kobe Bryant playing for the Lakers. But now that the Black Mamba has retired, he wont be taking the court Dec. 25 as the Lakers participate in their 16th consecutive Christmas game.That hasnt stopped Bryant, who played in an NBA-record 16 Christmas contests, from reveling in the holiday spirit.On Friday, the future Hall of Famer unveiled an ugly holiday sweater that he is promoting to benefit the?Kobe & Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation, which provides financial resources and programming to strengthen communities through educational and cultural enrichment opporrtunities.ddddddddddddAvailable in purple or black, the sweater features a rendering of Bryant in a Santa Claus costume holding a bag with a basketball under the heading Merry Swish-mas. Candy canes, Christmas trees and additional basketballs dot the background of the design.There is also an option to toggle between 8 and 24 in regard to Bryants number on the $40 sweater, which is only available for purchase until Wednesday, Dec. 7.Bryant scored a total of 395 points on Christmas, an NBA record.-- Nick Ostiller ' ' '