Mitgliedsanträge » e desert. It was sport at its very best. L

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Minnesota Vikings signed former Tennessee Titans Pro Bowler Michael Griffin in March, hoping he could turn into the kind of dynamic safety they have sought to pair with?Harrison Smith.On Saturday, they let go of that idea.The team released Griffin after Andrew Sendejo held on to the starting safety job next to Smith.Griffin, 31, thanked the Vikings in an Instagram post Saturday.The Vikings, who signed Griffin to a one-year, $2.5 million deal, reunited him with former Titans defensive coordinator Jerry Gray, who is now the Vikings defensive backs coach.Griffins history as a coverage safety seemed to pair well with Smiths ability to move around the Vikings defensive formation, but the team needed to see if Griffin could still play at a high level after the Titans released him in February.Instead, the Vikings decided to make Sendejo the starter, and they will keep seventh-round pick Jayron Kearse after an impressive preseason in which the Clemson product intercepted two passes and forced a fumble.Griffin came out of the Vikings third preseason game against the Chargers after his back seized up on him, and was walking around on crutches after the game. He did not play the Vikings fourth preseason game against the Rams. Bill Baumgartner Jersey Store . The players spoke Jan. 13 during a Major League Baseball Players Association conference call after Rodriguez sued the union and Major League Baseball to overturn an arbitrators decision suspending him for the 2014 season and post-season. Cairo Santos Jersey Store . After a lengthy wait, persistent rain finally forced the postponement of the Nationals game against the Miami Marlins on Saturday night. The teams, and a few thousand fans, waited nearly four hours from the 7:05 scheduled start time before an announcement was made shortly before 11 p. https://www.chinacheapjerseys.net/deshawn-williams-jersey-store/ . Oaklands loss to Seattle clinched the ALs best record for the Red Sox with one day to spare in the regular season. "I think everybody was kind of watching," catcher David Ross said. "Demp (Ryan Dempster) came out before he went to the bullpen and was just yelling that they lost. Brandon Jones Jersey Store . Tracey comes to the Blue Bombers after spending over a decade with Queens University. Most recently he was the schools assistant football coach. Dave Pacella Jersey Store . The native of Mont-Tremblant, Que., captured a World Cup downhill event Saturday, his second this year and fifth career victory on the circuit.The European Tours Desert Swing never fails to deliver and this years edition produced superb golf over three top class courses from some of the worlds finest players. This three-tournament stretch is the perfect way to get the season started, as the weather is splendid, the practice facilities are state of the art and wherever professionals play this year, they will not find courses in better condition.The fields are strong, so theres a plethora of world ranking points are on offer and for a European in Ryder Cup year, surely makes it a must-play section of the season. A number of the Europe Ryder Cup hopefuls played in last months EurAsia Cup Obviously not all would agree, but I find Paul Caseys decision not to join the European Tour, therefore making him not eligible for Ryder Cup selection, mystifying. The chief executive of the Tour, the impressive Keith Pelly, has made it so easy for our dual members based in America to manage playing on both Tours. Casey will have his own priorities and reasons for his decision, but I believe it is one he will regret in the future.Sergio Garcia played in just one of the three Middle East events as did Justin Rose, yet the latter will tee it up in the Pebble Beach Pro-Am this week in California. Of course its their right to plan their schedule over what is a long season and I guess everyone is different.Special performancesStarting in Abu Dhabi, the HSBC is an event that continues to grow as the years tick by. Giles Morgan, the man responsible for the Abu Dhabi event and the HSBC World Championship in Shanghai, has no equal in his field. His events ooze class and style.Rickie Fowlers thrilling victory got the Desert Swing off to a grand start, while the nail-biting finish where the American edged out Thomas Pieters and Rory McIlroy was a joy to watch. Willett and Sullivan to lead Europe in the opening match at Hazeltine in September? It might just be a strong possibility. Ewen Murray In Qatar, Branden Grace became the first successful defender of the Mother of Pearl trophy over the Doha Golf Course. His composure over the closing holes was admirable and it confirmed why so many believe he will have a major tucked away before long. His closing birdie four was textbook, with two shots out of the top drawer from a player who has total belief in what he is doing.I walked nine holes in the Pro-Am with 12-year-old Shergo Kurdi, a lad I have known since he was five and based at the Windlesham Golf Club. He partnered Branden and the South African gave much of his time to his young charge. Over the course of the five hours, Shergo would have gleaned much from this hugely impressive South African and no doubt that will help him in years to come.Much is talked about the help of caddies these days. In Zak Rasego, Grace has a bagman who is on the same wavelength as him. No fuss or wasting time, hed make the decision quickly and carry it out efficiently. Ive known Zak for a long time. He grew up in a village close to Sun City in the Republics North Western Province and, having learned his trade there, he has come a long way. Could we soon see Branden Grace win a major title? Zak won The Open with Louis Oosthuizen at St Andrews in 2010 and he may not have to wait too long before he plays a part in major No 2. In five events this season, Grace has yet to finish outside the top 10 and my belief is that he will be inside the worlds top 10 come the end of the year.Dubai was the forefather of the Swing, with the first Desert Classic being played at the Emirates GC in 1989. The landscape has changed dramatically in the last quarter of a century and the event has grown with that.It was a sad start to the tournament when news of the death of caddie Dave Renwick broke on the eve of the tournament. I grew up with Dave in our villages of Currie and East Calder, a few miles to the West of Edinburrgh.dddddddddddd As we flew the nest and went our separate ways, we lost touch, but not for long. After a spell on the North Sea oil rigs, the call of golf was too strong for Dave to ignore. Vijay Singh celebrates with caddie Dave Renwick after PGA glory in 1998 Back on the fairways, he caddied for some wonderful players and they flourished alongside the no-nonsense Renwick. Jose Maria Olazabal won the 94 Masters with him. He and Steve Elkington broke Colin Montgomeries resolve in the PGA of 95 at Riviera and Vijay Singh enjoyed two of his major victories alongside him.Blessed with a quick wit and dry humour, David will be missed, but as the somber mood slowly dissolves, many happy memories of a worthy life will stay with all of those who were privileged to know him.Week to rememberThere has been much talk of a new era emerging in our game and further evidence of that was presented in Dubai, with this years Desert Classic one of the best events in the European Tours 44-year history.The irrepressible Andy Sullivan continued from where he left off last year. Rafa Cabrera-Bello, who I believe will be a late developer and become a more regular winner in the years ahead, came close, but the week belonged to the champion, Sheffields Danny Willett. Andy Sullivan narrowly missed out on claiming the Desert Classic title After his 65 in round two, Danny joined me for a spell in the Sky Sports commentary box. When he left, one sensed his full commitment, his belief, his confidence and his vision for the year. During the final round, we saw his full range of talent.The first nine produced some of the finest iron play Ive seen, the back nine didnt. Hanging on by the skin of his teeth, he kept his challengers at bay with a marvellous display of street fighting qualities, something all of the great players possess. His closing 15-foot birdie putt never looked like missing and it was a triumph I suspect he is quite rightly proud of.So many played a part in what was a sparkling Sunday in the desert. It was sport at its very best. Leaving the course, I thought to myself - Willett and Sullivan to lead Europe in the opening match at Hazeltine in September? It might just be a strong possibility. Danny Willett reflecting on his dramatic victory at the Dubai Desert Classic For me, its time to leave the European Tour for a spell in America. The week after next is the Honda Classic from West Palm Beach and thats followed by two World Golf Championship events. The first of those is in Miami, with the latter in Austin, Texas, home to my knowledgeable co-commentator, Rich Beem.We will take you through these events in the build-up to the years first major at Augusta National. The very mention of The Masters sets the pulses racing and for so many in Northern Europe, it heralds the start of your season. I hope its a good one for you. Also See: Willett edges Dubai thriller Grace retains Qatar crown Fowler set for big year Golf live on Sky Sports 4 ' ' '