Black- and Whitelist » opportunity to cut into the deficit

MANKATO, Minn. -- The Minnesota Vikings have pledged to make Kyle Rudolph a larger part of their offence for, well, his whole career. Now this enhanced role is almost inevitable: Hes carrying 15 fewer pounds this season and playing for a lot more money. "Its an honour to know that they have the faith in me and the trust in me to instil that value in me, and Im going to do everything I can to go out on the field and perform at that level," Rudolph said between practices on Monday, after signing a five-year contract extension the night before. He added: "I want to be the best tight end in the NFL, and thats why I go out every day to work the way that I do." The Vikings were enamoured enough with the soft-handed, slender Rudolph that they drafted him out of Notre Dame in the second round in 2011 despite a nasty injury, a torn right hamstring, that he was still recovering from at the time. Rudolph won the Most Valuable Player award at the Pro Bowl after the 2012 season, but he has accumulated a modest 1,055 yards and 15 touchdowns over three years in the NFL. Jimmy Graham exceeded both of those totals last season for New Orleans. Rob Gronkowski did the same three years ago for New England. The Vikings have long believed the 6-foot-6 Rudolph, who used a better off-season diet to start training camp at a lean weight of 258, can become that featured receiver who can catch passes all over the field, in addition to being a go-to target in the end zone. "I think hes trying to work the Jimmy Graham deal," close friend and quarterback Christian Ponder said, joking about Rudolphs sleeker look. "He looks good out here, and you can tell hes very polished in what hes doing." Rudolphs new deal has a maximum worth of $40 million. About half of that is practically guaranteed, and his annual average salary will be in the top five of all NFL tight ends. Graham makes the most. "Hes worked as hard as anyone in this organization, and he is getting himself ready to have a great year," offensive co-ordinator Norv Turner said. Rudolph, who missed the last half of last season because of a broken left foot, will be asked to run more routes up the seam between the 20-yard lines this year. Hell likely find himself standing up and split out a lot, rather than the traditional three-point stance for tight ends of the previous generation. With more rules discouraging defensive backs from levying big hits, larger, and faster and stronger athletes continuing to enter the league, and passing attacks become more and more potent, the tight end has flourished into a true skill position. Turner has a history of significant production by tight ends in his scheme, from Antonio Gates in San Diego to Jordan Cameron last year in Turners lone season with Cleveland. From Rudolph to running back Adrian Peterson, the early reviews of Turners system have been raving. "Im sure you guys wrote stories about us being predictable the past seven years. You wont be able to write that story this year," Peterson said. "Thats pretty much all Im saying: You wont be able to do that, because this offence is so versatile." The Vikings invested in Rudolph for reasons beyond the physical attributes, too. Head coach Mike Zimmer called him "a pleaser," whos willing to "buy into everything" the new staff is trying to do with the team. Rudolph said hed keep the same house in the Twin Cities area and continue to drive the same truck, splurging only for philanthropy: to upgraded the weight room at his alma mater, Elder High School in Cincinnati. "Im anticipating that hell continue to flourish," Zimmer said, adding: "Hes a good guy, and I like when good guys get rewarded." Vapormax Saldi . Neither striker Demba Ba nor Fernando Torres came close to scoring as Chelsea was left unsuccessfully appealing for penalties in this drab penultimate game of the season. "Our strikers are good strikers, no doubt about that, but players with some specific qualities," Mourinho said. Vapormax Plus Saldi . Granada defender Diego Mainz barged into the back of Villa to send the Spain striker to the ground inside the area and Costa stepped up to the spot to score his 12th league goal in the 38th minute. Costa showed no effects of the news that his Brazilian citizenship may be revoked after he elected to play for Spains national team, as the forward was a constant threat for Atletico and forced several saves from goalkeeper Roberto. http://www.vapormaxscontateoutlet.it/vap...ate-outlet.html. Although Spain could still advance out of the group stage, the game may have signalled the end of the run by a generation of Spanish stars whose quick passing, "tiki-taka" style delighted the world and helped them win the last three major tournaments. Nike Vapormax Italia . -- Edwin Encarnacion hit a three-run homer, Colby Rasmus drove in two runs and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Detroit Tigers 9-4 on Saturday. Vapormax Uomo Saldi . - Christophe Lalancette scored a third-period goal and added the shootout winner to lead the Drummondville Voltigeurs to a 5-4 win over the Quebec Remparts in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League play on Sunday.Tampa, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Alex Killorns two goals and Ben Bishops 27 saves kept the Tampa Bay Lightnings home winning streak ongoing with a 4-1 decision over the Vancouver Canucks. Valtteri Filppula contributed a goal and an assist and Brian Boyle also scored in the Lightnings eighth consecutive victory at Amalie Arena, tying a franchise record set from March 17-April 8, 2006. The win kept Tampa Bay atop the Atlantic Division as it heads into the All- Star break. The penalty kill saved us tonight. Outstanding, said Lightning coach Jon Cooper. Cant say enough about how those guys killed penalties. And when shots got through, Bishop was there to make the save. Ryan Miller, who had yielded just one goal over three straight Vancouver wins prior to Tuesdays clash, surrendered three on 25 shots in the loss. Frank Corrado recorded the Canucks lone goal. We definitely had our chances, we just didnt get it going, said Miller. The game remained scoreless into the second period before Filppula broke the deadlock 6:28 into the stanza. While racing towards the Vancouver net, he collected a deflected centering pass from Steven Stamkos and redirected it past Miller from close range. Bishop protected the one-goal edge by coming up with 12 saves during the second, and the Lightning struck almost instantly in the third to extend the lead.dddddddddddd Killorn received a give from Victor Hedman along the right boards and skated uncontested towards Miller before ripping a shot over the goaltenders shoulder with just 11 seconds elapsed in the frame. Boyle made it a 3-0 game just over four minutes later with a wicked one-timer off a Brett Connolly feed, but Corrado gave Vancouver some brief life by slipping a shot between Bishops pads on a Canucks rush at the 8:09 mark. The Canucks had an opportunity to cut into the deficit further after gaining a 5-on-3 power play for more than a minute, but Tampa Bay killed off both minor penalties to maintain its 3-1 advantage. Miller was pulled for an extra attacker with still over four minutes to go, leading to Killorns empty-net tally with 2:26 left that put an end to any Vancouver comeback hopes. Game Notes The first seven wins during the Lightnings home streak all came by one-goal margins ... Hedman finished with two assists ... Corrados goal was the second of his NHL career, with the first coming against Calgary on April 13 of last season ... Vancouver went 0-for-7 on the power play, including three unsuccessful 5-on-3 situations ... Tampa Bay swept the season series, having earned a 4-2 win in Vancouver on Oct. 18, and has won four straight from the Canucks. ' ' '