DS Talk » p of him.Martin stood tall when he was question

IRVING, Texas - Zack Martins best test so far of durability as a pro came with a right ankle injury serious enough to keep him out of practice for a week with the Cowboys.The rookie right guards response: Im playing.It certainly fits with everything I know about him, Dallas coach Jason Garrett said. Hes a little bit of a throwback. He reminds you of linemen who played 25 years ago. He just has this way about him.Martin is possibly the last first-round piece of a rebuilt offensive line for the Cowboys, a versatile blocker with more starts at Notre Dame than anyone in school history. And now hes the first rookie lineman named to the Pro Bowl in Dallas franchise history.Its kind of an exclamation point on the season that hes had, said centre Travis Frederick, a first-round pick last year and another first-time Pro Bowl player. We talked about it several times throughout the season, how hes never really come in and played like a rookie. Hes always played like a veteran.Tyron Smith, a two-time Pro Bowl pick at left tackle, was Dallas top choice from 2011.Martins resolve was tested just weeks after the Cowboys picked him at No. 16. He was already the guy Dallas took instead of Johnny Manziel, who was unexpectedly still on the board. And then he got caught up in a play that ended standout linebacker Sean Lees season in the first full squad workout of the off-season.Lee was about to engage with Martin in a noncontact drill when his left knee gave way, tearing the anterior cruciate ligament. There was video for all to see, and it was easy to forget that Lees knee buckled before Martin rolled over the top of him.Martin stood tall when he was questioned about the play by reporters.It sucks to be kind of grouped into that play and him getting hurt, Martin said at the time. I think he would say it first over anyone. Youve got to move forward.And that was the message from many of the veterans who pulled Martin aside, including Lee and tight end Jason Witten.Harry Hiestand, Martins line coach at Notre Dame, knew from the outset that his old pupil wouldnt have trouble getting over the Lee incident, promising that hes not reliving it.Martin has spent the last five months proving it as a key component of soon-to-be NFL rushing champion DeMarco Murrays pursuit of all-time league leader Emmitt Smiths franchise record from 19 years ago. He has 1,745 yards, needing 29 yards to beat Smiths total of 1,773.The 24-year-old Martin sprained his right ankle in a win at Philadelphia that gave the Cowboys the NFC East lead, and played without practicing in a division-clinching win over Indianapolis last week.He came out only after the 42-7 victory was in hand, and now hes practicing again with Dallas (11-4) visiting Washington (4-11) in the regular-season finale Sunday.The trainers did a great job all week getting the swelling and all of that stuff out of there, Martin said. So it was really just getting comfortable with it and running around.Hiestands lasting memory of Martin is the way he would come to meetings every day with a vibe that said, Hey, coach, dont worry about this. We got this stuff.These days its more like Im going to keep my mouth shut and work. Hes sure thats the best way to make it as a lineman in the NFL.And hes well on his way to making it.I think you can tell hes a natural leader, Witten said. Obviously, hes very gifted, very composed for a young player being thrown in the trenches day one. Hes got a bright future.And thats what Witten thought long before Martin made a little Pro Bowl history for the tradition-rich Cowboys.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow Schuyler Dixon on Twitter at https://twitter.com/apschuyler Mark Duper Youth Jersey . It was the most lopsided loss in Lakers history. Darren Collison had a team-high 24 points while starting at shooting guard for the injured Jamal Crawford. Chris Paul added 13 points and 11 assists for the Clippers, who apparently are trying to make up for decades of humiliation at the hands of the Lakers all in one season; theyve won the last two meetings by a combined 84 points. Kenny Stills Dolphins Jersey . -- Jonathan Vilmas season is over and his future on the football field is in doubt. http://www.authenticdolphinspro.com/Mink...olphins-jersey/. 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The Pirates have a $5.5 million team option for 2019 with a $250,000 buyout.The 29-year-old would earn $75,000 for 475 plate appearances; $100,000 each for 500, 525 and 550; $175,000 for 575; and $200,000 for 600.ddddddddddddn addition, Kang can be reimbursed a maximum $50,000 annually by the Pirates for four round-trip business class tickets for his family from South Korea to the U.S., and the team will provide Kang with an interpreter at a salary of up to $60,000. He also can be reimbursed up for $5,000 a year for shipping and other costs, and the team will provide him English-language instruction.Pittsburgh agreed to release Kang at the end of the contract, making him a free agent. ' ' '