Most Valuable Player award after scoring 23 goals for New York

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- No one on the New York Giants likes talking about their running game. Seven games into the season, its just not there.The Giants (4-3) are ranked last in the NFL, averaging 70.3 yards. Its like running into a brick wall every play. Its 2 yards and a cloud of those rubber pellets on the artificial fields.Coach Ben McAdoo and offensive coordinator Mike Sullivan used the bye week to look at the offense and get the Giants ready for Sundays NFC East rivalry game with the Philadelphia Eagles (4-3) at MetLife Stadium.Everything was examined, from personnel groupings to who was out on the field.So, really just a kind of a thorough check under the hood to see how we can solve some of those problems, Sullivan said Thursday.Rashad Jennings has carried the load in recent weeks, but there is a feeling that the coaches are considering giving rookie Paul Perkins more carries.There is little that can be done with the line. Starting right tackle Marshall Newhouse has been bothered by a calf injury for weeks and it seems Bobby Hart will continue to start. There isnt much depth on the line, so dont expect personnel changes.We just have to put one foot in front of the other, Jennings said . Its not rocket science. We have to be physical in the run game and I say as a running back it starts with me to grind for ugly yards and keep hitting it downhill, and eventually well have our moments where our moments will come.There have not been many moments so far.New York has rushed the ball 147 times this season for 492 yards, a 3.3 yard average. Shane Vereen, who is now on injured reserve with a triceps muscle injury, had the longest run at 25 yards.There also have not been a lot of holes for the running backs.We were able to do some good things early on in the season, left guard Justin Pugh said. We have to continue to be multiple and get the job done. Thats on us up front, making sure we get the job done.Center Weston Richburg believes the line just has to execute better. He insists the communication is there and there have been times that the difference between a big play and a stop was a matter of inches.We just have to pay attention to our details, Richburg said . That will make the difference between a big run and not. You have to continue to work each and every week on our little details. Technique, aiming points, things like that. That will help us spring big runs. Were not just going to give up and say, `its never going to happen. Were going to continue going, continue chopping at the wood, and it will open up.Perkins, the teams fifth-round draft pick this spring, gives the Giants a back who is versatile. He is averaging 3.9 yards on 10 carries and has caught six passes for 105 yards, a 17.5 yard average.He believes the changes will help the running game.I wouldnt be surprised if all of us ran for 1,000 yards, Perkins said. The offensive line does a tremendous job, day-in, day-out, so I am looking forward to what they will do this weekend.Game notes Rookie S Darian Thompson was back in a boot Thursday and did not practice. He will be examined on Tuesday by a foot specialist. ... S Nat Berhe remains in the concussion protocol, so free agent Andrew Adams probably will start again Sunday. ... DE Olivier Vernon says his injured wrist is getting better. As long as we are getting wins, thats all I care about, he said. ... Defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo has been impressed by Eagles rookie QB Carson Wentz. Ill give you one thing that impressed me right off the bat: He throws the ball as good going left as I have ever seen a right-handed quarterback do it.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Camiseta Barcelona 2020 Comprar .Y. - Free agent outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, fresh off winning the World Series with Boston, reached agreement with the rival New York Yankees on a seven-year contract worth about $153 million, a person familiar with the negotiations said Tuesday night. Camiseta Samuel Umtiti . Robredo, ranked No. 16, bounced back from an upset loss to Leonardo Mayer in the second round of the Royal Guard Open in Chile last week to down Carreno Busta in 1 hour, 25 minutes. On a day filled mostly with qualifying matches, fifth-seeded Marcel Granollers of Spain also entered the second with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 win over Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia, while Guido Pella of Argentina defeated Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 7-6 (6), 6-4 to advance. http://www.camisetasfcbarcelona.es/camiseta-lionel-messi-barca.html .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. Camiseta Ivan Rakitic . "I was fortunate to play many years at this level with a great organization and unbelievable teammates," said Hejduk in a statement. Camiseta Gerard Pique . - The Washington Redskins have cut defensive lineman Adam Carriker and punter Sav Rocca. BASEBALLOXON HILL, Md. -- The reloading Boston Red Sox pulled off the biggest deal yet at the winter meetings, acquiring ace pitcher Chris Sale from the Chicago White Sox for a package of four prospects.Sale joins an already talented rotation with the AL East champions, now pitching alongside 2016 AL Cy Young Award winner Rick Porcello, former winner David Price and knuckleballer Steven Wright.The 27-year-old lefty has been an All-Star in each of the last five seasons, finishing high in Cy Young voting every time. To get him, Boston traded four minor leaguers: high-priced third baseman Yoan Moncada, considered by many the top young talent in baseball, along with pitchers Michael Kopech and Victor Diaz, and outfielder Luis Basabe.Sale was 17-10 with a 3.34 ERA and 233 strikeouts this year, a season after he led the majors by fanning 274. He also comes with this benefit: a team-favorable contract that calls for a $12 million salary next year and includes club options for 2018 at $12.5 million and 2019 at $15 million.A few hours earlier, Boston got setup man Tyler Thornburg from the Milwaukee Brewers for a package that included infielder Travis Shaw, minor league infielder Mauricio Dubon, minor league right-hander Josh Pennington and a player to be named or $100.The 28-year-old Thornburg will become Bostons eighth-inning guy, setting up closer Craig Kimbrel. Thornburg was 8-5 with 13 saves and a 2.15 ERA in 67 games for the Brewers last season, striking out 90 in 67 innings.NEW YORK -- Derek Jeters No. 2 is being retired, the last of the New York Yankees single digits.The Yankees said the number will be retired on May 14 before a Mothers Day game against Houston, and a plaque in Jeters honor will be unveiled in Monument Park during the ceremony.Jeters number is the 21st retired by the team. He won five World Series titles and was a 14-time All-Star during a 20-season career that ended in 2014. The shortstop ranks sixth in major league history with 3,465 career hits.OXON HILL, Md. -- Claire Smith became the first woman to win the J.G. Taylor Spink Award for meritorious contributions to baseball writing and will be honored during the Hall of Fames induction weekend next July in Cooperstown, New York.The 62-year-old Smith covered the New York Yankees for the Hartford Courant for five years starting in 1983 and was a columnist for The New York Times from 1991-98 and The Philadelphia Inquirer from 1998-2007. She currently is ESPNs news editor of remote productions.COLLEGE FOOTBALLBaylor hired Matt Rhule as head coach after his highly successful run at Temple, hoping he can rebuild the Big 12 Conference program hit hard by scandal and suddenly struggling on the field.Rhule becomes the full-time replacement for two-time Big 12 champion coach Art Briles, who was dismissed after a scathing report over the universitys handling of sexual assault complaints, including some against football players. Rhule will be introduced on the Waco campus Wednesday.Former Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe had been out of coaching two years when he put his retirement on hold in May to serve as Baylors acting head coach this season. The Bears are 6-6 and headed to the Cactus Bowl despite a six-game losiing streak.ddddddddddddThe 41-year-old Rhule is a former Penn State linebacker who has a monumental task ahead of him in putting together a coaching staff and a recruiting class at Baylor. With a monthlong quiet period in recruiting starting Saturday, Baylor has only one firm verbal commitment.PRO FOOTBALLEDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Mike Zimmer was back at practice with the Minnesota Vikings, not quite a week after surgery to repair a detached retina.Zimmer wore a white patch that was taped over his right eye as he roamed the indoor field and instructed players as usual. The 60-year-old coach had to miss the game against Dallas last week because of the emergency operation, one of multiple procedures hes had over the last six weeks. The Vikings announced that Zimmer is expected to travel with the team for Sundays game at Jacksonville.HARVEY, La. -- The man who fatally shot ex-NFL player Joe McKnight was arrested and jailed on a charge of manslaughter.Jail records show 54-year-old Ronald Gasser was arrested late Monday.Gasser was released last week without charges pending further investigation of McKnights death. Jefferson Parish Sheriff Newell Normand said Thursdays shooting was the result of an apparent road-rage incident. When deputies arrived, the sheriff said Gasser handed them his gun and confessed to killing McKnight.TENNISNovak Djokovic and coach Boris Becker are splitting up after three successful seasons together.Djokovic posted a statement on Facebook, saying the duo jointly decided to end our cooperation. He has won six of his 12 career Grand Slam singles titles while working with Becker. Djokovic also was the runner-up at three other Grand Slam tournaments during his time with Becker, meaning the Serb made it to the finals at nine of the 12 majors during their partnership.SOCCERNEW YORK -- David Villa earned Major League Soccers Most Valuable Player award after scoring 23 goals for New York City in his second season with the team. Villa received the award, named after Landon Donovan, from MLS Commissioner Don Garber.FRISCO, Texas -- FC Dallas signed MLS defender of the year Matt Hedges to a four-year contract.GOLFThomas Bjorn was appointed captain of Europes 2018 Ryder Cup team, a reward for his long and successful association with the event as a player and vice-captain as well as his commitment to the European Tour.The 45-year-old Dane became the first Scandinavian to lead the European team, which will look to regain the cup at Le Golf National in Paris in 2018 after its 17-11 loss to the United States at Hazeltine in October.BOXINGCANASTOTA, N.Y. -- Former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield and three-division champion Marco Antonio Barrera of Mexico highlight a list of nine people selected for induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame.Also to be inducted June 11 in Canastota, New York are: super flyweight champion Johnny Tapia; Australian trainer Johnny Lewis; judge Jerry Roth; journalist-broadcaster Steve Farhood; broadcaster Barry Tompkins; and posthumous honorees Eddie Booker and ring announcer Jimmy Lennon Sr. ' ' '