Die Macht » and Florence into the roles of Gandalf a

HOUSTON -- Jadeveon Clowney is ready to shine in prime time.The No. 1 pick in the 2014 draft failed to make an impact in his first two injury-plagued seasons . But now hes healthy, playing well and ready for a national audience Thursday when the Houston Texans visit a New England Patriots team that will likely start rookie quarterback Jacoby Brissett.It will be just the second time Clowney has played in a nationally televised game after he sat out three of Houstons four night games in his first two years because of various injuries.When asked if hes ready to show what he can do, a big smile crept across his face and he let out a small laugh before gathering himself to provide an answer.Im very excited, he said. Im looking forward to it. Its going to be big for the team.A win would give the Texans a 3-0 start for the first time since they opened the 2012 season 5-0. Houston has been helped by an improved offense led by new quarterback Brock Osweiler and rookie receiver Will Fuller, but through the first two games the defense has been the strength of this team .Clowney has been a key to the units early success with seven tackles, including three for losses, a sack, five quarterback hits and a batted down pass. Hes doing a little bit of everything these days and the word coaches and teammates use most often to describe him is disruptive.In his first two seasons, Clowney lined up as an outside linebacker in defensive coordinator Romeo Crennels 3-4 scheme. Since Clowney was healthy throughout training camp, it has given the Texans more freedom to use the 6-foot-5, 266-pound player in different ways, and hes mostly played defensive end in the first two games.Regardless of where they put him, the Texans have been impressed with Clowneys hustle this year.I think hes playing really hard, coach Bill OBrien said. There are a few clips on there where he is rushing the passer, the pass gets off and hes chasing the ball carrier down. I think the guy is playing with tremendous effort and Ill say that about all the guys on defense.Clowney, who earned a reputation as a fierce pass rusher in a standout career at South Carolina, did not have a sack as a rookie but finished with 4+ last year. His first two seasons were full of disappointment for both him and the team as he played just four games in 2014 before having microfracture surgery, and missed three games and Houstons wild-card playoff loss to Kansas City last season due to a variety of other ailments.As he started to pile up more injuries than sacks, criticism that he wasnt living up to his draft status continued to grow. Clowney heard it all, but said he chose to ignore it. He knows that the injuries couldnt be helped and believes theres only one way to quiet his detractors.Im not saying nothing, he said. Im just going to keep letting my game speak and just keep getting better and better week by week.Clowneys improvement has added another dimension to a pass rush led by last years NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt and one that also features Whitney Mercilus, who had two sacks in Houstons opener. Watt is excited about the possibilities for this defense full of playmakers.You never know where the play is going to come from, it could be a linebacker, it could be a (defensive back), it could be a guy up front getting a sack, he said. Its a lot of fun when you play like that. I think it makes it difficult for other teams and thats the goal.As Clowney continues to progress, Watt is slowly returning to form after missing all of training camp and the preseason after July surgery to repair a herniated disk in his back. He started to feel good on the field again last week after struggling in Houstons opener. And it showed as he finished with 1 + sacks and recovered a fumble.But he has a message those who think hes back to full strength.I say partially, he said. Im still working on some things and I think it may be some things that only I see. But there are definitely some things that I want to continue to improve upon. But I have to admit it did feel good on Sunday to ... have some glimpses of my old self back. So I just want to continue that.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFLFake Jordan . -- Former San Diego Chargers safety Paul Oliver was found dead at his Atlanta-area home Tuesday night, and a medical examiner said Wednesday that the ex-player committed suicide. Discount Air Jordan .R. Smith realized how easily basketball can be taken from him, and he wasnt going to take his place in the NBA for granted anymore. https://www.fakejordanwholesale.com/ . -- Nathan Pancel scored twice as the Sudbury Wolves defeated the North Bay Battalion 4-2 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Cyber Monday Air Jordan . Hazard cut in from the left and scored with a swerving right-footed shot for ninth goal of the season, which proved to be enough for the victory despite Chelseas forwards again lacking a cutting edge up front. Fake Retro Air Jordan . All of the scoring came in the final 20:04. Lucic scored on a power play at 15:46 of the third period, when he tipped a shot over Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen for a 3-1 lead.Its nearing the end of October, and with that comes pumpkin spiced everything, Halloween parties and that all-too-familiar gloom of turning back the clocks once Daylight Savings ends. But before we plunge headfirst into winter, lets not forget that Halloween season involves celebrating the season in style. Here, a few action sports icons show their almost-Halloween spirit, sprinkled by sponsor updates and changing of the guard-like themes.Brian Anderson meets Lady GagaFollowing a decade-long tenure with Girl Skateboards, Brian Anderson set out on his own path to start his own brand, dubbed 3D, in 2013. Anderson employed a small team and got to work producing boards, but after a few months of balancing the demands of being a pro while also running a brand, Anderson realized it was too much to handle. So he pulled the plug on the brand and started skating Antihero decks simply because he wanted to. A few months passed, and following a few exchanges between Antihero and Anderson, an agreement was reached to add Anderson to the pro team. And in the same week, Anderson met one of his idols, Lady Gaga, in New York (who was appearing on Saturday Night Live and Howard Stern.) So maybe it wasnt Halloween yet, but for a brief moment, Brian Anderson played the role of Lady Gaga entourage.ddddddddddddelly Slater and John John Florence as Gandalf and FrodoEarlier this week, Hawaiian surfer John John Florence grabbed the 2016 World Surf League world title in Peniche, Portugal. Fans saw the world title win as a sort of changing of the guard from old to new, with the Kelly Slaters of the world passing the torch on to the John Johns of the surfing world. Some fans even took it to Halloween-esque proportions of the Tolkien level, photoshopping Slater and Florence into the roles of Gandalf and Frodo. John John is on the path to be the next Gandalf, said Instagrammer Jakub Michna. Also of note: Why does John John as Frodo look like Matt Damon?Van Homan keeps it simpleMeanwhile, Real BMX competitor Van Homan kept it mellow and carved a pumpkin on a rainy East Coast day.Gus Kenworthy drinks too many lattes...And finally, X Games Ski Slope and Pipe competitor Gus Kenworthy abbreviated a now well known coffee beverage (pumpkin spiced lattes) as the reason why he doubled as the headless horseman at home in Denver, Colorado. ' ' '