on is everything until the battle starts,

DETROIT -- Tigers manager Brad Ausmus apologized again Thursday, a day after he sarcastically told reporters that he beats his wife when his team isnt playing well. Ausmus says he realized his words were insensitive and in poor taste as soon as they left his mouth. The first-year manager was asked after Detroits 2-1 loss to Kansas City on Wednesday how his mood is when he heads home from the ballpark these days. The Tigers have dropped 20 of 29. Ausmus, clearly trying to joke, said: "I beat my wife." About a minute later, without being prompted, Ausmus said: "I didnt want to make light of battered women. I didnt mean to make light of that, so I apologize for that if that offended anyone." Elfrid Payton Jersey . Villarreals victory in Valencia kept it in fourth place and in control of Spains last Champions League spot. Uche broke free in the area in the 10th minute and was brought down by goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who was shown a direct red card. Marreese Speights Jersey .Murray has played 20 matches in five weeks, winning three titles to climb to fifth in the ATP Race.The two-time Grand Slam champion also seeks to qualify for next months ATP World Tour Finals.Murray said: I always wanted to qualify for it, but also I want to get back into the top 8 players in the world and it makes a huge difference for seedings in the major events. http://www.magicauthenticshop.com/Authe ... ersey/.The Dallas Cowboys released Sam from the practice squad Tuesday, dropping the rush end as they prepare for several potential reinforcements to return to the defensive line. Nikola Vucevic Jersey .com) - Even-money favorite Liams Map proved a little too tough down the stretch and won Saturdays $100,000 Harlans Holiday Stakes at Gulfstream Park. Arron Afflalo Jersey . Make that, almost always subjective. Saturday at Carrow Road, the spirit of fair play trumped the rulebook, costing Norwich City three points.FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Quick.Who are all the tight ends on the Buffalo Bills?In his first week with the Patriots in 2009, Rob Ninkovich was stumped when Bill Belichick surprised him with that question.Afterward, he came up to me and he said, You should also know their shoe size, the defensive end said. So from then on I made sure I knew every single tight end. Couldnt find the shoe size, but I was trying.His coachs pop quizzes — in team meetings, passing players in the hallway or anywhere they meet — can be a source of fear.And that makes them study and so theyll be better prepared for the next game.I think that puts us all on edge, special teams captain Matthew Slater said. Its not about embarrassing a guy. Its not about putting a guy on the spot. Its about us being prepared and being ready to go on Sunday.They better have the answers for the final test on Feb. 1 in the Super Bowl against the defending champion Seattle Seahawks in Glendale, Arizona.Professor Belichick questions both veteran stars and young backups. Sometimes hell ask one player if anothers answer is correct.Hearts pounding, palms are sweating, running back Shane Vereen said of younger players reactions.What might an opposing defence do against a certain formation at a particular spot on the field?What about that new play coaches added the previous day?Weve all gotten caught, safety Devin McCourty said. Some of the questions he asks you, you dont even think about it. I mean it usually results in us being very prepared at the end of the week.Belichick might be an odd choice to go all Alex Trebek on his players.The coach with all the questions is known for giving non-answers to reporters.Were on to Cincinnati, he said repeatedly after being asked about the teams problems following a 41-14 loss to Kansas City one week before playing the Bengals.On Thursday, he said, I dont have an explanation for the Patriots use of underinflated balls in last Sunday nights 45-7 AFC championship game win over Indianapolis.ddddddddddddBut his players, like school children crouching in their seats hoping not to be called on, know Belichicks surprise quizzes can keep them from being surprised in games.He actually did catch me in the hallway when I was a rookie and he asked me a question a couple of years ago about a play, third-year linebacker Donta Hightower said. Apparently it was a big play by a big player and I didnt get it. Its kind of frowned upon by all the other guys, so I learned my lesson then.For all his obsession with preparation, Belichick knows there are limits. He recently paraphrased former President and five-star general Dwight D. Eisenhower while meeting with reporters.Preparation is everything until the battle starts, and then it doesnt mean anything, Belichick said. Then you react to what happens in the game. In his case, what happens in the battle.So if the Patriots have never seen the opponents first five plays, they fall back on fundamentals such as tackling, covering a receiver or filling a gap, McCourty said.That will never steer you wrong, he said. Its not the same as a battle. Those guys lives are at stake.The Patriots are preparing for their sixth Super Bowl in 14 years, all under Belichick. Theyve won three of them.Bill knows everything about a team, from personnel to the coaching staff, the players, everything, McCourty said. By the end of the week, we usually know it, too.Now they have more than a week to study, practice, and, perhaps, try to avoid Belichicks questions.They havent been strange. They just catch you off guard, wide receiver Brandon LaFell said. Its usually, What did we put in the game plan overnight on Tuesday, just to see if you looked at the game plan.And what if you dont answer correctly?Youve got to, LaFell said, or youll have those questions every day.___NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '