rs post-fight press conference He has already indicated that a potential return could be as far more than a mere fighter. McGregor, fully aware of his status as the UFCs most popular star, has indicated tha

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. -- Kyle Rudolph split wide to the left and was matched up against Giants cornerback Trevin Wade.As the Minnesota Vikings tight end ran a slant into the end zone, Wade was all over him. But in his short time in Minnesota, quarterback Sam Bradford has quickly learned that even when Rudolph is covered, it doesnt mean hes not open.The 6-foot-6 Rudolph shielded the 5-foot-10 Wade behind him, giving Bradford a big target for what proved to be a much easier scoring pass than it probably should have been. The two have formed a fast connection, and Rudolph is exhibiting the difference-making skills that have occasionally been masked by injuries.Rudolph has 19 catches for 221 yards and three touchdowns, tied for the NFL lead among tight ends. He has caught a TD in each of the three games quarterbacked by Bradford, who was acquired just over a week before the regular season opener to take the place of the injured Teddy Bridgewater.It shows the confidence that Sam has in me to throw balls in those tight windows when guys are draped on my back or in close proximity, Rudolph said after a 24-10 victory over the New York Giants on Monday night improved the Vikings to 4-0. If he has the confidence to throw it to me in those situations I have to come down with the ball. I take pride in catching it in those situations.Rudolph has already been targeted 33 times this season, making him one of the featured elements of the Vikings passing game along with receiver Stefon Diggs, who also has 33 targets.Hes really good at being physical, especially through the catch, Bradford said. So I think theres times, even though a guy might be in good position, Kyle can use his body to come away with the catch.Rudolph did not practice on Wednesday and was listed on the injury report with clavicle and rib injuries. Right tackle Andre Smith (triceps), tight end Rhett Ellison (Rhett Ellison), Diggs (groin) and tight end David Morgan (knee) also did not practice on the first day of preparation for hosting the Houston Texans on Sunday.Rudolph was drafted in the second round in 2011. The Vikings were so tantalized by his size, speed and hands that they took him despite a severe hamstring injury that cut short his junior season at Notre Dame.By the time his second season was over, he was emerging as a force. He caught 53 passes, including nine TDs, and was named MVP of the Pro Bowl after the 2012 season. But injuries limited him to 17 games total in 2013 and 2014.He was able to play in all 16 games last year with Bridgewater, hauling in 49 passes for a career-high 495 yards and five TDs. Those numbers could have been even better had the Vikings not needed him to spend so much time blocking to help a beleaguered offensive line. This year, they have turned him loose a little more often, and they have needed to on an offense that is missing All-Pro running back Adrian Peterson while still working Bradford fully into the mix.Coach Mike Zimmer called what Bradford has done with Rudolph throwing him open.I thought hes made some really good catches in tight quarters, Zimmer said Wednesday. Theres the one third down play where the ball was a little low the other day and he made a nice catch on that. Kyles got good hands and theyre developing a good rapport.A big start to the season only got bigger this week when Rudolph and his wife Jordan welcomed twin girls to the family. He had hoped to catch two touchdown passes in the game against the Giants, one for each of them.I guess theyll have to learn to share, Rudolph said. Thats their first lesson.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Air Max Plus Scontate .com) - The Chicago Blackhawks aim for their third three-game winning streak of the season when they host the struggling Edmonton Oilers in Sundays battle at the United Center. Air Max 270 False . While hell be dialed in to that tournament on a course he loves, you can forgive him if his eyes glance down the calendar just a bit, towards April. http://www.scontatescarpenikeoutlet.it/italia-vapormax-offerte.html . Boucher previously coached the Tampa Bay Lightning and had a 97-78-20 record over two-plus seasons. He was dismissed by the team last March after the Lightning struggled in the lockout-shortened season with a 13-18-1 record. Scarpe Nike Scontate On Line . Now, with Game 6 set for Fenway Park and an 8:07 p.m. ET first pitch, the Detroit Tigers face the unenviable task of having to beat the Boston Red Sox twice, on the road, to advance to the World Series. Air Max 97 Saldi .ca look back at each of the Top 10 stories of 2013. Today, we look back at Boston Strong - a citys recovery from tragedy.Will the critics finally be silenced? Whats next? Heres what we learned after Conor McGregor created history by adding Eddie Alvarezs lightweight title to his existing featherweight prize. McGregor KOs Alvarez Second world title win on New York City debut How does McGregors achievement compare?A legion of cage legends have not even attempted to make the gargantuan leap into a second weight category, much less challenge the No 1 fighter from the division above. In rolling the dice and staggeringly hitting the jackpot, McGregor has gone above and beyond the landmark achievements of Georges St-Pierre, Anderson Silva or Jon Jones. McGregor has not defended either of his belts, unlike that esteemed trio of UFC greats, so that must be taken into consideration. But equally, in measuring McGregors bravery to jump up by 10lbs, it must be noted that St-Pierre, Silva and Jones never considered it wise to embark on a meaningful run outside of the safe-haven divisions that they owned.BJ Penn and Randy Couture held UFC titles in two weight divisions at separate times but McGregor has even trumped them by wearing gold on each shoulder. To have done so within the space of a year (and finding time to fit in a double-header against Nate Diaz at welterweight, a third weight division) is an accomplishment at the forefront of anything that any UFC fighter could boast.Isnt McGregor supposed to struggle against wrestlers?The perceived method of defeating McGregor (take him down, hold him down) received another slap in the face as Alvarezs accomplished wrestling credentials failed to impose themselves. Its not the first time McGregor has beaten a wrestler so will this theory crumble, as Alvarez did? The first time the Irishman overcame the grappling acumen of an American opponent, his victim was Chad Mendes in the summer of 2015, yet critics refused to shy away. Mendes was a last-ditch replacement for the injured Jose Aldo and, although he successfully dragged McGregor to the canvas for extended periods, eventually succumbed to a knockout.The short-notice arrangement of that fight meant McGregor was castigated in some quarters for benefiting from Mendes lack of fitness. This time around, nullifying Alvarezs take-downs must carry more weight. Alvarez enjoyed a full training camp of planning how to put McGregor on his back yet never came close to doing so.The snake-hips and constant threat of a counter-punch from the featherweight champion means he is becoming an increasingly difficult target to wrestle to the ground.Why has nobody found an answer for his trademark punch?The vicious left fist of McGregor - the same weapon that yielded his first UFC title, and previously dragged him up the ladder of contenders - accounted for the durable Alvarez. They know its coming, but they cant get out of the way. A skilled puncher who stands southpaw is a rare commodity in the world of MMA so McGregors stance has a uniqueness that is even more pronounced than it would be inside a boxing ring. The left hand is almost always delivered perfectly straight (he doesnt often throw hooks or uppercuts) and comes from an angle that opponent after opponent has found too difficult to suss. It possesses a power which means that one strike can befuddle the victim - Alvarez was never the same after surviving the first knock-down - meaning a repeat becomes likelier and likelier. Watch NOW TV Watch Sky Sports for just ￡6.99. No contract. But the real key behind McGregors punching style, honed in Irish boxing gyms before he ever removed his shoes to step into a cage, is his unrivalled accuracy. Alvarez has made a career of throwing wide, powerful hooks (thats how he dethroned Rafael dos Anjos to become champion) but they are energy-sapping efforts that infrequently find the perfect home. McGregor throws short and straight, and nobody yet has found an escape route..dddddddddddd Can McGregor box? Exclusive investigation into his boxing credentials Is McGregor the top pound-for-pound fighter in the world?The official rankings before Saturday night had McGregor fourth - behind No 3 Daniel Cormier, second-placed Dominick Cruz and top dog Demetrious Mighty Mouse Johnson. Can any of that trio claim to be better than McGregor now that he is a two-weight champion?McGregors sole UFC defeat to Nate Diaz must come into play here, because it represents an imperfect resume. However, light-heavyweight champion Cormier has also lost to Jon Jones so McGregor must automatically leapfrog him, at the very least. Cruz and Johnson, the bantamweight and flyweight champions respectively, are a sensational duo who arent automatically demoted due to McGregors increasing brilliance. They have fought each other, with Cruz winning, so Johnson also has one UFC blemish on his record. The pair are masters of their craft who blend all aspects of the sport seamlessly while rarely taking damage, but neither have put a run together that compares to McGregors.The looming return of Jones, the exiled former light-heavyweight champion, adds to the competition for the fantasy No 1 spot but he cant be considered until his suspension ends. As it stands, the argument for keeping McGregor off the top spot has dwindled to sheer bias.When will he be back?Another fascinating layer of intrigue surrounding the Irishmans story is how frequently we see him inside the cage. He has managed to fit 10 fights into a mere three-and-a-half year UFC stint, including turning around from his Diaz defeat within five short months. He still rushed back, the prospect of creating history in New York City proving too tempting.Yet a post-fight announcement that his girlfriend is expecting their first child (imagine the ferocity of a mini-McGregor running around in a couple of decades) implies that Conor Sr is approaching his first major break since his remarkable takeover began. Watch Conor McGregors post-fight press conference He has already indicated that a potential return could be as far more than a mere fighter. McGregor, fully aware of his status as the UFCs most popular star, has indicated that the companys new owners must invite him into the boardroom if they want to appease his ambition. People have shares in the company, celebrities. Conan OBrien owns the UFC nowadays, so where is my share? Where is my equity? If Im the one thats bringing this. I mean, theyve got to come talk to me now, thats all I know. McGregor: I want my UFC stake Star has demanded a share of the UFC ownership Ive got both belts, a chunk of money, a little family on the way. If you want me to stick around and you want me to keep doing what Im doing, lets talk.But I want ownership, I want equal share, I want what I deserve, I want what Ive earned.His grand plan would represent a breakthrough in what any sportsperson has ever been capable of, yet is remains a pipe-dream. His last pipe-dream? Three years ago, he claimed hed become a UFC two-weight world champion… Also See: McGregor KOs Alvarez Can McGregor box? ' ' '