INDIANAPOLIS -- Colts general manager Ryan Grigson is sticking to the plan.
St. Louis Cardinals Willie McGee Jersey . He wants to find more competition through the draft and free agency -- and thats not changing simply because team owner Jim Irsay isnt around. At the team complex, Grigson said its been pretty much business-as-usual since Irsay was arrested Sunday night following a traffic stop. He faces preliminary charges of misdemeanour driving while intoxicated and four felony counts of possession of a controlled substance. "He leaves the football stuff to me. He trusts me. Thats what he hired me to do," Grigson said during Fridays conference call with local reporters, his first public comments since the arrest. "If theres something major, a transaction thats going to go down, or I need to use his plane in free agency, or if theres something I need to lean on him about in terms of using his football knowledge, from my benefit and the clubs benefit, then I reach out to him." Normally, in mid-March, Irsay, who once served as the Colts GM, is involved with draft preparation and signs off on any major deals. Its a lot different right now. On Tuesday, Irsays family issued a statement saying he had voluntarily checked himself into a treatment facility. The move comes more than a decade ago after Irsay acknowledged a painkiller dependency. Its unclear when Irsay will return to run the team. If Irsay is charged and convicted on the felonies, he could face six months to three years in prison on each one. Irsay also could be fined or suspended by the NFL. But its not as if Grigson doesnt have help. He usually consults with coach Chuck Pagano before making decisions and one of Irsays daughters, Carlie, also is filling in while her father is out. "Basically, Carlie is just in place of Jim, for right now," Grigson said. "Hes never been a micro manager, never has meddled or anything like that. He leaves football decisions up to myself and the head coach. Hes really been great in that respect. Carlie is going to be in his place while hes recovering." With or without Irsay, Grigson likes the direction Indianapolis is going. Before the free-agent market opened March 11, Grigson devoted much of his time trying to work out deals with his own players. Eventually, he re-signed a handful of players including punter Pat McAfee, kicker Adam Vinatieri, running back Ahmad Bradshaw and cornerback Vontae Davis. He also dipped into the free-agent pool and plucked linebacker DQwell Jackson, defensive lineman Arthur Jones, receiver Hakeem Nicks and centre Phil Costa. Grigson may not be finished, either. Last year, he nabbed receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey in April and Bradshaw in June -- a scenario that could be in play again. "We feel real good where we are at right now," Grigson said. "Of course, we are going to look toward the draft, but you never say never. We are always trying to get better." On the field, the big questions primarily surround Indys injured players. Grigson said the rehab process is on schedule for starting guard Donald Thomas (quad) and running back Vick Ballard (knee). The team has already said starting tight end Dwayne Allen (hip) is healthy, too. What about perennial Pro Bowl receiver Reggie Wayne, who tore the ACL in his right knee in October? "Reggie is just one guy we dont have to worry about," Grigson said. "Hes kind of like that Jerry Rice type mindset. He just doesnt stop working and hes so determined. I really dont worry about him and I know Chuck doesnt. I feel like hell be ready to roll." Grigson hopes thats the case with Irsay, too. "Everyone in the building loves the man," Grigson said. "We all would run through a brick wall for him. We all just really wish him a full and complete recovery and we are all really pulling for him."
San Francisco Giants Denard Span Jersey .C. -- Authorities say the brother of Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Roddy White has been shot and killed outside a South Carolina nightclub.
St. Louis Cardinals Allen Craig Jersey .com) - James van Riemsdyk had two goals with one assist to help the Toronto Maple Leafs to a 5-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night.NEW YORK -- The New York Rangers first game after they secured a playoff berth went a lot smoother than the two before they got in. Brad Richards scored twice on New Yorks previously anemic power play, Martin St. Louis had three assists in his best game since joining the Rangers last month, and Henrik Lundqvist kept the Carolina Hurricanes at bay in a 4-1 victory on Tuesday night. The Rangers qualified for the playoffs on Monday when New Jersey lost. New York was 0-1-1 in its previous two games after a 7-1 spurt vaulted them to second place in the Metropolitan Division. If the Rangers, who have two games left, hold off Philadelphia and Columbus they will have home-ice advantage against one of those teams in the first round. "You want to get good habits, and you want to play the game you want to play next week," said Lundqvist, who made 27 saves. "You cant take any shortcuts. You need to focus the same way and take each game as an important game. "Who knows? It can play a huge part in the end." Philadelphia and Columbus, third and fourth respectively in the Metropolitan, also won Tuesday. Philadelphia trails New York by two points, and Columbus is four points behind. Those clubs both have three games remaining. "We talked before the game that we have been playing good hockey for a long time, and we want to go into the playoffs feeling good about our game," Rangers coach Alain Vigneault said. "For the most part, thats what we did." Richards scored in the first period to tie it and then stretched New Yorks lead to two goals in the second with his 20th of the season -- the 10th time he has reached the mark in the NHL. Benoit Pouliot and Derek Stepan also scored as the Rangers beat the Hurricanes for the 11th time in 12 games. Patrick Dwyer scored for Carolina, and Cam Ward made 32 saves in just his second start in seven games. The Hurricanes are out of the playoff picture. "I thought three of the four goals that they scored were too easy," Ward said. "It was almost like we gave them to them." Lundqvist kept the Rangers in the game during the first when each team had 10 shots and numerous scoring chances. Carolina connected 3:22 in, after Ward made a big save. The Hurricanes dug the puck out of the corner to Lundqvists left, and Brett Bellemore brought it behind the Rangers net. He spotted Dwyer in front and fed a quick pass to him for his eeighth goal.
Washington Nationals Ryan Zimmerman Jersey. Lundqvist was sharp the rest of the way, turning aside Alexander Semins slow breakaway with 8 minutes left, catching Jeff Skinners hard shot from the right circle after he knocked the puck up in the air with his glove with 6:33 remaining, and a shot and rebound in tight by defenceman Jay Harrison. That allowed the Rangers to get even on Richards first. Just 9 seconds after Semin went off for hooking, Richards took a pass in the left circle from St. Louis, paused for a moment, and then slapped a shot past Ward with 4:16 to go in the first. New York had scored just four goals on its previous 47 power plays over 15 games. The Rangers nearly went in front with 1:39 left in the period, but Mats Zuccarello banged the puck off the right post at the goal line, and then had the carom stopped by Harrison at the left post. However, they wasted little time in grabbing the lead just 50 seconds into the middle period, making it 2-1 on Pouliots 14th goal. "We just werent ready to go in the second period," Ward said. "The puck dropped and they immediately attacked us." Zuccarello wound up for a big drive in the high slot, but instead of shooting the puck he slapped a pass to Pouliot, who cut in on left wing and scored. The Rangers pushed the lead to 3-1 and made it 2 for 2 on the power play when Richards -- in the middle of a triangle passing play with St. Louis and Dan Girardi -- took a feed from Girardi and slapped another drive that eluded Ward with 6:24 left in the second. "The turning point was getting scored on the first shift of the second period," Hurricanes coach Kirk Muller said. "We just had a tough time getting things going after that." Stepan finished the scoring 4:38 into the third when he steered a pass from St. Louis in at the left post for his 17th goal. St. Louis had just one goal and three assists before Tuesday in 17 games since joining the Rangers. "I definitely have felt a lot better the past six or seven games," St. Louis said. "Its nice to get rewarded on so many plays. Just keep looking to build it up and keep getting better." NOTES: Injured Rangers defenceman Ryan McDonagh (shoulder) and forward Chris Kreider (hand) both participated in the morning skate, but sat out the game. It isnt known if either will play in New Yorks final two regular-season games. ... It was Dwyers first goal in 10 games.
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