Herzlich Willkommen » Islanders forward Anders Lee has been

BEREA, Ohio -- Johnny stretched. Silvino Bracho Jersey . Johnny ran. Johnny passed. Johnny talked. With all eyes -- well, at least the ones allowed to watch him -- on quarterback Johnny Manziel, the most hyped college player to enter the NFL in years took his first steps with the Browns, who havent promised Johnny Football anything other than a chance to win a starting job. And thats cool with him. "Im a rookie," Manziel said. "I need to earn my place. I need to earn my keep. Nothing here needs to be handed to me. I dont need to be treated based off what I did in the past, because that doesnt mean a thing at this level." The former Texas A&M quarterback, who oozes swagger every moment hes on the field, is participating in Clevelands rookie minicamp this weekend along with its other draft picks and unsigned free agents. Browns first-year coach Mike Pettine restricted access to Saturdays workout, which was held inside because of rainy weather, to local media members. Sundays practice is closed. Pettine was on the Jets coaching staff when popular quarterback Tim Tebow joined the team and wants to control "Manzielmania" as best he can. "Were well aware of the persona. Were well aware of what it brings," Pettine said. "Were excited about it. Its something that were very willing to have come here, knowing that he has a chance to make us a better football team and a better franchise." Pettine added that he knows the decision to limit access will "ruffle some feathers." "Ill apologize in advance for that, but what were tasked as a staff to do is do whats best for the football team," he said. Wearing a red No. 2 jersey, Manziel stretched with his teammates as Jay-Zs "Public Service Announcement" boomed through the speakers in the field house. With Browns owner Jimmy Haslam on the sideline, Manziel made a few handoffs and threw three short passes before the session was closed after 15 minutes. Manziel later answered questions for 10 minutes before the interview was stopped by a member of the teams media relations staff. Manziel tried to clear up one story about how he wound up with the Browns, whose long-suffering fans hope his arrival can turn around their woeful franchise. Cleveland passed on him earlier in the draft before trading up to take him at No. 22. On Thursday, quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains revealed during a radio interview that Manziel sent him a text message during last weeks draft, urging the team to pick him. Loggains claimed the text read: "Hurry up and draft me because I want to wreck this league together." Manziel confirmed he exchanged texts with Loggains, but said the one in which he claimed he would "wreck this league" may have been exaggerated. "I dont know if thats exactly word for word," he said. "It was something along those lines." He explained he didnt mean he was going to dominate as a rookie, just that he wanted to help the Browns win games. "Whenever it is I get a chance to play, I dont want to come in and be mediocre," he said. As for his desire to join the Browns, Manziel said that was true. "This was a place I felt comfortable with," he said. "I liked the situation here and I wanted to come here, and if they wanted to take me and were trying to get me earlier, I said, Lets do it. I dont know what kind of influence that had or what exactly that did." Pettine told Manziel that if he wants to start hes going to have to beat out Brian Hoyer, who made three starts last year before a knee injury ended his season. Manziel said he understands hes nothing special -- not yet. "I was completely OK with hearing that from everybody," he said. "I dont want to come in and have anything handed to me that I dont deserve." Manziel was humbled long before the Browns took him. "I got passed up 21 times, so that says something," he said. As for meshing with his new teammates, Manziel is fitting right in. Offensive lineman Joe Bitonio, a second-round pick, said there was a moment of awe when he walked into the locker room and realized his locker was next to Manziels. "At first I was like, Man, thats Johnny Manziel," Bitonio said. "And then once you get to know him, hes a normal guy." On the field, Manziel has already made an impression. "Amazing," running back Terrance West said. "Hes Manziel, right? Everybody knows Johnny Manziel. He makes plays. He makes big plays. Hes a great player." But right now, hes only Johnny Rookie. Tim Locastro Jersey . Nathan Beaulieu, Tomas Jurco, Danick Gauthier and Jonathan Huberdeau had a goal and an assist each as the Sea Dogs extended the longest streak in the Canadian Hockey League this season. Mike Leake Jersey . The defending champions sent their preliminary list to FIFA on Tuesday, with coach Vicente del Bosque to announce the final 23-man squad on May 25. Costa is set to lead the attack in his native Brazil, with Atletico Madrid teammate David Villa and Chelseas Fernando Torres also included, while David de Gea replaces injured goalkeeper Victor Valdes. https://www.cheapdiamondbacksjerseys.us/738l-brian-anderson-jersey-diamondbacks.html .Y. - Islanders forward Anders Lee has been fined $2,286 by the NHL for elbowing St.DENVER - Carve an extra piece of turkey to celebrate, David Backes and T.J. Oshie, because St. Louis is well on its way to the post-season. Treat yourself to another slice of pumpkin pie, Max Pacioretty, since Montreals virtually in, too.At least, the numbers seem to suggest as much.Since the 2005-06 season, NHL teams in post-season position entering the American Thanksgiving holiday have gone on to make the Stanley Cup playoffs 77.3 per cent of the time, according to STATS.So enjoy a heaping helping of mashed potatoes and gravy, Cam Fowler, because Anaheim is in prime position as the Ducks lead the Western Conference. After all, the top three teams in each conference on turkey day make the field nearly 90 per cent of the time.Just dont mention those figures to players, because it is too early to think about playoffs, Washington forward Troy Brouwer said.Its November.Fair enough, but what these numbers illustrate is that a fast start does, indeed, set up a team for success — or the lack of it.A quick start to a season may be even more beneficial in basketball, though. An NBA team in post-season position by Christmas — thats slightly more games than an NHL squad plays by Thanksgiving — goes on to make the playoffs 84.4 per cent of the time since 05-06, according to STATS.Translation: Be good by the holidays or say goodbye to the post-season.I dont believe you can make the playoffs in the first 20 games. But I do believe you can miss the playoffs in the first 20 games, said Eddie Olczyk, an NBC hockey analyst whos also a former player and coach.So if that Thanksgiving stat holds true, come April, these will be your Eastern Conference playoff representatives: Montreal, Pittsburgh, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay, Detroit, Washington, Boston and Toronto.In the Western Conference, it would be: Anaheim, Nashville, Vancouver, St. Louis, Calgary, Chicago, Los Angeles and Winnipeg.Most noticeably absent? Philadelphia and the New York Rangers in the East, along with Colorado in the West.All three have some work to do to get back to the playoff stage. Then again, the Flyers werent in the post-season picture last Thanksgiving, only to rally late behind the play of Claude Giroux.No reason to panic, though. Most teams have barrely played a quarter of their schedule. Taijuan Walker Jersey. I would never think that people should count us out, Avalanche defenceman Zach Redmond said.The teams seeded in the top three at the moment are definitely in solid shape. That would be you, Canadiens, Penguins and Islanders (Lightning in the mix as well). And also you, Ducks, Predators and Canucks (Blues and Flames are right there, too).Only five teams seeded in the top-three at Thanksgiving have failed to make the post-season over the past eight seasons (2012-13 didnt get rolling until January). The last to do so was Minnesota in 11-12, in research provided by STATS.Heres a reason why its so difficult to jump over teams: The NHLs three-point system. A winner of a game receives two points, but if the loser happens to get beaten in overtime or in a shootout, it still gains a point.Olczyk isnt a big fan of that system, believing, if you win, you should get the whole ball of wax. If you lose, you get nothing.His logic is this: A team can go 1-5-4 in a 10-game stretch, but still pick up six points. In any other league, that would be a 1-9 skid and bury a team in the standings.It gets so exhausting when people in January and February talk about, Oh, I cant believe how close the race is, Olczyk said. Well, hold on a second. Why is it so hard to believe? A good percentage of the games have three points being given out. The races should be close. Nobody should be surprised how close it is.The deeper into the season races go, the more conservative teams may play, just to secure at least a point.Playing life and death (hockey) when youre trying to make the playoffs at the end of the season can be taxing, Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. Certainly we dont want to be in a position of playing life and death (hockey) to try to get in at games 80, 81 and 82.Not that the Blackhawks have anything to worry about — theyre a virtual cinch to be in. At least, according to the numbers.On the flip side, a team like Colorado is in post-season jeopardy, if you placed stock in those stats.Ive never been a huge believer in stats, Avs captain Gabriel Landeskog said. Its a long season and theres a lot of hockey left.___AP freelance writer Dale Bublitz contributed. ' ' '