Kreativecke » Buck Showalter hopes Rickard will be back before

INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano has seen enough of the defensive woes.The big plays, the missed tackles, the ridiculous penalties all need to stop -- right now.If that message didnt get through before last weekends loss, Pagano and general manager Ryan Grigson made it abundantly clear this week when they cut two starters: cornerback Antonio Cromartie and inside linebacker Sio Moore, the teams leading tackler.I know this, when those guys trot out there and theyve got that horseshoe on their helmet, theres an expectation. I dont care who it is, that expectation has to be met, first-year defensive coordinator Ted Monachino said Thursday. Either they meet expectations, exceed expectations or they dont meet expectations. That is as crystal clear as it can be.So far, the Colts (1-3) have not lived up to those standards.They head into Sundays game against Chicago (1-3) allowing 31.3 points per game, have struggled to get off the field, and when they do make a play there always seems to be a hit out of bounds or a late hit on the quarterback.Everyone in the organization understands mistakes happen, but the litany of early-season miscues has become untenable.Following Sundays loss to previously winless Jacksonville, quarterback Andrew Luck used his platform to make a rare public critique. Luck, who was limited in Thursdays practice with a sore throwing shoulder, said the Colts need to be more professional.While Luck didnt single anyone out, other than himself, he backtracked a bit by acknowledging later that he was only referring to the sloppy play and the need for everyone to play better. Teammates understood exactly what Luck meant.Just hold everybody accountable, do the little things right, being a pro, being on time, dont let outside distractions affect whats going on in the locker room, Pro Bowl cornerback Vontae Davis said. Its meant to reinforce what you have to do as a pro, sacrifice.And get things fixed when they go awry.Far too often this season, coaches have seen the same problems week after week, so Tuesday, the Colts made some changes.Perhaps the decision on Cromartie was explainable, given that he was signed in mid-August to help a secondary depleted by injuries and now that the Colts are nearly back to full strength , they didnt need a 32-year-old cornerback.Cromartie didnt help his cause, either. On the final possession of the first half Sunday, Cromartie was burned for two completions and called for holding and pass interference on an eight-play drive that led to a Jacksonville field goal. He was benched in the second half.Moores case was more puzzling. After trading a draft pick to Oakland last September and cutting veteran Nate Irving before the season, Moore put solid numbers on paper. But he also was one of Indys biggest offenders of missed tackles.Guys know in this profession you have to go out there and get your job done, cornerback Darius Butler said. Its a bottom line business. Ive been let go twice, I know the feeling. Like I said, its part of the profession and you just have to go out there and play. With no clear-cut replacement on the roster for Moore, Monachino intends to use veteran Josh McNary, fourth-round draft pick Antonio Morrison and Edwin Jackson, who has played mostly on special teams -- to fill the gap. Pagano said Wednesday that a bigger safety, such as 6-foot-2, 220-pound Clayton Geathers, also could find playing time in Moores old spot.Whoever winds up with the job, theyll know this: If they dont succeed, Indy wont wait long to make a move.We all understand that this is a black-and-white production business. Either you can or you cant, you have or you have not, you will or you wont, Monachino said. We all understand this is a black-and-white production business. Either you have and you can or you havent and you cant. We will continue to work our craft and continue to get better.Game notes Butler (hamstring) and right guard Denzelle Good (back) did limited work Thursday. ... Running back Frank Gore and outside linebacker Erik Walden, who both missed practice Wednesday with chest injuries, were both full go Thursday. Right tackle Joe Reitz (back) also was a full participant after being limited Wednesday. ... Monachino said defensive tackle Art Jones was lean and in good shape when he returned from his four-game suspension for violating the leagues performance-enhancing substance policy. Its still uncertain if Jones will be activated for Sundays game.----Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Nike Air Max 90 Outlet . Any real chance at payback wont come until the playoff. Still, Pittsburgh knows its taut 3-2 win over the Bruins on Wednesday night is a pretty good place to start laying the groundwork. "They are a very good defensive team," Penguins forward Brandon Sutter said. Fake Nike Air Max 90 .C. -- Rodney Hood connected from all over the court while freshman Jabari Parker was busy swatting shots and scoring in transition. https://www.cheapnikeairmax90china.us/ . Peter Gammons, an analyst for Major League Baseballs network and website, drew the ire of hockey fans on Sunday when he criticized the two NHL teams on Twitter for their physical game the night before. Clearance Nike Air Max 90 .Y. - General manager Billy King says the Brooklyn Nets are looking to add a big man and confirmed the team worked out centre Jason Collins, who would become the first openly gay active NBA player if signed. Nike Air Max 90 Sale . Mickelson barely made the cut but had the best round of the day with nine birdies and an eagle coupled with two bogeys to sit two shots behind leader Craig Lee of Scotland. Lee shot a 69 for a 12-under 204 total. "I just love the fact I am in contention and have an opportunity in my first tournament of the year here in Abu Dhabi," Mickelson said. WASHINGTON -- Daniel Murphy tried to set the stage for a dramatic rally, but even the first grand slam of his career wasnt enough juice to get the Washington Nationals out of their funk.Murphy hit a grand slam as part of a five-run ninth inning, but the Nationals fell short in a 10-8 loss to the Baltimore Orioles. Washington has lost three in a row to Baltimore this week and six of its past nine overall.Despite that, the Nationals still lead the NL East by seven games over the Miami Marlins, and the almost-comeback had manager Dusty Baker feeling better in spite of another defeat.The thing Im proud of my team about is we lost the game, but I mean they showed a lot of fight, Baker said. If you keep fighting like that, youre going to win a lot of ballgames. I mentioned to some of the guys, good teams got to come back. And come back we did.Trailing 10-3 going into the bottom of the ninth, the Nationals got singles from Danny Espinosa and pinch-hitter Clint Robinson, and a walk to Jayson Werth set up Murphys 24th home run of the season, the grand slam off Parker Bridwell.Great at-bats in front of me, Murphy said. J.W .works a great at bat, Clint comes off the bench, hits a bullet and I got a pitch in the middle of the plate. Fortunately I didnt miss it.Murphys grand slam forced the Orioles to turn to closer Zach Britton, who was on a streak of 43 consecutive appearances without giving up an earned run. That ended when Bryce Harper singled and Anthony Rendon drove him in with an RBI double, the first run Britton gave up since April 30.Britton got Ryan Zimmerman to ground into a game-ending double play, making Washington starter Tanner Roark (13-7) lament his rough start. Roark said he wasnt at his best in giving up five runs, four earned, on seven hits in five-pluss innings.ddddddddddddRoark hit three of the first 14 batters he faced and allowed a two-run home run to Manny Machado before settling down.Hes usually not as erratic as he was tonight, Zimmerman said. He cant be great every single time. He did battle. Kept us in the game for five innings. Thats kind of typical of Tanner. Even when he doesnt have his good stuff, he battles and keeps us in the game. That was good to see him do that.TRAINERS ROOMOrioles: OF Joey Rickard is set to see the doctor Sept. 2 to determine how his right thumb ligament injury is progressing. Manager Buck Showalter hopes Rickard will be back before the end of the season. ... LHP Brian Duensing (left elbow inflammation) threw seven pitches in an inning in the Gulf Coast League, Showalter said.Nationals: INF Stephen Drew saw an inner ear specialist to get a shot in his ear, according to team broadcaster MASN. He has been out since late July with vertigo.HARPER HOLDS MEDALSHarper became Katie Ledeckys medal holder while the swimmer threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Ledecky, who won one silver and four gold medals at the Rio Olympics, handed them to Harper before throwing to reliever Shawn Kelley.TURN, TURN, TURNWith his single in the seventh, Trea Turner tied the Montreal Expos/Nationals franchise record with hits in eight consecutive plate appearances. Andre Dawson and Dmitri Young remained in the record books when Turner struck out in the ninth to finish his day 4 for 5.UP NEXTWith Chris Tillman on the disabled list, the Orioles turn to RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (5-10, 6.94 ERA) to make his first start since July 28. Hell face Nationals RHP Max Scherzer (13-7, 3.05). ' ' '