Musik » , and very much a hard grind up front

DENVER -- Brock Osweiler wanted to follow Peyton Mannings path, not live in his shadow.And that, he said, was the reason for his remark that drew so much ire back in Denver last spring.Osweiler swears he meant no disrespect to Denver when he said at his introductory news conference in Houston that he chose the Texans over the Broncos in free agency because they gave him the best opportunity to be successful.With his homecoming on tap Monday night, a game pitting two flawed 4-2 division leaders, Osweiler acknowledged it might not have been the wisest choice of words. But hes not apologizing for saying it, just expressing regret that it came off wrong in some quarters.After spending four seasons as Peyton Mannings backup and presumed successor, Osweiler shockingly left the Super Bowl champs for a four-year, $72 million offer from Houston 48 hours after Mannings tearful retirement.His best opportunity to be successful comment was seen as one last jab at the team that had benched him for the playoff run. A dash of salt in the wound of uncertainty hed left behind in Denver, the team was suddenly jolted with an unexpected search for a new quarterback.I dont know what he was thinking, Broncos cornerback Chris Harris Jr. said this week. Weve won a lot of games here, so I would think wed give him the best place to win.Osweiler explained that while he felt he fit in very nicely with Gary Kubiaks West Coast offense in Denver, where he went 5-2 as the starter last season, he felt his skills were better suited for Bill OBriens more traditional downfield passing scheme.It seemed like a phenomenal opportunity as a quarterback to play in a system like this, Osweiler said. I was able to see Peyton play in similar systems in 2012, `13 and `14. And I dont think any of us can deny what he was able to accomplish in those systems. So, as a quarterback, as a competitor, as someone striving to do great things in this league, it just seemed like a great opportunity to be able to play in a system that was similar to that.Osweiler also drew the ire of Broncos fans for skipping the teams White House visit and ring ceremony . He explained he was too busy learning a new playbook with a new team in a new city to relive Super Bowl 50, although Von Miller and Emmanuel Sanders did Facetime him from the ring ceremony in June.After a six-month search, the Broncos settled on Trevor Siemian as Mannings successor.I think Trevors done a phenomenal job, I really do, Osweiler said. I really couldnt be happier for Trevor.Osweiler is coming off his best game as a Texan, leading Houston back from a 14-point deficit for a 26-23 win in overtime against the Colts last week.Siemian is coming off his first loss, 21-13 at San Diego, where he was still compromised by a sprained left shoulder that had sidelined him the week before.You know what, Im really impressed with the guy, said ESPN color analyst Jon Gruden, who watched the Broncos practice over the weekend. No. 1, winning your first four starts in the NFL is hard to do, I dont care what kind of team youre on. Handling the pressure of not only succeeding Peyton Manning but taking the keys to the world champions, thats tough.Gruden said he expects Siemian to do even better when the Broncos ground game gets going and Kubiaks patented bootlegs and play-actions come into play more.The only bigger shocker than Osweiler leaving Denver this year was Siemian winning the job hed left behind.I think the credit goes to John Elway and Kubiak for a) finding the guy, but b) having the guts to play the guy, Gruden said. Most people would have said, `Hey, lets just go with (Mark) Sanchez. We traded for him. Lets save face and give Sanchez a shot. Or, `Lets go with Paxton Lynch. He was our No. 1 pick. Lets go with our seventh round pick who no one knows about? That takes a lot of courage. I think they deserve credit for playing the best player.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow AP Pro Football Writer Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton Khris Middleton Bucks Jersey . The 18-year-old American had five birdies in her bogey-free round for a 17-under total of 196. Lee held the overnight lead but mixed three birdies with two bogeys for a 70. Milwaukee Bucks Jerseys . Now that hes hitting streaking teammates with pin-point passes for easy layups, Love is asserting himself as one of the true superstars in the league. http://www.nbabucksproshop.com/Authentic-Giannis-Antetokounmpo-Bucks-Jersey/ . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. Vin Baker Jersey . -- Nate Robinson has played for seven teams, so beating one of them is no longer a rare occurrence. D. J. Wilson Bucks Jersey . President of baseball operations Larry Beinfest was fired Friday after 12 years with the Marlins. The move came as the team neared the end of its third consecutive last-place season in the NL East. All Blacks coach Steve Hansen believes his sides two Tests against Ireland will benefit them in the long run ahead of next years British and Irish Lions Tour.New Zealand went through 2016 largely untested with comfortable wins over Wales, Australia, South Africa and Argentina before Joe Schmidts Ireland halted the All Blacks record breaking run with a remarkable 40-29 win in Chicago.Ireland provided another stern challenge on Saturday in Dublin, but couldnt go back to back as New Zealand got their revenge 9-21 at the Aviva Stadium.Northern Hemisphere rugby is different to Southern Hemisphere, its a lot more non-compromising and physical, and very much a hard grind up front, Hansen said as his side headed for Paris for the All Blacks final Test of 2016 against France.The environment causes that, its not always nice and dry and theres a bit of snow about occasionally, it creates a different animal and a different beasst.ddddddddddddThe games arent as free-flowing, youve got to grind them out and its been good for this group to go through some of that and feel what that feels like, and then find an answer for it.?If you have a bad day you are going get hurt. Ireland, England and France are good sides. Wales on their day can hurt you and Scotland have already shown what they can do.I dont think its told us anything we didnt already know (re the Lions series). Its going to be a hell of a battle.You combine four teams with all the talent thats up here and theyre going to come at you with some heavy artillery and we will have to fire up and get the job done ourselves.The British and Irish Lions are going to be a really good side, probably one of the best sides theyve ever sent down. Looking forward to it. ' ' '