says just because youre rookies doesnt mean its an excuse, Boyd sai

Novak Djokovic has historically basked in the glow of the spotlight at the Londons O2 Arena, but for Andy Murray, the glare during the ATP World Tour Finals has usually been harsh, exposing his weaknesses and shortcomings.It might be a different story for the new world No. 1 this year.On Monday, Murray launched his campaign to consolidate the No. 1 ranking he lifted from Djokovics hands a little more than a week ago in Paris. He crushed Marin Cilic in the first match of the round-robin stage, 6-3, 6-2, in an hour and a half. Afterward, Murray admitted in his on-court interview, Its one of the best matches I have played here.It also was one of the most timely demonstrations of the hardworking 29-year-old Scots rewarding, but often frustrating, career.Like Rafael Nadal, a fellow member of the Big Four, Murray has never won the eight-man ATP grand finale. Unlike Nadal, Murray hasnt even made a final at the year-enders despite his expertise on hard courts. Its surprising when you consider the adulation from a besotted British crowd beaming down at him and the hybrid round-robin format that allows a player various backdoor ways to advance.Murray has qualified for nine finals (eight at the palatial O2 Arena), but his win against Cilic barely nudged him over the .500 mark in his year-end career (12-11). Murrays 6-0, 6-1 loss to 33-year-old Roger Federer in 2014 was a career low point -- and a painful embarrassment.Meanwhile, Djokovic is working on his fifth consecutive and sixth overall WTF title.The O2 arena is basically deep enemy territory for Murray. Djokovic has every right to pound his chest (as we know, hes not above it) and bellow, This is MY house! Chez Djokovic isnt exactly the place Murray would choose to turn his fortunes around, but recent events have conspired to turn this tournament into just that -- a showdown for the No. 1 ranking, as well as the even more precious year-end No. 1 ranking.Murray is the 26th man to reach No. 1 on the ATP computer. But only 16 have finished a calendar year as top man. Murray needs to go one round further than Djokovic (or to beat him in the final) to secure the honors.Until he actually became No. 1, Murray had been protesting that hitting the summit was not really his goal this fall. He declared he might have a better shot at in next spring. Far from the O2 Arena. Far from Chez Djokovic.Forget the prattle about how tough everyone is in the draw; this one was a gift handed to the beleaguered Djokovic. He is 24-0 against the three other players in his group --?Milos Raonic, Dominic Thiem (whom Djokovic beat Sunday) and Gael Monfils.Meanwhile, Murray was a solid but vulnerable 27-12 against the men in his field --?Stan Wawrinka, Kei Nishikori and Cilic. To top it off, Cilic hit his career-high ranking of No. 7 just a week ago, and he hammered Murray in the Cincinnati final the last time they met.I dont feel any different this week than I did the week before when I get up in the morning and stuff, Murray said in the pretournament news conference in London.It was an uh-oh moment, saved only when he almost grudgingly elaborated on the effect of becoming the top player: Maybe when you step on court, you have a little more confidence, feel a little better about yourself when youre hitting balls and getting ready for the tournament.That confidence showed in his match with Cilic. Although Murray got off to a rocky start, smacking errant forehands and jabbering at his players guest box, he soon settled down, breaking Cilic to take a 3-1 lead. Murray won 59 percent of his second-serve points, and his aggressive return game paid off with four breaks in five break-point chances. Cilic also had five break points but converted just one.Murray attributed his sharp response to critical moments to the confidence he has accumulated in the course of a winning streak that now stands at 20 matches. Hell probably need to puff himself up even more assertively in the coming days because of the stakes in play.Winning this event is a very tall order for Murray, but he has been handling such demands with great resolve all fall. He has landed more squarely in the spotlight than ever before -- and the glare didnt seem nearly as bleak on Monday.Custom Ozzie Smith Jersey . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. Authentic Custom Padres Jersey . Aduriz headed home Markel Susaetas cross in the sixth minute to open the scoring at San Mames Stadium. He bettered that with a long-range blast that went in off the goal frame in the 18th, and converted a penalty in the 72nd after Diego Mainz was sent off for fouling Aduriz with only the goalkeeper to beat. http://www.custompadresjersey.com/custom-ozzie-smith-jersey-large-78b.html .500 on the season. The Jets are now 0-5-1 in the second game of back-to-backs. The game started the same way the Vancouver game started the night before, with the Jets taking the first two penalties of the game and killing off the first, but the Oilers getting on the board first, scoring on the second man-advantage. Custom Padres Jerseys . -- An ugly goal by Nick Bonino helped the Anaheim Ducks overcome the defensive-minded Phoenix Coyotes on a night when their ragged power play continued to struggle. Custom Padres Jersey China . In the lead up - which seemed to begin the moment Mike Geiger blew the whistle in Houston last Thursday night - the Impact rumour mill went into overdrive. The speculation went into meltdown mode, of the golden nugget variety.Carson Wentz is keeping a cool NFL streak going.When he starts Sunday for the Eagles against the Browns, it will mark the ninth consecutive season that at least one rookie quarterback starts in Week 1, the longest string in the Super Bowl era. The last year it did not happen was 2007.The previous longest streak in the Super Bowl era was four, from 1968-71.Wentz went second overall in the draft to Philadelphia. The top selection, Jared Goff of the Rams, right now is a third-stringer behind Case Keenum and Sean Mannion.The rookies starting in Week 1 since 2008 have been Matt Ryan of Atlanta and Joe Flacco of Baltimore in `08; Mark Sanchez of the Jets and Matthew Stafford of Detroit in 2009; Sam Bradford of the Rams in 2010; Andy Dalton of Cincinnati and Cam Newton of Carolina in 2011; Robert Griffin III of Washington, Andrew Luck of Indianapolis, Ryan Tannehill of Miami, Russell Wilson of Seattle, and Brandon Weeden of Cleveland in 2012; EJ Manuel of Buffalo and Geno Smith of the Jets in 2013; Derek Carr of Oakland in 2014; Jameis Winston of Tampa Bay and Marcus Mariota of Tennessee last season.---HELPING HANDS: The Minnesota Vikings, emotionally stung by the massive injury to quarterback Teddy Bridgewaters left knee last week, have naturally rallied around the popular leader.New acquisition Sam Bradford, who tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in 2013 and again in 2014, offered his insight about recovery from the injury, also carrying the hope that Bridgewater could be a resource for his cram session with the offense.I wanted to make it known that I was available and willing to talk to him about it, Bradford said, and then I asked him if he could please be here as much as possible to help me out. I would really appreciate that, too.Then theres coach Mike Zimmer, hired the same year Bridgewater was drafted. He has developed a strong relationship with the young quarterback. Zimmers voice cracked a couple of times last week during a news conference to discuss Bridgewaters injury. He recently revealed a new way theyve bonded as well.Bridgewater has been a regular visitor to the trainers room, always a smile on his face, Zimmer said, but unable to bend his leg to complete a simple, important task. So cornerback Xavier Rhodes and Zimmer have sprung to action.He cant reach his shoes, so Xav does it, Zimmer said Monday. I was down there today, and I tied it for him. Im the shoe-tier now.---NUMBER CHANGE IN MEMORY OF FRIEND: Tennessee rookie Derrick Henry finally has settled on a number for the regular season, and hes wearing No. 22 in memory of his late friend and former Alabama teammate Altee Tenpenny.The running backs knew each other from high school, competing in camps before they both went to Alabama. Tenpenny then transferred to UNLV, then Nicholls State. Henry mentioned Tenpenny, who was 20 when he was killed in a one-car crash in Mississippi in October, in his speech when he accepted the Heisman Trophy in December.We always talked like duringg practice, and I asked him if he went to the NFL what would he wear? Henry said of Tenpenny.dddddddddddd He said his high school number was 22. So make sure that that dream goes on for him.The Heisman Trophy winner wore the No. 2 he played with in college at Alabama throughout the offseason and preseason, prompting speculation over what number he would wind up with in the regular season -- league rules limit running backs to between the numbers 20 and 49. The release of running back Dexter McCluster freed up No. 22 in time for Tennessees season opener against Minnesota.Henrys glad the process of picking an NFL number is over.And Im so happy I got the number I always wanted, Henry said. I feel like I can do some great things (thinking of Tenpenny).---YOUNG-UNS: Three rookies made the Bengals receiver group, an uncharacteristic lack of experience for Cincinnati at whats been its deepest position.Second-round pick Tyler Boyd is expected to play a lot. Sixth-round pick Cody Core and free agent Alex Erickson earned spots with impressive preseasons.Theyve proved that they can play, and were going to need them to, quarterback Andy Dalton said. Were going to rely on them.The big transition is the result of Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu leaving as free agents. The Bengals released receiver Brandon Tate -- the franchises punt return leader -- and gave the job to Erickson, a walk-on at Wisconsin. Theyre not going easy on the newcomers.Coach says just because youre rookies doesnt mean its an excuse, Boyd said.---BIG BLUE WRECKING CREW: Their nickname was melodic. Their defense was anything but.In his new book, Jerry Barca details the making of the 1986 New York Giants, the franchises first of four Super Bowl champions. All the key characters get into the spotlight, from the man who built the team, general manager George Young, to coach Bill Parcells to the fearsome defense built around Lawrence Taylor and Harry Carson, both now Hall of Famers.Wisely, Barca doesnt examine the 1986 champions in isolation. Big Blue Wrecking Crew begins with the 1978 fumble by Joe Pisarcik that in Philadelphia became known as the Miracle at the Meadowlands. That decision not to take a knee to clinch a victory, leading to a devastating loss, was the catalyst for a rebuilding that culminated in the Super Bowl victory over Denver for the Giants first NFL title in 30 years.He also pulls no punches, looking into the darker side of the franchise, including players issues with cocaine use, and Parcells mind games with players.You dont have to be a Giants fan to be entranced by Barcas engrossing book. Indeed, for some Giants fans, it might be a painful read. But a worthwhile one.---AP Pro Football Writers Barry Wilner, Teresa M. Walker and Dave Campbell, and Sports Writer Joe Kay contributed to this report.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '