that is the case after winning the World Cup title

CINCINNATI - The Bengals defence is getting closer to full strength with Pro Bowl linebacker Vontaze Burfict practicing in helmet and pads on Wednesday. Given how the last game went, its an encouraging sign.Cincinnatis defence played its worst game in years, losing at New England 43-17 on Sunday night. The Patriots piled up 505 yards, the most against a Bengals defence since 2007.Burfict has missed the last two games while recovering from his second concussion of the season. The Bengals missed tackles, had breakdowns in coverage and got pushed around in New England without Burfict in the middle of the defence.Cincinnati (3-1) hosts Carolina (3-2) on Sunday. The Bengals lead the AFC North, while the Panthers are atop the NFC South.___Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Steven Brault Jersey . -- Detroit shortstop Jose Iglesias says he has stress fractures in both legs and isnt sure when hell be able to play again, leaving the Tigers two weeks to fill his spot for opening day and perhaps a lot longer. Honus Wagner Jersey . Next up is another showdown with Michigan. Payne scored 18 points, Branden Dawson had 14 and No. 22 Michigan State beat No. 12 Wisconsin 83-75 on Saturday to reach the Big Ten tournament championship. https://www.cheappiratesjerseys.us/2182e-starling-marte-jersey-pirates.html . In a pregame tribute commemorating his final contest at Coors Field on Wednesday night, Helton caught the ceremonial first pitch from his daughter with his wife, younger daughter and good friend Peyton Manning watching from the field. Geoff Hartlieb Jersey .com) - Jenny Boucek is the new head coach of the Seattle Storm. Cody Ponce Jersey . Both of Padakins goals came in the second period while Zane Jones added a single in the first period for Calgary (13-6-4). Hitmen goaltender Chris Driedger finished with 30 saves for the shutout.BERLIN -- Germany defender Per Mertesacker is retiring from the national team, becoming the third member of the World Cup-winning squad to quit. Mertesacker announced his decision in interviews with ZDF television and the Sueddeutsche Zeitung newspaper Friday. "After 10 fantastic years in the national team, I have reached the decision to step down," ZDF quoted Mertesacker on its website as saying. "It was always important to me to stop at a successful time, and that is the case after winning the World Cup title." The 29-year-old, capped 104 times, added that many young and fresh players are coming up and "the point simply has come now to make the next step possible for these boys." The Arsenal defender follows Philipp Lahm and veteran striker Miroslav Klose, who have both walked away from international football since Germany beat Argentina 1-0 last month to win its first World Cup since 1990. "Thee national team is in such good shape that Im not at all worried about three players retiring now," Mertesacker said.dddddddddddd He will now concentrate on his career with Arsenal, and told the Sueddeutsche Zeitung that he wants to become English champion with the London club. Mertesackers first game for Germany was against Iran on Oct. 9. 2004. He scored four goals for the national team during his career, and appeared in six of Germanys seven matches at this years World Cup in Brazil. World Cup-winning coach Joachim Loew, who is staying on for the 2016 European Championship, said Mertesacker "was always open to new things -- he always wants to learn, despite his immense experience." Loew said Germany would miss "Pers experience ... his positional play, above all his character and his attitude." "I could always rely on him in the 10 years he played for the national team," he said. ' ' '