Hard und Software » When Michigan practices, everyone in the backfie

NEW YORK -- Maybe Roger Federer could play the Olympics and skip the U.S. Open. Or sit out the Rio Games and make it to New York.The 17-time major champion contemplated both scenarios, holding out hope as long as he could that hed find a way to enter at least one of the big events in August.In the end, his balky left knee wouldnt allow him to do either.At a meeting with doctors and trainers, Federer recalled, Everybody said, `You need a break -- right now.So the Swiss great announced in late July that hed miss the rest of the season, by far the longest layoff of a remarkably healthy career.Federer, who turned 35 this month, was in Manhattan on Wednesday to talk about playing tennis next year at the new Laver Cup team event. But for the first time since 1999, hes not preparing for the U.S. Open.He underwent an arthroscopic procedure in February to repair torn cartilage -- the first surgery of his career. Federer hasnt played since his Wimbledon loss to Milos Raonic, in which he fell awkwardly and called the trainer to check on what had become a nagging knee problem.I never really had pain, funny enough, Federer said Wednesday. It just felt unstable.Then there was the swelling.When its swollen, you cant compete at the best level, he added.An MRI didnt show anything distinctly different from before. For all his upbeat talk Wednesday about his future, Federer let some doubts seep in when he discussed the mystery of whats going on in the knee.Thats why, I think, its been to some extent frustrating, he said. At least if I had a lot of pain, or if the scan shows you thoroughly what exactly the problem is, then I think its easier to take a decision.I really hope Im not being misled by the knee that it doesnt feel painful. But its just not 100 percent. Thats why I just think the beating that I got in Wimbledon and the clay court season was just so complicated.Federer, who also skipped the French Open because of a bad back, didnt play tennis for five or six weeks and just now is starting to do a few things on the court. Hes focused on exercises to strengthen his left quadriceps, such as squats, so hell be physically ready once he ramps back up to his full workouts to prepare for Januarys Australian Open.It might have been possible to return for a couple of tournaments late in 2016, Federer said, but there was no point once he knew he would miss the bulk of the fall schedule.He reflected back to this past January, when the Laver Cup concept was unveiled at the Australian Open, and marveled: My God, I never thought I was going to have a year the way I had it.He hurt his knee while preparing a bath for his twin daughters, then later saw his record 65-appearance streak at major tournaments end. Federer wont win a title in a season for the first time since 2000. And now that he missed the Rio Games, his career could end without an Olympic singles gold medal.He insisted he hasnt missed competition yet, though maybe that will change when the U.S. Open starts next week. The quiet away from the spotlight has been nice, he said -- even if he quickly amended that to: Ive got four kids -- its a different quiet.Back in New York, site of five of his titles, Federer said he watched a lot of volleyball during the Olympics and spoke to Andy Murray after the Brit won gold. Despite Murrays recent run, Federer still believes Novak Djokovic is the favorite at the U.S. Open.No matter that the worlds top-ranked player has struggled by his standards since completing the career Grand Slam at Roland Garros -- Djokovic is just too good on the hard courts and too successful against Murray, Federer said.If the Serb does win to move within four major titles of Federers record, the man hes chasing will be forced to watch from afar.In a way its painful, just because I love this place, Federer said, and its hard watching the Olympics -- I would have loved to have competed there as well. ... Would have loved to win a medal. Cheap NFL Jerseys . -- The plastic that was taped across the lockers in Oaklands clubhouse came down and the champagne that was on ice went back into the cooler. NFL Jerseys China . 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ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Jim Harbaugh likes to spread the wealth when No. 2 Michigan runs the ball.Four running backs, a pair of receivers, a fullback and do-it-all Jabrill Peppers are each averaging more than one carry per game.It seems to be helping all of those Wolverines now, keeping them fresh with the football when it is their turn to run with it. The plan potentially serves the program well in the future, too, because recruits can see a lot of players getting a chance as underclassmen to take the field for the Wolverines (8-0, 5-0 Big Ten) .Michigan opponents, including Maryland (5-3, 2-3) on Saturday at the Big House, are left preparing for a lot of different players when Wilton Speight hands off.Harbaugh acknowledged all of those benefits Monday, but didnt want to talk too much about the topic to perhaps keep opponents guessing.Michigans running backs -- DeVeon Smith, Chris Evans, Karan Higdon and Ty Isaac -- combine for nearly 33 carries and 203 yards rushing per game. None of them is averaging 12 rushing attempts or has run for more than 450 yards this season.Smith, a senior, gets the ball the most and still is averaging just 11.3 carries and 56 yards rushing a game.A freshman, Evans, and a sophomore, Higdon, with 53 carries apiece this season show talented tailbacks will get an opportunity to play as merited under Harbaugh. Fullbacks traditionally get a chance to flourish with Harbaugh and Khalid Hill is the latest example, running for eight touchdowns on 19 carries.Just when defenses are keying in on the backfield, the Wolverines run end-arounds to wide receivers Eddie McDoom and Jehu Chesson. And just to keep teams even more busy with theiir scouting reports, they have to spend time looking at how Peppers runs with the ball off shotgun snaps.ddddddddddddWhen Michigan practices, everyone in the backfield knows theyre auditioning for playing time.It makes you better as a competitor, Higdon said. It makes you better as a player knowing that you got someone who can easily step up and take your spot or take your opportunities.Harbaugh loves to find creative ways to put the ball in Peppers hands. Harbaugh sounds as if he might want to even more after watching him return a fumble for a 2-point conversion toward the end of Saturdays 33-23 win at Michigan State .I heard a sonic boom, Harbaugh said. I thought some parachutes were going to come out.None of Michigans players are going to come out publicly and say they want 15 to 20 carries a game because that would go against Harbaughs team-first mantra. Getting the ball less may also cut down on wear and tear, giving players a better chance of staying healthy in college and perhaps in the NFL.I definitely see how the logic is working, Higdon said. Higdon said the players in his position group simply have faith in the coaches, including former Michigan star and NFL player, Tyrone Wheatley.Hes been there and done it at a higher level, Higdon said. Whenever hes critiquing you or telling you things that youre doing good, its coming from someone who has been at the highest level so its definitely appreciated.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org---Follow Larry Lage on Twitter at www.twitter.com/larrylage ' ' '