Hilfestellungen » call blitzes. ... The D-line is supposed

NEW YORK -- You probably know the strict rule that actors should never give suggestions about performance -- notes in thespian-speak -- to other actors. Its supposed to be verboten, something thats left to the director.We mention this after seeing a great ensemble take center stage on Sunday here at Madison Square Garden, just down the street from the theater district in Manhattan. This is a group, though, that doesnt hesitate to give its cohorts critiques and advice, which bothers neither them nor their very well-respected director.In fact, after the U.S. womens basketball team beat Australia 104-89 in the Americans last tune-up game before the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, the sense was that the players are all eagerly learning from one another, along with a staff led by Geno Auriemma.One of the things he celebrated about what we were doing is how we let ourselves be coached by each other, said Maya Moore, who had 13 points, six rebounds and six assists on Sunday. When you have a team like that, you really cant be stopped. Because no ones going to take it personally. No ones going to shut down because of their feelings being hurt. Were just going to take it and move on to the next play.Thats one of the things I appreciate about this team that makes it fun. Everybody can share in everybody elses success.Of course, basketball isnt Broadway; in hoops, its not that uncommon for the players to share some thoughts on one anothers games. But with an all-star, cream-of-the-crop group of players, theoretically its possible that there could be some bristling amongst stars trading tips. Like, Who is she to tell me ... .But it isnt like that at all with the U.S. squad. To the contrary, especially with the very short preparation time the Americans have together as a team, its an all-hands-on-deck approach to constructive criticism and good old-fashioned encouragement.For instance, a few days ago, Diana Taurasi, whos headed to her fourth Olympics, gave some advice to Elena Delle Donne, who is going to her first Summer Games.I said, Elena, sometimes you get in these situations and you forget what youre good at, Taurasi said. Because youre around all these great players and personalities. I said, You be who you are.Delle Donne had 12 points on Friday in the Americans victory over Canada, then 19 on Sunday against Australia.It was huge, especially coming from her, Delle Donne said of Taurasis words of wisdom. Someone Ive looked up to my entire life. I love her game, and shes such a leader. So for her to say that, it helped me take a deep breath and say, Hey, its still the game of basketball. Im here to be me, and I need to play the way I can.It is just a slight exaggeration that Delle Donne has admired Taurasi her entire life; hey, lets not make DT feel too old here. Delle Donne is seven years younger, and shes already won a WNBA MVP award.But its emblematic of the personality of the U.S. team that Delle Donne has such admiration for her older teammates. That mentality has been part of why the Americans are going for their sixth consecutive Olympic gold medal.Of course, there is also their sheer talent, which was on display Sunday to the delight of the crowd of 13,520 at the Garden. Taurasi doesnt just give good advice, she can still torch the nets. She finished with a team-high 20 points against Australia, with 15 coming in the third quarter.Auriemma said that if Taurasi has a flaw in her play with the national team, its that she can be so focused on getting her teammates involved that she doesnt look enough for her own scoring chances.Diana is sometimes so unselfish that she doesnt impose herself on the game, Auriemma said. Shell pass up open shots because she wants somebody else to touch the ball and get them into the flow.She kind of sets the tone for our team. And when Dianas playing at a really high level, its really fun to watch.Sundays game definitely was entertaining, and part of that was the fight that Australia showed. The Opals no longer have the stalwart star inside, the great Lauren Jackson. And after this WNBA season, forward Penny Taylor will join LJ in retirement. But the Aussies always play hard, and center Elizabeth Cambage remains a very difficult player for any team, even the Americans, to guard. She led the Opals with 22 points and also had eight rebounds.Ultimately, though, the bottom line on Sunday was the same as it has been for the past decade since the United States last loss, which came in the 2006 world championship semifinals: The Americans were just too good. And they continue to play beautifully together, despite their very limited preparation time.Again, part of that goes back to their ability to critique one another without anyone getting their feathers ruffled.Moore attributes that to a few things, beyond just the fact that its become part of USA Basketballs tradition. She points out, pragmatically, that everybody on the team gets the same medal and that their investment is the same.One medal doesnt say leading scorer or leading rebounder or most blocks, Moore said. There is no pressure to try to get some sort of record, individually.But another aspect of it is that were just playing basketball. Were not doing a lot of complicated, secretive plays and actions. So all the things were telling each other are just basic things that make us better basketball players.Or as Brittney Griner -- who like Delle Donne and Breanna Stewart is a first-time Olympian -- said, With someone like Coach [Auriemma] and the players we have on our team, youre always learning something.Or maybe its learning things that you kinda forgot. You get into your habits, and sometimes theyre not the best habits. Its kind of like a refresher, like going back to college a little bit.A college with some great professors ... and also some top-notch student-teachers.If anything, being older, youve been through it all, Taurasi said of her veteran role. Ive been on a lot of teams where you get told a lot of things. At the core, you have to go back to what got you here. Stitched Pacers Jerseys . Batiste, who briefly signed with the Eskimos in 2006, has spent time with several NFL teams including the Pittsburgh Steelers and Washington Redskins. Gerald Green Jersey . Hamelin, who triumphed in the 500 on Saturday, edged out Victor An of Russia by 0.021 seconds to maintain his lead in the World Cup standings. Russias Vladimir Grigorev was third. In the relay, Canada took control six laps from the finish line to beat Russia and the Netherlands. https://www.cheappacers.com/953k-reggie-miller-jersey-pacers.html . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. Dale Davis Jersey . Neymar curled home a free kick from just outside the area to put the 2014 World Cup host ahead in the 44th minute. Three minutes after the break, a simple through pass from Paulinho freed Oscar and the Chelsea star rounded goalkeeper Jung Sung-ryong to extend Brazils lead. Vern Fleming Jersey . -- Al Jefferson found a groove just in time for the Charlotte Bobcats. CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Carolina Panthers were finally getting some stops and pressure on the quarterback, the kind of defensive play the reigning NFC champions will need if they have any chance to reach the playoffs after a 1-5 start.The question now is whether the Panthers will be without some of their top defensive players -- including star linebacker Luke Kuechly -- as they try to keep that momentum going.Kuechly, a three-time Pro Bowler and former NFL defensive player of the year, was carted off late in the fourth quarter of Thursdays 23-20 win against New Orleans to be evaluated for a possible concussion. The defense also lost sack leader Mario Addison with a right foot injury and nickel cornerback Leonard Johnson with a chest injury.The Panthers were also without backup linebacker A.J. Klein and reserve safety Colin Jones with concussions.We hate those guys go down like that, defensive end Kony Ealy said, but weve just got to go out there and keep grinding like they were still on the field, you know?The injuries offered some jarring moments for a team that spent three-plus quarters keeping Drew Brees and the Saints in check roughly a month after surrendering 523 yards to them on the road. The Saints had 203 total yards and trailed 23-3 entering the final quarter before making a late push to get back in the game.I said it leading up to this week: no balls over our head, safety Kurt Coleman said. We didnt give up the big play. This offense is very dynamic. Drew is very smart. What they do well is really beat you with a lot of trickery and hit you over the top and they make a lot of big plays.We really went into it saying, `Hey, if you throw the checkdown, weve got to make the tackles.The Panthers had strung togetherr three solid defensive performances since the 41-38 loss to New Orleans on Oct.dddddddddddd 16. They gave up 340 yards and had two takeaways in a 30-20 win against Arizona in a rematch of last years NFC championship game, gave up 339 yards in a 13-10 win at Los Angeles then held Kansas City to 256 yards in a 20-17 loss last week.During that stretch, they surrendered just four offensive touchdowns. And on Thursday, they didnt surrender one until nearly 50 minutes into the game, finished with three sacks and held the Saints to 107 yards rushing.Thats how we like it, defensive end Charles Johnson said. Thats how the D-line takes their pride. We dont want (defensive coordinator Sean) McDermott to have to call blitzes. ... The D-line is supposed to take care of the quarterback and take care of the run.But the injuries, Kuechlys in particular, hung over that performance and leaves uncertainty entering next weeks trip to Oakland.He was hurt as he tried to tackle Tim Hightower and Hightowers helmet struck him first in the facemask and then possibly the chest. Kuechly laid on the ground for a while, then sat up and appeared to be crying as the cart picked him up to go to the locker room with 4:41 left.He missed three games with a concussion last season. Coach Ron Rivera said he wouldnt speculate on Kuechlys status.Im praying that everything was just precautionary and everything that comes back is all right, Coleman said. Bottom line is I want him to be healthy.---Follow Aaron Beard on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/aaronbeardap---More AP NFL at http://pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '