NEWS » e process.But you have to also balance

MINNEAPOLIS -- Chad Greenway looked at the camera on the sideline, rolled up his jersey sleeve and flexed his bicep muscle as if he were entered in a bodybuilding competition.The giant image of Greenways tough-guy pose, projected on the high-definition video board, engulfed the glass front of Minnesotas gleaming new stadium.Even for experienced NFL players accustomed to the biggest and brightest amenities, the first time on the field was quite the sight. Especially the huge screen that will be staring straight at them whenever theyre facing west.You can see peoples zits and stuff like that. Its crazy, wide receiver Charles Johnson said. So youve got to make sure youre looking right when you come out here.The Vikings took practice Friday to U.S. Bank Stadium, where theyll debut Sunday for a preseason game against San Diego.The goal of coach Mike Zimmer was to begin to condition the players, several of whom set foot in the $1.1 billion venue for the first time, to the so-far unfamiliar surroundings.Tight end Kyle Rudolph hauled in a pass in the end zone during warmups and celebrated what was technically the first touchdown reception there as if hed just caught a ball on the last play of the NFC championship game.During breaks, players slowly bobbed their heads to glance up at the live feed of the workout displayed on the huge video boards. Zimmer ordered the offense to face that direction in full-team drills to get a gauge for the effect itll have on the in-game vision.I think its great for the fans, but ... distractions are what you let them be, if youre focused on what you have to do, Zimmer said, adding: These last two years have gone quick. Everythings been a whirlwind. Theyve done an unbelievable job of getting this place ready. Its a great stadium. Great atmosphere. A lot of purple.The five oversized pivoting glass doors on the west side were opened for practice, letting a light breeze in that could be felt on the artificial turf field.The Vikings will have to decide before game time whether to go open or closed, but with the glass framing the doors and the translucent, space-age roof covering the south half of the ship-shaped, asymmetrical behemoth of a building therell be enough natural light to make the environment almost feel like its outside.Shadows during afternoon games throughout the season could be a variable to deal with, and theres no telling how the potential wind through the doors would affect kicks and passes during games when theyre open.The biggest unknown, of course, is just how loud the enclosed stadium will be. Designers, engineers and officials have predicted plenty of noise, based on the acoustically reflective properties of the thin see-through roof material thats called ETFE.Thats what Im hoping for the most. I hope our crowd is extremely loud every time, Zimmer said. That part is a great home-field advantage, and the more that we can disrupt the opponents offense itll be better for our football team.When the Chargers and Vikings take the field, the only true goal for the teams will be to avoid injury. As far as meaningless exhibitions go, though, this one ought to be loud. Theres only one first game, after all.Im sure its going to be rocking in here on Sunday, Johnson said. Its going to be exciting. I think its going to be really cool to get that feel for how its going to be during the season.---Online:AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFLMichael Pierce Jersey .com) - Manchester City midfielder David Silva is expected to miss the next four weeks because of a calf problem. Jihad Ward Jersey . - The Oakland Raiders re-signed offensive lineman Khalif Barnes on Friday. http://www.customravensjersey.com/custom-b-j-sams-jersey-large-123d.html . "Thank you for the warm welcome," Beckham said on an 80-degree February morning. In this case, it was soccer weather. The sport moved a step closer to returning to South Florida on Wednesday, when Beckham confirmed he has exercised his option to purchase a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Miami. Demetrius Williams Jersey . - The Oakland Raiders re-signed offensive lineman Khalif Barnes on Friday. Earl Thomas III Jersey . MORITZ, Switzerland -- Fog prevented downhill racers from getting their Olympic dress rehearsal.DENVER -- It might have been the most important two innings of the season when?Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw completed a simulated outing Tuesday at Dodger Stadium. It was his first time facing hitters in 45 days.Kershaw, who has been out since June 26 because of a back injury, is trying to get back to the Dodgers at some point in September, and Tuesdays outing was a major part of the process.It was a great step in his progression, said team president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman, who is with the club in Colorado. He felt great after, which is obviously everything he cared about. As we knew he would do, he said he was not as sharp as he wanted to be, but hes always going to say that. The most important thing is that he felt great, and we will assess tomorrow what the next steps are.Manager Dave Roberts suggested that in one scenario, Kershaw could be back with the Dodgers on the next homestand and could pitch a four-inning outing as he builds up his length. It seems more likely, though, that a minor league rehab outing would be next.My guess is that Kersh will want to pitch in a major league game tomorrow, Friedman said. With the time that hes missed, my guess is that the next step will be a minor league assignment. I think it will take a little bit of time to build him up in a way for him to be strong through September and hopefully October as well.Kershaw was hurtling toward a fourth Cy Young Award -- and a possible National League MVP award -- when his back sabotaged him after a start at Pittsburgh. He was ddiagnosed with a mild disk herniation at the time.dddddddddddd He went through the initial rehab process, and on July 16, he tried to throw a simulated game, similar to Tuesdays, but had a setback that forced him to start his rehab all over again.The Dodgers are trying to be careful with Kershaws rehab process, knowing their staff ace will push himself as hard as he can to return. Friedman said Kershaw has a lot of input in the process.But you have to also balance that with the fact that hes as competitive a person as I have ever been around, and he wants to get out here and help this team in the worst way, Friedman said. Well have to balance the medical opinion with how he is doing and feeling and getting him back as soon as we can, but in the most responsible way possible.Kershaw was 11-2 after his first 16 starts and had a 1.79 ERA. Most incredible of all, he had 145 strikeouts and just nine walks in 121 innings and was pitching at a level beyond what he had shown before.?What he will be like when he returns remains to be seen. When he returns is also up in the air. Friedman was asked if its possible that Kershaw could have a second minor league start, in a playoff game, before he comes back.I dont know, Friedman said. All of this is speculative. We will see how hes doing tomorrow. But the most important thing is that he got through today feeling really good. Well kind of lay out the next steps tomorrow. ' ' '