Dein erstes Forum » 41-year-old superstar to bask in one

FRISCO, Texas -- Morris Claiborne triggered a wild celebration on the Dallas sideline with a game-clinching tackle against San Francisco.Earlier in the fourth quarter of the 24-17 victory last week, the cornerback had his first interception in more than two years.Finally healthy and now driven by the desire to show that the Cowboys did the right thing with a bold move up the draft board in 2012, Claiborne is making the most of what might be a last chance to prove he wasnt a top-10 bust.I felt like I owed it to my teammates, the organization, to go out and put together some good years for them and just go have some good games, Claiborne said. From where they picked me at, it was a lot of high expectations for me. I know I havent reached those high expectations. But Im still on it. Im still going.Two years ago, Claiborne wondered if he should keep going. Burdened by a shoulder injury affecting his performance and the conflicting emotions of his fathers death about the same time as his childs birth, the former LSU star left the team facility one day after learning he had lost his starting job.Claiborne returned that night to talk to coach Jason Garrett, and apologized to his teammates the next day.Five days later after the brief disappearance, Claiborne ruptured the patellar tendon in his left knee against New Orleans, ending his season. That was his fifth injury in a span of two seasons, combined with mostly ineffective play before he was benched.Injury after injury. Having surgery after surgery, Claiborne said. You think, `Could this be for me? I just tried to stay as positive as I can at those times even though it was hard, trying to stay positive with what youre going through.The Cowboys chose not to give their former No. 6 overall pick the fifth year on his rookie contract after trading up eight spots to get him. Instead, he got about $8 million less with a one-year, $3 million deal.But Claiborne wanted to come back, and so did the Cowboys because they thought he had a strong 2015 season even though he didnt have an interception.In the minds of most, the biggest difference in the 26-year-old Claiborne is simple: health. He had a full offseason and training camp for the first time. He looked good in camp as well, frequently winning battles with 2014 All-Pro receiver Dez Bryant.Confidence comes through practice and preparation, defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli said. Lack of confidence is when you are not doing enough. You dont feel comfortable. When you go out and get that many reps against Dez, there is a reality to your confidence.Brandon Carr came to the Cowboys as a high-priced free agent the same year Claiborne was drafted, and both have been criticized over a pass defense that hasnt matched the clubs investment.Theyve shared the struggles, as well as the emotions. Carr lost his mom to breast cancer less than two months before Claibornes lowest moment with the Cowboys.And Carr sees one other difference: five years. That will soon be how long Claiborne has been in the NFL.I think just the good part of those five years, I told him we have the opportunity to in so many words, right our wrongs or create our own ending to this story, said Carr, who is in his ninth season. Its just mental is definitely whats been keeping him afloat these last five years.Claiborne knows he has to do more than stay afloat because of where the Cowboys drafted him and what they gave up to get him.While Claiborne has been among the best in the NFL statistically in coverage this season, he still doesnt have more than one interception in a season. He has plenty of time to change that -- and change the synopsis of his career.I want to be the best. Sometimes it takes longer, Claiborne said. When I got to middle school, I wanted to be the best in middle schools. It took steps. High school, same thing. College. And the pros, too. Im not going to stop trying to take those steps no matter what happens.Claiborne believes hes still in Dallas in part because coach Jason Garrett respects players who persevere. And Garrett was asked about Claibornes fourth quarter after the win over the 49ers.Great illustration of what hes all about, Garrett said. Mos overcome a lot throughout his career. Hes playing the best football of his career.And showing the Cowboys he was worth the investment.---Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Schuyler Dixon on Twitter at https://twitter.com/apschuyler Nike Air Huarache Kaufen Amazon . Irving scored 23 points, Tristan Thompson had 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 117-109 on Friday night. Nike Air Presto Günstig Kaufen . 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NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguezs Yankees career ended the way it began a dozen years ago, with a game against the Tampa Bay Rays in which he went 1-for-4 with a double.The evening began with a violent thunderstorm that descended on the Bronx just as a ceremony commemorating A-Rods years in pinstripes was about to begin. The storm forced the participants, who included Reggie Jackson, Mariano Rivera and Hal Steinbrenner, to scramble for cover from the lightning and torrential rains barely five minutes after the festivities had begun.Friday nights 6-3 Yankees victory ended with the most unlikely sight: Rodriguez heading out for the ninth inning with a fielders glove on his left hand, sent out to play one final inning at third base, a position he had not started at in a game since April 27, 2015.Ive given these fans a lot of headaches over the years and Ive disappointed a lot of people, Rodriguez said, his voice sounding hoarse over the public-address system in one of baseballs most unusual farewells. But like Ive always said, you dont have to be defined by your mistakes. How you come back matters, too, and thats what New Yorks all about.The sellout crowd of 46,459 was predictably wild for A-Rod all night, and they were never louder than when chanting his name for its traditional roll call in the first inning, an honor usually reserved for position players, not designated hitters.But the crowd also rose to its feet for all four of his at-bats, erupting wildly when he stroked a 2-2 fastball from Rays starter Chris Archer into the right-center gap in his first at-bat for an RBI double that tied the game at 1. He clapped his hands and shouted into the muggy Bronx air in celebration as he reached second base. It was Rodriguezs first extra-base hit since a home run against the Baltimore Orioles on July 18 at Yankee Stadium.Rodriguezs ensuing at-bats were increasingly anticlimactic -- a groundout in the fourth, a swinging strikeout in the fifth and a final groundout to shortstop on the first pitch he saw from reliever Ryan Garton in the eighth.As A-Rod headed back to the dugout, the crowd began a chant of We want A-Rod! The chant grew in intensity as the Yankees batted in the bottom of the eighth.dddddddddddd YES Network television cameras caught Rodriguez having a dugout conversation with manager Joe Girardi before dashing into the clubhouse, presumably to grab a glove.Rodriguez had criticized Girardi for benching him for most of the past month.If this is the last time he plays, Girardi said softly, pausing for 10 seconds and sniffling as his voice cracked and his eyes teared, I wanted it to be something he never forgot.When Rodriguez sprinted out to third base at the start of the ninth inning, the crowd erupted once again. On a night of drama, this might have been the most dramatic moment of all. On the big video screen in center field, Rodriguez could be seen breathing heavily as if even he were exhilarated, and perhaps unnerved, by the moment.The moment, however, lasted just one batter. After?Dellin Betances?struck out Mikie Mahtook, Girardi sent Ronald Torreyes out to replace Rodriguez, allowing the 41-year-old superstar to bask in one more ovation as the crowd chanted Thank you, A-Rod!Rodriguez accepted hugs from all his teammates, waved his cap to the crowd and entered the dugout, where Girardi was waiting for him on the top step. And then he was gone -- 12 seasons, 351 home runs and 1,096 RBIs after it all began -- as the crowd chanted his name. Many of them then headed for the exits before Betances could nail down the final out of the game. They had seen what they came to see. The rest was just bookkeeping.With all that Ive been through, and for them to show up on a night like tonight and show me that type of love is something that Ill never forget. It was overwhelming, Rodriguez said during a news conference, looking perfectly put together in a gray suit and silver necktie.Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. ' ' '