Richie Grays hopes of touring New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions next summer appear to have been dealt a blow, after his French club Toulouse announced that the Scotland international would be required for duty should the 19-times champions qualify for the 2017 Top 14 post-season.Toulouse Director of Rugby Fabian Pelous said that under World Rugby rules there is no requirement to release Gray from his club commitments, as the first part of the Lions tour falls outside the international window.The former France captains stance contrasts with that of Toulon president Mourad Boudjellal, who gave fullback Leigh Halfpenny his blessing to miss the Top 14 finals, saying that having a player selected for the Lions would be an honour for the club. http://www.nflcardinalsrookiestore.com/Cardinals-Tyrann-Mathieu-Jersey/ . Meanwhile, there were huge victories for Sunderland and West Ham over fellow relegation rivals, leaving the battle to avoid the drop up for grabs with the bottom 11 teams separated by just six points. Eden Hazard and Fernando Torres scored second-half goals to seal a fourth straight victory for Chelsea, which climbed above Arsenal and Manchester City in the standings ahead of their games on Monday and Sunday respectively. http://www.nflcardinalsrookiestore.com/Cardinals-Jj-Nelson-Jersey/ . Mickelson barely made the cut but had the best round of the day with nine birdies and an eagle coupled with two bogeys to sit two shots behind leader Craig Lee of Scotland. Lee shot a 69 for a 12-under 204 total. "I just love the fact I am in contention and have an opportunity in my first tournament of the year here in Abu Dhabi," Mickelson said. http://www.nflcardinalsrookiestore.com/Cardinals-Kareem-Martin-Jersey/ . Vettel, who has already clinched his fourth straight F1 title, enters the finale with a chance to equal Michael Schumachers 13 victories in a year and match the record of nine consecutive wins by Alberto Ascari in the 1952 and 1953 seasons. http://www.nflcardinalsrookiestore.com/Cardinals-Dj-Humphries-Jersey/ . -- Bobby Ryan helped the U. http://www.nflcardinalsrookiestore.com/Cardinals-Haason-Reddick-Jersey/ . "We have always prided ourselves on the way we play defence. Having two big pieces back is going to be a key for us moving forward for years to come," said Knighthawks head coach Mike Hasen. BOURBONNAIS, Ill. -- On the hottest, most humid day of Chicago Bears training camp, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio wore a sweatshirt.I dont sweat that much, he said. Im not a sweater.In another sense, Fangio did have to sweat through a first year in Chicago with an inconsistent defense that improved, and looks to make greater strides in head coach John Foxs second season because of offseason changes.Before Fangio becomes more convinced of improvement, though, hell need to see the type of impact additions such as linebackers Danny Trevathan, Jerrell Freeman and first-round draft pick Leonard Floyd will have for a defense that rose in rankings last season from 30th to 14th.I think we have a chance to be a better defense than we were last year, but the proof will be in the pudding, Fangio said Thursday at training camp. Practice is the quiz, the games are the final exam.The biggest change came in the front seven, with the addition of 336-pound free agent defensive end Akiem Hicks, backed by free agent inside linebacker acquisitions Freeman and Trevathan.The potential exists to stop the run more effectively than last season, when Chicago ranked 22nd.It could take a while.You know weve got veteran guys, but theyre not veteran in our system yet, Fangio said.Hicks put his talents on display Thursday when he helped the first-team defense make a goal-line stand in scrimmage.For a big guy hes got a lot of energy, Fangio said. Weve just got to get him honed up a little bit better in his techniques.Hicks, whose career started with New Orleans and New England, said he feels comfortable in the Bears defensive scheme. Teammates are noticing.I like to have a big D-lineman in front of me, a hungry guy whos just a mauler, Trevathan said about Hicks. The mans a mountain who is hard to move.Trevathan, who came over from the Super Bowl champion Broncos in free agency, also raved about Fangios defensive system.Hes a mastermind, Trevathan said. He likes to put you in the right situations to make plays.He has some experience with that with other linebackers and other teams. But here hes just doing a good job of feeling his players and knowing what theyre good at and putting you in certain situations to make plays.Despite overall statistical improvement last season, the Bears deffense set a franchise record for fewest interceptions (eight) and allowed the second-most touchdown passes (31) in their history.dddddddddddd.For secondary coverage to improve, Fangio said the pass rush pressure must also increase. Not having outside linebacker Pernell McPhee, who is on the preseason PUP list after knee surgery, is slowing progress.Its a concern for sure, but until I see him out on the field Im really not thinking about it as much, Fangio said.The more pressing concern is getting Floyd, an undersized, speedy pass rush linebacker, to a level where he contributes sacks.On draft day, Floyd drew comparisons to former 49ers linebacker Aldon Smith, who flourished under Fangio as a pass rusher.Hes not like Aldon at all, Fangio said. The only thing that hes similar to Aldon is theyre both tall. Theyre both kind of long.But theyre two different body types. Aldon was 25-30 pounds heavier and Aldon wasnt the athlete that this guy is in open space. Theyre similar in height, but theyre very different in style.The only change Fangio has dealt with in the secondary is Harold Jones-Quartey as a starting safety alongside safety Adrian Amos. Jones-Quartey started three games last season after being claimed off waivers.Cornerback Tracy Porter said more turnovers will come with better pass rush pressure, but also from one simple coverage approach.To just go after the ball when its in the air, he said. Yeah, we want to knock passes down when you can. Ive been told some of the wisest words: You just try to catch every ball. Whether you miss it or you knock it down, its still a PBU (pass breakup).So why not just try to go and catch the ball?Game notes Right guard Kyle Long went through his first full padded practice after suffering a July 28 calf injury. ... Wide receiver Alshon Jeffery, who left Wednesdays practice, also missed Thursdays practice with what Fox called a slight hamstring injury. ... Offensive lineman Amini Silatolu, who started training camp on the physically unable to perform list, was moved to the active roster and began practicing.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: http://twitter.com/AP-NFL Discount Jerseys NFL Jerseys Wholesale Cheap NFL T-shirts Cheap NFL Womens Jerseys Black China NFL Jerseys Disocunt Football Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Throwback Wholesale Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale NFL Womens Jerseys Cheap Stitched Jerseys Discount NFL Jerseys Black China NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Store Stitched Jerseys ' ' '