CHASKA, Minn. -- Phil Mickelson has been giving the Ryder Cup a lot of thought lately.Probably way too much thought, though thats nothing new. Tough not to overthink things when youre always the smartest guy on the first tee.In Ryder Cups past, that might have signaled trouble for a U.S. team that has often lost because it struggles to find a mental edge. In the latest version that begins this week in Minnesota, it may not matter simply because theres such a talent gap between the two teams.The only real problem for Mickelson could be that hell be sharing the blame if the U.S. somehow kicks yet another one away at Hazeltine National Golf Club.Lefty finds himself in a dual role as both the elder statesman and a senior adviser to a U.S. team that has been on the losing side way too often recently in its matches with Europe. Its a position he seems to covet, and one that he arguably deserves after making 11 Ryder Cup teams in a row.Win, and it takes some of the sting out of what has been a less-than-stellar Ryder Cup career for Mickelson.Lose, and maybe its time to own up to the fact that trying to manufacture camaraderie among Americas golfing elite just doesnt work against a European team that always seems to find it on its own.I think its a great opportunity for us to do something special, Mickelson said Sunday. We have been given, the first time in 20 years that Ive been involved in the Ryder Cup, actual input, actual say, kind of ownership, if you will, of the Ryder Cup. And all the players feel like theyre involved and listened to. All the vice captains have great input.The question remains how that input will help players make putts. But Mickelson likes things better with the players somewhat in control.Mickelson and Tiger Woods were among 11 players, captains and PGA of America officials who were appointed to a Ryder Cup Task Force after the U.S. was thrashed by Europe two years ago in Scotland. In a desperate attempt to right the ship, they were charged with revamping anything and everything about how the U.S. prepares for the cup.The fact there was even a task force to begin with wasnt just because the U.S. team lost for the eighth time in the last 10 Cups. It was because Mickelson had enough of the high-handed way Tom Watson went about captaining the team in the lopsided win by the Europeans.Unfortunately, we have strayed from a winning formula in 2008 for the last three Ryder Cups, and we need to consider maybe getting back to that formula that helped us play our best, Mickelson said in a tense team press conference after the loss.That led to Mickelson having a big hand in bringing back Davis Love III as captain, despite the fact the U.S. collapsed in singles play to lose under his guidance four years ago in Chicago. It also led to a bizarre selection process -- mocked by the Europeans -- that culminated in the final pick being announced Sunday night on the eve of the weeks play.Indeed, this team seems to be as much Mickelsons as it is Loves. Hes been prominent in talking about how it was put together, even contradicting Love earlier this month about team plans.Mickelson and Love could be excused for not appearing to be on the same page. There are so many cooks on the American team -- including an assistant captain by the name of Tiger Woods, part of a sizeable team of five assistants -- that its impossible for everyone to match up their sound bits.Thats especially true after Love on Friday upped the pressure by declaring his squad the best golf team maybe ever assembled.That may or may not be true. The U.S. squad is supremely talented, and the Europeans have six players who have never been in a Ryder Cup before.But for the U.S. to win, Mickelson will have to do more than just help put pairings together. And he has a checkered past in the Ryder Cup, where he famously lost twice in pairing with Woods and is 16-19-6 overall.Hes been on 10 teams, and on the losing side on eight of them. For all his flag waving and ping pong playing in the team room, he hasnt come up big on the course, where it matters most.Mickelson has a chance to make up for that in a big way beginning Friday at Hazeltine. The U.S. desperately needs a win, and Mickelson almost as desperately needs one for his own validation.Its time for Mickelson to stop thinking, and begin playing.----Tim Dahlberg is a national sports columnist for The Associated Press. Write to him at tdahlberg(at)ap.org or http://twitter.com/timdahlberg Ichiro Suzuki Jersey . Goals from Jerome Boateng, Franck Ribery and Thomas Mueller extended Bayerns unbeaten run to a record 37 matches. "This record is incredible," Bayern coach Pep Guardiola said. Nelson Cruz Jersey . NBA officials ruled the court unplayable in the Bucks final exhibition game on Oct. 25 because players were slipping, and the game was cancelled midway through the first period. http://www.marinersrookiestore.com/Mariners-Kyle-Seager-Kids-Jersey/ . Manuel was offered a position the day he was fired. He accepted earlier this week and the team made the announcement Friday. Jean Segura Jersey . Any real chance at payback wont come until the playoff. Still, Pittsburgh knows its taut 3-2 win over the Bruins on Wednesday night is a pretty good place to start laying the groundwork. "They are a very good defensive team," Penguins forward Brandon Sutter said. Jay Buhner Jersey . MORITZ, Switzerland -- Fog prevented downhill racers from getting their Olympic dress rehearsal. CLEVELAND -- Indians first baseman Nick Swisher hit off a tee and survived batting practice without feeling stabbing pain in his left shoulder. Hes ready to test it in a game. Swisher moved closer to returning to Clevelands lineup on Friday after missing nearly a week with an injury that has been bothering him most of this season. Swisher had hoped to be available as a pinch hitter for the Indians series opener against Minnesota, but manager Terry Francona said its more likely that he wont play until Saturday. Also, Indians closer Chris Perez threw a bullpen session that Francona said went "very well" as the right-hander tries to come back from a strained right rotator cuff. Perez has been on the disabled list since May 27, and the two-time All-Star had a rough outing earlier this week for Double-A Akron. Indians All-Star shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera took grounders and did some agility drills as he recovers from a leg injury that landed him on the DL on June 4. Cabrera will travel with the team to Baltimore next week, and as long as he doesnt have any setbacks, hell be activated while the Indians are on the road. Francona said Perez will throw a simulated game on Sunday in Akron and will likely make another rehab appearance before the Indians consider activating him. Perez gave up five runs -- three homers -- in one inning earlier this week for the Aeros. Francona said it was Perezs idea to pitch the simulated game. Earlier this week, Perez said "everything" felt wrong when he faced Trenton and was clobbered during his brief outing. As for Swisher, he wiill have to manage his shoulder injury for the remainder of this season.dddddddddddd He had been dealing with some pain for several weeks and then aggravated the injury when he took a big swing trying to hit a home run last Saturday against Washington. He has missed Clevelands past four games. Swisher received a cortisone shot on Monday and has been getting treatment. He came to the ballpark and hit off a tee on Thursday, an off day for the Indians. He had typical soreness, but nothing like what hes been feeling. "You can deal with the soreness and all that stuff, but the sharp pain is what were trying to get rid of," he said. "And knock on wood, man, whatever they did it really feels good right now." Swisher, who signed a four-year, $56 million deal with the Indians in December, has only been on the disabled list once in his career -- in 2005 for Oakland-- but now that hes gotten older, the 32-year-old knows he has to take better care of himself. "I try to take a lot of pride in being on the field," he said. "This isnt one of those things thats kind of going to go away. The biggest thing is to take accountability for it. Those days of showing up at 11:30 (for a day game) and getting ready to play are gone. I need to strengthen my shoulders up a little more." Francona intends to be careful with Swisher, but he said its vital his first baseman monitor himself. "Hes going to have to manage it all year and I think he understands that," Francona said. "This is going to have to be part of his routine." ' ' '