MANKATO, Minn. -- In mere months, Alex Boone has established himself as the alpha male of Minnesotas offensive line.Heavily tattooed and 6-foot-8 and 310 pounds with the boisterous personality to match, Boone is already the standout in a group that has collectively struggled in recent seasons. The edge he brings to playing left guard is part of why the Vikings gave him a four-year contract this spring worth as much as $26.8 million.Humility has helped spur his development, too. Being bypassed in the 2009 NFL draft after alcohol-fueled off-the-field trouble led to a sobering up. Then there was Sept. 23, 2012, when Boone and the San Francisco 49ers came to the Metrodome to take on the Vikings hed one day be playing for.Boones opponent in that game was Kevin Williams, who recently retired after 13 seasons and five All-Pro selections. Nearly four years later, the memory of being dominated that afternoon by a defensive tackle seven years older than him is still beneficially vivid.I thought, `Hes just old. He aint got it anymore. Hes not going to do anything, Boone said, and he just beat me all up and down the field. He made me a better player, and it really opened my eyes to the league.The lesson about overconfidence came in his first season as a starter on a team that advanced to the Super Bowl.I told him during the game, too, that hes probably the most respected person in this game because of what he did to me, Boone recalled upon reporting to training camp last week.Boone received a roaring ovation that day from the autograph-seeking fans as the players filed into their residence hall at Minnesota State University, a sign of the angst that has surrounded the front five in Minnesota in recent years. Boones presence will loom large for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater and the Vikings.Hes brought an attitude, lots more character to the room, right guard Brandon Fusco said.Tony Sparano was hired as the new offensive line coach, too, another critical injection of tenacity. Left tackle Matt Kalil, his hands full in practice with defensive end Everson Griffen, has pleased the staff in camp so far with his performance. Center John Sullivan has returned from two back surgeries that erased his 2015 season to compete with Joe Berger for the starting job. Newcomer Andre Smith is on track to be the right tackle next to Fusco, who has shifted to his original spot.If everybody believes in the same thing and buys into the same thing that were going to be the toughest, the meanest, the nastiest group, its not going to take very long for everybody to get on the same page, Boone said. I think its crucial that everybody does buy into that.Coach Mike Zimmer said hes already noticed the attitude effect on the locker room. A conversation with linebacker Chad Greenway confirmed this.He said, `Hes great. People respect him, Zimmer said. He has kind of changed the mentality of the offensive line room, him and coach Sparano, and thats a good thing.---Online:AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL coverage on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Kyrie Irving Shoes For Sale Cheap . William Carrier opened the scoring for Cape Breton (6-4-2), but Andrew Ryan tied the game and Brent Andrews put the Mooseheads (8-6-0) in front for good with a short-handed goal at 13:49 of the second period. Kyrie Flytrap Shoes For Sale . Now tied for second in the league in shootout goals, the 24-year-old likes to see what the opposing goaltender has in store before he ultimately lands on a move. http://www.kyrieirvingshoescheap.com/cheap-kyrie-5-shoes-a.html . Peter Gammons, an analyst for Major League Baseballs network and website, drew the ire of hockey fans on Sunday when he criticized the two NHL teams on Twitter for their physical game the night before. Kyrie 4 Confetti For Sale Cheap .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. Kyrie 2 Shoes White . Kyle Denbrook, a soccer player from Saint Marys University, took the CIS male athlete of the week honour. Stanley, a fourth-year business administration student from Charlottetown, scored both goals in a 2-0 win over Dalhousie on Friday and tallied again in a 1-0 win over Saint Marys on Sunday. The Buffalo Bills will wear special uniforms on Sunday in?their season opener on the road against?the Baltimore Ravens that includesa special helmet decal, pins and gloves?in remembrance of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. ?The Bills official Twitter account tweeted out a picture of the uniform on Friday. ?In addition to the 9/11 remeembrance, the Bills will also be outfitted in patriotic blue pants instead of their?customary white.dddddddddddd?The Bills first home game will be Thursday?against the New York Jets.?-- John F. Silver ' ' '