While these werent exactly the ftsteps of Peyton Manning that Trevor Siemian wanted to follow, the Denver Broncos QB at least had a little fun over his sprained left ft that sidelined him last week.While rkie Paxton Lynch was running the offense at practice, Siemian recreated Mannings famous photo from a year ago of the injured QB sitting at a hot tub with iPad in hand, one ft soaking and his helmet on so he could listen to the plays being called.Siemian sent the side-by-side photos (https://twitter.com/TrevorSiemian/status/805055555161227264 ) to Manning, who he said got a big kick out of it, before posting them on Twitter with the caption, This seemed to work out well for the last guy.While Manning was no Adonis, several followers did note that the five-time MVP lked more chiseled than Siemian.Id like to go on record that Peyton was flexing in his picture, Siemian said. Im getting a lot of heat that he lks stronger than me. So, Ive got to clear that air.---SHOT BLOCKER: Bengals defensive end Carlos Dunlap wasnt much of a scorer on the basketball court. He was in the game for one reason: Make the other team miss.Dunlap was adept at blocking shots when he played basketball while growing up, a skill hes parlayed into the NFL. The 6-ft-6 lineman leads the team with 14 passes defensed, which is six more than any other NFL lineman. He had four of them during a 32-14 win over the Eagles last Sunday and caused a misdirected pass by Carson Wentz that was picked off.Its something youve kind of got to have a knack for, Dunlap said. Its a lot of timing.Dunlap learned the timing while playing defense around the rim.That was my specialty, Dunlap said. I didnt score a lot of points; I blocked a lot of points. I blocked shots and got rebounds.The NFL doesnt keep detailed statistics on passes defensed, so Dunlaps accomplishment cant be put into historical perspective.---TREADING WATER: Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Laquon Treadwell has been a nonfactor in his rkie season, with one reception for 15 yards. Only recently has he begun to see more significant action, playing 34 of 58 snaps at Detroit on Nov. 24, and 11 of 74 snaps against Dallas on Dec. 1. Though Treadwell wasnt targeted on any of Sam Bradfords 37 passes in that game against the Lions, he emerged with valuable experience.That game really helped me with my mental state, just feeling the game, going the actual speed of the game, said Treadwell, the 23rd overall pick in the draft out of Mississippi. I was competing every day in practice making plays, but once youre in the game its a whole new edge of intensity that you have to play with.With wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen each having already established career highs in receptions and yards, and the re-emergence of Cordarrelle Patterson in the offense, the Vikings havent been counting on Treadwell. But the lack of production has been startling for a first-rounder.Once the season gets here, theres not a lot of reps, especially for someone who might be behind a couple guys. The starters are usually the ones who take all of them. So, its just hard for him to get time, but I think in the past couple weeks, he has really shown some flashes, Bradford said. And hes a guy that we feel like if we can get him involved and get him some targets, I think it would be gd. I think the biggest thing for him is just experience and just getting out there and playing.---CONCUSSION WATCH: One year after reaching the Super Bowl, the Carolina Panthers have been plagued by concussions. Ten players have been in the concussion protocol since the start of the preseason, including quarterback Cam Newton and linebacker Luke Kuechly, both All-Pros in 2015.Panthers coach Ron Rivera said he will spend more time this offseason analyzing head injuries and ways to prevent them -- and hopes other will, t.To be very frank about it, I think its very important that, not just me, but that other people in this industry try to get to understand it a little bit more, Rivera said. Because who knows? Maybe theres something that were missing in terms of preparation. ... I dont know if there is an answer to it, but I think that if we are better educated, maybe we can spot things before they happen. Maybe theres something else we can do as coaches and professionals in this business to see if we can make a difference.---AARON DONALD, CHAMPION: Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald is an Xbox champion.Donald, a 2015 All-Pro, beat Seahawks star receiver Doug Baldwin in the championship of Microsofts Xbox NFL Player Charity Challenge. They competed in Madden 17 on Xbox One for the chance to win $51,000 and Microsoft products for the charity of their choice.The game wasnt as close as all the pregame trash talk would have projected, with Donald winning 20-9.Helping Donald win were strong performances by rkie quarterback Jared Goff (passing for 245 yards and two touchdowns) and Tavon Austin, who had eight receptions for 124 yards. Donald also got a goal-line stand by the Rams defense in the first half.Doug was a fierce competitor tonight, but Im so thankful I was able to pull off a championship win and give back to the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Donald said.I had my shots in the game, but Aaron played well and I tip my cap to him, Baldwin added. Definitely a little disappointing that I wasnt able to bring it home for the Southern Youth Sports Association.---------AP Pro Ftball Writers Barry Wilner, Dave Campbell and Arnie Stapleton, and Sports Writers Joe Kay and Steve Reed contributed.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFLCheap Baseball Jerseys Authentic Cheap Baseball Jerseys . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing rm, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. http://www.cheapbaseballjerseyschina.com/ . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. Wholesale Nike Baseball Jerseys . Louis Blues. Shane Hnidy joins Brian Munz for the broadcast on TSN 1290 Radio at 7pm ct. Discount Nike MLB Jerseys . -- Most satisfying to Russ Smith about No.ATLANTA -- The Atlanta Braves arent likely to turn out their fortunes against the Washington Nationals until they get a better collective effort from their starting pitchers.Washington has won 11 of 12 games between the two N.L. East rivals, including the first three games of the four-game series that concludes Sunday. Since the start of 2015, the Nationals lead the series 25-6.The Nationals will send lefty Gio Gonzalez (8-9, 4.2 to the mound on Sunday against Atlanta right-hander Joel De La Cruz (0-6, 3.72).Atlantas problem lately has been with the bullpen. After going through a stretch where the bullpen pitched well, the Braves relievers have been pr on the current homestand. But Atlanta manager Brian Snitker puts much of the blame on the inability of the starting pitchers to go deep in the game, thus making the relievers shoulder a heavier burden.Its tough to cover the innings and it effectively, Snitker said. The key is to get the starts to go deeper and not rely on so many of those guys.The Atlanta bullpen has changed over the last three weeks. Lefty Dario Alvarez was packaged in a trade to Texas. Lefty Hunter Cervenka was traded to Miami. Chris Withrow and Arodyz Vizcaino were both placed on the disabled list.Wee had a nice bullpen run, Snitker said.dddddddddddd Now were asking guys to do things theyre not capable of doing.Washington manager Dusty Baker is also concerned with his bullpen. The Nationals relievers wasted a 5-0 lead on Friday and nearly blew a six-run lead on Saturday.Im concerned, Baker said. I said that in Colorado. Youve got to be aware of the series after Colorado. Max (Scherzer) almost gave us seven innings (on Saturday) and weve got another high-power offense to face coming up in Baltimore. Gonzalez had his last start short-circuited by a lengthy rain delay on Aug. 16 against Colorado. Gonzalez allowed two runs in three innings but did not return after the delay.That was the worst time you could have one because Gio was throwing the ball gd, Washington manager Dusty Baker said.Gonzalez will be facing the Braves for the second time this season. He received no decision on April 12 when he pitched six scoreless innings. De La Cruz will make his first career start against the Nationals.The Braves and Nationals have two more series remaining, one in Washington and another in Atlanta. ' ' '