Dein erstes Forum » Griffin hopes to play a key role in the

BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Ravens motivation for changing to a grass field this year was to protect players from sustaining the kind of injuries that occur on artificial turf.Adhering to a poll of the team, the Ravens pulled up the synthetic surface theyd been using for 13 years at M&T Bank Stadium and laid down the real thing during the summer.Principally, we did it for our players, Ravens president Dick Cass said. Theres data out there that suggests that if you have a natural grass field, youre less likely to have lower body injuries, mainly the knee.Though its too early to determine if the switch has produced the desired result -- Baltimore has played only seven home games -- the field has played to mixed reviews.Several of the Miami Dolphins complained about the grass in the wake of their 38-6 loss in Baltimore last Sunday.It was slick out there. You saw some guys sliding around, Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi said. We just had to make it work as the game went on. At the end of the game, there were definitely some people losing traction out there.Andre Branch, a member of a Miami defense that yielded 496 yards, said, The grass was terrible. We knew that coming into the game.Actually, the field was vastly different than one week earlier, when Baltimore beat Cincinnati 19-14. In that game, the turf was beginning to show the wear and tear of a long season.The grass stopped growing and it became a little bit of sand pit out there, especially between the hash marks, Ravens kicker Justin Tucker said.So the team did something about it.We decided to re-sod the middle of the field, from the numbers to the numbers, 100 yards, Cass said. We brought in heavy-cut sod from North Carolina. I thought it was beautiful.Unlike the Dolphins, many of whom changed cleats after slip-sliding through the first quarter.Ravens receiver Steve Smith tore an Achilles tendon on the artificial turf in Baltimore last year. He said playing on grass benefits you, and offered his theory about why the Dolphins were upset with the condition of the field.Since Miami got their (butt) whupped, of course theyre to complain about it, he said. It looked pretty good to us.The victory improved Baltimores record at home to 5-2.To accommodate the change to grass, the Ravens are paying for two additional fields in North Carolina from which to obtain sod. Theyve also installed an artificial lighting system at M&T Stadium and given up staging the state high school football playoffs -- four games in three days -- because of the damage it would cause the field.Then theres the matter of hiring crews to maintain and replace the grass.Its a major investment and a major commitment, Cass said. But its worth it if we can avoid one or two major knee injuries a year. Im not sure thats going to happen, but thats why we did it. And, our players really prefer grass.Especially Tucker, who has nailed four field goals of farther than 50 yards over the past two weeks.Theres this idea that all kickers want to kick on an artificial surface, Tucker said. Not true. Its like youre trying to put your cleats into little rubber granules with synthetic grass blades in between them. It just doesnt feel right.The grass in Baltimore suits him just fine.Our guys are doing a great job with the field, Tucker said. Coming from last week to this week, it was as if the field was plucked from September and dropped into the stadium.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/APNFL . Jalen Ramsey Womens Jersey . Brett Kulak and Jackson Houck of the Vancouver Giants were each charged with assault causing bodily harm on Aug. 18, according to the B.C. court services. Leonard Fournette Jaguars Jersey . Only three players drafted by NHL clubs were included on the Czech selection camp roster on Wednesday. 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BALTIMORE -- The Baltimore Orioles will look to complete a three-game sweep of the Texas Rangers in a battle of first-place teams on Thursday.The Orioles won the opener 5-1 with the help of four solo homers and a masterful performance by starter Dylan Bundy. Kevin Gausman then outdueled Texas ace Cole Hamels, leading the Orioles to a 3-2 victory the following night.Wade Miley (7-8, 4.98 ERA), acquired from the Seattle Mariners on Aug. 1, will make his Orioles debut and try to keep the momentum going in the series finale.Were playing some good teams, Orioles manager Buck Showalter said. If you look at our schedule, its a top-rated schedule the rest of the way. You know what? Our guys are pretty good, too. They enjoy the competition. They dont shirk from it. They like people telling them they shouldnt be able to do it. They like proving people wrong. Theyve done that for quite a while.Wiley is expected to give the Orioles an immediate boost as the only left-hander in the rotation and his ability to throw deep into games -- an area where Baltimore has struggled all season. Left-handers are also batting just .239 against him this season.We needed a left-handed pitcher to complement our rotation, and Wades a workhorse, Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said. Hes pitched in the American League effectively. Hes got all the qualities to help our club, and not just for this year, for next year. Weve liked his skills for a while, going baack to the first winter meetings.dddddddddddd. We tried to acquire him in a trade with Arizona. And he had a terrific year.The Rangers will look to avoid the sweep with right-hander A.J. Griffin (4-1, 3.99 ERA), who is beginning to regain his form after an earlier stint on the disabled list with right shoulder stiffness. Griffin picked up his first win since April 26 in his last outing against the Kansas City Royals. He gave up two runs in 5 2/3 innings.Griffin joined Hamels as the only Rangers starter to post a win in July. Griffin hopes to play a key role in the first-place Rangers stretch run toward the playoffs.You cant take this job for granted, Griffin told the Fort Worth Star Telegram after the game. Theres someone always trying to take your job from you. To be part of something thats great like we have here in Texas right now, youre scratching and clawing to stay around.The Rangers boosted their lineup with the addition of Carlos Beltran and Jonathan Lucroy at the trade deadline. Their lineup, however, has been mostly contained by Orioles pitching. Manager Jeff Banister is hopeful that will change in the final regular-season game between the teams.This is a quality lineup, theyre going to hit and put runs up on the board, Banister said of the Orioles. You have to pitch to go out and pitch your best game. ' ' '