RIO DE JANEIRO -- Its all about the show, at least in the vernacular and mind of U.S. gymnast and all-around medal favorite Sam Mikulak.His force of will has made it the motto of sorts for the entire team.Putting on a show is just taking ownership of your gymnastics, Mikulak said Wednesday during a team news conference three days before the start of Olympic competition. Weve all worked so hard and put so many hours in the gym, you dont want that to go to waste. And thats pretty much what I mean: Show off your work.After a day of podium training, the U.S. mens squad -- among the favorites to make the team medal stand but cast in the considerable shadow of the U.S. womens team -- is counting on team camaraderie to help improve upon a disappointing fifth-place team finish in London in 2012.Its a little different, just from the fact that we have a lot more experience, so everybody here is not really on edge, returning Olympian Jake Dalton said. Were all kind of relaxed, kind of hanging out. We get each other, and we understand weve been here before. Thats a big factor for us that allows us to take a breath a little bit, but we also want to be on the podium ...For Danell Leyva, who was the lone bright spot in 2012, with his bronze medal in all-around, that desire burns especially strongly. Leyva was a late invite to the team after John Orozco injured his knee in mid-July.John is a close friend to all of us, not just me, said Leyva, a fluent Spanish speaker who learned Portuguese in anticipation of going to Rio. When that happened, it was unbelievable in the worst way. It was devastating, shocking, and I was sad for him because of everything hes been through [the death of his mother and two serious injuries the past year-and-a-half]. ...The fact I was named an alternate was a huge honor, and it was an even bigger honor, obviously, when they considered me for the team. Im here now, and Im extremely excited. Im anxious in a good way. I want to compete already.That eagerness was evident Wednesday, with the team members nearly bouncing out of their seats.Coming off of London and having a very talented team and not quite getting the result we wanted as a national and Olympic team and just grinding it out the next four years [has created the attitude] Whatever we have to do, lets do it, Brooks said.They also want to show off a little in the process.The sport of gymnastics is to make these difficult tricks and skills look elegant, Mikulak said. If youre not owning it, youre not putting your personality into it, and you want your gymnastics to speak out to everyone: Wow, that looks great. That looks easy. And when it looks easy, your personality is showing, youre confident, and youre owning it.Cheap Air Max 95 Wholesale . - Goaltender Philippe Desrosiers of the Rimouski Oceanic has broken a shutout record that was only three months old in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. Wholesale Adidas Nmd .C. United of Major League Soccer. United chose the defender in the second round of the 2013 MLS re-entry draft. http://www.fakejordancheap.com/wholesale-vans-china.html . The news was first reported on Gonzalezs Twitter account and confirmed by the Rockies. Gonzalez has a six-week window before position players have their first workout at spring training in Arizona. Wholesale Yeezy 350 China . The Islanders dealt Thomas Vanek to the Montreal Canadiens after less than a year on Long Island. Meanwhile, the Oilers dealt long-time sniper Ales hemsky to the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday for a fifth-round pick in 2014 and a third-rounder in 2015. Fake Air Max 90 . -- Matt Ryan needed one of the best games of his career to lead the Falcons and their depleted offence out of their three-game losing streak last week.SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Ahmad Brooks is no stranger to Saints quarterback Drew Brees. Some of the biggest plays of the 49ers linebackers career have come against the Super Bowl-winning quarterback.Maybe I just have a ray of light over me when I play against them, Brooks said. Ive done an exceptional job against them every time I play against them.Brooks has 5 1.2 sacks and two interceptions, the most against any opponent, in five career games against Brees and the Saints. They visit San Francisco on Sunday looking to build off an impressive home victory against the Seahawks, their third win in four games.The last time the 49ers played New Orleans in 2014, Brooks sacked Brees and forced a fumble in overtime, leading to a game-winning field goal from Phil Dawson.That play avenged a penalty called on Brooks the previous season, when he was given a controversial personal foul for hitting Brees in the neck area on a sack while also forcing a fumble. It was recovered by San Francisco, which had a three-point lead with 3 minutes remaining, in Saints territory.But the flag instead extended New Orleans drive leading to tying field goal. The Saints wound up winning on Garrett Hartleys 31-yard kick as time expired, 23-20.Hes a shorter guy at quarterback, so if we do get a chance to hit him, you got to get him low, said Brooks. He also ducks, so you got to get extra low on him when you can.The 49ers finished that season 12-4, one game behind the division winners Seattle, and were forced to play the Seahawks on the roadd in the NFC Championship Game, which they lost in heartbreaking fashion, 23-17.ddddddddddddI know hes a really good player and hes really good in both the pass rush and in the run, Brees said about Brooks. And whenever he drops into coverage, hes a really athletic guy whos got good ball skills -- and hes picked me off a few times, too.San Francisco has lost six straight, with the defense hoping to prevent a 100-yard rusher for the first time since the season opener. The 49ers have the leagues last-ranked run defense, while New Orleans eclipsed 120 yards rushing for the first time last week.Brees enters the weekend averaging an NFL-best 337.9 yards per game with second-highest completions percentage (69.5) and second most touchdown passes (18).Theyve been in it together for 10 years. So, theres been a lot of continuity there, 49ers defensive coordinator Jim ONeil said about Brees and Saints coach Sean Payton. Theres not too many things that they havent seen as an offensive staff and personnel-wise with those guys. But, youve got to out-execute them.Game notesRB Carlos Hyde returned to practice this week after missing the previous game with a shoulder injury CB Rashard Robinson (knee) and LB Aaron Lynch (ankle) did not practice For New Orleans, T Terron Armstead (knee), LB Dannell Ellerbe (quadricep), LB James Laurinaitis (quadricep) and S Kenny Vaccaro (knee) did not practice. ' ' '
