. Norways got more than just Bjørndalen to contend for gold today, tho

Police have confirmed that defensive tackle Ron Brace, a 2009 second-round draft choice of the New England Patriots, has died at the age of 29. The cause of death is not being treated as suspicious, according to the Springfield Massachusetts Police Department.Boston College star Brace played in 39 games for the Patriots from 2009 to 2012.Hampered by injury, he then signed with Washington Redskins for a brief spell in February 2013, but was released shortly before the season began.We were deeply saddened to hear the news this morning of Ron Braces death, the Patriots said in a statement.Seven years ago tomorrow [Monday], we drafted Ron after his standout career at Boston College. During his Patriots career, the Springfield native was always eager to volunteer and give back in our communities, especially when those community initiatives were held in Western Mass.It is difficult to believe that someone so young and in the prime of his life is no longer with us. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Rons family, friends and the many former team-mates who will mourn Rons passing.Former Boston College team-mate Matt Ryan, who is now the Atlanta Falcons quarterback, paid tribute on Twitter, saying: Saddened to hear about the passing of friend and former team-mate Ron Brace. His smile was contagious. Thoughts and prayers to his family. Also See: NFL Video Rookies guide NFL on Sky Sports Pundits Custom New York Mets Nike Jerseys . -- Deshorn Brown scored twice, the first coming 13 seconds into the game, and the Colorado Rapids beat the undermanned Seattle Sounders 5-1 Saturday night. Custom Arizona Diamondbacks Nike Jerseys . This time, it was Eric Chavezs turn. Stuck in a rut since coming off the disabled list, Chavez hit the first pitch he saw in the ninth inning for a run-scoring single, sending the Diamondbacks to another walk-off victory, 4-3 over the San Francisco Giants on Saturday night. https://www.custombaseballnikejerseys.com/?tag=custom-new-york-yankees-nike-jerseys . "That was a great lift for the staff," Padres manager Bud Black said. Yonder Alonso and Yasmani Grandal homered, and Chase Headley drove in three runs, as the Padres beat the Chicago Cubs 11-1 on Friday night. Custom Nike Baseball Jerseys 2020 . The 24-year-old Pruneau played his CIS football with the Montreal Carabins. The six-foot, 200-pound Montreal native had 41 tackles, 3. Custom Baltimore Orioles Nike Jerseys .A. Happ is coming off his first start of the year, a win at Philadelphia Monday. The former Phillie allowed three hits in five scoreless frames of a 3-0 triumph.To be successful in biathlon is to be patient, focused and have stamina to keep up with the competition. Combining the endurance of cross-country skiing with the marksmanship of shooting, biathlon is arguably one of the toughest sports at the Winter Olympics. Yet for Canadian Jean-Philippe Le Guellec, all the elements an athlete needs to win in biathlon may come together for him today in the mens 10-kilometre sprint, being held at the Laura Biathlon & Ski Complex in Krasnaya Polyana. Originally born in Kingston, Ont., Le Guellec — hes nicknamed Tiji — became the first Canadian male to win a World Cup biathlon event when he won the 10K sprint in Ostersund, Sweden, in December 2012. This will also be Le Guellecs final Olympic competition. While Le Guellecs facing big challenges in his quest to land on the podium in Sochi, the three-time Olympian is looking like a real contender in an especially strong field. "I think podium is definitely possible. Everything has to fall into place, for sure. You have to have a good ski, you have to have a good shooting," says Le Guellec. "You dont need to be the fastest skier out there, you dont need to be the fastest shooter. But its an alchemy of both of them."Canadas also got two other competitors in the 10K: Nathan Smith of Calgary, Alta., and Brendan Green of Hay River, N.W.T. The 28-year-old Smith is competing in his first Olympics in Sochi, and hes feeling good about competing this time around after missing out on qualifying for Vancouver 2010. "This is my first time here. Its really quite a spectacle. All the money and work that went into it is impressive. Seeing it in person is amazing.dddddddddddd"Despite the optimism, today wont be easy for the Canadians. Theyre competing against the most decorated biathlete of all time — Norways Ole Einar Bjørndalen. Now attending his sixth Winter Olympics, the 40-year-old Bjørndalen is gunning for his seventh Olympic gold medal today. Norways got more than just Bjørndalen to contend for gold today, though: Emil Hegle Svendsen, a biathlon sprint specialist, is looking to take his third Olympic gold after winning two golds in Vancouver 2010. Svendsens closest rival is Frances Martin Fourcade, who also comes into the 10 kilometre as a medal favourite. The winner of the 2011-2012 overall World Cup title, Fourcade — he also has an older brother, Simon, thats competing in the same race — won the silver medal in the 15 kilometre mass start in Vancouver 2010 and is looking to upgrade to gold in Sochi. Theres still more competition for the top contenders, such as the home crowds favourite, Anton Shipulin of Russia. Yet the biggest competition for the athletes might be the Laura Biathlon & Ski Complex itself. Le Guellec describes the biathlon course as very tough. "The Russians have been boasting for quite a while now that its the toughest course out there. Toughest course in the world. And you know what? Theyre absolutely right," says Le Guellec. "They have vicious climbs and really technical downhills, which I absolutely love."Smith agrees that its a really challenging course. "This is my first time here and everyone told me it had a lot of hills - and it does. Its really impressive." ' ' '