ERST LESEN! » s month, and things wont get any easier wi

NORTON, Mass. -- Just because Saturday was the official start to the college football season, its only natural that we compare Deutsche Bank Championship 36-hole leader Kevin Chappell to one of the teams well see this year.He might be the team from the non-power conference threatening to win a title.Or he might be the team on the verge of peaking next season.Or he might be the team that keeps coming close but cant pull off the victory.Or maybe its none of these. Maybe weve just caught a little case of football fever over here.Analogies aside, Chappell leads at TPC Boston after opening rounds of 67-64, as he chases a first career win that has been so close yet so elusive to this point.So far this season, he owns three solo second-place finishes, netting him more than $3.5 million and a likely berth in the season-ending Tour Championship, which was a goal of his. If theres a non-football comparison to be made, its with Kevin Kisner, who had three runner-up results last season, then won for the first time in his fourth start of this season.Despite not winning yet, Chappell insisted he still views his campaign with a positive outlook.Its hard to be frustrated when youre having the best year of your career, he said. Thats really how I try to look at it. Last year when I stood here, I was trying to get to the next event, and this year I stand here and it sounds like Im pretty much a lock to get to the last event at East Lake.You cant be disappointed with that. I would love to have won and won multiple times, but Ive learned from those experiences, and my team and I keep addressing the weaknesses that come up from those situations. You dont know if youre improving until you get in the situation and see how you hold up, so I look forward to that.Hes going to have an opportunity to see that improvement over the final 36 holes, with some heavyweight competition in close pursuit.Jimmy Walker, the recent PGA Championship winner, is just 1 stroke back. So is Paul Casey, the former top-10 player and multiple Ryder Cup team member. Among those not far behind them is Dustin Johnson, who might be enjoying the best season of anyone to date, and Justin Rose, who won Olympic gold just three weeks ago.As for what Chappell has learned from those previous close calls, he pointed to a specific intangible component to his performance.Just how patient you need to be and really the value of a shot, he explained. Use The Players [Championship], for example. I was over par for the tournament for 26 holes and was able to fight back and finish solo second. Solo second pays out like a win, which is huge, but I could have easily packed it in and took it as a missed cut and all of a sudden I net $1 million on the week. It just goes to show that youre never out of it. Im never out of it, and I need to be myself and just ride out the process.That learning curve will be on display during the final two rounds.Theres plenty on the line for Chappell, who could put himself in excellent position for the $10 million FedEx Cup first prize, and perhaps even become a candidate for a Ryder Cup captains selection.Hes either like the team that keeps coming close without finishing or will peak next season, or -- and hes hoping its this one -- is ready to prove itself against those power conferences.Hey, it might be football season, but Chappell is showing hes not ready to close the door on this golf season just yet, either. DeAndre Hopkins Womens Jersey . The veteran safety was a starter for the Bengals from 2008-2012. He totaled 41 tackles and three interceptions while starting all but four of the 13 games he played last season. DOnta Foreman Womens Jersey . With the first unit struggling of late and Amir Johnson - one of the teams iron men - hobbling on an injured right ankle, Patterson knew he could get the nod in a challenging matchup against one of the leagues up and coming players at his position. http://www.texansrookiestore.com/Texans-Tytus-Howard-Jersey/ . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. Andre Johnson Youth Jersey . After slipping from the summit during the week, the Gunners overcame struggling Crystal Palace 2-0 on Sunday thanks to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlains second-half brace. DeAndre Hopkins Womens Jersey . "Trying to breathe," he said with a grin. Bernier stopped 42 of 43 shots on Monday night, including all 22 in a hectic middle frame, his heroic performance propelling the Leafs toward an undue point in their final game before the Christmas break. Were people a little hasty in closing the window on the Chicago Blackhawks before the season? It sure looks like it. Are the New Jersey Devils the quietest 8-3-3 team in NHL history? Man, are they ever flying under the radar.?1. (Last week: 4)?Chicago Blackhawks, 11-3-2The Blackhawks head off on their annual circus trip having padded their record nicely. Sundays win over Montreal was entertaining. Now come stops in Winnipeg, Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton, San Jose, Anaheim and Los Angeles. Chicagos next home game isnt until Nov. 29 against Florida.2. (3)?Pittsburgh Penguins, 10-3-2It sure looks like Matt Murray has reclaimed the No. 1 job in net, right? Now the question is: How long does Marc-Andre Fleury stay put? It might not be a bad idea to keep him around for the season, given the compressed schedule, and deal with that situation after the season. As they say, we shall see.3. (2) New York Rangers, 12-4-0The Blueshirts made the Alberta sweep over the weekend and now have a chance to make it a perfect road trip with wins in Vancouver and Columbus this week. New Yorks high PDO (save percentage + shooting percentage) suggests a market correction at some point, but I still like the way this team plays.4. (6) Montreal Canadiens, 13-2-1The Canadiens had impressive wins over Los Angeles and Detroit before a tough 3-2 loss at Chicago. The Blackhawks were fortunate not to have to face Carey Price, he of the .957 save percentage and 1.40 (!) goals-against average. Are you kidding me?5. (1) Washington Capitals, 9-4-1Losses to San Jose and Carolina were sandwiched around a nice win in Chicago last week. But, ooh baby, the Penguins come to town on Wednesday.6. (10) San Jose Sharks, 9-6-0The Sharks have three wins in three games on their six-game trek so far, including noteworthy decisions over Washington, Florida and Tampa Bay. Brent Burns?is on pace for 76 points -- just saying.7. (14) New Jersey Devils, 8-3-3Are these the throwback Devils? New Jersey is third in goals against per game (2.14) while playing structured, disciplined hockey.8. (12) Ottawa Senators, 9-5-1The Sens have gone nine consecutive games without scoring more than two goals and yet have gone 5-3-1 during that stretch. Is Guy Bouchers system kicking in?9. (13) Anaheim Ducks, 7-6-3Ill be curious to see how long it takes top defenseman Hampus Lindholm?-- who has played three games so far -- to find his groove. Its really hard to miss camp, the preseason and the start of the season and not blink.10. (11) Minnesota Wild, 8-5-1So far, so good for reclamation project Eric Staal in Minnesota. He has 13 points (five goals, eight assists) in 14 games and leads the Wild in scoring.11. (5) Tampa Bay Lightning, 8-6-1The Bolts begin a five-game road trip on Monday night at Brooklyn searching for more consistency. Other stops on the trip include Detroit, Buffalo, Philadelphia and Nashville.12. (17) Boston Bruins, 10-6-0Has Tuukka Rask changed his number to 31? Hes been Carey Price-like this season, sporting a .945 save percentage and 1.54 GAA. What an amazing year so far for Rask.13. (8) Edmonton Oilers, 9-6-1Dont look now, but the Oilers -- after their wonderful start to the season -- have dropped six of their past eight games. The search for consistency continues.14. (24) Winnipeg Jets, 8-7-2We should all be cheering for Mark Scheifele to win the scoring title.dddddddddddd Hes among the best interviews in the entire league and a terrific young man. And, boy, has he come into his own over the past year.15. (9) Columbus Blue Jackets, 7-4-2The Jackets have scored 18 of their 45 goals in two games. Overall, theyre averaging 3.46 goals per game (second in the NHL). But take away those two magical games, and theyre averaging just 2.45 goals in the others.16. (7) St. Louis Blues, 7-6-3The Blues are on a three-game losing streak, including an 8-4 massacre in Columbus on Saturday. St. Louis is last in the league in PDO, so one would assume that some puck luck should be coming its way at some point.17. (15) Los Angeles Kings, 7-8-1Three consecutive losses for the Kings since that 7-0 romp in Toronto. Sure, they miss goalie?Jonathan Quick?-- but theyre also just 24th in scoring.18. (23) Nashville Predators, 6-5-3Well, well, well -- have the preseason darlings woken up? The Preds have won three in a row, including a 5-0 shutout of Anaheim on Saturday.19. (16) Florida Panthers, 7-7-1Its been mostly win one, lose one for the Cats, as they search to find some cohesion. A four-game road trek starts Tuesday in Montreal.20. (21) Detroit Red Wings, 8-7-1The Wings got smoked 5-0 in Montreal on Saturday, and it doesnt get any easier this week with Tampa Bay and Washington on the docket.21. (22) Dallas Stars, 6-6-4Tyler Seguin took a while to get going after missing camp because of a World Cup injury, but hes roaring now. Hes tied for the NHL lead in scoring, with 20 points (7-13) in 16 games.22. (19) Toronto Maple Leafs, 6-6-3The young Buds have given up 40-plus shots in four of their past six games, including 49 in Pittsburgh on Saturday night. Coach Mike Babcock has to keep convincing his kids there are two sides to a puck.23. (20) Philadelphia Flyers, 7-7-2The win over Minnesota on Saturday snapped a three-game skid. The Flyers need few more saves and better defensive play to get things going again.24. (25) Colorado Avalanche, 6-8-0Heres hoping Matt Duchene (concussion) isnt out long. The Avs are last in the NHL in goals per game (1.93) as it is.25. (26) New York Islanders, 5-7-3The slumping Isles have one win in six games this month, and things wont get any easier with Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh on tap -- followed next week by a three-game trek to California.26. (28) Carolina Hurricanes, 4-6-4Can the impressive 5-1 win over Washington spur Carolina? The Canes get San Jose and Montreal next, so well find out.27. (18) Buffalo Sabres, 5-6-4The inconsistent Sabres have dropped five of their past six games, when the power play has gone 1-for-11.28. (27) Calgary Flames, 5-10-1The Flames are tied for 30th in goals against per game (3.63). They are way better than this. Something has to give.29. (30) Vancouver Canucks, 6-9-1The Canucks are 27th in PDO if youre looking for something that suggests they deserve better luck.30. (29) Arizona Coyotes, 5-9-0Were not used to seeing a Dave Tippett team rank 27th in goals against per game. Such are the perils of having young players who are learning on the job. ' ' '