PHOENIX - Domestic violence. C.J. McCollum Jersey . Questionable discipline. Player safety. Confusing officiating. Deflated footballs.The disturbing headlines that began last February never slowed down for the NFL this season. The problems — most of them made worse by the ineffectual handling — mushroomed into an imperfect storm that hurt the leagues credibility and turned the lead-up to Sundays Super Bowl into a time for damage control, not celebration.It never ceases, said Orin Starn, a Duke professor who studies sports in society. It was one crisis and PR challenge after another and I didnt envy Roger Goodell at all.At the commissioners contentious news conference Friday — Goodell fielded one question about whether he thought he should be fired and another about taking a pay cut — he was hit with a barrage of questions that spoke to the wide range of problems that punctured the leagues integrity, though not its popularity.On the one hand, youve got a league thats never been more profitable, never been more popular, agent Leigh Steinberg said. On the other hand, there was less-than-deft handling and anticipation of some major issues that have hit the third rail. Theyve transcended the hardcore football fans to become household issues.Its a tribute to Americas obsession with football that what feels like a trivial tale about flatter-than-normal footballs hasnt abated as the weeks top story, even with a looming matchup between New England and Seattle. The Patriots were accused of providing under-inflated footballs for their AFC championship win, and an investigation will be concluded after the title game. That was the lead story on all three major-network news broadcasts one evening.Another story that wont end: Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynchs refusal to play nice with the media and the NFLs uncertainty about how, or whether, to enforce rules that compel players to do interviews.I did 35 radio interviews this week, Steinberg said. Thats all anyone wanted to talk about.But its issues such as Deflategate, the confusing rules and the competence of the NFLs officials that could damage the league most.Theres a general assumption, Steinberg said, that the contests are performed with equal rules, equal officiating and the games turn on coaching and players who play on the field.Any suggestion that something else is happening, that there may be cheating or unfair enforcement, is an existential threat to the NFL, he said.The domestic violence crisis that exploded when Ray Rice — the former Baltimore Ravens running back — punched his fiancee and Adrian Peterson — the Minnesota Vikings star — whipped his son with a tree branch has been treated mostly in general terms this week.Goodell used the words domestic violence only once during his nearly 50-minute news conference, instead referring to it more than once as part of a set of complex issues.Domestic violence accusations against players garnered as much attention for the NFLs handling of them — most notably, Rices two-game suspension that was made indefinite when video of the punch surfaced, then overturned by an arbitrator — as the charges themselves.That doesnt thrill people on the front lines in fighting domestic abuse, though they do give the NFL credit for pumping money into increasing awareness. The NFL is footing the bill for a 30-second public-service announcement during the Super Bowl (half-minute spots are selling for around $4.5 million) about domestic violence that will reach tens of millions.Id call it the first step of the NFL taking this conversation to the next level, said Ruth Glenn, the executive director for the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.Neither the domestic violence crisis, nor the ongoing murder trial of former Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, nor any other off-field issue deterred fans or sponsors — who foot much of the bill for a $9 billion business that Goodell hopes to grow by more than double over the next decade. NFL games accounted for 45 of the 50 most-watched shows from Labour Day to the end of 2014. The Super Bowl, as always, is a near lock to be among the most-watched programs of all time.Its not guaranteed to last forever, said George Daly, a Georgetown professor of management who consulted the NFL decades ago.All these things are risky, Daly said. If you look back to, say, 1950, the NFL title game brought in less money than the Rose Bowl. Things can change.The health and safety of the leagues players poses another long-term threat. While the NFL used the week to tout a 25-per cent decrease in concussions recorded this season, another study spelling out the dangers football presents to children made headlines, as well. So did an Associated Press report detailing flaws in about three-fifths of state youth concussion laws passed in all 50 states since 2009 at the urging of the league.News about overuse of painkillers, the leagues implementation of a human growth hormone testing program that isnt as effective as it could be and the efficacy of the leagues penalties for marijuana also made headlines.All this comes against the backdrop of lawsuits. Most notably, the NFL is waiting for final resolution of a lawsuit by former players who accused the league of hiding what it knew about brain injuries so they would stay on the field. The proposed settlement is worth an estimated $1 billion.Its money the league can afford.But this season exposed some unseemly chinks in the NFLs armour —forcing leaders to rethink the way they do business. Already, theyve revamped their investigative process, are considering changes among their officiating crews and announced theyll hire a new chief medical officer.They have to look and say, What are the threats and what are the opportunities? Daly said. From what I see, there are real threats out there.___Follow Eddie Pells on Twitter at http://twitter.com/epels___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL Jusuf Nurkic Blazers Jersey . "Weve given ourselves now a tougher task," said Carlyle after the Friday practice, the Toronto head coach notably chipper and upbeat throughout. "But the bottom line is we just have to win our share of games [and] not worry about what anybody else is doing. Allen Crabbe Jersey . They started shooting the puck. Joe Pavelski had a hat trick to move into a tie for second in the NHL in goals and the Sharks beat Philadelphia 7-3 Thursday night in the first game for both teams following the Olympic break.ROME -- Roger Federers focus appeared to drift away from the Foro Italico. And that was understandable. After all, the 17-time Grand Slam winner was playing for the first time since the birth of his second set of twins last week. Federer let a lead to slip away and was beaten 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (6) Wednesday in the second round of the Italian Open by 47th-ranked Jeremy Chardy of France. When Federers boys, Leo and Lenny, were born, the fourth-ranked Swiss player withdrew from last weeks Madrid Open. He only decided to come to Rome a few days ago. "This one is totally OK if it doesnt hurt," Federer said. "I tried everything. I cant do more than that on the court." Federer had a match point in the tiebreaker but Chardy saved it with an improbable cross-court forehand on the run when it looked like Federer was about to close the match out. "That passing shot is a tough one for me to take, because hes not going to make that very often," Federer said. "But it happens and credit to him to fight his way back into the match and get it." Later, top-ranked Rafael Nadal also faced stiff resistance from his French opponent before ultimately wearing down 30th-ranked Gilles Simon for a 7-6 (1), 6-7 (4), 6-2 win that lasted 3 hours, 18 minutes -- opening his bid for an eighth Rome title. Nadal hit 32 winners but just three with his backhand, which has become a point of concern recently. Also, Wimbledon champion Andy Murray eliminated Marcel Granollers of Spain 6-2, 7-5. Womens title-holder Serena Williams showed no problems -- and no taping -- from a left thigh injury that forced her to withdraw from Madrid. The top-ranked American beat 28th-ranked Andrea Petkovic 6-2, 6-2. "Im not 100 per cent but Im getting there," Williams said, adding that the conditions at the U.S. Open prepared her for the heavy wind gusts at the Foro Italico. "If I can play in New York, I can play anywhere." Maria Sharapova, the 2011 and 2012 Rome champion, had to rally in the second set to get by Puerto Rican qualifier Monica Puig 6-3, 7-5. After cruising through the first set, Federer began to commit unforced errors at an alaarming rate and Chardy quickly took advantage. Terry Porter Blazers Jersey. "I wasnt able to stretch the lead when I had it," Federer said. Federer committed 43 unforced errors -- 20 in the second set alone -- to Chardys 28. Federer also struggled to dictate play with his first serve. "But at the end, it was shot here or there that decided the match," Federer said. Chardy hadnt beaten a top-10 player since defeating Juan Martin del Potro in the third round of last years Australian Open. Federer and wife Mirka also have twin girls, Myla Rose and Charlene Riva, who turn 5 in July. But even with all the family distractions, Federer didnt appear worried about his preparations for the French Open, which starts in 11 days. "Everything is under control," Federer said, recalling that he reached the final of the Monte Carlos Masters last month. "I still feel good, my body is good, my mind is good and its just unfortunate for one passing shot today I dont get another opportunity to play this week." Also advancing was 11th-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who edged Kevin Anderson of South Africa 7-6 (14), 7-6 (5); and 12th-seeded Grigor Dimitrov, who eliminated Ivo Karlovic of Croatia 7-6 (3), 6-4; and 15th-seeded Tommy Haas, who defeated Igor Sijsling of the Netherlands, 7-6 (6), 6-1. In womens play, third-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska beat Paula Ormaechea of Argentina 6-3, 6-2 and will next face 2010 French Open winner Francesca Schiavone, who rallied past Garbine Muguruza 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (5). Fourth-seeded Simona Halep rallied past American opponent Madison Keys 5-7, 6-0, 6-1 then withdrew from the tournament due to abdominal muscle injury. Tenth-seeded Sara Errani swept aside Ekaterina Makarova 6-2, 6-3; and 13th-seeded Carla Suarez Navarro beat 1999 champion Venus Williams 6-4, 6-2. Suarez Navarro then advanced to the quarterfinals upon Haleps withdrawal. Also, Varvara Lepchenko upset 16th-seeded Sloane Stephens 6-2, 6-2 in an all-American match; American qualifier Christina McHale rallied to beat Italian wild card Camila Giorgi 1-6, 6-3, 6-1; and Australian veteran Sam Stosur defeated Elena Vesnina of Russia 6-2, 6-3. 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