ewart, said Jim Campbell, VP of performance vehicles and motorsports for GM.BYE BYE, BOWYERClint Bowyer finishes the worst season of his 11-year career in his lone season at HScott Motorsports.Bowyer dr

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- The Denver Broncos got a glimpse Thursday of what things would be like if All-Pro linebacker Von Miller has to sit out all of September. Miller skipped the final day of training camp to address his looming suspension for violating the NFLs drug-abuse policy, although ESPN reported that his appeals hearing was postponed. League spokesman Greg Aiello told The Associated Press that the league was not at liberty to comment on the matter. Nonetheless, with their 24-year-old star absent, third-year pro Nate Irving lined up at Millers strongside spot in the base defence at practice with free agent newcomer Shaun Phillips playing Millers rush end role in the nickel. They did fine, but make no mistake, Miller was missed. "When you lose a guy of that calibre, youre going to notice a difference," Champ Bailey said. "Hes just that effective on our defence. I think you would notice a lot more difference in a game-type situation. Von, hopefully we have him back sooner than later." This is, after all, the man Broncos Executive Vice-President John Elway calls the most talented football player hes ever seen. Miller has collected 30 sacks in his two pro seasons, including a franchise-record 18 1/2 last season, when he was voted runner-up for the NFLs Defensive Player of the Year award after being named the leagues top defensive rookie in 2011. A four-game suspension for Miller would leave a gaping hole in Denvers defence when the Broncos kick off the 2013 season at home Sept. 5 against Super Bowl champion Baltimore. Despite the spectre of a suspension hanging over him, Miller had a terrific training camp, practicing with the starters in hopes he could win his appeal. The Broncos have worked on various contingency plans but Millers absence Thursday presented them with their most extensive work yet on a backup plan in case he is banished from their facilities starting Aug. 30. "Were prepared for any possible scenario," Peyton Manning said. "Thats how you have to be. If you get all wrapped up into one outcome and it doesnt end up turning out that way, you dont really have a Plan B. Today was a good practice on the possibility that he may not be here. If thats the case, thats not going to be an excuse for our team and we have to find a way to do our job. But we certainly hope that he is here." Millers troubles were exacerbated Sunday when he was arrested at a firearms shop near the Broncos practice facility on a warrant for failing to appear in court on Dec. 31 for an October traffic stop in which he was charged with careless driving and not having a license or proof of insurance. Bailey said the mounting troubles might make it seem like Miller is a bad apple but he insisted hes a good guy who just needs to grow up. "Hes young. Things happen and its a process," Bailey told the AP. "We all go through something like this in our life, whether good, bad, something to help you kind of take ownership and responsibility for whats going on around you and just make you more aware. And I think this is only going to make him a better person in the end. "Hes not bad now, but hell be even better in the future," Bailey said. "Well get through this together and well bounce back from it." Notes: C.J. Anderson, an undrafted rookie RB from Cal, seriously injured his right knee during 11-on-11 drills and was carted off the field. "Its tough. He was having such a great camp," Bailey said. Anderson screamed in pain when he got caught in a pile of linemen. With RB Knowshon Moreno (knee) sitting out practice again, the Broncos are thin in the backfield and coach John Fox said he might have to bring in another running back for the exhibition game at Seattle on Saturday night. ... Pro personnel director Tom Heckert returned to work after serving his monthlong suspension for a drunken driving arrest in June. Priest Holmes Jersey .Y. - Rob Manfred was promoted Monday to Major League Baseballs chief operating officer, which may make him a candidate to succeed Bud Selig as commissioner. Shannon Sharpe Jersey . Halifax beat the Saint John Sea Dogs 7-5 on the strength of two goals apiece from Nikolaj Ehlers, Matt Murphy and Brent Andrews. Jonathan Drouin also scored and had three assists while Zachary Fucale made 17 saves for the Mooseheads (16-8-0), who led 6-1 after two periods. http://www.customravensjersey.com/custom-seth-roberts-jersey-large-1613d.html . Despite dominating possession, Schalke needed an own goal from Nicolas Hoefler for the breakthrough a minute before the interval. The Freiburg midfielder misjudged Jefferson Farfans corner and bundled the ball into his own net. Nick Boyle Jersey .C. -- Todd Fiddler scored a hat trick, including the overtime goal, as the Prince George Cougars survived an 8-7 win against the Kamloops Blazers in Western Hockey League play Sunday. Tony Banks Jersey . The 29-year-old Baines has established himself as one of the top attacking full backs in the country and was the subject of two bids from United during the last off-season. Everton manager Roberto Martinez says that keeping Baines at the club is a "massive boost and exciting for the future" because he brings "maturity and football knowledge in a very specialized position on the pitch" and an "infectious and positive influence to the rest of the squad. HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Jimmie Johnson attempts a drive into NASCAR history.Kyle Busch would love to spoil Johnsons record run with a racing milestone of his own and win back-to-back Sprint Cup championships.Joey Logano and Carl Edwards just want to join the championship club.The four finalists have raced each other for 35 weeks -- and rode bikes, played video games and shared laughs in the lead-up to the finale Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway.The top finisher among the four contenders will be the NASCAR Sprint Cup champion. Under the one-race elimination format, Kevin Harvick in 2014 and Busch in 2015 both won the finale to take the title.Johnson, one of NASCARs greats, would stamp himself in the record book with a record-tying seventh championship. Johnson would match Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty as the only drivers with seven Cup championships.I know that Im as close to this opportunity as Ive ever been, but Im not climbing in that car Sunday saying, `Ive got to win seven, Johnson said. Im saying, `Ive got to win a championship.Johnson, Busch, Logano or Edwards could leave Florida a champion.Tony Stewart is simply ready to walk away.Stewart, the three-time Cup champion, ends of one racings great careers when he retires following an almost two-decade NASCAR stint.There hasnt been any part of my career that I didnt enjoy, Stewart said.Here are some other items of note for Sundays race:SPONSOR DISCONNECTThe championship is decided on the Sprint stage for the final time.Sprint disconnected with NASCAR, ending its title sponsorship of the top series following this season. NASCAR heads into the offseason without a sponsor announcement, a troubling sign for the series already faced with dwindling attendance and sagging TV ratings.Sprints exit means NASCAR will enter a new entitlement agreement for just the fourth time since 1971, when RJ Reynolds began its 33-year sponsorship of the top series through its Winston brand. RJR pulled out after the 2003 season and Nextel stepped in until Sprints corporate merger.If you look at whats going on in the NFL and the viewership, all the sponsors watch that, team owner Rick Hendrick said.dddddddddddd The good news is we have not slipped as much as some of the other folks.FORD, FIRST?Logano is trying to become the first Ford driver to win the championship since Kurt Busch in 2004.Theres a heck of an investment we all make in this sport, said Dave Pericak, director of Ford Performance. We wouldnt be doing that if we werent getting a return on our investment.Stewart-Haas Racing will field Fords next season, ending an eight-year run with Chevrolet.Weve been so proud of what weve accomplished, not to mention an incredible run with Tony Stewart, said Jim Campbell, VP of performance vehicles and motorsports for GM.BYE BYE, BOWYERClint Bowyer finishes the worst season of his 11-year career in his lone season at HScott Motorsports.Bowyer drove a stop-gap season at HSM before he takes Stewarts ride in the 14 in 2017. Bowyer had vowed to reshape to team and leave it as winning organization. Bowyer failed to post a top-finish for the first time and trudges into the finale 27th in the standings.Homestead also could mark the final race for HSM, which fielded cars for Bowyer and Michael Annett this season. Annett failed to record a top 10, is 36th in the standings and has been shifted to the second-tier Xfinity Series for 2017.Without a driver, team owner Harry Scott could shutter HSM and sell its charter.Harry is considering a number of options for 2017. He has not made a final decision yet but will do so in the coming weeks, the team said Saturday.OUTTA HEREBrian Scott makes the final start of his 52-race career following his retirement announcement. Team owner Richard Petty said he was still looking for a driver in the No. 44 Ford next season. ... Tommy Baldwin Racing sold its charter this week and faces an uncertain future. Regan Smith, with one top five this year, is considering other options for 2017.---More AP auto racing: www.racing.ap.org ' ' '