obviously, they know that too, so thats always the can,

BARCELONA, Spain -- Barcelona defender Carles Puyol has decided to leave the club at the end of the season, preferring to take some time off after several injury-filled seasons and putting his football future in doubt. The 35-year-old Puyol has spent his entire career with Barcelona, debuting in 1999. But he has made only 12 appearances this season after returning from a long-term knee injury in October. Puyol has been an essential figure in Barcelonas and Spains recent achievements, including helping Spain win the 2010 World Cup and leading Barcelona to three Champions League titles. Puyol said Barcelona has agreed to rescind his contract at the end of the season despite two years remaining on his deal. "The recovery from my knee injury was more difficult than expected. I cannot perform anymore at the level Id want," Puyol said Tuesday. "When the season ends I need to rest and then we will see. Ive got three months left and Im going to give my all for Barca, but I dont know what Ill do at the end of the season." Puyol did not take questions Tuesday as teammates Gerard Pique, Cristian Tello and Jose Manuel Pinto, and former teammate Ivan de la Pena watched. Puyol is a homegrown success story for the Catalan club, coming through the La Masia youth program like teammates Xavi Hernandez, Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta. He was nicknamed "Tarzan" for his scraggly locks which shielded his face and intimidated opponents despite his small stature. His energetic and physical style of play fit perfectly with his leadership qualities, earning him the captains armband at Barcelona until recent injury spells. Puyol, who was raised in the Catalan town of Pobla de Segur, trails only Xavi in appearances made for the club. He scored his first goal of the season in Sundays 4-1 win over Almeria. Puyol won his first trophy with the club in the 2004-05 season -- the first of six league titles. He also won the Club World Cup, Copa del Rey, Spanish Super Cup and European Super Cup to go along with Champions League titles in 2006, 09, and 11. At the World Cup in South Africa, Puyol headed in the winning goal in the 1-0 semifinal victory over Germany. "Hes a reference for every player and a leader on the field of play," Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said. Cheap Basketball Jerseys . FLIP SAUNDERS (Timberwolves): Im not the least bit surprised that he appointed himself as head coach after his search concluded. Fake Basketball Jerseys . Rockies manager Walt Weiss was unhappy, too. Weiss addressed the issue in a 15-minute meeting with his pitcher and catcher after the Rockies gave up 14 hits and lost 10-1. De La Rosa lasted only 4 1-3 innings and allowed five runs in his first opening-day start. https://www.fakebasketballjerseys.com/ .J. -- Jaromir Jagr has hit so many NHL milestones this season for the New Jersey Devils that he is starting to downplay them. Fake Basketball Jerseys China . “The shootout, theres nothing wrong with it, I think its an exciting part of the game but its just one small aspect,” said Chicago Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman. “Its a skill exhibition. If you can get it back closer to regular hockey and have it decided that way; that would be my preference.” “I dont think its a knock on the shootout, I think more of the managers would like to see it end in overtime,” added Washington Capitals GM George McPhee. Replica Basketball Jerseys .com) - Generally you want to be the guy who replaces the guy who replaced the legend.FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Sometimes Tom Brady sits on the bench after a series and confers quietly with offensive co-ordinator Josh McDaniels.Other times he paces the sideline unleashing expletives.From student to screamer and everything in between, the super-competitive Brady does whatever he can to come out with a win.I dont think I ever lose track of plays or things that I need to do to help co-ordinate our offence when were on the field, he said Wednesday, talking calmly at a podium. I just think the emotional part is a really important part for me and I think thats always been a part of the way that I play.That emotion is sure to be on display Sunday night when Brady tries to lead the New England Patriots to their sixth Super Bowl in 14 seasons when they host the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC championship game.Passion has been part of Bradys game throughout his 15-year NFL career.Hes head-butted opponents and teammates, trash-talked defenders and yelled at his own players and coaches. This season, lip readers could easily spot the curse word he repeatedly let fly in the waning moments of a loss to the Green Bay Packers.I need to be emotional out there to play at my highest, Brady said. I try to rest up all week and Im actually pretty mellow most of the time, as you guys know. Its just for those three hours on Sunday that you get to let it rip, which is really, I think, when you can be yourself.Thats worked very well.Brady is 160-47 in the regular season and 20-8 in the post-season. Hes thrown for more completions and touchdowns than any other quarterback in post-season history.So if his teammates must listen to his shouting — in frustration or as motivation — its a small price to pay for so much success.Thats just Tom, defensive tackle Vince Wilfork said. Everything he does, he wants it to be perfect. He strives for greatness.Tom does whatever he feels he needs to do for us to win, safety Devin McCourty said. Nothing Tom does surprises us.And his intensity is infectious.When you see Tom do it, said tight end Rob Gronkowski, a very demonstrative player himself, it definitely gets you going.Brady may be confident and competitivve, but he also gets nervous.ddddddddddddith Sundays game determining if his season will continue or end, the butterflies should be there.Thats part of playing sports. Being in a competitive situation like we are, I dont think that ever goes away, he said. You have your vision of the way you want things to turn out on a particular play or scheme or something like that and if it does, great. If it doesnt happen the way you want it to, which is most of the time, youve got to figure out something to do.I think thats where a lot of the nerves come into play, the anxiousness of just the anticipation of whats going to happen versus what weve prepared for.The Patriots (13-5) are preparing for the Colts (13-6) after overcoming two 14-point deficits to beat the Baltimore Ravens 35-31 in a divisional game.New England routed Indianapolis 42-20 in the regular season, but the Colts are 7-1 since then.All the games take on a little bit of a different feel, Brady said. Any time you play a team a second time around, you hope you can go in there and do a lot of the same things that you were successful with and, obviously, they know that too, so thats always the chess match.One thing that wont change is Bradys intensity.Hell do whatever he can, whatever is in his power, to encourage us to play better, to motivate himself to play better and at the end of the day, for us to win the game, special teams captain Matthew Slater said. Whatever that takes, if thats him yelling at us, going crazy, then so be it.Why does he behave like that?My wife asks the same thing. She says, Whats your problem? Brady said. But I get pretty edgy. I just think theres a high level of pressure every week.There wasnt much on Wednesday, when he casually answered reporters questions. But he did slip into his Sunday slang in one unguarded moment when asked about his nerves this week.Sometimes Im in a good mood, sometimes Im in a (expletive) mood — bad mood. Sorry, he said on live television, then laughed.Then he was told the broadcast might be on a seven-second delay.Oh, is it? Brady said. Good.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '