Aqib Talib, who pushed Norwood after his costly f

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Los Angeles Angels have picked up their $7 million contract option for next season on third baseman Yunel Escobar.The team made the announcement Monday night.Escobar batted .304 with five homers and 39 RBI over 132 games in his first season with the Angels, his fifth big league club. The Angels exercised their option on the 34-year-old Cuban infielder instead of paying a $1 million buyout.Los Angeles also designated reliever Cory Rasmus for assignment and activated five key pitchers from the 60-day disabled list: right-handed starters Garrett Richards, Matt Shoemaker and Nick Tropeano, left-hander Andrew Heaney and closer Huston Street.Rasmus repeatedly struggled with injuries while going 0-2 with a 5.84 ERA in 19 games last season, his fourth with the Angels. Cheap Pacers Jerseys China . According to a report from the Vancouver Province, the Lions are expected to replace former DC Rich Stubler with defensive backs coach Mark Washington. Aaron Holiday Jersey . -- Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and the Anaheim Ducks extended the best start in franchise history with their fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. http://www.cheappacersjerseys.com/ . -- About a third of the way through the regular season, the Washington Wizards are at . Alize Johnson Jersey . The Celtics closed out their first preseason under Stevens on Wednesday night with a 101-97 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, who rested a lot of their lineup including former Celtics Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. Cheap Pacers Jerseys . John Lucas, signed as a mentor for rookie Trey Burke, showed he can score if required, scoring 12 points of his 16 points in the second quarter as Utah built an 18-point lead. DENVER -- The Broncos defense kept Tom Brady in check. Now, theyre trying to do the same with their frustration.What little hope Denver has at salvaging its playoff chances after a 16-3 loss to New England on Sunday is clearly dependent on a defense that, stellar as it may be, simply cant win games on its own.This year is not a repeat of last season, when the Broncos (8-6) rode the defense all the way to a Super Bowl win.This version of the Denver defense keeps getting betrayed by everything on this team -- a fumbled punt by returner Jordan Norwood, a costly interception in the red zone by Trevor Siemian, an offensive line that struggles to run block and receivers who have trouble holding onto the ball.Frustration? It was barely disguised after the latest loss knocked Denver out of a playoff spot as it stands with two games to go.Yall see what has to get changed, cornerback Chris Harris Jr. said. Im not going to speak on it too much.No need to. It was glaringly obvious between a Patriots team gearing up for a Super Bowl run and a team whose title defense could be over before the playoffs even start.Denvers D held Brady to 188 yards passing and no passing TDs. And the only touchdown the Patriots (12-2) mustered almost didnt happen. Dion Lewis fumbled on the goal line, only to recover it. A play later, LeGarrette Blount barreled into the end zone to give the Patriots a 10-3 lead.These days, given the offenses struggles, a seven-point deficit feels like much more.We felt like we played almost good enough defense to win that game, Harris said.Standing in the way of any potential conflict is Von Miller -- the keeper of the peace in the locker room.Theres not going to be any friction. Im the partition, Miller said. Its just a tough loss. Its hard to accept it, especially when you put so much in during the week and knowing what this ggame means to us, our organization and our fans.dddddddddddd Weve got two games left. Im not going anywhere. Ill be ready to go.Still, its a long shot, especially going to Kansas City on Christmas Day to face the Chiefs. The Broncos have historically not played well in Arrowhead this time of year. They close the season by hosting Oakland on Jan. 1.Im not really thinking about the playoffs. Im thinking about going to play Kansas City, Miller said.The frustration is understandable. The Broncos have allowed a grand total of three touchdowns over the past three weeks.Their record: 1-2.Thats not going to take us nowhere, being frustrated and beefing with the offense, said cornerback Aqib Talib, who pushed Norwood after his costly fumble in a loss last month against the Chiefs.This time, when Norwood fumbled, Talib walked past him. The Broncos defense bailed him out by allowing only a field goal.But Norwood isnt the only problem.Demaryius Thomas had two big dropped passes -- including a long pass down the sideline -- and Siemian was intercepted by Logan Ryan.Frustrating, no doubt, especially early, Siemian said. We were moving the ball really well and dont have any points to show for it.If someone wouldve told Talib that the Broncos would hold Brady to 16 points and they still wouldve lost, his only response wouldve been: You lyin, he said.The cold, hard truth.Brady began 0-for-6 passing, which ties his longest drought start a game in his career. He was held to a passer rating of 68.2 (in contrast, Siemian had a 73.1).You cant get us down, man, Ward said. Were the best. Cant beat us. Were the best. Keep working until we get those wins.---For more NFL coverage: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '