believe in, otherwise you risk standing for nothing.That said, I am a tough sell, and getting tougher as I age.So please allow me to clear the air on

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints are putting up the kind of ridiculous numbers at home that would be hard to believe even in the Madden video game.On the road has been another matter.Brees threw an interception that was returned 48-yard for a touchdown on Sunday, and generally had a tough time moving the Saints against a stout Kansas City defense, ultimately running out of time in a 24-21 loss to the Chiefs at boisterous Arrowhead Stadium.We know we can compete with anybody anywhere, Brees said afterward. We can overcome anything as well, but the odds go against you when you get pre-snap penalties, when you put yourself in third-and-long situations, when you turn the ball over and give them points or a short field.Brees still finished with 377 yards and three TD passes for the Saints (2-4), and became the first player with 100 games with at least 300 yards passing.But it was another uneven performance away from the Superdome for one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the NFL.Brees is averaging 421.3 yards passing with 11 touchdowns and two interceptions at home. On the road? Just 282 yards per game with six touchdowns and three picks, including the one on Sunday.He was also hit four times and sacked once by an aggressive Chiefs defensive front.There are always different challenges when you go on the road, Saints coach Sean Payton said. We have played some good games at home and weve struggled at home sometimes. A lot of it is who youre playing, how youre taking care of the football and how youre running the football.And some of it is the venue, which gave the Chiefs a decided advantage on Sunday.New Orleans was called for four false starts and a delay of game, and it was clear that Brees was having trouble communicating with his young wide receivers much of the afternoon.Especially with a veteran quarterback like that, you dont really expect it, Chiefs safety Eric Berry said. They say its the loudest stadium in the world and thats true. It helps us.Brees said the Saints were flinching a bit too soon, and lamented the number of penalties that killed promising drives. That led to a 21-7 halftime deficit, and forced New Orleans to abandon what had been a successful ground game in an attempt to rally down the stretch.Brees wound up with 168 yards passing and a touchdown in the fourth quarter alone.We knew our execution had to be at a premium and unfortunately those penalties were costly, he said. You feel like throughout the game we move the ball well, pretty balanced in regards to the flow. On all our scoring drives it felt like the flow was really good and the ones where we didnt get points it was either we turned the ball over or we had penalties that killed the drive.That cant happen against a team like this in this type of environment. We got what we deserved.---Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFLCheap Air Max 97 Ireland . -- The St. Johns IceCaps weathered a wild first period with the help of goaltender Jussi Olkinuora, before finding offensive inroads in the second. Air Max 97 Ireland Cheap . Burris threw two TD passes, including a key 15-yard fourth-quarter strike to Bakari Grant that effectively countered a Toronto comeback bid and led Hamilton to a 33-19 victory. http://www.airmax97cheapireland.com/ . Mats Zuccarello and Derek Stepan scored shootout goals, and backup goalie Cam Talbot earned his second win in two nights as the Rangers shook off a late tying tally and beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 Monday night. Air Max 97 Outlet .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park. Cheap Air Max 97 Wholesale . Argentina winger Ezequiel Lavezzi and France midfielder Blaise Matuidi scored, with star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic setting up both despite having a poor game by his high standards. Forward Eduardo gave Ajaccio the lead in the sixth minute after being set up by right winger Benjamin Andre, and the Corsican side looked comfortable in the first half, with the lively Johan Cavalli causing problems with his probing runs from midfield.With the presidential election just around the corner, it seems appropriate for me to declare my allegiance, my commitment toward someone or something.Among my favorite quotes is: Stand up for what you believe in, otherwise you risk standing for nothing.That said, I am a tough sell, and getting tougher as I age.So please allow me to clear the air on a few things:I believe in the Chase.Its taken some time, and there have been a few bumps in the road, but I love this format, I believe it creates entertainment, its equitable for all 16 drivers, and most important -- its authentic.Its authentic because it rewards winning! Thats something I have campaigned for since I hung up my helmet.As I navigated the Dover Garage area Friday, I discovered only two teams -- drivers who appeared at peace with themselves -- Martin Truex Jr. and Kevin Harvick. Both demonstrated the value of having won a playoff race.Its the purest form of competition when you reward the winners and incentivize those who remain.This formula works; it has enhanced the pursuit of becoming a NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion -- period!I believe Dale Earnhardt Jr. should retire.Unless winning more races feels more critical than anything else in his life.I have no tolerance for anyone challenging my view on this who has never experienced the residual effects of concussions. Thats because its probably self-serving and comes from a perspective of not whats best for Dale but rather whats best for our sport, whats best for our ratings, whats best for our industry or our bottom line.Im not calling out anyone. I am well past that behavior, but I will fire this shot across the bow of anyone interested in challenging my view. I experienced it, I had to overcome it, and Im equipped to speak of it.Its personal for me because I worry about the long-term effects of my concussions. However, I have absolutely no regrets about any step of my driving career. None!NASCAR has contributed to my having a phenomenal life, and while I do have apprehension toward my quality of life 20 years from now, I have none regarding my first 50. Earnhardt is a wonderful person, among my favorite people. I trust him, I have confidence in him. He has helped make our sport better -- significantly better.What we owe him in return is the liberty to make this decision based on only one thing -- and this whats best for him.ddddddddddddI appreciate Tony Stewart, and I hope he wins Sunday.I havent always liked Stewart, and in full disclosure I know he hasnt always liked me! But I like that he is real.I like that he speaks his mind, says what he truly believes. Theres not enough of that in this world, and when Tony is gone, the tell-it-the-way-it-is meter will ratchet down a couple of notches.I believe Tony is among the most talented Ive ever competed against. I admire that part of him.What I dont admire is his inability to control his temper, maintain his composure.You see, how you act in life contributes majorly your legacy. How you react in life probably contributes even more than that.Two weeks in a row, Tony lost his composure, essentially causing two wrecks.While I appreciated Tony not ducking from the responsibility of what happened, I shuddered at the thought of the contingent of people who would associate Tonys behavior with the volatility in his recent past.Ryan Newman didnt help any of that by telling the world to go to Google and YouTube all things Tony Stewart.Let me be clear: I respect Tony Stewart. I also believe he is a good guy, and while Im confident he wouldnt intentionally try to hurt anyone in a race car, those two weeks cracked the door open slightly for those interested in deriding him.I believe Tony deserves better than that, but I also believe he is the gatekeeper of how he will be perceived.I sincerely hope Tony Stewart wins Sunday. I want it for him, for his family, his team, his fans.Most of all, I want Tony Stewarts career to end with celebration. I believe he deserves that.The Bottom LineMost of you expected me to declare support for a presidential candidate. I tempted you with how I framed the beginning of this article.Fact is, I wouldnt do that. Its not who I am, not what I represent.I have no interest in trying to persuade someone to think the way I think, believe what I believe. Thats something Ive acquired with age, perhaps wisdom.Think for yourself, say what you believe while being sensitive to how it might affect other people. But do not deviate from being yourself. Its what I refer to as being real.I love my life. I love real. ' ' '