al of 14-under 199 at Royal Melbourne. "Im in a really good position for tomorrow," Scott said. What I love most about running is that all you need t

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady had a longer-than-expected tuneup before he begins serving a four-game suspension to open the season, playing the entire first half in the teams preseason finale against the New York Giants on Thursday.Im happy I was able to play as much as I did. Coach and I talked about it and it was a good opportunity to get out there and play. I hadnt played much in the preseason, so just to get out there and feel some game action ... I think it all helps, said Brady, who hadnt played quarterback snaps in a preseason finale since 2011.Brady played 39 snaps against the Giants and finished 16-of-26 for 166 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the 17-9 loss. His final snap was a kneel-down at the end of the second quarter.After the game, he was asked how difficult he thinks it will be with the uncharted waters of serving a four-game suspension.I think thats a good word -- uncharted, Brady said. So well just do the best we can do.Brady said he didnt plan to leave the team with a message before his departure.I think our coaches do such a great job of that and we have so many great leaders on the team that have always stepped in and filled the void, Brady said. Theyre going to understand what they need to do in order to win. Ill be cheering like hell.On Thursday, coach Bill Belichick said the plan entering the game was for Brady to play the entire first half. He didnt waver from it even though starting left tackle Nate Solder left with an injury on the 10th play, which meant the club was down to its fourth and fifth tackles.Belichick wasnt thinking about potential injury as much as Brady getting important work to prepare him for his return.You cant take insurance out on players. You play football, you play football, Belichick?said. I dont know how you get better playing football without playing football. You can stand around and talk about it all day -- I dont think that really makes you a better player. At some point you have to get out there and play.Brady echoed those thoughts.The practices are really important, but ultimately the game decisions and getting hit, its all about decision-making as a quarterback, he said. You try to replicate it in practice, but at the end of the day it has to be game situations and real football. Thats what these games allow you to do.Brady took a few notable hits against the Giants and added a 10-yard scramble in the first quarter, saying, I know Im never going to be like Russell Wilson, but if I can make one or two of those a game, that helps us out a bit.In all, Brady played 55 snaps in the preseason. He will start serving the suspension Saturday at 4 p.m. ET and cant have any contact with the team. Jerry West Lakers Jersey . Laudrup revealed Thursday he was notified of his dismissal in "the briefest of letters which gave no reasons why such hasty and final action was deemed necessary. Elgin Baylor Lakers Jersey . Mickelson barely made the cut but had the best round of the day with nine birdies and an eagle coupled with two bogeys to sit two shots behind leader Craig Lee of Scotland. Lee shot a 69 for a 12-under 204 total. "I just love the fact I am in contention and have an opportunity in my first tournament of the year here in Abu Dhabi," Mickelson said. http://www.lakersbasketballshop.com/Kurt-Rambis-Jersey/ . They reached the 100-point plateau for the fourth time in five games, bested the visiting Trail Blazers by 34 in the paint and scored 19 of the final 25 points in regulation. Los Angeles Lakers Jerseys . PAUL, Minn. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Lakers Jersey . The Masters champion and winner of last weeks Australian PGA has a three-round total of 14-under 199 at Royal Melbourne. "Im in a really good position for tomorrow," Scott said. What I love most about running is that all you need to get started are your two feet and a heartbeat. Its one of the most travel-friendly sports since theres minimal gear to pack and you can check out the sights and sounds of a new city while getting in your cardio.But as Ive started running more (and as I enter my thirties), Ive begun to feel fatigue in my arches, calves and knees during and after my run. Ive stretched and massaged but realized it may be time to step up my gear beyond functional and fun sneakers -- its time to upgrade my socks as well.Compression gear functions as a base layer thats extra snug in specific areas. It supposedly helps increase blood flow and reduces lactic acid build-up -- which in turn could diminish my fatigue and speed up my post-run recovery. Ive worn other compression gear like leggings and shorts in the past, so when PRO Compression, a sock-specific company, sent me a few pairs, I was excited and curious to see if it could be the cure to my runners fatigue.The detailsThe socks I tested out were the PRO Compression Marathon Elite socks, the top-of-the-line model which retails for $55. They offer graduated compression, meaning the compression decreases as you move up the leg and closer to your heart. (The idea is that it helps push blood flow back towards the heart -- resulting in better circulation and an easier recovery from exercise.)The socks also have calf support and extra padding in the heel and toe for comfort on long runs. Theyre made of a blend of materials that are meant to wick sweat and smells.The testTo get the best overall impreession of the socks I wore them during runs for a few months throughout the summer -- with shorts, under tights -- and in all kinds of weather.dddddddddddd I wore a size small in the Marathon Elite socks and have a 5 ? shoe size. I also tried them out post-run and on recovery days.I have rather large calves and often have a problem finding socks that stay up, but these fit snugly -- as compression gear should. The material did seem to wick away sweat and the socks didnt slip down my calves no matter how hot it was or how hard I ran.I noticed that my arches felt more supported, which meant that I could wear more minimal running sneakers with less pain. It did seem like the tight fit made my calves feel oddly energized, but Im not sure if some of that was a placebo effect from wearing the socks.I was most impressed, though, with how the socks felt when worn during recovery. If I wore them post run (and shower), my calves felt hugged -- as though they were being massaged. They felt so good after one run that I wore the socks out to dinner because they felt too comfortable to take off.Worth it?At $55, these socks are priced right in the middle for compression running socks. Ive worn my pairs multiple times and theyve stood up to plenty of wear and washes. If you find yourself getting calf and foot fatigue or soreness from running -- or want to ease your recovery -- the PRO Compression socks are a decent, comfortable investment that Im happy to recommend. ' ' '