man forward Miles Bridges (ankle), but had more than eno

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Tom Brady has made no secret of his desire to play into his 40s.Hes reached the halfway point of his 17th NFL season, and at age 39 heads into the Patriots bye week performing at a level that puts him in the conversation to become the leagues oldest MVP.He started the 2016 season as a spectator while he served a four-game suspension as part of his punishment for his role in the Deflategate saga.Since his return to the lineup Oct. 9, Brady has shown few signs of decline in his four starts. Hes 4-0, has already thrown for 12 touchdowns and 1,319 yards, and if the season ended today his 73.1 percent completion rate and league-leading 133.9 passer rating would both be career highs.Whats more, with 198 victories, he will enter the second half of the regular season just three wins shy of passing Brett Favre (199) and Peyton Manning (200) to become the winningest quarterback in NFL history.For Brady, though, the most important number is New Englands NFL-best 7-1 record.Its pretty early, so, theres a long way to go, he said. Seven wins, its a good place, I think decent position. But coach always says `Seven wins wont get you anything in this league. Hes right. Weve got a lot of football ahead.For what its worth, former quarterbacks Rich Gannon (2002) and Peyton Manning (2013) are the current oldest MVP winners, having won the award at the age of 37. If Brady can do it a year shy of 40, it would bolster his claim as the best quarterback in history.One of the biggest questions coming out of the preseason was how Brady would be able to adjust after not being able to practice with his teammates for the month he was suspended.He was able to get in work with new additions Chris Hogan and Martellus Bennett during preseason workouts, but only played in the final two preseason games after missing the first to attend a memorial service, and the second after accidentally slicing his thumb with a pair of scissors.There was also the nagging hamstring injury to favorite option Rob Gronkowski, which limited him over the first month as well.But Brady has made it work, and so far has been able to integrate both new and old options seamlessly; spreading around the wealth in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels passing attack.In each of his four games Brady has completed passes to at least six different receivers, and has twice completed passes to eight different receivers. Hes done it without throwing an interception, while also showing more of a willingness to throw deeper routes and by opening himself up to hits by scrambling more.One example of Bradys toughness came during the Patriots 41-25 win at Buffalo was when he was able to hang in the pocket and deliver a 53-yard touchdown pass to Hogan just a play after taking a hard hit.Ive seen it for years, receiver Julian Edelman said. The guys a tough SOB. Its a pleasure to get to play with a guy like him.McDaniels says Bradys dedicated approach has been the thing thats stuck out since his return.Tommy is just consistent. Thats the thing, McDaniels said. He prepares as hard as he ever has. He doesnt leave any stone unturned. He takes care of his body. He gets his rest.Then comes out there and takes advantage of every minute of practice to try to work with his teammates to get better and really learn the game plan to go out there and execute it.That doesnt surprise me. When you work hard and try to do things right, you give yourself a chance to have some success. And weve certainly done that so far.As well as things have gone for the Patriots, the trade of defense stalwart Jamie Collins last week was a reminder to everyone -- Brady included -- that no one has infinite time in Patriots locker room.You cant be around this long and not realize that the world will keep spinning and the sun will come up tomorrow without you, Brady said.Thats just the way it goes. I think you enjoy just the experiences that you have, but also understand that it just keeps going on. It could happen to anybody. You just have to show up to work, do the best you can do every day, and let your performance just try to speak for itself.---AP NFL websites: http://pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL---Follow Kyle Hightower on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/khightower Wholesale Running Shoes Australia . Halladay signed a one-day contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday that allowed the veteran right-hander to retire as a member of team with which he broke into the majors and spent the bulk of his distinguished 16-year career. Discount Running Shoes Online . -- Ken Appleby made 32 saves for his first shutout of the season to lead the Oshawa Generals to a 2-0 win over the Belleville Bulls on Wednesday in Ontario Hockey League action. http://www.wholesalerunningshoesaustralia.com/ .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. Clearance Running Shoes Australia . Robredo, ranked No. 16, bounced back from an upset loss to Leonardo Mayer in the second round of the Royal Guard Open in Chile last week to down Carreno Busta in 1 hour, 25 minutes. On a day filled mostly with qualifying matches, fifth-seeded Marcel Granollers of Spain also entered the second with a 7-5, 3-6, 6-2 win over Aljaz Bedene of Slovenia, while Guido Pella of Argentina defeated Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain 7-6 (6), 6-4 to advance. Wholesale Fashion Shoes . Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey last Sunday. The fine is the fourth this season for Goldson. He was fined $30,000 for a hit on the New York Jets Jeff Cumberland in Week 1. EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State needs Eron Harris to score, and do some of it with 3-point shots instead of most often choosing to dribble and drive to the basket.Ive been trying to figure it out, he said after he started the scoring in each half by making multiple 3-pointers to help the Spartans stay in front throughout and beat Tennessee Tech 71-63 Saturday at the Breslin Center.Harris, a senior guard, hit a trio of 3-pointers early in the first half, and two early in the second half and scored 20 points. He was 5 of 11 from behind the 3-point line.It seemed like every time we made a push, Eron Harris answered it, Tennessee Tech coach Steve Payne said.Michigan State coach Tom Izzo said Harris heeded the 3-point shot request, and played well while Izzo shuffled lineups due to multiple injuries and 28 fouls being called on the Spartans.If I looked frustrated, I probably was, Izzo said. We had some bizarre lineups in my dreams I didnt have. In my nightmares I didnt have. We got a win though, and we went to Eron and ran some things for him. He played pretty good.Junior guard Aleksa Jugovic, the top scorer for the Golden Eagles (4-7) this season at 17 points per game, scored 14 on 4-of-13 shooting. Senior guard Kajon Mack scored 12 points.Michigan State freshman center Nick Ward, who scored 10 points, bothered and blocked shots on the defensive end and scored inside to help the Spartans (7-4) build a 58-44 lead with 11:29 remaining. Foul trouble limited him to 12 minutes.Michigan State led by 18 points five minutes into the game, but Tennessee Tech trimmed it to 10 by halftime and closed it to single digits in the games final minute.Thats a good team, Izzo said. We had them down by 18 a couple of tiimes, and it was a case where if you can get them down by 20 it becomes 30.ddddddddddddBut they didnt let that happen.BIG PICTURETENNESSEE TECH: The Golden Eagles came in averaging 76.2 points per game on 43 percent shooting, but managed just 27 points on 35 percent shooting in the first half to trail by 10. They improved to 40 percent in the second half.MICHIGAN STATE: The injury-hampered Spartans played without two recent starters, sophomore guard Matt McQuaid (concussion symptoms) and freshman forward Miles Bridges (ankle), but had more than enough for Tennessee Tech. McQuaid should be back this week, and Bridges, whose 16.7 points per game average leads the team, could return by next weekend.SMITH-IZZOMichigan State coach Tom Izzo received the USBWA Dean Smith Award in a short ceremony before the game. The award goes to the individual who embodies the spirit and values of the late North Carolina coach. Izzo was named the winner in October.FREE THROWSThe Spartans made 17 of 30 free throws (56.7 percent) and came into the game shooting 62 percent for the season.We are going to start making them or Im going to get fined, Izzo said. That 20 hours (of practice time allowed each week) is going to turn into 20 hours just on free throws.UP NEXTTENNESSEE TECH: The Golden Eagles head back to their home state, but stay on the road when they take on the big school back home, the University of Tennessee on Tuesday.MICHIGAN STATE: The Spartans, three games into a five-game stretch of home games, hit the practice floor for a week and take finals before hosting Northeastern on Dec. 18. ' ' '