ASHBURN, Va. -- Ziggy Hood didnt let a foot injury slow him down. He put some in-soles in his cleats and worked his way back into the NFL.A year after tearing the plantar fascia in his left foot, the 29-year-old defensive lineman showed the Washington Redskins he could still rush the passer as well as he did earlier in his career. And Hood didnt just earn a roster spot -- hell start Monday night against the team that drafted him, the Pittsburgh Steelers.Every day he brought his lunch pail, defensive end Chris Baker said Wednesday. Hes one of those guys that if a young guy wants to know how you can stay in the league, you want to watch a guy like Ziggy because he goes 100 percent all day. He knew what was at stake this year, and he went out there and worked his butt off and made this team.Washingtons coaching staff didnt know what to expect from Hood after signing him to a futures contract over the winter, especially after the injury. But the 2009 first-round pick made his presence felt all training camp and in preseason games to earn the starting defensive end job opposite Baker.Once we got the pads on him was really when he stood out, coach Jay Gruden said. The 1-on-1 drills, the team drills, he was in the backfield being very disruptive. It was a consistent thing. It wasnt like one day he did well and the next day he didnt do anything. He was consistently a nuisance and a problem for our offense.Being consistently a nuisance was part of Hoods career revitalization plan. Since his time in Pittsburgh ended following the 2013 season, Hood felt himself succeeding in flashes and disappearing for stretches.That wasnt going to work. He went back to the style and mentality that made him a starter with the Steelers.A private coach told him not every sack is going to be pretty, so Hood ditched the finesse and went back to a power rushing game.One of my most favorite things to do is to weightlift, so I have to move that from there and put it on the field, Hood said. Why not use my power and leverage that I got and use it on the field? Thats what I was able to do this training camp.It was never going to be a matter of Hood not working hard enough. He insists hes not old -- or at least doesnt feel old -- but he had to show he still had something in the tank.By the time the fourth preseason game rolled around, Hood didnt even have to travel or play. He was already a lock to be on the 53-man roster.Ziggy was always a hard-working professional, so its no surprise to me that hes still sustaining himself and being helpful to a football team, Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said on a conference call Wednesday. Hes always had a good natural get-off. Hes always working at his craft. He realizes that as a professional, detail is an element of it, and when he was with us that was always his approach to getting better.Thats the lesson Hood taught current Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward, who still considers the veteran a friend.Ziggy was always a great teammate, unselfish, Heyward said. He came to work every day with his hard hat on.With hard hat and pads on, Hood was at his best at Redskins camp. The Missouri product learned to play the edge and inside and took advantage of a defense that allowed him more freedom to get to the quarterback.The more you know, the better opportunity you (give) yourself to get out on the field, Hood said. I was fortunate enough and blessed to make the roster here predicated from hard work and determination and was able to go out there and do something.Note: Shawn Lauvao won the starting left guard job over banged-up Spencer Long. Lauvao showed he was healthy after five surgeries to repair damage to his left ankle and right foot.---AP Sports freelancer Dan Scifo in Pittsburgh contributed to this report.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL Chicago Bears Jerseys China . Peter Holland and Brad Staubitz were sent to Toronto on Saturday as the Maple Leafs traded defenceman Jesse Blacker and draft picks to the Anaheim Ducks. Authentic Anthony Miller Jersey . - Chris Tierney snapped a tie with a power-play goal late in the third period as the London Knights rallied from a 3-0 deficit to beat the Erie Otters 5-3 in Ontario Hockey League action on Wednesday. http://www.cheapbearsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-joel-iyiegbuniwe-jersey .C. United of Major League Soccer. United chose the defender in the second round of the 2013 MLS re-entry draft. Cheap Bears Jerseys Authentic . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. Authentic Bilal Nichols Jersey . Marincin has played in two NHL games so far this season with two penalty minutes. The 21-year-old has three goals, four assists and a plus-5 rating in 24 games with the American Hockey Leagues Oklahoma City Barons this season.VANCOUVER -- Danish goalkeeper David Ousted began his education in North American soccer Monday with his first Vancouver Whitecaps practice. The first lesson: Try to get along with your teammates when battling for a starting spot. Ousted hopes to develop a rapport with his peers now that he gives the Whitecaps four goalkeepers. "Its going to be a tough competition, but I think its going to be great," said Ousted, 28, who joined the Whitecaps last week after 10 seasons in his homeland. "I think its going to develop everybody and, hopefully, itll help the team." The second lesson: Whitecaps coach Martin Rennie loves to develop competition at each position. Accordingly, Rennie was non-committal on Ousteds role once he becomes eligible to play in Major League Soccer after the international transfer window opens July 9. "Were playing well and were winning games," said Rennie. "Brad (Knighton, the current starter) has got a good record at the moment, so I think hes just gotta keep focused on that." In a rare break from his one-game-at-a-time approach, Rennie suggested Ousteds signing was more about the future than the present. "Joe (Cannon) probably wont be with us going into next season," said Rennie. "So we needed to make sure that we had another goalkeeper for next season." In other words, Rennie was not in a hurry to give Knightons No. 1 job to Ousted. Neither was Knighton, who is in line to start Saturdays game at D.C. United and two more before Ousted is eligible -- unless Cannon, 38, who is playing out the final year of his contract, gets the call in the meantime. "I dont see my mentality changing," said Knighton, who sports a 3-1-1 record. "It is what (Cannon) and I were doing. Obviously, were competing every day for a spot. Its not the only position that theres competition for. Everybodys fighting for a spot in this team, and its tough to change the team when were winning. "So, obviously, thats a decision (management) are going to have to make. "My job is just to go in there and compete, and make saves in the game and keep us in the game and get wins in the win column over these next three games." The surging Whitecaps (6-5-4) have won four of their past six gamees and moved into playoff contention in the Western Conference.dddddddddddd But they have only one clean sheet this season -- registered by Cannon in the first game of the season against Toronto. Cannon, who began the season as the teams starter, did not offer his thoughts to reporters on what he thinks of the extra competition. But during drills late in practice, he almost gleefully dove to the ground for balls and attempted saves while lying down as rain and hail pounded the UBC turf. His actions suggested that he is more than willing to battle for playing time. Rookie Simon Thomas, 23, of Victoria, is the clubs fourth goalkeeper, and does not factor into the playing time equation as of now. In addition to earning playing time, Ousted will have to show that he can handle the rigours of MLS, which include travel across the continent, more international talent and, at times, highly physical play. "I think its a stronger league," said Ousted. "From what Ive seen over here, there are some good players, some good teams. The physical (fitness) level is high, and the technical level as well, and Im looking forward to the challenge." Some of Ousteds new teammates are also interested in seeing how the battle for the No. 1 goalkeeping job will play out. "The main thing is, it generates competition and, as individuals, we thrive on competition. ... For me, its always been a recipe for success," said central defender Andy OBrien, who continues to recuperate from a hamstring injury. "The competition and the pressure may well bring out the best in the individual." Meanwhile, Whitecaps striker Camilo was name MLS player of the week Monday. The Brazilian scored two goals and added an assist in a 3-1 win over Chivas USA last week. He has produced six goals and three assists in his last five games. The honour comes after he battled to get into the lineup earlier this season. But Rennie was not willing to let him rest easy, either. "He worked extra hard when he wasnt in the team, and now hes in the team," said Rennie. "We want to make sure that he stays in." Note: Central defender Brad Rusin, who has missed the past four games with a calf injury, returned to practice and hopes to play Saturday. Black China NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys From China NFL Jerseys China Wholesale NFL Autographed Jerseys Wholesale Throwback Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Online ' ' '