PEORIA, Ariz. nfl jerseys china . -- The Seattle Mariners have their new closer. Fernando Rodney took part in Seattles first workout for pitchers and catchers Thursday, soon after the reliever signed a two-year contract worth $14 million. Rodney reported to spring training on Wednesday and passed his physical, clearing the way for the Mariners to add him to their 40-man roster and announce his contract. "It feels good to be here," Rodney said. "You guys know my situation. I just try to come in and close the game. I think we have the right guys here." The 36-year-old Rodney was 5-4 with 37 saves and a 3.38 ERA for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2013. He ranked second in the American League in saves and ERA over the past two seasons, with a combined 85 saves and a 1.91 ERA. The Dominican right-hander said three other teams were interested in signing him -- Baltimore, the New York Mets and Cleveland. Rodney has a history with Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon, who was the bullpen coach in Detroit when Rodney played for the Tigers. Rodney said he wasnt surprised that it took until February for him to sign with a team. "I think I got the right (timing) and the right organization," Rodney said. "They were more interested in me, thats why Im here." Tom Wilhelmsen and Danny Farquhar were last seasons closers for Seattle. They combined for 40 saves, with Farquhar replacing the struggling Wilhelmsen in early August. "Were extremely happy to have him and he certainly solidifies the back end of our bullpen," McClendon said. Rodney is known for the way he wears his cap, the bill tilted to one side, and his save celebration in which he shoots an imaginary arrow into the sky. "Great character. The fans in Seattle are going to love him," McClendon said. wholesale jerseys . Forward Evgeni Malkin led the Russian attack with a goal and two assists. Alex Ovechkin opened the scoring and added an assist. Ilya Kovalchuk, Valeri Nichushkin and Aton Belov also scored for Russia. jerseys from china . Wiebe made a clutch par putt on the second playoff hole before Pavin missed a putt from inside 10 feet that would have forced play to continue. Both Wiebe and Pavin finished regulation at 11-under 205.WASHINGTON - The number of candidates for the Washington Redskins coaching job more than doubled in a single day, with the team reaching out to as many as five NFL assistant coaches. The Redskins are also setting up an interview with Vanderbilt coach James Franklin, bringing the total of known candidates to 11 - enough to field a team. Cincinnati Bengals offensive co-ordinator Jay Gruden said he was contacted by the Redskins on Monday and several media outlets reported that defensive co-ordinator Mike Zimmer, San Francisco 49ers offensive co-ordinator Greg Roman and defensive co-ordinator Vic Fangio, and San Diego Chargers offensive co-ordinator Ken Whisenhunt also were contacted Monday by Washington through their various teams, with the Redskins making the cursory requests for permission for an interview. None of the five was available last week under NFL rules because their teams were preparing for first-round playoff games. The Bengals were eliminated on Sunday, so Gruden and Zimmer are free to pursue head coaching opportunities immediately. Roman, Fangio and Whisenhunt can be interviewed this week, but they cannot be hired as long their respective teams remain alive in the post-season. The competition could be intense. The Redskins are one of five teams seeking a head coach, and several of their candidates have been approached by other teams. Gruden alone hhas drawn the interest of the Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans and Detroit Lions. cheap jerseys. "Theyre all different and theyre all looking for something unique," said Gruden, who also interviewed for multiple head coaching jobs last year. "Theyre looking for somebody to come in and bring something different than what they had. But like I said earlier, I think the most important thing when you go to any interview is to be yourself and not try to be somebody youre not." Meanwhile, at Redskins Park, New York Giants defensive co-ordinator Perry Fewell became at least the fifth known candidate to meet with general manager Bruce Allen. Allen has also interviewed Seattle Seahawks offensive co-ordinator Darrell Bevell, Dallas Cowboys special teams coach Rich Bisaccia, Carolina Panthers defensive co-ordinator Sean McDermott and Baltimore Ravens offensive co-ordinator Jim Caldwell. Franklin is expected to interview this week, according to John Wooten of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, a group that monitors coaching searches as part of its effort to encourage the hiring of minorities in the NFL. Franklin to date is the only candidate from the college ranks. Hes been at Vanderbilt for three seasons and was previously an assistant at Maryland. He has spent one season as an assistant in the NFL, as receivers coach for Green Bay Packers in 2005. ' ' ' |