s Jamaal Charles and Spencer Ware. Charles stayed home with swelling in his surgically repaired knee an

Ian Poulter already can feel his heart pumping a little faster and his eyes getting a little wider, two indications that the Ryder Cup is almost here.Theres just one difference this time.His hands will be on the wheel of a golf cart at Hazeltine instead of on a putter.Poulter, the European that Americans love to hate in the Ryder Cup, was having his worst and most painful season when he shut it down in late May because of an arthritic joint in his right foot that made it difficult to walk, much less practice.It took three days for Darren Clarke to make him a vice captain.The role is a big one, Poulter said Tuesday. As a player, youre sheltered from what goes on behind the scenes because you dont have much time to think about whats going on apart from playing golf. That role has changed significantly. Im going to be experiencing something very new.The last time Poulter was at a Ryder Cup without golf clubs was in 1993.He was 17 and folding shirts at Jack OLegs Golf Center in England when Poulter and two friends scrounged up enough money to go to The Belfry. They found a house where they could pitch a tent in the backyard garden for three pounds a night. He was watching when Nick Faldo made a hole-in-one against Paul Azinger, a match that ended in a draw. He remembered thinking how cool it would be to do something like that.And then he did.His nickname is The Postman because he always delivered points -- 14 times in 18 matches over five appearances for Europe. He became part of Ryder Cup lore when he made five straight birdies to win a fourballs match at Medinah in 2012 that sparked Europes shocking comeback.The image of Poulter at a Ryder Cup starts with his eyes, which seem to be on the verge of popping out of their sockets.And now?I should hope the weather will be such that Ill be wearing sunglasses, he said with a laugh.Poulter sees his role, along with the other four assistants, as helping Clarke wherever needed later this month. Discussing team strategy. Helping with pairings. Thoughts on the golf course. More than anything, he figures he will be most useful working with the six rookies on the European team.Clarke took Poulter to the EurAsia Cup in January, and Poulter won both team matches with partners new to the format -- Danny Willet and Bernd Wiesberger. Asia didnt have the quality of players that Europe will see at Hazeltine, but what struck Clarke was how well Poulter handled the rookies.While he delivered on the golf course with three wins out of three, I also saw his influence off the course, especially among the younger players who were experiencing team match play for the first time, Clarke said. When he spoke, everyone listened. And the same will be the case at Hazeltine.Poulter was being groomed for this even before his foot injury.His form wasnt great two years ago going into Gleneagles, and Poulter was asked to play with Scottish rookie Stephen Gallacher. They were soundly beaten by Jordan Spieth and Patrick Reed, and European captain Paul McGinley later said he wished he had given Poulter more time for his role.The endless debate is how much a captain can influence the outcome at the Ryder Cup, and the assistant captains would seem to have even less of an effect. Whats intriguing about Hazeltine is that both teams will have assistants who are sure to be noticed.One is Poulter because he has been so successful -- and so annoying to so many Americans -- in the Ryder Cup.The other is Tiger Woods, because hes Tiger Woods.We think people are going to be watching him watch golf, U.S. captain Davis Love III said. So we know this is going to be different. Its a lot different than Davis Love being the assistant captain for Corey Pavin. I can fly under the radar. Obviously, people would recognize me. But if Im driving in a cart, its not going to cause a stir. Were going to have to do a little bit more planning for Tiger when we move him around.Not many will be watching Poulter watch golf.But if they know anything about the Ryder Cup, they will recognize him. Hes the Englishman who speaks his mind and wins his matches. Poulter believes he has earned a measure of respect for his Ryder Cup success.Americans love someone that fights to the death, and thats something Ive certainly given to Team Europe through the years, he said.Thats what hes trying to do now. Just without clubs. And without the attention.Both might take some getting used to.Air Force 1 Hvid Danmark . There was no hesitation from the 40th-ranked Pospisil, from Vernon, B.C., who admitted that he cut back on his training sessions over the last few days to conserve energy as the long ATP season finishes next week at the Paris Masters. Air Force 1 Low Danmark . -- Jakob Silfverberg is making himself right at home with the Anaheim Ducks, scoring four goals in his first four games. http://www.danmarkairforce1.com/air-force-1-herre-outlet-danmark.html . -- Ryan Getzlaf grabbed the three pucks wrapped in tape and held them up to his chest in the Anaheim Ducks dressing room for a celebration nine seasons in the making. Air Force 1 Just Do It . But by the time the game started, the Toronto Raptors forward felt even worse. And, for three quarters, it showed as Gay shot a woeful three-for-13 from the field. Air Force 1 Just Do It Danmark . Zvonareva, who won the tournament in 2009 and 10, couldnt handle her opponents big groundstrokes in only her third event back after 17 months out with a shoulder injury. Zvonareva made her comeback in January in Shenzhen and played in the Australian Open but lost her first matches at both tournaments.INDIANAPOLIS -- The Kansas City Chiefs were the kings of improv Sunday.They may have to do it all over again next week after a rugged 30-14 victory at Indianapolis.This weeks biggest concern, of course, will be the status of starting quarterback Alex Smith, who left with a concussion after taking two more hits to the head. He also took several such hits in last weeks victory over New Orleans, and coach Andy Reid felt compelled to explain why Smith returned after he appeared woozy when he left on the games opening possession.If we were at all concerned, we wouldnt have put him back in. Thats the bottom line, Reid said, acknowledging the doctors cleared Smith after determining a cut to the ear left him disoriented.That much was understandable. The second hit might not have been, at least in the eyes of the public.On second-and-2 from their 45-yard line, Smith ran around the left side and slid to the turf as Colts safety Clayton Geathers was closing in. Geathers reached out with both hands and appeared to shove Smiths head into the turf. No penalty was called.The scrutiny that followed came quickly and from all corners of social media.Former Colts linebacker Gary Brackett used his Twitter account to contend the mistake was made by whoever cleared Smith to play. Fans questioned whether Geathers hit was intentionally designed to knock Smith out of the game. Even Smiths wife, Elizabeth, chimed in with her own disgust about the no-calls -- just like last week.These past two weeks have opened my eyes, Elizabeth Smith wrote in the first of a two-part ttweet.dddddddddddd How many hits does he have to take before a flag is thrown. Funny when some QBs gets tapped flags go flying.After the game , Geathers described the play in detail and insisted the blow was not intentional before going a step further.It was like he wanted to go for a first (down) and then didnt want to go for a first (down). I was just going in for the hit, but then kind of let up and then we went down, Geathers said. I tried just not even touching him. If I did, I apologize.Regardless, the Chiefs dont know the status of three key playmakers: Smith and running backs Jamaal Charles and Spencer Ware. Charles stayed home with swelling in his surgically repaired knee and is scheduled to see a doctor Monday. Ware did not play in the second half after being diagnosed with a concussion.That forced Reid to finish the game with his only healthy running back, Charcandrick West, and backup quarterback Nick Foles, who took all but 22 snaps Sunday.Not enough? Kansas City also lost left guard Parker Ehinger in the third quarter with a sprained right knee. Reid did not say how much time Ehinger would miss.So for the time being, the Chiefs will try to survive this injury rash just like they did against the Colts.These things happen, Reid said. It isnt tiddlywinks. Its a pretty violent game, so guys get hurt.(Corrects to Smith taking all but 22 snaps)---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '