2012 » in at Albania. Italy and Spain drew 1-1 in Turin in October.---T

SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Not much has gone right for the 49ers during their second straight woebegone season.San Francisco (1-12) is mired in the longest losing streak in team history. The defense ranks last in most key statistics.Then theres rookie defensive lineman DeForest Buckner, who has been a rare bright spot.Buckner, the seventh-overall pick in this years draft, has lived up to his billing. Hes coming off his best performance of the season in the overtime loss to the Jets, when he had two sacks, 11 tackles and four quarterback hits. He tied for the team lead for the season with five sacks.The rookies value lies in both his production and availability. His 65 tackles are second among NFL defensive linemen, while he leads the league in snaps played at his position.Its awesome, isnt it? Its so awesome. He wants to be out there, 49ers defensive coordinator Jim ONeil said.Buckners listed at 6-foot-7, 300 pounds, making his stamina and athleticism all the more impressive, and a leading reason why he was a coveted prospect.Its very rare for a guy thats that big and the amount of energy it takes to defeat offensive linemen in the run game and pass game, and (the way) hes able to be out there for 84 plays is rare, said ONeil.Buckners used to playing a lot opposite a no-huddle offense. He was recruited by 49ers head coach Chip Kelly back at Oregon and regularly played 80 to 90 snaps as a senior when he was named the Pac-12 defensive player of the year in 2015.He plays with such great effort and such a great motor and just loves playing football, Kelly said. I think hes been trained for this. I know the background that he came from. I think hes trained to play with great effort. I thought he was trained to understand what it takes. So, I think thats a benefit of getting a kid from where we got him from.The play of Buckners supporting cast hasnt been nearly as encouraging. San Franciscos last-ranked defense has been decimated by injuries, losing six starters for the season, including Buckners former college teammate and fellow first-round pick Arik Armstead.The biggest loss has been four-time All-Pro NaVorro Bowman, who was lost for the year Oct. 2 with a torn Achilles. Bowman returned to the teams facility in recent weeks to start his rehab, which has gotten positive reviews.Its good to see (Bowman) around here, Kelly said. I think hes helped just kind of getting another set of eyes here. But, its good to see him up moving around. Those guys say hes attacking rehab and are excited about the direction that hes headed in.---For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFLNHL Jerseys From China . The defending champion beat Gael Monfils of France 7-6 (6), 6-3, while second-seeded Andy Murray of Britain dispatched Edouard Roger-Vasselin, also of France, 6-3, 6-3. Making his first appearance since injuring his wrist a month ago, Del Potro had difficulty with his service games in the first set. Cheap Adidas NHL Jerseys . R.J. Umberger scored twice to lead the Blue Jackets to a franchise-record for consecutive wins with a 5-3 victory Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Kings. http://www.wholesalejerseysnhl.com/ . On Saturday night, the normally free throw-challenged centre did just that. Howard scored 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, including 13 of 19 free throws in a 2 1/2-minute stretch, and the Houston Rockets beat the Denver Nuggets 122-111. Wholesale Jerseys China . Only three players drafted by NHL clubs were included on the Czech selection camp roster on Wednesday. Those players were Dallas Stars 2012 first-rounder Radek Faksa, Winnipeg Jets 2013 fourth-rounder Jan Kostalek and Phoenix Coyotes 2012 seventh-rounder Marek Langhamer. Discount Hockey Jerseys . -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,570 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees last Sunday.MADRID -- Sergio Ramos only contribution to Spain in a World Cup qualifier this weekend will be a pep talk to his teammates.Ramos visited the teams training camp this week ahead of Saturdays match against Macedonia, but the captain wont be on the field in the southern city of Granada because of an injury -- one of the many players missing as Spain tries to defend its Group G lead in European qualifying.Spain coach Julen Lopetegui also wont be able to count on playmaker Andres Iniesta, striker Diego Costa, defender Gerard Pique, left back Jordi Alba and defensive midfielder Javi Martinez.Costa was the latest to be dropped from the squad on Thursday, being released because of a thigh injury that had kept him from practicing with the rest of the squad during the week. Celta Vigo forward Iago Aspas was named as his replacement, joining the national team for the first time.We are going to try to turn difficulties into opportunities, Lopetegui said. We cant lament anything. Im happy with the players that we called up, and they are going to help us achieve victory in both matches.Three days after hosting Macedonia, Spain will play a friendly against England at Wembley Stadium.Lopetegui will have to work extra hard to set up his defense, which is not used to being without veteran central defenders Ramos and Pique at the same time. Ramos is nursing a left knee injury, while Pique is recovering from sprained ligaments in his right ankle.Weve had to restructure the defense the best way possible, Lopetegui said, not dismissing the possibility of having to improvise with right back Cesar Azpilicueta at center back.The Chelsea player has played in the position in tthe past.ddddddddddddther options for Lopetegui include Real Madrids Nacho Fernandez, Real Sociedads Inigo Martinez, Sevillas Sergio Escudero and Borussia Dortmunds Marc Bartra.With Costa not playing up front, Alvaro Morata and Aritz Aduriz should get a chance to perform alongside each other in the lineup. Other forwards in the squad include Lucas Vazquez, Manuel Nolito Agudo, Jose Callejon and Victor Vitolo Machin.Its great to have so many options, said Aduriz, who was called up after scoring five goals in an Athletic Bilbao win in the Europa League last week. We are all here to help.At midfield, it will be difficult to substitute for Iniesta, who has been sidelined because of right knee injury. Among the options available for Lopetegui are Juan Mata, Thiago Alcantara and Jorge Koke Resurreccion.Some important players couldnt come because of injuries, but that creates an opportunity to those who are here, reserve goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo said.Spain and Italy have seven points each after three games in Group G, with the Spaniards ahead on goal difference. Albania and Israel are one point behind, while Macedonia and Liechtenstein have yet to earn points.Italy plays at Lichtenstein the same day that Spain hosts Macedonia.Only the group winner automatically secures a spot for the World Cup in Russia. The second-place team must go through a playoff to try to make it to the 2018 tournament.Spain is coming off a 2-0 win at Albania. Italy and Spain drew 1-1 in Turin in October.---Tales Azzoni on Twitter: http://twitter.com/tazzoni ' ' '