IRVING, Texas - Rolando McClain dances around questions about how much he loves football and whether he enjoyed training camp.

IRVING, Texas - Rolando McClain dances around questions about how much he loves football and whether he enjoyed training camp. Isiah Thomas Pistons Jersey . The new Dallas linebacker keeps getting asked because he walked away from the game twice in Baltimore after Oakland dumped its former top 10 pick just three seasons into his career. Ready or not, McClain is expected to start Sundays opener against San Francisco. The Cowboys apparently have seen enough to believe hes the replacement in the middle for Sean Lee, whose season-ending knee injury led them to give the Ravens a seventh-round pick just to see if they could rekindle McClains interest. The former Alabama star remains coy with reporters about his commitment. McClain said he "loved life" when asked if he still loved football during game in California, and said he had "no expectations" days before his first football game in almost two years. "If you live up or care about somebodys expectations, youll always let them down," McClain said earlier this week. "So you set your own expectations." Owner Jerry Jones let his expectations run wild almost as soon as McClain reported for camp, always bringing up his name without being asked and at one point saying the Cowboys have "a chance to pull one out of our hat" with the move to get him. McClain skipped practices sporadically through camp, with coach Jason Garrett mostly saying he was just getting back in football shape. During a steamy morning practice earlier this week, McClain appeared to injure something during an individual drill and spent the next few minutes fiddling with a knee wrap instead of participating in the work. "I dont know what youre talking about," McClain said later when asked about the knee. "Im ready. Im great." The Cowboys might need him to be great if they want to improve on the leagues most porous defence from a year ago. The defensive line is filled with questions, and the linebackers are unsettled too. Bruce Carter was supposed to start on the weak side in Rod Marinellis 4-3 scheme, but will be on the strong side instead. Justin Durant, the early pick as Lees replacement, will call the defensive signals and be on the weak side, a critical spot in run support. McClains ability in pass coverage was the biggest reason he landed in the middle. "I expect him to be really a heck of a linebacker for us," said Marinelli, who replaced Monte Kiffin as defensive co-ordinator a year after both joined the staff to implement a scheme change. "I think he has great range. Hes got length. Hes smart. Hes a really physical player. So we just have to get him going and see how it works out from there." And McClain still has his moments of passion, even with reporters. "I still love the game like Im an 8-, 9-year-old kid," he said. "Its just about getting back into it, building chemistry with some of these guys, some trust and just playing and having run really." Now its time for McClain to show the love on the field. ___ Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ___ Follow Schuyler Dixon on Twitter at https://twitter.com/apschuyler Ben Wallace Jersey . Best has been bothered by concussion problems and hasnt played since Oct. 16, when the Lions lost to San Francisco. After starting 5-0, Detroit has lost four of six, beginning with that game against the 49ers. Tracy McGrady Jersey . Mickelson shot a 2-under 70 after opening with a 77 -- his worst score of the season -- on TPC San Antonios AT&T Oaks Course. Lefty was 11 strokes behind leader Steven Bowditch, the Australian who had a 67 to reach 8-under 136. https://www.pistonsrookiesshop.com/Sekou-Doumbouya-City-Edition-Jersey/ . Ortiz hit a pair of two-run homers, including his 400th shot in a Red Sox uniform, and drove in a career high-tying six runs to power Boston past the Houston Astros 10-7 on Saturday night.MIAMI -- Outfought for a late rebound by Dwyane Wade, a grinning LeBron James chided his teammate as they ran upcourt. With the game in hand, the Miami Heat could worry about individual stats. Wade and James had handsome numbers in Mondays 102-96 victory over the Detroit Pistons. James totalled 24 points, 11 assists and eight rebounds, just missing the Heats first triple-double of the season. Wade scored 30 points, his best total since Dec. 18 in an injury-hampered season, and he added a season-high 10 rebounds and five assists. James, who has come close to a triple-double several times this season, was blanked in the rebound department down the stretch. When Wade snatched one away from him with 4 minutes left, he heard about it from his taller teammate. "D-Wade knew what he had going on, too," James said. "He was like, I need this double-double. He had a heck of a game. He was spectacular." Wade pleaded guilty to being briefly motivated by getting his first double-double of the season. "I was going for a double-double," he said with a laugh. "Sorry." Heat guard Ray Allen also outmanoeuvred James for a rebound in the final minutes, which left James muttering to the Heat bench. James finished two rebounds shy of a triple-double for the third time this season, and another time he came within two assists. "Hes working on the all-time record for near misses on triple-doubles," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. "Its not meant for it to happen this year," James said with a chuckle. "My own guys got me. But a win is what its about, and Im happy we played well for most of the game." Wade, who sat out four consecutive games last month to rest his troublesome knees, looked rejuvenated. He shot 13 for 19 and played 37 minutes, his fifth-highest total this season. "That rest did him well," teammate Chris Bosh said. "He has a lot of spring in his legs. When he plays well, were a tough team to beat." Bosh scored 17 points to help Miami win for the fifth time in six games. Allens bbuzzer-beating 3-pointer put the Heat up 84-80 after three periods, and they pulled away from there. Custom Detroit Pistons Jerseys. Wades 3-pointer put them ahead by 13 points for the first time, 98-85. Brandon Jennings had 26 points and seven assists for the Pistons, who trailed almost the entire game and took it badly. They were called for four technical fouls. "We can get upset with them, but you have to learn how to deal with it," coach Maurice Cheeks said. "When youre on the road, you have to learn to forget about whats going on." Greg Monroe had 17 points and 11 rebounds for Detroit, which lost despite forcing 20 turnovers and holding an edge of 51-44 in rebounds. "We just fell short," said Josh Smith, who shot only 5 for 20. "They are the world champs, so we have to play almost perfect." The Heat, who began the week three games behind Eastern Conference leader Indiana, started strong and scored 13 points before they missed a shot. From 41-all, James and Wade teamed up for back-to-back fast-break baskets. The second came when Wade fed Mario Chalmers, whose alley-oop over the hoop perfectly led an airborne James for a one-handed throw-down dunk. "The way it came out of Rios hand, I didnt think I was going to get it," James said. "But I tried, and the man above has given me some unbelievable abilities. I just try to take full advantage of them." James also tweaked his left shoulder and right hand, and was called for committing a foul with his face when he became entangled with Monroe. Will Bynums four-point play put the Pistons up 48-47, but that was their last lead. Miami went on a 14-2 run near the end of the half and led 63-57 at halftime. Notes: Miamis Michael Beasley tipped a rebound into the Pistons basket in the second quarter. ... Pistons F-C Josh Harrellson sat out with a sore knee. ... The Heat play six road games before their next home game Feb. 23. ... The Heat improved to 20-5 when leading after one quarter. ... The Pistons are 1-21 when trailing after three periods. ' ' '