New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Sheldon from zhangzk's blog

METAIRIE Kyler Murray Jersey , La. (AP) —  Rankins has become increasingly known for two moves this season: his spin and his shimmy.The spin, executed with a nimble quickness not entirely typical of 305-pound linemen, has helped Rankins disrupt quarterbacks the way the Saints hoped he would when they made him their first-round draft choice in 2016. Rankins shoulder-shaking shimmy is his trademark celebration after a sack, of which he’s had a career-high eight this season.Moreover, his considerable improvement is seen as one of the reasons the Saints have already clinched the No. 1 playoff seed in the NFC with one regular season game left on Sunday.“It’s been significant,” Saints coach Sean Payton said. “He’s a guy that you can just see his impact plays go up. The confidence level he’s playing with now (is apparent) and he’s having fun playing. When you watch him, I think he’s in real good shape. And I think overall, he’s a great example of a guy who’s improved not necessarily just from year one to year two, but later in the process and he’s a fantastic worker.”Rankins isn’t bashful about highlighting what he thinks separates him from others at his position — namely, a quickness and all-around athleticism that he traces back to his days as a high school running back and basketball player, before he was transformed into a defensive tackle during college at Louisville.“I move about as well as anybody at my position,” Rankins said.Few in the NFL seem inclined to argue.Rankins sealed New Orleans most recent triumph — a 31-28 victory over Pittsburgh — by dropping back off the line of scrimmage when he anticipated a quick passing play over the middle, wrangled receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster after the catch and punched the ball loose as he pulled the receiver down on top of him. Linebacker Demario Davis recovered, ending the Steelers’ threat in the final minute.“You can tell” Rankins played running back when he was younger, Davis said. “He doesn’t move like a defensive lineman. He’s just like a skill player playing defensive lineman with a big frame.”Davis http://www.cardinalsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-byron-murphy-jersey , who joined the Saints this season, said playing behind Rankins for the first time gave him an appreciation of the lineman’s relentless hustle.“It’s not just plays where he can be stopping the run or in the backfield and get a sack,” Davis said. “He’s trying to make plays on every play, whether it’s a reverse or a screen, a pass down the field, he’s just running to the ball.”Rankins missed nearly half of his rookie season because of a fibula fracture during training camp. He was healthy last season and had a solid campaign as a full-time starter. He had an interception and forced fumble, but didn’t get to quarterbacks as often as he would have liked, finishing with two sacks.Rankins said he “went back to the drawing board” last offseason, trying to build on moves that had worked for him — and get quicker.“Last year, I don’t think I used enough power. This year I’ve done a great job of using my power to kind of set up everything else about the way I rush, about the way I play,” Rankins said. “If I can get guys thinking power, getting ready to brace for that impact, and I can get around them with spins and different things like that, it just plays right into my hand.“I’ve always prided myself on being athletic and being able to be light on my feet and being able to do things that most people my size can’t do Andy Isabella Jersey ,” Rankins continued, adding that he still plays pick-up basketball as part of his offseason training. “It’s something that comes natural but also something you’ve got to work on.”The Panthers, who visit New Orleans on Sunday, had to contend with Rankins just two weeks ago and sounded impressed by the challenge he presented during a 12-9 Saints win that was largely a defensive struggle.“He’s a high-effort guy; he’s got great energy,” Carolina guard Greg Van Roten said. “He’s really dynamic off the ball. He’s quick. He’s not a guy that you know what you’re getting every time. He mixes it up. So you need to make sure you don’t get too comfortable because he’ll flash and make a play on you if you don’t take him seriously every play.” FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — On the day after his 33rd birthday, a newly enriched Julian Edelman was doing what he loves best: practicing with his fellow New England Patriots.“We got something done,” the veteran wide receiver said Thursday after the Patriots concluded an organized team activity on the practice field behind Gillette Stadium. “Business is business, and we’re done with that, and all I know is that we’re here and I’m going to be here for a few more years. I couldn’t be any more happy.”The Patriots gave Edelman a three-year contract extension worth $21 million with an $8 million signing bonus and $12 million in guaranteed money. The new pact should allow Edelman, entering his 11th NFL season out of Kent State, the opportunity to conclude his career with the team that selected him in the seventh round of the 2009 draft. The Patriots converted him from college quarterback into one of the most effective slot receivers in the league.“I was born here in my football career and I’m going to have a few more years here,” Edelman said. “I love being here. I don’t want to be anywhere else. I’m excited for this upcoming year, and I’m excited about this spring and to work on our fundamentals and mold our team and keep it going.”Edelman enters 2019 with 499 career catches in the regular season for 5,390 yards and 30 touchdowns. Last season Brian Burns Jersey , despite serving a four-game suspension for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances, he finished with 74 catches for 850 yards and six touchdowns. He capped a strong playoff run with a 10-catch, 141-yard performance in the Patriots’ 13-3 triumph over the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl, earning the game’s MVP award.“I’ve accomplished goals in the past, and when you do that, you set new goals,” he said. “I’ve been blessed and fortunate to attain and reach a lot of my dreams, but I still have a lot of other things that I want to go for. So I’ve got a big chip on my shoulder still, and I’m looking forward to coming out here and to contribute to this team, and working hard each day, helping younger guys and doing what I have to do to contribute.”The Patriots went through the paces of the noncontact workout for about two hours Thursday, acclimating themselves to new teammates and new assistant coaches following an offseason of considerable turnover. Veteran special teams coach Joe Judge has also taken on the responsibility of coaching receivers this season.“Yeah, we’ve had some coaching changes,” Edelman said. “But just like every other team, there’s always turnover. Coaching staff http://www.panthersfootballauthentic.com/greg-little-jersey-authentic , players . that’s part of this business. Now we’re more focused on who we have here, and who’s here right now, and who’s going to help us.”The Patriots generally take an all-business approach to their practices, but they still were able to show support for another Boston-based team beginning a championship quest. Edelman and several other Patriots wore caps or other attire emblazoned with the logo of the Boston Bruins, who will start their Stanley Cup Final series with the St. Louis Blues on Monday.“It’s exciting, man,” Edelman said. “The city has just always got some crazy sports vibes going. Right now it’s the Bruins’ turn, and it’s exciting to see a young team, a new team, go out there with some of the older guys that have been around, and compete at the highest level. I’m excited for them and I’ll be at the games.”