© Copyright 不及格社區
The Steelers overhauled the position following a bumpy season which included a disappointing upset playoff loss against Jacksonville in the divisional round. The team followed by parting ways with several long-time veterans Authentic Michael Gallup Jersey , and their position coach, while adding experience, depth and a pair of hard-hitting draft picks.
"We have some guys in that position that are new to us," Tomlin said. "It's going to be an active, active training camp for that group. I'm excited about seeing them all."
Pittsburgh cut ties with veterans Mike Mitchell, William Gay and Robert Golden, in addition to J.J. Wilcox and position coach Carnell Lake. The Steelers added long-time Penn State assistant Tom Bradley as the defensive backs coach along with former veteran Green Bay safety Morgan Burnett and special teams standout Nat Berhe. They also invested a first-round draft pick in Virginia Tech safety Terrell Edmunds and another in fifth-rounder Marcus Allen out of Penn State.
"We didn't go into the draft saying we were going to draft another safety," Steelers' general manager Kevin Colbert said. "We went into the draft saying, OK, if safety is the best position available, we can add another guy, and that's what we did."
The Steelers also plan to switch Sean Davis from strong to free safety this season. Davis said he's more comfortable on the strong side, but he's anxious to improve at free safety.
Davis Jaleel Scott Jersey Elite , who enters his third season, is a veteran in the room of sorts as he and Jordan Dangerfield are the lone returning safeties who have experience with the team.
"The coaches talked to me and said we need you to be a leader. to be a veteran," Davis said. "I'm embracing my role. I have to get comfortable with being uncomfortable and take a bigger step in helping this defense reach our goals."
Burnett was versatile during eight seasons in Green Bay. He moved around late in his tenure, but primarily played safety with the Packers. Burnett started 102 games for the Packers and won a Super Bowl ring in 2011 when Green Bay beat Pittsburgh.
"I'm a firm believer that you let your work do the talking, and you go about doing things the right way," Burnett said. "You have to earn the respect of your teammates."
In last season's AFC divisional playoff round, the Steelers allowed 45 points at home to a Jacksonville offense that scored just 10 points a week earlier. The secondary gave up two pass plays of 40 yards or more in that game, a communication issue the new group looks to rectify this season.
Tackling is also a priority for the secondary.
"We were 31st in the league at missed tackles, so that's definitely a point of emphasis," Davis said. "We all know 31st is unacceptable, and for us to be world champions, that needs to be worked on and corrected."
The Steelers hope Edmunds, their first-round pick Authentic Mike White Jersey , can help.
Edmunds is classified as a safety, but he also served as a linebacker at Virginia Tech when the Hokies played with five or more defensive backs. He could play a similar hybrid role with the Steelers.
"Of course I want to start, but whatever position they put me in, I gotta go out and make a play," Edmunds said. "If that's strictly on special teams, if it's coming in on certain packages, I'm just trying to go out there and help the team win."
NOTES: Steelers starting left guard Ramon Foster exited Saturday's practice on a cart with a lower body injury. Tomlin said after practice that Foster was being evaluated and did not have an update on his status. Trainers worked on Foster's right knee and leg following a play during the Steelers' first padded practice of training camp. ... Burnett missed his second practice on Saturday with a minor hamstring injury. ... The Steelers announced Rocky Bleier, Buddy Dial, Alan Faneca, Bill Nunn and Arthur J. Rooney, Jr. to the team's 2018 Hall of Honor.
The Baltimore Ravens gave Robert Griffin III his first start in 19 months during Thursday's Pro Football Hall of Fame Game against the Chicago Bears, and it became an emotional moment for the former superstar.The 2012 Offensive Rookie of the Year has seen his career completely derailed from nagging knee injuries, but he looked just fine on Thursday. Griffin completed seven passes for 58 yards Harold Landry Jersey Titans , one touchdown and one interception. The Ravens won the game, 17-16.After the game, Griffin talked about how emotional it was for him to be back in game action for the first time in 19 months, via Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com."People don't understand that once you're out of the league for a year, it's really hard to get back in, especially if you're a quarterback and a high draft pick. It's just really hard to do.[Thursday] was an emotional day for me, just coming back out here. I know it's the preseason, it's the Hall of Fame game, but to have an opportunity to come back out here and play football is something that I really cherish."Drafted second overall by the Washington Redskins (who surrendered four draft picks to trade up and land him in a deal with the Rams), in 2012, Griffin led them to the NFC East title after an excellent rookie year.Griffin tossed 3,200 yards and 20 touchdowns against just five interceptions, while adding 815 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. However Customized Los Angeles Rams Jerseys , knee injuries began to pile up, ending his 2012 season and limiting RG3's progression in 2013. He was slowed by an ankle injury in 2014, and replaced by Kirk Cousins in 2015 after suffering a concussion. After the Redskins releases Griffin, he signed a two-year deal worth $15 million with the Cleveland Browns. Sadly, Griffin hurt his shoulder and was limited to five games in 2016. He was released after the season, and wasn't signed by anybody for the 2017 campaign.But the Ravens are giving Griffin a chance to get healthy and revive his career. The man is only 28 years of age, and he'll certainly have the chance to challenge struggling veteran Joe Flacco for the starting job in 2018 and beyond.We've seen many great athletes have careers derailed by injuries, but Griffin is battling hard to keep his NFL tenure going. If he can do that, it would certainly be one of the all-time great comeback stories..The question about whether the dynamic running back would continue his holdout was answered in a hurry when he was among the players returning from injuries to show up for the early portion of training camp.
Johnson Browns Elite Jerseys , who figures to be the centerpiece of the Arizona offense under new coach Steve Wilks, did not take part in the team's mandatory minicamp in a contract dispute.
But he reported Sunday and was in Monday's first workouts. The entire team reports to camp Friday with the first practice Saturday. Rookies, quarterbacks and players coming off injuries report early. They will work out this week at the team's practice facility before moving to the other side of suburban Phoenix for the full training camp at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.
Johnson told azcardinals that contract talks are progressing and that he will leave it to his agents to work things out.
"I'm here to play football," he told azcardinals, the team's web site. "I trust my agency, Sportstars Fernando Valenzuela Jersey , and I know they'll get it done when the time comes."
Johnson said his decision to report to camp was "about being here for the team, the players, my brothers, so that's what we decided."
He was optimistic about a deal getting done.
"The Cardinals want me to play for them for a long time, and I want to be here for a long time," Johnson told azcardinals. "So definitely things are going in a positive way."
Johnson is entering his fourth NFL season. A third-round draft pick out of Northern Iowa Kyle Long Bears Jersey , Johnson had an All-Pro season two years ago, when he led the NFL in yards from scrimmage. He set an NFL record by topping 100 yards in each of the first 15 games of the season.
But he fractured his left wrist in the season opener a year ago and didn't play again.
Now, Johnson said he's in the best shape of his life. Videos he posts on twitter showed him working out .
Johnson participated in every offseason workout before watching from the sidelines at the final OTA session. He was a no-show the entire mandatory minicamp.
A contract agreement seems to be coming but any work on it done now would be without general manager Steve Keim, who is suspended by the team for five weeks for his DUI arrest.
Johnson is scheduled to make $1.9 million this season on the contract he signed as a rookie. That's far below what a player of his caliber would get on the open market. Le'Veon Bell makes $14.5 million under the franchise tag. Devonta Freeman and LeSean McCoy will make $8 million this year as part of large, long-term deals.
But coming off an injury season complicates the contract situation. Johnson aims to be a better version of his 2016 self, with his sights set on 1 Avonte Maddox Jersey Elite ,000 yards rushing and 1,000 receiving.
Prolific on twitter, Johnson announced his own return .
"It's in Gods hands now," he wrote. "Prime and ready to prove it! #ImBack."
.Now the Houston Rockets must wait to see if his injured leg is strong enough to help them take one last step to the NBA Finals.
Eric Gordon came off the bench to score 24 points and his steal on Golden State’s last possession secured a 98-94 victory Thursday night that gave the Rockets a 3-2 lead in the Western Conference finals. But the victory came with a cost Cheap Customized New England Patriots Jerseys , as Paul had to leave the game in the final minute with a right hamstring injury that could keep him out of Game 6.
”His spirits aren’t great,” coach Mike D’Antoni said. ”He wanted to be out there, and for sure he’s worried … we’ll see tomorrow how it goes.”
Paul was receiving treatment after the game and did not speak to reporters.
The Rockets head to Oakland for Game 6 on Saturday night a win away from knocking off the defending champions and advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time since winning back-to-back titles in 1994-95.
Kevin Durant scored 29 points for the Warriors, who lost in Game 5 of a playoff series for just the second time since 2015. Just like Cleveland in the East, a run of three straight trips to the championship round is on the verge of ending.
”We haven’t been in this position before … so it’s a chapter we need to figure out and finish the story,” Stephen Curry said.
The Rockets won a second straight defensive struggle between the two potent offenses, leaving the Warriors a loss from missing the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014.
Draymond Green made a 3-pointer with just over minute left to get Golden State within one. Harden, who was 0 for 11 on 3s, missed his last one with less than 30 seconds left, giving the Warriors the ball back.
Curry missed a floater and Trevor Ariza grabbed the rebound and was fouled with 10 seconds left. But he made just one of two free throws to give the Warriors another chance.
But Gordon came up with his steal when Green lost control in the lane and added two free throws with 2.4 seconds left to put it away.
Green was asked what was supposed to happen on the play.
”We was supposed to score,” he said. ”I lost the ball … not much more to it than that.”
Harden scoffed at a reporter who questioned him about his struggles from long range in the last two games, where he’s gone a combined 3 for 22.
”Who cares Youth Kemoko Turay Jersey ,” he said. ”I’m just missing shots, but we’re winning.”
Klay Thompson shook off a knee injury that had his status for this game in question to score 23 points and Curry added 22. A bruised left knee kept Andre Iguodala out for the second straight game, and Kevon Looney started in his place.
After losing Game 1 of the series, the Rockets made the best of home-court advantage this time, thrilling a sellout crowd that included Justin Timberlake, Houston Texans star J.J. Watt and rapper Travis Scott.
It’s Houston’s second straight win in the series after snapping Golden State’s NBA playoff-record, 16-game home winning streak with a 95-92 victory on Tuesday night.
Golden State led by one to start the fourth before Paul got going, scoring seven points to power a 10-5 run that gave the Rockets an 81-77 lead with about 9 1/2 minutes left.
Thompson made a 3-pointer after that and then officials reviewed Paul’s first basket of the quarter and ruled he got it off after the shot clock expired, leaving the Warriors ahead 80-79.
The Rockets were clinging to a one-point lead with about seven minutes left when Durant fouled Gordon on a 3-point attempt, losing one of his shoes in the process. Gordon made all three free throws to start a 7-2 spurt that extended the lead to 88-82 midway through the quarter.
TIP-INS
Warriors: Coach Steve Kerr was unsure Thursday if Iguodala would be able to return for Game 6. ”He’s dying to play, but he’s not healthy enough,” Kerr said. ”We’ll just continue to take it day to day.”… Curry made four free throws to tie Rick Barry for most free throws made in the playoffs in franchise history with 378. … Golden State had 18 turnovers.
Rockets: Clint Capela had 12 points and 14 rebounds for his seventh double-double this postseason. … Houston made 13 of 43 3-pointers Dorian O'Daniel Jersey Elite , led by four from Gordon.
SANTA FE STRONG
The Rockets honored the 10 people killed in last week’s school shooting in Santa Fe, Texas, before the game, with the school’s choir singing the national anthem and team owner Tilman Fertitta wearing a ”Santa Fe Strong” T-shirt, before Houston scored the game’s first six points in a first half where the team led by as many as 11.
Houston also wore rectangular patches on its jerseys that read: ”Santa Fe HS,” to remember those affected by the tragedy.
”We wanted to come out and give them light, put smiles on their faces (and) clear their minds a little bit,” Harden said.
UP NEXT
After Game 6 on Saturday, the Rockets would host Game 7 on Monday if necessary.
Coach Marvin Lewis got a two-year contract extension Tuesday, providing more chances to try to get the Cincinnati Bengals that playoff victory that has eluded him for 15 seasons.The agreement came after a second straight losing season and two days of discussions with owner Mike Brown. Lewis has the second-longest active coaching tenure in the NFL, behind Bill Belichick’s 18 seasons with New England.
Unlike Belichick, who has won five Super Bowls and made two other appearances in the title game Kendall Wright Jersey Vikings , Lewis is 0-7 in the playoffs, the worst coaching record in NFL history. The Bengals haven’t won a playoff game since the 1990 season, the sixth-longest streak of futility in league history.
Paul Brown Stadium was half-empty for the final home game, an indication fans had given up on the team and were hoping for change.
Instead, Brown decided to stay the course and keep Lewis, who wanted more say over the coaching staff and the roster if he stayed.
Brown’s aversion to change won out.
”Marvin has made significant contributions during his time here,” Brown said in a statement.
Lewis planned to meet the media on Wednesday. He said in a statement that he was committed ”to making the necessary improvements to put this team in the best position to win.”
Lewis has acknowledged that he would have been fired in any other NFL city. Instead, he’s gotten second and third chances – and now a 16th chance – to lead the Bengals to a postseason win. Brown, an owner who values loyalty, has decided to keep Lewis around.
It marks a stay-the-course coaching offseason for both of Ohio’s teams. The Browns are keeping coach Hue Jackson after they became only the second team in NFL history to go 0-16.
On Monday, Lewis said he was interested in staying only if he and ownership had a common vision for changes that needed to happen. He said the organization needs to do a better job building a roster that can contend for an AFC North title.
Lewis has by far the longest coaching tenure in team history – founder Paul Brown and Sam Wyche are tied for second at eight years – and a 125-119-3 record, including that 0-7 playoff mark.
Under Lewis Markus Wheaton Color Rush Jersey , the Bengals have had some of their best regular seasons and some of the worst playoff moments.
The mastermind of Baltimore’s Super Bowl championship defense in 2000, Lewis came to Cincinnati before the 2003 season – a rare outside hire by the Brown family. Lewis turned the Bengals into a competitive team and then a playoff team after years of languishing as a laughingstock.
He hasn’t been able to win a playoff game, though. His best chance came in 2015, when the Bengals matched the franchise record with 12 wins and were in control in the final minutes of a playoff game against rival Pittsburgh at Paul Brown Stadium.
Lewis’ team unraveled, fumbling to give Pittsburgh a final chance and then committing two unthinkable penalties – Vontaze Burfict and Adam ”Pacman” Jones got 15-yard fouls – that set up the Steelers’ field goal for an 18-16 win. It was one of the worst meltdowns in NFL playoff history.
At yet, Lewis survived it. His team never recovered. The Bengals won only six games last season. When Lewis and Brown met afterward, they couldn’t agree on terms of an extension of his deal that ended after the 2017 season.
A 23-20 Monday night loss to Pittsburgh on Dec. 4 essentially ended the Bengals’ chances. Paul Brown Stadium was less than half-full for the final home game, a 26-17 victory over the Lions on Dec. 24. In the final game at Baltimore, the Bengals rallied for a 31-27 win that eliminated the Ravens.
The Bengals now have to sell tickets by convincing fans that things are changing, even if the head coach is the same.
—
.
The Chicago White Sox will go for a series win against the Cleveland Indians when the teams square off Thursday afternoon at Guaranteed Rate Field on Chicago’s South Side.
Chicago (24-42) has endured a bumpy start to the season but has won two of the first three in its four-game series against the Indians. The White Sox have gone 8-5 in June thanks in large part to better starting pitching.
Meanwhile Ravens Elite Jerseys , Cleveland (35-31) hopes to escape the Windy City with a series split. The Indians remain atop the American League Central standings but have posted an underwhelming 5-6 record in June.
The getaway-day contest will represent the second start of the season for White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon (0-1, 3.60 ERA), who spent two-plus months on the disabled list as he recovered from shoulder surgery.
The White Sox’s 2014 first-round pick (No. 3 overall) allowed four runs (two earned) on six hits in five innings during his season debut Saturday against the Boston Red Sox. He walked two and struck out seven.
Teammates were impressed with Rodon’s assortment of pitches after a long layoff.
“Carlos has that killer (look in his eye) whenever he starts getting a little geeked up, when he’s about to throw some stuff that is going to be unhittable,” White Sox catcher Kevan Smith told The Athletic. “Even whenever we were catching in Triple-A, he had the same things kind of happen. He would pitch out of these jams, and that’s what I’m saying. …
“He has a fastball that … just kind of control it and let it do its work, it’s an impressive pitch.”
In 10 career appearances (nine starts) against the Indians, Rodon is 4-1 with a 2.34 ERA. He has walked 19 and struck out 64 in 61 2/3 innings. The only other team he has beaten four times is the Minnesota Twins.
For the visitors, Indians right-hander Mike Clevinger (4-2, 3.31 ERA) will take the mound for his 14th start of the season. The 27-year-old needs one more win for No. 20 in the big leagues.
Clevinger has pitched six-plus innings in nine of his past 10 outings. In nine of his 13 starts this year, he has given up three earned runs or fewer.
The White Sox have had sporadic success against Clevinger http://www.jaguarsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-logan-cooke-jersey , who is 1-2 with a 4.29 ERA against that team in five career appearances (three starts). Clevinger has walked nine and fanned 20 in 21 innings versus Chicago.
Chicago is 12-20 at home this season; Cleveland is 15-20 on the road.
The Indians are still without left-hander Andrew Miller out of the bullpen as he recovers from inflammation in his right knee. Miller threw a bullpen session Wednesday and could face hitters in live batting practice or in a simulated game as part of the next step in his rehabilitation.
“He did well, he did real well, probably his best one yet,” Indians manager Terry Francona told mlb.com. “When we get back home, we’ll see if he’s ready to face hitters.
“How he’s bouncing back is still the biggest challenge, but he’s building up, he’s doing a good job, so we’re making progress, which is good. I’d much rather have that happen than the other way.”
The Baltimore Ravens provided quarterback Joe Flacco with two new potential targets Wednesday, agreeing to terms with wide receivers Ryan Grant and John Brown on the first day of free agency.Addressing a position that is a top priority this offseason, Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome added a pair of 27-year-olds he hopes can improve a passing attack that last year ranked 27th in the NFL.
To help make room for the newcomers, Newsome freed an estimated $5 million in salary cap space by cutting receiver Jeremy Maclin.
Grant has played in 64 games http://www.ravensauthorizedshops.com/authentic-mark-andrews-jersey , including 15 starts, with the Washington Redskins. The 2014 fifth-round draft pick out of Tulane set career highs in 2017 with 45 catches for 573 yards and four touchdowns.
Brown has played four NFL seasons, all with Arizona. Selected in the third round of the 2014 draft, Brown has 173 career catches for 2,515 yards and 17 TDs.
The contracts are pending the passing of physicals. Grant reportedly received a four-year contract and Brown agreed to a one-year pact.
The Ravens are counting on Grant to continue the improvement he showed last season. Though he has never had a 100-yard receiving game and has scored only six career touchdowns, he ranked second on the Redskins in 2017 in catches and TD receptions.
Brown's best season was in 2015, when he had 65 catches for 1,003 yards and seven scores.
After a season in which Baltimore's wideouts totaled 11 touchdown receptions, the team made no secret of its desire to bolster the receiving corps.
"We will be exploring all options in free agency and in the draft for targets for Joe (Flacco)," owner Steve Bisciotti said.
That was a focus last season, too, but Maclin did not live up to expectations.
Baltimore signed Maclin as a free agent in June Reuben Foster Jersey Limited , hopeful the accomplished pass catcher would regain the form he showed in 2015 with Kansas City, when he had 87 catches for 1,088 yards and eight touchdowns.
But Maclin missed two games with a shoulder injury, two more with knee issues, and finished with only 40 catches for 440 yards and three touchdowns.
That, along with the poor performance of 2015 first-round pick Breshad Perriman (10 catches, 77 yards, no TDs), left the Ravens looking for speed outside after finishing 9-7 and missing the playoffs for a third straight season.
Mike Wallace, who had 52 catches for a team-high 748 yards in 2017, became a free agent Wednesday. It is unclear whether the Ravens will attempt to bring him back the 31-year-old, nine-year pro.
Newsome's pursuit of top-tier free agent receivers has been hindered by a tight salary cap Josh Jackson Youth Jersey , which likely contributed to Allen Robinson and Sammy Watkins signing with other teams.
In an effort to free up salary-cap space, Newsome earlier this week cut running back Danny Woodhead and did not pick up the option on right tackle Austin Howard.
Maclin, Woodhead and Howard were all acquired before the 2017 season.
Also on Wednesday, the Ravens extended tenders to seven exclusive-rights free agents, the most notable running back Alex Collins, the team's leading rusher last year. The players still have to sign their tenders, but cannot negotiate with any other teams.
.Arenado homered for the third straight game and drove in five runs to lead the Colorado Rockies to a 6-4 victory over the New York Mets on Thursday. After hitting .171 while the Rockies lost eight of 10 over the last two weeks Dorian O'Daniel Color Rush Jersey , Arenado hit .538 in the last three games.
”When you’re losing and you’re not getting hits it hurts,” Arenado said. ”It keeps me up at night.”
Arenado also doubled to back another strong outing from Kyle Freeland (7-6). Freeland has pitched at least six innings in 10 of his last 11 starts and has emerged as the team’s most reliable starter.
Arenado had just two home runs in his first 15 games of June, but has four in his last seven. He put the Rockies ahead 3-1 with a three-run homer in the first off Steven Matz (3-5), his 16th of the season.
He delivered a two-run double in the second to drive in five for the second time this season. He also had five RBIs at the Chicago Cubs on May 2.
”Today was a special day. I’m not going to drive in five every game,” he said.
Todd Frazier gave the Mets a 1-0 lead in the first with his eighth homer. New York has lost three in a row after winning three straight.
The Mets got within two runs when Frazier and Michael Conforto led off the eighth with singles. Yency Almonte, making his major league debut, relieved Chris Rusin and allowed one inherited runner to score that made it 5-3 before getting an inning-ending double play.
It was the fifth double-play grounder by New York on the afternoon. The Rockies tied a franchise record for a nine-inning game by inducing five ground-ball double plays. It’s only the third time in any game the Rockies induced five groundout double plays.
Freeland got out of three jams with double plays.
”He made some really good pitches down,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. ”I’ve seen Freeland in the past, he does a good job of executing the balls just down under the zone. If you chase one and put it in play, it becomes a double play.”
Gerardo Parra’s sacrifice fly in the bottom of the eighth restored the three-run lead. New York got one back when Kevin Plawecki tripled in the ninth and came home on a groundout. Dominic Smith doubled with two outs, but Jake McGee struck out Brandon Nimmo to get his first save of the season.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mets: INF Asdrubal Cabrera was out of the lineup, but Callaway said he was fine a day after hitting his left elbow making a tag. … Callaway said OF Yoenis Cespedes (right hip flexor) did some stretching and the hope is he progresses in the next few days.
NUMBERS GAME
Arenado has only 14 career at-bats against Matz but he’s made them count. He is hitting .357 with four home runs and 12 RBIs against the Mets’ lefty after Thursday.
”I threw a couple of bad pitches and Arenado beat me twice,” Matz said. ”That really sums up the whole game.”
Matz struck out Arenado looking in the fourth and settled down to go 5 2-3 innings.
”When you put your team in a hole like that you gotta look ahead and go as deep as you can,” Matz said.
ROSTER MOVE
Before the game, the Rockies recalled Almonte from Triple-A Albuquerque and optioned INF Ryan McMahon to their top farm team. Almonte said he was struggling with nerves when he jogged to the mound in the eighth.
”I came in and it was first and third and I thought Youth Jihad Ward Jersey , `I need to do something, get a ground ball or a fly out,”’ Almonte said. ”That was huge for me.”
UP NEXT
Mets: RHP Zack Wheeler (2-5, 4.82) will open a three-game home series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night. Wheeler has gone six or more innings in nine of his 13 starts.
Rockies: RHP Jon Gray (6-7, 5.89) takes the mound in the opener of a weekend series against Miami. Gray has allowed 12 earned runs in three June starts and holds a 6.75 ERA for the month.
—
Adrian Peterson's short stint in Arizona is over. Jordy Nelson long and productive stay in Green Bay has ended, too.
Meanwhile, Drew Brees is staying put in the Big Easy, Case Keenum is headed to the Rocky Mountains, and Kirk Cousins will make his first visit as a free agent to Minnesota. The Vikings long have been considered a natural landing spot for one of the most valuable quarterbacks available.
One day before the league's new year begins, veteran running back Peterson was released by the Cardinals on Tuesday, and receiver Nelson 鈥?Aaron Rodgers' favorite target 鈥?was let go by the Packers.
Seven-time All-Pro running back Peterson began last season with New Orleans but, after barely playing there, was dealt to the Cardinals. Peterson rushed for 134 yards in a win over Tampa Bay and 159 in a win over San Francisco. In six games, he gained 448 yards on 129 carries for Arizona before being sidelined with a neck injury.
Peterson, who turns 33 next week http://www.jaguarsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-ronnie-harrison-jersey , ranks 12th in the NFL in career rushing with 12,276 yards.
Nelson had 550 receptions and 69 touchdown catches in 10 seasons in Green Bay. But his production declined last season with Rodgers sidelined much of the year by a collarbone injury. He missed the 2015 season with a major knee injury, and then was the 2016 Comeback Player of the Year.
"We cannot thank Jordy enough for all that he has given the Green Bay Packers and our community for the past 10 years," general manager Brian Gutekunst said. "He has been an exemplary professional and teammate and greatly contributed to our success."
Brees has agreed to a two-year, $50 million extension with New Orleans, with $27 million guaranteed the first year, two people familiar with the contract told The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the agreement has not been announced.
Brees is 39 and wants to finish his career in New Orleans, where he has played since 2006, won a Super Bowl and led what has been one of the most productive offenses in the NFL since he and coach Sean Payton arrived.
"I'll be here as long as they'll have me," Brees said after last season ended.
In 2017, Brees completed an NFL-record 72 percent of his passes for 4,334 yards and 23 touchdowns against eight interceptions. He ranked fourth in the NFL in yards passing and the Saints ranked second in the NFL in total offense.
Keenum, a backup when the season began, guided Minnesota to the NFC North title and then into the conference championship game. He'll cash in with the Broncos.
The 30-year-old Keenum is considered the second-best QB available in free agency after Cousins. He went 11-3 with 3,547 yards passing Josh Jackson Packers Jersey , 22 touchdowns and seven interceptions. His last-second throw to Stefon Diggs stunned the Saints 29-24 in the playoffs.
Denver chose to bypass incumbents Trevor Siemian, Brock Osweiler and Paxton Lynch and go for Keenum, who can't sign until Wednesday.
Six years ago, GM John Elway landed Peyton Manning, the biggest free-agent prize in NFL history, following his release by the Colts and a series of neck fusion surgeries. Manning guided the Broncos to two Super Bowls and won the 2015 NFL championship. Now, Elway hopes another free agent will replicate Manning.
Cousins will visit with the Vikings on Wednesday, agent Mike McCartney said. ESPN reported that Cousins will sign with the Vikings, but McCartney said no decision has been made yet by his client.
The Jets and Cardinals also made sense as fits for the 29-year-old who played consecutive seasons for Washington on franchise tags. New York, however, re-signed last year's starter, veteran Josh McCown, and Arizona made a deal with Minnesota's Sam Bradford.
In other moves:
鈥?Super Bowl champion Philadelphia lost two tight ends, cutting veteran Brent Celek, then saw Trey Burton agree to a four-year Cheap Ronald Jones II Jersey , $32 million contract with Chicago. Five-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and linebacker Corey Nelson have agreed to one-year contracts with the Eagles.
The Bears also will be signing Jacksonville receiver Allen Robinson on Wednesday and kicker Cody Parkey.
鈥?Tennessee agreed with New England cornerback and one-time Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler on a five-year deal worth more than $60 million. Agent Derek Simpson told The Associated Press that Butler will sign the deal including $30 million guaranteed once free agency begins.
Butler spent the past four seasons with the New England Patriots and has eight career interceptions. He was benched for the Super Bowl in February.
鈥?Buffalo bolstered its interior defensive line, agreeing to a deal with Carolina tackle Star Lotulelei and re-signing Kyle Williams, who contemplated retirement.
鈥?Kansas City will add wide receiver Sammy Watkins and middle linebacker Anthony Hitchens, filling two glaring needs.
The 24-year-old Watkins intends to sign a $48 million, three-year contract with $30 million in guarantees, while the 25-year-old Hitchens agreed to a five-year deal, two people familiar with their decisions told the AP. The Chiefs have needed to pair a playmaking wideout with Tyreek Hill. Watkins, the 2014 fourth overall pick of the Bills, spent last season with the Rams, where he caught 39 passes for 593 yards and eight touchdowns.
鈥?Receiver Albert Wilson is closing in on a $24 million, three-year deal with the Dolphins. Miami traded top receiver Jarvis Landry to Cleveland and has a need. They also are near an agreement with Patriots receiver Danny Amendola.
The Dolphins also cut linebacker Lawrence Timmons after just one season with them. Timmons went AWOL on the eve of last year's opener, was briefly suspended and played poorly when he returned. He signed a $12 million, two-year contract in 2017 after 10 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. His departure clears $5.5 million in cap space for Miami.
鈥?Jacksonville line.
Commissioners voted in support of a proposed site next to the Dolphins' stadium in north Miami-Dade County. The Dolphins are also considering a site in Miramar, a suburb of Fort Lauderdale in Broward County.
The Dolphins' training headquarters have been at Nova University in Broward since 1993. The team wants to build a larger complex expected to cost up to $75 million.
Construction would be privately financed. But the county commission voted to increase by more than $50 million the maximum amount of tax money the Dolphins receive for large sporting events held at their stadium over the next several decades Seahawks Byron Maxwell Jersey , with the higher subsidies contingent on the complex being built in Miami-Dade.
Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino was among the Dolphins officials on hand for the commission vote.
A decision by the Dolphins regarding relocation is expected soon. The new complex is projected to open before the start of the 2020 season.
.Johnson declared Monday that he will step down as the Lakers’ president of basketball operations if he can’t persuade an elite free agent to sign with the 16-time NBA champions within the next two summers.
”Next summer Anthony Miller Color Rush Jersey , if nobody comes and I’m still sitting here like this, then it’s a failure,” Johnson said after a news conference to introduce draft picks Moe Wagner and Svi Mykhailiuk.
Johnson was put in charge of the Lakers’ front office by owner Jeanie Buss in February 2017, and the former superstar point guard immediately announced his plans to revive the struggling franchise by enticing the game’s best players to join as free agents.
With Paul George and potentially LeBron James headlining the market this summer, Johnson is leading the Lakers’ efforts to land both players this weekend. If they sign elsewhere, Johnson and the Lakers will pursue the large crop of 2019 free agents.
And if he strikes out with every big name, Johnson said he will quit.
”Like I told you when I took the job, it’s going to be a two-summer thing for the Lakers,” Johnson said. ”This summer, and next summer, and that’s it. And if I can’t deliver, I’m going to step down myself. She won’t have to fire me. I’ll step away from it. Because then, I can’t do this job. But so far Authentic Tarvarius Moore Jersey , so good.”
Although the Lakers are mired in the worst five-year stretch in franchise history and haven’t made the playoffs since 2013, Johnson and general manager Rob Pelinka have been successful in achieving their initial goals since they took over 16 months ago.
They have solidified a decent core of talented young players – Brandon Ingram, Lonzo Ball, Kyle Kuzma and Josh Hart – to provide their potential free-agent signees with support. They have made several slick trades and personnel moves to clear enough salary cap room to offer two mammoth free-agent contracts this summer.
Now comes the tough part: Persuading George or James or other big names to move to Hollywood. Johnson said he has no idea whether the Lakers’ pitch will be well-received, but he also feels confident in his task.
”I’m Magic Johnson,” he said with his ubiquitous smile. ”You know how many finals I’ve been in? So you think I’m worried about this? I played against Larry Bird in the Finals. I played in nine Finals.”
Johnson is the second straight basketball decision-maker for the Lakers to create a self-imposed deadline for success.
In 2014, co-owner Jim Buss told the Los Angeles Times that the Lakers had to be a contender within three to four years, or ”I will step down, because that means I have failed.”
The Lakers badly missed that deadline, and Buss’ sister fired him and general manager Mitch Kupchak in February 2017.
Johnson and Pelinka are spending this week honing and fine-tuning their free-agent pitches. They’ll show their plans to Jeanie Buss later in the week, along with numerous contingency plans for the short-term and long-term future.
”If we can sign somebody this summer, we’ll do that,” Johnson said. ”If it doesn’t happen Cheap Justin Jones Jersey , we’ve got to turn to next summer.”
—
NEW ORLEANS — The playoffs essentially began a month ago for both the New Orleans Pelicans (47-34) and the San Antonio Spurs (47-34).
While both teams have clinched Western Conference playoff spots, Wednesday night’s regular-season finale at the Smoothie King Center is the finish line in a marathon race for playoff seeding.
Unless Memphis pulls off a monster upset and defeats the Oklahoma City Thunder on the road Wednesday, the Pelicans, currently the fifth seed, would finish anywhere from the fourth, fifth or sixth seed with a victory over the Spurs. The Pelicans would drop to the eighth seed with a loss, setting up a first-round matchup with the No. 1 Houston Rockets.
The Spurs also could fall anywhere from the fourth to the eighth seed, given a myriad of possibilities.
The only solace for Spurs coach Gregg Popovich is that the Spurs, playing most of the season without All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard, have made the playoffs for the 21st consecutive season. That streak is 11 years longer than Popovich’s nearest competitor, Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat.
“Oh, it’s wonderful,” Popovich said Cheap Ryan Jensen Jersey , using his characteristic deadpan delivery Monday night after the Spurs clinched their playoff spot with a 98-85 victory over Sacramento.
“They deserve a lot of credit, done a great job,” Popovich said of his players. “I’m real proud of them.”
The Pelicans have won four consecutive games to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2015. Coach Alvin Gentry said there are so many possible playoff matchups that he wants his team to focus on what it can control.
“We’re just going to do the best we can do (to beat the Spurs), and whoever we play, we play,” Gentry said. ‘We just want to continue to play good basketball.”
The Pelicans’ four-game winning streak could not have been timelier, and forward Anthony Davis has been the catalyst during the streak. Davis, who has made the playoffs only once in his five NBA seasons, said he was proud the Pelicans did not collapse after the season-ending Achilles injury to center DeMarcus Cousins on Jan. 26.
“A lot of people counted us out when he went down, but we just kept fighting, changed the way we play a little bit,” Davis said. “We believed in ourselves — all the guys in this locker room. We just wanted to make sure no matter what happens with anybody else — that we were in. This whole road trip we came out aggressive.”
The Pelicans have won two of three against San Antonio this season, winning 107-90 at home on Nov. 22 and 121-116 in San Antonio on Feb. 28 and losing 98-93 in San Antonio on March 15. Davis had averaged 25.3 points on .509 shooting and 13.3 rebounds in the three games Robbie Grossman Minnesota Twins Jersey , while the Spurs have been led by Dejounte Murray with 16.7 points, including .667 from 3-point range and 8.0 rebounds.
The Spurs said Leonard would not be available to play against the Pelicans as he returns from a season-long quad injury.
Pelicans point guard Rajon Rondo, who delivered an off-the-backboard assist to Davis for a thunderous, one-handed dunk against the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night, said he likes what he sees in New Orleans’ recent play.
“I think if we come in with the right focus, the right mindset — obviously, you’ve got to make some shots — we can beat anyone,” Rondo said. “We know that as a team.”
.General manager Thomas Dimitroff announced the compromise about 16 hours ahead of Thursday's 4 p.m. reporting deadline, removing a major distraction hanging over a team that is again expected to be one of the top contenders in the NFC.
"We have had continued dialogue all offseason with Julio and his representation," Dimitroff said. "We have come to an agreement with Julio, and we will readdress everything in 2019. I appreciate everyone's hard work and communication on this."
The Falcons had informed Jones several weeks ago that they wouldn't be able to renegotiate his current $71.5 million package, which still has three years remaining and included $47 million in guaranteed money.
Jones, who makes an average of $14.25 million a year, was unhappy with his deal after a flurry of new contracts during the offseason dropped Jones down the list of the NFL's highest-paid receivers.
Tampa Bay's Mike Evans , Cleveland's Jarvis Landry and Kansas City's Sammy Watkins are among those now making more per year than Jones, a two-time All-Pro and five-time Pro Bowler who caught 88 passes for 1,444 yards last season.
Jones skipped offseason workouts at the team's training facility as well as a mandatory minicamp to demonstrate his unhappiness. His next option was to hold out during training camp Cheap Taven Bryan Jersey , which could have led to fines of $40,000 per day.
Neither side wanted to go down a path that could've damaged what has otherwise been a good relationship. So, it looks as though Jones will get a new deal in 2019 鈥?not as soon as he would've liked, but a year earlier than the Falcons would normally agree to renegotiate a long-term contract.
Atlanta is eager to pair Jones with another former Alabama receiver, Calvin Ridley, who was this year's first-round pick. The team hopes that Ridley, as he develops, can help to lure coverages away from Jones, who is often blanketed by two or three defenders.
The Falcons said salary cap limitations prevented them from discussing a new deal with Jones in 2018 . The team already agreed to a five-year, $150 million extension with quarterback Matt Ryan Connor Williams Youth Jersey , the most lucrative deal in NFL history, and is now focused on working out new contracts for defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, offensive guard Jake Matthews and safety Ricardo Allen.
"This adjustment does not impede us from working on other extensions with other key members of our football team," Dimitroff said. "We will continue to work on those contracts going forward."
Jones hasn't talked with the Atlanta media in months, keeping a low profile during the contract brouhaha. In one of his rare public appearances, he told TMZ that he has a good relationship with the franchise that pulled off a blockbuster trade with Cleveland to make him a first-round pick in 2011.
"I'm just working on getting myself better," he said. "There's no bad blood between me and the team or anything like that."
Jones hasn't been totally estranged from his teammates during the offseason. This month, he took part in Ryan's private passing camp in California along with about a dozen of his teammates.
All throughout the contract talks, Jones remained in the good graces of coach Dan Quinn.
"Sometimes football and business intersect," Quinn said after Jones skipped the three-day minicamp. "That's OK and that happens a lot."
Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at s://apnews/search/paul%20newberry Chicago Cubs right-hander Yu Darvish felt soreness in his troubled triceps tendon after a minor league rehabilitation start Monday night.Darvish hasn’t pitched in the majors since May 20 because of right triceps tendinitis. The Japanese ace threw five sharp innings for Class A South Bend.
”In the triceps there’s likeliness to get more fatigue there Cheap Braden Smith Jersey , especially if there’s a long gap between innings,” Darvish said through a translator while wearing ice packs on his right shoulder and right elbow. ”That’s when I feel fatigue there. Not necessarily pain, but I can’t for sure say there is nothing going on in the tricep zone.”
Darvish, who pitched a simulated game last week in Chicago, was set to rejoin the Cubs in Los Angeles on Tuesday. He said his performance was ”not perfect.”
”I will be flying into LA and we’ll be discussing more about the future schedule,” Darvish said. ”It’s not up to me to decide. The coaches and manager will have to watch the (rehab) game and decide. It’s not anything bad. Anyone comes off DL goes through this.”
”It’s day by day,” he said. ”It differs. I had some anxiety coming into this game as I did in the sim game. The goal today was to pitch through four innings and not have to cut it short early because of pain.”
Darvish allowed one run and three hits – a solo homer by Joey Morgan and two doubles – against West Michigan in the Midwest League game. He struck out five, walked none and threw 57 pitches, 41 for strikes.
”He could be back by the end of the week,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said at Dodger Stadium before Darvish had completed his outing. ”He is pitching right now. He is doing really well. He is throwing a lot of strikes. His fastball has been good and his breaking ball has been good so he is getting really close.”
The 6-foot-5 Darvish Kyle Lauletta Jersey Giants , who signed a $126 million, six-year contract as a free agent in the offseason, has struggled to a 1-3 record with a 4.95 ERA in eight games. He’s twice been on the disabled list, the first time for flu.
Darvish threw an assortment of pitches, with his fastball reaching 94 mph. He ended the fourth with a 62 mph slow curve to strike out a completely fooled Reynaldo Rivera and received high-fives from his teammates when he reached the dugout.
.Tanner Ainge told The Daily Herald in Provo his opponent, Tom Sakievich, called him Tuesday night to concede when Ainge was leading with about 70 percent of the vote. Results won’t be final for about two weeks.
Ainge will be the heavy favorite in November for the commission seat that drew no Democratic challengers.
His only opponent in the bid to replace Utah County Commissioner Greg Graves will be a third-party candidate, Teri McCabe of United Utah.
Ainge lost last a congressional contest last year in a three-way race to replace former Republican Congressman Jason Chaffetz.
—
Information from: The Daily Herald, .
Maybe a minute passed.
Curry has earned two NBA MVPs, set the single-season 3-point record, captured a pair of championships and is on the cusp of a third. He doesn’t need the finals MVP, another title will do just fine.
It might come down to Curry and teammate Kevin Durant for series MVP with the Warriors up 3-0 on LeBron James and the Cavaliers going into Game 4 on Friday night with a chance to clinch at Cleveland.
”It took to the second question of my first media availability, so I’m pretty sure that narrative’s going to take life, as it has since 2015,” Curry said. ”But it doesn’t make or break my career or whatever you want to say looking back. If we win this championship and I don’t win finals MVP, I’m going to be smiling just as wide and just as big.”
Sure, if he could edge out KD, then Curry would join the big names of James, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, Moses Malone and Tim Duncan as players with a pair of NBA MVPs and a finals MVP.
Not that Curry is thinking about any of that: He would gladly settle for a second straight victory parade.
”It’s part of my motivation to try to get back to this stage because I want more championships Jackie Robinson Jersey ,” he said. ”But I’ve never really highlighted the individual type (honors) – even before my regular-season MVPs, I’ve never even really attacked it as if that was the goal, per se.”
Still, the undersized point guard out of Davidson has defied the critics. Curry knows how much he has meant for the franchise during this special four-year stretch.
And this might have been the toughest one yet for Curry, even counting all those losing seasons early in his career, plagued by multiple injuries and so much missed time. He was even out for the entire first round of the playoffs.
Curry’s typically steady shot has been inconsistent, too.
As he always does regardless of whether they’re going in, Curry has kept firing 3-pointers.
He reached a mindboggling 0 for 9 Wednesday before finally making one from deep against the Cavs – just three days after knocking down a finals-record nine from beyond the arc.
That frustrating Game 3 performance epitomized Curry’s topsy-turvy season.
”I’m going to play aggressively, confidently, with that right energy and motivation to help my team win,” Curry said. ”And usually when I’m in that mindset, good things happen, whether that means it’s a finals MVP or not, who cares, but I’m going to be playing like it, for sure.”
As Curry walked off the court with only 11 points on 3-for-16 shooting in the 110-102 win that put Golden State one victory from a repeat title Authentic Harold Landry Jersey , Andre Iguodala draped his right arm around No. 30’s neck and whispered something in his left ear.
”He was telling me what he’s going to order at our team dinner tonight, and I agree with his choices,” Curry cracked.
He certainly isn’t taking himself too seriously on the big stage, appreciating how hard it is to get here with hopes of doing so for the long haul.
Even on a night his shot wasn’t falling and he got outshined by Durant, Curry connected when it mattered and the game was on the line. That’s just what he does as the Warriors’ dependable star.
The defining moment of Curry’s postseason might have come in Game 2 of the finals, when he scored 33 points and returned to being leading man for Golden State with the home crowd at Oracle Arena cheering his every move.
”Thank goodness I never had to play against him,” said B.J. Armstrong, who spent 11 seasons in the NBA, mostly with Chicago. ”He’s a very special player. Every time I see him, I played in Charlotte for like a year and a half, so I remember him when he was very little, to see him now I chuckle every time I see him. I just remember when he was little and his dad would be dragging him around. He’s phenomenal. I’m in awe of his ability to shoot the ball and what he’s been able to do, his leadership, the example he’s setting for all the young kids and what he’s been able to do in the game. It’s just incredible. I have such respect for him, especially because I know his parents, and he’s a point guard David Ross Jersey , so I just marvel at what he’s been able to do.”
Curry showed his unselfishness when he traveled to the Hamptons two summers ago to recruit Durant, willing to cede the spotlight as Golden State’s singular star.
After back-to-back MVP awards that made Curry the face of the Warriors and one of the league’s most dynamic and thrilling players, he has taken a backseat to let KD get comfortable.
Golden State has been complete again since Curry returned for Game 2 of the Western Conference semifinals against the Pelicans following nearly six weeks out with a sprained left knee.
Just having Curry back on the court provides a huge emotional lift, even if he’s not at his most dominant. There’s that noticeable joy coach Steve Kerr so loves with his star-studded bunch.
”I think Steph really sets the tone more than anybody in that regard,” Kerr said, ”for what our culture is about.”
—
Doug Martin was in need of a new start after two straight subpar seasons led to his offseason release by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Getting the chance to do it near his boyhood home in Northern California, with an Oakland team featuring a strong offensive line and a coach in Jon Gruden eager to establish a powerful running attack, only made the decision to join the Raiders even easier.
Now Martin wants to prove he can get back to the form that made him a Pro Bowler twice in his first four seasons.
”My approach is just basically I’m a rookie again,” Martin said. ”I have to prove to the team and the players, coaches that I can be useful on this team. Like I said, I just act like a rookie and go out and play. Play the game that I love.”
Martin has had a roller-coaster career since entering the league with Tampa Bay as a first-round pick out of Boise State in 2012. He is the only player currently on an NFL roster with two seasons of at least 1,400 yards rushing, reaching that mark as a rookie with the Bucs and then again three years later in Tampa Bay.
But he has failed to reach 500 yards rushing in his other four seasons in the NFL and is also the only active player with two seasons averaging fewer than 3 yards per carry with at least 100 attempts, doing that the past two years when he was hampered by injuries and a four-game suspension for violating the league policy on performance-enhancing drugs.
Martin also was suspended one game last year by the Bucs for a violation of team rules, all contributing to the decision by Tampa Bay to cut him this offseason.
”The past couple of years I just got in my own way,” he said. ”Being here and having my family around and old friends Minkah Fitzpatrick Color Rush Jersey , it’s definitely going to help me stay busy. I can always confide in them if I need something to talk about.”
Martin, who grew up in nearby Stockton, fondly remembers his only other trip to the Bay Area as a professional when he ran for 251 yards on 25 carries in Oakland as a rookie in 2012 with about 50 friends and family members in the crowd.
Martin also said the opportunity to run Bay Area hills near his grandfather’s house has helped get him in top condition that he hopes will benefit him once the season begins.
That work has shown up on the field.
”He finished a run to the end zone today and didn’t stop until he got there and then he ran back to make sure he’s getting even more in shape,” quarterback Derek Carr said. ”It’s little things like that that show young guys, `Hey man, that’s how you do it.’ That’s been since Day 1. He’s been one of the hardest workers since we got here in Phase 1, hands down. He’s been one of the guys out there that just every day sticks out doing something where you see why he’s a Pro Bowler.”
The Raiders are hoping Martin will fit in well in a backfield led by Marshawn Lynch, who rushed for 524 yards and five TDs in his final eight games last season, ranking tied for third in that span in yards rushing per game.
Oakland didn’t get much consistent help from backups Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington a year ago, leading to the move to add Martin to the mix.
”Doug has really jumped out in this camp,” offensive coordinator Greg Olson said. ”His quickness, his ability to pick up the offense and what we’ve given him. That’s been very encouraging. He really has a fresh set of legs and that’s probably been the most encouraging. When you watch him run out here in the drills that we’ve run and the strength and conditioning staff and the things that we’ve been doing there, it just looks like he’s got a real fresh set of legs.”
—
.