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BEREA Minnesota Vikings News , Ohio (AP) Jacksonville safety Tashaun Gipson chuckled when reminded that he said the Browns will probably go 0-16.

His former teammates aren’t amused.

Gipson has provided bulletin-board material for Sunday’s game against Jacksonville in a radio interview by ripping Cleveland’s front office, predicting the Jaguars would score 40 points and record a shutout, and forecasting a winless season for the Browns.

A one-time Pro Bowler in Cleveland, Gipson didn’t back off from his harsh comments – with one exception.

”I probably got a bit out of hand with 0-16 team,” he said Wednesday on a conference call with the Cleveland media. ”But I definitely do stand by my comments when I say I feel like Sunday we plan on going 1-0.”

While Gipson attempted to soften his stance, Browns coach Hue Jackson said he addressed the verbal attack with his team.

”Oh, I did Pittsburgh Steelers News ,” Jackson said. ”You can bet your bottom dollar I did.”

So did Jaguars coach Doug Marrone, who has his team on a roll – the Jags (6-3) have won three straight – and isn’t pleased that one of his players would doing anything unnecessary to motivate or provoke a desperate team.

”That is not something that we like to do as a team,” he said. ”It has been addressed, and we understand that it is going to be very difficult for us to go on the road and win a football game.”

On Monday, Gipson, who spent four years with the Browns before signing as a free agent with the Jags after the 2015 season, lambasted Cleveland’s front office during a radio interview.

The 27-year-old was among a group of established veterans that the team chose not to re-sign New England Patriots News , and Gipson said his first chance to play against the Browns was ”definitely going to be personal, man, for sure.”

Gipson went on to say he didn’t understand why Cleveland’s executive team led by Sashi Brown would allow him, starting center Alex Mack, right tackle Mitchell Schwartz and receiver Travis Benjamin to leave as free agents. Gipson added that Browns rookie safety Jabrill Peppers is playing out of position and he sympathizes with former teammates such as linebacker Christian Kirskey and running back Isaiah Crowell because in Cleveland they’ll ”probably never get the due they deserve.”

Gipson’s chatter became headlines in Cleveland and prompted him to call Kirksey and others to explain that he wasn’t disrespecting them.

”They get paid just like we do, and I show respect for the guys they have,” he said. ”It was not a shot.”

Gipson New Orleans Saints News , however, doubled down on his claim that the Jaguars, who have the NFL’s top-ranked scoring defense, can blank the Browns.

”Unless you have Tom Brady at the helm, I think we can pitch a shutout against any team,” he said. ”I don’t take those comments back. I stand by those comments.”

Kirksey is close with Gipson and expects Sunday’s game, now fueled by some serious trash talk Philadelphia Eagles News , to ”be a fistfight.”

”Their defense is solid. Our defense is solid,” Kirksey said. ”It’s going to be the best defense to win. Tashaun, he’s just saying what he’s saying to get his team riled up. I’m going to say what I’m going to say to get my team riled up. The best man wins. The best team wins.”

Gipson understands that his comments have made him a target and put more pressure on the Jaguars, who will have to deal with wintry conditions and a Browns team that has shown improvement in recent weeks.

The war of words could escalate.

”I’m hoping that it might be chippy,” he said. ”That is fine. That is part of the game, but as far as any extracurricular, I know that I’m not on that and I hope that nobody is out there trying to end people’s seasons and things like that because at the end of the day Justin Jones Jersey Elite , it is just football. I can’t tell you what Mr. (Hue) Jackson is over there talking and coaching on or what is being said about me over there.”

Jackson said Gipson didn’t have to utter a thing to get the Browns ready.

”I don’t think we need any motivation,” he said. ”We are a 0-9 football team, so I don’t think we are looking for anything. The opportunity to play is motivation enough for this football team. We want to win. That is what it is all about.”

NOTES: Rookie QB DeShone Kizer appeared in the locker room wearing a Hurricanes T-shirt after losing a bet with teammate David Njoku when Notre Dame was throttled by Miami last week. Kizer joked that having to wear the shirt hurt worse than his bruised ribs or being benched this season. … RT Shon Coleman remains in the concussion protocol. … C J.C. Tretter did not practice because of shoulder, knee and quad injuries.

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NEW ORLEANS (AP) A man convicted in the shooting death of retired New Orleans Saints star Will Smith has appealed the conviction and 25-year-sentence arising from a confrontation after a 2016 traffic collision.

Cardell Hayes was convicted of manslaughter in December 2016 in Smith’s death and of attempted manslaughter because Smith’s wife Bo Scarbrough Super Bowl LI Jersey , Raquel, was shot in both legs during the encounter in April of that year.

But Hayes’ attorney Paul Barker wrote in an appeal filed Thursday that the judge who tried Hayes should have granted a new trial because a witness who contacted Barker the day after Hayes’ conviction said he had heard two guns at the time of the shooting, buttressing Hayes’ claim that he had fired in self-defense.

Prosecutors on Friday rejected the arguments as ”falsehoods.”

Hayes’ lawyers had argued at trial that he only fired because the retired NFL player was drunk and violent and had grabbed a gun following their collision. No one else testified Smith ever held a gun. A loaded .9-mm semi-automatic handgun was found loaded but unused on the front seat of Smith’s car.

Barker’s appeal Thursday also contended the trial judge, Camille Buras, should have allowed testimony about Smith’s 2010 arrest on a domestic abuse charge. That would have shown he could be violent when drunk Bills Phillip Gaines Jersey , Barker wrote. Barker also wrote in the filing that other errors included allowing victim impact testimony before the trial’s sentencing phase, and by ”suggestively” re-reading jury instructions.

District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro said in a statement Friday that prosecutors had proved Hayes’ guilt and that Buras managed ”this difficult trial fairly and impeccably.”

”The falsehoods within this appeal make only one thing clear: That Cardell Hayes has yet to accept the consequences of his rash decision to open fire on an innocent couple,” the emailed statement said. It added that Hayes’ latest arguments make clear he ”has yet to begin the rehabilitation necessary to one day return as a responsible and law-abiding member of our community.”

Smith, a 34-year-old father of three, was a defensive leader on the Saints team that lifted spirits in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. He helped carry the team to a winning season in 2006 and a Super Bowl victory four years later. His death in a dispute over traffic was shocking Donte Jackson Super Bowl LI Jersey , even for a city with a high rate of homicides.

In his filing Thursday, Barker said a new witness, Michael Burnside, emailed him the last day of the trial, when he was not checking email because he was ”preoccupied with closing arguments and jury deliberations.” The email said Burnside had heard two guns at the time Smith was shot. Reached the next day Authentic Quenton Nelson Jersey , Burnside said he had heard four ”baps” consistent with a small-caliber gun before a ”boom” consistent with a larger-caliber weapon like Hayes’.

”Mr. Burnside states that the first ”boom” of the larger caliber weapon overlapped the last ”bap” of the smaller caliber weapon,” Barker wrote. That backs up Hayes’ testimony that Smith fired at him first, he said.

Barker also said the judge didn’t let trial lawyer John Fuller question retired Saints running back Deuce McAllister, the first prosecution witness, about Smith’s ”arrest for abusing Raquel Smith while out at a bar in Lafayette.”

Smith was arrested outside a bar Authentic Chris Owings Jersey , accused of pulling his wife down the street by her hair. He was indicted in 2011 on misdemeanor charges of domestic abuse battery and public intoxication. Lafayette Parish prosecutors dropped the charges in 2012 after Smith completed community service and participated in counseling.

McAlister had testified about Smith’s good character, opening the way to rebuttal testimony which the judge didn’t allow, Barker wrote.

”The state elicited pages of testimony from Deuce McAllister detailing the good moral qualities of the victim, the tremendous impact on the victim’s family, and the impact on the New Orleans Saints franchise Ed Dickson Jersey Elite ,” he wrote.

He said that ”went beyond the proper scope of examination,” causing prejudice against Hayes and violating his right to a fair trial.

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BUFFALO Saquon Barkley Super Bowl LI Jersey , N.Y. (AP) The Buffalo Bills put themselves in a better position to fill a big need at quarterback in the draft. The Cincinnati Bengals added much-needed protection for their own franchise quarterback, Andy Dalton.

The Bills moved up nine spots in the draft by swapping first-round picks with the Bengals, who also acquired high-priced left tackle Cordy Glenn in a trade Monday, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.

The person spoke to The AP on the condition of anonymity because teams are not allowed to announce trades until the NFL’s new business year opens Wednesday. Buffalo moved up to the No. 12 spot in the draft by trading the first of its two opening-round selections Kalen Ballage Jersey Elite , 21st overall. The Bills also have the No. 22 pick.

Buffalo also traded its fifth-round pick (158th overall) for the Bengals’ sixth-round selection (187th) as part of the Bills’ second major trade in three days. On Friday, Buffalo traded starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor to Cleveland for a third-round pick.

The moves helped place the Bills in a position to use one of their first-round picks to draft a quarterback. The Bills have the assets to move up even higher in the draft order by having two picks in each of the first three rounds.

Nathan Peterman, a fifth-round pick last year, is the only quarterback on the roster.

General manager Brandon Beane has said he intends to land a franchise quarterback through either the draft Jordan Whitehead Super Bowl LI Jersey , a trade or in free agency.

Beane has paid close attention to what is considered a top-heavy draft class of quarterbacks. He has said he planned to meet with all the draft-eligible quarterback prospects.

The offensive line is Cincinnati’s biggest focus in the offseason. The offense finished last in the league in large measure because its line couldn’t protect Dalton or open holes for the running backs.

The Bengals ranked 20th in allowing 40 sacks and 31st in yards rushing last year.

Cedric Ogbuehi took over at left tackle after Andrew Whitworth was allowed to leave as a free agent a year ago. Andre Smith was signed from Minnesota to play right tackle, which was Ogbuehi’s spot. The arrangement didn’t work.

Offensive line coach Paul Alexander was fired after the season, indicating an overhaul was coming on the line.

Glenn has been a Bills starter since being selected in the second round of the 2012 draft. He was limited to six games last year due to a left-foot injury that eventually required surgery. He also hurt his right ankle.

When healthy, Glenn has been dominant in both pass protection and run blocking. He was part of a Bills team that led the NFL in yards rushing in both 2015 and `16.

Dion Dawkins is in position to replace Glenn as the starter after filling in as a rookie last season. The Bills still have a need at center after Eric Wood was diagnosed with a career-ending neck injury in January.

Trading Glenn also solves yet another salary-cap related issue Beane inherited upon replacing Doug Whaley Kentavius Street Jersey Elite , who was fired a day after last year’s draft concluded.

Glenn has three years left on a $65 million contract he signed in 2016, and is due to make a $9.25 million base salary this season. Despite being traded, a portion of Glenn’s bonus money will count against the Bills’ salary cap this season.

Beane has taken a bold approach to reshaping the Bills through trades.

On the same day in August, he traded starting receiver Sammy Watkins to the Los Angeles Rams and starting cornerback Ronald Darby to Philadelphia. In October Authentic Rick Leonard Jersey , the Bills traded their highest-paid player, defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, to Jacksonville for a sixth-round pick.

The depletion of talent didn’t hamper the Bills from finishing 9-7 and making the playoffs to end a 17-year drought, which had been the longest active streak in North America’s four major professional sports.

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AP sports writer Joe Kay contributed to this report.

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When the NFL season began Authentic Roberto Perez Jersey , a Week 10 matchup between the New Orleans Saints and the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field in Orchard Park, N.Y., would have been considered humdrum, ho-hum and just about anything else that means underwhelming and turn the channel.

Neither team was expected to make a playoff push. The Saints finished 7-9 the previous three seasons, missing the postseason each time. The Bills had not made the playoffs in 17 consecutive seasons, making them the only U.S. professional sports franchise with an 0-for-17 21st century.

Fast forward to Sunday. When the 6-2 Saints put their six-game winning streak on the line against the 5-3 Bills, who are perfect in four home games this season and one of only six AFC teams above .500 Authentic Terrelle Pryor Sr. Jersey , there will be a genuine playoff buzz about two teams performing well above their pay grade.

“It’s certainly better to be 6-2 than where we’ve been in the past at this point in the season for the last three years,” said New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees, who in eight games has completed a league-high 71.6 percent of his passes for 276.8 yards a game, 13 touchdowns and four interceptions. “I love the competitive nature that has been cultivated here and the way the guys enjoy being around each other and the way they push one another.

“I’m such a routine-oriented guy and get caught up in that all week long, but I have after games tried to look around and enjoy the roses a little bit because it’s fun to win. It’s fun to see guys excited. It’s fun to get back on that plane from that road trip after a big win and be able to celebrate with your teammates. It’s a great feeling. I hope we keep it going.”

The Saints have compiled their longest winning streak since 2011 with an incredibly balanced approach on offense and a young, marauding defense. Through eight games, Brees is attempting just 34.4 passes a game compared to 42.1 attempts in 2016.

After watching the Atlanta Falcons dominate the NFC South last year and advance to the Super Bowl with a leaner Authentic Derrius Guice Jersey , quicker defense and an explosive offense, the Saints made a conscious decision in the offseason to pound the ball, knowing that would match up well against Atlanta’s fast-but-light defense.

The Saints have yet to play the Falcons this year, but the emphasis on run-pass balance has made New Orleans steadier and more protective of the ball. They have committed just nine turnovers this season compared to 24 a year ago. Brees has thrown four interceptions at the halfway point compared to 15 all last season. Running the ball is something coach Sean Payton has stressed.

“I think compared to last season, I would completely agree,” Payton said. “We felt we would be improved rushing the football this year, and certainly we made a concerted effort Wholesale Mike Gesicki Jersey , and it was a point of emphasis, and we have to continue to do that. Part of it is when you’re playing in games and you have maybe a two-score lead, maybe your rushing numbers go up. I always like when (people) say, ‘Hey, if you just attempt to rush the ball 30 times you win,’ but there is a method, and sometimes that’s a result of what you’ve done earlier.”

The Bills are coming off a sloppy 34-21 loss at the New York Jets last Thursday Authentic Avonte Maddox Jersey , but they have been perfect at home and have had three extra days of rest. Coach Sean McDermott also expects to be able to use wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin, acquired in a trade with Carolina.

Benjamin is still learning the Bills’ offensive system and how to get his timing down with quarterback Tyrod Taylor, but he is a big-play weapon whom the Saints are familiar with, as they play the Panthers twice a year.

“Right now, it looks like he’ll be ready to go,” McDermott said. “He’s done a good job of getting himself up to speed to this point.”

Taylor said of Benjamin, “If you look at the plays he’s made over his career Wholesale Harold Landry Jersey , he’s definitely made a bunch of contested (catches). We’ve talked to try to get on the same page. Just give him a chance. It’s his ball or nobody’s ball.”

The Bills got some encouraging news on the injury front as cornerback E.J. Gaines (hamstring) and tight end Charles Clay (knee) returned to limited practice, but left tackle Cordy Glenn is still experiencing foot and ankle soreness. Receiver Zay Jones is nursing an ankle injury.

The Saints went without safety Kenny Vaccaro (groin) and left tackle Terron Armstead on Wednesday, but left guard Larry Warford (abdomen) went through limited practiced for the first time in several weeks. Receiver Michael Thomas, who leads the Saints with 50 catches for 545 yards, and defensive end Alex Okafor were limited with ankle injuries.

GREEN BAY Cheap Taven Bryan Jersey , Wis. (AP) Another week, another change of direction for the Green Bay Packers.

And another change of teams for tight end Martellus Bennett.

The Packers, already dealing with quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ absence because of a broken collarbone, will have to make further adjustments after waiving Bennett on Wednesday.

Bennett was claimed off waivers on Thursday by the New England Patriots, the team with which Bennett won a Super Bowl last season.

Bennett, the team’s big offseason free-agent acquisition Wholesale James Washington Jersey , gave the Packers one of the deepest tight end groups in the NFL with Richard Rodgers and Lance Kendricks. A powerful line-of-scrimmage blocker with five consecutive seasons of 50-plus receptions, Bennett provided fresh options to a potent offense.

Coach Mike McCarthy leaned heavily on Bennett, who played on 83 percent of snaps. While he is fourth on the team with 24 receptions for 233 yards, his biggest contributions came in the run game. The Packers rank fifth in the NFL at 4.53 yards per carry.

”Any time you lose one of your top-caliber players it’s an adjustment,” McCarthy said on Thursday. ”You look at the adjustment you make with Aaron lost at quarterback and having three veteran tight ends on a roster, now you’re down to two. You adjust the way you do things http://www.sandiegochargersteamonline.com/uchenna-nwosu-jersey , the way you game plan and the way you move forward.”

The Packers released Bennett for failing to disclose a physical condition.

During the Packers’ bye week, Bennett posted on Instagram that he was ”pretty sure” he would retire at the end of the season.

Bennett practiced on the Tuesday after the bye. After a day off Wednesday, Bennett did not participate in the practice the rest of the week and was inactive for Monday night’s loss against Detroit because of a shoulder injury.

McCarthy said he did not talk to Bennett about retiring, and he wouldn’t speculate on whether there was any connection between Bennett’s Instagram post, the injury and the team’s sagging fortunes without Aaron Rodgers. Bennett has also played for the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants and Chicago Bears.

”I think we know where we’re trying to go. If someone is not on that boat http://www.carolinapanthersteamonline.com/ian-thomas-jersey , it’s better that they’re not here,” Richard Rodgers said. ”We’re looking to move on. We know our ultimate goal.”

Asked if he didn’t believe Bennett was ”on the boat,” Richard Rodgers said, ”I really can’t answer that.”

Bennett’s agent, Kennard McGuire, declined a request for comment from The Associated Press.

Rodgers Brandon Parker Super Bowl LI Jersey , a third-round pick in 2014, played 33 snaps against Detroit and Kendricks, a seventh-year player from Wisconsin who also was signed in free agency, played 29. Both are capable receivers.

Rodgers caught 58 passes in 2015 before ceding time last season to then-starter Jared Cook. Kendricks caught a career-high 50 passes for the Rams last season. This season, Kendricks has caught eight passes for 126 yards and one touchdown and Rodgers has caught four passes for 43 yards.

”He took on a very heavy role and I thought he did a good job with it,” Kendricks said. ”Luckily Wholesale Sam Hubbard Jersey , I have Rich, who’s been here for four years. Hopefully we can build off that.”

NOTES: DT Quinton Dial (chest) did not practice. … OLB Ahmad Brooks (back), who has missed the past three games, was limited.

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NEW YORK — The New York Islanders solved their biggest long-term issue Wednesday http://www.baltimoreravensteamauthentic.com/jaleel-scott-jersey , when owners Jon Ledecky and Scott Malkin won a bid to build a new arena at Belmont Park in Nassau County. But the Islanders will have decidedly short-term goals in mind Thursday night when they host the Anaheim Ducks in a battle of reeling teams at Barclays Center.

Both the Islanders and Ducks were off Wednesday after absorbing losses on Tuesday. New York fell to the visiting Detroit Red Wings, 6-3. Anaheim suffered its third straight defeat by dropping a 4-1 decision to the New York Rangers.

The results Tuesday removed the last margin of error for the Islanders (18-13-3) in the Eastern Conference playoff race. New York, which began the month one point out of first place in the Metropolitan Division, has gone 3-6-1 in December to fall into the second wild card Kevin Hogan Super Bowl LI Jersey , where it will open Thursday two points ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The issue for the Islanders has been a sieve-like defense. New York entered Wednesday ranks second in the NHL in both goals scored (121) and goals allowed (120). Goalies Thomas Greiss and Jaroslav Halak have combined to stop just 87.1 percent of shots they’ve faced this month.

“They’re going through a rough time now,” Islanders head coach Doug Weight said. “It gets in your head and you feel like you can’t give anything up.”

The game Thursday will be the first for the Islanders as official lame ducks at Barclays Center. The club, which is in its third season in Brooklyn following 42 seasons at Nassau Coliseum on Long Island, plans to move back to the Island in an arena that could be ready for the 2020-21 season. Fans Wholesale Sam Darnold Jersey , tired of the treacherous commute to Brooklyn, universally lauded the move.

“For our fans, this day is for you,” Ledecky said during a press conference Wednesday. “You’ve been passionate supporters of the team both on and off the ice. Today is a huge day for the franchise and you deserve it more than anyone else.”

The Ducks (14-13-8) are also in the midst of a 10-game slide (3-3-4). Anaheim is 1-2-1 on a six-game east coast road trip that ends Saturday against the Penguins.

The loss to the Rangers on Tuesday was the first one this month in which the Ducks fell by more than two goals. Anaheim Cheap Avonte Maddox Jersey , which is two points behind the third-place San Jose Sharks in the Pacific Division, has suffered four of its last seven losses in overtime.

“I hate to say it, but I think we are finding ways to lose hockey games at the moment,” Ducks center Ryan Getzlaf said. “You have to find ways to win games.”

While the Ducks’ defensive woes are not as pronounced as the Islanders Barkevious Mingo Super Bowl LI Jersey , Anaheim has been outscored 9-4 in the last two games.

“We have to dig in, buckle down defensively and win one of these games 1-0, something like that,” Getzlaf said. “We have to give our goaltenders more help than that.”

OTTAWA — A week off helped the Ottawa Senators get back to health Wholesale Josh Sitton Jersey , but their playoff hopes remain on life support.

The Senators need to go on a run unlike any they’ve had to avoid a shakeup before the trade deadline, and they need to start with Thursday’s game against the St. Louis Blues at Canadian Tire Centre.

Even that might not get them into the playoffs, but it would at least show general manager Pierre Dorion there’s reason to keep the band together.

The Senators (15-18-9) showed some fighting spirit before the break, winning three of five games and claiming seven of a possible 10 points. They also started getting some offence from Matt Duchene, who scored three goals and three assists in the past four games to match his production in the first 24 games after being acquired from Colorado.

But they’re still 15 points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs for the third spot in the Atlantic Division Cheap Christian Kirk Jersey , with a slightly smaller gap — but more teams to pass — to get to the final wild card spot.

“Guys are generally really, really excited to get back this time,” winger Mark Stone said after Wednesday night’s practice. “We were playing some good hockey going into the break, so compared to the Christmas break, guys are a lot more excited about how we’re playing.

“We can’t give up now Seahawks Michael Dickson Jersey , we still have half the year to make up for it, so we have to keep things simple game by game and day by day. And we got better (Wednesday) at practice.”

While the Senators will likely still be without center Jean-Gabriel Pageau, they are expected to have winger Bobby Ryan, center Nate Thompson and defenseman Mark Borowiecki back for Thursday’s game.

Borowiecki, the team’s most physical blue liner Authentic Jason Heyward Jersey , hasn’t played since suffering a concussion on Nov. 19.

“I would love to (get a hit early), try to set a bit of energy in this building, but when you chase it, that’s when things don’t go your way,” he said. “You have to find your spot. It’s just a matter of making sure you’re in the right places and being able to make those hits if they do come.”

Each game is big for the Blues (27-17-3) these days. They are two points out of top spot in the Central Division Authentic Antonio Callaway Jersey , but also two up on the Dallas Stars in the race for third.

It appears Vince Dunn has kept hold of a spot on the blue line after playing a strong game, and scoring the winning goal, in a 2-1 overtime victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday.

The Blues could also stick with goalie Carter Hutton, who made 30 saves to snap the team out of a three-game losing streak.

“I thought he did a heck of a job,” coach Mike Yeo told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch of Hutton on Wednesday. “I don’t know that he was tested a lot early. Obviously Authentic Anthony Averett Jersey , the big moment for me was when they scored (a short-handed goal), I thought he made two, three really good saves. It could’ve been 2-0, 3-0 there right off the hop. And that was when he played his best and that gave us a chance to tie the game.”

The Senators need some strong goaltending of their own as starter Craig Anderson has struggled through the first half of the season with a 12-13-5 record to go along with a 3.22 goals-against average and a .899 save percentage.

What a difference a year has made for the Los Angeles Rams and the New York Giants.

In 2016 Authentic Avonte Maddox Jersey , the Giants and Rams, both 3-3 at the time they met on the field of Twickenham Stadium in London, battled to a 17-10 Giants win.

That win was part of a run that saw the Giants cruise to an 11-5 record and their first playoff berth since 2011 under first-year head coach Ben McAdoo while the Rams limped to a 4-12 record.

Since then, a lot has happened.

The Rams have a new coaching staff that is led by Sean McVay, the grandson of John McVay, the one-time Giants head coach from 1976-78, and the one-time assistant coach for Washington, where he worked with the tight ends from 2010-2013 before being promoted to offensive coordinator for the 2014-2016 seasons.

The Rams revamped their offensive line, adding three new starters that includes left tackle Andrew Whitworth; they upgraded their perimeter players by adding receiver Sammy Watkins and tight end Gerald Everett; and they converted their defense from a 4-3 to a 3-4 under new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips.

The result so far?

A Rams team that is a half game out of first place in the NFC West, behind the Seattle Seahawks.

The Giants Authentic Larry Doby Jersey , meanwhile have gone in the opposite direction from 2016. They have won just one game out of their first seven. Their offense, which was supposed to be vastly improved from a year ago, is averaging 16 points per game (30th in the NFL) and has been forced to continue the rest of the season without receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and Brandon Marshall.

And their top-10 defense, which returned most of the starters from last year, has lost its bite thanks in part to injuries to key starters like defensive end Olivier Vernon, and linebackers Jonathan Casillas and B.J. Goodson.

On Sunday, the Rams, who like the Giants are coming off their bye week, will visit the Giants at MetLife Stadium in search of their first win against New York since 2001, a 15-14 triumph in a game played in St. Louis.

Despite the Giants’ recent struggles Authentic Hayden Hurst Jersey , McVay isn’t exactly licking his chops over what many perceive as a wounded Giants team.

“This is a very tough football team,” he said of the Giants. “I know, just from being in that division the last couple years, what a great leader Coach McAdoo is and how competitive they are on all three phases and what a great challenge it’s going to be. There’s excellent players all over the place and it’s a tough place to go and play, at MetLife (Stadium).”

One “excellent” player the Giants aren’t going to have Sunday is Janoris Jenkins, their top cover cornerback. Jenkins, who signed with the Giants after starting his career with the Rams, has been suspended by McAdoo for violating team rules.

McVay said it’s important that his offense, led by second-year quarterback Jared Goff and featuring receivers Tavon Austin, Robert Woods and Watkins Authentic Andre Ethier Jersey , not become complacent given Jenkins’ absence.

“While you do look at what a great player Janoris Jenkins is, they’ve got a lot of good players stepping up. You look at (Dominique) Rodgers-Cromartie, (Ross) Cockrell’s done some good things, I think Eli Apple’s a very good football player and there’s a lot of depth on that defensive backfield.”

That approach is part of the large-scale message McVay has for his players: don’t become complacent because the Giants are in a state of turmoil.

“I think the one thing that you appreciate about this league is that every single team on any given week can win and if you’re not ready to go, you get exposed and you get humbled very quickly,” he said.

The Giants, meanwhile are hoping to put behind them the ugliness of their first half of the season and turn things around.

“I think it’s just a time to understand the circumstances we’re going through, understand what we have, be excited about our opportunities to go out there and compete every week,” said Giants quarterback Eli Manning.

If the Giants are to have a chance to stay toe-to-toe with the Rams Wholesale Kyle Lauletta Jersey , it starts on offense. Since losing Beckham and Marshall to season-ending injuries, Manning has targeted his receivers 21 times over two games, with just seven completions for 67 yards and 1 touchdown.

He’s hoping that now he’s been able to spend more time working with Roger Lewis, Tavarres King and Travis Rudolph, and with Sterling Shepard on track to return from a sprained ankle that kept him sidelined for two games, the opportunities will be there for the passing offense which has failed to crack 200 yards total in each of its last three games.

“(The Rams) play a good bit of man (coverage) and it still give you some opportunities to make some plays,” Manning said. “We’re excited about just figuring out what guys do well, how can we put them in a position to do the things they do well so we can be successful as a team and as an offense.”

The Giants’ success is also predicated on their offensive line, which could be without Justin Pugh, their current starting right tackle and best offensive lineman http://www.newyorkjetsteamonline.com/bryce-petty-jersey , who has been nursing a back injury. The Rams defense has recorded at least one sack in every game played this season, with all but one game being a multi-sack affair.

“(The Rams) are a talented team. They got a good front seven, got a lot of speed. Their corners play well. They do a good job of getting to the quarterback, good job stopping the run. So, we got to be sound up front, know our assignments,” Manning said.

Defensively, among the Giants objectives will be to clamp down on Rams running back Todd . Derek Carr Jersey , New Orleans Saints Customized Jerseys , David Johnson Jersey , Green Bay Packers Customized Jerseys ,

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Cast aside once in Philadelphia Authentic David Ross Jersey , Nick Foles delivered the city its first Super Bowl title.

He outdueled the great Tom Brady to do it.

”Being a part of this and being drafted to Philadelphia, and being fortunate enough to come back and be a part of this team, to be a piece of this puzzle, I mean, it’s been a long time coming and I know there’s going to be a lot of celebrating tonight,” Foles said.

Foles, who took over when Carson Wentz injured his right knee in mid-December, matched Brady Cheap Rasheem Green Jersey , the five-time champion and three-time MVP, big play for big play Sunday in leading the Eagles past the New England Patriots 41-33 .

After an unusually slow start, Brady led the favored Patriots to scores on five of six possessions, and Foles kept right on coming, executing coach Doug Pederson’s aggressive calls.

”I wasn’t worrying about the scoreboard, I wasn’t worrying about the time, I was just playing ball,” Foles said. ”I think sometimes you start worrying about that too much Dante Pettis Super Bowl LI Jersey , it starts creeping in your brain. I was just playing, whatever play Doug called, I was just going to go out there and rip it.”

After watching Brady put the Patriots ahead 33-32 with 9:22 left, Foles drove the Eagles 75 yards in 14 plays, hitting tight end Zach Ertz from 11 yards on third-and-7 for the go-ahead TD with 2:21 left.

That drive lasted a tick more than seven minutes and kept Brady cooling his cleats on the sideline while allowing the Eagles’ exhausted defenders to catch their collective breath in a game that featured 1,151 total yards, the most in any NFL game in the Super Bowl era.

That meant the world when Brady got the ball back and Brandon Graham swept in and jarred the ball loose for the game’s lone sack. Derek Barnett smothered it at the 31 with just over two minutes remaining, and Jake Elliott’s 46-yard field goal Authentic Anthony Rizzo Jersey , the longest in a Super Bowl by a rookie, made it an eight-point cushion.

It also gave Brady just a minute to work his magic.

He started at his 9 with 58 seconds remaining and drove the Patriots to midfield before time ran out on New England as a desperation pass fell in the end zone.

Foles searched out Brady, but never did find him in all the chaos and confetti.

”I didn’t get to see Tom. I was looking for Tom. It got pretty crazy really fast,” Foles said. ”I mean, he’s one of the greatest of all time. He’s been unbelievable. He was unbelievable tonight. I can’t say enough about him.”

Brady threw for more yards – a playoff career-high 505 to Foles’ 373 – but Foles matched Brady’s three touchdown tosses and even caught another .

He hauled in tight end Trey Burton’s toss from the 1 that gave Philadelphia a 22-12 halftime edge and made him the first player in Super Bowl history to be on both ends of a touchdown pass in the same game.

Brady nearly beat him to it.

Although wide open, the ambling Brady couldn’t quite haul in receiver Danny Amendola’s high pass for what would have been a nifty over-the-shoulder reception which might have gone all 35 yards for the score.

That brought to mind Gisele Bundchen’s famous dig after one of Brady’s two losses to Eli Manning and the Giants in the Super Bowl, when his supermodel wife responded to hecklers by complaining about the Patriots’ many dropped passes that day.

”You’ve to catch the ball when you’re supposed to catch the ball,” she fumed. ”My husband cannot … throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time.”

Nor could he haul in Amendola’s throw early in the second quarter with New England trailing 9-3.

Foles had never caught a pass in the NFL before his TD grab.

His only interception was a fluke Authentic Calvin Ridley Jersey , but it did help Brady and the Patriots staunch an early stumble to stay in it until the very end.

Foles was 28 of 43 and wasn’t sacked. Brady was 28 of 48, and while he didn’t throw any interceptions, his only sack was a doozy.

A third-round pick by former Eagles coach Andy Reid in 2012, Foles had tremendous success as a starter under Chip Kelly his sophomore season. He threw 29 TDs and two picks in 11 starts, including playoffs in 2013. Foles posted a passer rating of 119.2, third-highest in league history. He tied an NFL record with seven TD passes in a game at Oakland in November 2013 and won an offensive MVP award at a Pro Bowl.

But Foles was traded to St. Louis for Sam Bradford in March 2015. He lost his starting job to Case Keenum and asked for his release after Jared Goff was drafted No. 1 overall when the Rams relocated to Los Angeles. Foles even considered hanging up his cleats before Reid persuaded him to go to Kansas City to be Alex Smith’s backup.

”As people we deal with struggles and that was a moment in my life where I thought about it, I prayed about it,” Foles said of quitting. ”And I’m grateful that I made a decision to come back and play.”

So is Philadelphia Authentic Kenny Young Jersey , where Foles returned after one season with the Chiefs, signing a two-year, $12 million deal to provide insurance behind Wentz.

Now he’s a folk hero for a franchise that had gone 0 for 2 in Super Bowls, and for a legion of fans who were rooting for anybody other than the Patriots.

”Just to be in this moment,” Foles said, shaking his head. ”Unbelievable.”

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Follow Arnie Melendrez Stapleton on Twitter: http://twitter.com/arniestapleton