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Still the NBA’s undisputed king.
Despite no longer having Kyrie Irving at his side. Despite an injury-riddled season in which the Cavaliers‘ roster morphed twice and despite being surrounded by a supporting cast that included rookies and just three holdovers from Cleveland teams he dragged to three straight NBA Finals, James played every game and powered through his 15th pro season like it was another helpless defender in the lane.
By investing millions into maintaining his body and with a work ethic that has pushed him since childhood, James seems intent on challenging basketball’s natural cycle of aging.
At 33, and on the eve of making a run at his eighth straight Finals, James is not slowing down. He remains the game’s best all-around player, most dominant force. Still, the one to beat. Still, the player most capable of carrying a team to playoff victories. Still, the most likely player – sorry Messrs. Westbrook, Harden, Curry and Durant – to make a play that wins a game or a series.
”It doesn’t seem like he gets old,” said Philadelphia 76ers coach Brett Brown. ”He just doesn’t go away.”
While Cleveland’s season was highly irregular, James had another brilliant one.
He averaged 27.5 points – his highest total since 2010 – and established career-highs in assists (9.1), rebounds (8.6) and played the full slate of games for the first time. He led the league in total points, minutes played, surpassed 30,000 career points Cheap Customized Jacksonville Jaguars Jerseys , recorded 18 triple-doubles and was the league’s second-leading scorer in the fourth quarter (7.5 points).
The three-time champion also extended his record of scoring at least 10 points to 873 games, a mark once owned by Michael Jordan (862), the player James has spent his entire adulthood being compared to and the one he has equaled on many measures.
Jordan was not done at 33, winning three more titles. But his game aged differently. Jordan relied more on jumpers as he got older and ceded tough defensive assignments to other Bulls. James continues to take over games physically, particularly late, and he never hesitates to defend the opponents’ toughest scorers. And the Bulls never counted on their general to rebound or dish out assists as the Cavs lean on James.
James has done it all amid a strange, soap-opera-like season for Cleveland, which endured injuries, illnesses, trades and tribulations from late last summer until early spring.
”As the Land Turns is what I call it,” said Cavs coach Tyronn Lue, who returned from an illness just last week.
Following Wednesday’s regular-season finale, James stamped this as-yet-unfinished season a personal triumph.
”It’s the best I’ve felt all season and I’ve got the numbers to back it up and I’ve got the wins to back it up as well,” he said. ”I’ve just tried to be available to my teammates every single night and do everything that I could to win ball games. Either by scoring, by rebounding, by defending, by assisting New York Jets Jerseys Womens , taking charges, whatever the case may be. Statistically it all speaks for itself.”
While amassing those numbers, James has seemingly paused the aging process. Of course, it helps that he has a nutritionist, personal trainer, masseuse, cryogenic chamber and 21st century technology to keep him one step ahead of Father Time.
Cavaliers forward Kendrick Perkins, who was drafted in 2003 after James, is awed by his friend’s commitment and dedication. Perkins was stunned to learn James invests upward of $2 million per year on his body.
”It’s crazy. I watch how he takes care of his body, I watch how he gets treatment around the clock,” said Perkins. ”But it shows and that’s why he’s able to do what he’s been doing at this age. Everybody will be like, `Man, `Bron got to be doing something,’ and I’m like, `No, he actually put in the groundwork and everything you see is because he sacrificed.’ It’s amazing to watch.”
James isn’t done, not even close Authentic Marshall Newhouse Jersey , and earlier this season he described re-writing the narrative that players in their early 30s have reached their prime.
”Hopefully I can break the mold, so when the next guy comes, he can still get $200 or $300 million and be 33 years old,” he said. ”I’m serious. This is the mold I’m trying to break. It’s not just about me, it’s for the next crew. I want it all.”
And what James wants, he usually gets.
He has meticulously worked at his craft, refining his game, adding weapons. This season, James posted a career-high in 3-pointers, and according to Basketball-Reference.com , he made a higher percentage of shots from beyond 28 feet than any player – including Stephen Curry – since 2001.
As far as Brown’s concerned, James is the new standard.
”I don’t see any decline athletically and then watch it, the trend that he’s now shooting and making 3s, so you feel that he just keeps getting better,” Brown said before James scored 44 with 11 rebounds and 11 assists against the Sixers. ”The fact that he can play that many minutes, that many games, seemingly not missing a beat. He is amazing.
”In my opinion David Justice Jersey , he is the best player to have ever played our sport. And he just keeps getting better. And I say that with tremendous respect to lots of other people. That’s a hell of a comment that I don’t throw out recklessly. And I just feel like his body of work makes me feel very confident and comfortable saying that. A week before Lexie Brown goes to the pros, the pros came to her at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
The standout Duke guard got some surprising visitors during a pre-WNBA draft workout 鈥?Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning.
The brothers have come to Duke's campus each spring since 2013 to work with their receivers, and they stopped by Cameron Indoor on Thursday along with some of Eli's New York Giants teammates. Brown finished her workout and watched as the receivers started up a dunk contest, and then Brown and backcourt mate Rebecca Greenwell took on a few of them in knockout.
Brown was ready for these pros 鈥?Greenwell said she and Brown each won a game of knockout. The Blue Devil teammates also posed for a picture with Peyton Manning.
Soon Brown will find out if she's ready for the WNBA's best. She is projected to go anywhere from the fifth pick to early in the second round in next Thursday's draft, which she plans to attend in New York.
"I'm excited, I'm nervous. I try not to look at what people are saying where you're projected to go since I'm all over the place," Brown told The Associated Press. "It doesn't make any sense to look at it. I've literally no idea where I'm going to end up."
Brown didn't need to ask the Mannings for draft advice. She can get plenty of that from her dad, former NBA player Dee Brown, a first-round pick by the Boston Celtics in 1990.
"His journey was a little different than mine. He wasn't invited to the draft and wasn't a highly touted player out of college," Brown said. "Our experience would be more opposite in that regard. He's told me it's a business, it's your job and stay focused on that."
Brown could give a WNBA team a threat on both ends of the floor. She set the school's single-season steals record this year, passing WNBA defensive stalwart Alana Beard's mark.
"There are so many great scorers in the WNBA, and I feel that I can control my effort on the defensive end and I enjoy playing it," she said.
Brown's been working out on campus since Duke's season ended in the Sweet 16 with a loss to UConn. She's been balancing that with business school classes.
"I actually have class the next morning after the draft and finish classes right before training camp starts," she said.
Follow Doug on Twitter at ://dougfeinberg .Calgary signed forward James Neal to a five-year Authentic Fred Warner Jersey , $28.75 million contract on Monday, giving Johnny Gaudreau and the rest of the Flames a much-needed scoring boost.
Neal has topped 20 goals in each of his 10 NHL seasons, and was considered the top player left on the free-agent market a day after the NHL’s signing period opened.
The signing also comes a day after general manager Brad Treliving talked of a need to upgrade his forward positions to take the pressure off of Gaudreau, Sean Monahan and Matthew Tkachuk.
”One of the things we looked to address this offseason was adding depth and versatility to our forward unit,” Treliving said. ”At the end of the year, I talked a little bit about us as a team relying on too few guys to do too many things.”
Calgary becomes Neal’s third team in as many seasons. He was selected by Vegas in the NHL expansion draft a year ago, and scored 25 goals and 44 points in 71 games for the Golden Knights.
The 30-year-old Neal also played for Pittsburgh and Nashville Authentic James Washington Jersey , and has 263 goals and 495 points in 703 career games.
The Flames also signed forward Derek Ryan to a three-year, $9.375 million contract. Ryan scored 15 goals and 38 points in his second full season with Carolina last year. Calgary also added center Austin Czarnik, who spent the previous two seasons with Boston.
The additions come on the heels of the Flames acquiring center Elias Lindholm and defenseman Noah Hanifin in a trade that sent defenseman Dougie Hamilton, winger Micheal Ferland and college prospect Adam Fox to Carolina.
The Flames missed the playoffs for the seventh time in nine years, falling out of contention by going 5-13-1 over the final month of the season. It was a stretch during which Calgary scored three or more goals just five times and was shut out four times.
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An uncluttered mind has helped Sean Manaea sharpen his pitching arsenal.
The Oakland A’s left-hander has delivered three consecutive quality starts following a rough patch in May. Manaea allowed four or more earned runs in five of his six May starts but has held opponents to a combined eight runs in his last four outings.
Manaea will start for the A’s on Wednesday in the third contest of a four-game series in Detroit.
“I was trying to be too perfect and it was causing me to overthink things,” he said. “Now, I’m trying to keep things simple.”
With his mind no longer racing Cowboys Elite Jerseys , his control has been nearly impeccable. He’s walked one batter in his last three starts while collecting 17 strikeouts.
He’s gone more often with his four-seam fastball, throwing it 58 percent of the time this month compared to 50 percent in May.
“It’s having fastball command and having confidence in my other pitches and just pitching off the fastball,” he said. “If you have confidence in yourself and really trust your stuff, things are going to be good.”
Manaea (7-6, 3.40 ERA) held the Chicago White Sox to one run on five hits in seven innings during his last start. He lost his only career start against Detroit while giving up three runs in six innings.
He’ll be opposed by right-hander Mike Fiers (5-4, 4.29 ERA), who has not reached the six-inning mark in six of his last seven outings. He gave up four runs in five innings at Cleveland on Friday.
Home runs have been an issue for Fiers Authentic Chukwuma Okorafor Jersey , who has allowed 16 this season and at least one in 10 of his last 11 starts. The A’s have homered in 27 consecutive road games, a major league record.
Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire would like see Fiers and many of his other starters get deeper into games.
“With Zimm (Jordan Zimmermann) it’s different because he’s coming off an injury and you want to keep him healthy,” Gardenhire said. “A lot of the other guys, it’s kind of a feel. I’m not afraid to have a guy throw 100 pitches and seven innings at all. But if they start misfiring, what good does that do if you have fresh arms out there? The problem is we’ve had too many five-inning starts.”
Detroit has lost seven straight, including two crushing defeats in the first two games of the series. Oakland rallied from a late three-run deficit Monday, then dug itself out of a 6-0 hole in Tuesday’s 9-7 victory.
Jed Lowrie Texans Elite Jerseys , who hit the game-winning homer in the ninth in the opener, put the A’s in front in the final inning on an RBI single.
An error by Tigers first baseman John Hicks led to a three-run inning which started the A’s comeback.
“You make mistakes every once in a while but I don’t think we’re finding ways to lose,” Gardenhire said. “The other team’s playing good. Sure, we made mistakes but we jumped on them early. We scored runs and that’s a good team over there that doesn’t quit. They’re grinders over there. They got into our bullpen again and there you have it. It’s the same story.”
By winning eight of its last 10, Oakland is now four games over .500 for the first time since 2014
.Injuries are having a major impact on the NBA playoffs.
A tweak Cordy Glenn Jersey Bengals , turn or strain to this or that has sidelined or limited players from All-Stars to reserves – and that has influenced the early outcomes of Round 2.
After Jaylen Brown strained his right hamstring in Boston’s Game 7 win over Milwaukee, he all but begged the Celtics doctors and trainers to let him suit up for the start of their Eastern Conference semifinal matchup with Philadelphia.
Boston managed to win without him in its 117-101 victory over the sluggish 76ers in Game 1 Monday night, thanks to career nights by Al Horford, Terry Rozier and rookie Jayson Tatum.
But despite two days or rest and treatment, coach Brad Stevens said Brown is ”very doubtful” for Game 2 on Thursday night.
”The bottom line is with this hamstring injury is it’s not terrible. Not a long-term thing. It shouldn’t linger if he comes back at the right time,” Stevens said.
If Brown can’t go for Game 2, it will again put stress on a Celtics rotation that just recently got back Marcus Smart from a right thumb surgery.
Fred VanVleet appeared to tweak his right shoulder in the second half of the Raptors‘ 113-112 overtime loss to Cleveland in Game 1 of their series Tuesday night. He missed most of Toronto’s first-round series against Washington with shoulder problems, but the Raptors still turned to him with the game on the line against the Cavaliers. VanVleet missed what would have been a go-ahead 3-pointer in the waning moments of regulation and another in the extra frame.
”I wish I wasn’t hurt,” he said, ”but I’m not looking for any excuses.”
Elsewhere in the league, the return of some players and absence of others has been just as noticeable.
Stephen Curry, who sat out all of Golden State’s first-round series win over San Antonio with a sprained ligament in his left knee, gave the Warriors a major lift in his return for Game 2 of the Golden State’s semifinal matchup with the Pelicans on Tuesday night.
Ricky Rubio missed the Jazz’s series-opening loss against Houston on Sunday with a left hamstring injury and is out indefinitely. The Rockets’ Luc Mbah a Moute returned in Game 1 from the dislocated right shoulder he sustained last month. Houston originally thought he’s be out a full month, but he came back ahead of schedule and didn’t show any lingering effects from the injury in 21 minutes of action.
A closer look at Thursday’s games:
CAVALIERS AT RAPTORS
Cavaliers lead 1-0. Game 2, 6 p.m. EDT Cheap Darius Leonard Jersey , ESPN.
NEED TO KNOW: The Raptors have lost seven straight playoff games against the Cavaliers, dating to the 2016 Eastern Conference finals, and blew a chance to take a lead in the series by coughing up a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter of Game 1 . The Raptors missed four potential game-winning shots at the end of regulation, and a wide-open 3 by VanVleet late in overtime.
KEEP AN EYE ON: Raptors center Jonas Valanciunas. He had 21 points and 21 rebounds in Game 1 and shot 7 for 19, but missed five of six attempts in the fourth. On Wednesday, Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said he can live with Valanciunas getting looks in the post if it means fewer touches for Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, and fewer 3-point attempts by the Raptors.
INJURY UPDATE: While VanVleet acknowledged he’s still dealing with discomfort in his shoulder, he plans to play through it for now.
PRESSURE IS ON: The Raptors. The top-seeded team in the East has already surrendered home court advantage to its playoff nemesis and is 0-5 all-time on the road against Cleveland in the postseason. If Toronto can’t even this series before it shifts to Ohio, it might not be coming back across the border for Game 5.
76ERS AT CELTICS
Celtics lead 1-0. Game 2, 8:30 p.m. EDT, TNT.
NEED TO KNOW: The Celtics negated the athleticism of the 76ers in Game 1 by knocking down 17 3-pointers. Before the big scoring nights by Rozier (29 points), Tatum (28 points) and Horford (26 points), the Celtics hadn’t had three players score 25 or more points in a playoff game since 2009.
KEEP AN EYE ON: 76ers C Joel Embiid. He had 31 points and 12 rebounds in Game 1, becoming the first Philadelphia player to register 30 points and 10 rebounds in a playoff game since Allen Iverson in 2001. But he said the focus will be on defense in Game 2. ”We didn’t stick to the game plan,” he said. ”There’s a lot of stuff we can definitely correct.”
INJURY UPDATE: Smart said Wednesday that his thumb remained ”a little sore” after Game 1 but added ”I’m good to go” for Game 2.
PRESSURE IS ON: The 76ers. They entered the series on six days of rest but were doomed by a slow start in Game 1. This young group mostly cruised over the final three games last series against Miami. Being down 0-2 with its home court to defend is a lot to ask against a Celtics team playing with a lot of confidence.
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AP Freelance Writer Ian Harrison contributed to this report from Toronto.
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鈥?The Los Angeles Rams exceeded every expectation and stunned the NFL during their surge to an 11-win season and the NFC West title.That didn’t make the Rams’ opening-round playoff loss to Atlanta any easier to bear 鈥?at least not while it’s still fresh for the players and coaches who led the turnaround to get there.“It’s a good start Kolton Miller Jersey , a great start,” receiver Robert Woods said Sunday. “But we’ve got to keep building.”The Rams’ comeback season is over after a 26-13 loss to the defending NFC champion Atlanta Falcons on Saturday night. The players still seemed stunned by the abrupt conclusion to a remarkable turnaround season as they cleaned out their lockers at the team’s training complex.“It’s hard, because we had a good thing going,” guard Jamon Brown said. “For it to come to a halt and stop like it did, it’s tough. But we learned that we have the guys to do it. It was a matter of having the scheme, having the right coaches, having the right attitude. We’re going to get better.”After 13 consecutive non-winning seasons and 12 straight non-playoff seasons, the Rams (11-6) suddenly had it all under 31-year-old Sean McVay, who became the youngest head coach in league history to reach the playoffs. Los Angeles improved by seven wins on last season’s performance while moving from 32nd in the NFL in scoring in 2016 to first this season, more than doubling last season’s point production.Although McVay said he isn’t sure exactly what to do this week, he hopes his players will understand they’re only as good as what happens next year. After outstanding seasons from Todd Gurley, Jared Goff and Aaron Donald, the Rams have pieces in place to do this again and again, McVay believes.“I think this organization is going in the right direction,” McVay said. “I think we’ve got a good foundation in place that we can build on Authentic Lamar Jackson Jersey , but by no means does that mean that you win games automatically next year. While we did win some games this year, you still have to earn everything.”The Rams have several decisions to make in the offseason on the fates of free-agent players including cornerback Trumaine Johnson, receiver Sammy Watkins and linebacker Connor Barwin. But after a season that revitalized a franchise and a fan base, McVay and the Rams appear to be on the way up.Here are more things to watch as the Rams move on:TRU STORY: Six Rams starters will be unrestricted free agents, including three defensive backs: Johnson, Lamarcus Joyner and Nickell Robey-Coleman. Johnson played the last two seasons under the franchise tag, but is likely to get a big contract this offseason as an elite cover cornerback. Los Angeles must navigate potential upheaval in the secondary, perhaps by drafting a cornerback or safety, if it hopes to return with another strong defense.PAY THE MAN: Donald is entering the final year of his rookie contract, and the Rams seem unlikely to force their All-Pro defensive lineman into another holdout 鈥?except that also seemed unlikely this season, when Donald skipped the entirety of training camp and didn’t play in the first regular-season game. Donald is the Rams’ defensive cornerstone, and getting a record-setting deal done will be high on general manager Les Snead’s to-do list, just as it was last year.SAMMY’S FUTURE: Watkins occasionally clicked with Goff after arriving during the preseason in a trade with Buffalo, catching 39 passes for 593 yards and eight touchdowns. But Goff clearly had more familiarity with Robert Woods and Cooper Kupp, and it showed. Watkins is a free agent Authentic Weston Richburg Jersey , but could be kept in LA with the franchise tag or the transition tag. Watkins said he would love to stay with the Rams, but added: “I just know it’s a business. Since I got traded from the Bills, it’s like anything can happen. I didn’t see that coming. I think I played pretty hard this year, and I can’t wait to see what my future holds, here or anywhere else.”NEW QBs COACH?: McVay all but confirmed that quarterbacks coach Greg Olson is talking about moving to Oakland to work for new coach Jon Gruden, who happens to be McVay’s mentor. If Olson leaves, Goff will have his third position coach in three seasons. McVay encourages his assistants to move up in the coaching world, but he also hopes to keep the rest of his staff intact, saying he anticipates no changes other than the possible departure of Olson.UNSWEET HOME: The Rams’ playoff loss was their fifth in eight games this season at the Coliseum, where the franchise is just 4-11 since returning home from St. Louis in 2016. The Rams also lost their final three home games this year despite increasingly raucous crowds while their improved play grabbed the attention of LA’s long-abandoned football fans. Linebacker Alec Ogletree believes the Rams had a strong us-against-the-world vibe while going 8-1 away from the Coliseum this season, but nobody is quite sure how to replicate it. With two seasons left in the Coliseum before the opening of their lavish Inglewood palace, McVay said the Rams must figure out how to play better at home..
Riml joined the ski squad in 2001 and became the women’s coach two years later, helping with the development of Julia Mancuso and Lindsey Vonn. He left in 2008 to join Team Canada before returning to the U.S. in 2011 as Alpine director.
U.S. ski and snowboard chief of sport Luke Bodensteiner credited Riml with leading ”some of the most successful teams in our history.”
At the Pyeongchang Olympics, Mikaela Shiffrin earned a gold and silver, while Vonn captured a bronze. Riml called the men’s performance in South Korea ”disappointing” and acknowledged the team had to rebuild before the Beijing Games in 2022.
.The other two guys, however Joe Thomas Jersey , also put on quite a show.
Flacco threw a touchdown pass on his only series of the game, rookie Lamar Jackson ran for a score and Baltimore rolled to a 33-7 preseason victory over the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday night.
Baltimore (2-0) led 17-0 after the first period and cruised to the finish against the Rams (0-1), who rested offensive stars Jared Goff and Todd Gurley.
After sitting out the Hall of Fame Game last week, Flacco went 5 for 7 for 71 yards during a 10-play drive. The 11-year veteran overcame a second-and-25 with a 30-yard pass to newcomer Michael Crabtree and finished with a 6-yard TD throw to Patrick Ricard.
"That's really all we needed from Joe," coach John Harbaugh said. "Get Lamar out there with a lot of reps, get Robert (Griffin III) out there."
Jackson entered the next time Baltimore got the ball and coolly directed a 73-yard march in which he completed a 36-yard pass to Chris Moore and broke two tackles running for a 9-yard touchdown.
"It was a great run," Harbaugh said. "I thought he was tackled twice 鈥?and then he wasn't."
Said Jackson: "They tried to get to me, I made a guy miss. Then I did what I do best and tried to get in the end zone."
Jackson went 7 for 18 for 119 yards Authentic Nolan Patrick Jersey , ran for 21 yards and was sacked twice before giving way to Griffin early in the third quarter.
Griffin went 5 for 7 for 88 yards, including a 32-yard touchdown strike to Breshad Perriman.
Flacco has been named Baltimore's starter in the regular season. Griffin is seeking a comeback after being inactive in 2017, and Jackson is trying to adjust to the pro game after winning a Heisman Trophy at Louisville and being drafted in the first round last April.
Jackson could learn a thing or two by watching Flacco.
"He was awesome. He was smooth, had a lot of poise in the pocket," the rookie said.
The Ravens and Rams held joint practices Monday and Tuesday, and Los Angeles coach Sean McVay indicated the work against outside opposition would enable him to rest a few of his starters in the preseason opener.
So, Sean Mannion opened at quarterback, Malcolm Brown lined up behind him and the offense sputtered for much of the night.
Los Angeles gained 5 yards and made one first down in the first quarter. The Rams trailed 23-0 at halftime after totaling 45 yards and three first downs.
"We expect to play better and we will Ryan McMahon Colorado Rockies Jersey ," McVay said. "Sometimes these lessons, these humbling experiences if you will, for everybody is the level of awareness. You can't wait to get back to work and know that we got a lot work to do. What's encouraging is we have time to figure it out."
Mannion played the first half, going 3 for 13 for 16 yards and an interception.
"It certainly wasn't my best performance. Just wasn't really able to get into a rhythm early," Mannion said.
NATIONAL ANTHEM
Both teams stood during the national anthem. While most of the Ravens lined up shoulder to shoulder on the sideline, second-year linebacker Tim Williams stood alone in front of the bench with his back toward the field.
INJURIES
It appeared as if both teams got out of the game without any significant injuries.
HELMET RULE
The Rams received successive 15-yard penalties in the first quarter for lowering the head to initiate contact, a new rule this season. Marqui Christian received the first flag, and Blake Countess followed. The penalties attributed for nearly half the yardage in a drive that produced a field goal for a 17-0 lead.
"The preseason offers a great opportunity for all of us to work through some things and learn Daniel Kilgore Jersey Elite ," McVay said. "How that can enable us to better coach it, and how we can better understand, how we can expect them to consistently officiate that knowing that most importantly it's about taking the head out of the game."
UP NEXT:
Rams: After an extended stay on the East Coast, Los Angeles heads home to begin preparation for its next opponent, the Oakland Raiders at home on Aug. 18.
Ravens: Their next preseason game isn't until Aug. 20 at Indianapolis, but that begins a stretch of three games in 11 days.
.With the Bears announcing the move Wednesday Authentic Mike White Jersey , Hiestand becomes the first assistant to join new coach Matt Nagy’s staff.
Hiestand was Chicago’s offensive line coach under Lovie Smith from 2005-09. With six-time Pro Bowl center Olin Kreutz leading the line, Hiestand oversaw a group that helped the Bears reach a Super Bowl.
He spent the past six seasons coaching Notre Dame’s offensive line. The Fighting Irish averaged 190 yards rushing during that time.
Hiestand has 36 years of coaching experience.
Nagy spent 10 seasons working under Andy Reid in Philadelphia and Kansas City. He was the Chiefs’ sole offensive coordinator this season.
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鈥?Jim Caldwell may have been the Detroit Lions’ most successful coach in the Super Bowl era.That was not enough to save his job.The Lions fired Caldwell on Monday after a season in which the team raised hopes before fading and missing the playoffs with a 9-7 record. They also fired offensive line coach Ron Prince, keeping the rest of the assistants under contract in case the next coach wants to retain any of them.Lions owner Martha Firestone Ford called Caldwell “one of the finest leaders we’ve ever had as our head coach.”“Not only did he guide us on the field to three winning seasons, but he also set a standard of excellence off the field that had a tremendous impact on everyone in our organization and our entire community,” Ford said in a statement.Caldwell was 36-28 in four seasons and went 0-2 in two postseasons with the Lions. Including three years with the Indianapolis Colts, he is 62-50 and 2-4 in the playoffs with one Super Bowl appearance.Lions general manager Bob Quinn said he wants a coach to take the team to the next level 鈥?postseason victories and championships. Quinn added that he fired Caldwell, in part, because he thought the team was capable of winning more than nine games in each of the last two seasons.Detroit defensive coordinator Teryl Austin will interview for the job Tuesday Authentic Johnny Townsend Jersey , according to a person familiar with the coaching search. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team had not identified any candidates. Austin has interviewed with many NFL teams in recent years.For the first time, Quinn has to hire an NFL coach. After Detroit gave him a shot to be a first-time general manager a little less than two years ago, he chose to keep Caldwell. After letting him go, Quinn’s future with the franchise may hinge on his next hire.“I feel pressure every day in my job,” he said. “I signed up for it.”Quinn was a part of New England’s personnel department for 16 years before the Lions hired him and says he might consider Patriots defensive coordinator Matt Patricia and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels because of his familiarity with them.Houston Texans defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel, who also has ties to Quinn in New England, and Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur are also potential candidates.Caldwell received a multiyear contract extension before the season, but the team didn’t announce the move for months. This season ended with a 35-11 victory over Green Bay on Sunday for Caldwell’s third winning record in his four years.Led by quarterback Matthew Stafford Youth Dallas Cowboys Jerseys , Detroit met relatively modest expectations this season, but raised hopes with 3-1 and 6-4 records only to drop out of postseason contention by losing three of five.Caldwell became Detroit’s first coach to have at three winning seasons in his first four years since the early 1950s.He didn’t scream at his players and showed interest in their lives.“I love Caldwell,” receiver Marvin Jones said. “I’ve been here for two years and he’s the best coach I’ve ever had. Everybody is quiet two minutes before his meetings because he demands respect without yelling. He doesn’t yell at all. You never want to disappoint him. We just had to make more plays for him.”When Caldwell was hired almost four years ago, he was working for a franchise with only one winning season in a 13-season stretch.“We’re going to be smart,” Caldwell said at the time. “We’re going to be a football team that takes the field that’s not going to shoot itself in the foot.”Detroit’s defense, though, was short-handed in consecutive games late in the season. The Lions were down a player for a snap when Minnesota scored a touchdown in a win at Detroit on Thanksgiving and were missing two players when Baltimore converted a third down to help it take a two-TD lead in a victory.“I’m not sitting up there making excuses, it’s unacceptable Jaire Alexander Jersey Youth ,” Quinn said.Even as it became clear Caldwell’s job may be in jeopardy, he took it in stride.“That’s kind of the way it goes,” he insisted going into his last game as Detroit’s coach. “That’s every year, right? I told you guys a story a long time ago about Marty Schottenheimer. He got fired at 14-2. So anything less than a Super Bowl, obviously it could happen.”The Lions have never played in a Super Bowl. And since winning the 1957 NFL title, they have won only one playoff game and that lone victory was in 1992.Caldwell went 16-8 against NFC North teams, but wasn’t able to help the franchise win its first division title since 1993.In each of Caldwell’s four years with the Lions, they ranked among the NFL’s worst in yards rushing. That glaring weakness put a lot of pressure on Stafford and a shaky line Cheap Mason Cole Jersey , resulting in a struggling offense that failed to score consistently.Quinn said players will not be involved in the interview process, but Stafford hopes offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter is back next season.“I would love to have the opportunity to keep working with him,” Stafford said Monday as the players cleared out their lockers..
The NHL has told Brad Marchand to stop licking opponents or the Boston Bruins forward will face punishment.
Senior vice president of hockey operations Colin Campbell spoke to Marchand and Bruins general manager Don Sweeney on Saturday about Marchand’s actions against Tampa Bay a night earlier. Marchand licked Lightning forward Ryan Callahan on the face during Game 4 of their second-round series after appearing to do the same to Toronto’s Leo Komarov earlier in the playoffs.
The league says Marchand has been put on notice that his actions are unacceptable and that similar behavior in the future will be dealt with through supplemental discipline. He could be fined or suspended by the NHL if he continues to lick players.
”All I’m going to say is there is absolutely no place in our game for that Kyzir White Color Rush Jersey ,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. ”I don’t get it, I don’t understand it. How would you feel if I walked over to you right now and gave you one big lick? Right from the chin all the way up. There’s just no place in the game for that.”
After the game, an overtime loss that put Boston down 3-1 in the series, Marchand said Callahan punched him in the face four times.
”He just kept getting close,” Marchand said. ”Nothing big.”
Told that Callahan compared licking to spitting and said it should be penalized accordingly, Marchand said: ”That’s cute. Good for him.”
Marchand’s antics were the talk of rinks on Saturday. Penguins forward Tom Kuhnhackl said it was impossible to avoid hearing about Marchand licking Callahan because it was all over social media.
When asked if one benefit of wearing a full face shield was protection from being licked, Pittsburgh’s Carl Hagelin said: `I’m not going to answer that. Funny question, though.”
Some Winnipeg players watched the game while in Nashville and had a variety of reactions. Jets forward Adam Lowry said he probably would’ve punched Marchand – the kind of response the known instigator likely was looking for – while coach Paul Maurice said, ”It gives me the willies.”
”It’s a play I’ve never seen happen before in hockey,” Jets defenseman Josh Morrissey said. ”That’s the thing in the playoffs. Crazy stuff goes on and you have to keep a level head.”
Predators players talked among themselves about Marchand, asking each other what they would do in that situation.
”It would kind of be funny, but in the moment it probably wouldn’t be very funny,” defenseman P.K. Subban. ”I’m sure looking back you’re like, `I got licked in a hockey game.’ It’s just weird Cheap Kendall Wright Jersey , you know?”
For all the trash-talking, pushing and shoving that goes on in hockey, especially with the Stanley Cup as the ultimate prize, the line is usually drawn at spitting. Licking is just as unsanitary and, to most players, unwelcome.
”It’s like spitting on someone. It’s extremely disrespectful,” Lowry said. ”You got to respect your opponents. I get playing hard in a series and there might be some dislike between guys, but there’s a certain line that shouldn’t be crossed and that’s one of them.”
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AP Sports Writers Teresa M. Walker in Nashville, Tennessee, and Jimmy Golen in Boston contributed to this report.
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More NHL hockey: Kevin Durant made his approach to taking over a pivotal NBA playoff game sound so simple – and look that way, too.
”I just try to tell myself that I’m at my best when I don’t care what happens after the game, the outcome or anything,” Durant said. ”That’s when I’m free and having fun out there, and forceful. That was thing – just try to play with force no matter if I missed shots or not Youth Trent Brown Jersey , just keep shooting, keep being aggressive.”
Durant scored Golden State’s first two baskets on pull-up jumpers of 21 and 15 feet before a minute-and-a-half had elapsed in Game 4 of the Warriors‘ Western Conference semifinal series against New Orleans on Sunday. He finished with 38 points on 15-of-27 shooting to go with nine rebounds, and Golden State soundly defeated the Pelicans 118-92 to take a commanding 3-1 series lead back to the West Coast.
Warriors guard Stephen Curry said it was apparent early that getting the ball to Durant would be wise.
”Just find ways to get him in scoring positions,” Curry said. ”Sometimes, that’s not really hard to do – just throw it to him.
”Just keep the game simple at that point because he’s such a great scorer, you don’t have to really overthink things.”
The Warriors lost by 19 in Game 3 Friday and the Pelicans were looking to even the series. Instead, the Warriors responded with a resounding effort that produced a wire-to-wire win with leads as large as 26 points. Curry scored 23, Klay Thompson added 13 and Quinn Cook, who was a Pelicans reserve earlier this season, contributed 12 points.
Anthony Davis had 26 points and 12 rebounds for New Orleans, but the Pelicans hit only 36 percent (32 of 88) of their shots, missing 22 of 26 3-point attempts.
Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said Golden State’s defense ”had a lot to do with” the Pelicans’ poor shooting.
”We didn’t have the looks we normally have,” he said. ”We pressed a little bit when we got behind.”
E’Twaun Moore scored 20 and Jrue Holiday 19, but New Orleans reserves combined for just 14 points after scoring 32 two nights earlier. Rajon Rondo finished with 11 rebounds but had only six assists after racking up 21 in Game 3. The Pelicans also committed 19 turnovers Authentic Alex Avila Jersey , which led 21 Warriors points.
”We missed a lot of easy shots, a couple game-plan discipline mistakes early on and they came out on fire,” Davis said. ”We just can’t afford to shoot that poorly.
”But we’ve got another one,” Davis added. ”Any time we’ve been punched in the mouth, we’ve always responded very well.”
TIP-INS
Warriors: Draymond Green had eight points, nine rebounds, nine assists, four steals and two blocks. With his fourth rebound, Green became the third player in Warriors history to reach 800 playoff rebounds. Wilt Chamberlain (922) and Nate Thurmond (896) are the only others. … Green was assessed his first technical foul of the playoffs after he fell to the floor on a Davis layup and no foul was called.
Pelicans: Davis committed six turnovers and Rondo four. … Davis shot 10 of 10 from the foul line. … The Pelicans made 18 of 19 free throws in the first half but finished 24 of 30. … Nikola Mirotic grabbed 11 rebounds but missed six of seven shots to finish with seven points.
BREAKING AWAY
After shooting poorly Friday night, the Warriors were eager to regain their rhythm and did so immediately. They hit six of their first eight shots, with Durant making his first three.
”He was attacking tonight right from the beginning and he was brilliant,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. ”He found better spots on the floor with his aggression and created easier shots for himself.”
Thompson and Curry each added early 3s. That, and solid defense that included Green’s block of Rondo’s layup, helped Golden State open a 10-point lead in the first four minutes.
The Pelicans missed eight of their first 10 shots and trailed 20-6 after Green made Golden State’s fourth 3.
The Pelicans slowly ground their deficit down to seven by halftime – only to botch the opening of the third quarter.
Rondo’s bounce pass handcuffed Davis as he cut to the hoop for what looked like a thunderous dunk in the making. Moments later Chris Owings Jersey , Green fired a cross-court pass to Durant for a one-handed jam.
Andre Iguodala and Curry followed with 3s, and in two minutes, the Warriors’ lead ballooned to 15.
GOING SMALL
Kerr went with a different starting lineup for a third consecutive game. Green moved to center after starting at forward in Game 3, 7-foot center JaVale McGee returned to a reserve role and Iguodala, who’d started games 1 and 2, returned to the first unit at forward. Curry, Thompson and Durant rounded out the starting five.
”Obviously, the lineup worked, but it’s not about the lineup,” Kerr asserted. ”The effort at both ends tonight was night-and-day from Game 3.
”There’s a good chance I’ll start these same five guys on Tuesday.”
UP NEXT
The series returns to Oakland, California, for Game 5 on Tuesday night.
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Former San Diego Chargers coach Mike Riley will be the head coach and former Dallas Cowboys fullback Darryl "Moose" Johnston is the general manager.
San Antonio joins Atlanta Adidas Wayne Simmonds Jersey , Orlando, Salt Lake City, San Diego, Phoenix, Memphis and Birmingham.
The Alliance will kick off its inaugural season the week after the Super Bowl and has a TV contract with CBS.
San Antonio is the eighth and final city for The Alliance's inaugural season, joining Orlando, Atlanta, Memphis, Salt Lake, Phoenix, San Diego and Birmingham.
"Not only does San Antonio have a large population of football fans, it has a first-class stadium to host them in," says Charlie Ebersol, co-founder and CEO of the league. "The Alamodome is a perfect backdrop for Alliance San Antonio, and we are eager to give this city a competitive team Authentic Mason Rudolph Jersey , led by coach Mike Riley, that they can rally around and support.
Riley also has coached in the CFL and at Oregon State and Nebraska.
Brandon Beane is happy he’s still around to tell the story of when the Buffalo Bills pegged quarterback Josh Allen to become their heir-apparent starter.The amount of film the Bills general manager watched, games attended and people he interviewed before drafting the Wyoming quarterback in the first round was nothing compared to the hair-raising experience Beane and the team’s brain trust had visiting Allen in mid-March.
”Ha, ha, ha, you want that story?” coach Sean McDermott said, after Beane first mentioned how ”interesting” their trip was to Laramie, Wyoming.
Sure, was the response, during an hour-long session McDermott and Beane held with reporters in June. By agreement, the contents of the interview were not allowed to be published until Thursday.
Beane shook his head in describing the turbulence the Bills’ private jet experienced during landing.
”We were coming in over the mountains, and the plane started just going like this,” Beane said, bobbing his arm up and down. ”Literally, our heads are going off the ceiling.”
Beane and co-owner Terry Pegula http://www.newyorkgiantsteamonline.com/saquon-barkley-jersey , who had been watching video of Allen, suddenly started grabbing anything they could get their hands on – seatbacks and armrests – to steady themselves.
While McDermott remained calm, Beane said offensive coordinator Brian Daboll was in near hysterics.
”Daboll is face-timing with his wife. And every expletive, like, `It’s over,”’ Beane said.
”It was like Fred Sanford: `I’m coming home!”’ he added, referring to the character played by Redd Fox in the 1970s sitcom ”Sanford And Son.”
Upon finally landing, the pilot informed them the turbulence was the result of what’s referred to as a mountain wave, which occurs occasionally when planes fly over high terrain.
Once they gathered their breath, the Bills then proceeded with meeting Allen, and put him through a workout.
Without providing Allen with a script of plays beforehand, Daboll began yelling out situations to see how quickly the quarterback could digest the information and make a throw.
”It was, `All right, the deep dig. Now. Five-step, this. Go.’ And he processed it quickly Authentic Jeff Locke Jersey ,” Beane said. ”His workout was very good. And when we left there, we felt very confident.”
They were confident enough to give up two second-round picks to Tampa Bay and trade up five spots to draft Allen at No. 7.
Where their confidence wavered involved what bumps they might encounter upon leaving Laramie.
”We were a little distracted about how we were getting out of here,” Beane said. ”It was like, `Where do we drive to have the plane meet us?”’
Here are a number of other notable topics discussed during the session:
McDERMOTT OWNS UP
Beane revealed how McDermott owned up to Bills players by acknowledging he erred in starting rookie quarterback Nathan Peterman over Tyrod Taylor in a bid to provide Buffalo’s sputtering offense a spark in Week 11.
The switch backfired , with Peterman benched after throwing five interceptions in the first half of a 54-24 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers, that extended Buffalo’s skid to three games.
”Sean stood up there and he owned the Tyrod decision,” Beane said. ”He said, `It didn’t work. We tried it. And I’m trying to win every week. And unfortunately that decision didn’t work out for various reasons. Tyrod’s our starter.”’
The Bills responded with a 16-10 win at Kansas City the following week as part of a season-closing 4-2 run to finish 9-7, and end a 17-year playoff drought.
CHARTING ALLEN
To address questions regarding Allen’s accuracy, Bills scouts turned to game tape to chart every throw he attempted. They assessed what caused the incompletions, including times he threw the ball away when his receivers weren’t open.
The Bills also took into account Wyoming’s offensive philosophy, which didn’t include many short passes.
”He had no gimme throws,” Beane said of a quarterback who went 152 of 270, in completing just 56.3 percent of his passes, with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions in 11 games last year.
The only real concern was Allen’s footwork Harold Landry Titans Jersey , which Beane said notably improved by the time he played at the Senior Bowl in January.
”I’m not saying it’s fixed,” Beane said of Allen’s footwork. ”But improved.”
QB COMPETITION
McDermott has no intention of rushing Allen into a starting job once training camp opens in suburban Rochester on July 26.
Allen earned limited time with the starters during Buffalo’s three-day mandatory minicamp in mid-June. He spent the previous 10 practices working with the third-stringers, while Peterman and free-agent addition AJ McCarron split time with the starters.
McDermott previously coached in Carolina and Philadelphia, and noted how quarterbacks develop differently.
Whereas, Cam Newton started immediately during his rookie season in 2011 in Carolina, Donovan McNabb waited until Week 7 in 1999 to make his first start in Philadelphia.
”There’s no exact way to do it, right? It’s about bringing him along the right way,” McDermott said. ”We’re not going to put him out there unless we feel like he’s ready.”
Beane concurred, while adding: ”Whether he plays zero games or 16 games, we’re going to put out the guy that gives us the best chance to win each Sunday.”
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PITTSBURGH STEELERS (13-4)
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NEEDS: Two-time defending AFC North champions need help at inside linebacker with Ryan Shazier already ruled out for 2018 with spinal injury. Pittsburgh’s defense sagged late in season without Shazier and was shredded by Jacksonville in stunning home playoff loss. Depth at running back is also concern with Le’Veon Bell’s long-term status uncertain after team placed franchise tag on him for second straight spring. Steelers as usual are right up against cap; contract restructuring and cutting some veterans would give them wiggle room if needed. They could even sign marquee player if they opted to pull back franchise tag on Bell Mitchell Trubisky Jersey , which would free up $14.5 million in cap space off top.
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TORONTO — The Cleveland Cavaliers have eliminated the Toronto Raptors from the playoffs two years in a row.
The Raptors have a chance to reverse that trend this year, starting Tuesday night when they host the Cavaliers in Game 1 of their best-of-seven second-round playoff series at the Air Canada Centre.
The Cavaliers won their way into the second round by defeating the Indiana Pacers in seven games with LeBron James producing 45 points, nine rebounds and seven assists while playing 43 minutes in the decisive game Sunday.
“I’m burnt right now,” James said after the game. “I’m not thinking about Toronto right now until tomorrow, I’m ready to go home. Can we? I’m tired. I want to go home.”
James averaged more than 41 minutes per game in the series, averaging 34.4 points, 10.1 rebounds and 7.7 assists.
The Raptors will be the more rested team, having wrapped up their first-round series against the Washington Wizards in six games on Friday.
When Raptors coach Dwane Casey was asked what his team could learn from the way the Pacers played the Cavaliers, he said: “Playing hard. They played their behinds off, put themselves in position to win.”
The Cavaliers defeated the Raptors in six games in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2016 before going on to win their first NBA championship.
Cleveland swept Toronto in four games in their second-round series last year.
That series loss led the Raptors to change their approach by spreading the attack around more instead of relying so much on their All-Stat guards DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry. They also have developed a potent bench led by guard Fred VanVleet Steelers Authentic Jerseys , who missed most of the series against the Wizards with a sore shoulder but played 19 minutes in Game 6.
The Cavaliers, meanwhile, still depend so much on James, who became the NBA’s career playoff leader in steals and minutes played during the first round. He became the points leader in 2017.
James ranks first in points (6,404), first in minutes played (9,415), first in steals (399), third in assists (with 1,543) Markus Wheaton Jersey Eagles , sixth in games played (224), seventh in rebounds (1,993) and 19th in blocks (216).
The Pacers left Bojan Bogdanovic to cover James for much of the series without help and Casey thought it was a good move.
“I thought it was good for Indiana because it took them to seven games,” Casey said. “You are not going to take away everything from anybody whether it’s Cleveland or Boston or Philadelphia. You are going to give up something and you have to decide what that is on that particular play or that particular night that you are trying to take away.
“That is what the chess match is in a playoff series. What you are trying to take away and what you are going to digest and live with?”
James did get some help in Game 7 against Indiana from Toronto-native Tristan Thompson, who had 15 points and 10 rebounds.
“We started the game with a unit that we knew,” James said Sunday. “All five of us, we knew what we could get out of each other. We’ve been in situations before, we’ve played in big games before, so that’s a comfort to start the game.”
“I just think with it being Game 7, just go with the guys that have been here and been through it all Brian Urlacher Jersey ,” Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue. “They know what it takes.”
“I’ve been telling (Thompson) all series long to just wait his turn until his name is called, and when it’s called, be that spark,” said Cavaliers guard George Hill, who had a strong fourth quarter. “From the jump, he was that spark that we needed, and I think he just had a phenomenal game — probably the best I’ve seen him play in a while.”
James praised Hill and Thompson. “Half a game ball should go to Tristan and half to G Hill,” he said.
The Raptors do not believe James will be tired when Game 1 comes around.
“You believe he’s tired? I don’t believe it,” Casey said Monday. “I’ll believe it when I see him sitting over on the bench, and I haven’t seen that very much because he’s playing at such a high level. It’s amazing the type of condition he’s in. We’re not banking on that.”
“I don’t believe it Cheap Jordan Whitehead Jersey , I bet he’ll be ready to go (Tuesday),” Lowry said.
The Raptors do intend to make James work hard.
“He’s on a mission,” Casey said. “But there’s certain things we want to do to make him expend some more energy and there’s a variety of ways we can do that. … I don’t want to sit up here and give away our game plan, what we want to do, how we want to do it, what we want to take away, what we want to give them, that wouldn’t be prudent on my part.”
.Moore’s move is part of a significant overhaul to coach Jason Garrett’s staff. Although offensive coordinator Scott Linehan and defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli are returning, eight new coaches and two promotions were announced Friday.
Sanjay Lal, who has worked with receivers for four NFL teams over the past 11 seasons Manny Pina Milwaukee Brewers Jersey , is the new receivers coach in what could be a crucial year for 2014 All-Pro Dez Bryant’s future in Dallas. After spending last season with Indianapolis, Lal replaces Derek Dooley, who left to become offensive coordinator at Missouri.
The other newcomers are Paul Alexander (offensive line), Ken Amato (defensive assistant), Doug Colman (assistant special teams), Doug Nussmeier (tight ends) Youth Derrick Nnadi Jersey , Markus Paul (assistant strength) and Kris Richard (passing game coordinator/defensive backs).
Ben Bloom was promoted to linebackers coach, and former special teams assistant Keith O’Quinn will take over that unit.
The staff shake-up came after the Cowboys finished 9-7 in a season marred by 2016 All-Pro running back Ezekiel Elliott’s six-game suspension a year after Dallas had an NFC-best 13 wins.
The 29-year-old Moore spent six seasons in the NFL, the first three with Detroit as an undrafted free agent out of Boise State. He ended up as the backup in Dallas because of his ties to Linehan with the Lions.
Moore played just three regular-season games in his career, all of them after Romo broke his collarbone for the second time during the 2015 season and the Cowboys had benched both of Romo’s other backups, Brandon Weeden and Matt Cassel.
Moore likely would have started in 2016 when Romo broke his back in a preseason game, but Moore broke an ankle during practice in training camp.
The injury to Moore made Prescott the backup Billy Price Youth Jersey , and the former Mississippi State star went on to have one of the best rookie seasons for a quarterback in NFL history. Moore was Prescott’s trusted confidant as his backup last season.
The Cowboys gave the QB coaching job to Moore after deciding not to bring back Wade Wilson, who held the job for 11 seasons. Linehan also works closely with quarterbacks.
Matt Eberflus also was among the coaches who left the Dallas staff. The former linebackers coach and passing game coordinator agreed to become defensive coordinator for the Colts when they were planning to hire Josh McDaniels.
After McDaniels changed his mind and returned to New England, the Colts said they would honor the deals with the assistants who had agreed to come and hired new coach Frank Reich.
Former Dallas special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia took the same job under Jon Gruden in Oakland. Alexander replaced Frank Pollack, the new offensive line coach in Cincinnati. Other coaches who didn’t return were Joe Baker (secondary) and Steve Loney, who retired after one season in charge of the tight ends.
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