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It certainly did for running back Todd Gurley, who signed a four-year, $60 million contract extension in July after running for 1,305 yards and scoring 19 total touchdowns last season behind that familiar front five.
"Whoever said money don't make you happy lied," Gurley said with a smile Wednesday.
The Rams expect even greater stability on offense to translate into continued success in head coach Sean McVay's second season, a belief that has been reinforced during the start of training camp.
At this same stage last year, the Rams were working in new additions at left tackle, center and wide receiver while learning the basics of a new offense, and were still weeks away from trading for wide receiver Sammy Watkins. They return 10 of 11 starters for this year's workouts at UC Irvine, with new acquisition Brandin Cooks replacing Watkins as the big play threat in the passing game.
Quarterback Jared Goff said the familiarity is paying dividends, especially during the transition from teaching the offense in the first few days to refining each element of a system that produced an NFL-leading 29.9 points per game.
"We feel like we're in a good spot," Goff said. "Offensively, we've been starting to click. I think today was the first day you really felt that consistency starting to gel. We're not so much installing anymore, we're running the same plays over and over again and starting to get a good feel with it."
"It makes everyone so much more comfortable just to come out here and just play our game. You don't have to think about too much, and that's what it is all about Authentic Erik Karlsson Jersey Kids ," Gurley said.
For Goff, his increased comfort level entering his second season as the starter manifests in a better understanding of what opposing defenses are trying to do.
"It just continues to slow down," Goff said. "Your pre-snap process is a lot smoother, and you're more under control of everything and are seeing things better."
While Goff is playing faster, there has been no deceleration by Gurley after signing a contract featuring the most guaranteed money for a running back in NFL history. Goff and McVay both praised his relentlessness in practice, with a prime example coming when Gurley kept running towards the end zone as McVay was setting up the next play in the sequence.
"I got what I want, now let's keep going," Gurley said. "Nothing doesn't stop. The grind continues. It's going to be even harder now, obviously, to be able to do what I did last year, and teams are going to game plan for it. It's my job to go out there, put myself in a great position and try to work as hard as I can. As long as I do that, I feel comfortable with the players around me and the coaches around me to put me in a great position."
With so much familiarity returning, Gurley is ready to build on his best season to date. But he understands his individual production is the result of what the offense does together, declaring that every running back is the beneficiary of the blocking he gets before Gurley backtracked.
"Obviously Nathan MacKinnon Jersey , Barry Sanders is going to do what he do, but it doesn't matter what other running back you have back there. If you don't have all 11 doing one thing, then it's not going to work," he said.
NOTES: Outside linebacker Matt Longacre left practice early because of an undisclosed injury. . Kicker Greg Zuerlein made a 63-yard field goal during a simulated two-minute drill.
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Quarterback Nathan Peterman never lost faith in himself following the most difficult moment of his young NFL career. What's more important, neither did Bills coach Sean McDermott.
In 10 months, Peterman has gone from throwing five interceptions in the first half of his first career start, to being chosen Monday as Buffalo's season-opening starter. Though the job is his until rookie first-round pick Josh Allen is deemed ready, Peterman's ascension from being counted out to being counted on is a testament to the second-year player's perseverance.
"I believe he's a resilient young man. He's certainly come through some times of adversity throughout his career," McDermott said shortly the Bills announced Peterman would be their starter at Baltimore on Sunday. "Usually, if you go through some adversity early in life, you're that much more prepared for it when it comes around later."
Peterman is aware of the critics he attracted following a 54-24 loss at the Los Angeles Chargers on Nov. 19 in which McDermott's decision to start him ahead of Tyrod Taylor backfired. And Peterman was grateful for the opportunity to prove himself during a three-way competition that was trimmed to two once AJ McCarron was traded to Oakland last weekend.
"It means a lot. I'm thankful for the people that stood by my side through hard times," Peterman said.
"When you have obstacles, hard things in your life, that doesn't mean you should quit," he added. "Maybe that's the way some people think Authentic Kevin White Jersey , but that's not the way I think. For me, it just amps me up even more and gives me a lot of desire and drive to go accomplish those goals."
McDermott based his decision on how the Peterman handled himself upon arriving at the team's facility in April, and his steady performance in three preseason appearances.
Peterman put up the best passing numbers during the preseason, 33 of 41 for 432 yards with three touchdowns and an interception.
In the meantime, the start of the Allen era is on hold after the strong-armed but raw quarterback showed he requires more development.
Allen went 24 of 44 for 210 yards and two touchdowns in three preseason appearances, and particularly struggled in a 26-13 loss to Cincinnati on Aug. 26 in his only preseason start. The 22-year old managed three first downs on seven-plus series while getting little protection from a patchwork offensive line and being sacked five times for 39 yards.
"As a competitor, you want to play," Allen said. "To not play, that's going to hurt anybody's feelings, but at the end of the day, it's football. We're part of the team. I can't say anything bad about the decision. Nate played well in the preseason. Now I'm here to help him in any way possible."
The Bills traded up five spots to select the Wyoming product seventh overall 鈥?the highest draft position Buffalo has ever selected a quarterback.
McDermott declined to get drawn into making comparisons between the two quarterbacks. He described Allen's development as being on schedule and said the rookie can learn plenty from watching regular-season games from the sideline.
"I expect Josh will be ready to go when his number's called, whenever it is called. And that's his focus now," McDermott said.
The Bills are starting over at what's been an unsettled position since Hall of Famer Jim Kelly retired after the 1996 season. Peterman will become the 11th quarterback to start a season, including Matt Cassel, who took the first snap in 2015.
Peterman has a track record of bouncing back from adversity.
In his first college start at Tennessee http://www.officialsabres.com/authentic-adidas-jack-eichel-jersey , Peterman had a hand in four turnovers 鈥?two interceptions, a fumble while being sacked and a botched handoff 鈥?before being pulled during a 31-17 loss at Florida as a redshirt freshman in 2013.
He then transferred to Pittsburgh following his sophomore year and excelled in his final two seasons. At Pitt, Peterman completed 378 of 619 attempts for 5,142 yards with 47 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 26 games, which led Buffalo to select him in the fifth round of the draft.
Peterman doesn't look toward starting against Baltimore as a chance to ease the memories of what happened against Los Angeles.
"Every time I've gotten back on the field it's a new opportunity," he said. "You're not tied to your past failures."
He's also not looking beyond this weekend, when reminded the Bills' home-opener is against the Chargers on Sept. 16.
"Yeah, that's two weeks away. And like I say, it's day to day," Peterman said. "It's about the Ravens."
NOTES: McDermott said Ryan Groy has earned the starting spot at center. ... DT Kyle Williams (right knee) practiced, though he's not sure he'll be ready to play Sunday. ... The Bills filled out their 10-player practice squad by signing offensive lineman Ruben Holcomb and defensive tackle Robert Thomas.
Authentic Chicago Bears JerseysARIZONA CARDINALS (8-8)
New faces: Coach Steve Wilks http://www.officialcapitals.com/authentic-adidas-evgeny-kuznetsov-jersey , QB Sam Bradford, QB Josh Rosen, RG Justin Pugh, RT Andre Smith, S Tre Boston, CB Jamar Taylor, WR Brice Butler, WR Christian Kirk, RB Chase Edmonds, C Mason Cole, CB Bene Benwikere.
Key losses: Coach Bruce Arians, QB Carson Palmer, S Tyrann Mathieu, QB Drew Stanton, C A.Q. Shipley (injured), QB Blaine Gabbert, WR Jaron Brown, WR John Brown, OL Earl Watford, DT Frostee Rucker Jeff Skinner Jersey , DT Josh Mauro, TE Troy Niklas, ILB Karlos Dansby, OG Alex Boone, CB Justin Bethel.
Strengths: With return of RB David Johnson and addition of Bradford, Wilks and offensive coordinator Mike McCoy, Cardinals are building offense emphasizing running and short passing game. Johnson, NFL leader in yards from scrimmage and TDs two seasons ago, missed 15 games last season with fractured left wrist but returns healthy and hungry for new contract. Waiting on sideline is 10th overall pick Rosen should Bradford repeat his history of injury. Cardinals also are impressed with Edmonds, fourth-round pick out of Fordham, who could provide 1-2 punch behind revamped offensive line. Defense, with switch to 4-3 scheme, looks solid, particularly in secondary, where second-year player Budda Baker plays big role in “nickel” setup. With more zone play, Patrick Peterson might get more shots at making plays. He’s been mostly avoided by quarterbacks who take aim at receivers guarded by someone other than star cornerback. DE Chandler Jones led NFL in sacks last season (17). For what it’s worth, Arizona’s first three preseason opponents committed 16 turnovers.
Weaknesses: Arizona has great wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who enters 15th season after finishing second in NFL in catches (109) one year ago. But position is question mark behind him. Kirk, second-round pick from Texas A&M, has emerged as big-play threat in preseason and Chad Williams has shown improvement after rocky rookie year. Butler is looking to prove himself after parting less than amicably with Cowboys. But there is no consistent Tuukka Rask Jersey , proven receiver beyond Fitzgerald. Other main concern is lack of depth at linebacker and on offensive line.
Fantasy players to watch: Johnson, of course. He was just about everybody’s No. 1 fantasy pick in 2017, only to go down in opener. He returns in best shape of life and motivated to remind people how good he is. As reminder, Johnson rushed for 1,239 yards and caught 80 passes for 875 yards in 2016. He topped 100 yards from scrimmage in first 15 games that season, only player in NFL history to so. He also led NFL with 20 TDs.
Vegas Says: Super Bowl 120 to 1. Over/under wins 6.
Expectations: Judging from Vegas and national predictors, expectations aren’t very high. But Wilks, former Carolina defensive coordinator, has worked to install tough, physical mentality and is building around team’s top players: Johnson, Peterson, Bradford, Fitzgerald, Jones. Still, it’s uphill climb in NFC West. Don’t expect Rosen to play unless Bradford goes down with another injury, or team slumps. Schedule is brutal, with non-division games at Minnesota, Kansas City, Green Bay and Atlanta. Cardinals might exceed Las Vegas’ expectations, but most likely not by much.
EAGAN P.K Subban Jersey , Minn. (AP) Already owning one of the strongest defensive lines in the league, the Minnesota Vikings have made another addition to their front four this summer.
He even was a former first-round draft pick.
Anthony Barr has established his place as the strong side linebacker, an integral part of coach Mike Zimmer’s pressure-driven scheme. This switch is not by any means complete or permanent, considering the value Barr has given the Vikings while rarely missing a snap in the middle of the defense with former college teammate Eric Kendricks. With Brian Robison capably spelling Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter at the defensive end spots, there’s not a glaring need for one.
Sliding Barr and his athleticism and speed to the front, though, provides yet another way Zimmer and the Vikings can attack an offense.
”Definitely, it could be a change-up for us,” Barr said. ”Hopefully I can get a couple more opportunities to do that, and we’ll see where it goes. It’s something I’m going to continue to work on and get better at. I’m excited for it.”
The Vikings have used passing-situation packages this offseason that include cornerback Terence Newman at safety while making Harrison Smith a hybrid linebacker. Put Barr at defensive end, and Everson Griffen can move inside. Or Barr could simply line up as a fifth down lineman. Either way, that’s the potential for quite the fierce pass rush.
”We are just trying to utilize our guys the best way we can,” Zimmer said. ”If a guy has a skill set of being possibly a pass rusher, then we’re going to look at him and see if he can be a pass rusher. If a guy’s a great inside cover guy, then we’re going to try and look at him there.”
Barr has taken plenty of turns with the defensive linemen during individual drills in training camp so far, evidence that this is more than just a token experiment.
”It’s a conscious effort in getting him into rush situations where he knows what to do,” Zimmer said. ”I really don’t have any concerns when he’s rushing on a back, but sometimes when he gets on a bigger stronger guy and gets in certain positions, he has to know what to do.”
Barr was the first player the Vikings drafted after hiring Zimmer in 2014, the ninth overall selection out of UCLA who spent only two years with the Bruins on defense after beginning his college career as a running back. With 10 sacks Jake Guentzel Jersey Kids , six forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and one interception over four seasons, Barr has left himself plenty of room to improve on such modest statistics. There are many more ways to contribute than those basic measurements, of course, but Zimmer’s matter-of-fact assessment in 2016 that Barr ”has a tendency to coast a little bit” still hovers over his trajectory.
Across the NFL, Barr is known mostly for his hit on Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the sixth game of the year that led to a broken collarbone and set the NFC North rivals on opposite courses in 2017. Interestingly, referee Pete Morelli told reporters at Minnesota’s practice facility on Thursday that the league’s stricter rules about targeting defenseless players would now make that play a 15-yard penalty.
Barr is the only core player left on an expiring contract, with extensions recently signed by wide receiver Stefon Diggs, defensive end Danielle Hunter and Kendricks. Barr’s salary for 2018 is a little more than $12.3 million, and he hinted at disappointment when spring practices began without a new deal. He didn’t address the subject in his first remarks to reporters at training camp.
”My focus is here at camp, getting better with the team, and we’ll let that figure itself out,” he said.
If this defensive end thing works well, Barr’s price will only go higher.
”I’ll never talk business out in the open or in public,” general manager Rick Spielman said. ”I’ll just tell you he fits everything that we want as a Minnesota Viking.”
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Le'Veon Bell disputes telling some teammates he will report to the Steelers on Monday.
“Don鈥檛 believe the fake news Alex Pietrangelo Jersey Kids , I never said anything to no one,” Bell tweeted Tuesday afternoon.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that some Steelers expect Bell to show up six days before the team’s season opener. The star running back arrived six days before the Steelers’ first game last season.
Bell played in the victory over the Browns to open the 2017 season but gained only 32 yards on 10 carries and 15 yards on three receptions.
The sides again failed to come to terms on a long-term extension by the July deadline Patrik Laine Jersey , prompting his holdout for a second consecutive year. He has yet to sign the $14.5 million franchise tender.
Game 7 of the Western Conference finals drew a peak audience of 18 million viewers, making it the second-most watched NBA game in cable TV history.Golden State’s victory over Houston on Monday night to earn a fourth straight trip to the NBA Finals averaged 14.8 million viewers for the TNT telecast Authentic Gustav Nyquist Jersey , with the peak audience from 11 to 11:15 p.m. EDT. The network says Tuesday that only its coverage of the 2016 West finals Game 7 between the Warriors and Oklahoma City drew a larger audience for an NBA game on cable.
Overall, TNT’s 42 live playoff games averaged 4.9 million viewers Authentic Kirk Cousins Jersey , the network’s most-watched playoffs coverage since 2011.
ESPN averaged 13.3 million viewers for Cleveland’s Game 7 victory over Boston on Sunday, its second-best number ever behind only Miami’s clinching victory over Boston in 2012.
New England Patriots Elite JerseysBoth quarterbacks are adjusting to a new group of receivers and playing behind banged-up offensive lines.
The Cowboys will be looking to replace wide receiver Dez Bryant William Nylander Jersey , the team's career leader in touchdown catches, and tight end Jason Whitten, who retired after 15 seasons.
That's no easy task.
The primary options to be slot receiver are Cole Beasley, Allen Hurns and rookie Michael Gallup. But Tavon Austin and Terrance Williams could be factors, too. Geoff Swaim and Blake Jarwin are the top two tight ends.
"I think each of the guys we have who are going to be up for this game are versatile," Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said. "You can put them in different spots."
Dallas also has holes to fill up front with All-Pro center Travis Frederick battling a rare auto-immune disorder called Guillain-Barre syndrome and is doubtful for the game. Six-year veteran Joe Looney will get the start alongside rookie left guard Connor Williams. However Pro Bowl right guard Zack Martin is set to start after dealing with a hyperextended left knee in the second preseason game.
Newton faces similar issues in Carolina.
The Panthers upgraded their speed at wide receiver in the offseason by trading for veteran Torrey Smith, signing free agent slot receiver Jairus Wright and using a first-round draft pick on D.J. Moore. All three figure to play a role in the passing game alongside returning No. 1 receiver Devin Funchess.
"We don't know what we have yet and that is why Sunday is so important for everybody 鈥?because we finally find out," Newton said.
Carolina's offensive line was going to have a difficult time replacing All-Pro left guard Andrew Norwell 鈥?and that was before it got hit hard by the injuries.
Second-team All-Pro right tackle Daryl Williams, left tackle Matt Kalil and Norwell replacement Amini Silatolu all went down with knee injuries in the preseason. Kalil went on injured reserve , meaning Taylor Moton will make his first NFL start at left tackle. Williams and Silatolu returned to practice this week, but it's still unclear if they'll be healthy enough to play against Dallas.
RARE HOME OPENER: Coach Ron Rivera joked this week that he "has to get used to" the idea of playing a home opener. In Rivera's eight seasons in Carolina, this is only the second time the team has opened the season at home.
DAVIS SUSPENSION: The Panthers will be without weakside linebacker Thomas Davis Youth Jaden Schwartz Jersey , who's suspended four games for testing positive for PEDs.
That's a pretty big blow to the defense given Davis' skills and leadership. But Rivera is high on 2015 first-round draft pick Shaq Thompson, who has had an outstanding preseason filling in. Thompson was drafted as Davis' heir apparent, but the veteran continued playing at a high level, thus limiting Thompson's reps. So this is Thompson's chance to shine.
Rivera said Thompson has potential to be "an elite linebacker in the league."
ELLIOTT FALLING FOWARD: Ezekiel Elliott doesn't have to worry about a suspension hanging over his head to start this season. The Cowboys' third-year running back may be primed for a big season, which concerns Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly.
"He's an elite running back," Kuechly said. "He's big, he's strong and he's powerful. He will run though you, and he always falls forward (for more yards). ... So when we hit him, we have to keep him where he's at and not let him do that."
McCAFFREY'S ROLE: It's time to find out if Rivera backs up his statement about wanting to get running back Christian McCaffrey "25-30 touches per game." Rivera has said the team would like to use McCaffrey similar to how the San Diego Chargers used Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson.
That seems like a lot of touches, particularly for a player with a slender build such as McCaffrey. But it's hard to blame Carolina for wanting to get the ball into the hands of its playmaker as much as possible.
KICKING DEBUT: Brett Maher is set for his NFL regular-season debut as the replacement for Cowboys career field goal leader Dan Bailey. Dallas cut the second-most accurate kicker in league history because of Bailey's struggles after an injury last season and his relatively large salary for his position. The 28-year-old Maher has four years of CFL experience.
"In this profession, every single thing that you do is kind of pressure-packed," Maher said.
AP Sports Writer Schuyler Dixon in Dallas Mike Reilly Jersey , Texas contributed to this report. The Atlanta Hawks are using a high-tech virtual tour to give current and potential season ticket holders a glimpse of their renovated arena.With Philips Arena currently undergoing major renovations, the Hawks recently launched ”The Preview,” an interactive tour of the transformed arena in downtown Atlanta located between Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Centennial Olympic Park. The tour was opened about a month ago while the arena is currently in the final phase of its $192.5 million renovation.
Hawks CEO Steve Koonin said there is no other experience like the preview center in the NBA.
Thousands of potential suite and seat buyers have already taken the tour held in a 2,500-square-foot space, which is located on CNN Center property. The tour is promoting the revamped arena on several large 70-inch screens as a premiere entertainment venue for basketball games, concerts and events.
Ticket holders in the suites, cabanas or verandas don’t just use them for Hawks games, the tickets are good for all events at Philips Arena – with food and beverages all included. But the Hawks home games are the primary hook.
”It’s going to be a social place unlike anywhere else in the NBA,” Koonin said. ”All of our research told us that people don’t want to sit down in a chair eating a hot dog out of aluminum foil and watch a game. They want a great night out. … Think Vegas pool meets sporting event.”
”The Preview” offers a before-and-after look at the various amenities from the 360-degree concourse, rapper Killer Mike’s barber shop, Zac Brown’s BBQ restaurant, fantasy golf area Authentic Justin Bailey Jersey , club lounge and premium seating areas with couches and cabanas. The tour, which the Hawks dub as somewhat of a ”Disney ride,” also provides a look at the new state-of-the-art video board system, which is three times larger than the current one.
The Hawks will continue to operate it once the arena renovations are complete, they have three-year lease for the space.
Koonin said team officials know they have much work to do.
Despite the Hawks’ on-the-court struggles this past season, the franchise hopes to claim some victory off it. The team went 24-58 and missed the playoffs for the first time in 10 seasons.
Koonin said they are taking a new business approach to enhance the fan experience beyond any game or event. The courtside club featuring the Hawks Bar in the premium seating area several rows behind the basketball goal was a part of the arena’s phase one transformation.
”I love that they’re not letting it sit around,” said Atlanta-based attorney Randy Kessler, who has been a Hawks season-ticket holder since the arena opened in 1999. He hasn’t been on ”The Preview” tour, but he’s seen images of the new arena.
”I love that they are not just thinking of on-the-court experience, but off it,” Kessler added. ”You should feel special once you walk in, and I did. I thought last year’s improvements were good. Even though the team was terrible Riley Nash Jersey , the experience was still great. I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next.”
Koonin said the Hawks realize with their recent on-court performance they have to continue to work in order to win over fans.
He said the team spent millions of dollars to build the preview center and partnered with a Seattle-based design firm Hornall Anderson to create the virtual tour.
Philips Area is expected to reopen in October, but Koonin said the team will keep the tour going on for the next couple years. The arena might be one of the smallest-capacity NBA venues with 17,600 seats.
Sales centers are not unique to the NBA and several teams with new arenas have given fans an insight to what they can expect in the new facilities, including Sacramento, Milwaukee and Golden State.
Koonin said Hawks officials visited other arena preview centers including Sacramento and the NFL stadium in Minnesota. He said there is no other experience like ”The Preview” in the NBA, but the Hawks are still missing one thing – championships.
Golden State ”has one thing that’s very powerful that I wish we had: A bunch of recent Larry O’Brien trophies and rings,” he said. ”We have to work a little harder.”
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When the NFL announced Gene Steratore’s retirement as a referee last week Geoff Swaim Jersey , there was a report that Steratore would join CBS as a rules analyst for the 2018 season.
That became official on Tuesday and Steratore’s job with the network will extend beyond the NFL. Steratore also spent the last 20 years as a college basketball referee, primarily in the Big Ten, and the network announced that he will also be a rules analyst for their coverage of those games.
“I’m excited to join CBS Sports and start the next chapter in my career,” Steratore said in a statement. “Officiating runs in my family. It started with my father, who refereed college football and basketball for more than three decades. I wanted to follow in his footsteps and began officiating when I was 19-years-old. I’ve had an amazing run, capped off by working the Super Bowl, but it’s time to hang up my whistle for a new challenge. This is an incredible opportunity to continue working on the two sports I love — NFL football and college basketball — and help viewers gain a better understanding of the rules of the game and how they are applied.”
Steratore will work from New York City during the NFL regular season outside of Thanksgiving, when he will be in the broadcast booth. That will also be the case in the playoffs and for Super Bowl LIII in Atlanta in February. With CBS owning the rights to the Division I men’s basketball tournament, Steratore will also work the Final Four in his first year in his new job.
Christian Scotland-Williamson looks the part.Standing on the practice field with the rest of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the rookie tight end blends in seamlessly. The 25-year-old is tall (6-foot-9) Sam Huff Jersey , big (275 pounds) and athletic.
Then Scotland-Williamson opens his mouth. A polite British accent comes out, the kind that would go unnoticed on a soccer pitch, but on a field crammed with dozens of players practically weaned on America's Game, it raises eyebrows. Lots of eyebrows.
Scotland-Williamson gets it. The former rugby player who was raised in the London suburbs understands he's a bit of a curiosity as a member of the second graduating class of the NFL's International Player Pathway program. At the heart of it all, however, Scotland-Williamson figures the only thing separating him from his teammates is experience. Not passion. Not athleticism. And certainly not drive.
"It's one of those things where when I was younger, if I'd been exposed to American football I probably would have played it at an earlier age," Scotland-Williamson said. "But being a British kid, it's not at your doorstep, so it's quite hard."
So Scotland-Williamson opted for rugby. He turned professional at 20 and spent four seasons with the Worcester Warriors of the English Premiership Paul Hornung Jersey , the top rugby division in the United Kingdom. Then cameras caught him making a monster tackle in a game last spring and his phone rang, with folks wondering if he'd like to come to the U.S. and join the IPP.
Started in 2017, the IPP selects a handful of athletes from other countries to come to the U.S. to learn the finer points of pro football. If they make it through a four-month boot camp at IMG Academy in Florida, they can be assigned to an NFL club, where they will spend a season on the practice squad to prove themselves in what amounts to one of the most unusual internships on the planet.
Though Scotland-Williamson's rugby career appeared on the rise, the prospect of heading overseas was simply too tantalizing to pass up.
"It's kind of like that movie 'Inception,' once one plants that seed, that's it," he said. "I'm very much someone who doesn't want to live with any regrets and look back at 50 or 60 years old at a bar with your mates and think, 'Oh no Bob Lilly Jersey , what if I could have done this but didn't.' So that's why I'm here really."
The initial IPP graduation class last spring included three athletes from the United Kingdom and another from Germany. The current group includes Scotland-Williamson and Australian rugby player Jordan Mailata, who impressed the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles so much they used a seventh-round draft pick on him to make sure he didn't end up somewhere else.
Scotland-Williamson is not quite as polished. He understood little about the game outside of what he occasionally saw on TV when he arrived in Florida in January. The highly regimented day started with a 6 a.m. walkthrough and often lasted until a film session at a coach's house that wouldn't wrap up until around 9:30 p.m.
"We learned a hell of a lot in a short amount of time," Scotland-Williamson said.
Just not everything. Though he's studied up on the 100-plus page NFL rule book, he admits he's still a little fuzzy on details in some spots. And while the film work certainly helps, it's quite a bit different when you have your helmet on standing in an offensive huddle listening to a quarterback bark out a play that has very specific instructions. Compared to rugby's more free-flowing style, it's a lot to take in.
The evidence can be found on the practice field. While Scotland-Williamson thinks he's handling his business just fine as a blocker, route running is another matter. The player who never donned so much as a football helmet until rookie minicamp earlier this month practically staples himself to tight ends coach James Daniel, hoping to soak up as much as he can as fast as he can.
Yet Scotland-Williamson understands he can't rush things. That's why he's grateful the opportunity didn't arise until his mid-20s. Spending four years as a professional rugby player taught him how to deal with bumps in the road.
"I have a better perspective," he said. "Especially with this where you're going to get your butt kicked every day for a while until things start clicking. You have to have quite thick skin, so that's helped."
So does a bit of a thick head. When he told his parents he was putting his rugby career on hold to give football a try http://www.indianapoliscoltsteamonline.com/malik-hooker-jersey , his father balked.
"I had to give him a massive sales pitch," Scotland-Williamson said.
That included one very important point: This wasn't a lark or a publicity stunt or fulfilling some bit of wanderlust. This was real.
"I don't think you go into this half-hearted," he said. "You want it all. You want to make the 53 (man roster). You want to go to Super Bowls. You want to end up being the first international player to make it big. That's the biggest thing, not only to represent myself, but it means a lot for the international players who were born outside of America who don't think they have a chance."
Authentic Womens P.J. Hall JerseyDENVER (AP) — Although Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles kept him from adding to his fistful of Super Bowl rings last winter http://www.greenbaypackersteamonline.com/blake-martinez-jersey , Tom Brady remains the best quarterback in the NFL, even at age 41.
In the first of the weekly Associated Press position rankings for this season, Brady edged out Aaron Rodgers in voting by 10 AP football writers.
The New England Patriots star received six of the first-place votes in balloting completed before Thursday night’s opener between the Eagles and Falcons in a 10-points-to-one point system. Brady placed second with the other four voters, all of whom had Brady a notch below Green Bay’s star quarterback, for 96 points.
“The Michael Jordan/Wayne Gretzky of pro football, Brady makes everyone around him better,” said AP’s Barry Wilner, based in New York, who had Brady No. 1. “That includes receivers, runners Joe Looney Jersey , blockers, defenders and special teams. Oh yeah, and coaches. At 41, he’s still the guy.”
Rodgers, who is coming off a shoulder injury that spoiled both his and the Packers‘ 2017 season, received 93 points as he finished second on all other ballots except one, in which he placed third behind Drew Brees of the Saints.
Three years after going undrafted out of Drury College, Trevor Richards has earned his first major league win.Richards pitched six effective innings to lead the Miami Marlins to a 3-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night.
”It’s great, it’s good to get that one out of the way,” Richards said. ”It’s been too long so it’s good to get it done.”
Richards (1-3) allowed two hits in his seventh major league start. The 25-year-old right-hander struck out two and walked three.
”He’s been a good story http://www.washingtonredskinsteamonline.com/zach-brown-jersey , he’s thrown the ball well,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. ”Obviously Pitcher of the Year last year in the minor leagues, really good reports on his makeup and how he works, competes, and pays attention so it’s good to see guys like that have success.”
Richards walked the first two batters of the game before settling in.
”I got a little too excited for the game, a little amped up and lost mechanics,” Richards said. ”I was able to settle down and keep going.”
Brandon Crawford’s groundout in the first inning drove in the only run for the Giants, who had just three hits.
”Three hits, that’s not going to work,” manager Bruce Bochy said. ”We had a hard time getting guys on base and just getting something going. That’s the ballgame.”
Kyle Barraclough pitched a perfect ninth for his fourth save in six chances. He has not allowed a run over his last 14 games and a career-best 13 2/3 innings.
JT Riddle had a two-run double for Miami Charles Haley Jersey , and Starlin Castro had two hits and knocked in a run.
”Just enough,” Mattingly said.
San Francisco right-hander Chris Stratton (7-4) worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the second inning, but ran into trouble in the third when he again loaded the bases. This time, Castro singled in Derek Dietrich and Riddle followed with a two-run double to right field.
”I let it get away from me there,” Stratton said. ”I thought I made some really good pitches. Give them credit.”
Stratton then retired his final 13 batters. He allowed four hits in seven innings.
RIDDLE’S BIG HIT
Riddle’s two-run double gave him his first multi-RBI game of the season and eighth of his career.
”(Stratton) left me a fastball over the middle of the plate after I had swung through two,” Riddle said. ”I was a little late on those so I was thinking he might come back with another one, he did, left it over the middle, and I put a pretty good swing on it.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Giants: 1B Brandon Belt (appendix) is expected to join the team in Los Angeles later this week after making progress from emergency surgery on June 2. ”He soft-tossed in Arizona, threw Vernon Davis Jersey , did quite a bit of baseball activities,” Bochy said. ”Tomorrow he’ll take regular batting practice so that’s the big step. If he feels fine doing that, then we’re getting close on him.”
UP NEXT
Giants: LHP Andrew Suarez (2-4, 5.06 ERA) will start the third game of the series on Wednesday in his hometown for the first time in front of a number of family members and friends.
Marlins: LHP Caleb Smith (5-6, 3.70) is 5-4 with a 2.70 ERA over his last nine starts.
Womens Durham Smythe JerseyDENVER (AP) — Although Nick Foles and the Philadelphia Eagles kept him from adding to his fistful of Super Bowl rings last winter http://www.greenbaypackersteamonline.com/blake-martinez-jersey , Tom Brady remains the best quarterback in the NFL, even at age 41.
In the first of the weekly Associated Press position rankings for this season, Brady edged out Aaron Rodgers in voting by 10 AP football writers.
The New England Patriots star received six of the first-place votes in balloting completed before Thursday night’s opener between the Eagles and Falcons in a 10-points-to-one point system. Brady placed second with the other four voters, all of whom had Brady a notch below Green Bay’s star quarterback, for 96 points.
“The Michael Jordan/Wayne Gretzky of pro football, Brady makes everyone around him better,” said AP’s Barry Wilner, based in New York, who had Brady No. 1. “That includes receivers, runners Joe Looney Jersey , blockers, defenders and special teams. Oh yeah, and coaches. At 41, he’s still the guy.”
Rodgers, who is coming off a shoulder injury that spoiled both his and the Packers‘ 2017 season, received 93 points as he finished second on all other ballots except one, in which he placed third behind Drew Brees of the Saints.
Three years after going undrafted out of Drury College, Trevor Richards has earned his first major league win.Richards pitched six effective innings to lead the Miami Marlins to a 3-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday night.
”It’s great, it’s good to get that one out of the way,” Richards said. ”It’s been too long so it’s good to get it done.”
Richards (1-3) allowed two hits in his seventh major league start. The 25-year-old right-hander struck out two and walked three.
”He’s been a good story http://www.washingtonredskinsteamonline.com/zach-brown-jersey , he’s thrown the ball well,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly said. ”Obviously Pitcher of the Year last year in the minor leagues, really good reports on his makeup and how he works, competes, and pays attention so it’s good to see guys like that have success.”
Richards walked the first two batters of the game before settling in.
”I got a little too excited for the game, a little amped up and lost mechanics,” Richards said. ”I was able to settle down and keep going.”
Brandon Crawford’s groundout in the first inning drove in the only run for the Giants, who had just three hits.
”Three hits, that’s not going to work,” manager Bruce Bochy said. ”We had a hard time getting guys on base and just getting something going. That’s the ballgame.”
Kyle Barraclough pitched a perfect ninth for his fourth save in six chances. He has not allowed a run over his last 14 games and a career-best 13 2/3 innings.
JT Riddle had a two-run double for Miami Charles Haley Jersey , and Starlin Castro had two hits and knocked in a run.
”Just enough,” Mattingly said.
San Francisco right-hander Chris Stratton (7-4) worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the second inning, but ran into trouble in the third when he again loaded the bases. This time, Castro singled in Derek Dietrich and Riddle followed with a two-run double to right field.
”I let it get away from me there,” Stratton said. ”I thought I made some really good pitches. Give them credit.”
Stratton then retired his final 13 batters. He allowed four hits in seven innings.
RIDDLE’S BIG HIT
Riddle’s two-run double gave him his first multi-RBI game of the season and eighth of his career.
”(Stratton) left me a fastball over the middle of the plate after I had swung through two,” Riddle said. ”I was a little late on those so I was thinking he might come back with another one, he did, left it over the middle, and I put a pretty good swing on it.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Giants: 1B Brandon Belt (appendix) is expected to join the team in Los Angeles later this week after making progress from emergency surgery on June 2. ”He soft-tossed in Arizona, threw Vernon Davis Jersey , did quite a bit of baseball activities,” Bochy said. ”Tomorrow he’ll take regular batting practice so that’s the big step. If he feels fine doing that, then we’re getting close on him.”
UP NEXT
Giants: LHP Andrew Suarez (2-4, 5.06 ERA) will start the third game of the series on Wednesday in his hometown for the first time in front of a number of family members and friends.
Marlins: LHP Caleb Smith (5-6, 3.70) is 5-4 with a 2.70 ERA over his last nine starts.
Womens Durham Smythe JerseyThough born in Tennessee, Belichick was raised in Annapolis, where his father was an assistant football coach at the U.S. Naval Academy. Belichick graduated from Annapolis High School in 1970.
On Thursday, five employees of The Capital were killed by a gunman who broke into the building, opened fire and was subsequently arrested.
In a statement, Belichick says: "For my entire life, The Capital has been my hometown newspaper. My family and I have enjoyed special relationships with many great people who have worked for the newspaper.
"My heart goes out to the victims Josh Sitton Jersey , their families and the entire Annapolis community for this terrible and senseless tragedy."
Aaron Nola will get to pitch in front of his home fans in Philadelphia a final time Wednesday before he likely gets the chance to pitch in the All-Star Game later this month.
Nola will be on the mound as the Phillies close out a brief, two-game set with the Baltimore Orioles at Citizens Bank Park. The game, which is Philadelphia’s final home contest before the All-Star break, will start at 4:05 p.m. on the holiday.
Nola (10-2, 2.48 ERA) has been dominant all season for the Phillies, but he has been especially good at home. The 25-year-old is 7-0 with a 1.77 ERA and 0.911 WHIP in eight starts at Citizens Bank Park this season.
Nola, who has never pitched against Baltimore JK Scott Jersey , has not surrendered more than three earned runs in any of those home starts. Last Thursday, he gave up one run on five hits and two walks and struck out eight in 7 2/3 innings against the Washington Nationals. Nola got the win in the Phillies’ 4-3 victory.
“I actually thought he got stronger as he inched towards the end of the game,” Phillies manager Gabe Kapler told MLB.com regarding Nola. “Even there in the last inning, somewhere around that 105-pitch mark, it almost seemed like he was getting sharper.”
The Phillies are 29-16 at home after Tuesday night’s 3-2 win against the Orioles. Philadelphia has more home wins than any team in the National League, but after Wednesday the club won’t play at Citizens Bank Park again until July 20.
The Phillies will try to get their 30th home win of the season against Orioles rookie Yefry Ramirez.
A right-hander, Ramirez (0-1 Zach Miller Jersey , 2.89) will be making just the second start of his major league career. The 24-year-old went 4 1/3 innings against the Boston Red Sox on June 13, giving up three runs on four hits while striking out six in his first start.
Ramirez threw five scoreless innings of relief against the Seattle Mariners last Thursday in his only other big league appearance. He had a 3.88 ERA and averaged 9.0 strikeouts per nine innings in 14 starts with Triple-A Norfolk this season.
“I don’t want to broadcast it for the other team, but the changeup,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter told the Baltimore Sun when speaking about Ramirez’s strong points. “Hitters are so much more in swing mode, so to speak, up here. It’s because they’re good hitters. That’s why they’re in the big leagues. … He’s having a good year down there.”
The Orioles have lost eight of their last nine games and are 0-2 against the Phillies this season. At 24-60 they have the worst record in baseball. Baltimore did not lose its 60th game of the 2017 season until Aug. 13.
Philadelphia, meanwhile Josh Doctson Jersey , has won three games in a row and five of its last six. At 46-37, the Phillies have a chance to go 10 games over .500 for the first time this season with another win.
Wednesday marks the third straight season the Phillies have played a home game on the Fourth of July. They lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates on the holiday last year.
Authentic Womens Jason McCourty JerseySounds like a losing franchise trying to turn things around.
Try the two-time and defending AFC West champion Kansas City Chiefs.
The slew of offseason moves began even before free agency, when the Chiefs agreed to trades that sent quarterback Alex Smith to the Redskins and cornerback Marcus Peters to the Rams. But the pace of the dealing has hardly slowed down as the Chiefs remake an aging and expensive roster that was good enough to reach the playoffs last season but not good enough to beat Tennessee in the wild-card round.
That’s why they signed wide receiver Sammy Watkins, cornerback David Amerson and middle linebacker Anthony Hitchens, and landed cornerback Kendall Fuller in the trade with Washington.
”We’re not trying to win a Super Bowl four years from now. We’re going out there and we’re trying to win a Super Bowl next year,” Chiefs general manager Brett Veach said. ”Whether that happens, I don’t know, but I know that we’re going to do everything we can to put our team in position to do so.”
Many teams coming off back-to-back division titles would try to hold on a little longer. And the result would be a slow regression that would ultimately force the team to begin a complete rebuilding job anyway.
Veach, who took over for John Dorsey last summer, took a refreshingly different tack. He went after the trade market, was decisive in his convictions and landed his biggest priorities, even if he may have had to pay a premium to get Watkins and Hitchens in the door.
It was a sign the candid, confident Veach is going to be a far different GM than his predecessors in Kansas City.
”If we have shortcomings,” Veach said, ”we’ll continue to work on those things. Our mindset is at every period to get our team in a position to win a Super Bowl. We have a lot of talent here. It’s a lot of young talent, which is exciting for the fans Pat McAfee Jersey , but we realize there may be some growing pains. But we have some guys that can straight up play football, and that’s exciting.”
There is no doubt an abundance of talent, especially on offense.
Patrick Mahomes II is poised to take over for Smith under center, and he showed flashes of his big arm and gamesmanship in a Week 17 victory over Denver. To ease the transition, the Chiefs added Watkins to what is arguably the best set of skill-position players in the division, headlined by NFL rushing king Kareem Hunt, Pro Bowl tight end Travis Kelce and speedy wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
They also retained one of their own when they brought back bruising fullback Anthony Sherman.
”As a team, we’ve won a lot of games in the last few years,” Mahomes said, ”and we’re bringing a lot of those guys back. And with the additions that we have added, I feel like we can have a very, very good offense. It’s all going to start with how we prepare, especially at my position.”
Yes, the Chiefs expected to have a very good offense, just as they did last season. But one of the big challenges this offseason has been to fix a defense that ranked among the worst in the league.
Hitchens was a good first step, and he’ll step in to the void created by the release of the aging Derrick Johnson Randall Cobb Jersey , the franchise’s career tackles leader. Amerson and Fuller will help to cover the trade of Peters, and the draft picks netted this offseason will almost certainly be used on defense.
Still, the question remains: Is that enough to make an appreciable improvement?
”We’ve got a great nucleus coming back. We’ve added some players that are top-notch,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said last week. ”We’re fired up about this whole thing. I’m not great at standing up and going, `Hey, here we go!’ But I’m ready to roll as we’re sitting here in March.”
—
The NBA playoffs that start this weekend already have an extremely tough act to follow.
The regular season ended with a flourish.
Wednesday’s final night of the regular season was well beyond dramatic – an overtime game between Minnesota and Denver to decide the last berth, another overtime game between Miami and Toronto to determine some East fates, a 46-point first quarter by Philadelphia , an absurd 20-rebound, 19-assist night from Russell Westbrook.
And now, the best time of the NBA year is finally here.
The playoffs are back, with Golden State and Cleveland – who’ve met in the last three NBA Finals – not exactly looking like the overwhelming favorites the league has come to expect. A fourth straight Warriors-Cavs matchup is no guarantee. A fourth straight trip by either of those teams alone is far from certain, either.
It all starts Saturday, the 16-team tournament that will be a two-month grind following the six-month grind of the regular season.
”I feel pretty ready,” Toronto guard Kyle Lowry said. ”We’re ready to go.”
So are 15 other teams.
Start with the East pairings: Lowry and the top-seeded Raptors play No. 8 Washington, No. 2 Boston faces No. 7 Milwaukee http://www.indianapoliscoltsteamonline.com/joe-haeg-jersey , No. 3 Philadelphia gets No. 6 Miami and No. 4 Cleveland – with LeBron James bidding for an eighth consecutive appearance in The Finals – opening against No. 5 Indiana, a surprise team at the start of the season and one that isn’t a surprise anymore.
”We’re one of 16 teams that have a chance to win a championship,” James said. ”That’s all you can ask for.”
Philadelphia, after years of the rebuilding saga known as ”The Process,” has a chance as well. The 76ers are going into the playoffs on a 16-game winning streak.
”Take a deep breath, then reload,” 76ers coach Brett Brown said, talking about what he wants his team to do before getting ready for Game 1.
Out West, it’s No. 1 Houston meeting No. 8 Minnesota – which earned its berth by topping Denver in the NBA’s first win-and-get-in, lose-and-go-home regular-season finale in 21 years. No. 2 Golden State opens its quest for a third championship in four seasons against No. 7 San Antonio, No. 3 Portland drew No. 6 New Orleans and No. 4 Oklahoma City opens against No. 5 Utah.
”The playoffs are about moments, and you just want a chance to have those moments,” Miami guard Dwyane Wade said.
For the Timberwolves, Wednesday was a moment in itself. They needed overtime to beat the Nuggets and get into the postseason. It’s Minnesota’s first berth since 2004, and ended what was the NBA’s longest playoff drought (which now is bequeathed to the Sacramento Kings, who last played a playoff game in 2006).
”They just made the plays at the end http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/kavon-frazier-jersey ,” Denver’s Will Barton said of the Timberwolves. ”Give them credit.”
There are some rematches from the 2017 playoffs already waiting. Cleveland swept Indiana in the first round last year, and Boston needed seven games to oust Washington in a thrilling East semifinal series.
But the most intriguing should be the Golden State-San Antonio matchup – because once again, just like a year ago, the Spurs will almost certainly be without Leonard.
Those two teams played in the West finals last season, and the Spurs were up by 23 points when Leonard left in the third quarter after getting injured on a play where he tried a jumper and Warriors center Zaza Pachulia closed out aggressively. Leonard got hurt when he stepped on Pachulia on the landing; he and the Spurs haven’t been the same since.
Leonard never returned to that series, and played in only nine games for the Spurs this season.
”There is no pressure on us,” Spurs star LaMarcus Aldridge said.
There is on Golden State.
The Warriors are trying for a third title in four seasons, and will play this first round more than likely without Curry while he continues recovering from a knee injury. Golden State went 7-10 in its final 17 games, and clearly sputtered across the finish line.
But the records all reset now, and the Warriors have been waiting to get the postseason started.
”It’ll be our first meaningful game in about a month,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. ”Looking forward to that.”
With good reason. There’s a trophy to go chase now.
—
Quarterback Sam Darnold was the first of six Jets draft picks this year and he’s now the last one without a contract.
The Jets announced that tight end Chris Herndon has agreed to a four-year deal with the team. Herndon was selected in the fourth round with the 107th overall pick.
Herndon had 40 catches for 477 yards and four touchdowns in 11 games at the University of Miami last season. He hurt his MCL in the final game of the season and the team said after the draft that they expected him to be limited in offseason work Nyheim Hines Jersey , but he was able to do some drills at rookie minicamp.
The Jets did not re-sign Austin Seferian-Jenkins after he hit free agency, leaving them without their top tight end from last season. Herndon, Jordan Leggett Eddie Yarbrough Jersey , Clive Walford, Eric Tomlinson and Neal Sterling make up the contenders for playing time this year.
One of the biggest busts in recent draft history is getting another shot. In Cleveland.
Greg Robinson, the second overall pick in the 2014 NFL draft Marshall Newhouse Jersey , has signed with the Browns. To make room for Robinson on the 90-player roster, the Browns cut offensive tackle Rod Johnson, a 2017 fifth-round pick who spent his rookie year on injured reserve.
An offensive tackle from Auburn Richard Dent Jersey , Robinson was viewed as a big-time prospect when the Rams chose him in 2014. But although he was a starter for three years with the Rams, he never developed into the kind of player they hoped he would be.
A year ago the Rams traded Robinson to the Lions, who started him for six games early in the year but waived him midway through the season. He cleared waivers and hasn’t been with an NFL team since.
Now Robinson will try to make the Browns’ roster. If he doesn’t Dan Skuta Jersey , his NFL career may be over.
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