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Richard Sherman locked down the left cornerback spot in Seattle's defensive backfield from the moment he took over as a starter in the middle of the 2011 season until he went down with a torn Achilles last November.
He made the Pro Bowl four times and was a first-team All-Pro on three occasions over his last six seasons with the Seahawks.
But with Sherman now in San Francisco, the Seahawks are asking Shaquill Griffin to move across to the left side as the team's top cornerback. It's a lot of responsibility for a second-year player.
"It's a little different step for me, but nothing that I can't focus on," Griffin said. "But I'm loving the left side and I'm honored to be on that side now. I'm here to help my team any way I can."
When Sherman was injured last season, Griffin remained on the right side of the defense with Jeremy Lane and Byron Maxwell taking over for Sherman on the left side.
With an offseason to adjust, the Seahawks decided to move Griffin to the left side and allow Maxwell to return to the right side where he started 17 games for Seattle over two seasons in 2013 and 2014.
"We think Maxie has done a really nice job on the other side, and we thought if we're going to balance it out and open it up (for competition), let's open it up on the right side and see what happens," coach Pete Carroll said.
Griffin was a third-round pick of the Seahawks last season and managed to work his way into the starting lineup after the first month of the season. He started 11 games and had 59 tackles with an interception and a sack in his rookie season.
The team has since added Shaquill's brother, Shaquem, to the linebacking group, selecting him in the fifth round of this year's draft. While Shaquem has received the headlines for making the NFL despite having his left hand amputated as a child, Shaquill will likely be the more important piece to Seattle's defense in 2018.
"He has been really comfortably involved with everything." Carroll said of Griffin. "He just looks like he's a veteran. He grew a ton out of last season."
Griffin said he's trying to be more of a leader this season with the lingering uncertainty of Kam Chancellor's playing future following a neck injury and Earl Thomas' holdout Authentic John Ross Jersey , plus Sherman's departure to the 49ers.
Add in the departures of Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett along the defensive line and that's five former Pro Bowlers not a part of Seattle's defense.
"It's just telling me I've got to play more of a leadership role and I'm looking forward to doing so," he said. "We've got some guys who are willing to step up and pull some of the weight and take care of their part. We're not going to miss a beat. We're not going to miss a step."
Griffin has been on the left side throughout the team's offseason activities and Carroll said he's had no issues making the transition.
"Physically it was no problem, he had played back and forth in earlier years," Carroll said. "His mentality about it was fine, he was wide open to it. That's most of it.
"If a guy feels uncomfortable and he's telling you he's feeling uncomfortable, then he is. He never balked at it at all, and there's no signs of any evidence at all that it's going to be a problem."
NOTES: Carroll said all players that were on hand for their three-day minicamp should be ready to go for the start of training camp from a health standpoint. That doesn't include S Kam Chancellor, who is awaiting tests on his neck to see if he can continue his football career, or DT Malik McDowell, who was injured in an incident prior to his rookie season and missed the entire year on the non-football injury list.
Saints defensive tackle David Onyemata is no longer an intriguing international prospect with unknown potential.The native Nigerian, who learned American-style football as a college student in Canada, is entering his third NFL season as an established starter upon whom the Saints are increasingly comfortable relying to plug up rushing lanes or make quarterbacks uncomfortable when they drop back to pass.
"We certainly look at him that way," Saints defensive coordinator Dennis Allen said after practice on Monday evening. "He's established himself as a starting caliber defensive lineman in our league and he's certainly going to be a big part of what we're trying to get accomplished this year."
Onyemata Adidas Mark Stone Jersey , 25, always looked the part at 6-foot-4, 325 pounds. That's a big reason the Saints decided it would be worthwhile to use a fourth-round draft choice on him in 2016.
But Onyemata never envisioned an NFL playing career when he went to college in western Canada. He was there to study, and took up football because he was looking for an interesting way to diversify his college experience outside the classroom. He'd played soccer growing up, and was ready to try something new that perhaps suited his body type.
Ultimately, his academics-first approach to college 鈥?he earned a bachelor's degree in environmental science 鈥?might have aided his adjustment to the NFL.
"For a guy that had played as little football as he had, there was some terminology things that he had to learn ... but I wouldn't say that was any slower than it was for maybe any other rookie that we've had," Allen recalled. "So I think that's one of the things that's allowed him to be maybe as productive for us as he has, is that he is smart and learns really well. He's not a repeat-mistake offender."
Onyemata played in all 16 regular season games in 2017, starting the last six. He had 40 tackles, two sacks and one batted pass.
This past offseason, Onyemata took some time to return home in March to see family and friends in Africa, but also spent a lot of time in Baton Rouge Youth Jaire Alexander Jersey , working with long-time defensive line coach Pete Jenkins on more nuanced aspect of his position, such as his initial movements at the snap and how to use his hands to improve leverage.
"Just having the mindset to get better and work on things you're not good at 鈥?that has been the goal," Onyemata said, adding that he now has a strong command of New Orleans' defensive scheme and the terminology used to call it. "You know what they're asking you to do and you know what they're expecting you to do, so you just go out there and do your job."
Saints center Max Unger was in his second season in New Orleans in 2016 and has witnessed Onyemata's evolution as a football player up close.
"The accent's still there," Unger said, but quickly added, "He's becoming, I think, the player that a lot of people thought that he was going to be and it's impressive to see his development, especially coming down from Canada and not having a lot of football under his belt.
"It's tough to go against, honestly," Unger continued. "I mean Courtland Sutton Jersey Elite , look at him. He's a big, fast, physical guy that just needs to play as much football as he can. Again, it's a big jump to come into this league and I think that he has progressed pretty rapidly."
Unger said Onyemata's growth is evident in his awareness of what offenses are trying to do and how to defend it.
"You can be fast, you can be physical, but not knowing where the ball is, as a D-lineman, I guess is half the battle," Unger said, adding the Onyemata is also better at disguising his own intentions before the snap. "All of those things, he's showing pretty rapid improvement in."
.Jenkins is entering his 15th season with the franchise Youth Terrell Edmunds Jersey , staying with Cleveland despite numerous front-office overhauls. Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam cited Jenkins’ ”performance and leadership” in placing him in charge of the team’s business operations.
Jenkins has spent the past three seasons as the team’s executive vice president and the past five as its chief financial officer. He will remain its primary government relations contact.
The Browns are exploring the possibility of a major redevelopment at their downtown stadium. The long-term plans could include an extensive remodeling of FirstEnergy Stadium or a new facility.
Jenkins will oversee operations including financial management, revenue generation, stadium operations, legal, information technology, business analytics and administration.
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The possibility of 50,000 Las Vegas casino workers going on strike drew closer Thursday, with their contracts expiring at midnight and the prospects of new ones still uncertain.
The bartenders, housekeepers, bellmen and other unionized workers at 34 casino-hotels on the Strip and downtown Las Vegas have been negotiating new five-year contracts since February.
But wages, workplace training and other issues have kept their union and employers from reaching agreements Denzel Ward Color Rush Jersey , pushing employees to authorize the first strike in more than 30 years at any time starting Friday.
Here’s a look at the negotiations and a possible strike:
TO STRIKE OR NOT TO STRIKE
Ninety-nine percent of about 25,000 workers voted last week to authorize a strike after contracts expire. No date has been set, but they have begun signing up for strike pay, financial assistance and picketing shifts.
The Culinary Union and companies that would be affected if workers walk off the job had bargaining sessions this week for five-year contracts.
Analysts with Deutsche Bank put the likelihood of a citywide strike ”as low” and said they believe negotiations could continue past Thursday.
”Recall, in 2013, the Culinary Union remained in negotiations with some Strip operators for several months post the June 2013 contract expiration,” they wrote in a research note Wednesday. ”Business during this time was uninterrupted.”
The last citywide strike was in 1984, costing the city and workers millions of dollars.
ROOMS, KITCHENS AND LUGGAGE
The strike would mean no bartenders, housekeepers, cocktail and food servers Rashaan Gaulden Color Rush Jersey , porters, bellmen, cooks and other kitchen workers at properties including Bellagio, Aria, Caesars Palace, Flamingo Las Vegas, Tropicana, Stratosphere, Golden Nugget and The D.
MGM Resorts International and Caesars Entertainment operate more than half the properties that would be affected by a strike. Both companies have declined to provide details of their contingency plans.
The union and hospitality experts have said the companies would use replacement workers and try to bring some in from their properties outside Las Vegas.
Casino-resorts that would not be affected include Wynn Las Vegas, Encore, The Venetian and Palazzo.
The strike could come as fans head to the tourist destination for the Stanley Cup Final. The union for professional hockey players in the National Hockey League sent a letter to the Culinary Union on Wednesday expressing its support for the casino workers’ ”attempts to reach a fair and equitable agreement.”
”It is hoped that an accommodation can promptly be reached that will enable you to continue to provide the high level of service and professionalism that you have long exhibited Chiefs Armani Watts Jersey ,” National Hockey League Players’ Association executive director Donald Fehr wrote.
WAGES
The average hourly wage of Las Vegas Strip workers is $23, including benefits such as premium-free health care, a pension and a 401(k) retirement savings plan, and $20,000 down-payment assistance for first-time homebuyers.
The union says it has asked MGM for average annual wage increases of 4 percent for each of the next five years. It says the company has countered with an approximate 2.7 percent raise.
Caesars workers have asked for an increase of 4.2 percent effective Friday, and annual increases of about 4 percent thereafter. The union says the company has offered an approximate 2.8 percent increase for each of the five years.
”The companies are making millions and millions of dollars, they are growing and that’s excellent,” said Geoconda Arguello-Kline, union secretary-treasurer and a former housekeeper. ”We want them to share with the workers their success.”
Both companies have declined to provide details of their proposals but have said they are confident they will reach agreements with the union.
OTHER DISPUTES
The union said it is asking for training on new skills and job opportunities as the companies adopt technology that can displace employees. It also wants contract language that would protect workers if properties are sold.
The labor organization, the largest in Nevada, also has proposed to MGM and Caesars an independent study paid jointly with the union to analyze the workload of housekeepers.
The union has argued that hotel rooms have changed significantly Authentic Su'a Cravens Jersey , with new furniture and other amenities, since 2002, when the last workload study was conducted.
”I wouldn’t be here today had not everybody gone out on strike in 1984 for those health benefits because I came down with a terminal illness,” said Deborah Jeffries, a cocktail server. ”It was very important to me that I had that, and it was well worth the walk for two and half months.
”We are ready and willing to do this again, not that we want it, but if need be, we will do it,” she said.
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The group known as NFLPA One Team PAC gave $5,000 to former Cowboys linebacker Colin Allred, a Democrat facing Republican U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions in Dallas.
It did the same for Anthony Gonzalez, an ex-Indianapolis Colts receiver and Republican running for a seat being vacated by Ohio Republican Rep. Jim Renacci.
The group gave $27,700 total in six House and Senate races. Four Republicans got $17,700 and two Democrats received $10 Josey Jewell Color Rush Jersey ,000.
Republican Rep. Will Hurd of Texas also got $5,000, as did House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell received $2,700.
Steven Stamkos is back on the ice, eager to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning into the NHL playoffs.The five-time All-Star missed the last three games of the regular season with a lower-body injury. He returned to practice this week and hopes to be ready Thursday for the start of a first-round series against the New Jersey Devils.
”It was obviously tough,” said Stamkos http://www.titansauthorizedshops.com/authentic-rashaan-evans-jersey , who watched the Lightning go 2-0-1 down the stretch to hold off the Boston Bruins for the Atlantic Division title and No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference.
”You want to be in those games. But the more important games are now, and I just want to make sure I feel as good as possible heading into the playoffs,” the team’s second-leading scorer added. ”Hopefully it keeps progressing and I can feel good come Thursday.”
Stamkos, a two-time Rocket Richard Trophy winner, rebounded from missing most of last season with a knee injury to bolster the NHL’s most prolific offense with 27 goals and a career-high 59 assists for 86 points in 78 games.
The 28-year-old center anticipates a tough matchup against the young Devils, who won all three regular-season meetings between the teams.
”It doesn’t really matter where you finish (in the standings) any more. All these other teams are their own different animals come playoff time Cheap Russell Bodine Jersey ,” Stamkos said. ”It’s a fresh start once you get into the playoffs. Regular season is regular season. We all know that.”
Stamkos’ health figures as a key to the series.
He missed 65 games after undergoing surgery to repair a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee last season, when the Lightning narrowly missed the playoffs. Two years ago, a blood clot discovered near his collarbone sidelined the center from late in the regular season until Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, when Tampa Bay lost to eventual Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh.
The Lightning didn’t practice Tuesday, but coach Jon Cooper said the team remained hopeful of having Stamkos back for Game 1 against the Devils.
Stamkos is optimistic, too Michael Gallup Youth Jersey , though with his history of injuries in recent seasons he has no illusions about being completely healthy when he returns.
”Listen, my body will never be 100 percent, regardless, going through the stuff I’ve been through,” the No. 1 overall pick from the 2008 draft said. ”So there’s no point asking about percentages.”
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More NHL hockey: .
The Packers could use an edge rusher to help Clay Matthews and Nick Perry. Wide receiver and offensive line are also positions of need.
But they hope that they've shored up their pass coverage after adding Iowa cornerback Josh Jackson in the second round. They selected Vanderbilt's Oren Burks in the third round. They see Burks as a versatile inside linebacker who can cover.
The Packers chose Louisville cornerback Jaire Alexander in the first round.
Gutekunst says that adding competition will bring out the best in his players.
Three Seattle Seahawks players ran into the tunnel leading to the team's locker room prior to the national anthem on Thursday night.Defensive linemen Branden Jackson and Quinton Jefferson http://www.billsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-tremaine-edmunds-jersey , and offensive lineman Duane Brown left the field following team introductions and before the start of the anthem. They returned to the sideline immediately after it concluded. All three were among a group of Seattle players that sat during the anthem last season.
There were no other actions by either Seattle or Indianapolis players during the performance of anthem.
The league and the players' union have yet to announce a policy for this season regarding demonstrations during the anthem after the league initially ordered everyone to stand on the sideline when "The Star-Spangled Banner" is played, or remain in the locker room.
"The NFL has been engaged in constructive discussions with the NFL Players Association regarding the anthem and issues of equality and social justice that are of concern to many Americans http://www.chargersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-derwin-james-jersey ," league spokesman Brian McCarthy said in an email.
"While those discussions continue, the NFL has agreed to delay implementing or enforcing any club work rules that could result in players being disciplined for their conduct during the performance of the anthem.
"Meanwhile , there has been no change in the NFL's policy regarding the national anthem. The anthem will continue to be played before every game, and all player and non-player personnel on the field at that time are expected to stand during the presentation of the flag and performance of the anthem. Personnel who do not wish to do so can choose to remain in the locker room.
"We remain committed to working with the players to identify solutions and to continue making progress on important social issues affecting our communities."
.Miami is discussing releasing five-time Pro Bowl tackle Ndamukong Suh when the NFL’s new year begins Wednesday Authentic Customized Bengals Jerseys , a person familiar with the situation said Monday. The person said nothing has been finalized, and confirmed the conversations to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Dolphins have not commented.
The Dolphins are also expected to release veteran linebacker Lawrence Timmons, the person said.
Suh’s release is anticipated unless he agrees to a significant contract restructuring, which is unlikely. He signed a $114 million, six-year deal with the Dolphins when he joined them in 2015, and his base salary this year would be $17 million.
”Stay tuned Jaguars DJ Chark Jersey ,” Suh said in a video posted on Twitter. ”There will be some exciting news going on.”
The 305-pound Suh clogs the middle and usually draws double teams, but he’s not a playmaker and has had only 15 sacks in three years with Miami. He has a reputation for needless penalties and dirty play, while his aloof personality raised questions about his leadership.
His anticipated departure would be the latest move in an attempt to change the locker room culture under Adam Gase, who heads into his third season as coach.
Running back Jay Ajayi was traded last season, and receiver Jarvis Landry was traded last week. Gase clashed at times with both.
And then there’s Timmons. He joined the Dolphins a year ago, went AWOL on the eve of the opener Dak Prescott Jersey , was briefly suspended and returned to have a poor season.
Suh, 31, has never won a playoff game, and with him last year, Miami finished 14th in run defense and 26th in sacks last year. He had 4 1/2 sacks and 48 tackles for the Dolphins, who went 6-10.
Suh was the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2010 by the Detroit Lions. He has been a model of durability Chris Owings Jersey , missing only two games in his eight-year career.
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The Raiders spent the first two days of the NFL draft maneuvering up and down and they may not be finished wheeling and dealing.
Heading into Saturday, coach Jon Gruden and general manager Reggie McKenzie still have six picks remaining 鈥?a fourth-rounder, two in the fifth, two in the sixth and one in the seventh. And they still have several holes to fill, most of them on the defense.
Having added help on the defensive line, the Raiders may be tempted to look for additional help at linebacker and cornerback Authentic Rasheem Green Jersey , where the team is particularly thin. Both were positions the team went into the offseason looking to upgrade.
Oakland may also be looking to acquire a punter after releasing Marquette King in the offseason.
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Rob Carr/Getty ImagesVirginia Tech cornerback Adonis Alexander declared for the 2018 NFL supplemental draft on Saturday.In a statement tweeted by his agent Calvin Ridley Jersey , Andy Ross, Alexander said he decided to enter the supplemental draft after being ruled academically ineligible to play at Virginia Tech in 2018:Andy Ross @adross77Statement from Adonis Alexander. https://t.co/walcjbp4DqNFL Network's Tom Pelissero tweeted that while Alexander has a lot of "off-field issues for teams to sort through," he is expected to be picked in the supplemental draft.In 2016 Kerryon Johnson Youth Jersey , Virginia Tech聽suspended聽Alexander after he was arrested for possession of marijuana.That came on the heels of a strong freshman campaign in 2015 that saw the 6'3" defensive back register 55 tackles, six passes defended and four interceptions.Alexander returned from suspension and followed that up with 43 tackles, seven passes defended and two picks in 2016.Last season was Alexander's worst with the Hokies. He appeared in just eight games and finished with 27 tackles Shaquem Griffin Jersey , four passes defended and one interception.Even so, there promises to be interest in Alexander as part of the supplemental draft due to his size and athletic ability.Alexander has a chance to become the first player selected in the NFL supplemental draft since the then-St. Louis Rams used a fifth-round pick to take Clemson offensive tackle Isaiah Battle in 2015. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is apparently a fan of soon-to-be-former Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson despite the severity of allegations against the latter.聽According to Jason La Canfora of BMOShow.com, Jones "spoke glowingly" of Richardson to fellow owners Tuesday and thanked him for what he鈥檚 done for the NFL.Richardson announced he was putting the Panthers up for sale in December amid allegations of workplace misconduct against him.L. Jon聽Wertheim聽and Viv Bernstein聽of聽Sports Illustrated聽reported "at least four former Panthers employees have received 'significant' monetary settlements due to inappropriate workplace comments and conduct by owner Jerry Richardson Josh Jackson Youth Jersey , including sexually suggestive language and behavior, and on at least one occasion directing a racial slur at an African-American Panthers scout."Jones鈥?review of Richardson came during the NFL鈥檚 Spring League Meeting in Atlanta.Herbie Teope聽of NFL.com cited colleague Ian Rapoport and noted Richardson was also expected to address fellow owners Tuesday and offer his farewells before the Panthers are officially transferred to David Tepper.David Newton聽of ESPN.com reported the NFL鈥檚 32 owners unanimously approved of the sale of the Panthers to Tepper on Tuesday, clearing the way for the sale to be officially completed in July.Richardson founded the Panthers in 1993 and appears to still have the support of Jones even聽after the serious allegations against him..
The Baltimore Ravens selected Louisville quarterback Lamar Jackson in the first round of the NFL draft this year Connor Williams Jersey , calling into question whether the team would have a quarterback controversy this summer.But thus far, Joe Flacco has appeared to rise to the challenge.聽As Peter King of NBC Sports wrote: "One longtime Ravens observer told me here Thursday that this first week of camp for Flacco has been 'far and away' the best he's looked in camp in his 11 years as a Raven."Obviously, it's early in training camp and Jackson is still learning the offense, while Flacco has been in Baltimore for 10 years. But Flacco's performance has turned more than a few heads."I see Joe Flacco out there," head coach John Harbaugh told King. "Healthy. Obviously very determined.""That's an NFL quarterback," Jackson added. "I'm learning a lot watching him."Flacco, 33, did not turn heads last season. The veteran threw for just聽3,141 yards, 18 touchdowns and 13聽interceptions Andy Dalton Bengals Jersey , completing聽64.1聽percent of his passes. Pro Football Focus gave him a grade of聽76.6, 24th among quarterbacks.In the process, the Ravens threw for just聽189 yards per game, 29th in the NFL. But the team bolstered its weapons in the offseason, adding John Brown,聽Michael Crabtree,聽Willie Snead聽and rookie tight ends Hayden聽Hurst and聽Mark Andrews.But the addition that earned the headlines was Jackson. Was he brought in to light a fire under Flacco? Is he simply short-term insurance and a long-term investment?聽The Ravens have maintained that they'll utilize both players this season, likely finding creative ways to get Jackson involved, given his impressive athleticism and dynamism聽with the ball in his hands."We have ideas. People are seeing it out here," Harbaugh told King. "Sometimes Lamar will be the quarterback. Sometimes we'll have two quarterbacks. Sometimes Joe will be doing something else. Sometimes Lamar will be doing something else. We'll try to be creative. That's really about all I can tell you: We're going to try to be creative with them."As for Flacco DJ Moore Panthers Jersey , he's trying to handle what he can control.聽"There's definitely a certain feeling you have," he told King about Jackson being drafted. "I don't know if it's the worst feeling in the world, but it's definitely means something. There's definitely a little bit of a message in there. But this is the NFL, man. I've been in it for 10 years, seen pretty much everything. Surprised by this [the drafting of Jackson] a little bit. 鈥?Ryan Shazier’s locker sat untouched in a corner of the Pittsburgh Steelers locker room Wednesday save for one little piece: his yellow No. 50 practice jersey, which found its way into the hands and over the shoulders of good friend and fellow inside linebacker Vince Williams.While Williams and the rest of Shazier’s teammates tried to go about the business of preparing for a visit from Baltimore on Sunday night that could clinch Pittsburgh’s third AFC North title in four years, Shazier spent the day being transported from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh to undergo further testing on a spinal injury that left his future murky and his teammates shaken.“I think it’s just weird without 50 here,” rookie outside linebacker T.J. Watt said. “He’s the heart and soul of this defense. He’s the quarterback. It’s just different not having him here in meetings and out there in practices. It’s weird.”Pittsburgh signed Sean Spence, who spent three seasons with the Steelers after being taken in the third round of the 2012 draft, to fill Shazier’s spot on the roster.Tyler Matakevich could start in Shazier’s spot against the Ravens if his aching left shoulder comes around in time.Yet the void left by the relentlessly upbeat and charismatic Shazier both on the field and off will be more difficult to replace. Perhaps impossible. And Shazier’s teammates know it.While they’ve inundated him with texts and phone calls and tried to stay positive Mike McGlinchey Youth Jersey , the sight of one of the league’s best linebackers on a stretcher, his legs motionless after a routine hit served as a jarring reminder of their own football mortality.“It just brings it back to reality of how dangerous the sport truly is,” linebacker Arthur Moats said. “A lot of times, especially with injury stuff like that, people just kind of get … you get kind of ‘Oh, we see it all the time, guys get hit all the time, guys get hurt all the time but it’s nothing crazy.’ When you see a guy go down like that, it kind of puts it into perspective like ‘Oh yeah, it’s real life.'”Safety Mike Mitchell was 20 feet away when Shazier lowered his head to hit Cincinnati wide receiver Josh Malone in the back. Shazier bounced off and rolled over Kerryon Johnson Jersey , pointing to the bottom of his back in obvious pain, his legs splayed awkwardly.“That’s my brother,” Mitchell said. “When we walked out there, that was one of the things that really shook me up a little bit because Shay’s tough as nails. When I look at him, he had tears in his eyes. I could clearly see he was really scared.”The Steelers seemed to spend the rest of the first half in a daze before rallying to win on Chris Boswell’s last-second field goal . They remain guardedly optimistic about Shazier’s prognosis while also a bit powerless. All they can do is sit, and wait, and play.“You understand that the only way to do your job and help him with his recovery is make sure we go out there and execute, him not having to have that burden of ‘Dang, the team’s struggling. The team’s doing bad. I got to hurry up and get back,'” Moats said. “I feel like if we just continue to be successful Sam Darnold Jersey , that’ll make it a little easier on him.”Trying to compartmentalize their jobs with concern for their friend isn’t easy, especially when it remains unclear if Shazier will be able to walk again let alone continue a career that appeared on the verge of stardom up until the moment his helmet struck Malone’s back.Yet to a man the Steelers know this is what they signed up for, Shazier included. If he can’t be alongside them, the next best thing they can do is honor him with their play.“It sucks the injury that happened,” defensive end Cam Heyward said. “I think the air was let out of the building for a while, but we understand we’ve got to keep playing.“We know it’s not easy. He was an integral part of our defense and our team. We keep him in our prayers. Keep in contact with him and then we try to focus on football.”NOTES: TE Vance McDonald (ankle) and Mitchell (ankle) practiced on Wednesday. … CB Joe Haden (fractured leg) and Matakevich (shoulder) did not.This story has been corrected to note Spence was taken in the third round of the 2012 draft, not the fifth round..
SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants will attempt to complete their winningest homestand since their 2012 championship season when they go for a series sweep against the Colorado Rockies on Thursday afternoon.
Right-handers Chris Stratton (8-5, 4.14 ERA) of the Giants and Jon Gray (7-7, 5.52) of the Rockies are scheduled to duel in a rematch of a May 19 meeting in San Francisco won by the Giants 9-4.
With hard-fought 3-2 and 1-0 victories in the first two games of the series Cheap Taven Bryan Jersey , the Giants improved to 7-2 on their homestand, with one game remaining.
They haven’t had an eight-win homestand since September 2012.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy credited his pitchers, who have held the opposition to three or fewer runs in 10 of their last 13 games, including six of nine on the homestand.
“There’s a large sense of confidence here at home,” he said. “What’s impressive is the pitching here. It’s keeping us in the game.”
Stratton has given up three or fewer earned runs in seven straight starts. That streak includes the May 19 game against the Rockies, when one of the four runs he allowed was unearned.
The 27-year-old has faced the Rockies three times in his career, twice as a starter Cheap Josh Rosen Jersey , and has gone 1-0 with a 4.50 ERA.
The guy who has given him the most trouble has been Charlie Blackmon, who has four hits, including a home run, in seven at-bats against Stratton.
Blackmon had one of the Rockies’ two hits in Wednesday’s loss.
Colorado finds itself in an offensive slump entering the series finale. The Rockies have lost four in a row, having totaled nine runs in those games.
This comes on the heels of having exploded for 37 runs in their previous four games, all wins.
Gray has faced the Giants twice this season, and hasn’t seen the fifth inning either time.
After giving up five runs and nine hits in 3 2/3 innings in the May 19 loss Cheap Kolton Miller Jersey , he was roughed up at home for four runs and six hits in 3 1/3 innings in a 7-4 defeat. He did not get a decision in the latter.
Gray has started five games in his career against the Giants, going 0-2 with a 5.24 ERA. Both losses came in San Francisco.
Gray has struggled this season with Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford, the hero of Wednesday’s win with the third walk-off home run of his career. Crawford has a double and two singles in four at-bats against Gray this season.
Andrew McCutchen also has scorched the 26-year-old in the past, going 7-for-12 with two doubles.
The Giants reached the midpoint of their season with a 42-39 record Wednesday night. That’s a 12-game improvement over last season, when they were already 22 1/2 games out of first place in the National League West.
The Rockies will play their 81st game Thursday. They had 47 wins at the midpoint of the 2017 season, nine more than they have this year.
.The Portland Trail Blazers fought their way through a pressure-packed playoff race to earn home-court advantage in a series Quenton Nelson Colts Jersey , then lost it in one game.
The Toronto Raptors know that problem all too well, so they want to take advantage of playing from ahead for a change.
They try for their first 2-0 playoff series lead ever Tuesday night against Washington, while the Trail Blazers try to even things up in against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Boston and Milwaukee play the other Game 2 on Tuesday after the Celtics pulled out a 113-107 overtime victory on Sunday.
The No. 3 Trail Blazers were the highest-seeded team to lose so far, falling 97-95 on Saturday. Anthony Davis was dominant, Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum were slow-starting, and the Pelicans got a couple big defensive plays down the stretch from Jrue Holiday to hold on after the Blazers nearly came back from a 19-point deficit.
”I think it puts some pressure on us,” Lillard said. ”You know, you come in with home court, the first two games on your floor and you lose the first one, and now they’re saying in their locker room we got one, why not go get another one. And our job is to defend the home court.
”We’ve got to tighten up, come back sharper John Ross Jersey , and take care of home floor.”
Toronto had lost Game 1 at home all six times it had home-court advantage in a series, part of an overall 10-game losing streak in series openers, before beating Washington 114-106 dropped on Saturday. Finally, the Raptors could enjoy the start of postseason play.
”And for me, this year is finally a year I can be happy watching other games and not be like `Damn, I lost Game 1,”’ point guard Kyle Lowry said.
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Some things to know about Tuesday’s matchups:
WIZARDS AT RAPTORS
Toronto leads 1-0. Game 2, 7 P.M., NBA TV.
NEED TO KNOW: Toronto’s only other 1-0 series lead was in the 2001 Eastern Conference semifinals against Philadelphia, which won Game 2 and ultimately the series in seven games.
KEEP AN EYE ON: The 3-point line. The Raptors made a franchise-record 16 in the opener, twice as many as Washington for a 24-point advantage behind the arc.
INJURY UPDATE: Raptors reserve Fred VanVleet (right shoulder) went through most of practice Monday after missing the opener but remains day to day. Lowry was fighting a cold but joked he was ”out tanning” Sunday during an ice storm.
PRESSURE IS ON: Washington’s bench. The Wizards‘ reserves probably aren’t going to win the battle against Toronto’s highly productive second unit, but need to produce something more after getting next to nothing beyond Mike Scott’s 14 points in the opener.
BUCKS AT CELTICS
Boston leads 1-0. Game 2 DJ Moore Youth Jersey , 8 P.M., TNT.
NEED TO KNOW: Giannis Antetokounmpo has scored 20 or more points in eight straight games against the Celtics after scoring 35 before fouling out in overtime of the opener.
KEEP AN EYE ON: Boston’s balance. With Al Horford (24 points), Terry Rozier (23), Marcus Morris (21) and Jaylen Brown (20), the Celtics had four 20-point scorers in a playoff game for the first time since Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Reggie Lewis and Brian Shaw did it in a 1991 game. Throw in Jayson Tatum’s 19 points, and the Bucks let too many players get hot in Game 1.
INJURY UPDATE: Celtics coach Brad Stevens said Marcus Smart is getting some shots up and working on lower body and conditioning as much as he can, but has been told by the training staff that April 27 is the earliest the guard could begin basketball activity.
”We’re still a ways away from that and a lot of games away from that,” Stevens said.
PRESSURE IS ON: Eric Bledsoe. Milwaukee needs more from its starting guard who had more combined fouls (6) and turnovers (5) than points (9) in a bit of a Game 1 dud.
PELICANS AT TRAIL BLAZERS
New Orleans leads 1-0. Game 2, 10:30 P.M., TNT.
NEED TO KNOW: Anthony Davis had 35 points in the opener and has scored 25 or more in his first five postseason games. He can tie LeBron James for the second-longest streak to begin a career Jessie Bates III Jersey , behind Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s 14 straight, according to Elias.
KEEP AN EYE ON: Rajon Rondo. A 17-assist, eight-rebound opener was another reminder of how much the Pelicans’ point guard can elevate his game in the postseason.
INJURY UPDATE: Portland’s Maurice Harkless is nearing a return from late-season left knee surgery, but may not be available until later in the series.
PRESSURE IS ON: The Blazers’ backcourt. Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum combined to shoot just 13 for 41, and their three combined points on 1-for-15 shooting in the first half doomed Portland to a big hole from which it could not recover.
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AP Sports Writer Kyle Hightower in Boston and freelance writer Ian Harrison in Toronto contributed to this report.
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CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Indians, who are in first place in the American League Central Division, are in the midst of a portion of their schedule in which they have an opportunity to lengthen their division lead, or see it evaporate — quickly.
Saturday at Progressive Field the Indians will host the division-rival Minnesota Twins in the second game of a three-game series. Saturday’s game will be the Indians’ ninth game in a 16-game stretch in which they will play only AL Central teams. In the first eight games in that span the Indians are 4-4, including a 6-3 loss to the Twins Friday night.
Overall this season the Indians are 18-12 against AL Central teams, including 11-3 at Progressive Field. The Twins are 15-10 against AL Central teams, and 5-2 against Cleveland.
Both teams made roster moves prior to Friday’s game. The Indians activated outfielder Tyler Naquin off the disabled list and placed first baseman Yonder Alonso on the family medical emergency list. Naquin was in the lineup Friday and played center field. He went 1-for-3 in his first game since being placed on the DL on May 11 with a strained left hamstring.
The Twins on Friday activated first baseman Joe Mauer off the disabled list and recalled infielder Taylor Motter from Triple-A Rochester. Mauer and Motter replace infielder Miguel Sano, who was optioned to Class-A Fort Myers Ronald Jones II Jersey , and outfielder Jake Cave, who was optioned to Rochester.
“It’s really been bothering him that he hasn’t been contributing while we’ve been losing. His biggest goal is to win,” Twins manager Paul Molitor told the Minneapolis Star Tribune regarding Sano. “Some things have knocked him off course from time to time, and it’s time to address them.”
Mauer missed 25 games with a cervical strain/concussion-like symptoms. Motter was claimed off waivers from Seattle on May 28 and hit .167 (7-for-42) at Rochester.
Although the Indians are just 6-7 in June, they are encouraged by the improved work by their bullpen, which was the American League’s worst over the first two months of the season. However, in the month of June, the Indians’ 2.30 bullpen ERA ranks fifth. Two new additions, left-hander Oliver Perez and right-hander Neil Ramirez, have been key contributors in the bullpen’s resurgence.
“We were hoping that with an opportunity to pitch for those guys, good things would happen, and that’s what happened Authentic A.J. Green Jersey ,” said Indians manager Terry Francona. “Perez has helped a lot, and Ramirez has some swing and miss stuff. Things are definitely settling down (in the bullpen).”
The pitching matchup Saturday will be a pair of right-handers: Cleveland’s Carlos Carrasco vs. Minnesota’s Fernando Romero.
Carrasco (8-4, 3.90 ERA) is coming off his best start of the season, a 4-0 win over the White Sox on June 11. In that game, Carrasco pitched seven scoreless innings. He gave up two hits and recorded 11 strikeouts with one walk.
Carrasco has started two games against the Twins this season and is 0-1 with a 5.06 ERA. In 19 career appearances (16 starts) against Minnesota, Carrasco is 5-7 with a 3.97 ERA.
The 23-year-old Romero (3-2, 3.92) will be making his ninth major league start and his first against Cleveland. Romero’s last start was a 7-5 win over the Angels on June 10. Romero pitched five innings in that game, giving up three runs (two earned) on five hits, with five strikeouts and two walks.
Romero’s rookie season started well but has been bumpy in recent starts. In his first three starts he was 2-0 with a 0.54 ERA. But in his last five starts he is 1-2 with a 6.20 ERA.
.Markieff Morris has been fined $25 P.J. Hall Jersey ,000 by the NBA on Saturday for attempting to escalate an altercation and pushing an official during a game against Toronto on Friday night. Morris shoved official Ken Mauer aside when Morris and Toronto’s OG Anunoby had to be separated after a near-fight that drew other players less than three minutes into the Wizards’ 122-103 victory.
Meanwhile, Marcus Morris was also docked $15,000 for criticizing officials after the Celtics’ 116-92 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks. He was called for a technical foul in the third and was critical of the officiating after the game.
In October, the brothers were acquitted by a Phoenix jury in an aggravated assault trial. They were on trial on charges that they helped three other people beat a man in January 2015 outside a high school basketball game. The twins played for the Phoenix Suns at the time.
The NBA draft featured several big men on Thursday night, and the biggest was Mohamed Bamba.The Orlando Magic drafted the 20-year-old center with the sixth overall pick. The young man from New York City who played one year at Texas joins a team that went 25-57 last season and has averaged only 26 wins over six straight losing seasons.
”I’m not going to sit here and say things are going to change overnight,” Bamba said. ”It’s going to take more than one person and I actually believe that with the players around me Isaiah Wynn Patriots Jersey , we have the right pieces to make the organization successful.”
After a run of drafts that have helped to turn the NBA into a perimeter-oriented league, four of the top six picks selected Thursday nights were players who stand 6-foot-11 or taller. Bamba, who measured 7-foot, 3/4-inch and 226 pounds at the NBA draft combine, is a half-inch taller than DeAndre Ayton, who was drafted first overall by the Phoenix Suns.
Bamba’s 7-foot-10 wingspan is reportedly the largest ever measured at the combine.
”He will be the longest player in the NBA Hayden Hurst Jersey ,” said Jeff Weltman, Orlando’s president of basketball operations, ”and he has already, in his short time in college, proved to be an elite-level shot blocker.”
Weltman was ”surprised and elated that Mo fell to us at 6,” and added that it would not have possible without the swap of the third and fifth picks.
The Atlanta Hawks drafted European guard Luka Doncic with the third pick and traded him to the Dallas Mavericks for guard Trae Young Brian O'Neill Jersey , who was taken fifth.
Bamba averaged 12.9 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3.7 blocks as a freshman for the Longhorns. He was second in the nation in blocked shots among Division 1 teams, and his 15 double-doubles led the Big 12 conference.
Bamba’s offensive game is considered undeveloped, but Bamba expects to make an immediate impact.
”I see myself fitting in right away as far as the trend of bigs trying to do it all,” he said. ”But it really comes down to defense. You are who you can guard in the NBA, and as long as you can guard multiple positions you can stay on the floor. And as long as you can shoot the ball you can stay on the floor.”
It is the second year in a row the Magic had the sixth overall pick in the draft.
Last year Orlando drafted 6-10 Jonathan Isaac Leighton Vander Esch Cowboys Jersey , who is also known as a shot blocker. But Isaac was limited to 27 games due to injuries and averaged 5.4 points and 3.7 rebounds. Isaac was the tallest of the six players at the top of last year’s draft.
”There are so many things that you need to be successful, but length is a huge element of floor coverage,” Weltman said. ”If you can have it and maintain skill level and all the other things that you could list, you would always rather have it. And when you start adding it up with a lot of players, it becomes kind of a force multiplier.”
Bamba has met Isaac, and said ”he was like a role model in a sense because he was in the class ahead of me.”
Orlando’s management team Vita Vea Jersey , headed by Weltman and general manager John Hammond, is directing the team’s draft for only the second year.
The Magic will also have a new leader on the bench in Steve Clifford.
The former Charlotte Hornets coach was hired on May 30 to replace Frank Vogel. Clifford is Orlando’s fifth head coach since Stan Van Gundy was fired in 2012 after coaching the team’s last winning season.
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