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”He can play to 40 Mathew Barzal Jersey ,” Williams said Thursday. ”Can you, Alex? Look at him. I think he can.”
Smith smiled back and has plenty to be happy about. The veteran is now the Redskins’ franchise quarterback after being acquired from the Kansas City Chiefs and signing a $94 million, four-year extension with $71 million guaranteed that keeps him under contract through 2022.
He’d be 38 if he plays out that deal, one that shows the Redskins were willing to commit long term to Smith the way they never did with Kirk Cousins. As Williams implied Cousins didn’t want to be in Washington for the long haul, Smith made it clear he did.
”This is where I wanted to be,” Smith said. ”It looked fun. I wanted to be a part of it.”
Smith gives the Redskins the kind of continuity at the position they lacked with Cousins, who became the first QB in NFL history to play back-to-back seasons under the franchise tag before signing a fully guaranteed $84 million, three-year deal with the Minnesota Vikings.
”I do believe that Washington had a lot of great pieces,” Cousins said at his introductory news conference. ”They will have a lot of great pieces going forward and the margin of error is small. The difference between winning and losing is so small.”
Cousins’ year-to-year status and propensity for mistakes in big moments outweighed his three consecutive 4,000-yard seasons to Washington’s front office, which decided to target Smith.
”That’s somebody you can build your team around and know he’s going to be here, year in and year out,” coach Jay Gruden said. ”You’re not always looking down the road: `Oh, who’s going to be our quarterback next year?”’
Williams said three or four other teams were also attempting to get Smith Jean-Gabriel Pageau Jersey , which the Redskins did by sending a 2018 third-round pick and promising young cornerback Kendall Fuller to Kansas City.
Smith had some say in his destination because he had to agree to the extension that Williams joked, ”If we have to add a couple more years to it, we’ll do that, too.”
That was never going to happen with Cousins, a 2012 fourth-round pick taken the same draft as Robert Griffin III who thrived under the impression he was not wanted. From the Redskins’ perspective, that went both ways.
”It wasn’t a matter of wanting to commit to the other guy,” Williams said of Cousins. ”We had to look at it what we had to do that’s going to be best for us, somebody who wanted to be here.”
Smith’s introduction six weeks after the trade and extension were agreed to came with a welcome gift as the Redskins signed former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Paul Richardson to a five-year deal that’s reported to be worth $40 million.
Richardson saw what DeSean Jackson did as a fellow speed threat in this offense and talked to former Washington receiver Pierre Garcon about the situation and figured it would be a good fit to catch balls from Smith.
”I want him to know I’m always available,” said Richardson, who has 95 catches for 1,302 yards and eight touchdowns in four seasons. ”Just throw it. It don’t matter where it is. I’m going to go get it. And I’m going to turn him into a believer.”
Smith has already made the Redskins’ brass into believers, and the entire organization from owner Dan Snyder and team president Bruce Allen down showed up for his much-hyped introductory news conference.
Standing in the same building that Cousins roamed the past three seasons as the starter, Smith looked comfortable being the guy and understanding the faith the franchise put in him.
”We’ve got to go win games,” Smith said. ”Excited about the opportunity because that’s what it is at this point. It’s an opportunity Authentic Nick Bjugstad Jersey , and we’ve got to go make the most of it.”
Gruden praised Smith for having ”all the traits” to be successful, and Williams sees the same on-field characteristics.
But the Super Bowl MVP QB-turned-executive also sees another benefit in the locker room of Smith being under contract long term.
”I don’t think the fans really understand when you talk about stability and when you know the guy that’s going to be leading this team is going to be in your locker room for the next three to four to five years, that’s a good feeling,” Williams said.
”I think now they can relax and even during the season don’t have to worry about whether our fearless leader’s going to be here next year.”
NOTES: The Redskins re-signed LB Zach Brown, whom they added in free agency a year ago. … According to tweets from their agents, WR Brian Quick re-signed and former Cowboys P Sam Irwin-Hill signed with Washington.
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AP Pro Football Writers Dave Campbell and Howard Fendrich contributed.
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Adam Silver has encouraged the Philadelphia 76ers to both quickly and thoroughly resolve the investigation into whether team president Bryan Colangelo used Twitter inappropriately, a story that the NBA commissioner acknowledged was not one he wants to be thinking about during the league’s title series.
Silver, speaking Thursday before Game 1 of the Cleveland-Golden State matchup at the NBA Finals news conference, said he has talked with 76ers officials after the story about five Twitter accounts and how they were used was broken by The Ringer earlier this week.
”Here we are, Game 1 of the finals, it’s not necessarily something that we want to be talking about,” Silver said. ”But it’s the reality of this league. And so I have no information beyond that, other than that investigation is underway.”
The 76ers retained an independent law firm to determine whether Colangelo used the Twitter accounts. The situation could overshadow Philadelphia’s efforts this summer to land any of the top players who will be free agents – a list that includes LeBron James, who’s appearing in the NBA Finals for the eighth consecutive year.
Among the targets of harsh or critical comments on those Twitter accounts: Philadelphia players Joel Embiid and Markelle Fultz Seth Jones Jersey , former 76ers general manager Sam Hinkie, Toronto Raptors executive Masai Ujiri and former Sixers players Jahlil Okafor and Nerlens Noel. Embiid has said he does not believe that Colangelo wrote the tweets, dismissing the story as ”insane.”
Colangelo has acknowledged using one of the accounts to monitor NBA happenings.
”Let’s find out what’s going on,” Silver said. ”We have to separate the chatter and sort of what either fans or frankly the media are saying from the facts. The first thing we have to do here is determine what the actual facts are in this circumstance.”
Silver touched on many other topics in his annual address, including:
SPORTS BETTING
There will be wagering on Game 3 of the NBA Finals, at least in Delaware casinos.
That state’s officials have announced that full-scale sports betting will begin there at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday , one day before the series between Golden State and Cleveland shifts to the Cavaliers‘ home floor.
Delaware is the first state to take advantage of a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that now permits states to allow sports wagering. Delaware has been permitted to offer parlay wagers on NFL games since 2009, and has had sports betting legislation on its books for nearly a decade. Other states are trying to follow suit quickly.
The NBA has told states it is seeking a 1 percent cut of betting, which it is calling an ”integrity fee” to help offset the costs of enforcement incurred by the league office and also to serve as a royalty.
”The real issue as we move to new jurisdictions that are legalizing sports betting is access to information,” Silver said. ”That’s one of the things we have sought in model legislation … and so what we can do is going to depend in large part on the quality of the information we can get from these states.”
Silver said the NBA game is the league’s ”intellectual property, and we think we should be compensated for it.”
STERLING BROWN
Silver has seen the footage of police using a Taser on Milwaukee guard Sterling Brown during an incident outside a Walgreens store in January, one that started over a parking violation.
”I saw the video for the first time when the public saw it,” Silver said. ”It’s horrific. For any of us, regardless of the fact that he’s an NBA player Sonny Milano Jersey , it was difficult to watch. It’s painful.”
An officer approached Brown for illegal parking, called for backup and six squads responded. Silver said has also had conversations with the player’s father, Chris Brown, a Chicago police officer for many years.
”It’s a reality in our country right now that there’s a disconnect often between young people of color especially and police officers – incidentally black and white,” Silver said. ”And one of the things the league has undertaken, led in many ways by our players and by our leading players, has been defined ways to build bridges in communities to create dialogue directly between young people and police officers.”
Silver said some NBA teams have had meetings with police in various communities, trying to improve relations.
EXPANSION
Silver said there are no plans for expansion, though lauded the success of the NHL’s first-year Vegas Golden Knights – who are in the Stanley Cup final against the Washington Capitals.
He also congratulated Ted Leonsis, who owns both the Capitals and the NBA’s Wizards.
”Invariably, it’s only natural for any business to grow and expand at some point,” Silver said.
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While first-round picks receive most of the attention and players chosen the first two days of the draft get more money and better job security, success on Day 3 of the draft often separates the elite teams from the good ones.
That was evident when the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots met in February. Corey Clement had 100 yards receiving and one touchdown and LeGarrette Blount ran for 90 yards and one touchdown in Philadelphia's 41-33 victory. Danny Amendola led the Patriots with 152 yards receiving and Chris Hogan had 128.
All four players were undrafted free agents.
The Eagles enter this week with only six picks in the draft and none on Day 2 so there's a bigger emphasis for them to hit on some of their picks in the later rounds and find quality rookies in free agency.
It won't be easy, however.
"You would think because we're coming off a Super Bowl and we don't have a second- or third-round pick that it would be a lot easier after the draft," said Joe Douglas, the team's executive vice president of player personnel. "But my experience coming off a Super Bowl, it's sometimes harder to get guys to commit to your roster because agents and players have a perceived notion that it's going to be that much tougher to make your team. It's going to be a challenge for us, and we know it, and we're going to attack it, and I think our guys are going to do a great job recruiting some of these guys who slip through the cracks like we did last year. But it is going to be a challenge because there's going to be some guys who think there's a tougher shot of making the team."
One way to combat that is to offer more guaranteed money to undrafted rookies. It helped the Eagles snag Clement last year after he ran for 1,375 yards his senior season at Wisconsin.
Tom Brady's story is known, going from sixth-round pick to five-time Super Bowl champion. Three of the offensive linemen blocking for him last year were under-the-radar guys, too. Center David Andrews was undrafted Mikko Rantanen Jersey , and right guard Shaq Mason and right tackle Cameron Fleming were fourth-round picks. Overall, the Patriots had 18 undrafted players on the Super Bowl roster.
The Jaguars, who lost the AFC championship game, got Pro Bowl linebacker Telvin Smith (fifth round, 2014) on Day 3 of the draft. They also relied on two rookie receivers late in the season: fourth-round pick Dede Westbrook and undrafted Keelan Cole.
"You're looking for those types of nuggets," said Tom Coughlin, Jacksonville's top executive. "You're talking about value. That's what this is all about, so when you get a player in that circumstance and you've done the research on the guy, you know the guy solid and it happens to be that he's there for you, then obviously you feel very good about that."
Titans general manager Jon Robinson said his scouting department has focused the past couple of weeks on finding value in the late rounds and after the draft.
"Anytime you can get return on those guys in those later rounds with play on the field whether it be offensively, defensively, in the kicking game Patrick Kane Jersey , I think that's good," Robinson said. "I think we've done a pretty good job the last couple years of finding some guys to carve out a niche, carve out a role on this football team and contribute. So we're hoping we can kind of sift through those guys over the weekend and come away with a couple that can help us."
Accumulating more picks, especially in the later rounds, certainly helps a team's chances of adding a solid contributor. Minnesota, which lost the NFC title game, has eight draft picks, including five on Day 3.
"Sure, you're going to have your misses. But, the more swings that you get at the plate, the better odds you have of hitting the ball," said Vikings general manager Rick Spielman. "If you only get to bat twice Corey Perry Jersey , you've got maybe a 50-50 chance. If you get to bat 10 times, hopefully your 50-50 chance, your odds have increased pretty good. I think it's taking as many swings as you can down in those later rounds."
San Francisco GM John Lynch had success with third-day picks and rookie free agents last year, adding Trent Taylor, George Kittle, D.J. Jones, Adrian Colbert, Matt Breida and Kendrick Bourne.
"When you can hit at that part of the draft, and/or free agency, it's a really good thing," Lynch said. "Shoot, we picked guys off of tryout camp last year. ... Everyone focuses on the work up top with No. 9 but we really try to take a holistic look at this thing and pride ourselves on being real strong on the back end of the draft."
AP Pro Football Writers Josh Dubow Viktor Arvidsson Jersey , Teresa M. Walker and Dave Campbell, and AP Sports Writer Mark Long contributed to this report. AP NFL website: pro32.ap.org and AP_NFL Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter: s://AP_RobMaaddiReuben Foster has rejoined the 49ers, reporting to the team’s training complex Thursday.
The linebacker had stayed away from the 49ers鈥?offseason work since domestic violence charges were filed in April, with the team waiting for the case to play out in court.
California Superior Court Judge Nona Klippen ruled Wednesday that insufficient evidence exists to proceed with domestic violence charges against Foster. The judge also reduced a charge of possession of an assault weapon to a misdemeanor, scheduling a pre-trial hearing for June 6.
Foster’s ex-girlfriend recanted accusations against him in a hearing last week.
Foster, 24, still faces a marijuana possession charge from his January 12 arrest in Alabama, with a court date scheduled for June 20. He is subject to league discipline for that arrest under the NFL鈥檚 substances of abuse policy.
New York Jets Elite JerseysKANSAS CITY (0-0) at LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (0-0)
Sunday Adrian Kempe Jersey , 4:05 p.m. EDT, CBS
OPENING LINE - Chargers by 3
RECORD VS. SPREAD - Kansas City 10-6, Los Angeles 8-6-2
SERIES RECORD - Chiefs lead 60-54-1
LAST MEETING - Chiefs beat Chargers 30-13, Dec. 16, 2017
AP PRO32 RANKING - Chiefs No. 13, Chargers No. 10
CHIEFS OFFENSE - OVERALL (5), RUSH (9) Kevin Shattenkirk Jersey , PASS (7).
CHIEFS DEFENSE - OVERALL (28), RUSH (25), PASS (29).
CHARGERS OFFENSE - OVERALL (4), RUSH (24), PASS (1).
CHARGERS DEFENSE - OVERALL (15), RUSH (31), PASS (3).
STREAKS Adam Larsson Jersey , STATS AND NOTES - ... This marks fourth time Chargers will host Chiefs in season opener but first since 1992. ... Chiefs have won eight straight in series. They also won eight straight from 1990-93. ... Kansas City is 31-27 in season openers and has won its last three. Chargers are 32-26 and have dropped their past two. ... Chiefs coach Andy Reid is 10-3 vs. Chargers; Los Angeles coach Anthony Lynn is 0-2 vs. Chiefs. ... Kansas City QB Patrick Mahomes will make second career start. He threw for 284 yards in last year's regular-season finale at Denver. ... RB Kareem Hunt led NFL last season in rushing yards (1,327). He averaged 163.5 rushing yards and scored two rushing touchdowns against Chargers last season. ... Travis Kelce led all tight ends with 83 receptions last season and was second in yardage (1,018). ... WR Tyreek Hill has 11 career touchdowns of 50 yards or more, including 65-yard reception vs. Chargers last season. ... LB Justin Houston has six sacks in past five games against Los Angeles. ... Chiefs have won 11 straight games when they score touchdown on defense. ... Chargers were 4-4 last season in first of three years at StubHub Center. ... Los Angeles led league in passing in 2017, averaging 276.9 yards per game. ... QB Philip Rivers has five 300-yard games vs. Chiefs, but none since 2013. He has started 192 consecutive regular-season games, longest active streak among QBs in NFL ... WR Keenan Allen set team record with 102 receptions last season. ... RB Melvin Gordon has scored touchdown vs. Chiefs in last three meetings. He had 169 scrimmage yards (91 receiving Womens Jaroslav Halak Jersey , 71 rushing) in last meeting. ... DE Joey Bosa has 19 sacks in first 20 games, most by player in that span since 1982. ... Chargers allowed only 18 sacks last season, least they have allowed in 16-game schedule. ... Fantasy tip: TE Antonio Gates has 16 touchdowns vs. Chiefs, most against any opponent. He missed preseason before deciding to return to Chargers, so snaps could be limited Sunday.
The Chiefs were awarded tight end Alex Ellis off waivers from the New Orleans Saints and released defensive tackle Stefan Charles as part of a series of roster moves Tuesday.Kansas City also waived backup running back Akeem Hunt with a failed physical designation; signed rookie free agents Step Durham, Tejan Koroma, Robert McCray http://www.officialredwings.com/authentic-adidas-dylan-larkin-jersey , Malik Reaves and Jordan Smallward; and waived Prince Charles Iworah, Devondre Seymour, Brandon Shippen and Nelson Spruce.
The Chiefs have been searching for a blocking tight end to complement Travis Kelce. Ellis made the league as an undrafted free agent with Jacksonville before spending part of last season with the Saints.
Hunt appeared in 15 games last season, primarily as a kick returner, before going on injured reserve with an ankle injury in January. He also had eight carries for 23 yards.
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Through a week of training camp, Pettine's defense is passing those early quizzes.
By Pettine's count, his defense has seven interceptions of Rodgers. Three came at Monday's practice.
"It certainly gives our guys some confidence," Pettine said Wednesday, an off day for the team. "What a gift we have on defense to be able to go against one of the most elite quarterbacks to ever play the game. You talk about wearing ankle weights. That's a tremendous thing for us, and for us to have that success, it's a challenge for him. He's not going against the same defense that he had gone against and maybe he got used to over years and years and years that he figured out. He's still trying to figure us out, and there's that element.
" I just love the competition part of it. It's great when our guys can make a play. I think that from the beginning of camp, that's the bottom line: We've had some great competition."
Continuing that momentum will be the challenge as the Packers return to the field Thursday and look forward to Saturday's Family Night practice at sold-out Lambeau Field. On Monday, two defensive starters, third-year safety Kentrell Brice and fourth-year inside linebacker Jake Ryan Henrik Lundqvist Jersey Kids , suffered significant injuries. Ryan tore his right ACL and is out for the season. Brice appeared to have reinjured the right ankle that required season-ending surgery last year.
At linebacker, the Packers will turn to Oren Burks, a third-round pick out of Vanderbilt who had taken some of the first-team reps from Ryan. Burks is one of five players on the depth chart participating in their first NFL training camp. The only remaining veteran is third-year starter Blake Martinez.
"(Burks) has flashed some things," Pettine said. "The transition from the college game to the NFL, it takes some time. He's very intelligent, he processes very quickly, but there's still just that learning curve. . We'll see how it plays out. It's a big loss with Jake. I know there's certainly open lines of communication with the personnel department."
At safety, Brice on Tuesday said he was thankful the injury "wasn't as serious as it could have been." Until he returns, the Packers figure to move forward with Josh Jones, a second-round pick last year.
Brice is a pure defensive back and Jones, a combination defensive back and linebacker Daniel Winnik Jersey , so they bring different skill sets. That could force Pettine to make some adjustments if Brice's injury lingers into the regular season.
"At this point, we're asking them to do all of the menu," Pettine said. "Whether it's a job during the season we might not have them do, we're asking them to do it all (now). But I think we certainly have thoughts on Kentrell is best at this, Josh is best at this, and kind of marry that together with a package; I think that's kind of on us as coaches to begin to shape a game plan and have the right personnel doing the right jobs when we're out there. But it's just too early."
The New York Jets are calling an audible and turning to a familiar face as their backup plan at quarterback.Josh McCown agreed Tuesday on a one-year deal to return to the Jets, agent Mike McCartney announced on Twitter.
The Jets were believed to be one of the primary potential suitors for free-agent prize Kirk Cousins, but the former Washington quarterback is visiting Minnesota on Wednesday.
With the possibility looming that Cousins could sign with the Vikings before ever meeting with the Jets, New York instead is bringing back its 38-year-old starter who had a career season last year. McCown set individual highs with 2,926 yards passing and 18 touchdowns, and quickly established himself as a respected leader in the locker room.
A person with direct knowledge of McCown’s contract told The Associated Press the one-year deal Claude Giroux Jersey , which will be signed when the NFL’s free-agent period begins Wednesday, is worth $10 million. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team had not announced it.
McCown also tweeted a picture of himself – without any words – in a Jets uniform pumping both fists during a game.
His future with the Jets – and in the NFL – was uncertain after he broke his left hand at Denver on Dec. 10 and finished the season on injured reserve. After the season, he said he wanted to continue playing, but the Jets emerged as possible contenders in the sweepstakes for Cousins.
”I enjoyed my season there this year,” McCown said during an interview with NFL Network in January. ”More than anything, just the people in the organization. It’s a special place from the ownership down. I enjoyed my time with coach (Todd) Bowles. A lot of decisions have to be made within the next few months, but I loved being there, and we’ll see how it plays out.”
With McCown coming back, the Jets aren’t necessarily set now at the quarterback position – although Bowles traditionally opens the offseason program with the incumbent penciled in at No. 1 on the depth chart.
New York is discussing adding Teddy Bridgewater, a free agent after not being brought back by the Vikings. ESPN and NFL Network reported the Jets and Bridgewater agreed to terms on a one-year deal.
The 2014 first-round pick threw just two passes – including an interception – last season in his return from a serious knee injury in August 2016. He was a Pro Bowl selection after his second season and was largely considered a rising star at his position before the injury.
The Jets could also potentially draft a quarterback with the No. 6 overall pick in April. They have Bryce Petty, a fourth-rounder three years ago Mikael Granlund Jersey , and Christian Hackenberg, a second-rounder in 2016, on the roster, along with undrafted free agent Joel Stave. But having McCown and possibly Bridgewater could buy time for a top draft pick and create an intriguing training camp competition.
New York will have a bit of a new look on offense this season, too, with coordinator John Morton fired and replaced by quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates. Running back Matt Forte also recently announced his retirement. ESPN also first reported Tuesday that the Jets and former Browns running back Isaiah Crowell were in contract discussions. Crowell would serve as a complement to veteran Bilal Powell and second-year back Elijah McGuire.
Meanwhile, tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins and offensive linemen Wesley Johnson, Dakota Dozier, Ben Ijalana and Jonotthan Harrison are all scheduled to be free agents.
The Jets also appeared poised to make a big splash on defense, with multiple reports saying Tuesday night that New York was close to signing both former Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson and former Titans linebacker Avery Williamson.
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The NFL is desperate to get #BackToFootball. Except http://www.jaguarscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-blake-bortles-jersey , of course, when it isn’t.
Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill openly supports — via his team’s official website — the appointment of high school classmate Brett Kavanaugh to the United States Supreme Court. Although Bidwill’s quotes and the letter he has signed supporting Kavanaugh says nothing about politics and espouses no political causes or ideologies, everything about the appointment of a Supreme Court justice is political.
Bidwill’s support for Kavanaugh comes at a time when players advocating political causes routinely are told to “stick to football,” and the league seems willing only to listen to a vocal minority of fans on the hotly-contested national anthem issue. Bidwill’s gesture follows last year’s effort by Broncos G.M. John Elway to publicly support the candidacy of Neil Gorsuch, the most recent justice appointed to the Supreme Court. (And, yes, Elway said, “Take the politics out of football” only six months later.)
Regardless of political views, the point here is that the NFL and its fans shouldn’t be able to have it both aways. If it’s OK for owners to advocate political causes, it should be OK for players to do the same, without consequence.
And if it’s regarded as “bad for business” when players push their political interests on company time, it should be regarded as “bad for business” for an owner to use his team’s official online media platform to do the same.
It will be interesting to see whether other owners follow Bidwill’s lead in the coming days and weeks, and whether players will have something to say about this apparent double standard.
The leverage of free agency in his prime brought Kirk Cousins the market-setting contract with Minnesota.Now the Vikings have their latest franchise quarterback to try to secure that elusive first Super Bowl victory with.
The Vikings wrapped up their welcome party with an $84 million Authentic Cameron Jordan Jersey , three-year contract for Cousins on Thursday afternoon, banking big time on the late-blooming former Washington Redskins prospect to finally stabilize a critical position that's been infamously problematic.
"The contract, it is what it is," Cousins said. "But what my wife and I are thrilled about is the organization we are walking into."
The money for Cousins is fully guaranteed, the largest such figure in NFL history, at least until the next mega quarterback contract comes along, according to figures tracked by the pro sports financial website spotrac . His annual average of $28 million is also, for now, the biggest in the league, at least until the next mega quarterback contract comes along.
Team owners Zygi Wilf and Mark Wilf were willing to approve the investment, hopeful that Cousins can be the keystone to a championship squad.
"If anybody in this city or this state has a question about their commitment, I think this contract shows that they're all in," Cousins said. "It's a tremendous amount of belief in me as a person and as a player Womens Todd Gurley Jersey , and I'm humbled and honored to get the OK on that."
The guarantee of the full value of the deal is unprecedented in the NFL, where a variety of complex factors have kept players from receiving sure-thing contracts like their professional baseball, basketball and hockey peers.
His agent, Mike McCartney, began talking to Cousins about the potential for such a groundbreaking deal more than two years ago with the assumption he'd eventually arrive at free agency because of the noncommittal Redskins.
"There's nothing I can pave unless people come after me," Cousins said at his introductory news conference at the team's sparkling and still-under construction suburban headquarters. "I guess history will probably write that."
Cousins will represent the fourth primary quarterback the Vikings have had in as many seasons. As long as he stays healthy throughout the summer, Cousins will also represent the eighth starting quarterback for a season opener in the past nine years.
Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Bradford and Case Keenum all became free agents this week and signed with other teams, so the Vikings didn't have much of a backup plan if Cousins balked at their offer.
But as a team with a star-laden defense and plenty of dynamic skill-position players on offense that reached the NFC championship game last season, the Vikings also represented quite the destination for Cousins.
"I came here because of the chance to win," he said. "I felt like it was probably the best chance."
Cousins started 57 games over his six seasons with Washington, which drafted him in the fourth round in 2012 behind second overall draft pick Robert Griffin III. RG3's star faded quickly, though Youth Christian McCaffrey Jersey , and Cousins, who was lightly recruited out of Holland Christian High School before landing at Michigan State, worked his way up the depth chart. He topped 4,000 passing yards over each of the past three years.
The Redskins appeared in only one postseason game with Cousins at the helm, and his career record as a starter is just 26-30-1. Rarely does a rising quarterback reach free agency before turning 30, though, so after playing for about $20 million in 2016 and about $24 million in 2017 on consecutive franchise tags with Washington, Cousins reached his opportunity to truly cash in after the Redskins acquired Alex Smith in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs.
"He bet on himself several times and won, and those things are really important to me," coach Mike Zimmer said. "He's always played with a chip on his shoulder. We're just really excited to have him."
Realizing he was headed for the open market, Cousins began scouring the Twin Cities area while in town for promotional appearances the week of the Super Bowl. Just two days into his visit, the Smith deal went down. Upon phoning home to his wife, Julie Womens Clay Matthews Jersey , he gave a glowing scouting report of the region.
"This is a lifetime deal. That's the goal," Cousins said. "Yes, it's a three-year deal, but the expectation from both sides is that we raise our kids here and if everything goes as planned, we're here for a long time."
The Vikings began the day $50 million under their salary cap , according to NFL Players Association data, and the deal with Cousins will take up almost half of that with the prospect of expensive extensions looming in the coming year for players such as linebackers Anthony Barr and Eric Kendricks and wide receiver Stefon Diggs.
They still have space to make more improvements this month, though and defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson was already at the new facility on Thursday for a visit. Richardson, a first-round pick by the New York Jets in the 2013 draft, was traded to the Seattle Seahawks prior to last season.
Authentic Womens Jihad Ward JerseyPHOENIX — Right-hander Yoshihisa Hirano has been spectacularly efficient in his first season in Arizona Youth Ryan Shazier Jersey , part of the reason the Diamondbacks will enter their four-game series against the San Diego Padres with the best bullpen ERA in the majors.
Hirano may be a major league rookie, but his work the last five seasons as a closer with the Orix Buffaloes in Japan has translated well.
Hirano, 34, had a franchise-record 26-game scoreless streak broken in an 8-4 loss to St. Louis on Wednesday, when he finished one scoreless appearance short of tying former Red Sox right-hander Koji Uehara for the longest such streak by a Japanese-born pitcher in major league history. Even that loss could not diminish the value Hirano has had this season.
Arizona right-hander Shelby Miller is scheduled to face San Diego left-hander Eric Lauer in the first game of the series Thursday.
Arizona manager Torey Lovullo was Boston’s bench coach when Uehara set the record in 2013, so he can provide a comparison of Uehara and Hirano.
“They have the same work habits, which is pretty impressive,” Lovullo said. “They both come in and get their work done pregame. They come in and get their work done postgame. They find themselves healthy and strong and prepared for every single one of their outings.
“They both have a fearlessness to their game and an approach to understanding what needs to happen during each at-bat. They are not afraid to put the ball on the plate with two different pitches. They go out and expect to get outs. Very similar mind-set. Very similar makeup. Very similar confidence.”
Hirano is 2-0 with a 1.43 ERA in 42 appearances. He has 19 holds, fourth in the majors, and he has permitted only one of his 16 inherited runners to score while being primarily used in the seventh inning. Eighth-inning reliever Archie Bradley leads the majors with 22 holds and closer Brad Boxberger has 20 saves.
Uehara began the 2013 season in a similar setup role in the Boston bullpen before advancing to the closer’s role after injuries thinned the relief corps. He finished with 21 saves, a 1.09 ERA and an 0.57 WHIP.
“As soon as he became the closer, he gave off a certain edge and a certain confidence that was noticeable,” Lovullo said.
“It’s as close to a slam dunk Authentic Tyler Eifert Jersey , shut-down ninth-inning save as I’ve ever seen. He had this ability to collect outs and get through innings in 12 pitches or less. It was so quick, the ninth inning was over before it even started. It was a very comfortable setting for all of us. You played the Boston Red Sox in 2013 for eight innings because the ninth inning was over. That’s what I remember.”
Hirano has a 1.01 WHIP, fourth among major league relievers with at least 40 appearances.
“He’s been very versatile,” Lovullo said. “He’s unfazed by any role we have asked him to do. He can pitch in traffic. He can start clean innings. He can get left-handers and right-handers out.”
The Diamondbacks lost two of three to St. Louis and have dropped five of their past six games overall. They took two out of three games in their only other series against the Padres this season, also at Chase Field.
San Diego has slumped over the last 2 1/2 weeks. The Padres have lost three in a row and are 3-13 since beating Atlanta 9-3 behind left-hander Clayton Richard on June 15. They have scored 30 runs in their last 10 games.
“We’re not getting hits with runners in scoring position,” San Diego manager Andy Green told reporters after a two-game sweep in Oakland.
“Sometimes the best thing you can do is relax, go play baseball and enjoy what you’re doing. Then the hits start coming.”
Christian Villanueva hit his 17th homer for the Padres in a 4-2 loss to the A’s Wednesday.
Miller is 0-2 with an 11.42 ERA in two starts this season after returning from a 14-month absence following Tommy John surgery in last May, 2017. He has given up 15 hits and 11 runs in 8 2/3 innings.
Miller is 2-2 with a 4.54 ERA in eight career appearances, including seven starts, against the Padres. He had a strong outing against them early last season, giving up four hits and one run in 7 1/3 innings in the third of his four starts before suffering the elbow injury.
Rookie Lauer joined the Padres’ rotation in late April and is 3-5 with a 5.08 ERA in 13 starts this season. He was 2-2 with a 2.76 ERA in six June starts and is 1-2 with a 5.09 ERA in seven road starts.
He has never faced the Diamondbacks.
Police responded to several nonviolent disputes at the home where Buffalo Bills star LeSean McCoy was attempting to evict his former girlfriend before an unidentified man bloodied the 34-year-old woman in a home invasion, according to reports released Thursday.Police responded early Tuesday to the home in Milton, just outside Atlanta Youth JuJu Smith-Schuster Jersey , after McCoy's ex-girlfriend Delicia Cordon called 911. The reports from Milton police show that officers had previously been called to the home in July 2017 and in April and June of this year, but no violence was reported during any of those incidents.
In a recording released Thursday of Cordon's 911 call she can be heard describing her alleged attacker to a dispatcher and saying she believed the attack was connected with her ex-boyfriend.
"My face is demolished right now," Cordon said during the call.
A man entered the home around 3 a.m. Tuesday and demanded specific pieces of jewelry that McCoy had given to Cordon and that he had asked her to give back many times, Cordon's lawyer Tanya Mitchell Graham said in an emailed statement Tuesday.
McCoy had often suggested to Cordon that she "could be robbed because the jewelry was expensive," the statement said.
The man tried to take bracelets from her wrist, leaving bruises, and hit her in the face multiple times with a gun, the lawyer said. Cordon's cousin was also hurt when she was hit in the back of the head.
"He just kept asking for jewelry. I think it's got something to do with my ex-boyfriend because my ex-boyfriend and I are," Cordon said before being cut off by the dispatcher asking if she needed medical help.
McCoy, who turned 30 on Thursday, is preparing to enter his fourth season with the Bills. He spent his first six seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he led the NFL in yards rushing in 2013 before being traded to Buffalo in 2015.
He took to social media Tuesday to deny a wide range of allegations posted earlier in the day by a woman who appeared to be friends with Cordon, accusing him of hurting his former girlfriend. McCoy has since hired prominent Atlanta criminal defense attorney Don Samuel.
Fulton County Magistrate Court records show that McCoy initiated eviction proceedings against Cordon on July 3 Golden Tate Jersey White , 2017, saying that the pair were no longer in a relationship. Court records show two attempts to serve Cordon with the document but no other action.
That evening, police responded to a report of a domestic dispute at the home, according to a police report. Cordon wasn't there when officers got there, but they spoke to McCoy, who told them he and Cordon had broken up and had been having issues.
Cordon had had been accusing him of cheating on her and had posted on social media about that and their breakup, McCoy told police. He also said Cordon had failed to return jewelry lent to them by jewelers for events despite multiple requests.
He told police he had started eviction proceedings against Cordon and was trying "to be very careful about being around her given the climate of domestic abuse in his profession." He told police he would bring Cordon's things, which were piled on the driveway, back inside.
Cordon came home while police were there and also told officers the relationship was over. She said she had nowhere else to go and would be staying at the home.
Shortly before midnight April 11, police again responded to a domestic dispute at the home. Dispatchers reported that "the callers had everything worked out, but it sounded a little heated over the phone," a police report says.
McCoy and Cordon separately told an officer they had worked everything out and the argument hadn't been physical. Cordon told the officer she had called because McCoy was moving some furniture out of the house that she wanted to keep.
Cordon called police from Virginia on June 1 to say she saw people removing things from the home through security cameras that she could monitor on her cellphone, a police report says. McCoy was also out of town.
When police arrived Womens Andy Dalton Jersey , they spoke to McCoy's mother who said her son was moving out and had asked her to get his stuff so he wouldn't have to deal with Cordon, the report says. She said McCoy had said Cordon could stay in the house until it sold since she had two small children, but that he wanted his things.
Police said any disputes over belongings would have to be resolved in court, and movers left with just McCoy's clothing and shoes, the report says.
McCoy's friend, Tamarcus Porter, filed eviction proceedings against Cordon on McCoy's behalf on June 6. In a court filing challenging the eviction proceedings, Cordon's attorney said Cordon and McCoy had discussed marriage over Memorial Day weekend and that McCoy gave Cordon "a substantial gift" on May 29.
A hearing on the eviction proceedings is planned for a later date.
Womens Nyheim Hines JerseyThe Supreme Judicial Court recently announced that it will hear the former NFL star's case and examine the legal principle under which courts typically dismiss the convictions of defendants who die before their direct appeals can be heard.
Hernandez's murder conviction in the killing of Odin Lloyd was dismissed after Hernandez was found hanging in his cell last year.
A single Supreme Judicial Court justice last year denied prosecutors' request to reinstate Hernandez's conviction.
Hernandez was acquitted of killing Daniel de Abreu and Safiro Furtado days before his prison suicide.
President Donald Trump congratulated Jerry Jones Youth Christian McCaffrey Jersey , the owner of the Dallas Cowboys football team, for saying his players will be required to stand for the playing of the national anthem.Trump tweeted Friday: ”Way to go Jerry. This is what the league should do!”
Jones was the first owner to publicly say that his players would not be allowed to stay off the field during the anthem. Jones said the team’s policy is ”you stand at the anthem Womens Eric Berry Jersey , toe on the line.”
However, Jones also said he understood the point of view of players who say they aren’t protesting the flag or the military. He also described Trump’s continuing involvement in the anthem issues as ”problematic” for the league and ”unprecedented.” He said Womens Kareem Hunt Jersey , ”yes, everybody would like for it to go away.”
Trump has repeatedly tried to bring attention to the player protests Jalen Ramsey Jersey Black , which he opposes, and believes the culture war issue helps energize his base.
Womens Richard Rodgers JerseyThe Cavs are down 2-0 in the Eastern Conference finals to the Boston Celtics Womens Jordan Reed Jersey , who can take complete command of the series with a win in Game 3 on Saturday night. Although James has twice overcome 2-0 deficits to win postseason series, that doesn’t make the challenge any easier.
”I mean, I lose sleep,” the three-time champion said following the team’s morning shootaround. ”At the end of the day, when you lose any game in the postseason, it’s never comfort. Playoffs is never comfort. There’s nothing about the playoffs that’s comfortable until you either win it all or you lose and go into the summer.
”So for me it’s always day to day grind to figure out ways that you can be better.”
Only 19 of 300 teams (6 percent) have overcome a 2-0 deficit to win, but two of them were Cleveland squads led by James. He brought the Cavs back in 2007 against Detroit and more famously in the 2016 NBA Finals when Cleveland became the first team to come back from a 3-1 deficit and beat Golden State for the title.
James also lost four series when falling behind 2-0.
Game 3 essentially comes down to a must-win situation for the Cavs. No team has overcome a 3-0 deficit (131-0).
James is trying to reach the NBA Finals for the eighth straight time, a feat accomplished only by Celtics greats Bill Russell http://www.jaguarscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-blake-bortles-jersey , Sam Jones, Frank Ramsey and Tommy Heinsohn.
Of course, with James potentially becoming a free agent this summer, Game 3 carries even more weight for the Cavs.
NEW YORK — Comeback wins and one-run victories are defining the Seattle Mariners‘ climb to the top of the American League West.
Down to the wire and tight ballgames are bringing out a team Seattle fans have not seen in some time.
Now the Mariners get a chance to see how they stack up with the best team in baseball Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game series with the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
The Mariners head to New York with a major-league-best 23 one-run wins and 21 comeback victories. Since May 18, they are 14-3 in one-game games and are 20 games over. 500 at 46-26, their third-best record through 72 games behind the 2003 and 2001 editions.
Despite striking out 11 times in Sunday’s 9-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox, the Mariners are 13-4 in their last 17 games, 32-15 in their last 55 and their 28 wins since May 8 are the most in baseball.
“We’ll see them again next week in Boston and I think the guys are looking forward to it. I know they are Authentic Todd Gurley Jersey ,” Seattle manager Scott Servais said. “This stretch in our schedule, everybody looked at it early on and, ‘Oh, it’s going to be tough. You guys haven’t played anybody.’ But we’re just fine. You have to play the schedule. We don’t make it, we just play it. And we’re looking forward to the trip out East.”
Despite Seattle’s first loss by more than three runs since May 29, there were plenty of memorable moments during the seven-game homestand that also coincided with the Houston Astros winning 11 straight.
There was Mitch Haniger’s walk-off homer to complete the sweep of the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday, the four-run comeback Friday and the 1-0 win highlighted by Wade LeBlanc’s performance Saturday night.
“We get down 3-1 and we are kind of looking around there, and in years past it kind of would have been a different feeling in the dugout there Womens Greg Olsen Jersey ,” Seattle third baseman Kyle Seager told reporters. “There’s really not a lot of panic with this team. It’s just a different team.”
The Yankees are coming off a brief trip to Washington for a makeup of a suspended game followed the makeup of a rainout. They dropped the resumption of the suspended game 5-3 when Chad Green allowed a two-run homer to Juan Soto in the sixth and posted a 4-2 victory in the makeup game as Giancarlo Stanton had four hits.
Stanton’s third four-hit night occurred after he was 2-for-13 in the four-game series at Yankee Stadium. Stanton is hitting .212 (29-for-137) with seven homers and 19 RBIs at home this season.
Overall, the Yankees (47-22) are 14-4 in their last 18 games since May 22.
New York played without left fielder Brett Gardner the last two games because of knee pain. He is day to day, but the Yankees called up Clint Frazier on Monday.
“We’ve had timely hits, big hits, guys step up,” Stanton said Saturday. “We haven’t all clicked at the same time. Once that happens and we’re on all cylinders, there’s more room to get better.”
Seattle owns a team ERA of 3.86 and left-hander Marco Gonzales, who starts the opener Womens Joe Mixon Jersey , has been its hottest pitcher. He is 4-0 with a 1.41 ERA in his last six starts. During those outings, hitters are batting .204 against him.
Gonzales last pitched in Wednesday’s 8-6 win over the Angels when he allowed three runs and seven hits in five innings. It was only the second time in his last 10 starts Gonzales did not complete six innings.
Gonzales is making his 29th career start and first against the Yankees.
Domingo German will make his eighth start and is hoping to get the Mariners to swing and miss as much as the Tampa Bay Rays did last Thursday in his first career win. In a 4-3 victory, he became the sixth pitcher to get at least 26 swings and misses this season while allowing three runs and five hits in six innings.
“He’s matured every start,” Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres said of German. “Every day is better and better. He does the job. I think that’s what’s most important.”
German is 1-3 with a 5.77 ERA in seven career starts and is making his first appearance against the Mariners.
“It’s been a long battle for me,” German said through an interpreter before getting the ball from the game presented to him by pitching coach Larry Rothchild. “To be able to win my first game in the big leagues, it means a lot. Hopefully, I can relax a little more after getting the first one and keep battling.”
Authentic Womens M.J. Stewart JerseyLed by Nick Foles http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/cole-beasley-jersey , the Philadelphia Eagles won their first Super Bowl last season with a 41-33 victory over the New England Patriots.
Foles took over last season when Carson Wentz tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee. Wentz is not expected to be ready when the Eagles begin defense of their title on Sept. 6 by hosting the Atlanta Falcons to open the NFL's regular season.
The Patriots are the most recent team to win consecutive championships, winning Super Bowls 38 and 39.
And the Eagles will start their quest as the top team in the first AP Pro 32 poll of the 2018 season.
The Eagles received six of the 12 first-place votes and 367 points in balloting by media members who regularly cover the NFL.
The Patriots, who have been to eight Super Bowls in the Tom Brady and Bill Belichick era, were a close second 鈥?just as they were in the loss to the Eagles in Minneapolis. The Patriots received three first-place votes and finished with 366 points.
"As long as the Killer B's, Brady and Belichick, reside in Foxborough, the Pats will loom as the team to beat," said Ira Kaufman of SB Nation Radio.
The Minnesota Vikings, who lost to the Eagles in the NFC championship game, are No. 3. The Vikings added quarterback Kirk Cousins in the offseason to a team with high expectations.
"Is Kirk Cousins the answer? That's the only question about this team," Pro Football Talk's Charean Williams said.
The Los Angeles Rams, who won the NFC West last season, earned two first-place votes and are No. 4.
"(Brandin) Cooks dynamite in new offense," Fox Sports' John Czarnecki said of the speedy wide receiver who had 1,082 yards last season in New England.
The Pittsburgh Steelers http://www.washingtonredskinsteamonline.com/alex-smith-jersey , who have won three of the past four AFC North titles, are No. 5.
Drew Brees and the Saints received the other first-place vote and will start the season at No. 6.
"My projected Super Bowl winner leads this list," said Alex Marvez of The Sporting News. "Tom Benson would have loved the Super Bowl 53 post party."
The Jacksonville Jaguars, who were in position to reach the Super Bowl until blowing a fourth-quarter lead at New England in the AFC title game, are No. 7.
The Jaguars will start the season short-handed after they lost receiver Marqise Lee for the season with a knee injury. He was hurt in a preseason game against the Falcons, who are No. 8 in the poll.
The Packers, who slumped to a 7-9 season after Aaron Rodgers broke his collarbone, will begin at No. 9.
And L.A.'s other team, the Chargers, round out the top 10.
At the bottom of the poll, the Colts will start at No. 30 despite the return of franchise QB Andrew Luck.
The Browns, who have lost 31 of 32 games in the past two seasons, are fittingly No. 31. The Browns will have a tough opener as they host the Steelers.
And the Jets, who could start rookie Sam Darnold at QB, will begin in last place at No. 32.
"The future may be bright with Sam Darnold Sonny Jurgensen Jersey , but the present looks brutal," Marvez said.
The Green Bay Packers have a new threat in the red zone.Six-foot-7 tight end Jimmy Graham sure does provide an intriguing target for quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
The Packers' prized offseason free agent acquisition is showing the kind of athleticism in camp that the Packers haven't had in a while at tight end. Receiver Jordy Nelson might be gone, but Graham throws a new wrinkle at opposing defenses.
"He can do it all over the field ... he's an incredible athlete, he's got a wide, wide catch radius and there's a lot of things he can do," Rodgers said.
Now the Packers just need to keep Rodgers upright and healthy for a full season again. A glimpse at what life is like without Rodgers showed just how precious these windows of opportunity can be with a two-time NFL MVP at quarterback.
A broken collarbone limited Rodgers to seven games last year, when the Packers failed to make the playoffs for the first time in eight seasons. What followed was an offseason of change that included a new general manager, new offensive and defensive coordinators, and the jettisoning of Nelson, a fan favorite.
The Packers are determined to prove 2017 was a fluke.
"We all should be better for the negative experiences that we've encountered in the past 鈥? whether it's our record last year, Aaron's healthy, all of those things," coach Mike McCarthy said on the first day of preseason camp. "We know what our goal is, it's stated, but we're focused on being a world champion every day http://www.indianapoliscoltsteamonline.com/christine-michael-sr-jersey , and doing it the right way."
Graham has already displayed chemistry with Rodgers in his first Packers camp. The tight end can be a matchup nightmare for defensive backs and linebackers across the middle of the field. That in turn could give receivers Davante Adams and Randall Cobb more room to operate on the outside, or vice versa.
As long as Rodgers is behind center, the Packers always have a chance to play deep in January.
GETTING DEFENSIVE: To get to a Super Bowl, they might need better production out of the defense. Enter new coordinator Mike Pettine, the former Browns head coach, who is tweaking the 3-4 scheme to give multiple looks and disguise quarterback pressures. Pettine has stressed accountability, while also keeping things simple for players.
"It's just part of the fabric of the defense, and it goes back to the variety of bringing some unconventional players," Pettine said. "It keeps it interesting for the guys. But we'll see."
ON THE CORNER: A cornerback position maligned by injuries over the past few seasons has been reinforced with promising rookies Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson, along with the return of veteran Tramon Williams. He along with Davon House bring stabilizing, veteran presences to the position. A return to health by last year's top draft pick, cornerback Kevin King, might be the most important development for the group.
OFFENSIVE LINE: The Packers have the makings of a strong offensive line when all five starters are healthy. But various injuries have prevented all of them from being on the field at the same time during preseason games. Green Bay has depth, though no backup has emerged as a go-to guy if either left tackle David Bakhtiari or right tackle Bryan Bulaga gets hurt.
CATCHING UP: Adams is the new No. 1 receiver, while Cobb http://www.chicagobearsteamonline.com/devin-hester-jersey , in his eighth season, is the now the longest-tenured wideout. Geronimo Allison, who played well in spurts last year, is the clear-cut third receiver. Speedy third-year wideout Trevor Davis has been hampered by a hamstring injury in camp. Behind them, the Packers have inexperience, including three drafted rookies mired in different levels of inconsistency during the camp. Jake Kumerow, an undrafted free agent in his fourth NFL training camp, was impressive enough to catch Rodgers' eye before getting hurt in the Steelers game.
UP FRONT: The defensive line might be the best position group on the team with free agent signee Muhammad Wilkerson joining an already strong core of Mike Daniels, Kenny Clark and Dean Lowry. The Packers are looking for outside linebacker depth behind veterans Clay Matthews and Nick Perry so they might to get more pass-rush punch from the deep defensive line.
"Everybody on the defense knows Mike Pettine's defense: be physical," Wilkerson said. "At the same time, do your job. Everybody make sure you communicate and ultimately that's about it."
New York Jets Customized JerseysKANSAS CITY http://www.greenbaypackersteamonline.com/jimmy-graham-jersey , Mo. (AP) — Andy Reid will readily admit that he loves offensive linemen.
He played the position at BYU, for one thing. He coached the big guys for years in college and in the NFL before becoming a head coach in Philadelphia and Kansas City. And that affinity for perhaps the most underappreciated position on the field has never waned during three decades in the league.
Still, it was a bit surprising to see 10 of them make the Chiefs‘ active roster last weekend.
“Yeah,” Reid acknowledged Monday, “but we like the guys we got there. We’ve kept 10 before, and you know you can’t have enough of those guys. But everything in this thing is fluid.”
The offensive line isn’t the only spot where the Chiefs made some atypical roster decisions. They also kept just two quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes and Chad Henne, in a departure from Reid’s norm, and they’ll have just two tight ends available when they open the season against the Chargers on Sunday.
Demetrius Harris will join the fold in Week 2, once he serves his one-game drug suspension.
The Chiefs also kept an additional running back, giving them four ball-carriers along with fullback Anthony Sherman. Undrafted rookie Darrel Williams was able to crack the 53-man roster along with starter Kareem Hunt and backups Damien Williams and Spencer Ware Derrius Guice Jersey , playing so well in training camp and throughout the preseason that the Chiefs didn’t want to let him go.
In fact, that belief in their youth shaped a lot of the Chiefs’ roster decisions.
They let go veteran quarterback Matt McGloin once they managed to stash undrafted free agent Chase Litton on their backup squad. They also cut loose veteran linebacker Frank Zombo, a mainstay since Reid’s arrival in 2013, in favor of undrafted rookie Ben Niemann and third-year pro Terrance Smith.
“Well, we had some good young players we wanted to keep,” Reid said, speaking specifically about the choice to keep two QBs on the active roster, but a statement that could apply to the entire roster.
“We thought we’d do that and see how it worked. But it was in order to keep some younger guys.”
The Chiefs were one of the oldest teams in the league last season, particularly on defense, where linebackers Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali helped drive the average age up. They still have their share of veterans, but a significant roster turnover has helped to bring that number back down.
In the secondary alone http://www.washingtonredskinsteamonline.com/rob-kelley-jersey , the Chiefs have a trio of rookies in safety Armani Watts and cornerbacks Tremon Smith and Charvarius Ward. They also have a trio of rookie linebackers in Niemann and draft picks Breeland Speaks and Dorian O’Daniel, and another rookie up front in Derrick Nnadi.
The performance of the defensive backfield, though, will draw plenty of attention on Sunday. That’s because safety Eric Berry remains a question mark after a heel injury kept him out most of training camp, and the group was so shaky in preseason games that some late-camp additions were made.
Orlando Scandrick signed a free-agent deal to solidify cornerback. The Chiefs also traded for Ward the night of their preseason finale, then signed veteran safety Ron Parker over the weekend.
“We do have a couple of new, younger guys. I do like them,” Reid said. “There’s a good nucleus with that group. I have a lot of confidence in (defensive backs coach) Al Harris, and we’ll just give those guys an opportunity to grow. I’m good with the whole cornerback situation. I like what we have there. I’m looking forward to seeing how those guys develop throughout the season.”
Reid could say the same for just about every position on the team.
Notes: Reid declined to say whether Berry will be available for the opener, calling him day to day. “We’ll see how it goes,” Reid said. … Parker spent the past four seasons with the Chiefs before signing with Atlanta Dustin Hopkins Jersey , which cut him last week. Reid said the veteran safety looked good in the preseason, though, and that he was hampered by a high ankle sprain much of last season. “He knows the system, knows the scheme,” Reid said. “We have a lot of trust in him.” … The Chiefs cut OL Bryan Witzmann and claimed OL Austin Reiter off waivers from Cleveland.
Sidney Crosby passed Mario Lemieux in Pittsburgh’s record book and pushed the Philadelphia Flyers to the brink of elimination.Flyers fans booed the goal – and the ones that stuck around for the end belted a familiar refrain: “Fire Hakstol! Fire Hakstol!”
Crosby scored his fifth goal of the series and became the Penguins‘ career postseason points leader in a 5-0 win over the Flyers on Wednesday night.
The Penguins lead the first-round playoff series 3-1 as its shifts to Pittsburgh for Game 5 on Friday. Crosby and the Penguins followed a 7-0 Game 1 win and a 5-1 Game 3 victory with another dominant outing.
Matt Murray stopped 26 shots for his second shutout of the series and the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Penguins are a win away from playing in the second round for the 11th time in the last 12 seasons.
Crosby scored in the second period for a 4-0 lead and topped the team owner and Hall of Famer in Lemieux for most playoff points with 173.
”A lot of his records aren’t going to be touched,” Crosby said. ”The fact I can be close to him and around that one, I guess I’ve been fortunate to play in a number of playoff games helps a lot.”
The Flyers were already on their second goalie by the time Crosby scored. The Penguins chased Brian Elliott early in the period after the maligned goalie allowed his 14th goal of the series. Michal Neuvirth relived Elliott and it didn’t matter. Neuvirth lost track of the puck behind the net and had his head turned to the right when Crosby found it and snapped it under the goalie’s left skate.
”I was in a good spot. The puck ended up right on my stick,” Crosby said.
The Flyers were confused. The Penguins were composed.
And it so it goes in Philly, the Flyers are a loss away from another empty season without the Stanley Cup.
”Somehow, we need to get our confidence back and go from there,” team captain Claude Giroux said.
Disgruntled Flyers fans chanted from the balcony to the concourse for the Flyers to fire third-year coach Dave Hakstol.
Both teams played without key cogs in their lineup: Sean Couturier (who had career highs with 31 goals and 76 points) was injured Tuesday at practice in a vicious collision with teammate Radko Gudas; the Pens played without top-line forward Patric Hornqvist because of an undisclosed injury.
Giroux Rico Gathers Jersey , who scored 102 points during the season, has not scored a posteason goal since 2014.
”One game away for the season to be over,” Giroux said. ”You can expect this team to have some fight the next game.”
The Flyers pulled out all their good-luck charms.
The national champion Villanova Wildcats were in the house and star guard Phil Booth screamed ”Are you ready for some hockey?”
Flyers fans heard the usual stirring rendition of ”God Bless America,” live by Lauren Hart and on video by the late Kate Smith. The song has been a rallying anthem for the Flyers since Smith began singing it in the mid 1970s. Hart started the song, then looked up to the big screen and passed it off to Smith. They finished in a split-screen duet.
Once the pageantry settled down, the Penguins poured it on.
Crosby’s on-point pass on the power play led to Evgeni Malkin’s third goal of the playoff just 4:33 into the game. Phil Kessel scored his first of the postseason midway through the period. Kris Letang made it 3-0 in the second and that was all for Elliott.
Riley Sheahan made it 5-0 late in the third. Neuvirth stopped 11 of 13 shots in relief.
”We won in their building on the second game so that’s the attitude we’re going to take,” Neuvirth said.
Murray was solid again, and stoned Travis Konency on a breakaway out of the penalty box in the second that had the second-year center slam his stick on the ice in anger.
”They had their chances, at times,” Murray said. ”But we got the job done.”
NOTES: Couturier was named a Selke Trophy finalist as the league’s best defensive forward. … 2018 Olympic hockey gold medalists Jocelyne Lamoureux-Davidson and Monique Lamoureux-Morando hosted a clinic and helped donate equipment on behalf of a volunteer effort at the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation. Snider was the Flyers founder and chairman until his death in 2016. … Crosby scored on all three goalies the Flyers have used in the series. … The Flyers are 2 for 17 on the power play in the series.
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