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BASEBALL
LOS ANGELES (AP) From laughingstock to lift off.
George Springer and the Houston Astros rocketed to the top of the baseball galaxy http://www.neworleanssaintsteamonlines.com/natrell-jamerson-jersey , winning the first World Series championship in franchise history by romping past the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 in Game 7.
Article continues below ...Playing for a city still recovering from Hurricane Harvey, and wearing an H Strong logo on their jerseys, the Astros brought home the prize that had eluded them since they started out in 1962 as the Colt .45s.
For a Series that was shaping up as an October classic, Game 7 quickly became a November clunker as Houston scored five runs in the first two innings off Yu Darvish. Hardly the excitement fans felt during the Cubs’ 10-inning thriller in Cleveland last fall.
Well, except for everyone wearing bright orange. Back in Houston, a huge crowd filled Minute Maid Park to cheer as fans watched on the big video board, and the train whistle wailed when it was over.
Star shortstop Carlos Correa turned the party into a proposal. After doing a TV interview Redskins Jonathan Allen Jersey , he got down on one knee and asked girlfriend Daniella Rodriguez, a former Miss Texas USA, to marry him.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Duke was in good position to be ranked No. 1 in The Associated Press poll before landing Marvin Bagley III. Once the nation’s top recruit decided to reclassify for this season, the Blue Devils became the voters’ clear choice.
Led by Bagley and senior guard Grayson Allen, Duke was the preseason No. 1 for the second straight season a ninth time overall, matching rival North Carolina for most all-time. The Blue Devils received 33 of 65 first-place votes from a national media panel in the AP Top 25 released on Wednesday.
No. 2 Michigan State received 13 first-place votes, No. 3 Arizona had 18 and No. 4 Kansas got one.
Kentucky rounded out the top 5 Cheap Mason Rudolph Jersey , followed by Villanova, Wichita State and Florida. Defending national champion North Carolina is No. 9 and Southern California is 10th.
OLYMPICS
GENEVA (AP) – In a landmark verdict that indicates Russia conspired to run a doping program at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, a cross-country skier who won a gold medal was disqualified by the IOC.
All results for Alexander Legkov in Sochi were wiped from the record and he was banned for life from attending another Olympics.
A second Russian cross-country skier was also disqualified and banned by the International Olympic Committee on Wednesday, while cases implicating 26 more Russian athletes in a Sochi doping conspiracy are pending.
With calls to ban Russia’s team from next year’s Pyeongchang Olympics likely to increase, the IOC’s executive board will meet next month to discuss the matter.
The IOC disciplinary panel did not have a positive doping test from Legkov but used evidence of cover-ups and tampering of sample bottles that was first gathered last year by World Anti-Doping Agency investigator Richard McLaren.
PRO FOOTBALL
NEW YORK (AP) – Sales growth at Papa John’s is slowing, and the pizza chain
is blaming it on the outcry surrounding NFL players kneeling during the national
anthem.
The company, which is a sponsor and advertiser of the NFL http://www.seattleseahawksteamonline.com/will-dissly-jersey , said customers have a negative view of the chain’s association with the NFL. The company also cut its earnings growth expectations for the year and Papa John’s stock fell about 10 percent.
”NFL leadership has hurt Papa John’s shareholders,” said the chain’s CEO John Schnatter, in a call with analysts Wednesday. ”This should have been nipped in the bud a year and a half ago.”
The kneeling movement was started last year by former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who kneeled to protest what he said was police mistreatment of black males. More players began kneeling after President Donald Trump said at an Alabama rally last month that team owners should get rid of players who protest during the anthem.
CLEVELAND (AP) – Josh Gordon’s personal journey, from star to suspended outcast to sobriety, has reached a new dawning.
He’s getting yet another chance to resurrect his football career and life.
Cleveland’s gifted wide receiver has been conditionally reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, who met with the Browns former Pro Bowler on Wednesday in New York and is allowing him to return after a nearly three-year absence.
Gordon Redskins Geron Christian Jersey , who hasn’t played since the 2014 season, can immediately join the team for meetings, engage in conditioning work and individual workouts. He has to comply with requirements set forth by Goodell and can begin practicing with the team on Nov. 20.
The 26-year-old will be eligible – at the team’s discretion – to return to active status on Nov. 27 or remain on the commissioner’s exempt list for an additional week before returning to active status.
.ALAMEDA http://www.atlantafalconsteamonline.com/isaiah-oliver-jersey , Calif. (AP) Oakland Raiders first-round pick Gareon Conley had a disappointing end to his rookie year when he was placed on injured reserve Monday after playing only two games all season.
Oakland drafted Conley 24th overall in hopes that the cornerback could boost a secondary that struggled a year ago. He showed flashes of good play during the offseason program but hasn’t been able to stay healthy since first injuring his shin during minicamp in June.
Conley missed all of training camp and played just two games in September before being sidelined again.
Article continues below ...”It’s just people’s bodies are different, when you have those type
injuries Broncos
Josey Jewell Jersey , you wait and see if it can heal and feel
better and good enough to play early in the season,” general manager Reggie
McKenzie said last week. ”He was feeling better Giants
B.J. Hill Jersey , then he had a setback.”
Conley broke up a pass the first time he was tested against the New York Jets in Week 2. He played 93 snaps over two games and recorded seven tackles.
With Conley sidelined, the Raiders have struggled again in the secondary with starter David Amerson missing time with injuries and Sean Smith having his playing time reduced because of ineffectiveness.
The Raiders are the first team in NFL history to fail to record a single interception in the first nine games of the season. Oakland’s opponents have a 110.5 passer rating and have completed 71.2 percent of their passes Cheap Chris Herndon Jersey , which both rank as the third highest in NFL history.
”There’s no question we miss him,” McKenzie said. ”He came in hitting the ground running. We felt really good about him during the offseason until he got kicked and that’s the way it is. But he is a good football player and he will have a great career.”
The Raiders (4-5) return from the bye this week in need of a strong finish to get back to the playoffs. A four-game losing streak early in the year set Oakland back and now the Raiders have little margin for error. They start their home stretch this week when they travel to Mexico City to play a ”home” game against the New England Patriots.
Oakland also must make trips to first-place Kansas City and Philadelphia http://www.atlantafalconsteamonline.com/ito-smith-jersey , as well as Los Angeles for the season finale against the Chargers as part of a difficult closing schedule.
The Raiders reinstated defensive tackle Darius Latham to the active roster to take Conley’s spot. Latham had been suspended four games for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy.
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.ATLANTA (5-4) at SEATTLE (6-3)
Sunday http://www.sanfrancisco49ersteamonline.com/jeff-locke-jersey , 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
OPENING LINE – Seahawks by 3
Article continues below ...RECORD VS. SPREAD – Falcons 3-6, Seahawks 3-5-1
SERIES RECORD – Seahawks lead 10-7
LAST MEETING – Falcons beat Seahawks 36-20, Jan. 14, NFC playoffs
LAST WEEK – Falcons beat Cowboys 27-7; Seahawks beat Cardinals 22-16.
AP PRO32 RANKING – Falcons No. 12; Seahawks No. 9
FALCONS OFFENSE – OVERALL (8), RUSH (13) Lions Tracy Walker Jersey , PASS (11).
FALCONS DEFENSE – OVERALL (7), RUSH (19), PASS (6).
SEAHAWKS OFFENSE – OVERALL (7), RUSH (22), PASS (2).
SEAHAWKS DEFENSE – OVERALL (12), RUSH (9) http://www.jacksonvillejaguarsteamonline.com/logan-cooke-jersey , PASS (13).
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES – Falcons and Seahawks meet for third time in past 13 months. Seahawks won in 2016 regular season, but Falcons won 36-20 in NFC divisional playoff game in January. … Falcons QB Matt Ryan is averaging 290 yards passing and has thrown just seven interceptions in past 13 road games. … Ryan fastest in league history to reach 40,000 yards passing, 151 games. … Ryan has thrown TD pass in 27 consecutive games and thrown for at least 200 yards in 64 straight games. … Leading rusher RB Devonta Freeman may not play due to concussion. … RB Tevin Coleman had season-high 83 yards rushing and TD last week. … Falcons fifth in NFL averaging 4.52 yards per rush. … WR Julio Jones has 18 catches for 266 yards and touchdown in two career games vs. Seahawks. Jones has just one TD reception through first nine games. … TE Austin Hooper second on team in yards receiving (380) and tied for team lead in TD catches (3). … DE Adrian Clayborn had franchise-record six sacks last week vs. Cowboys. … Clayborn had two sacks in first eight games. … LB De’Vondre Campbell had career-high 13 tackles last week. … Falcons have just two interceptions. … Falcons have allowed 21 passes of 20 or more yards, tied for second fewest in league. … K Matt Bryant tied for league lead with five field goals of 50 or more yards. … Seahawks coming off 10-day break after Thursday night win over Arizona on Nov. 9. … Seahawks lost to Redskins in last home game and have not lost consecutive home games since 2015 http://www.sanfrancisco49ersteamonline.com/korey-toomer-jersey , when they fell to Panthers in Week 6, and after two road games and bye, lost to Cardinals in Week 10. … Seahawks 21-3-1 in Thursday, Sunday or Monday night games under Pete Carroll. … QB Russell Wilson leads NFC and second in NFL in yards passing with 2,543. … Seahawks rank 22nd in league in yards rushing per game, averaging 3.8 yards per attempt. … TE Jimmy Graham had 15th career multi-TD game vs. Cardinals Cheap Oren Burks Jersey , tied for third most among active players. Graham has six TDs in past five games. … DE Michael Bennett has five sacks in past five home games. … CB Richard Sherman out for season due to Achilles tendon injury. Has started previous 109 regular-season and postseason games combined. … CB Byron Maxwell expected to play after being signed this week. Maxwell played for Seahawks through 2014 season. … Status of FS Earl Thomas (hamstring) and SS Kam Chancellor (stinger) both in question. Chancellor had 10 tackles, forced fumble and safety in win over Cardinals. … K Blair Walsh was 2 of 2 vs. Cardinals after missing three kicks in loss to Redskins. … Fantasy Tip: Look to tight ends. With chance Chancellor doesn’t play, Austin Hooper would be good option. On other side, Graham has become Wilson’s favored target in red zone.
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.DAVIE Seahawks D.J. Fluker Jersey , Fla. (AP) The Miami Dolphins are a middling team at the midpoint.
Sound familiar? It should.
For the fourth time in the past six seasons, including last year, the Dolphins are 4-4. They went on to the playoffs in 2016 but aren’t trending toward a repeat, with losses in the past two games and a tough second-half schedule that includes seven opponents who are above .500.
Article continues below ...”We’re probably not exactly where we want to be,” coach Adam Gase said Monday. ”We’ve had too many ups and downs.”
Gase found cause for encouragement in the latest loss Lions Tracy Walker Jersey , however. Squandered scoring chances and 11 penalties hurt in a 27-24 defeat against Oakland on Sunday night, but Miami’s offense showed signs of life , and quarterback Jay Cutler had one of his best games of the season.
Miami remains last in the NFL in yards per play and points per game. But Gase believes players responded well to his complaints about blown assignments and poor study habits, and he’s optimistic the Dolphins are well-positioned for a second-half surge, beginning against Carolina next Monday night.
”The guys last week prepared the right way. That’s what has me somewhat excited moving forward Cheap Sylvester Williams Jersey ,” Gase said. ”Everything is up for grabs. It’s who wants to do it right. Our guys have a great opportunity. You’ve got a shot. You’ve got eight games left. See what you’re made of.”
Cutler agreed.
”A lot of football left to play,” he said. ”A lot of opportunities for us to put it together.”
Gase was satisfied with the new look of the offense following last week’s
trade of Jay Ajayi. While the Pro Bowl running back rushed for 77 yards and a
touchdown to help Philadelphia beat Denver 51-23, his replacements in Miami
combined for 83 yards rushing and 82 receiving.
Kenyan Drake had a 42-yard run, Miami’s longest this year, and he and Damien Williams each caught six passes from Cutler.
”I like where that’s headed Cheap Kyle Lauletta Jersey ,” Gase said. ”Those guys out of the backfield in the passing game made a big difference. … We’re trying to find our way on offense. This last game felt a little more normal in what it should feel like.”
Another reason for optimism is the looming addition of two starters, left guard Ted Larsen and safety T.J. McDonald. Larsen returned to practice last week after recovering from a torn biceps, and McDonald is poised to make his season debut after serving an eight-game suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
Is McDonald ready to play?
”Run across the middle. You’ll find out,” Gase said. ”I think he’s pretty ready.”
Issues of concern include a defense that has backslid in recent weeks, with Miami allowing 95 points in the past three games. The Raiders threw for 300 yards and converted eight third downs.
”We gave up way too many points Cheap Deadrin Senat Jersey ,” defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh said. ”It’s not going to be winning football if they’re scoring 27 points.”
Gase figures the burden on the defense will be eased if the offense can become more potent. And he liked the swarming defense that forced two Raiders fumbles on a single play .
”That was us,” he said. ”That’s how we should play. It was 11 guys with their hair on fire.”
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.Over the last couple of years Chiefs Armani Watts Jersey , runningbarefoot has drastically increased in popularity. Equally as important is the backwardsprogression of using a more minimalist styled shoe.
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Initially, giving up your shoes to run mayseem challenging and somewhat inconceivable. However Cheap Markus Wheaton Jersey , once you've mastered theart of barefoot running, it's well worth it in terms of personal accomplishmentand overall health. As soon as you have trained yourself to run barefoot or touse quality running trainers like the ones from Vivo, you will never look back and even wonder how you ever ranwith a traditional running shoe.
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.NEW YORK (AP) The NFL’s salary cap will be $177.2 million Cowboys Jihad Ward Jersey , more than $10 million above last season.
Teams must be below that figure when the league season begins on March 14.
While the cap went up from $167 million, it did not surge the way it did the previous year Saints Tre'Quan Smith Jersey , increasing by nearly $12 million.
Article continues below ...
Under the current labor agreement reached in 2011, the cap steadily has gone up from $120 million that year to $120.6 million Eagles Markus Wheaton Jersey , then to $123 million, then to $133 million in 2014. It was $143.28 million in 2015.
The larger increases resulted in great part from the league’s broadcast contract revenues.
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.CLEVELAND (AP) Moments after losing for the 20th time in 21 games as Cleveland’s coach Cheap Weston Richburg Jersey , Hue Jackson began the long, cruel walk toward the locker room.
As he headed for the tunnel, Jackson was already pondering his postgame speech and an explanation on his decision to bench rookie quarterback DeShone Kizer at halftime.
But before leaving the field, Jackson was chased down. Josh McCown threw an arm around his former coach.
Article continues below ...”I just let him know that I’m thinking about him, that I loved him and to hang in there,” McCown said after leading the New York Jets to a 17-14 win. ”I know he’s fighting a fight. I believe in him.”
Jackson may need more than McCown’s support.
The Browns (0-5) are again headed down a painful path led by Jackson, who didn’t do himself any favors with a very questionable choice not to kick a potential game-tying field goal in the fourth quarter.
Cleveland was down 10-7 and facing a fourth-and-2 at New York’s four with 13:03 left. Jackson initially sent rookie kicker Zane Gonzalez and the field-goal unit onto the field, but called a timeout and changed his mind, partially influenced by two missed kicks in in the first half.
Jackson dialed up a running play Saints Tre'Quan Smith Jersey , but the Jets stuffed Isaiah Crowell after a 1-yard gain, giving the ball back to McCown, who then engineered a 97-yard touchdown drive that put New York ahead by 10.
Jackson’s gamble backfired, giving his detractors more ammunition to question whether he’s the right coach to guide Cleveland through a rebuilding project showing minimal progress.
The Jets (3-2) were supposed to be tanking and are winning. The Browns, who blew four scoring chances in the first half, are just losing.
Jackson, though, doesn’t see any signs of his team quitting.
”They are good,” he said of his player’s mood. ”To a man Buccaneers Vinny Curry Jersey , they all know they fight and they fight hard. They want to win worse than anybody, and I want to win for them. I want to help them win, but at the same time, this is where we are. We are 0-5, and we have to go find a way to win a game.”
Jackson believes he still has the full backing of owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam.
”There is no wavering support,” he said. ”I have never felt that at all. They are no different than anybody else. The human side of this, you want to win. You have a chance to win, you want to win. It is unfortunate, but we had our chances. It would be different if this team just beat us 30-whatever. If we don’t turn the ball over and we make field goals Jets Chris Herndon Jersey , this is a different football game. That is something to build on.”
Here are some takeaways after the Jets dropped the Browns to 2-30 in their
last 32 games:
GREAT GARRETT: One game, two sacks. Welcome to the NFL, Myles Garrett.
After missing four games with a sprained right ankle, the top overall pick recorded a sack on his first play and brought down McCown again.
Garrett was limited to just 18 plays, but made the most of every one.
”I always want more,” he said. ”I always want to make more plays, have more effect on the outcome of the game, but as many as they give me I’ll take and I’m just going to try to do my best to make plays out there.”
QB SWAP: Jackson pulled Kizer after he threw a costly pick and Cleveland’s offense sputtered.
Kevin Hogan came in and completed 16 of 19 passes for 194 yards and two touchdowns. Jackson would not commit to a starter for next week’s game at Houston, but hinted he could be leaning toward Hogan to give Kizer a chance to regroup.
”He will rally from this Cheap Avonte Maddox Jersey ,” Jackson said. ”He will get better. He will grow from it. He has to. That is the only way he is going to get better. There is no other way to do this.”
JET STREAM
New York’s first three-game winning streak since 2015 has the Jets flying high.
Beating the Browns is one thing – everyone does it – so for them to be viewed as a contender, the Jets need a quality one. They host the New England Patriots next week.
”We will have to be at our best,” said McCown, who went 23 of 30 for 194 yards. ”They have been great for a long time. You cannot ask for anything else than to be 3-2 and to go against 3-2 New England in a head-to-head matchup. This is what it’s about. This is why you play the game. We look forward to playing them.”
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.NEW ORLEANS (AP) Saints punter Thomas Morstead figured he had a good command of his value after nine NFL seasons http://www.philadelphiaeaglesteamonlines.com/paul-worrilow-jersey , and he had no interest in playing or living anywhere but New Orleans.
Morstead said Friday that he has signed a new five-year, $20 million contract with the Saints.
He told The Associated Press that his new contract begins in the current league year, replacing the final year of his previous contract that was due to expire after next season. The deal guarantees $9 million over the first two seasons and includes the possibility for additional bonuses, Morstead said.
Article continues below ...The 32-year-old Morstead served as his own agent on what is his third NFL contract since being drafted in 2009 and helping New Orleans capture its only Super Bowl championship as a rookie.
The Saints ”approached me about doing (a new contract) and we love living in New Orleans,” said Morstead, who is raising a family in the city. ”They extended me early after my third year and they extended me again after my ninth. And I didn’t have any feeling in my body that the grass is greener elsewhere. We love New Orleans. We love our neighbors. I love playing for (Saints coach) Sean (Payton). There’s a tremendous amount of stability and we were thrilled at the chance to stick around.”
Morstead has averaged 47 yards per punt during his career. That ranks third all-time in the NFL Falcons Calvin Ridley Jersey , less than a yard behind the averages of the two players ahead of him, Shane Lechler and Johnny Hekker.
Last season, Patriots coach Bill Belichick raved about Morstead before facing the Saints in Week 2, saying the only way to prepare for the Saints punter is to ”take the JUGS machine, crank it up on high and shoot the ball about 65 to 70 yards downfield, a yard from the sideline like he does most of the time. … There are not many guys who can punt the ball like him.”
Morstead said he made the goal of striving for elite consistency ever since retired quarterback Peyton Manning spoke to the Saints during training camp and urged players to think about how they want to be remembered.
”I started kind of outlining qualitative goals about what people would say about me Cheap Rashaan Evans Jersey ,” Morstead said. ”There’s a lot of value in having a specialist that there’s not a lot of ups and downs with.”
”It’s not just about hitting bombs, hitting high punts,” Morstead added.
”It’s good distance with good hang time in a corner that pins guy with quick
get-off. I’m really proud of the standards that we’ve set.”
Morstead also has enjoyed a surge in popularity in Minnesota – if not nationally – since he volunteered to return to the field from the locker room, despite having injured his ribs, so Minnesota could formally complete its dramatic, last-second playoff victory over the Saints by running a required point-after attempt. Morstead was the first Saints player out of the locker room. The Vikings took a knee http://www.pittsburghsteelersteamstore.com/terrell-edmunds-jersey , not needing to score on the play.
Afterward, Morstead noticed a surge of donations from Minnesota to his What You Give Will Grow foundation, which benefits children undergoing hospital treatment for serious illnesses. Morstead returned to Minneapolis during the Super Bowl to present a check for a little more than $221,000 to Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. He also donated $120,000 to similar efforts in Louisiana.
Morstead’s deal is one of a handful of moves by New Orleans since the beginning of free agency on Wednesday. Those include the signings of cornerback Patrick Robinson to what his agent, Ron Butler Cheap Nate Solder Jersey , said was a four-year, $20 million deal; linebacker Demario Davis to a reported three-year, $24 million contract; and defensive end Alex Okafor to a two-year extension for a reported $10 million.
The Saints have also added veteran quarterback Tom Savage as a potential backup to Drew Brees, who signed a two-year, $50 million extension the day before free agency started.
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.DENVER (AP) The New England Patriots and Denver Broncos are usually teeter-tottering for supremacy in the AFC in what’s become an annual showdown.
Not this time.
This one looks like anything but a marquee matchup between the teams that have won the past three Super Bowls.
Article continues below ...The Patriots (6-2) strut into Denver on Sunday night in customary hot pursuit of the conference’s No. 1 playoff seeding. They’re in the mix again behind the NFL’s No. 1 offense and the seemingly ageless Tom Brady and despite a rash of injuries http://www.houstontexansteamonline.com/martinas-rankin-jersey , an inconsistent O-line and a scuffling, 32nd-ranked defense.
The Broncos (3-5) are just trying to extricate themselves from a month-long funk that’s resulting in four consecutive double-digit losses and exposed plenty of warts, including poor draft classes, free agent misses, turnstile tackles and stubborn play calling.
Denver has been outscored 41-3 in the first quarter during its dive, which led to Trevor Siemian’s benching in favor of Brock Osweiler and neutralized a star-studded defense which lost its not-my-fault vibe last week in a 28-point loss at Philadelphia.
Even star defender Aqib Talib had a forgettable performance in that one.
”He didn’t have a great game last week – none of us did – but you can tell how he’s worked in practice this week,” coach Vance Joseph said, stressing he’s seen a renewed laser-like focus in the 2016 All-Pro cornerback.
”Yeah, kind of half-focused Colts Quenton Nelson Jersey , half still (ticked) off,” Talib said. ”This is the week, though. This is a big opportunity for us. If we’re going to spark that fire, this is going to be the week. So, I’m definitely focused.”
Handing Brady his eighth loss in 11 trips to Denver could propel the Broncos on a second-half surge against a much softer schedule.
”If we come out on that stage Sunday night and if we’re able to get a win, man, the swag, the energy in this locker room, it’ll skyrocket Cheap Harold Landry Jersey ,” Talib said. ”It’s the perfect game. It’s what we need. Powerhouse, put them in front of us, see what we’re going to do.”
Other subplots in the teams’ 10th meeting since 2011:
TERRIFIC TALIB: Patriots coach Bill Belichick is expecting the Broncos to bounce right back from their 51-23 shellacking at Philadelphia .
”They’re a very experienced team. I’m sure we’re not going to see anything close to what happened last week in Philadelphia,” Belichick said. ”I know we’ll get their best effort. They have a lot of great players that will compete hard and are tough. I feel like we’re going to have to play our best game of the year this weekend.”
Among those greats is Talib, who played for him in 2012 and ’13.
”Aqib’s a great player and a tremendous competitor. I have so much respect for him,” Belichick said.
”He’s just a great football player. Tackles well, tough and is really smart. Great ball skills, can handle the big receivers and can handle the quick receivers. Very crafty in his disguises and some of the techniques he uses out there, he’s a very tough guy for the quarterback to read or to fool. He’s as good as we play against.”
MILLER TIME : Von Miller had a quiet game against Brady in Denver’s 16-3 home loss to New England last season.
”They were throwing the ball quick http://www.oaklandraidersteamonline.com/p.j.-hall-jersey ,” Miller said. ”Tom Brady was flawless. Everybody was flawless on offense. It wasn’t really a high-scoring game either, though. If we make them play where they’ve got to throw the ball and really score some points it’ll be different.”
Such as in the AFC championship game two years ago, maybe. Miller got to Brady seven times that day and collected 2+ sacks, a pass breakup and an interception in a precursor to his MVP performance against Cam Newton and the Panthers in Super Bowl 50.
BATTERED BRADY: The Broncos are the only team with a winning record against Brady (9-7) and they think they might be able to hound him as they did in that AFC championship game two years ago.
Brady has been sacked 21 times and taken 43 hits so far after being sacked just 15 times last season. O-line coach Dante Scarnecchia sees hope on the horizon – even if Miller’s standing in his way.
”We’re trying to do it right,” Scarnecchia said. ”We’ve just got to get it done better than what we’re doing. Look, we’re eight games into this deal, and no one’s satisfied. They’re not. I’m not. Certainly, the head coach isn’t.”
ROAD WARRIORS: The Patriots can tie their own AFC record with their 12th consecutive road win Sunday night, which begins a six-week stretch in which they play just once at home.
”This is about the time when everyone starts to see what you’re made of Cheap Brandin Cooks Jersey ,” Brady said. ”… We have very competitive games starting, obviously, with this one, a tough place to play against a very tough team. None of them are going to be easy, so we’re going to have to play better than we’ve played. ”
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.MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Military Humvees Cheap Mike White Jersey , officers in combat gear and the occasional F-16 flying over downtown Minneapolis are all part of the beefed up security measures that come with hosting the Super Bowl. But those images can be scary for some immigrants and refugees who are worried about terrorism, deportation or even a war they can’t forget.
A special team with the city of Minneapolis has been working for weeks to reassure immigrant communities that all the extra muscle is here to keep them safe. The team is reaching out through radio and television broadcasts, social media and in-person meetings with elders and community members. The goal is to keep communities informed about everything from security to transportation issues, and let them know they can also participate in the fun.
”It’s a welcoming place … for people to come downtown and enjoy,” said Michael Yang, a southeast Asian community specialist with the city. ”You shouldn’t have to fear anything.”
Article continues below ...Minnesota has been a welcoming state for immigrants over the last several decades, thanks in part to its social service programs. The state is home to the largest Somali community in the U.S., roughly 57 Cheap Tedy Bruschi Jersey ,000 people according to the latest census figures, most of whom live in the Minneapolis area. The state also has the second-highest Hmong population, behind California.
The team of community specialists in Minneapolis does outreach in immigrant
communities all year, but is working with more partners and intensifying efforts
in the lead-up to the Super Bowl. Officials believe they have created a model
for future Super Bowls or other large events. Among other things, the team is
broadcasting weekly radio programs in Spanish, Somali and Hmong and is
contracting with others to share social media messages in Spanish, Hmong,
Somali Cheap
Billy Price Jersey , Vietnamese, Oromo and Lao.
The messages are being tailored to each community because while one community might believe armed guards are preventing a terror attack, another might see those same officers as an immigration raid.
”Every community has their own take on the event and their own fears and concerns and we address them by giving them the right information, telling them what’s going on,” said Rose Lindsay with the community relations unit in the Joint Information Center set up for the Super Bowl.
Yang said that even though Hmong immigrants have been in Minnesota for decades, images of the war they left behind are still fresh. Some people he’s met tell him that the armed officers remind them of the military taking over the streets of Laos. Others expressed concern about helicopters or other aircraft flying overhead, saying it reminds them of enemy aircraft.
”With some members of the Hmong community, people are really fearful that there is war Cheap Joel Iyiegbuniwe Jersey ,” he said.
The Hmong have also expressed fear of a terrorist attack or hate crimes, and weeks ago elders were asking families to stay away from the Super Bowl activities. Yang said his work has helped ease fears. Other team members agree.
Abdirashid Ahmed, an East African community specialist, is working to explain the Super Bowl to community leaders, faith leaders and other community members. In addition to face-to-face meetings, he’s also monitoring social media to see what the community is talking about.
After a car caught fire in a Somali neighborhood this week, many community members went to social media and asked if there was a terror attack. Ahmed said because of the infrastructure that’s been set up, officials were able to respond within minutes to let the community know it was a mechanical fire and they had nothing to worry about.
When asked if there is fear of racial profiling in a community where some members have been the subject of terror investigations Packers Jaire Alexander Jersey , Ahmed said there is always that concern because of the current climate. But as far as it relates to the Super Bowl, ”people are not asking the same kinds of questions they were asking me a month or two months ago.”
”We have been explaining everything,” Ahmed said. ”The law enforcement agencies coming to Minneapolis … they will be here to protect everyone, not to harm.”
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