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Coach Joe Prunty was just as impressed with the contributions from his quick point guard that didn’t make the stat sheet.
Bledsoe had his fourth career triple-double with 20 points Dan Bailey Jersey , 12 rebounds and 11 assists in a 102-86 win on Monday night in the final regular-season game at the Bradley Center.
”For as good as he was statistically tonight, there are things you don’t see on the stat sheet and that ability to get on the ball and defense,” Prunty said, ”and that’s critical for us.”
Shabazz Muhammad added season-high 22 points and helped spark a 20-6 run in the third quarter for the Bucks, who leapfrogged Miami for sixth in the Eastern Conference. The Heat lost to Oklahoma City on Monday.
A win on Wednesday night on the road against the Philadelphia 76ers would clinch the sixth seed for Milwaukee.
”We put ourselves in a position to where we’re in a pretty position to determine where you want to be if that’s what you want to do,” center John Henson said. ”But we want to be the highest seed possible Jimmy Garoppolo Jersey Limited , so that’s the goal.”
Nikola Vucevic led Orlando with 17 points and 10 rebounds, while Bismack Biyombo had 14 points.
The Magic fell to 24-57 but had reason to be confident after beating the Bucks 126-117 in their last meeting on March 14. Orlando was 18 of 34 from 3-point range that night to withstand a 38-point outburst by Antetokounmpo.
The shooting touch was missing Monday, when Orlando was just 5 of 24 from behind the arc.
The Magic couldn’t make up for the misses on the defensive end, especially in the third quarter.
”It’s been the case all season. Our defense has never been consistent enough,” coach Frank Vogel said.
Milwaukee won its second straight game without Antetokounmpo, who is resting a sore right ankle. Both victories came against 50-loss teams.
They got a huge lift on Monday from Bledsoe Courtland Sutton Broncos Jersey , with help from Muhammad and Jason Terry off the bench. They helped push the Bucks on the 20-6 run over the final 5:27 of the third to build a 74-67 lead.
”We stopped getting stops. We were defending really well up until that point,” Magic forward Aaron Gordon said.
Terry, the savvy veteran guard, immediately gave the Bucks a spark by forcing a turnover on the inbounds play after Bledsoe’s two foul shots. Muhammad gave the Bucks a presence off the dribble to help make up for the absence of the free-wheeling Antetokounmpo.
”Shabazz played a (great) game all night long, played in attack mode … got to his strengths in the paint,” forward Khris Middleton said.
The Bucks led comfortably the rest of the way to close out the regular season at the Bradley Center. A new arena is scheduled to open in the fall on an adjacent lot in downtown Milwaukee.
TIP INS
Magic: Asked for his memories at the Bradley Center Cheap Frank Ragnow Jersey , Vogel recalled a time when then-Celtics coach Rick Pitino got into an argument with guard Dee Brown off the court while Vogel was Boston’s video coordinator. ”Not a … fight but just a (verbal) flare-up,” Vogel said.
Bucks: G Malcolm Brogdon (left quad) returned following a 30-game absence. The 2016-17 NBA Rookie of the Year scored two and played 13 minutes, all in the first half.
AT THE HALF
A game that had the feel of a Milwaukee blowout turned tight after a cold-shooting second quarter for the Bucks. They missed their first 12 shots in the period, with a Bledsoe-to-Middleton layup finally ending the scoreless streak with 5:07 left.
The pace picked up again once facilitators Bledsoe and Middleton (18 points) re-entered the game, with Milwaukee taking a 45-42 lead at halftime.
STAT LINES
Vucevic added 10 rebounds to pick up his 29th double-double of the season. … Biyombo was 6 of 7 from the field. … The Bucks with a regular season record of 668-536 in their 30 seasons at the Bradley Center.
QUOTABLE
”Complacency. I think that is kind of what happens to a young team with early wins.” – Gordon, on Orlando’s struggles after starting 8-4 this season.
UP NEXT
Magic: Wrap up the season by hosting the Wizards on Wednesday.
Bucks: Finish the regular season with a trip to face the 76ers.
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Pittsburgh Steelers star wide receiver Antonio Brown is inching toward a return from a left calf injury.
Brown hasn’t played since injuring the calf in the first half of a loss to New England on Dec. 17. He posted video of himself working out on a treadmill on Monday. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin says he ran into Brown on Tuesday and believes Brown’s rehab is ”going well.”
The AFC North champion Steelers have the week off before hosting a playoff game on Jan. 14. Tomlin says if Pittsburgh had been forced to play this weekend there’s a chance Brown would be in the lineup. Brown led the NFL with 1 Authentic Kyle Long Jersey ,533 yards receiving this season despite missing the final 2+ games.
Pittsburgh has given offensive lineman Mike Munchak permission to talk with the Arizona Cardinals about their vacant head coaching job. Munchak is in his fourth season with the Steelers. He went 22-26 in three seasons as coach of the Tennessee Titans from 2011-13.
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Right guard is the only position on the line without a set starter Josh Jackson Packers Jersey , and that will be a key competition coach Dan Quinn will be watching closely in Friday night’s game.
Decisions also have to be made at fullback and defensive end.
Protecting Ryan, the 2016 NFL MVP with a new five-year contract extension that could be worth as much as $150 million, makes finding the best starting right guard a priority.
Wes Schweitzer was listed ahead of Brandon Fusco, perhaps Atlanta’s top free-agent acquisition this offseason, at right guard on the team’s first depth chart released this week. The two have rotated with the first-team offense during training camp.
Schweitzer’s expected start against the Jets may be based on his 16 starts with Atlanta last season.
Fusco started all 16 games for San Francisco last season.
“I just want to build continuity with everyone, get comfortable with everyone and with this offense,” Fusco said following Wednesday’s practice.
“I miss the game-day feeling and will be excited when I’m out there. Hopefully it’s enough to prove to them I can be the starter of this team at right guard and help this team win.”
Schweitzer said this has been “the best camp I’ve ever had, definitely the best offensive camp I’ve ever been a part of. I feel we’re really clicking right now and really pushing for it. It’s just been a really good camp.”
Ricky Ortiz is expected to start ahead of Luke McNitt at fullback. The remaining competitions on offense are for backup roles, including a third running back behind Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. Candidates include rookie Ito Smith and Terrence Magee.
Coach Dan Quinn also is looking at tight ends competing behind projected starter Austin Hooper. Eric Saubert, a fifth-round pick in 2017 who had no catches as a rookie, has impressed the coach in camp.
“He’s somebody who certainly has our attention at tight end,” Quinn said Wednesday.
“He’s really turning into the pass-catching tight end that I’d hoped we would see. … He’s long, he’s fast and I now see the athlete.”
Quinn said Saubert (6-5 Baker Mayfield Jersey , 253) is more confident in his second season. He said Saubert pressed as a rookie and “wasn’t allowing himself to be the athlete that he is.”
The Falcons did not re-sign tight end Levine Toilolo, who is now with Detroit. Veteran Logan Paulsen is best known for his blocking skills. That leaves an opening for Saubert to emerge as another target for quarterback Matt Ryan.
Saubert must do more than show his skills as a receiver. All players competing for backup spots, including at running back and tight end, must prove they can contribute on special teams.
Second-year defensive end Takkarist McKinley , trying to earn a starting role, is expected to play after being limited for about a week with a bruised right shoulder. McKinley returned for full participation on Tuesday and Wednesday.
“He was good,” Quinn said. “What I was looking for, like with any guy, was there any hesitancy? He had none. So he responded the right way and was chomping at the bit to get back.”
NOTES: LG Andy Levitre and his wife, Katie, who carried pink and blue balloons, had a unique baby gender reveal following practice. With players standing around the couple, Levitre held a sign that said “A Gatorade shower will let us see.” Other offensive linemen poured two coolers filled with the blue sports drink over Levitre’s head — so he and his wife are expecting a boy. Players then cheered. … Quinn confirmed PK Matt Bryant (undisclosed injury) and OT Ty Sambrailo (right hand) will not play against the Jets. “We’ll get them back into the fold next week John Ross Jersey ,” Quinn said.
More than four months have passed for Stefon Diggs since his yes-that-really-happened touchdown reception for Minnesota on the desperate last play from scrimmage gave the Vikings a postseason victory for the ages over New Orleans.He still hears about the play a couple of times per week.
As nice as the accolades can be, they won’t win the Vikings any games this year.
”I’m kind of over it at this point. It’s definitely a blessing, but we’ve got a brand new season to worry about, a lot of exciting things taking place right now, so I’m going to focus on that,” Diggs said. ”It’s definitely an old smile right now.”
After a career-high eight touchdowns in 2017 while forming one of the NFL’s best wide receiver duos with Adam Thielen, Diggs has entered the final year of his rookie contract, bound for a big raise.
With Kirk Cousins now in place, he’s working with his fourth primary starting quarterback in as many seasons in the league. John DeFilippo also represents his third offensive coordinator.
Diggs is not one to be ruffled, though, not with the hurdles he has cleared over his career and the setbacks he’s faced in life since his dad died 10 years ago.
”For me, it’s just the same old building process, getting back going Blake Martinez Jersey Youth , getting the trust of your quarterback. That excites me, having a new challenge,” said Diggs, who went to the Atlanta area with Thielen earlier this spring to hang out with and catch passes from Cousins.
Those receiver-quarterback relationships are as important as any on the roster.
”As far as being our general and the guy that’s going to lead us, I put 100 percent faith in him,” Diggs said.
Diggs is not the only integral Vikings player with an expiring deal, joining linebacker Anthony Barr and defensive end Danielle Hunter in the about-to-get-paid-a-lot club with no guarantee all three of them will fit under the salary cap.
The price for Diggs has markedly increased since the ”Minneapolis Miracle ” game not only because of the clutch catch.
Mike Evans (Tampa Bay), Sammy Watkins (Kansas City) and Jarvis Landry (Cleveland) have all signed new contracts since March with annual average values of more than $15 million. Diggs has been watching, naturally, with several public praises of his peers . Reading between the tweets? Diggs is clearly confident he’ll be in their situation soon.
”I like to congratulate guys every chance I get,” Diggs said. ”So for my particular situation, I let my resume speak for itself. It’ll figure itself out.”
If an extension doesn’t get done in 2018 and he becomes a free agent, he could still sign with the Vikings Authentic A.J. Green Jersey , of course. Exploring the market doesn’t sound like a goal of his, however.
”I love playing for the Vikings. I started here. I’ve had all my time here. I love my teammates. I love my staff. There’s no place I’d rather be,” he said.
Barr was the only notable player missing on Wednesday from practice. Coach Mike Zimmer said Barr told him he wouldn’t attend, but Zimmer didn’t divulge a reason. Barr’s absence could be driven by a form of soft protest about the lack of a new deal or self-preservation from injury. These organized team activities in late May and early June are not required. Only the minicamp in mid-June is contractually mandatory.
One player whose presence was more pertinent than anyone’s absence was kicker Kai Forbath, who was startled last month when the Vikings drafted Auburn kicker Daniel Carlson in the fifth round. Such moves rarely end well for the incumbent.
”I fortunately have never lost a competition, and I’m not shying away from this one just because they drafted him,” Forbath said. ”As long as I make my kicks, everything should take care of itself.”
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Russell hit his second career grand slam, Jason Heyward and Ben Zobrist each had two-run homers and the Cubs rallied to beat the Minnesota Twins 10-6 on Friday.
Kyle Schwarber added his 16th home run, a solo shot in the seventh, in a late afternoon contest that started with a temperature of 96 degrees and a 12-mph breeze blowing out. Anthony Rizzo completed Chicago’s scoring with an RBI single in the eighth as the Cubs pulled away to win their third game in four following a five-game slide.
Russell’s second homer – and four-RBI game – in two days chased Twins starter Jose Berrios (8-6) with one out the fifth and put Chicago ahead for the first time, 6-5. The shortstop’s deep fly to left was pushed by a steady southwest wind as it narrowly reached the Wrigley Field bleachers.
”I figured I got it pretty good, but I thought I hit it a little too high,” Russell said. ”I’m happy that it’s summertime in Chicago and now those balls are flying.”
Russell, who got off to a slow start this season, has seven hits in 17 at-bats over his last four games to raise his average to .282.
”I’ve just been really trying to work on my approach with (hitting coach Chili Davis) and myself, as well as my discipline at the plate,” Russell said. ”It looks like it’s getting better.”
Joe Mauer homered among three hits and finished with a season-high five RBIs for the Twins. Mauer hit a three-run shot in the second and lined a two-run double off Cubs starter Mike Montgomery in the fourth.
”Today, probably high-end extreme of favorable to the offensive side Cole Beasley Jersey Elite ,” Twins manager Paul Molitor said of the weather. ”It played a little bit of a role in the game.
”I got a little bit of a boost I think on Joe’s ball and on (Russell’s) grand slam.”
Montgomery (3-2) lasted five innings and earned the win despite giving up five runs (three earned) and seven hits with three walks. Three Cubs relievers followed with a scoreless inning each before Justin Wilson allowed the Twins’ final run in the ninth.
Brandon Morrow came in to get the final out for his 17th save.
Berrios lacked his usual velocity as he yielded a season-high six runs and four walks. The right-hander was 3-0 with a 2.10 ERA over his previous five starts.
”I thought I lost a little bit of stamina out there,” Berrios said. ”Scorching hot.”
Mauer’s homer was just his second this season, following a solo shot on May 1, and he hit the opposite-field drive despite being ill. The 35-year-old first baseman last drove in five runs in a game last Sept. 17 against Toronto.
Mauer’s drive with two outs in the second made it 3-0. The wind helped his fly carry into the left-field basket.
Heyward lined Berrios’ first pitch to him in the third into the right-center bleachers to cut it to 3-2.
Mauer’s double to center field in the fourth and plated two runs to extend the Twins’ lead to 5-2.
After the Cubs loaded the bases in the fifth, Russell’s homer put them ahead. Zobrist added his two-run shot to right in the sixth off Matt Magill to make it 8-5.
BABY BOY BAEZ
INF Javier Baez wasn’t in the lineup following the birth of his son Friday morning. Baez, tied with Schwarber for the team lead with 16 homers, pinch hit in the seventh and struck out.
TRAINERS ROOM
Twins: INF/OF Taylor Motter was placed on the disabled list with concussion like symptoms after hitting his chest hard against right field wall at Guaranteed Rate Field on Thursday while trying to make a catch. … Minnesota recalled C/INF Willians Astudillo from Triple-A Rochester to take Motter’s roster spot. … The Twins designated RHP Felix Jorge for release or assignment.
Cubs: RHP Yu Darvish travelled to Texas to see orthopedic surgeon Keith Meister for a fresh opinion on his sore right triceps and got a new diagnosis: Right elbow impingement and inflammation. Darvish also got a cortisone shot that will take three-to-five days to settle in. The injury flared up in a bullpen session on Thursday in Los Angeles and forced the Cubs to scrub Darvish’s return to the rotation this weekend. . INF/OF Kris Bryant (left shoulder inflammation) hit off a tee and took infield practice on Friday. He could return on Tuesday when he’s eligible to come off the disabled list. … RHP Carl Edwards Jr. (right shoulder inflammation) was scheduled to make a rehab outing at Triple-A Iowa on Friday and is nearing a return from the DL.
UP NEXT
Twins LHP Adalberto Mejia makes his first major league appearance of the season and faces Cubs RHP Tyler Chatwood (3-5, 3.95), who comes off the paternity list. Mejia is 4-2 with 2.74 ERA in 11 games (nine starts) for Triple-A Rochester, and was 4-7 with 4.50 ERA in 21 starts for the Twins in 2017. The Twins sent RHP Alan Busenitz down to make room for him.
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Cole Beasley doesn’t need a lot of prodding to bring up how much he thinks outsiders will overlook Dallas receivers now that the Cowboys have moved on from Dez Bryant.
The new dean of the group sees opportunity rather than uncertainty at a position that lacks a big name, and the history of big production that usually goes with it.
Dallas isn’t necessarily looking for a new No. 1 receiver while also trying to replace 15-year tight end Jason Witten, who retired as the franchise leader in catches and yards. Headlined by holdovers Beasley and Terrance Williams and newcomers Allen Hurns and Tavon Austin Cheap Jimmy Garoppolo Jersey , the Cowboys think their strength could be in numbers – and matchups.
”They’re giving everybody an opportunity to do everything,” said Beasley, who is going into his seventh season. ”This is the most open it’s ever been since I’ve been here as far as who’s where. That makes it a lot of fun. And it’s exciting to see what everybody can do.”
The Cowboys cut Bryant , the club’s career leader with 73 touchdowns receiving, in a cost-cutting move after three subpar years under the big contract he signed after his only All-Pro season in 2014.
The thing is, Bryant’s replacements are coming off subpar years as well.
Beasley’s catches and yards fell by more than half from career highs in 2016. Williams didn’t have a touchdown for the first time in his five seasons, and became an off-field concern with an arrest in a public intoxication case.
Hurns, a free agent addition going into his fifth season, didn’t reach 500 yards in either of his two years in Jacksonville since the only 1,000-yard season among the 12 receivers that Dallas currently plans to take to training camp late next month.
Austin, a bust as the eighth overall pick in 2013 by the Rams when they were still in St. Louis, was mostly a spectator for the most dramatic turnaround in the NFL last year. The Los Angeles Rams took the NFC West at 11-5 with the franchise’s first winning season since 2003. The Cowboys traded for him during the draft.
”We’re all coming off years that we’re not so proud of Braden Smith Youth Jersey ,” said Hurns, who also has the only double-digit touchdown season in the group with 10 in 2015, when he had 1,031 yards. ”We’ve all got that motivation to come in and do well. What people talk about, it just adds fuel to the fire. But that’s not our pure motivation.”
Hurns didn’t want to overlook the rookies in a group with something to prove, and there are two to watch. Michael Gallup was the first receiver the Cowboys have drafted post-Bryant – a third-rounder out of Colorado State. Dallas took Cedrick Wilson from Boise State in the sixth round.
It’s likely to be a while before practice is any indication of how the receivers might line up for the opener Sept. 9 at Carolina. For one thing, Williams wasn’t on the field during offseason practices because he broke his right foot in January and had surgery.
Nearly everyone has had first-team work with quarterback Dak Prescott and running back Ezekiel Elliott, the only sure things at the skill positions on offense right now for the Cowboys.
”There’s a big hole,” Gallup said. ”There’s a lot of open space in there. It just opens your eyes if you’re a rookie, honestly. You can come in here and potentially start Day 1. That role is something that everybody wants to go get. That’s what we’re trying to do.”
There’s a new coach to go with all those new receivers as well. Sanjay Lal replaced Derek Dooley as part of an overhaul of coach Jason Garrett’s staff.
”I’m excited to see how it shakes out,” Lal said. ”I couldn’t tell you who the six or five or however many we keep are going to be, and that’s exciting to me. And for them it should be exciting. Gives you all the motivation you need.”
Prescott planned to get together with the receivers during the break between minicamp and training camp. The third-year QB envisioned a gathering away from Dallas Donte Jackson Jersey , working out in the morning and hanging out in the afternoon.
Looking for a bounce-back himself after the Cowboys missed the playoffs a year after he was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year for the NFC East champs, Prescott won’t be trying to force the ball to a No. 1 receiver. That happened at times with Bryant.
”I think when you come out of minicamp, you kind of see that, when you see all the different guys we’re throwing to, the different guys that are running with the ones, different guys that are running with the twos,” Prescott said. ”It’s about spreading the ball around, just going to the right place with the ball.”
Prescott will have plenty of motivated targets.
”I think last season was a good thing for all of us,” Beasley said. ”It added like a hunger to our group. A lot of people pushed us to the side this offseason and they’re sleeping on us, but that gives us a chance to prove a lot of people wrong.”
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They combined all three of those traits in a rousing, drama-filled matchup with the Baltimore Orioles.
Denard Span hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly in the 11th inning after Kyle Seager delivered a two-run homer in the ninth, and the Mariners pulled out an 8-7 victory Wednesday night.
Playing without injured Nelson Cruz for a second straight game, Seattle got a home run from Ryon Healy and collected 14 hits while improving its record in extra innings to 7-0.
It was the Mariners’ major league-leading 25th one-run victory, and it marked the 16th comeback win in which they have taken the lead in the seventh inning or later.
In this one, Seattle gave up a deflating three-run homer to Chris Davis in the eighth inning before rallying.
”We’ve had some great wins this year. We’ve done a lot of this at home,” manager Scott Servais said. ”To do this on the road, after giving up the big home run in the eighth inning, it’s how we’re wired. We play all 27 outs, guys don’t quit. They figure out and find a way.”
The Mariners came to town having lost six of seven. Now, after winning three straight over the lowly Orioles, they can complete the first four-game road sweep of Baltimore in franchise history.
Seattle has never swept a two-game series in Baltimore, and its last three-game sweep of the Orioles on the road was in 2007.
Cruz has been bothered by a sore lower back, but the Mariners have done just fine without him.
Jean Segura led off the 11th with a double against Mychal Givens (0-5), and Span drove in the go-ahead run with a deep fly to center off Donnie Hart.
Chasen Bradford (5-0) worked the 10th and Edwin Diaz got three outs for his major league-leading 30th save, a club record before the All-Star break. He has earned the save in each game of this series.
”We have stepped up and started playing great baseball,” Diaz said. ”Our defense, hitting and pitching are all doing great. We’re in a good moment right now.”
The Orioles trailed 5-4 in the eighth inning before Davis interrupted his season-long slump with a shot off Alex Colome. The drive, on a 3-1 pitch, soared onto Eutaw Street far beyond the right-field wall.
Davis entered the game with a .147 batting average, and on Friday returned from an eight-game hiatus in which he worked to get his swing back. This was his second home run since coming back, and it produced a rare feel-good moment for a struggling team and its belabored slugger.
Then, in the Seattle ninth, Mitch Haniger singled off Zach Britton and Seager delivered his 15th home run and second in two nights.
Britton, who has pitched in only eight games this season after returning from surgery on a torn Achilles tendon, said, ”I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. I didn’t want it to be like this, but it is what it is and I’ve just got to push through it.”
Much earlier, Seattle made up deficits of 2-0 and 4-2 to take a 5-4 lead in the fifth inning against Alex Cobb.
Baltimore has lost four in a row overall and 14 of 15 at home.
DO THE HUSTLE
Orioles shortstop Manny Machado heard some boos Tuesday night when he trotted to first base after hitting into a 4-6-3 double play.
Manager Buck Showalter promised the matter would be addressed, and he did so on Wednesday.
”He’s better than that,” Showalter said. ”It’s a really bad presentation Michael Gallup Jersey , and he knows that. The toughest thing about it is that it’s a poor presentation of what he’s really about.”
ALL-STAR ENDORSEMENT
Machado leads AL shortstops in fan voting for the All-Star Game, but Servais believes Jean Segura is playing well enough to be a backup.
”There are a lot of good shortstops out there, but our guy ranks top five in almost every statistical category,” Servais insisted.
Segura is batting .338 with 44 RBIs. He’s got nine errors but has displayed exceptional range.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mariners: Servais says Cruz ”is moving in the right direction” and could return Thursday.
Orioles: RHP Darren O’Day (hamstring) and OF Craig Gentry (rib fracture) were placed on the 10-day disabled list.
UP NEXT
Mariners: Mike Leake (8-4, 4.11 ERA) gets his 17th start in the series finale.
Orioles: Recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Wednesday, Jimmy Yacabonis will make his first major league start Thursday in place of injured Dylan Bundy.
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>New York Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson is inactive against the Los Angeles Chargers after being benched at New Orleans last Sunday for being late to a team meeting.Wilkerson practiced with the team all week, and coach Todd Bowles insisted the veteran “served his sentence” when asked if further discipline might be used.The Jets did not provide an immediate reason for Wilkerson not playing Sunday, but his contract situation could play a role.Wilkerson’s $16.75 million salary for next season would become fully guaranteed if he remains on New York’s roster by the third day of the league’s new year in March, so it would appear likely that the Jets will cut him during the offseason.That money is also fully guaranteed against a serious injury 鈥?so if he gets hurt during a game or practice and the injury sidelines him all of next season, New York would be on the hook for the money.Falcons guard Andy Levitre practiced on a limited basis this week and was questionable, but he’ll miss his third consecutive game after playing in 140 straight.Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas is active after being added to the injury report Saturday and listed as questionable with a hamstring injury.Patriots wide receiver Chris Hogan is out for the sixth time in seven games. Running back Mike Gillislee is active for the first time in six games with James White (ankle) and Rex Burkhead (knee) both out against Buffalo.The Dolphins put tight end Julius Thomas and right guard Jermon Bushrod on injured reserve this week, while defensive end Andre Branch is active despite a knee injury. Chiefs linebacker Justin Houston is also active after missing practice on Thursday and Friday with an illness.The Titans will be without starting cornerback Logan Ryan against the high-scoring Rams. Brice McCain is starting in place of Ryan, who hurt an ankle in the first half of last week’s loss in San FranciscoBears guard Josh Sitton is out against Cleveland with an ankle injury and tight end Adam Shaheen is missing his second straight game with a chest injury.DETROIT-CINCINNATILions: WR Bradley Marquez, RB Zach Zenner, RB Dwayne Washington, C Travis Swanson, T Rick Wagner, G T.J. Lang, DT Rodney Coe.Bengals: WR Cody Core, CB KeiVarae Russell, RB Jarveon Williams, DT Josh Tupou, OT Cedric Ogbuehi, OT Justin Murray, DT Andrew Billings.DENVER-WASHINGTONBroncos: RB Jamaal Charles, WR Emmanuel Sanders (ankle), WR Cody Latimer (thigh), OL J.J. Dielman, OL Elijah Wilkinson, DB Brendan Langley, DB Michael Hunter.Redskins: RB Kenny Hilliard Kyle Long Bears Jersey , WR Maurice Harris (back), G Kyle Kalis, C Demetrius Rhaney, LB Zach Brown (Achilles tendon, toe, hip), LB Ryan Anderson (knee), S DeAngelo Hall.TAMPA BAY-CAROLINABuccaneers: QB Ryan Griffin, WR DeSean Jackson, CB Ryan Smith, LB Nigel Harris, OL Adam Gettis, DE Patrick O’Connor, DE Robert Ayers Jr.Panthers: WR Russell Shepard, OL Trai Turner, QB Garrett Gilbert, CB LaDarius Gunter, FB Alex Armah, OL Greg Van Roten, DE Zach Moore.BUFFALO-NEW ENGLANDBills: WR Andre Holmes (neck), TE EJ Gaines (knee), OG John Miller (ankle), CB Breon Borders, OT Conor McDermott, WR Brandon Reilly, TE Logan ThomasPatriots: LB Kyle Van Noy, DL Alan Branch (knee), WR Chris Hogan, RB James White (ankle), RB Rex Burkhead (knee), OL Cole Croston Davante Adams Jersey , LB Trevor ReillyLOS ANGELES CHARGERS-NEW YORK JETSChargers: LT Russell Okung, DE Corey Liuget, QB Cardale Jones, WR Geremy Davis, LB Denzel Perryman, TE Sean Culkin, DE Jerry AttaochuJets: DE Muhammad Wilkerson, RG Brian Winters, OL Ben Ijalana, CB Rashard Robinson, CB Jeremy Clark, LB Freddie Bishop, RB Akeem Judd.ATLANTA-NEW ORLEANSFalcons: G Andy Levitre (triceps), LB Sean Weatherspoon, WR Nick Williams, CB Deji Olatoye, CB Leon McFadden, G Sean Harlow, TE Eric SaubertSaints: C Cameron Tom, WR Austin Carr, TE Michael Hoomanawanui (concussion), DE Trey Hendrickson (ankle), DE Al-Quadin Muhammad, TE Garrett Griffin (foot), RB Jonathan Williams.LOS ANGELES RAMS-TENNESSEERams: RB Lance Dunbar, LB Mark Barron, DB Isaiah Johnson, RB Justin Davis, OT Cornelius Lucas, OLB Matt Longacre, OLB Kasim Edebali.Titans: QB Brandon Weeden Cheap Sam Darnold Jersey , CB Logan Ryan, OLB Josh Carraway, G/C Corey Levin, WR Harry Douglas, DE David King.MIAMI-KANSAS CITYDolphins: RB Damien Williams (shoulder), RG Isaac Asiata, TE Thomas Duarte, OT Eric Smith, S Michael Thomas (knee), CB Cordrea Tankersley (ankle), QB Matt Moore (foot).Chiefs: OG Parker Ehinger, DT Justin Hamilton, S Leon McQuay, CB Keith Reaser, CB Phillip Gaines, LB Ramik Wilson, QB Tyler Bray.CLEVELAND-CHICAGOBrowns: QB Cody Kessler, DB Briean Boddy-Calhoun, DB B.W. Webb, LB Jeremy Cash, OL Marcus Martin, OL Geoff Gray, WR Matt Hazel.Bears: QB Mark Sanchez, DB DeAndre Hall, RB Taquan Mizzell, DL Rashaad Coward, OL Josh Sitton, OL Tom Compton, TE Adam Shaheen..
He would not say goodbye to Cleveland again – not yet, anyway.
And he would not be denied an eighth straight trip to the NBA Finals.
The four-time league MVP scored 35 points with 15 rebounds and nine assists on Sunday night, leading the Cleveland Cavaliers to an 87-79 win over the Celtics and eliminating Boston from the Eastern Conference finals in the decisive seventh game.
”He’s had a lot of gaudy games,” Cavaliers coach Tyronn Lue said. ”But I just think Game 7, in Boston, all the circumstances that surround Boston, the history … to come here in a hostile environment: (it’s) right there.”
In the first close game, the lowest-scoring and the first victory for a road team in the series, James played all 48 minutes, scoring 12 of his points in the fourth quarter for his sixth straight Game 7 win. Lue used his timeouts to get his star an extra few minutes of rest when he could, and James didn’t warm up at halftime to conserve his energy.
”It was asked of me tonight to play the whole game,” he said. ”And I just tried to figure out how I can get through it.”
James played all 82 regular-season games for the first time in his career and is already at 100 for the year with at least four more to come. He tired late in Game 5, when the Celtics won their 10th straight at home this postseason.
Celtics coach Brad Stevens said the plan was to wear James out.
Nice try.
”Our goal going into the series was to make him exert as much energy as humanly possible and try to be as good as we can on everybody else,” Stevens said. ”For the most part Kolton Miller Jersey , I thought we were pretty good at that … but he still scored 35. It’s a joke.”
For James, a potential free agent, the victory postponed a decision about his future until next month.
Now, the only question is who the Cavaliers will play for a chance at their second title in three years: The Rockets host Game 7 of the Western Conference finals against Golden State on Monday night, and the winner will host the opener of the NBA Finals on Thursday.
The Cavaliers are expected to be underdogs against either.
”We have an opportunity to play for a championship,” James said. ”It doesn’t matter what the story line is going to be, it doesn’t matter if we’re picked to win or not. I’m the wrong guy to ask. I just like to compete.”
Jayson Tatum scored 24 points, Al Horford had 17 and Marcus Morris added 14 points with 12 rebounds for the Celtics, who were looking to return to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010.
Tatum had a dunk over James with 6:41 left – staring down the Cavaliers star and bumping him with his chest – then followed it with a 3-pointer that gave the Celtics a 72-71 lead. But that would be Boston’s last basket for more than five minutes while Cleveland went on a 15-2 run to put the game away.
James embraced Horford and Tatum after the buzzer, then the Cavaliers donned celebratory hats and T-shirts before shuffling off the court to receive the Eastern Conference championship trophy.
It’s not the one they want.
James has been in the finals every year since 2011 – four with Miami, and now four straight with Cleveland.
This might be his weakest supporting cast.
He had to do it without Kevin Love – Cleveland’s only other all-star – who sustained a concussion in Game 6 and was replaced in the lineup by Jeff Green. Making his first start since the first-round opener against Indiana, Green scored 19 points and added eight rebounds – the star of James’ starless supporting cast.
”We said we want to do this for Kevin,” Lue said. ”Kevin wanted to play, to be in a Game 7 situation like this in the Eastern Conference Finals Landon Collins Jersey , being an All-Star, being our second-best player, and he just wasn’t able to go. The guys picked him up, so now he has another chance when we get to the finals to be ready.”
The Celtics have had more time to get used to their injuries: Gordon Hayward has been out since the first game of the season, and Kyrie Irving has been sidelined since March. With the rookie Tatum and second-year Jaylen Brown, Boston established itself as the team of the future in the East.
”It was pretty incredible run by an incredible group of guys, and an absolute pleasure and privilege to be around them every day,” Stevens said. ”We obviously have a good thing going.”
But the present still belongs to James.
And, for now, that means Cleveland, too.
ADMIRING HIS WORK
The Celtics led by as many as 12 points in the first half, and they had a 51-47 lead midway through the third quarter when James hit a long 3-pointer and then Green made a 3 of his own. James hit Tristan Thompson for an alley-oop to give Cleveland a 55-51 lead, but then James threw the ball away and sent Terry Rozier off on a fast break.
James tracked the Celtics guard from the far sideline, timing his attack. When Rozier went up for the lay-in Leighton Vander Cowboys Esch Jersey , James blocked it off the backboard and right to Green. James did not run back down the court, resting up while Green drew a foul at the other end and made one free throw to give the Cavaliers their biggest lead of the game.
TIP-INS
Cavaliers: Shot just 2 of 17 from 3-point range in the first half, making three of their first 22 shots from long range before James and Green connected on back-to-back attempts midway through the third quarter.
Celtics: Tatum is the first rookie to have 10 or more playoff games with at least 20 po The NFL Players Association filed a grievance with the league on Tuesday challenging its national anthem policy.
The union says that the new policy, which the league imposed without consultation with the NFLPA, is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement and infringes on players’ rights. The filing met a statute of limitations deadline and will be heard by an independent arbitrator, an NFLPA spokesman said.
In May, the NFL approved its national anthem policy at its owners meetings in Atlanta. The policy allows players to protest during the national anthem by staying in the locker room, but forbids them from sitting or taking a knee if they’re on the field or the sidelines.
Teams will be subject to fines if players don’t comply and will have the option of punishing players.
When the league announced the policy, Commissioner Roger Goodell called it a compromise aimed at putting the focus back on football after a tumultuous year in which television ratings dipped nearly 10 percent; some blamed the protests for such a drop. The union said at that time that it would file a grievance against any change in the collective bargaining agreement.
The union said Tuesday it has proposed having its executive committee talking to the NFL instead of proceeding with litigation. The union said the NFL has agreed to those discussions.
The NFL declined to comment about the union’s action.
In 2016, then-49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick began protesting police brutality and social injustice by kneeling during the national anthem, and the demonstration spread to other players and teams. It became one of the most controversial and sensitive issues in the NFL, with players saying their messages last year were being misconstrued, while others – including President Donald Trump – called them unpatriotic. Trump even said NFL owners should fire any player who refused to stand during the anthem.
Following those comments Jason Witten Jersey Elite , more than 200 players protested during the anthem that weekend before the number of protesters dwindled as the season progressed.
”We’re here for a bigger platform,” Raiders tight end Jared Cook said during the spring. ”We’re not just athletes. We’re people that live this. It’s people in our neighborhood, it’s people that we grew up with, it’s people that we know who are actually living through these circumstances. So when we speak on it, it’s not like we’re just speaking out of the side of our neck. It’s things that actually touch home and things that we can actually relate to.
”All I have to say is, I just think it’s sad that it’s veered from something that stood for good and the whole narrative has changed into something that’s negative when that was not what it was initially about in the first place.”
The NFL started requiring players to be on the field for the anthem in 2009 – the year it signed a marketing deal with the military.
”We want people to be respectful of the national anthem. We want people to stand,” Goodell said at the May meetings, when he dismissed concerns about the lack of union involvement by contending the league met with countless players over the past year.
”We’ve been very sensitive on making sure that we give players choices,” the commissioner added, ”but we do believe that moment is an important moment and one that we are going to focus on.”
The league and the Players Coalition have been working in tandem on efforts to support player initiatives in the community and for a variety of social issues. The NFL is committing $90 million over the next seven years to social justice causes in a three-segment plan that involves league players.
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Esiason was the analyst on Westwood One’s broadcast for 18 years, sharing the booth with Kevin Harlan and, before that, Marv Albert and Howard David. The 1988 NFL MVP called the Super Bowl for each of those seasons.
Citing his daily drive-time radio show in New York and his work on CBS and Showtime studio shows, Esiason said Monday ”the timing was right for me to step away.”
A 14-year NFL veteran who led the Bengals to the 1988 AFC title Tony Romo Cowboys Jersey , Esiason made four Pro Bowls. He ranks first among left-handed quarterbacks with 247 touchdown passes, and 19th overall.
After his son, Gunnar, was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, Esiason created the Boomer Esiason Foundation (BEF) in 1993 to fund research to find a cure for the deadly disease. Its mission is to provide a higher quality of life for people with cystic fibrosis. In addition, BEF provides education Zack Martin Jersey Womens , awareness, and scholarships for people with the disease.
BEF has raised more than $150 million for the fight against cystic fibrosis. In 1995, the NFL honored him with the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award for excellence on the football field and charitable work through his foundation.
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Carlos Correa and the Astros won their 11th straight game, finishing off a dominant 10-0 road trip by rallying past the Royals 7-4 Sunday.
The World Series champion Astros swept their swing through Texas, Oakland and Kansas City, outscoring opponents 74-35.
Last season, Houston had an 11-game winning streak end in Kansas City. This time, the Astros trailed 4-3 in the eighth inning before Correa led off with a tying homer. Evan Gattis, who had three hits, then put them ahead during a three-run burst.
”We just have a great team. It’s hard to find any holes on this team. I don’t think there are any,” Correa said.
Correa has three home runs and eight RBIs in six games after missing four games with discomfort in his right side. He had a first-inning single and added a sacrifice fly in the ninth.
Gattis hit .366 with five home runs and 19 RBIs on the Astros’ trip. He singled home Yuli Gurriel in the eighth, and Marvin Gonzalez added an RBI single in the inning.
”I take confidence in our lineup versus anybody,” Gattis said.
The Royals have lost six straight and 12 of 13. They have dropped 26 of 36 home games.
Brandon Maurer (0-3) took the loss, facing two batters and having both score. Tony Sipp (2-0) picked up the victory. Hector Rondon closed for his fourth save.
Astros right-hander Lance McCullers struck out nine over six innings, allowing two unearned runs.
”I didn’t want to blow it,” McCullers said of the winning streak.
Royals right-hander Brad Keller Josh Jackson Jersey Youth , a Rule 5 draft pick making his fourth start, gave up three runs in six innings.
”I felt like I did pretty well,” Keller said. ”That’s a good-hitting team and they got pop, so to keep them on the ground I’m happy with that.”
Third baseman Alex Bregman’s errant throw home with the bases loaded led to the Royals scoring two unearned runs in the first to tie it at 2. Hunter Dozier hit a two-run homer in the third to give the Royals a 4-2 lead.
Brian McCann’s two-out single in the fourth scored Gattis to reduce the Royals’ lead to one.
ROYALS OUSTER
Royals DH Mike Moustakas and LHP Danny Duffy were ejected by plate umpire John Tumpane. Moustakas was ejected for words said from the dugout after he was out at home while trying to score from second on a single. A video replay upheld the call on the field. Duffy was thumbed in the sixth for his dugout verbiage. It was the Royals’ first ejections this season.
”I saw a gesture over to me. I think that was my warning,” Moustakas said. ”I said something after that and that’s when he tossed me. I thought I was safe and I still think I’m safe. I think if he called me safe originally, I don’t think they can overcome that.”
Tumpane has a history with the Royals – he tossed RHP Peter Moylan last July and Moustakas and manager Ned Yost in August in Baltimore.
ATTENDANCE DROP-OFF
After 36 home games, the Royals attendance is down 212,572 from last year. They drew 958,297 for 36 home games in 2017. This year that total is 737,725.
ROSTER MOVES
The Royals recalled INF Adalberto Mondesi, who is the only player to make his big league debut in the World Series, was recalled from Triple-A Omaha. The Royals also summoned OF Rosell Herrera and RHP Wily Peralta from the Storm Chasers. They optioned RHP Scott Barlow and INF Ramon Torres to Omaha and transferred LHP Eric Skoglund to the 60-day disabled list.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Royals: 2B Whit Merrifield left in the second inning after fouling a pitch off his left knee. He has a contusion and is listed as day-to-day. Mondesi replaced him.
UP NEXT
Astros: RHP Gerrit Cole will start on Monday as they return home to face Tampa Bay. Cole is 8-1 with a 2.40 ERA.
Royals: RHP Ian Kennedy, who has won one of his last 27 home starts, will start the opener of a three-game series against the Rangers on Monday. Bartolo Colon will be the Texas probable.
Jeff Van Gundy warned the Americans that they were in for a serious challenge.To his chagrin Michael Gallup Youth Jersey , he was right, and the U.S. was handed a rare loss.
Francisco Cruz scored 24 points, Mexico opened with an 18-0 run and went on to beat the United States 78-70 on Thursday night in a qualifying game for next year’s FIBA World Cup.
According to USA Basketball, it was just the second loss by the U.S. in 30 games against Mexico – with the other defeat coming in the 2011 Pan Am Games.
Orlando Mendez-Valdez added 20 points for Mexico, which held the U.S. scoreless for the first 5:51 and forced the Americans into missing their first 10 shots from the floor.
”Mexico dominated us from the start and that’s on me,” Van Gundy said. ”We were not ready to compete at the level Mexico did. Give them all the credit, they played a great, great game.”
Marcus Thornton scored 14 points for the U.S., which is using a roster composed primarily of G League players for the qualifying rounds. Xavier Munford added 11 points while David Stockton and Reggie Hearn each had 10 for the Americans.
The U.S. lost for the first time in 10 contests under Van Gundy, who is coaching this team that’s tasked with getting the team of NBA stars that will be coached by Gregg Popovich to the World Cup.
”We can’t underestimate how hard it is going to be to play on the road, at altitude, and against a team desperate to qualify for the FIBA World Cup,” Van Gundy said leading up to the game. ”We have to make sure we match that type of intensity and passion that we know they’ll bring.”
By the time the U.S. found its stride, it was already in deep trouble. Mexico led 31-10 after the first quarter M.J. Stewart Buccaneers Jersey , then staved off a big second-half rally try by the U.S.
Trey McKinney-Jones‘ basket late in the third quarter capped a 15-1 run and put the U.S. within 53-51. Thornton made a pair of 3-pointers about a minute apart in that burst, and Hearn’s 3-pointer early in the fourth cut Mexico’s lead to 56-54.
But the U.S. never got the lead.
”In the second half we competed at a high level and that high level got us back in the game, but we just couldn’t get over the hump,” Van Gundy said.
The Americans (4-1) – who have already ensured themselves a spot in the second round of qualifying that starts in September – end the first-round series of games Sunday when they go to Havana to face Cuba (0-5). It’ll be the first time a U.S. men’s national team has played in Havana since the 1991 Pan American Games. Mexico (3-2) also wraps up its first round on Sunday, when it plays at Puerto Rico (3-2).
David Huertas had 18 points, Angel Rodriguez and JJ Barea each had 15 and Puerto Rico rallied in the fourth quarter in another qualifying game Thursday to top Cuba 84-80.
Under FIBA’s new qualifying format, teams are playing home-and-home games against teams in their region to earn places in the World Cup in China, which begins on Aug. 31, 2019. That tournament will qualify seven teams for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
This was the first time the U.S. played a true road game during this tournament. The Americans opened qualifying in November with an 85-78 win in what was a ”home” game for Puerto Rico – but the contest was actually played in Orlando, Florida because of continued problems in San Juan following Hurricane Maria.
And this was very much a real road atmosphere.
Not only was the game played at Mexico City’s 7,500-foot altitude, but in a filled 5,000-seat arena that Mexican officials said sold out in only 45 minutes.
The tone was set by the U.S. turning the ball over on each of its first three possessions, and Mexico was off and running.
The U.S. routed Mexico back in November Josh Jackson Jersey , winning by 36 points.
That was a very different Mexico team.
Only four players from the Mexican roster then were in uniform on Thursday night, with the team now able to add those who were playing in their various professional leagues and unable to take part when the qualifying rounds began. Cruz and Mendez-Valdez each had 13 points by halftime, and Gustavo Ayon was a big factor even without big numbers – four points, four rebounds and five assists by the break.
If their names are familiar to U.S. basketball aficionados, it’s for good reason.
Ayon appeared in 135 NBA games in parts of three seasons with four different franchises, and just helped Spanish powerhouse Real Madrid win the EuroLeague. Mendez-Valdez was part of the Western Kentucky team that went to the Sweet Sixteen in 2008, and he won the Sun Belt’s player of the year award in the following season. Cruz played at Wyoming and has played in pro leagues in Mexico, Latvia, Argentina and Spain.
.Valbuena homered twice, Calhoun connected for the second consecutive game and the Angels defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 8-5 on Thursday night.
The Angels have won two straight after dropping seven of eight. They handed the Blue Jays their ninth loss in 10 road games.
Calhoun launched a two-run homer off John Axford (1-1) in the fourth inning to put the Angels ahead 4-3. The right fielder went 1 for 3 with a walk, scoring on Martin Maldonado’s double in the sixth, and is 4 for 10 in three games since returning from a stint on the disabled list because of a strained oblique muscle.
”He looks so calm, so comfortable out there. I think he’s seeing the ball much better, more plate coverage. All the things that lead to positive results seem to be in his game,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia said of Calhoun, who was hitting .145 before the injury.
Valbuena made it 6-3 with his two-run shot to center field in the fifth, and added a solo drive to right in the seventh. It was his eighth career multihomer game.
The streaky Valbuena was 5 for 40 over his previous 11 games and hadn’t homered in his last 18. Valbuena went deep twice in that game at Detroit on May 29 http://www.raidersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-p.j.-hall-jersey , and Scioscia had thought that would mark the beginning of a turnaround.
He has the same belief now, and is willing to trade any barren stretches for when Valbuena gets in a groove.
”If you look at Luis’ track record, he gets real hot and at times he gets cold,” Scioscia said. ”There’s no doubt there is more OPS in his game, especially against right-handed pitching. Once he finds it, he usually swings the bat like he did the second half of last year, and that’s something we’re going to need.”
Even the Angels’ erratic bullpen did its part, as Noe Ramirez (3-3) retired all eight batters he faced – striking out four – after relieving John Lamb in the fourth. Justin Anderson got his third save.
Lamb, a late replacement for injured Los Angeles starter Tyler Skaggs Korey Toomer Color Rush Jersey , went 3 1/3 innings. Lamb gave up three runs, six hits and one walk in his first career start at home.
For the Blue Jays, they couldn’t remedy their road woes despite home runs from Randal Grichuk, Lourdes Gurriel and Kendrys Morales.
”They got a couple big homers off Ax. I mean, he’s been dominating left-handers all year, and two leftys got him today. We hung around, but we just couldn’t get anything going late,” Toronto manager John Gibbons said.
TROUT AT 1,000
Mike Trout went 0 for 2 with three walks in his 1 Authentic Alexander Alexeyev Jersey ,000th career game, ending his hitting streak at eight games. Trout, who has reached base in 31 of 47 plate appearances over his last nine games, was the designated hitter and is not expected to be used in the outfield during the four-game series because of a sprained right index finger.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Blue Jays: Toronto starter Aaron Sanchez was pulled after the first inning due to a bruised right index finger. The Blue Jays said X-rays did not reveal any further injury. ”He’d been pitching pretty good lately, but hopefully this isn’t a big deal,” Gibbons said.
Angels: Skaggs was scratched because of tightness in his right hamstring. Scioscia said there’s a chance Skaggs could start Sunday.
UP NEXT
Blue Jays: RHP Marco Estrada (4-6, 4.66 ERA) tries for his third straight win. Estrada has allowed three runs in 18 2/3 innings over his last three starts.
Angels: LHP Andrew Heaney (3-5, 3.64) has won three of his last four starts at home, including a one-hit shutout against Kansas City on June 5.
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Free-agent safety Eric Reid's long offseason search for a new team may soon be ending.聽On Thursday Isac Lundestrom Ducks Jersey ,聽Tennessee Titans聽head coach聽Mike Vrabel聽said Reid will be one of the safeties the team brings in for a workout, per聽Terry McCormick聽of TitanInsider.com.聽ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Reid would visit Tennessee on Friday.聽Earlier in the day, Vrabel聽told reporters聽that starting safety聽Johnathan Cyprien will miss the 2018 season after he suffered a torn ACL during practice Wednesday.After spending the past five seasons with the San Francisco 49ers, Reid has been trying to find a new team since free agency began in March.聽Per Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, Reid's visit with the Cincinnati Bengals in April didn't go well when team owner Mike Brown began asking questions about the national anthem.聽"Brown, according to the source, initiated [a] discussion regarding the issue of kneeling during the anthem," Florio wrote. "The conversation almost exclusively centered on the topic, with Brown explaining that he intends to prohibit it鈥攁nd with Brown at one point asking Reid for his response."The NFL Players Association聽filed聽a non-injury grievance against the NFL on Reid's behalf in May http://www.raidersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-nick-nelson-jersey , claiming he wasn't being signed due to protesting during the national anthem.聽"According to our information, a club appears to have based its decision not to sign a player based on the player's statement that he would challenge the implementation of a club's policy prohibiting demonstration, which is contrary to the league policy," the NFLPA filing noted.聽Reid began protesting during the national anthem in 2016, alongside former 49ers teammate Colin Kaepernick. He聽announced聽in March he won't continue to kneel during the anthem in 2018 if a team signs him.聽In 70 games with the 49ers, Reid recorded 34 passes defensed and 10 interceptions. His 67 tackles last season were the third-highest total of his career..
Reilly Smith scored on a breakaway late in the third period to lead Vegas to a 3-2 victory over the Winnipeg Jets in Game 4 of the Western Conference final Friday night.
Vegas can clinch the conference title and advance to the Stanley Cup final when the series resumes Sunday in Winnipeg.
”The last one is always the toughest to get,” Golden Knights goalie Marc-Andre Fleury said.
William Karlsson and Tomas Nosek also scored for Vegas, and Fleury, ninth all-time in postseason wins, turned in another spectacular performance by making 36 saves to earn his 73rd career playoff victory. The 14-year veteran goalie Martin Fehervary Capitals Jersey , left exposed by the Pittsburgh Penguins for Vegas to select him in the expansion draft, continues to have a career-best postseason as he aims for a third straight Stanley Cup title.
”I think we’ve got to keep the same mindset,” said Fleury, who has a 1.72 goals against average and .945 save percentage in the playoffs. ”Just take it one game at time and not think too far ahead and be ready to play that next game, because they’re going to be coming hard.”
It’s something the Jets have already been doing, even in their three losses in the series.
Asked how his team has been able to survive Winnipeg’s tenacious attack, Smith replied: ”He’s sitting right next to me,” referring to Fleury at the postgame news conference.
But with the game tied at 2 Tarvarius Moore Color Rush Jersey , it was Smith who made the big play after racing down the left side of the rink and beating Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck above his blocker to put the Golden Knights ahead with 6:58 left.
Hellebuyck made 27 saves, but lost for the third consecutive game despite telling reporters after Game 3 that he liked his game better than Fleury’s. Patrik Laine and Tyler Myers scored for Winnipeg, which is on the brink of elimination.
”I know we can win a game, we’re a good enough team,” Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice said. ”We’ve battled. We’ve gone into some pretty heavy environments and won a game that we needed to win. So it’s just one game.”
The Jets took over where they left off in the third period of Game 3 by outskating the Golden Knights in the first period of Game 4, but Karlsson’s power-play goal was the difference. Off the draw, Smith found Jonathan Marchessault, who fed Karlsson for the one-timer that gave Vegas a 1-0 lead.
In a case of deja vu from Game 3 Eddie Rosario Minnesota Twins Jersey , when Vegas responded 12 seconds after giving up a 1-0 lead, Winnipeg and the Golden Knights traded goals 43 seconds apart midway through the second period.
First, it was Laine’s one-timer on the power play that even Fleury wasn’t catching up to and it tied the game at the 9:29 mark. Then, it was Hellebuyck failing to secure a shot by Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, who raced to the puck and fed Nosek, who punched in his first career playoff goal to put Vegas up 2-1.
”It’s a good way to be, when they get one, the next guy’s up and ready to go http://www.giantsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-cody-latimer-jersey ,” said Golden Knights forward James Neal, who is looking to make it to the Stanley Cup final for a second consecutive year after getting there with Nashville last season. ”It’s always hard when you get one and the other team scores right away, it kind of takes the wind right back out of you. For us being at home, it just energizes the building. As soon as it sucks the wind out, boom, huge goal, and we’re back.
”That was a great goal by Nose.”
The Jets outshot the Golden Knights 12-2 by the midway point of the third period – including Myers’ tying goal – keeping Fleury busy. But the three-time Cup champion was finished allowing anything in his net.
”We win that game nine times out of 10 – tonight was that one,” Winnipeg’s Blake Wheeler said. ”Their goalie made some extraordinary saves Rick Leonard Color Rush Jersey , he’s a good player. You’ve got to sometimes take your hat off to a good player.”
NOTES: The Golden Knights and Jets joined a record 18,697 in attendance in a moment of silence for those affected by the shootings at Santa Fe High School in Texas on Friday. … Jets forward Mark Scheifele, who registered his 10th and 11th road goals in Game 3 to set a single-year NHL postseason record, had his six-game goal streak as a visitor end.
UP NEXT
Game 5 is at Winnipeg on Sunday.
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Maybe not quite 16-1 this time around Authentic Evan Bouchard Jersey , sure, yet plenty capable of another remarkable run.
”I always knew everybody on our team had a good spirit, a good energy for the game,” said Durant, the reigning NBA Finals MVP. ”We might have lost some games and had some tough stretches but that doesn’t define everybody here as an individual player. I’m kind of positive on, optimistic on each of these guys and how we approach the game no matter what the score of some of those games. I’m glad we can kind of learn from those tough times and continue to move forward.”
The Warriors have been hurt and humbled. Beaten handily and beat up hard. Two-time MVP Stephen Curry is expected to be sidelined the entire first round with a knee injury. Four All-Stars – Curry, Durant, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson – were out together at times, too.
On Saturday afternoon Troy Niklas Color Rush Jersey , Golden State begins its championship quest with Game 1 of the best-of-seven first round against the San Antonio Spurs at Oracle Arena.
”We learned a lot,” coach Steve Kerr said. ”Every experience that you gain you can learn from. This has been such a chaotic month with all the injuries and the meaningless games. We’ve been frustrated. We haven’t performed very well. The good news is we have performed well for four years, so we know who we are. We know what we’re about. We know this team well, we know the Spurs well, so we know what we have to do. We’ve got to go do it. The last month is meaningless now. Everything starts over.”
Some of that is what Kerr gained from Spurs coach Gregg Popovich: ”You take whatever is in front of you and you embrace it.”
Here are some key story lines for the Spurs-Warriors series, a rematch of last season’s Western Conference Finals swept by Golden State:
A SPECIAL FRIENDSHIP
Kerr hardly played during four seasons with San Antonio late in his career.
Still, Popovich is one of his favorite people – even if he wants nothing more than to eliminate his dear friend.
”Pop doesn’t like to see me lose. I like to see him lose. He’s had way too much success already,” Kerr cracked. ”I think sometimes Pop needs to be humbled a little bit. So I’m looking to really rub it in and enjoy if we’re able to beat them.”
Kerr added: ”I want Pop to win against anybody else. We’re that close. He’s my mentor and he’s somebody I feel incredibly strongly about in terms of who he is and what he did for me in my life, and what he’s doing for my son right now.”
NO CURRY OR KAWHI
Golden State has gone without Curry for 16 of the last 17 games as he worked back from another injury to his troublesome right ankle only to sprain the medial collateral ligament in his left knee in his return March 23.
Curry is scheduled to be re-evaluated Saturday yet Kerr noted that ”he’s not close to playing.”
The Warriors also aren’t expecting to see Spurs star Kawhi Leonard. He played in only nine regular-season games because of a lingering right quadriceps injury.
DEFENSIVE SWAGGER
Durant and Green insist it’s time to start taking defense more seriously.
”Now we can focus in on what we always do good here Taron Johnson Color Rush Jersey , it’s flying around on defense, moving the basketball,” Durant said.
The Spurs realize the challenges.
”They are smart, they are long,” Manu Ginobili said. ”They are very quick to switch back to the matchups they want. They’ve got a lot of long wings that recover very quick. … There’s a reason why they’ve been winning so many games.”
SPURS STRUGGLES
While the Warriors endured a stretch of seven losses in 10 games, the Spurs dealt with their own eight-game skid down the stretch.
And San Antonio went just 14-27 on the road.
Even if the Spurs’ 2017 series with the Warriors was swift, this is a fresh chance.
”It’s a new year,” LaMarcus Aldridge said. ”This team has fought and put ourselves in a position to be here. Last year is last year.”
CENTER BY COMMITTEE
It might be Zaza Pachulia. Maybe JaVale McGee. Or Kevon Looney. David West will get his minutes, too.
Each offers something uniquely different as the Warriors go with a center-by-committee approach.
Kerr isn’t saying which big man he will start – he’s not giving Popovich any early clues. And Kerr said he and Spurs staffer and son James Paxton Seattle Mariners Jersey , Nick, are cutting off communication for a couple of weeks.
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Free-agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick recognized Miami Dolphins wide receivers Kenny Stills and Albert Wilson for kneeling during the national anthem to protest social injustice prior to Thursday's preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.聽Kaepernick, who last suited up for the San Francisco 49ers in 2016, posted on Twitter Thursday night:Colin Kaepernick @Kaepernick7My brother @kstills continued his protest of systemic oppression tonight by taking a knee. Albert Wilson @iThinkIsee12 joined him in protest. Stay strong brothers!鉁婐煆攫煋?@footcandles#imwithkap #imwithereid #takeaknee https://t.co/LimoadfUcWFollowing the Dolphins' 26-24 loss, Stills told reporters he did not coordinate the protest with Wilson.聽"It just happened that way," Stills said, according to the Associated Press'聽Steven Wine. "When I'm on a knee, most of the time I'm praying, and thank God for having Albert next to me. Being a part of this protest hasn't been easy. I thought I was going to be by myself out there. Today I had an angel with me with Albert being out there. I'm grateful he sees what's happening Korey Toomer Color Rush Jersey , and he wants to do something about it as well."On Friday, President Donald Trump again took aim at players who have protested social injustice during the national anthem with a series of tweets:聽Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrumpThe NFL players are at it again - taking a knee when they should be standing proudly for the National Anthem. Numerous players, from different teams, wanted to show their 鈥渙utrage鈥?at something that most of them are unable to define. They make a fortune doing what they love......Donald J. Trump @realDonaldTrump.....Be happy, be cool! A football game, that fans are paying soooo much money to watch and enjoy, is no place to protest. Most of that money goes to the players anyway. Find another way to protest. Stand proudly for your National Anthem or be Suspended Without Pay!"If you continue to misinterpret what we're doing, reach out to me," Stills said Thursday Ryan Jensen Color Rush Jersey , per聽NBC 6 Sports. "Look at my website, look at my Twitter, look at all my social media platforms, and I think you'll get a better idea of why we are doing what we are doing.".