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Everything worked out just fine with Tim Federowicz behind the plate with the former AL Cy Young Award winner throwing some of his best breaking pitches all season.
Keuchel struck out seven and allowed only two runs over seven scoreless innings Trent Murphy Jersey Elite , winning for only the second time in his last nine starts, as the Astros beat the Texas Rangers 5-3.
”Some of the shape it was taking early was really good. (Shin-Soo) Choo leading off the game, anytime you get him to swing and miss at a breaking pitch, it’s acting pretty good, and then (Nomar) Mazara struck out looking with a slider away,” Keuchel said. ”Both of those balls had good action and I knew from the then on if I could establish the fastball in to the lefties, it would be a good day.”
Josh Reddick and Tony Kemp homered for the Astros, who are 11-4 this season against their instate division rival, with seven consecutive road wins in the series. Houston is a majors-best 31-14 on the road this season.
Keuchel (5-8) struck out the first four batters he faced, and six of the first seven.
After catcher Brian McCann went on the disabled list and had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee earlier Tuesday, manager A.J. Hinch said Max Stassi would do the bulk of the catching. But Stassi got hit by a pitch batting in the first, and left the game with a bruised right (throwing) wrist before even taking the field on defense.
”I think we avoided a fracture Pernell McPhee Color Rush Jersey , very good for us,” manager A.J. Hinch said. ”Got him pretty good in the wrist. Got a welt there, couldn’t flex his hand, hand so mobility.”
X-rays were negative and Stassi is considered day to day.
Keuchel had only thrown a few bullpens with Federowicz in spring training, and a live BP session, before the catcher was called back from Triple-A Fresno earlier Tuesday.
”The way he handled the game not expecting to play, that was really impressive,” Keuchel said.
Choo later walked twice and had two singles to extend his career-best on-base streak to 43 games, the longest in the majors since Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman’s 46-gamer two years ago. Choo is three games shy of Julio Franco’s team record of 46 in a row set 25 years ago.
The Astros used three relievers to get through the eighth. Texas already had a run in before Hector Rondon took over against pinch-hitter Joey Gallo, who worked a 12-pitch at-bat into a two-out walk to load the bases before Robinson Chirinos struck out. Rondon then worked the ninth for his sixth save in eight chances.
Houston went ahead to stay in the first when Yuli Gurriel and Reddick had RBI doubles off Austin Bibens-Dirkx (1-2), who still managed to get through six innings. He struck out four, walked two and hit two batters.
”To get through six in that situation was huge for us Authentic Mike Gesicki Jersey ,” manager Jeff Banister said. ”Early on it didn’t look that it was going to be the case, a situation where really didn’t have a whole lot of sink on the fastball. … For us to still have an opportunity there through those innings, it was big-time by him.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Astros: SS Carlos Correa, out since June 26 with lower back soreness, has been working out daily in Houston. Hinch said it was uncertain if Correa will be ready to play Friday when eligible to come off the DL. He hadn’t gone through any baseball activities yet.
Rangers: RHP Tony Barnette left the game after a 2-1 pitch to Marwin Gonzalez in the eighth. The Rangers said he had a right shoulder strain and would be evaluated further Wednesday. … 1B Ronald Guzman had two hits and scored twice after being activated from the seven-day concussion DL.
SHORT HOPS
The Astros have homered in 23 consecutive road games, a club record and four from matching the MLB record set by Oakland earlier this season. … Before Bibens-Dirkx plunked Stassi in the first inning, Rangers pitchers had gone 22 games without hitting a batter – the longest span for the team since 1998.
DOUBLE DOUBLED UP
Astros leadoff hitter George Springer was in a 3-for-46 slide before a single in the sixth. But he was also doubled off twice on hard lineouts.
UP NEXT
Gerrit Cole (9-2) will pitch on regular rest for the Astros after they made a slight tweak in their rotation. Lance McCullers Jr., who was scheduled to start, was instead pushed back to Friday. Rangers lefty Mike Minor (6-4) took a perfect game into the seventh inning of his last start, a win last Wednesday over the San Diego Padres.
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Making the Super Bowl this season isn’t totally on the minds of the Arizona Cardinals at present. They’re setting daily goals of improvement amid injury rehabilitation.
While the Super Bowl is the end goal, of course, new Cardinals head coach Steve Wilks had a different kind of message for his players after they arrived at the team facility Tuesday for the first day of the offseason conditioning program.
“He always speaks about ‘Let’s not talk about the Super Bowl http://www.seahawksauthorizedshops.com/authentic-shaquem-griffin-jersey ,’ and that’s one thing that I admire,” veteran linebacker Chandler Jones said of Wilks. “You can get sidetracked looking at the Super Bowl. You kind of have to look at the steps leading to there.”
The Cardinals have plenty of steps ahead of them. After an 8-8 season lowlighted by injuries, coach Bruce Arians retired, as did quarterback Carson Palmer. Wilks was hired and a new coaching staff, along with several new players, have begun preparations for this season.
One big task at the outset of workouts is getting to know new teammates and new coaches. It’s a work in progress, but Wilks’ message and theme of “win the day” seemed to strike a chord with veterans who remain from the Arians regime.
“Everybody is excited to build a strong foundation for what we’re trying to do here. Everything is focused on the details,” said offensive lineman D.J. Humphries, who battled knee injuries and was limited to five games last season. “Everybody’s trying to get to the Super Bowl, but you can’t get there looking into the stars that day. All the small things have to add up.”
Tuesday was for weight room work and running on the practice field as players get back into shape. Strength and conditioning coach Buddy Morris said while it was a good day he didn’t like everything he saw from the players.
“I saw some great things. I saw some things that make me want to go home and drink heavily,” Morris said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do, obviously … fatigue is always going to be a factor in everything.”
The Cardinals have a number of players on the mend looking for bounce-back seasons. Star running back David Johnson Youth New York Giants Jerseys , who severely injured his wrist in Week 1 and didn’t play again, appears to be back to full range of motion.
“He’s a freak,” Morris said. “I have to protect David from David, because he always wants to load the bar with more and more weight.”
New quarterback Sam Bradford participated in Tuesday’s workout and is coming back from a knee injury that cost him most of last season with Minnesota. Bradford has a history of knee surgeries.
“We’ll identify what Sam needs to do and put him on a program that’s based on him the individual,” Morris said.
NOTES: Humphries, who plays left tackle, said he’d be ready to start the season. … The Cardinals announced that the team’s four exclusive rights free agents – CB C.J. Goodwin, RB Elijhaa Penny, DL Olsen Pierre and OL John Wetzel – have all signed their one-year contracts for the 2018 season. Wetzel started 11 games and Pierre seven last season.
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The team will hold a ceremony Tuesday at its practice facility with replacement players and the general manager of the '87 NFL champions http://www.cardinalsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-mason-cole-jersey , Charley Casserly.
It's an unusual move considering how divisive the replacement games were during the NFL players' strike that season. But the replacements helped Washington go 11-4 overall 鈥?one game was canceled by the walkout 鈥?before winning two playoff games and the Super Bowl over Denver.
"Their contributions are part of Redskins history and represent an integral reason why a Lombardi Trophy from the 1987 campaign resides in our facility today," team owner Dan Snyder said.
In Washington's first game with replacement players, it defeated the St. Louis Cardinals 28-21 as wide receiver Anthony Allen set a franchise record with 225 yards receiving on seven catches. The next week, the Redskins beat the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants 38-12. Despite the strike ending four days later, the Redskins' replacement players beat Dallas 13-7 even though the Cowboys had several starters in their lineup.
The next week, all regulars returned to the NFL.
On Tuesday, the Virginia General Assembly commended the replacement members of the 1987 team. Quarterback Tony Robinson and defensive lineman Anthony Sagnella represented the players in Richmond.
A look ahead to top enterprise and feature stories planned globally by AP Sports. New digests will go out each Thursday and Monday and will be repeated on other weekdays. Please note that story plans may change depending on news and other issues.
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As with all our operations, we welcome and want your feedback. If you have thoughts or questions about the Sports Showcase Digest or the material listed, please reach out to Oskar Garcia, deputy sports editor for presentation and storytelling, at 215-446-6632 or at ogarcia(at)ap.org.
All times are Eastern.
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THURSDAY, May 3
BKN–PLAYOFFS-SHOOTING SLUMPS
They call it ”The Menu.” Warriors star Stephen Curry and his right-hand shooting man, Bruce Fraser, detail together what the two-time MVP might need to work on any given day. Maybe it’s catch and shoots. Or off-the-dribble work. Sometimes Brian O'Neill Jersey Vikings , ballhandling into shot. It’s one of several approaches taken by players who might be looking to bust out of a shooting slump. By Janie McCauley. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos by 3 a.m. Thursday.
CYC–COLLEGIATE CHAMPIONSHIPS-RATO’S RIDE
Every so often, a particularly steep descent will intimidate the 23-year-old Spanish cyclist. Understandable, considering that nearly four years ago Mauro Rato blew a tire during a race in Spain, crashed into a wall and broke six vertebrae. It’s been a long climb back – one that landed him in Grand Junction, Colorado, and riding for Colorado Mesa University. He will be among the favorites as the USA Cycling collegiate road national championships roll into Rato’s backyard this weekend. By Pat Graham. UPCOMING: 750 words, photos by 12 p.m. Thursday.
FRIDAY Chris Herndon Color Rush Jersey , May 4
FBO–RECYCLING THE PAIN
CINCINNATI – Defensive lineman Devon Still retired from football and started his second career, trying to help families cope with childhood cancer. He’s using lessons learned through his experience with 7-year-old daughter Leah, who became a national story during her recovery from the disease. Still calls it a way of recycling the pain and helping others heal. By Joe Kay. UPCOMING: 800 words, photos by 3 a.m. Friday.
MONDAY, May 7
BUFFALO RISING?
BUFFALO, N.Y. -It has never been easy being a sports fan in Buffalo, where losing – and the way the NFL’s Bills and NHL’s Sabres have lost – has been as customary as the winters are long and wings spicy. The teams’ most notorious moments even have names for them, be it the Bills’ ”Wide Right Authentic Justin Upton Jersey ,” or Sabres’ ”No Goal.” And yet, a renewed sense of hope has arisen in this rust-belt city after the Bills selected quarterback Josh Allen in the first round of the draft, and the Sabres won the NHL draft lottery over the span of three days. By John Wawrow. UPCOMING: 950 words, photos by 3 a.m. Monday.
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Again, if you have questions about the Sports Showcase Digest or the material listed, please reach out to Oskar Garcia at 215-446-6632 or ogarcia(at)ap.org.
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.The Chiefs opened a three-day rookie minicamp on Saturday after selecting six defensive players in last week’s draft Kyzir White Color Rush Jersey , though one of them – defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie – is expected to transition to offensive guard. But with 14 rookie free agents and another 43 players in for tryouts, there were plenty of bodies to make up an offensive, defensive and special teams unit.
Don’t sleep on the unknown guys, either.
Chiefs coach Andy Reid pointed out that just a few years ago, an unheralded wide receiver named Albert Wilson impressed him during the same weekend. Wilson hung around for the next phase of the offseason program, survived training camp and ultimately made the Kansas City roster.
This past offseason, Wilson signed a $24 million, three-year deal with the Miami Dolphins.
”Albert just made about $8 million,” Reid said with a smile, ”so there’s been a few. You invite them to the next phase and the next and eventually they make the roster.”
Still, it’s the draft picks that will draw the most attention this weekend.
The Chiefs didn’t have a first-round pick, so they used their initial selection on Ole Miss pass rusher Breeland Speaks in the second round. Speaks is expected to push last year’s second-round pick, Tanoh Kpassgnon Youth San Francisco 49ers Jerseys , for playing time right out of the gate opposite standout linebacker Justin Houston.
”I did get the playbook,” Speaks said. ”My first reaction was, `I can do this.’ I looked at a few defenses we installed today and went over those and know those by heart already.”
With two third-round picks, Chiefs general manager Brett Veach continued to shore up his defense. He grabbed 315-pound run-stuffer Derrick Nnadi out of Florida State and then Clemson hybrid linebacker Dorian O’Daniel, both of whom could also factor into the starting rotation this fall.
The Chiefs were thin along the defensive front, even after signing Xavier Williams in free agency and retaining Rakeem Hunez-Roches as a restricted free agent. And with the expected departure of erstwhile pass rusher Tamba Hali, and injury woes to Dee Ford, finding another linebacker was paramount.
McKenzie, the son of Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie, was also in attendance, as were fellow sixth-round pick Tremon Smith and Texas A&M safety Armani Watts, who could be the steal of the draft.
Watts dropped to the fourth round after concerns about his workouts at the combine, but the four-year starter said he had bulked up in the hopes that it would help him out. Instead P.J. Hall Jersey Elite , it only slowed him down and already Watts has reverted to his lean, fast playing weight.
The Chiefs are hopeful that he factors into the defense right away.
Star safety Eric Berry is returning from a season-ending Achilles tendon injury, and reliable safety Ron Parker was released in a cost-saving move. That leaves plenty of questions at the back of the defense.
”It’s a little bit different for those safeties,” Veach said, ”because they are like the quarterbacks of the defense where they have to line up people and make the calls and adjustments. That is no different than any safety, even if you draft them in the first round.
”Breeland is someone who we feel can come in and help us right away. Derrick, Dorian and Armani can certainly do some different things while he grows and understands the system a little bit better.”
UNDRAFTED FREE AGENTS
The Chiefs signed 14 rookie free agents on Saturday, including former Kansas State wide receiver Byron Pringle. The local product left school a year early and has intriguing size at 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, but he needs to showcase better hands than he did playing just down the road.
The Chiefs also signed RBs Darrell Williams and J.D. Moore from LSU; OL Ryan Hunter (Bowling Green), Jimmy Murray (Holy Cross) and Devondre Seymour (Southern Illinois); TE Blake Mack (Arkansas State); WR Elijah Marks (Northern Arizona); QB Chase Litton (Marshall); DB Arrion Springs (Oregon) and D’Montre Wade (Murray State); LBs Ben Niemann (Iowa) and Raymond Davison (California); and DT Dee Liner (Arkansas State).
BERRY’S BROTHER
The Chiefs also had 43 players on tryouts during the three-day rookie minicamp, including DB Elliott Berry. The undrafted rookie from Tennessee is the younger brother of the Chiefs’ star safety, Eric Berry.
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Bobby Wagner reacted as though he was hoping the question would come.
With all the changes on the Seattle Seahawks defense 鈥?the leaders Youth Jason Sanders Jersey , the voices, the veterans no longer around 鈥?will there be a new focus on a group of linebackers that at times has seemed underappreciated?
"It has always been about the guy in the middle," Wagner said emphatically. "So for me, it's not no different because that's how I look at it, but from the outside maybe it is different because those guys are gone and you guys are looking for someone who is going to be that leader. Y'all ain't got to look. You're looking at the guy right here. I will be that guy and we're going to be fine."
And with that, any question about who the leading voice is on Seattle's defense was quickly answered.
For most of the past half-decade, Seattle's highly regarded defense was defined by the secondary with the catchy nickname and the flashy personalities. From there, attention often shifted to the defensive line and the type of chaos Michael Bennett and others created on 鈥?and sometimes off 鈥?the field.
Then there was Wagner and fellow linebacker K.J. Wright. They have been regarded as two of the best in the league at their positions and sometimes have received that level of recognition. But they were often relegated to a secondary role on their own team in terms of recognition even with Wagner being voted first-team All-Pro three times and Wright being a Pro Bowl selection.
"The attention has gone elsewhere, I guess," Wright said. "Nothing will change. We'll still be the bad-ass linebackers on this team. We'll still lead the way. Stuff will still be run in order. We'll still make plays and it'll be fun out there."
Seattle's offseason defensive overhaul saw Bennett, Richard Sherman and Sheldon Richardson find new homes; Cliff Avril and Kam Chancellor step away from the game due to neck injuries, and Earl Thomas hold out in search of a new contract. There are changes everywhere across Seattle's defensive alignment, with the exception of the linebackers.
Wagner has been calling Seattle's defense from the moment he arrived in the NFL and became a starter as a rookie. His partner the entire time has been Wright. With the departures Patriots Authentic Jerseys , those voices they've used together for the past six seasons will be even louder.
"Yeah, they had the name, they got a lot of the attention and now the attention may shift to the linebackers," Wagner said. "But we pride ourselves on being the guys that lead this team and that has been my mindset since I stepped in. I had coach Norton teach me the way."
Ken Norton Jr. has returned to Seattle to be the defensive coordinator. He was a mentor for Wagner and Wright as the linebackers coach when both arrived in the NFL. Now he's returned with an even bigger imprint on what Seattle does defensively.
"He's the linebackers guy and he put that responsibility more on us. He calls on me in the meeting room to answer most of the questions, calls on Bobby to answer the questions because he knows that we're all on the same page," Wright said. "He knows that we're the guys that can share our leadership abilities, share our knowledge of the game. He's putting that on us."
There may also be some schematic tweaks that give Wagner and Wright more freedom defensively. Wright said he believes the adjustments will make Seattle more fundamentally sound defensively and the linebackers could be the benefactors.
"I think this defense is hungry," Wright said. "We have a lot to prove. Myself, the secondary with all the guys leaving, the (defensive) line with the guys leaving. It's going to be fun because you've got guys who want to come and show who they are."
."I'm unemployed. I've got a couple of ads in the paper Trent Brown Jersey Patriots ," Manning joked Wednesday night at his Colorado Sports Hall of Fame induction, which came on the 20th anniversary of his selection as the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL draft.
Manning spent 14 seasons in Indianapolis and four in Denver, then retired after becoming the first quarterback to win Super Bowl rings with two teams.
He said he's enjoying retirement but keeps close tabs on the NFL, attending several games over the last couple of years in Denver, where he and his wife continue to raise their two young children.
"I stay close to it," said Manning, who retired a month after winning Super Bowl 50. "I'm certainly a fan, an ambassador, do some work with Riddell helmets, which keeps me close to it, and I still have a lot of friends in the league. Obviously I keep up with Eli."
Manning also said he's a big fan of Denver's new quarterback, Case Keenum , a Manning Passing Academy alum and sixth-year pro who signed with the Broncos after leading the Minnesota Vikings to the NFC championship last season.
The two plan to get together on the golf course soon so that Keenum can pick Manning's brain about playing in Denver, where the Broncos have gone 14-18 and missed the playoffs in the two seasons since the five-time MVP's retirement.
"I know what it's like to change teams Youth Josh Allen Jersey ," Manning said. "There's expectations. There's pressure. And there's a lot of adjusting."
The Broncos went 55-17 with two Super Bowl appearances and one parade in Manning's four seasons in Denver, the best four-year stretch in franchise history.
He'll be eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2021.
The massive hole on the left side of Cleveland's offensive line may be shrinking.Needing to find a replacement at tackle following the retirement of perennial Pro Bowler Joe Thomas, the Browns used the first pick in the second round of the NFL draft Friday night on Nevada's Austin Corbett, a walk-on who turned into a four-year college starter and is versatile enough to play three positions.
The 307-pounder close friends with Browns guard Joel Bitonio, who played alongside Thomas for several years and told Corbett about the person and player he could replace.
"As far as it goes in being 'the next Joe Thomas,' that is just a rare, rare human there," Corbett said. "If I can learn from him and follow in his footsteps, that's just amazing."
Two picks after getting Corbett, the Browns used the No. 35 overall selection on bruising Georgia running back Nick Chubb, who ran for 1,345 yards last season, two years after suffering a knee injury.
The pick was announced by Browns legend Jim Brown, the franchise's all-time leading rusher.
"I have no questions about this guy Packers J'Mon Moore Jersey ," said vice president of player personnel Alonzo Highsmith, who compared Chubb to former All-Pro Jamal Lewis. "Just give him the ball."
The Browns traded their third second-round pick, No. 64 overall, to Indianapolis for the No. 67 pick and took Miami defensive end Chad Thomas. Cleveland also received a sixth-round pick from the Colts.
If football doesn't pan out, Thomas has a music career to fall back on. He plays nine instruments and has produced for hip-hop artists, including Rick Ross.
For the Browns, the first two days have provided a chance to bolster a roster that failed to produce a win last season. They've been bold, taking quarterback Baker Mayfield with the No. 1 pick, and feel much better about their future.
"The main thing is that we have improved," said assistant general manager Eliot Wolf. "You set out to improve every single day. We feel like we have done that. Obviously, if we go out and do not win a game, then none of this means anything. Anyone can win in March or April."
As the league's lowest scoring team last season, the Browns needed playmakers. Chubb gives them another and he joins a running back group that includes free-agent signee Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson, Cleveland's best offensive player last season.
At 227 pounds Customized Los Angeles Rams Jerseys , Chubb can run inside and he's quick enough to turn the corner for a big gain. He scored 15 touchdowns last season finished his career with 4,769 yards, second in SEC history to Herschel Walker.
"When you play running back in the SEC, you have to be able to create between the tackles with your feet and you have to be able to play a physical style of football, and Nick Chubb exemplifies all of that in his running style," Highsmith said. "Not only is he a great football player, he's a tremendous person, tremendous individual, tremendous leader and he exemplifies what we're trying to build here in Cleveland."
Corbett fits that mold as well.
He was undersized when enrolling at Nevada, but inspired by his brother who played at San Diego State, he worked his way into getting a scholarship and eventually drafted by the Browns.
"No D-I program wants a 240-pound offensive lineman. My brother at the time was playing at San Diego State," he said. "He was on scholarship so he kind of set the bar for me. If he can play D-I, then so can I.
"Then I just got the opportunity to walk on at the local college here at Nevada. That was the only way I could play D-I. Financially, that was the only way so it made sense for us. It is just a difference in how you have to go about yourself when you are a walk-on."
The Browns plan to move right tackle Shon Coleman to the left side Authentic Customized Redskins Jerseys , but he could be challenged for the starting job by Corbett.
"If Austin is able to be the left tackle, it would be great," Wolf said.
The 6-foot-5, 275-pound Thomas started for two seasons with the Hurricanes, recording 10 sacks.
Andrew Berry, another of the team's player personnel vice presidents, feels Thomas can have an immediate impact as a rookie.
"We thought he was one of the most physical defensive linemen in the draft," Berry said. "We think he's a very talented, strong, athletic defensive lineman who can play multiple spots along our front. He is a player when we talk about setting the edge or keeping contained in the run-game, he can really put on a clinic tape of being able to do that at one of the end spots.
"He is just a strong, long, physical guy that uses his hands well."
.Turns out, nothing to fear. The Colorado Avalanche just wanted to give their top scorer and Hart Trophy candidate a little rest Monday before embarking on the postseason.
Not many gave this team much of a chance to make the playoffs at the beginning of the year. Understandably so considering they were coming off a 48-point season. But here the Avalanche are, about to face the top-seeded Predators in the first round beginning Thursday in Nashville.
Colorado is rested, rejuvenated and carries a surge of momentum after needing to win its final game to secure its first postseason spot since 2013-14.
”We expect a lot from our group and know we can surprise a lot of people,” said captain Gabriel Landeskog, whose team finished the regular season with 95 points and matched the franchise record for wins at home with 28. ”This is when the fun begins.”
The type of turnaround the team has made doesn’t happen that often in the NHL world. The last time it occurred over an 82-game season was when Pittsburgh also improved by 47 points from 2005-06 (58) to `06-07 (105).
”We didn’t expect this in October, but as the season progressed our confidence grew and grew Cheap Calvin Ridley Jersey ,” MacKinnon said recently after finishing with 39 goals and 58 assists to wind up fifth in scoring. ”For the last month we expected to make the playoffs. For it to actually happen is very satisfying.”
The turning point for coach Jared Bednar was in early December, when his squad wrapped up a 1-4 homestand. A similar thing happened a year earlier and it sent the team into an unrecoverable downward spiral.
This time, it was different. The Avs found some traction and at the end of the month began a streak of 10 straight wins.
”The way (the players) handled that and responded there … starts making you a believer,” Bednar said. ”At that point, it became pretty clear we weren’t the same group and we’d push to the end of this thing.”
Still, they needed a 5-2 win over St. Louis in game No. 82, a winner-take-all affair Authentic Edinson Volquez Jersey , to secure their spot. For Bednar, it was one of his team’s best performances of the season.
”I want our guys to have fun, embrace it and enjoy it,” Bednar said. ”But I want us to dig in and be highly competitive.”
Colorado will be without two key players for this series – defenseman Erik Johnson and goaltender Semyon Varlamov, who are both sidelined by knee injuries. Not only that, but the team has struggled this season against the Predators, going 0-3-1 and being outscored by a 17-8 margin.
”It’s not going to be an easy series. But if you want to get farther Antonio Callaway Jersey Browns , you have to beat the best team and we start with the best team,” goaltender Jonathan Bernier said.
Avalanche players Colin Wilson, Gabriel Bourque and Samuel Girard all stepped up at a recent meeting and chatted about their ties with Nashville. They offered a little insight into the team they’re about to face.
”They all had some good things to say about their personnel,” Bednar said. ”We have a lot of input from those guys.”
The Avalanche relish in the fact that just a year ago Nashville was the second wild-card team in the Western Conference and advanced all the way to the Stanley Cup final. They wouldn’t mind following that sort of path.
”It’s possible. It’s the playoffs. Anything can happen,” Landeskog said. ”It’s just a matter of taking it one day at a time, enjoying the journey and making sure you bring your best game at the best time.”
Bednar was asked if he thought there might be concerns over his team being content to merely be in the playoffs.
”They’re a hungry group. They want more,” Bednar said. ”I don’t mind being the underdog. It’s a good spot for our team. We’ve been feeling that way all year long Authentic Ryan Kesler Jersey , that we were an underdog to get into the playoffs. We’re here.”
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Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan calls permanently removing tarps from EverBank Field "the most important thing" for the small-market franchise.
The Jaguars removed four tarps from the upper deck for the playoffs last season, opening up 3,500 additional seats.
The team announced in February it would keep the tarps off for good because of an increased demand for season tickets.
Khan says "the look it gives us is not a good look for the city; it's not a good look for the Jags."
The tarps became part of the stadium after Jacksonville had half of its home games blacked out on local television between 2001 and 2004. Stadium capacity is now 67,932, and Khan says filling those seats creates a home-field advantage that has been missing from Jacksonville for years.
He says "a key lesson for me is I don't want to go back to when we don't have a home-field advantage. That means no tarps. That means fans cheering the Jags on. I think it's a vital, vital competitive advantage."
.Jackson Cheap Marcus Davenport Jersey , trying to turn around a Cleveland team that didn’t win a game in 16 tries last season, plans to remain with the team in training camp while mourning the recent deaths of his 83-year-old mother and brother in California.
A team spokesman confirmed Wednesday night that Jackson’s mother, Betty Lee, died over the weekend in Los Angeles following a long illness. Her passing came two weeks after Jackson’s brother, John Jr., died unexpectedly.
Jackson intends to stay with the Browns through next week’s exhibition opener against the New York Giants while the family finalizes funeral plans.
Jackson Redskins Authentic Jerseys , who is in his third season with Cleveland, has not made any public comments about the deaths during camp, which opened last week. Beyond his daily duties, Jackson’s every move on and off the field as the Browns’ camp is being chronicled by cameras for HBO’s ”Hard Knocks.”
Jackson’s agent, John Thornton, told Cleveland.com that the deaths have deeply affected the coach.
”It’s been really tough on him Youth Mark Andrews Jersey ,” Thornton said. ”He’s just trying to let football help him out.”
Although Jackson is just 1-31 in two seasons with the Browns, owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said last week that the coach still has their unwavering support.
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The Los Angeles Chargers signed tight end Virgil Green to a three-year contract and kept safety Adrian Phillips with a one-year deal on Wednesday.
The team also extended tenders to receiver Tyrell Williams and defensive end Chris McCain.
Green spent the last seven seasons with the Denver Broncos, starting all 16 games last year and winning a Super Bowl ring in February 2016. While largely serving as a blocker, the Tulare, California, native also has 71 career receptions for 807 yards and four touchdowns.
The Chargers haven't announced publicly whether they will bring back 37-year-old tight end Antonio Gates Carlos Zambrano Jersey , who hopes to extend his record-setting career for at least another season.
Phillips played a key role in his fourth season with the Chargers, starting four games and making two interceptions with 47 tackles. He played extensively down the stretch while Los Angeles rallied to a 9-7 finish.
Williams started 15 games for the Chargers last season, catching 43 passes for 728 yards. The former undrafted free agent had a standout season in San Diego in 2016, catching 69 passes for 1,059 yards and seven scores.
Williams was tendered at the second-round level, which means he would make $2.941 million next season. The Chargers have the right to match any deal offered by another club to Williams or McCain.
Williams could be attractive to teams seeking to acquire a receiver from the Chargers Vontaze Burfict Youth Jersey , who already have Pro Bowl star Keenan Allen, first-round pick Mike Williams and dependable veteran Travis Benjamin returning to one of the NFL's best passing offenses next season.
McCain got increased playing time in his second NFL season, recording five sacks and 20 tackles.
.Another slider found too much of the plate and the reigning NL player of the month sent it over the wall in right.
Goldschmidt hit a three-run homer, Zack Greinke pitched effectively into the seventh inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks ended a four-game losing streak with a 4-2 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night.
”Paul’s gifted,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. ”You can’t make mistakes like that. He’s going to make you pay.”
Greinke (9-5) gave up two runs in the second inning to end his 13-inning scoreless streak but was otherwise sharp in winning his fourth straight game. Yoshihisa Hirano needed one pitch to get a groundout with the bases loaded in the seventh and extend his team record with a 26th straight scoreless appearance.
Brad Boxberger worked around a walk in the ninth for his 20th save in 24 chances.
Goldschmidt had the big blow, following a four-hit night Monday with a three-run homer off Flaherty (3-4) in the fifth inning. The NL player of the month for June, Goldschmidt is hitting .413 with 11 homers and 28 RBIs his past 26 games.
”It wasn’t the best slider I had thrown all night and you get a guy like that, who is red hot like that, he put a good swing on it,” Flaherty said.
Greinke entered Tuesday’s game with the 13-inning scoreless streak after tossing seven scoreless innings against Miami his last start. His streak lasted one more inning; the Cardinals scored two runs in the second inning on Yairo Munoz’s single and Kolten Wong’s sacrifice fly.
Greinke shook off the shaky second by mixing his pitches well, keeping the Cardinals off-balance with low-90s fastballs and looping curves that dipped to 63 mph. He was lifted with two outs in the seventh inning after giving up consecutive hits, allowing two runs on seven hits and four strikeouts.
”I felt good Mike Remmers Jersey Vikings , there was good defense behind me and we scored some runs,” Greinke said.
Flaherty allowed four runs on six hits in six innings in a loss to Cleveland his last start. He was sharp after giving up David Peralta’s run-scoring single in the first inning, retiring 10 straight batters.
Flaherty ran into trouble in the fifth inning, giving up a double and hitting a batter before Goldschmidt lifted a three-run homer just over the wall in right to put Arizona up 4-2.
Flaherty allowed four runs on four hits and struck out seven in six innings.
”He threw the ball well,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. ”(He) got into a tough situation with a good hitter, got to two strikes, the guy got the best of that matchup, but overall his stuff was very good today.”
TRANLATOR BOOTED
Lovullo brought Hirano’s translator, Kelvin Kondo, with him to the mound after making a pitching change in the seventh inning, just to make sure the Japanese right-hander was clear on what he wanted. The mound meeting turned a bit chaotic when Lovullo left the mound and Kondo was still talking to Hirano.
Under big-league rules Ryan McMahon Colorado Rockies Jersey , a translator has to stay next to the manager while on the mound, so when Lovullo started to walk away, plate umpire Bill Welke started shouting and told Kondo to leave the field.
”I didn’t even know what was going on up there. It was crazy, chaotic,” Lovullo said. ”There’s a clear rule and it’s so new to us having the interpreter and exchanging information. I just left the mound too soon, the dirt area too soon and that was my responsibility to stay there until all the instructions were made.”
TRAINER’S TABLE
Cardinals: SS Paul DeJong (broken left hand) went 0 for 4 for Triple-A Memphis on Monday night, his third rehab game with the Redbirds.
Diamondbacks: RHP Randall Delgado (strained left oblique) allowed a run on three hits in an inning for Triple-A Reno Monday night in a rehab appearance. … OF Steven Souza Jr. went 1 for 4 with a solo homer for the Aces as he works back from a strained right pectoral.
UP NEXT
Diamondbacks LHP Patrick Corbin has allowed a run in 13 innings his past two starts heading into Wednesday’s game against the Cardinals. St. Louis sends out RHP Miles Mikolas, who lost his last start despite allowing a run in 6 2/3 innings against Atlanta.
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GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-9)
OPEN CAMP: July 26, Green Bay, Wisconsin
LAST YEAR: Finished under .500 and out of playoffs for first time since 2008. Offense struggled with QB Aaron Rodgers sidelined for seven games with broken collarbone. Defense plagued by porous secondary and lack of consistent pass rush. Injuries ravaged cornerback position again.
IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: GM Brian Gutekunst, offensive coordinator Joe Philbin Authentic Preston Brown Jersey , defensive coordinator Mike Pettine, QB DeShone Kizer, TE Jimmy Graham, TE Marcedes Lewis, CB Tramon Williams, rookie CBs Jaire Alexander and Josh Jackson, DL Muhammad Wilkerson.
IMPORTANT LOSSES: retired GM Ted Thompson, defensive coordinator Dom Capers, S Morgan Burnett, WR Jordy Nelson, G Jahri Evans Falcons Cheap Jerseys , TE Richard Rodgers.
CAMP NEEDS: Find receiver to replace Nelson. Packers took three wideouts in middle rounds of draft, but returnees Geronimo Allison and Trevor Davis could have early edge. With Rodgers sidelined, Nelson's production tailed off last year, and Packers let him go in offseason and brought in Graham to provide big target over middle. At their best, Rodgers and Nelson were one of top combos in league. Packers need to develop pass-rush depth behind Clay Matthews and Nick Perry, and hope that Alexander and Jackson can learn from Williams to help in coverage.
EXPECTATIONS: Packers are always threat as long as Rodgers is healthy. Last season served as painful lesson of what team needs to shore up defensive deficiencies that could be masked by their gifted quarterback. At worst, expect return to playoffs 鈥?assuming Rodgers is healthy 鈥?following offseason full of changes in Titletown.
.Cardell Hayes was convicted of manslaughter in December 2016 in Smith's death and of attempted manslaughter because Smith's wife Authentic Tremaine Edmunds Jersey , Raquel, was shot in both legs during the encounter in April of that year.
But Hayes' attorney Paul Barker wrote in an appeal filed Thursday that the judge who tried Hayes should have granted a new trial because a witness who contacted Barker the day after Hayes' conviction said he had heard two guns at the time of the shooting, buttressing Hayes' claim that he had fired in self-defense.
Prosecutors on Friday rejected the arguments as "falsehoods."
Hayes' lawyers had argued at trial that he only fired because the retired NFL player was drunk and violent and had grabbed a gun following their collision. No one else testified Smith ever held a gun. A loaded .9-mm semi-automatic handgun was found loaded but unused on the front seat of Smith's car.
Barker's appeal Thursday also contended the trial judge, Camille Buras, should have allowed testimony about Smith's 2010 arrest on a domestic abuse charge. That would have shown he could be violent when drunk, Barker wrote. Barker also wrote in the filing that other errors included allowing victim impact testimony before the trial's sentencing phase, and by "suggestively" re-reading jury instructions.
District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro said in a statement Friday that prosecutors had proved Hayes' guilt and that Buras managed "this difficult trial fairly and impeccably."
"The falsehoods within this appeal make only one thing clear: That Cardell Hayes has yet to accept the consequences of his rash decision to open fire on an innocent couple Youth Jason Sanders Jersey ," the emailed statement said. It added that Hayes' latest arguments make clear he "has yet to begin the rehabilitation necessary to one day return as a responsible and law-abiding member of our community."
Smith, a 34-year-old father of three, was a defensive leader on the Saints team that lifted spirits in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005. He helped carry the team to a winning season in 2006 and a Super Bowl victory four years later. His death in a dispute over traffic was shocking, even for a city with a high rate of homicides.
In his filing Thursday, Barker said a new witness, Michael Burnside, emailed him the last day of the trial Danny Shelton Jersey Patriots , when he was not checking email because he was "preoccupied with closing arguments and jury deliberations." The email said Burnside had heard two guns at the time Smith was shot. Reached the next day, Burnside said he had heard four "baps" consistent with a small-caliber gun before a "boom" consistent with a larger-caliber weapon like Hayes'.
"Mr. Burnside states that the first "boom" of the larger caliber weapon overlapped the last "bap" of the smaller caliber weapon," Barker wrote. That backs up Hayes' testimony that Smith fired at him first, he said.
Barker also said the judge didn't let trial lawyer John Fuller question retired Saints running back Deuce McAllister, the first prosecution witness, about Smith's "arrest for abusing Raquel Smith while out at a bar in Lafayette."
Smith was arrested outside a bar, accused of pulling his wife down the street by her hair. He was indicted in 2011 on misdemeanor charges of domestic abuse battery and public intoxication. Lafayette Parish prosecutors dropped the charges in 2012 after Smith completed community service and participated in counseling.
McAlister had testified about Smith's good character Vita Vea Buccaneers Jersey , opening the way to rebuttal testimony which the judge didn't allow, Barker wrote.
"The state elicited pages of testimony from Deuce McAllister detailing the good moral qualities of the victim, the tremendous impact on the victim's family, and the impact on the New Orleans Saints franchise," he wrote.
He said that "went beyond the proper scope of examination," causing prejudice against Hayes and violating his right to a fair trial.
The Arizona Cardinals have released running back Adrian Peterson after a half-season in the desert that included a pair of impressive games and a season-ending injury.The seven-time All-Pro running back began last season with New Orleans but, after barely playing there Isaiah Oliver Youth Jersey , was dealt to the Cardinals.
Peterson rushed for 134 yards in a win over Tampa Bay and 159 in a win over San Francisco. In six games, he gained 448 yards on 129 carries for Arizona before being sidelined with a neck injury.
Peterson's release was not unexpected, with David Johnson returning from injury and expected to fill the primary running back spot.
Peterson, who turns 33 next week, ranks 12th in the NFL in career rushing with 12,276 yards.
.”Tonight we’re playing a team that desperately needs to win Ozzie Albies Atlanta Braves Jersey ,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. ”You can tell the teams around the league that have to win. They’re getting after it. They’re playing for their season. Our season begins next week.”
Anthony Davis outdueled Kevin Durant down the stretch on the way to 34 points, and the Pelicans snapped a 10-game losing streak to Golden State with a 126-120 win over the Warriors on Saturday night.
Durant scored 19 of his 41 points in the third quarter to go with 10 rebounds and five assists. He made big 3-pointers with 6:39 remaining and at the 4:52 mark that got Golden State to 112-111, but the Pelicans kept answering.
The NBA Finals MVP made things more difficult after halftime on Davis, who also had 12 rebounds for the Pelicans while having his way with the Warriors’ defense from the start.
The Pelicans beat the Warriors for the first time since April 7, 2015, in New Orleans, and at Oracle Arena for the first time since April 24, 2012.
”I just thought we played about as perfect as you have to play to beat them,” Pelicans coach Alvin Gentry said. ”They’re just such a great team. They just keep coming at you. We were never comfortable.”
Durant also committed a costly late turnover that led to E’Twaun Moore’s pullup jumper with 23.5 seconds left. KD lost the ball for another key steal less than a minute earlier but immediately got a rebound on the other end that led to Andre Iguodala’s dunk on the other end to get Golden State to 121-119 with 1:01 left.
Quinn Cook Cheap Cody Latimer Jersey , who has been an admirable fill-in for the injured Stephen Curry after his promotion from the G League, added 21 points with five 3-pointers in the Warriors’ final regular-season home game.
This was primarily the KD and Davis show.
Davis shot 13 for 24, while Nikola Mirotic made four quick 3-pointers and six in all on the way to 28 points. Jrue Holiday scored 25 and Rajon Rondo dished out 17 assists.
Durant tied the game on a layup just before halftime but Davis scored again to give him 19 points on 9-for-14 shooting in the first half. New Orleans led 67-65 after sizzling shooting by both teams – 59.6 by the Pelicans to 57.4 for Golden State and seven 3-pointers apiece.
Draymond Green just missed a triple-double for the Warriors, finishing with 11 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. He had seven of Golden State’s 17 turnovers.
TIP-INS
Pelicans: New Orleans had 39 assists, Moore adding seven. … G Ian Clark missed his second straight game – this one against his former team – because of a sprained right ankle. … New Orleans has given up 110 or more points in each of the last 11 regular-season meetings vs. the Warriors.
Warriors: Iguodala, who had been uncertain to play with a sore left knee, received a second-quarter technical. … Golden State will go with a center by committee for now, with Kevon Looney earning the start Saturday. … Shaun Livingston was out to rest his sore right knee. The Warriors had won their previous five regular-season home finales. … Golden State dropped to 10-4 in the first game of back-to-backs. … Warriors President and COO Rick Welts was honored for his induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
CURRY PROGRESS
Stephen Curry Cheap Tre'Quan Smith Jersey , dressed and with backpack on, hopped up and down a few times on his tender left knee in the locker room with a big grin alongside athletic trainer Chelsea Lane. They’re going on the quick road trip to Phoenix.
Curry did some light work on the court then iced his injured left knee before the game while munching popcorn at his locker.
He’s still a week from having his sprained knee re-evaluated and Kerr ruled him out for the first round of the playoffs.
”We’ll talk a week from today,” Kerr said. ”There’s nothing to report.”
ROSTER MOVE
The Warriors waived forward Omri Casspi after the game. Casspi has been sidelined by an ankle injury and Golden State needed to clear a roster spot in order to make room for Cook to be on the playoff roster.
CLOSE RACE
The Pelicans had a four-day break and dropped from fourth place to eighth in the Western Conference standings.
That’s how wild this final stretch has been and still could be.
”It’s the craziest thing I’ve ever seen,” Gentry said. ”I’ve never seen anything like it.”
UP NEXT
Pelicans: At Clippers on Monday.
Warriors: At Phoenix on Sunday looking for a 15th straight victory vs. the Suns and playing their 14th and last back-to-back.
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A former NFL linebacker's career was cut short after authorities in New Jersey fabricated evidence linking him to a gun used in a shooting, the player alleged in a lawsuit filed this week.
The Elizabeth police department and Union County prosecutor's office "willfully ignored and were deliberately indifferent to overwhelming evidence" that Khaseem Greene hadn't provided the weapon used in a shooting outside a nightclub in Elizabeth in December 2016, Greene says in the suit.
The Kansas City Chiefs released Greene in May of last year, the day charges against him were reported.
Two months later, a gun charge against Greene was dropped after an audio recording surfaced of the accused shooter telling detectives he lied about Greene's involvement in the shooting.
The lawsuit filed Tuesday accuses the police and prosecutor's office of "simultaneously manufacturing and fabricating false evidence in order to charge Plaintiff with a crime he did not commit."
A spokesman for the county prosecutor's office declined comment Thursday. A message left at the Elizabeth police department wasn't immediately returned.
The 29-year-old Greene is an Elizabeth native who was a Big East defensive player of the year while at Rutgers. He appeared in a total of 25 games for the Chicago Bears in the 2013 and 2014 seasons, starting six games at linebacker.
The lawsuit charges numerous counts including civil rights violations Dak Prescott Jersey Womens , false arrest and imprisonment, malicious prosecution, negligence and defamation. It seeks unspecified punitive and compensatory damages, including for past and future economic loss.
It also seeks the appointment of an independent monitor to oversee the Elizabeth police department.
According to the lawsuit, the man charged with the shooting, a career criminal with more than 20 prior arrests and six felony convictions, admitted he lied about getting the gun from Greene during an interview with police after his arrest in late December 2016.
Nevertheless, authorities went ahead and charged Greene, citing surveillance video that allegedly showed Greene handing the gun to the man. No such video existed Cheap Vita Vea Jersey , the lawsuit alleges.
Greene last August said the legal trouble has been "probably the toughest time of my life" and has been "very hard emotionally and mentally."
"People started looking at me differently and accusing me of being this thug, this monster, and all of it was false," he said by phone.
The suit names the Elizabeth Police Department and the Union County Prosecutor's Office as well as individuals in both offices.
.All knots and snarls, a series of small mushroom clouds exploding from his jowls.
The Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker knows it's time for a trim but he's a little particular about the way he wants it cut, so Matakevich decided to hold off until he could get back home to Connecticut, where a good friend has doubled as his barber for years.
Then organized team activities and minicamp started and the itching nearly became too much.
"I sort of forgot that it's a little different when it's hot out," Matakevich said with a laugh.
The player nicknamed "Dirty Red" by coach Mike Tomlin as a rookie two years ago expects to have the beard a little more under control when the Steelers report for training camp next month.
Considering the workload Matakevich could carry in 2018, that's probably wise.
The seventh-round pick in 2016 will be given every chance to earn the starting linebacker spot created by Ryan Shazier's spinal injury.
No pressure or anything, all Matakevich has to do is take over for a Pro Bowler and good friend who also happened to be one of the most physically gifted players in the NFL.
Matakevich is doing it by leaning on Shazier, who has become a de facto coach while continuing his recovery from the collision in Cincinnati last December that altered both the course of his career and his life.
When Matakevich wasn't sure about a specific coverage during a workout on Tuesday, he trotted over to Shazier's golf cart and started peppering him with questions.
"I saw like Cheap Kolton Miller Jersey , 'Hey Bro, what are we doing here?' Stuff like that," Matakevich said. "He just helps you out. I'm so thankful for that."
And for the opportunity to play at all. The Steelers took a flyer on Matakevich when they selected him with the 246th overall pick in the 2016 draft following a highly productive college career at Temple in which he recorded at least 100 tackles in each of his four seasons.
The numbers and the awards 鈥?such as being the 2015 American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year 鈥?were hard to dismiss.
So too, were the other ones. Like his sluggish 4.81-second 40-yard dash time at the combine and his 6-foot-1, 235-pound frame that makes him more fire hydrant than fighter jet.
Still, Matakevich carved out a roster spot by making himself a special teams ace 鈥?he's already blocked two punts in two seasons 鈥?and is keenly aware that in most places the prospects for seventh-rounders is iffy at best. Pittsburgh, however, is not most places.
"These coaches love you," Matakevich said. "They're going to tell you what you need to do to be successful. They're going to put you in the right spots and at the end of the day it's on you. You've got to be able to do whatever it takes."
Inside linebackers coach Jerry Olsavsky understands Matakevich isn't Shazier or former Steeler Lawrence Timmons, but he is refusing to hold Matakevich to a different standard.
"He might not be big enough," Olsavsky said. "He might not line up like Lawrence and Ryan ... but if you just look at the plays he's made here, you're like, 'wow, that guy's made a lot of plays.'"
The key will be doing it on a more regular basis and staying on the field.
Shortly after Shazier's wrenching exit, Matakevich found himself on the sideline when the left shoulder problems he'd been battling all season simply became too much to bear. He spent most of the season wearing a harness during games to protect it after initially tweaking his labrum in Kansas City in mid-October.
When a Bengals player bumped into him in the third quarter on Dec. 4, the shoulder was cooked for good.
"They tried Authentic Albert Wilson Jersey , even once they got it in I was like, 'Alright, let's go' and they were like 'You're not going anywhere,'" Matakevich said. "It was frustrating because those opportunities don't come around too often."
There's a small three-inch scar on the front of Matakevich's left shoulder, a reminder of the procedure that took care of his labrum, his rotator cuff and his biceps in one fell swoop. The arm that he admits was "just hanging there" for much of last season is now fully healthy.
The front office is so encouraged by Matakevich's progress it opted not to use a draft pick on a linebacker for the first time since 2010.
General manager Kevin Colbert made it a point to bring up Matakevich's name unprompted in the aftermath and Matakevich heard the message loud and clear even as the team signed well-traveled veteran Jon Bostic as insurance.
"It makes you really believe in yourself because you know that the guys upstairs believe in you," Matakevich said.
There's no question that Matakevich has earned the belief of the guy he may line up alongside. In many ways he's following in Vince Williams' footsteps. A former sixth-round pick himself, Williams is now the elder statesmen in the linebackers' room thanks in part to his skill and work ethic. He sees the same things in Matakevich.
"He's smart. He understands the game. He understands what it takes to be a pro," Williams said. "He takes care of his body. He studies. That's really all you can expect from him right now."
Well that and maybe a haircut by the time the team reports to Saint Vincent College on July 25, when Tomlin is expected to shout "Dirty Red" early and often. That's fine by Matakevich.
"You can call me whatever you want," Matakevich said. "Just keep me around."
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