Tre'Davious White had personal reasons for not sticking around to address questions from the media on Wednesday. The second-year cornerback http://www.neworleanssaintsteamonline.com/josh-leribeus-jersey , understandably, has plenty weighing on his mind.On Sunday, White faces the challenge of defending DeAndre Hopkins, the NFL's leading receiver, in Buffalo's game at Houston. Last week, he learned the unsettling news of his mother being arrested for domestic violence for allegedly stabbing a man, according to TMZ and several television affiliates in northern Louisiana."I can't talk today," White said, pulling on his backpack and heading for the exit. "I've got to make a run."What's not in doubt is White being ready Sunday."I think Tre's always focused http://www.neworleanssaintsteamonline.com/benjamin-watson-jersey ," safety Jordan Poyer said of the second-year cornerback. "I think he's got it at home, you know, 'Each week this is the guy I've got to stop,' because that's what we expect of him. We all have confidence in him."White hasn't lost a step in following up an impressive rookie season . The first-round draft pick finished with four interceptions, two of which sealed victories, and was one of only two NFL players to force five takeaways (four interceptions and a forced fumble and recovery) in the fourth quarter.It was enough for him to finish second behind Saints cornerback Marshon Lattimore in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting.This season, White's held his own in taking over the job defending an opponent's top receiver on a full-time basis. He limited Chargers receiver Keenan Allen to six catches for 67 yards in Week 2, Minnesota's Stefon Diggs to four catches for 17 yards in Week 3, and Green Bay's Davante Adams to eight catches for 81 yards http://www.neworleanssaintsteamonline.com/marcus-williams-jersey , though he didn't cover Adams when he lined up in the slot.White is doing his part while the starting job opposite him remains unsettled due to injuries and after projected starter Vontae Davis left the team during halftime against the Chargers and then retired."To be able to have a guy like him, who has the athletic ability and the mental toughness to match up and get us through some tough situations is a luxury," defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said.Bills coach Sean McDermott is impressed by how White, 23, has taken over the role of being team's top shutdown cornerback."It's a little bit unique with a young player like Tre'Davious to be able to do it this early," McDermott said before noting how White wasn't drafted until the 27th pick . "You think about the teams that passed up on him. It was a big move for us as far as that goes in getting a good football player."White was a four-year starter at LSU, where he earned All-America honors in his senior year. As a freshman, he developed his craft by going up against Tigers receivers Odell Beckham Jr., and Jarvis Landry in practice. In games Womens Sheldon Rankins Jersey , White's first career interception was against current Dallas Cowboys starter Dak Prescott.Bills receiver Kelvin Benjamin is so impressed by White's ability to burst on the ball he refers to his teammate as "Quick-feet Tre.""It's stupid. It's stupid," Benjamin said, shaking his head in wonder of White's speed. "You've got to attack the ball as a wide receiver when he's on you. And, he's only going to get better."Good as White might already be, he has far loftier goals."I've told myself, I don't want to come into this game and just be a cornerback in the league, just a normal guy on the team," he told The Associated Press in August. "I'm chasing the Hall of Fame."White has plenty more to do before he can be included in that conversation.White acknowledged he's fueled by a fear of failure. It's what motivated him as a teenager to become the first in his family to go to college and escape the tough neighborhoods of his hometown of Shreveport, Louisiana."It's a fear of not being the best I can be. It's a fear of going back to the situations I came from Womens Mark Ingram Jersey , just growing up," White said. "I feel like there's just so much riding on me that I put so much into this game, I'd do everything to prevent myself from being a failure, or not living up to my expectations." Is Sunday’s Steelers-Saints game a matchup of two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks? Not according to Saints defensive end Cam Jordan, who disputed the idea that Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is heading to Canton.As Jordan was being interviewed in the Saints’ locker room, he was asked about facing “a quarterback who might be going to the Hall of Fame,” meaning Roethlisberger, on Sunday. Jordan immediately put a skeptical look on his face.“Is that true? Really?” Jordan asked. “You’d put him at Top 5 of this era?”Jordan said the top quarterbacks of the current era are Drew Brees, Tom Brady www.neworleanssaintsteamonline.com , Aaron Rodgers and Peyton Manning, and he doesn’t think Roethlisberger measures up. Jordan then indicated he doesn’t think Roethlisberger deserves to be ahead of Philip Rivers, and added, “I’d honestly put Eli before I’d put Ben.”The video of Jordan’s comments seems to have disappeared from the Saints’ website, but it lives on Twitter, and it’s clear from Jordan’s tone and expressions that he thinks naming Roethlisberger as a future Hall of Famer is incorrect. Roethlisberger will get the chance to prove himself to Jordan on Sunday. Custom Oakland Raiders Jerseys
When I received the alert on my phone that Dan Arnold would be inactive vs the Bucs Authentic Wil Lutz Jersey , I sent the following text message to a friend of mine: “The Saints are going to mess around trying to establish the run against a team that is fully aware it’s coming and are going to find themselves down 10-3 halfway through the second quarter.” While I’m a fan of Dan Arnold’s skill set, it wasn’t the fact that the Saints would be without the tight end that made me pessimistic about the team; it was what the decision to deactivate Arnold signified to me. To me, it showed that Sean Payton was intent on establishing the run and trying to grind out a win given the poor weather conditions.Even as short as a decade ago, this could have been thought of by most of the football world as a sound strategy: in a game with adverse conditions, take the air out of the ball and lean on your run game. Nowadays, being a “run-first” team leads to sluggish starts and forcing your team to come back in games. A bit of background on some of the stats I looked at: most are pretty basic (Yards Per Carry, Yards Per Attempt), but a couple are a bit more advanced (though still pretty simple) such as First Down Rate (% of plays that result in a first down and Success Rate. A “successful” play is one that picks up 50% of the yards to go on 1st down, 70% on 2nd down, and 100% on 3rd/4th down. When I looked at the play calling, I looked at “early down” play calling, meaning just 1st and 2nd down. I did this because there is more left to the coach’s discretion on 1st/2nd down. 3rd down play calls are generally determined by yards to go. The last bit of background needed is that passing is generally more efficient than rushing: the Saints average 8.4 Yards Per Attempt with a 58% success rate on the season when passing. When rushing, the Saints average 4.1 Yards Per Carry with a 54% success rate.Digging into the data from the Bucs game, the Saints were far too committed to the run, particularly on 1st downs and 2nd and longs. Rush vs PassTypeCountAverageSuccess RateTypeCountAverageSuccess RateNow this is just a simple count of every early down play call from the Bucs game, but it’s still interesting to see that despite the fact that the Saints were averaging more than a yard and a half more per play and a success rate of 55% passing the ball compared to just 36% rushing, they still ran more than passed. The following table shows every early down run from the Bucs game and the overall stats. A couple of notes: I did not keep track of goal-to-go situations since the distances and play calls change dramatically near the goal line. I also counted any penalties that occurred as actual plays (for example, the Saints had 2 holding penalties on runs so those are charted here).Bucs Early Down RunsEarly Down RunsStartingYardsEndingSuccessEarly Down RunsStartingYardsEndingSuccessBucs Runs DistanceDistanceCountYPC1st Down %SuccessDistanceCountYPC1st Down %SuccessThe distances used were short (3 or fewer yards to go), medium (4-6 yards to go), and long (7+ yards to go). Amazingly, despite averaging just 2.7 yards per carry Womens Cameron Jordan Jersey , the Saints ran the ball 21 times on early downs from a distance of 1st/2nd and 7+. They only passed the ball 20 times TOTAL on early downs all game. The passing stats are as follows:Bucs Early PassesEarly Down PassesStartingYardsEndingSuccessEarly Down PassesStartingYardsEndingSuccessBucs Passes by DistanceDistanceCountYPA1st Down %SuccessDistanceCountYPA1st Down %SuccessRemember before how the Saints ran the ball 21 times on 1st/2nd and long despite a 29% success rate? The team passed just 16 times in the same situations, despite the fact that they were successful almost twice as often on pass plays. And while the Saints struggled through the early part of the Bucs game, overall for the game, they averaged the same yards per drop-back as the Patriots have this season. Looking back on the game as a whole, it’s easy to see why the Saints struggled so much prior to Taysom Hill’s blocked punt. Despite the fact that the passing game had a success rate of 54% prior to the blocked punt, the Saints still had 8 early down runs which averaged 0.5 YPC with just one of those runs earning a successful grade. I also decided to look back at a game where the Saints were more successful offensively to see if the play calling changed at all. The following stats and tables are all from the Saints’ 45-35 victory over the Rams. Rams Run vs PassTypeCountAverageSuccess RateTypeCountAverageSuccess RateOverall, there really wasn’t THAT much of a difference in how the Saints ran the ball. They were slightly more efficient, but the key difference was that the Saints were more dedicated to the passing game and were more efficient doing so. The split is even more favorable to the passing game as this includes two runs when the Saints were simply trying to kill the clock. When the Saints were focused on scoring, they passed the ball 26 times on early downs compared to 22 runs, and even that might not be enough. Rams Run vs Pass by DistancePlay TypeCountYPC1st Down %SuccessPlay TypeCountYPC1st Down %SuccessWe can see here that the Saints run/pass split on 1st/2nd and long basically flipped, and that made a huge difference in their offensive success. Rather than the 16/21 Pass/Run split in the Bucs game, the Saints had a 23/20 Pass/Run split against the Rams. But even in this more efficient decision, Sean Payton still had plenty of room to pass more in these key situations. The Saints were still almost twice as successful passing the ball on 1st/2nd and long as they were rushing it, yet the split was still almost 50/50. Think about it another way: in the most explosive offensive game of the season, the Chiefs and Rams ran the ball 20 and 21 times TOTAL during the game. So the Saints ran the ball 21 times in inefficient situations on 1st and 2nd down while the Chiefs and Rams, in a game they knew they’d need to score nearly every possession, ran the ball 20 times each during the entire game. The last thing I decided to do with these games was to look at the 1st/2nd down play calls and results on each series where the Saints were forced to punt or kick a field goal. Basically, I wanted to see what play calls led the drive to stall. They are as follows:Bucs: 1st Down: Incomplete Pass; 2nd Down: 10 yard holding call on run; 2nd down: 3 yard passBucs: 1st Down: 0 yard run; 2nd Down: -7 yard runBucs: 1st Down: -1 yard run; 2nd Down: 8 yard passBucs: 1st Down: 2 yard run; 2nd Down: 7 yard passRams: 1st Down: -4 yard run; 2nd Down: 7 yard passRams: 1st Down: 2 yard run; 2nd Down: 2 yard runRams: 1st Down: 3 yard run; 2nd Down: 2 yard runOf the seven Saints drives that stalled (outside of turnovers), six started off with a run on 1st and 10 (all of which were unsuccessful). The one that started with a pass turned into a 2nd and 20 when the Saints were called for holding when trying to run on 2nd and 10. Four of the seven series featured runs that resulted in negative yardage. Overall, in these 7 sequences featuring 15 total plays (including the penalty), there were 10 runs (all unsuccessful) for -11 yards including the 10 yard holding penalty. This is obviously a small sample size Authentic Ted Ginn Jr Jersey , but this is a trend that’s been proven true in studies over recent years. The Saints were passing the ball with incredible efficiency vs the Rams which helped them build a 35-14 lead. When they decided to try and sit on the lead and run the ball, their next 3 possessions resulted in 2 punts and a field goal. Against the Bucs, the Saints tried to come out and run the ball given the expected weather conditions. Their first 6 rushes were unsuccessful, and the Saints scored 3 points in the first half.Passing the ball more isn’t a simple cure-all for some of the inefficiencies in the Saints offense over parts of the last 2-3 games. Nor is running the ball a surefire detriment to the team’s Super Bowl hopes. But if the Saints are going to win the next 6 games to secure home field advantage and then beat 3 good-elite teams to win the Super Bowl, they can’t afford to give the other team the analytical advantage when it comes to smart play calling on early downs. The Saints very well might be the best overall team in the NFL, and taking the low-hanging fruit that is passing more on 1st and 10 and 2nd and long could help propel them these next 6 games. What some are calling the NFL's Game of the Year already has made huge headlines by being moved out of Mexico City because of poor playing conditions. Chiefs-Rams is back in Los Angeles, in prime time and, if it lives up to its billing, could be a wild, high-scoring affair.Regardless of who wins, both clubs figure to be in the Super Bowl mix. And because of the extracurriculars associated with Monday night's meeting, perhaps it won't be a fair measurement which is the superior team.Who cares?For a mid-November match, fans can't ask for much better than a pair of 9-1 teams with powerhouse offenses and stars galore 鈥?leading MVP contenders Todd Gurley of Los Angeles and Patrick Mahomes of Kansas City for starters 鈥?going at it as the only show in town. No matter which town.It's the first meeting in NFL history this late in a season between two teams averaging 33 points per game."He's made some plays that you sit back and you can't help but just say, 'Wow, what a great play,'" Rams coach Sean McVay says of Mahomes, who leads the NFL in yards passing (3,150). Rams QB Jared Goff is second (3,134).Mahomes set a Chiefs record with an NFL-best 31st TD pass of the season last week. Len Dawson had held that KC record since 1964.Gurley paces the NFL in scoring (108 points), yards rushing (988), carries (198) Womens Ken Crawley Jersey , yards from scrimmage (1,390) and touchdowns (17). He has scored a touchdown in 13 consecutive games, extending his own franchise record."He is a heck of a player. A great player," Chiefs coach Andy Reid says when asked how to slow Gurley. "You have to be disciplined. They're a disciplined offense, so you have to be disciplined from a defensive standpoint. Then practice that way and then you go play."OK, guys, go play. Let America watch what could be a classic.The weekend began Thursday night with Seattle's 27-24 home victory over Green Bay. Russell Wilson threw for 225 yards and his 15-yard touchdown pass to Ed Dickson with 5:08 left was the difference. Seattle (5-5) snapped a two-game losing streak. Green Bay dropped to 4-5-1.Off this week are New England (7-3), the New York Jets (3-7), Miami (5-5), Cleveland (3-6-1), San Francisco (2-8) and Buffalo (3-7).MINNESOTA (5-3-1) at CHICAGO (6-3)We soon will find out if the Bears are for real. They are on top of the NFC North, now face the defending division winners, then in a ridiculously short turnaround from Sunday night, they play the early Thanksgiving Day game at Detroit. They also have the Rams and Packers on the road in December.Two of the NFL's stingiest and most physical defenses should be main factors Sunday.Minnesota has allowed an average of only 252.5 yards over last four games, winning three. It did so missing some starters. Safety Harrison Smith likes seeing the Bears: Smith has four interceptions and six passes defended in 10 career games vs. Chicago.Chicago dropped 10 in a row against the NFC North before beating Detroit last Sunday. It leads the NFL with 16 interceptions, and ranks second with 24 takeaways.HOUSTON (6-3) at WASHINGTON (6-3)Two also-rans of 2017 now leading their divisions.The Texans have won six in a row and come off a bye. Key personnel such as DE J.J. Watt and QB Deshaun Watson were injured last year and are now playing at peak efficiency.If Watson gets time to throw 鈥?Houston has surrendered 30 sacks 鈥?DeAndre Hopkins will be the biggest challenge to cover. He has four games with 10-plus catches, 100-plus yards and a touchdown through the air. That's most in the league since the start of 2017, and Hopkins has five TD catches over the past four games. .Washington has showed some balance on offense, but the defense has been a major factor in its strong year. It has forced a turnover in 13 consecutive games, the NFL's longest active streak.TENNESSEE (5-4) at INDIANAPOLIS (4-5)Suddenly, there's a race in the AFC South Womens Alex Anzalone Jersey , and the Colts could get even more involved with a fourth consecutive victory. But the Titans, coming off their best game by far in an upset of the Patriots, have won six straight within the division.Of course, Andrew Luck was not in the lineup for any of those; Luck is 9-0 in starts against Tennessee."I'm aware of it," Luck says. "But what's happened has happened, and good, bad or ugly, it doesn't really matter."The Titans have the league's No. 1 scoring defense, allowing 16.8 points a game, and have yielded a league-low 16 touchdowns.PHILADELPHIA (4-5) at NEW ORLEANS (8-1)New Orleans looks like the NFL's top team right now, and the Eagles don't resemble their title-winning squad of last season.Injuries are damaging Philly's defense at a really bad time. A banged-up secondary takes on Drew Brees and his assortment of helpers. The Saints have scored at least 40 points in five games this season, the third team in NFL history to score 40 in five of the first nine. Brees is completing 77.1 percent of his passes, has thrown for 21 TDs with one interception, and has a 123.8 passer rating.Michael Thomas is tied for the NFL lead with 78 catches, ranks second with 950 yards, while Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram form a formidable and versatile backfield.PITTSBURGH (6-2-1) at JACKSONVILLE (3-6)The Steelers will be wise to look forward and not back at their last encounter with the Jaguars. Jacksonville beat Pittsburgh twice last season, including a 45-42 playoff shocker at Heinz Field.Thinking revenge would be foolish because the Steelers are on a roll. Well, so are the Jags: Pittsburgh has won five in a row, Jacksonville has dropped that many consecutively.Steelers running back James Conner has not allowed the team to regret the contract impasse that has led to Le'Veon Bell sitting out the season. Conner is the eighth player in team history with at least 10 rushing touchdowns, leads the AFC in rushing, and is expected to play after being placed in concussion protocol following last week's win over Carolina.CINCINNATI (5-4) at BALTIMORE (4-5)Cincinnati brings a historically leaky defense to Baltimore Womens Terron Armstead Jersey , which might be without regular quarterback Joe Flacco (hip). That would mean either first-round pick Lamar Jackson or veteran Robert Griffin III will try to further expose that Bengals unit.The Bengals have won eight of the last 10 in the series, but they fired first-year defensive coordinator Teryl Austin after a 51-14 loss to the Saints, the second-most points allowed in franchise history. They became the first team in the Super Bowl era to give up 500 yards in three straight games and are on pace to give up an NFL-record 7,273 yards.Head coach Marvin Lewis takes over defensive coordinator duties, too.DALLAS (4-5) at ATLANTA (4-5)The Falcons appeared ready to take a role in the playoff race with three successive wins. Then, they put forth a stinker at Cleveland.Meanwhile, the Cowboys seemed headed toward irrelevance before they went into Philadelphia and outplayed the Super Bowl champions.Dallas will want to run with Zeke Elliott, who's second in the NFL in rushing behind Gurley after gaining 151 yards against the Eagles. Atlanta will want to throw: Matt Ryan has seven games with a QB rating over 100 and six games with more than 300 yards passing, while Julio Jones became the fastest player in NFL history with more than 10,000 yards receiving.CAROLINA (6-3) at DETROIT (3-6)Both teams would like to forget last week's poor performances.Carolina leads this infrequent series 6-2 and remains in good position in the wild-card race with a victory. Detroit needs an immediate turnaround to get into contention.If this is close, expect Cam Newton and Co. to win. Since 2013, the Panthers are 26-14 in games decided by seven points or fewer. They have won five straight games decided by three or fewer.Newton has thrown at least two TD passes in eight straight games, the longest streak in franchise history.DENVER (3-6) at LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (7-2)While the Rams grab the headlines in LA, the Chargers keep grabbing victories. They could get help in the AFC West if their neighbors knock off KC, too.The Chargers are a league-best 13-3 since Week 9 of last season. Their six-game winning streak marks the 11th time since the merger they had a streak of six or more. Philip Rivers has thrown for two or more TDs in nine straight games. Only five quarterbacks in league history have a string of 10 or more games.TAMPA BAY (3-6) at NEW YORK GIANTS (2-7)Saturday's Notre Dame-Syracuse matchup in the New York area figures to be more fun than this, although the Bucs usually pile up the yards in passing offense and the Giants come off a stirring Eli Manning-led comeback win.Tampa has lost three in row and six of seven, while New York broke a five-game slide on Monday night. Bucs wideouts Mike Evans (13 catches for 217 yards and a TD in two games) and DeSean Jackson (five touchdowns in the last six games) have feasted on the Giants' defense.OAKLAND (1-8) at ARIZONA (2-7)The lowest-ranked teams in the AP Pro32 face off with the Cardinals coming off a solid effort at Kansas City. The Raiders? They seem to have fallen into the Black Hole, outscored 54-9 in the last two games.Cardinals star Larry Fitzgerald needs eight receptions to surpass Jerry Rice for the most catches for one team. Custom New England Patriots Jerseys
Historically Limited Malcolm Mitchell Jersey , Tom Brady has been hesitant to express satisfaction when it comes to the Patriots' offense.His approach has remained unchanged this season about a group that only recently has started to find consistency after a 1-2 start. The passing attack particularly has suffered during that time because of his lack of cohesion with a new group of receivers.Brady didn't eclipse 300 yards passing in any of New England's first three games, averaging 208 yards through the air with six total touchdowns.Things have changed during the Patriots' current six-game win streak, in which Brady has averaged 308 yards per game and thrown 11 TDs.It's progress, Brady said, but what he hopes is only a glimpse at where they can be as the Patriots prepare for Sunday's matchup at Tennessee."I don't think we're there. Certainly not. I think we need some more time together," he said Friday. "We need to be kind of battle-tested in these games."While Brady credits the entire offense's dedication in the film room and its attention to detail in game plans, the acquisition of receiver Josh Gordon in Week 3 and return of Julian Edelman after missing last season with a torn right ACL have been big factors.Gordon has shown a different facet of his athleticism each week. He posted his best game in a Patriots uniform in last week's win over the Packers Devin McCourty Jersey , finishing with five catches for 130 yards and a touchdown. The score came on a 55-yard catch-and-run that gave New England some needed distance on the scoreboard in the fourth quarter. It was his second 55-yard catch this season.In six games with New England, Gordon has 22 catches for 396 yards and two TDs.Likewise, Edelman has started to look like the go-to target Brady has depended on in recent years. He followed his first 100-yard receiving game of the season at Buffalo in Week 8 with six catches for 71 yards against Green Bay."I think his mental and physical toughness are just unmatched in a lot of ways," Brady said of Edelman. "I have so much confidence in him. He really does all the dirty work for us, you know? He's so scrappy and goes in there and blocks hard, catches balls over the middle. We put him in a lot of different positions and he always seems to come through for us."In the aftermath of his trade Gordon said he had no doubt he was going to take advantage of the opportunity with the Patriots following a tumultuous tenure with the Browns that included his receiving treatment for drug and alcohol dependence, and several suspensions.He has flourished in New England's strict environment Authentic Julian Edelman Jersey Salute to Service , which he called comfortable and "a real home." He's also benefited from building a quick rapport with Brady."It's great that he has a certain amount of trust in me to put it in my direction," Gordon said. "And, I just want to come down and make a play on it."Brady said Gordon, who debuted in the Week 4 win over Miami, has exceeded expectations."I think he's done really everything the coaches have asked him to do. Here early, stays late, always getting extra reps at practice Limited Kevin Faulk Jersey , takes as many reps as he can, and it's been fun to see," he said.It's all helped mask a drop-off in production this season by tight end Rob Gronkowski, who has missed two of the last three games with ankle and back injuries. He has 29 catches for 448 yards, but has only one TD on the season.Gronk is officially listed as questionable for Sunday after being limited in practice all week. He declined to say if he thought he was physically ready to play, adding the decision of whether he traveled to Nashville or suited up was not his own."It's up to the coaches," he said.Whatever personnel Brady has available to him Antonio Garcia Jersey , he is adamant that there's still another level for this offense to reach before season's end."Things that we do well we're going to keep building on, and things that we're not doing well, you try them maybe a different year or different players," he said. "We're still trying to figure those things out." The Latest from Week 13 of the NFL season (all times Eastern):10:35 p.m.The Pittsburgh Steelers are in front of the Los Angeles Chargers 23-15 through three quarters.The Chargers pulled within eight thanks to their second fluky touchdown of the game. Keenan Allen caught a 10-yard touchdown pass from Philip Rivers when Pittsburgh defensive backs Sean Davis and Joe Haden collided. The ball popped into the air and the Allen snagged it. Antonio Gates followed with an easy two-point conversion catch. San Diego scored earlier in the game on a 46-yard pass from Rivers to Travis Benjamin on a play that began when right tackle Sam Tevi appeared to move well before the snap.The Chargers are looking for just their fourth win in 19 trips to the Steel City.James Conner has run for 53 yards and two scores for Pittsburgh.
For any New England Patriots wanting to say hello Sunday to former teammate Danny Amendola Irving Fryar Jersey Salute to Service , they most likely can find him running over the middle.But they already knew that. That's where Amendola made his living for five seasons with the Patriots, and that's where he has made an impact so far with his new team, the Miami Dolphins.The veteran receiver faces his former team this week and said he's excited to return to Foxborough, although he's not sure what form the reunion will take."They have a lot of great people there," Amendola said. "I can't sit down and talk to all of them. I'm going to just focus on the game, and whoever I get to hit or handshake, that's fine with me."He'll likely be hit, too. Amendola's hallmark is pass patterns over the middle, where he willingly exposes his 5-foot-11 John Hannah Jersey , 190-pound frame to jarring blows.He has been effective that way for the surprising Dolphins, leading them with 11 receptions. While he has totaled only 100 yards, he has drawn attention and opened up the flanks to speedier receivers Kenny Stills, Albert Wilson and Jakeem Grant.As a result, Ryan Tannehill ranks third in the NFL in yards per attempt, and the Dolphins this week have a chance at their first 4-0 start since 1995.Tannehill loves Amendola's contribution to the offense, and his willingness to work between the hash marks."It's huge," Tannehill said. "To have the confidence and the bravery — I don't know the politically correct word to use here — to stand in there and make those catches in tight windows, knowing that you're going to take some punishment afterward Authentic Tedy Bruschi Jersey , is huge. Some guys can't do it, but if you look at Danny, he's a guy who has done it for his whole career and continues to do it. So, yes, it's awesome to have. It definitely keeps the chains moving for us."Miami coach Adam Gase wanted to improve the culture of his team after going 6-10 last year. So the Dolphins parted with high-maintenance receiver Jarvis Landry and signed Amendola to a $12 million, two-year deal.With 13 postseason games and two Super Bowl rings on his resume, Amendola has brought to Miami the anticipated intangibles, Gase said."Just seeing him every day in meetings doing things the way that he does them, and the intensity that he brings Limited Rob Gronkowski Jersey , and everything he does has been great for our guys to witness," Gase said. "He has been a positive influence."Stills agreed."It takes a lot of heart and courage to go across the middle and take some of the hits he has taken throughout his career," Stills said. "That energizes a group. It makes our group stronger. That's a high bar he sets for the rest of us."If it annoys Amendola that the Patriots didn't re-sign him, he's won't say so. Instead, he said his years with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick provided a lasting education."Some of the things I learned there I'll carry with me forever," Amendola said. "What I've learned most is how to prepare for a game, what goes into the weekly routine leading into a game. I'm just using my preparation skills against them now."When asked if Dolphins coaches picked his brain this week about the Patriots' system, Amendola said: "They're smart."Amendola's smart, too Tom Brady Jersey Salute to Service , and knows better than to gloat about the struggling Patriots (1-2) trailing his new team in the AFC East standings."It's early in the season," he said. "Everybody in the whole league is trying to figure some things out and trying to get moving, including us."The Dolphins have already figured out they can get moving by throwing over the middle to Amendola. The New England Patriots have won yet another championship, their third in the last five years and sixth overall: the team defeated the NFC-winning Los Angeles Rams 13-3 in Super Bowl 53. As the winners, the Patriots have now earned the right to celebrate and what better place to do just than the City of Champions itself, Boston?After all, the the franchise’s original hometown has plenty of experience after hosting not just the previous five Patriots championship parades but also victory celebrations for the city’s other major sports teams. In two days, the latest of the parades will take place as Boston’s Mayor Marty Walsh announced via Twitter shortly after the Super Bowl:As has been the case in the past, the team’s duck boat caravan will likely take a familiar route: It will move up Boylston Street Authentic Dwayne Allen Jersey , up Tremont Street and finally reach its destination at City Hall. But no matter the route, one thing is certain: New England is on to yet another celebration, thanks to the greatest dynasty pro football has ever seen.
Brian Flores’ dance card is starting to fill up.Flores is listed as the linebackers coach in New England Limited Danny Etling Jersey , but he spent the 2018 season doing most of the defensive coordinator duties for the Patriots and that’s paying off in interest from teams looking for a head coach. Adam Schefter of ESPN reports the Browns have requested permission to interview Flores and he’s also on the list in Green Bay.Assistants from teams with byes in the first round of the playoffs are able to interview this week. Any followup conversations would have to wait until their teams are eliminated or until the week after the conference title game for teams headed to the Super Bowl.Flores interviewed in Arizona last year before Steve Wilks got the job and has been working in New England since 2004. For any New England Patriots wanting to say hello Sunday to former teammate Danny Amendola, they most likely can find him running over the middle.But they already knew that. That's where Amendola made his living for five seasons with the Patriots, and that's where he has made an impact so far with his new team, the Miami Dolphins.The veteran receiver faces his former team this week and said he's excited to return to Foxborough, although he's not sure what form the reunion will take."They have a lot of great people there," Amendola said. "I can't sit down and talk to all of them. I'm going to just focus on the game, and whoever I get to hit or handshake, that's fine with me."He'll likely be hit, too. Amendola's hallmark is pass patterns over the middle Sony Michel Jersey Salute to Service , where he willingly exposes his 5-foot-11, 190-pound frame to jarring blows.He has been effective that way for the surprising Dolphins, leading them with 11 receptions. While he has totaled only 100 yards, he has drawn attention and opened up the flanks to speedier receivers Kenny Stills, Albert Wilson and Jakeem Grant.As a result, Ryan Tannehill ranks third in the NFL in yards per attempt, and the Dolphins this week have a chance at their first 4-0 start since 1995.Tannehill loves Amendola's contribution to the offense, and his willingness to work between the hash marks."It's huge," Tannehill said. "To have the confidence and the bravery — I don't know the politically correct word to use here — to stand in there and make those catches in tight windows Duke Dawson Jersey , knowing that you're going to take some punishment afterward, is huge. Some guys can't do it, but if you look at Danny, he's a guy who has done it for his whole career and continues to do it. So, yes, it's awesome to have. It definitely keeps the chains moving for us."Miami coach Adam Gase wanted to improve the culture of his team after going 6-10 last year. So the Dolphins parted with high-maintenance receiver Jarvis Landry and signed Amendola to a $12 million, two-year deal.With 13 postseason games and two Super Bowl rings on his resume, Amendola has brought to Miami the anticipated intangibles, Gase said."Just seeing him every day in meetings doing things the way that he does them Authentic James Harrison Jersey , and the intensity that he brings, and everything he does has been great for our guys to witness," Gase said. "He has been a positive influence."Stills agreed."It takes a lot of heart and courage to go across the middle and take some of the hits he has taken throughout his career," Stills said. "That energizes a group. It makes our group stronger. That's a high bar he sets for the rest of us."If it annoys Amendola that the Patriots didn't re-sign him, he's won't say so. Instead, he said his years with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick provided a lasting education."Some of the things I learned there I'll carry with me forever," Amendola said. "What I've learned most is how to prepare for a game, what goes into the weekly routine leading into a game. I'm just using my preparation skills against them now."When asked if Dolphins coaches picked his brain this week about the Patriots' system, Amendola said: "They're smart."Amendola's smart Limited Andre Tippett Jersey , too, and knows better than to gloat about the struggling Patriots (1-2) trailing his new team in the AFC East standings."It's early in the season," he said. "Everybody in the whole league is trying to figure some things out and trying to get moving, including us."The Dolphins have already figured out they can get moving by throwing over the middle to Amendola.
While we’ve already established this week that the Kansas City Chiefs defense is more toothless than the Abominable Snowman in that Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer Christmas movie from back in the day...(get it? Cause Hermie the elf steals all his teeth? Get it? Get it?? No wonder half of us are terrified of the dentist)....it sure is nice to know the Patriots offensive line is flexing on everyone a little bit going into the game all of America’s talking about this weekend.(Note: ‘game all of America’s talking about’ isn’t just homer hyperbole; they had a question on the Dan Patrick Show yesterday on whether you’d rather watch Pats-Chiefs this Sunday or every other game this weekend (meaning if you watch Sunday Night Football Authentic Phillip Dorsett Jersey Salute to Service , you can’t watch any of the other games)...guess what everybody chose)Fair is fair, since your faithful keyboard quarterback over here spent most of last season praying that Tom Brady’s recovery PJ’s were legit given the pounding he was taking, we’ve got to give them the props they deserve when they’re playing like a top-10-level brick wall in front of the GOAT.Which they are.Last week, we pointed out that Tom Brady hasn’t been sacked since that part in Week 3 where they jumped into the pool with their cell phone in their pocket, and Pro Football Focus’s offensive line grades are here to confirm that it’s not just you, this O-line might actually be good.How good? Trent, Joe, David, Shaq, and Marcus grade out well enough to be ranked 9th overall in PFF’s offensive line rankings this week. These are assessments for every team’s offensive line through the season so far, keep in mind, so New England faceplanting through weeks 2 and 3 is all in there too. Meanwhile, as I write this, and I take absolutely no pleasure in having to break the news here, Nate Solder is doing...not great things:Back to our boys up front: PFF has New England’s offensive line graded as the 9th-best unit in football right now. Shot/chaser - they’re also graded as better than the Dallas Cowboys, who, correctly or not, are usually referred to as the manliest of the manly when it comes to O-line wrecking crews.Here’s PFF’s grades for the guys individually:Left Tackle: Trent Brown, 61.0Left Guard: Joe Thuney, 70.0Center: David Andrews Limited Danny Shelton Jersey , 71.8Right Guard: Shaq Mason, 72.8Right Tackle: Marcus Cannon, 61.7And here’s their notes on the guy who’s probably picking up the dinner check for everyone for a while, the newly extended Shaq Mason:Four pressures allowed by Shaq in five games. From a fourth-round pick that ran a triple-option offense in college. Drink it in, it always goes down smooth.Without knowing too much about the Ancient Aliens technology that PFF uses to grade offensive line play, it’s also encouraging that the interior of the line appears to all be on the same page and playing at a high level. Sure, there’s been mistakes, and there’s been plenty of times they’ve been beaten and Sony Michel or James White’s been stacked up for no gain, but at the same time, you get three guys like Thuney, Andrews, and Mason playing together for the third straight season now, and that’s what that whole “trust” thing is all about.Enjoy your weekend, everyone, and maybe just go ahead and call out of work on Monday now. Pats-Chiefs AND Red Sox-Astros Game 2, and...yeah, they’re both at home.Never take these runs from these teams for granted. Thurman Thomas was in the midst of getting taped up before a Bills game at Chicago during his rookie season in 1988 when the running back recognized the unmistakable voice of one of his teenage idols, Walter Payton."I can still hear it," Thomas recalled, before attempting to imitate Payton. "Yeah Jason McCourty Jersey , a high-pitched voice like that: 'Where's that little No. 34?'"Thomas certainly knew who Payton was, given the Bears' just-retired star running back was one of two people who inspired him to wear No. 34 since high school. The other was Oilers running back Earl Campbell, whom Thomas grew up rooting for in Houston; all three are Pro Football Hall of Famers now.What shocked him was someone such as Payton knowing Thomas even existed, never mind taking the time to search him out before the opening kickoff."He's walking in and everybody stopped, and it was just like, 'Holy crap, it's Walter Payton,'" Thomas said. "I'm still trying to figure out how he knew me. I mean, I'm in Buffalo. I'm a rookie. And he comes in and it's, 'Where's 34?'"And I'm like, 'I'm over here.'"It won't be difficult to spot 34 at halftime of Buffalo's home game against New England on Monday night. That's when Thomas will become the third Bills player — joining former teammates quarterback Jim Kelly and defensive end Bruce Smith — to have his number retired.For all he accomplished during a 13-year Hall of Fame career, in which he was voted NFL MVP and Offensive Player of the Year in 1991 and led the league in yards from scrimmage from 1989-92, Thomas considers this one of his most notable achievements."The more I get closer to it, the more and more I feel like these butterflies are coming into my stomach," he added. "And I've never really felt that way about a lot of things. But, definitely, this is one of them."Thomas would have preferred being honored during an afternoon game rather than a prime-time spectacle."I'm not Bruce," he said, making a joke at the expense of Smith, who had his No. 78 retired during a night game in 2016.His one concern is how the rebuilding and offensively challenged Bills Troy Niklas Jersey , who have managed just 81 points in a 2-5 record, might fare against Tom Brady and the Patriots (5-2), who have won 31 of the past 36 meetings between the AFC East rivals."I just wish we could have a better record," he said.These are certainly not the Bills of Thomas' 12-season tenure, which included Buffalo playing in four consecutive Super Bowls, losing them all.He previously suggested the Bills might have been cursed for cutting him, Smith and Hall of Fame receiver Andre Reed after the 1999 season. What followed was a 17-year playoff drought, which finally ended last year.Perhaps, Thomas said, his mere presence might spur the Bills to be competitive. Bills veteran defensive tackle Kyle Williams certainly hopes so.Williams and his wife treated Thomas and his wife to dinner last week, during which Thomas cited Williams as saying: "Hey, we're going to do whatever we can to make that night even more special."Williams didn't deny being additionally motivated because of Thomas."That's the plan, right?" Williams said. "Sure, anybody who knows him, and knows the kind of guy he is, and what he meant and means to this franchise, I think it should motivate you."The outcome is almost secondary to Thomas, who was busy reflecting back on a career in which his number has already been retired at high school and college.He was motivated to succeed at Oklahoma State once he began sharing the backfield with another eventual Hall of Famer, Barry Sanders."He kept me on my heels. I couldn't make any mistakes," he said. "If we ran 10 sprints Limited Donald Trump Jersey , I ran 11."If it wasn't for Thomas tearing a left knee ligament before his junior season, he wouldn't have elected to return for his senior year, when he met his wife, Patti, who just happened to be from Buffalo. Some eight months later, the Bills selected him in the second round.His voice cracks with emotion when reminded no Bills player will ever wear No. 34 again. And no, Thomas said, no one should expect him to suit up one last time."I've been asked that question a lot this week. Oh my gosh, I'm like, 'People, I'm 52 years old. There's no way in hell I can get out there and do this," he said, before a brief pause."Maybe," Thomas said, breaking into a smile, "for 1 yard or something like that on the goal line."
It’s Sunday White Danielle Hunter Jersey , and the Minnesota Vikings have already taken part in their fourth game of the 2018 NFL season. For fans of the Minnesota Vikings that are simply interested in watching football, that can only mean one thing.Yes, for the first time this season, it’s a RED ZONE SUNDAY for fans of the purple.There are plenty of other NFL games, and if you have the Red Zone Channel on your cable or satellite provider, you know that it’s truly the best way to take it all in.Here’s a full listing of the games that will be happening today.Early Games on CBSCincinnati Bengals at Atlanta Falcons - Greg Gumbel, Trent Green - DirecTV Channel 705Buffalo Bills at Green Bay Packers - Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts - DirecTV Channel 706Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts - Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta - DirecTV Channel 707Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots - Kevin Harlan, Rich Gannon - DirecTV Channel 708Early Games on FOXTampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears - Thom Brennaman, Chris Spielman - DirecTV Channel 709Detroit Lions at Dallas Cowboys - Kevin Burkhardt White Brett Jones Jersey , Charles Davis - DirecTV Channel 710New York Jets at Jacksonville Jaguars - Dan Hellie, Jeff Fisher - DirecTV Channel 711Philadelphia Eagles at Tennessee Titans - Chris Myers, Daryl Johnston - DirecTV Channel 712Late Games on FOXSeattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals - Dick Stockton, Mark Schlereth - DirecTV Channel 713Cleveland Browns at Oakland Raiders - Kenny Albert, Ronde Barber - DirecTV Channel 714Late Games on CBSSan Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Chargers - Andrew Catalon, James Lofton - DirecTV Channel 715New Orleans Saints at New York Giants - Jim Nantz, Tony Romo - DirecTV Channel 716The Sunday Night Football matchup for this week highlights the AFC North rivalry between the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers on NBC, and the focus will be on the AFC West for Monday Night Football as the Denver Broncos will play host to the Kansas City Chiefs on ESPN.That’s your Week 4 non-Vikings schedule, ladies and gentlemen. Enjoy your afternoon and evening of football! The Minnesota Vikings sprinted out of the gate on Sunday afternoon against the Miami Dolphins at U.S. Bank Stadium, and finished with a flourish as well.(We’ll ignore the middle part, pretty much.)A 21-point first quarter and a 17-point fourth quarter Youth Linval Joseph Jersey , coupled with a suffocating performance from the Minnesota defense gave the Vikings a huge 41-17 victory over the Miami Dolphins on Sunday afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium.The Vikings got off to a very fast start, as they scored touchdowns on their first three possessions. The first one saw Kirk Cousins connect with Stefon Diggs for a 13-yard touchdown to give the Vikings an early 7-0 lead.On their next possession, the Vikings got the running game into the act, as Dalvin Cook found the end zone from 13 yards out, extending the Minnesota lead to 14-0.To top off the quarter, the Vikings got their other running back into the end zone as well, as Latavius Murray rambled in from 18 yards out to give the Vikings a big 21-0 lead before the first fifteen minutes had elapsed.The Dolphins chipped away at the lead after that, as they got a big 50-yard pick six from rookie Minkah Fitzpatrick near the end of the second quarter to cut the deficit to 21-7, and a field goal from Jason Sanders to make it 21-10 going into the locker room at halftime.Another rookie, running back Kalen Ballage, made a huge play for the Dolphins Youth Anthony Barr Jersey , as he broke off a 75-yard touchdown run on the first play of the third quarter to cut the Minnesota lead to 21-17. Both offenses sort of stalled after that, as the Vikings got a 36-yard field goal from Dan Bailey in the third quarter and one in the opening minutes in the fourth quarter to increase their lead to 27-17.Minnesota got a huge play midway through the fourth quarter, as Cousins found a streaking Aldrick Robinson for a 40-yard strike to make the score 34-17.After stopping the Dolphins on a fourth down deep in their own territory, Cook found his way into the end zone again on this beautiful 21-yard run to make the score 41-17.That was how this one ended after the Vikings stopped the Dolphins on yet another fourth down late.The Vikings’ defense was a huge part of this victory for Minnesota, as they sacked Ryan Tannehill nine times on the afternoon. Anthony Barr and Danielle Hunter each tallied a pair of takedowns, while Tom Johnson, Eric Kendricks, Everson Griffen, Mackensie Alexander, and Tom Johnson each had one of their own.Cousins had a mediocre day, completing just 14-of-21 passes for 215 yards White Dalvin Cook Jersey , two touchdowns, and an interception. He came out hot early, cooled off considerably during the middle portions of the game, and then had the great throw to Robinson for the touchdown in the fourth quarter.On the receiving side, your yardage leader was actually rookie tight end Tyler Conklin, who had a pair of grabs that tallied 53 yards. Stefon Diggs actually led the team in catches with four, putting up 49 yards and a touchdown. Aldrick Robinson had two grabs for 44 yards and a score, and Kyle Rudolph had three catches for 23 yards. Adam Thielen was limited in this one, hauling in just two catches for 19 yards.Offensively, however, this game belonged to Dalvin Cook. He carried the ball 19 times on the afternoon for 136 yards and a pair of scores White Ben Gedeon Jersey , as well as picking up a 27-yard reception. Latavius Murray carried 14 times for 61 yards and a score of his own on the afternoon.The victory takes the Vikings to a record of 7-6-1 on the season, still firmly in control of their postseason destiny, and they’ll travel to take on the Detroit Lions next Sunday. The Dolphins fall to 7-7, damaging their playoff hopes greatly, and they’ll host the Jacksonville Jaguars next Sunday afternoon.The Minnesota Vikings get a desperately needed victory, blowing out the Miami Dolphins at U.S. Bank Stadium by a final score of 41-17 in Week 15 NFL action. Thank you to everyone that got their coverage of this week’s game right here at The Daily Norseman!
Five Good Questions with Bleeding Green Nation As we do leading up to most games Minnesota Vikings Hoodie , we got an opportunity to exchange some questions with the folks that write about the Minnesota Vikings’ upcoming opponent. This week is no different, as I got the opportunity to swap questions from Brandon Gowton from Bleeding Green Nation, SB Nation’s home for the Philadelphia Eagles. You can see the answers that I provided to his questions right here, and here are the questions that he answered for me.1) After winning the Super Bowl last season, John DeFilippo was hired by the Vikings to be their offensive coordinator after serving as the Eagles’ quarterbacks coach. Can any of the fairly low output of the Eagles’ offense so far this season be attributed to his departure and/or the departure of offensive coordinator Frank Reich?2) The Eagles kept Carson Wentz on the bench for the first two weeks of the season, but he’s started the past two weeks. Do you think he’s at 100% yet?3) If you could take one player off of the Vikings’ roster and move him to Philadelphia Cheap Customized Minnesota Vikings Jerseys , who would it be and why?4) What worries you the most about the Vikings going into this week’s game?5) How do you see Sunday’s game playing out?Thanks to Brandon for taking the time to sit down and answer our questions. We’ll have more on this Sunday’s game as we get closer to kickoff. We’re almost ready to kick off Week 5 in the National Football League, ladies and gentlemen. As we know, the Minnesota Vikings won’t kick off their game until the later portion of Sunday afternoon’s slate, which means that we’ll have plenty of time to take in a lot of NFL action leading up to kickoff.As you’ve probably guessed, I’m going to be tuning into the Red Zone Channel to track all of the action for the early slate. If you don’t have the Red Zone Channel, check out the broadcast maps from 506 Sports to see which games are being shown in your area.The NFC North action is going to be limited today http://www.authenticsminnesotavikings.com/cheap-mike-remmers-jersey , as the Chicago Bears are on their bye week, and the other two NFC North teams will be fighting each other, as the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions will be doing battle at Ford Field.The biggest game of the early slate comes to us from the AFC side, as the Jacksonville Jaguars take their outstanding defense to Arrowhead Stadium to take on the Kansas City Chiefs, the AFC’s last undefeated squad.Here is the full list of early Week 5 action.CBS gamesTennessee Titans at Buffalo Bills - Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta - DirecTV Ch 705Miami Dolphins at Cincinnati Bengals - Kevin Harlan http://www.authenticsminnesotavikings.com/cheap-sheldon-richardson-jersey , Rich Gannon - DirecTV Ch 706Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns - Andrew Catalon, James Lofton - DirecTV Ch 707Jacksonville Jaguars at Kansas City Chiefs - Jim Nantz, Tony Romo - DirecTV Ch 708Denver Broncos at New York Jets - Ian Eagle, Dan Fouts - DirecTV Ch 709FOX gamesNew York Giants at Carolina Panthers - Kenny Albert, Charles Davis - DirecTV 710Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions - Thom Brennaman, Chris Spielman - DirecTV Ch 711Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers - Chris Myers http://www.authenticsminnesotavikings.com/cheap-andrew-sendejo-jersey , Daryl Johnston - DirecTV Ch 712Enjoy the early NFL action, ladies and gentlemen, and we’ll have the Open Thread for the first quarter of our game up and ready to go at approximately 2:30 PM Central time.
Our friends from SotaStickCo have put together a brand new t-shirt design honoring one of the true greats in Minnesota Vikings history http://www.vikingscheapshops.com/cheap-authentic-trae-waynes-jersey , and purchasing the shirt also sends money towards a very good cause.The shirt features Hall of Fame defensive tackle John Randle with his iconic face paint that we got to see during his playing days (well, until the NFL said that he couldn’t do it anymore). Like all of SotaStickCo’s shirts, this is a high-quality item that won’t shrink or fade, even after repeated wearings.In addition to getting an awesome shirt, you’ll be donating to charity when you purchase this one, as Mr. Randle has worked with SotaStickCo to ensure that $2 from every shirt purchased is donated to St. David’s Center. This shirt is in the pre-order stage Cheap Mike Hughes Jersey , and will be shipping on 19 October. It is available in men’s, women’s, and youth styles. You can even get it in hoodie form.Kudos to John Randle and SotaStickCo for doing this for an outstanding cause.Minnesota coaching legend John Gagliardi passes away Before any of the football action got underway on Sunday, the state of Minnesota lost a truly legendary football coach.John Gagliardi, who spent six decades at St. John’s University in Minnesota as the school’s football coach, passed away on Sunday at the age of 91.Gagliardi too over the football program at St. John’s in 1953 Cheap Dalvin Cook Jersey , and was the head coach of the Johnnies until the 2012 season, when he finally hung up his whistle. In 2003, he passed the legendary Eddie Robinson as the winningest coach in the history of college football (at any level), and finished his college coaching career with a record of 489-138-11. He also won four Division III national championships along the way, and the trophy that the outstanding player in Division III football takes home every year (their equivalent to the Heisman Trophy) was named for Gagliardi in 1993.Gagliardi had an unusual coaching style, from all accounts. This comes from the story that ESPN did on him after his passing was announced earlier on Sunday.Gagliardi’s coaching career actually went all the way back to his high school Matt Wile Jersey , Trinidad High School in Colorado, when he was hired as the coach of the football team at the age of 16. Yes, a sixteen-year old coach. What happened was the team’s regular coach was drafted into military service (for World War II), and was a player-coach in his senior year. He continued coaching high school football while getting his college degree as well.Legendary Minnesota Vikings’ head coach Bud Grant paid tribute to Gagliardi just a short time ago with one simple picture on his Twitter account.Picture from the Twitter account of Bud GrantI’m not sure how many St. John’s alumni we have out there among our readers, but I think that if you’ve spent any time in the state of Minnesota watching football, you know who John Gagliardi was. He had a unique style Cheap Kirk Cousins Jersey , and he produced a lot of upstanding young men that went on to do big things after their football careers were done.Our thoughts prayers go out to the family and friends of John Gagliardi in light of John Gagliardi’s passing.
Vikings Dalvin Cook says he is ready for San Francisco 49ers Dalvin Cook’s first game back was a blink and you missed it preseason moment against the Seattle Seahawks. He carried the ball twice for one yard which doesn’t seem like a lot Womens Ben Gedeon Jersey , but when you’ve been out for a full year with a torn ACL, it tells you that you are ready for the first regular season game.Cook spoke with the Pioneer Press about his return. “I got it out of the way and now it’s time for me to hone in on what we’re doing as an offense. My knee is fine. It’s ready to go. I’m ready to play.”His emotions are all over the place right now as expected but he is trying his hardest to keep them in check. “You can get overly excited, and that’s when the mind goes racing with all types of things.” For Cook he knows that staying focused on football and the San Francisco 49ers is priority number one.As far as his workload? Cook knows that he is not ready to jump in head first and be the primary running back. He knows he needs to ease his knee into it and shake off any remaining rust that he may have. But this is where he’ll get by with a little help from his friends. “We know once the ball gets into anybody’s hands in the backfield, something can happen.” Sharing the primary load with Cook will be Latavius Murray http://www.vikingsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-mike-remmers-jersey , but don’t be surprised if John DeFilippo will bring in Mike Boone or Roc Thomas to help. “Whoever touches the ball, we know we can get an explosive play out of any of the guys in our running back room. Whoever (offensive coordinator John DeFilippo) gives the ball to, we’re all excited for that.” The Seahawks initial injury report had some expected players, and a couple not so much.The unexpected players included Doug Baldwin Cheap Anthony Barr Jersey , who did not practice due to a hip injury of some nature.Another unexpected (and key) player on the Seahawks injury report is starting left tackle Duane Brown, who didn’t practice with an ankle injury.In both of these cases the extent of the injury is unknown.We’ll see if more information is forthcoming.Could be veteran days off, could be something more troubling.Themore expected names on the injury list included starting right guard DJ Fluker, who suffered a hamstring injury against the 49ers and is very unlikely to play against the Vikings Monday night.LB KJ Wright and DE Dion Jordan also did not participate in practice Cheap Adam Thielen Jersey , and it seems less likely from coach Carroll’s comments that Wright will play Monday.Jordan’s status is less clear- he’s had knee issues in the past and that’s what is listed here.RB Chris Carson also showed up as limited with a dislocated finger, but is expected to play Monday night.FB Tre Madden and former Viking DT Shamar Stephen were both limited, but also expected to play.Also limited were safety Shalom Luani and linebacker Shaq Griffin.It’s not clear if either will play Monday night.We’ll see how things play out in the coming days.
Week 1 Patriots vs Texans: James Develin emerges as a surprise receiving option for New England Coming off an offseason full of turnover at wide receiver Limited Danny Etling Jersey , the New England Patriots had plenty of questions at the position entering their opening day matchup against the Houston Texans. However, the team’s passing offense still had a productive outing – even though just nine of Tom Brady’s 26 pass completions were actually caught by wide receivers. The rest belonged to tight end Rob Gronkowski and the team’s offensive backfield.Seeing James White and Rex Burkhead on the list of pass catchers is little surprising, both are among the better receiving backs in the NFL. Another name stands out, though: James Develin. The veteran fullback, who is more known for his work as a lead blocker in the running game, finished opening day tied for third on the team with four catches – a new career high – for a grand total of 22 yards.While Develin is no stranger to catching the football due to his role as a versatile fullback/tight end-hybrid, seeing him getting targeted this often was still an unexpected development. The 30-year old had just six catches all of last year, after all, to bring his career total to 23 including the postseason. To his teammates, however, his recent emergence as a reliable receiving option is no shock.“He’s been always preparing and been always ready Sony Michel Jersey Salute to Service ,” tight end Rob Gronkowski, who joined the Patriots two years prior to Develin’s arrival in 2012, told reporters after the game. “Every time since I [can] remember since he’s been here, he’s always been ready to catch the ball. To get the first down, how many yards we need. He works hard, he plays hard, he blocks hard. It’s great to have him in the room.”Gronkowski, who also added that the tight end room was dubbed the “tight ends and fullbacks room” in New England, is not the only player to sing Develin’s praises after his productive performance on Sunday. The aforementioned James White, who also finished the day with four catches – for 38 yards and one touchdown – and is no stranger to aligning in the backfield and on the perimeter, spoke highly of the former undrafted free agent.“He’s out there on the field more and more each week Duke Dawson Jersey ,” White said after the game about his teammate. “He’s a very versatile guy and he made some key, big plays for us today. I think a lot of guys just tried to step in there and make plays when the ball came their way.” Yesterday, it was Develin’s turn to frequently hear his number called – and he was up to the challenge, catching all four passes Tom Brady fired his way.Arguably the biggest of those receptions came late in the fourth quarter: with the Patriots trying to run out to clock with a seven-point lead, Brady was forced to scramble to his right on a 2nd and 7. Develin stayed alive throughout the entire play and the NFL’s best quarterback had enough trust in the Pro Bowl fullback to make him his target. Develin showed that the trust was well placed, catching the pass for a 10-yard gain while also staying in bounds to keep the clock running.Develin himself attributed his productive day as a receiver to the Patriots’ Do Your Job-mentality. “I’m just trying to go out there, do what the coaches ask me to do, get as open as I could and catch every ball that came to me,” he said after the game against Houston. “Thankfully I was able to do that today, but we have a ton more that we can work on offensively and I’m excited to get back to work.”“I always come in here and have to earn my keep every single day,” Develin continued. “I try to stay as hungry as I was when I was 21 years old in this league and just trying to get my foot in the door. I think that will take me as far as I will ever go. I just have to always work and try to earn my stay and that’s what I’m going to do every day.” On Sunday Authentic James Harrison Jersey , this work paid off for Develin and allowed the Patriots to stay on course despite an oft-reported shortage at the wide receiver position. Philip Rivers put himself in the NFL record book Sunday.The Chargers quarterback opened the game with a record 25 consecutive completions and finished with the highest ever completion percentage by going 28-of-29.Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was as impressed as anyone.“It’s nearly impossible, which is the reason why it has never been done before,” Brady said Monday night during his weekly interview on Westwood One, via Mike Reiss of ESPN. “Philip made incredible throws. I watched the game. Obviously when someone has a record-breaking performance, I want to go figure out what the heck they’re doing.“And the reality is there is a high level of difficulty on a lot of those throws. He made great throws where the receivers could get their hands on the ball and make the catch. The receivers made some good catches. Really the incompletion came where he got a little hit as he was getting ready to pass. That probably would have been a completion. That’s just remarkable.”Rivers, 36, has completed 69.5 percent of his passes for 3,119 yards with 26 touchdowns and six interceptions. The Chargers are 8-3.“The Chargers are having a great season; Philip is having a helluva year,” Brady said in the interview. “I’m very happy for him. That’s an incredible record to have.”
The New England Patriots and starting running back Sony Michel received encouraging news yesterday: after the first-round draft selection went down with a serious-looking knee injury in Sunday’s game against the Chicago Bears Limited Jeremy Hill Jersey , an MRI found no structural damage. While the 22-year old is still expected to miss some time because of the injury and is considered week-to-week, he will return at one point down the line.The Patriots need to replace Michel in the meantime, and it will not be an easy task: the rookie averaged 22 carries and 105.3 yards over the three games leading up to Sunday’s contest. Of course, New England could turn to its remaining two running backs on the roster to carry the bulk of the load, but more depth would certainly be needed in order to lift some pressure off James White and Kenjon Barner.With that in mind, let’s take a look at five potential options the team might bring in as short-term replacements for Michel and depth options alongside White and Barner. All five of them have some ties to New England, with four of them having already been worked out earlier this season and the fifth currently on the practice squad.RB Orleans DarkwaAfter joining the New York Giants late during his rookie season, Orleans Darkwa was quickly able to establish himself as a depth running back and core special teamer that saw his role grow over the next three years. In 2017, he finally became a regular member of the Giants’ rotation at the position and the result was a career performance: Darkwa finished with 190 touches for 867 yards and five touchdowns. His versatility and experience could make for an intriguing addition to the backfield.RB Andre EllingtonA versatile running back that amassed over 3,000 yards from scrimmage over the course of his five-year career, Andre Ellington has been on the open market since the start of free agency. The 29-year old, who spent the majority of his career so far with the Arizona Cardinals, is an experienced runner between the tackles that also has seen plenty of targets in the passing game. Despite his smaller build, his experience could help him quickly get up to speed in New England.RB Kenneth FarrowIn April Jordan Matthews Jersey , coming off a season spent on injured reserve, the Los Angeles Chargers elected to release Kenneth Farrow. The former undrafted free agent, who had spent the first two years of his career with the team, remained on the open market until New England picked him up in late August. Farrow appeared in one preseason contest for the Patriots – registering five rushes for 24 yards while playing 16 offensive snaps – and was let go again during roster cutdowns. Since then, he had two separate stints on the team’s practice squad and with Michel hurting his knee could be a candidate for promotion to the 53-man roster.RB Charles SimsCharles Sims joined the NFL in 2014 as a third-round draft pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A versatile back, the West Virginia product appeared in 47 games over his four years with the team and registered 245 carries for 958 yards and two touchdowns as well as 129 catches for 1,190 yards and six scores. However, Sims was a relative afterthought during this year’s free agency and eventually re-joined the Buccaneers before being placed on injured reserve in August. After being released with an injury settlement, the 6’0, 215 lbs back could be an experienced option to fill Michel’s shoes.RB Charcandrick WestCharcandrick West is another experienced player that could be attractive to the Patriots as a free agency option at running back. The 27-year old, who spent the first four seasons of his career with the Kansas City Chiefs, has been used as both a ball carrier and a receiver out of the backfield since joining the league in 2014: due to his versatility, he has amassed 341 offensive touches for a combined 1,551 yards and 12 touchdowns. West Jonathan Jones Jersey Salute to Service , who also is no stranger to playing on special teams, is another plug-and-play candidate.Two notable names are missing from the list above – and for good reason: while former practice squad back and Vanderbilt standout Ralph Webb is still on the open market, he has show little to warrant a spot on the scout team. Seeing him fill a spot on the 53-man roster in light of Michel’s injury seems to be unrealistic. Ex-Patriot Mike Gillislee also comes to mind as a potential addition but a reunion is not expected to happen, according to a recent report by WEEI’s Ryan Hannable.New England, of course, could also try to swing a trade for a running back – the Detroit Lions’ Ameer Abdullah or the San Francisco 49ers’ Alfred Morris come to mind – but unless Michel is a candidate to be placed on injured reserve and miss at least eight weeks it would be a minor surprise to see the team give up resources to add a player now. After all, Rex Burkhead will be eligible to return off the I.R. list in week 11. MINNESOTA (6-5-1) at SEATTLE (7-5)Monday, 8:15 p.m. EST, ESPNOPENING LINE 鈥?Seahawks by 2 1/2RECORD VS. SPREAD 鈥?Minnesota 6-5-1, Seattle 7-3-2SERIES RECORD 鈥擲eahawks lead 10-5LAST MEETING 鈥?Seahawks beat Vikings 10-9 in NFC playoffs, Jan. 10, 2016LAST WEEK -- Vikings lost to Patriots 24-10; Seahawks beat 49ers 43-16AP PRO32 RANKING 鈥?Vikings No. 11, Seahawks No. 9VIKINGS OFFENSE 鈥?OVERALL (16), RUSH (30) Ja'Whaun Bentley Jersey , PASS (7).VIKINGS DEFENSE 鈥?OVERALL (6), RUSH (7), PASS (9).SEAHAWKS OFFENSE 鈥?OVERALL (19), RUSH (1), PASS (26).SEAHAWKS DEFENSE 鈥?OVERALL (19T), RUSH (17), PASS (19).STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES 鈥?Fourth straight season Seahawks playing at home on Monday night. ... Seahawks 24-5-1 in Thursday, Sunday or Monday night games since 2010. ... First meeting since 2015 NFC wild-card game in Minnesota, third-coldest game in league history. ... Vikings QB Kirk Cousins leads NFL with 350 completions, ,ranks sixth with 3,490 yards passing. Cousins' has second-most yards passing through 12 games in franchise history (Warren Moon, 3 Authentic Isaiah Wynn Jersey ,511 in 1994). ... RB Dalvin Cook had career-high eight receptions last week. ... WR Adam Thielen leads NFL with 98 catches, second in yards with 1,166, tied for fifth in TDs with nine. He's caught TD in five of past six road games. Thielen's 98 receptions third most in league history through 12 games. ... Thielen and WR Stefon Diggs only pair of teammates in NFC with 80 or more receptions. ... DE Danielle Hunter tied for third in NFC with 11 陆 sacks. Hunter also has 16 tackles for loss, second in NFC. ... LB Eric Kendricks had career-high 16 tackles vs. Patriots. He has at least seven tackles in five straight games. ... Harrison Smith one of two safeties in league with three sacks and three interceptions. ... Vikings have allowed just six run plays of 15 yards or more, tied for fewest in NFL. ... Opponents converting 29.9 percent of third downs vs. Vikings, lowest in NFL. ... Seahawks QB Russell Wilson has 29 touchdowns and five interceptions through 12 games. He has thrown at least two touchdowns in eight straight outings. Wilson has 16 touchdowns and two interceptions in Monday night games. ... Seahawks leading NFL averaging 148.8 yards per game rushing. They have rushed for at least 150 yards in seven of past eight games and had more rushing yards than passing in four of those games. ... WR Tyler Lockett averaging 16.2 yards per reception, fifth in NFL. His career-high nine touchdowns include 52-yarder on only reception last week. ... WR Jaron Brown had first two-touchdown game of career last week. He has five TD catches on just 11 receptions. ... WR Doug Baldwin had two TD catches in last regular-season game vs. Vikings. ... DT Jarran Reed has 4 陆 sacks in past five home games. ... DE Frank Clark has team-high 10 sacks but none in past two weeks. .. LB Bobby Wagner had 12 tackles, sack, forced fumble, fumble recovery and 98-yard interception return touchdown last week. It was first pick-6 of career. Wagner has eight or more tackles in six straight games. ... Fantasy tip: Seattle's pass defense has been struggling of late, allowing 315 yards per game over past four. Cousins, Thielen and Diggs are all good plays this week.
A.J. Hinch wiped the sweat from his brow after watching his Astros win their 10th straight game on Saturday Authentic Rasmus Dahlin Jersey , joking that he might get tossed early the next time out to avoid the Kansas City heat.
The skipper hasn’t been sweating many outcomes lately.
Houston’s latest solid start came from Dallas Keuchel, who allowed the Royals two unearned runs over six sharp innings. Its latest offense came from Max Stassi and Alex Bregman, who belted three-run homers at spacious Kauffman Stadium. And its latest win was a 10-2 rout as the heat index eclipsed 100 degrees.
”I’m really happy with how consistently the guys are showing up expecting to win, and then going out and doing it,” Hinch said. ”We’re a hard team to beat right now.”
No matter the situation. No matter the conditions.
”Winning streak, no winning streak, it doesn’t matter. We just play our game,” said Bregman, who survived the blazing sun and oppressive heat, which sent Stassi and Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel to the clubhouse with symptoms of dehydration.
Jose Altuve hit a two-run double in the first to send the World Series champions on their way. The Astros have won the first nine games on their 10-game road swing, already making it the best trip in club history with the series finale still to come on Sunday.
Coincidentally, the Astros had an 11-game win streak end in Kansas City last season.
Keuchel (4-8) has begun to emerge from a monthlong funk, allowing two unearned runs and six hits in six innings. The 2015 Cy Young winner had surrendered a combined 17 runs over his last three outings, and had not won since tossing seven scoreless innings against Texas on May 13.
Meanwhile, the Royals have lost five straight and are 2-12 since the calendar flipped to June.
”We’ve been around this clubhouse for a while to the point that we’ve had our ups, we’ve had our downs,” Royals pitcher Danny Duffy said. ”We know what we need to do to come out of them, it’s just about doing exactly that. It’s not ideal where we’re at right now. It’s pretty much the opposite of what we drew up coming into the year. We got to come out of this stretch ourselves.”
Duffy (3-7) had been pitching well of late, going seven shutout innings his last time out. But the Royals left-hander allowed seven runs on seven hits and three walks in just six innings, becoming the most recent starting pitcher to have a rough time with the Astros’ potent lineup.
”We’ve played some good baseball. Obviously the teams we’ve been playing have played better than we have Andrei Svechnikov Jersey ,” he said.
Duffy was in trouble right from the start. George Springer opened the game with a walk, Bregman added a single and Altuve ripped a double to give the Astros a 2-0 lead.
The Astros tacked on two more runs in the fifth, getting some help from third baseman Mike Moustakas, who flubbed an easy grounder that led to an unearned run. And after Kansas City matched the tally in the bottom half, the Astros’ big bats put the game out of reach.
Stassi began by swatting Duffy’s 1-0 pitch to left field for a 7-2 lead, and Bregman added his homer in the ninth inning to extend his career-best on-base streak to 27 consecutive games.
The only consolation for the Royals was that they weren’t grand slams. They pitching staff had served up one of them each of the past two games, including Evan Gattis‘ in the series opener.
”This is a tough club,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. ”You make a mistake and they make you pay.”
STATS AND STREAKS
Royals C Drew Butera snapped a 0-for-16 skid with a single in the third inning. LF Alex Gordon ended a 0-for-13 slump with a single in the sixth. … Houston is now a season-high 22 games over .500.
SO LONG, SOLER
Royals OF Jorge Soler will miss at least six weeks after breaking a bone in his left foot during the series opener. Soler will head to the DL but with Triple-A Omaha on the West Coast, a corresponding roster move will not be made until Sunday. Soler was hitting .265 with nine homers and 28 RBIs.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Royals: 1B Lucas Duda will begin a rehab assignment with Omaha on Sunday, Yost said. Duda has been out since May 14 with plantar fasciitis in his right foot.
UP NEXT
The Royals send RHP Brad Keller (1-2, 2.31 ERA) to the mound in the hopes of avoiding a sweep. The Astros counter with RHP Lance McCullers Jr. (8-3, 3.83 ERA) as they try to keep their streak going.
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To say Kole Calhoun was struggling would be an understatement.
When the Los Angeles Angels‘ right fielder was placed on the disabled list June 2 with a strained right oblique, he was in a 12-for-122 slump (.098), dropping his season average to .145.
“Every day is a new day,” Calhoun told the Orange County Register last week. “You’ve still got to go out and perform. I’m not thinking about it much honestly. I just want to go out and have a good game. Just going out and trying to help the team win.”
He did that Wednesday, going 3 for 5 with a home run and three RBIs as the Angels snapped the host Seattle Mariners‘ eight-game winning streak with a 7-4 victory. The teams wrap up their three-game series Thursday night at Safeco Field.
Calhoun has hit two home runs in his past three games after hitting just three in his previous 62. Since returning from the DL on June 18, he’s batting .306 (15-for-49) with three doubles, four home runs, seven RBIs and 10 runs scored.
That’s helped Calhoun raise his batting average to .180.
He even returned to the leadoff spot in the batting order last week in Baltimore Authentic Adam Boqvist Jersey , a spot he held in previous seasons.
“Kole has made some adjustments and hopefully it will pay off,” Angels manager Mike Scioscia told The Register.
Scioscia said one key for Calhoun is he’s been more selective at the plate as of late.
“He’s had a good eye in previous years,” Scioscia said. “It’s been a part of his game, but it’s been elusive this year.”
The Angels will send rookie right-hander Jaime Barria (5-4, 3.40 ERA) to the mound Thursday in place of left-hander Tyler Skaggs, who was placed on the disabled list Wednesday with a right adductor strain. Barria suffered a 6-3 loss on June 12 at Seattle, allowing three runs (two earned) on eight hits in five innings.
The Mariners are scheduled to start left-hander Marco Gonzales (8-5, 3.77 ERA). Gonzales is 0-0 with a 4.66 ERA in four career starts against the Angels, including two earlier this season.
Gonzales is coming off his first career complete game in a 4-1 victory against Kansas City. Gonzales lost the shutout bid on Mike Moustakas’ two-strike, two-out single in the ninth inning.
“It’s a culmination of a lot of hard work this year and having the right guys behind me,” Gonzales said after his last start. “Those guys played incredible defense behind me and when your team gives you a lead in the first half of the game, you inch closer to eyeing the end. From the first inning I just had the mentality that this is my game and I’m going to go as deep as I can.”
Gonzales has been a big part of Seattle’s success this season after earning the No. 5 spot in the rotation this spring.
“He’s matured, there’s no question,” Mariners manager Scott Servais said of Gonzales. “It always works better when guys earn it. He has a lot of confidence right now because everything that’s happened this year, he’s earned. From coming into spring training, winning a spot in our rotation, he continues to build throughout the season.”
Andrew Benintendi and the Red Sox easily made up for David Price’s bad outing.
Benintendi homered Youth Mark Letestu Jersey , doubled, walked a career-high four times and scored four runs, and Boston routed the Kansas City Royals 15-4 on Saturday night.
Mookie Betts had four hits, raising his American League-leading average to .343. Ten Red Sox players had RBIs as they scored a season high in runs. They scored 11 runs after the sixth inning.
They needed the big finish to overcome Price’s poor start. He was lifted after 4 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on six hits with nine strikeouts.
”I put us in a hole early,” Price said. ”We bounced back in the fifth inning with that four-spot then to give up the lead the way I did, not to be able to get through five innings, that’s tough. I’m struggling right now, searching, so that’s a big win for us to be able to come back the way we did.”
Benintendi became the sixth Boston player to walk four times and homer in a nine-inning game.
Xander Bogaerts had three RBIs for the Red Sox, who have won five straight and 12 of their past 15.
Christian Vazquez had a two-run, two-out single in the seventh.
Royals pitchers walked 13, one shy of the franchise record, including three in the three-run seventh. Mitch Moreland’s sacrifice fly scored Benintendi, who led off the inning with his fourth walk, for the first run of the inning.
The Red Sox rallied from a three-run deficit to take the lead with a four-run fifth, which Bogaerts highlighted with a three-run double.
”(Brad Keller) was on,” Bogaerts said of the KC starter. ”It was a tough pitch. Good thing I hit it hard and it kind of ran away from (center fielder Alcides) Escobar. He was throwing a good game until that last inning. He started to lose a little command. The walks might have got them in a little trouble – two-out walks, leadoff walks.”
Keller walked five, including Benintendi and Moreland in the fifth to load the bases before Bogaerts’ double. J.D. Martinez singled in the initial run of the inning, hiking his major league-leading RBI total to 74.
”He got into the fifth inning and got two quick outs Authentic Philip Rivers Jersey ,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. ”He just couldn’t make that pitch to get through that inning at that point.”
The next five batters reached base, four scored and Keller was pulled.
”You get two outs and think on the attack, but unfortunately it snowballed really quick on me,” Keller said.
Price, who had never hit three batters in a game, hit three Royals in a four-batter span, including Lucas Duda with the bases loaded to bring home Whit Merrifield in the fifth to tie the score at 4.
Heath Hembree (4-1) worked 1 1/3 hitless innings to pick up the victory. Jason Adam (0-2), the third of seven KC pitchers, took the loss. Catcher Drew Butera got the final out in his sixth career relief appearance and his first since 2016.
”I was trying not to get anybody hurt, including myself,” Butera said.
The Royals led 3-0 after Duda homered in the second and they scored twice more in the third.
The Royals have lost eight straight and 27 of 32 to fall 38 games below .500 for the first time since ending the 2006 season 62-100. They have lost 14 of their past 15 games at Kauffman Stadium.
LONGEST GAME
The game lasted 4 hours, 3 minutes, the longest nine-inning game for both clubs this season.
MOUSTAKAS AT FIRST
Mike Moustakas, who normally plays third, made his third start of the season at first. It was probably no coincidence a Yankees scout was in attendance and they are in the market for a first baseman.
ROSTER MOVE
The Royals placed RHP Justin Grimm on unconditional release waivers. Grimm had been on the disabled list with a right shoulder impingement. He was 1-3 with a 13.50 ERA in 16 relief appearances.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Red Sox: Red Sox catcher Christian Vazquez broke his right little finger sliding into second base in the seventh inning and will go on the disabled list Sunday. .. RHP Joe Kelly was led off the field by the trainer in the eighth with light headiness. LHP Drew Pomeranz (bicep tendinitis) made a rehab start Saturday for Triple-A Pawtucket. He allowed one run on five hits and two walks over three innings, while striking out one. He threw 37 strikes in 60 pitches against Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
UP NEXT
Red Sox: RHP Rick Porcello, who is 10-3 with a 3.57 ERA in 18 starts, is the probable for the series finale.
Royals: RHP Jakob Junis has lost his previous seven starts to tumble to 5-10 with a 5.13 ERA in 17 starts.
Fitting for Independence Day, the Cincinnati Reds saved all their fireworks for the fourth.
Starting pitcher Sal Romano’s suicide squeeze capped Cincinnati’s six-run fourth inning, and the Reds rallied to beat the Chicago White Sox 7-4 on Wednesday night.
”It was nice to be able to contribute with the bat,” said Romano Womens Philip Rivers Jersey , who was hitting .038 going into the game. ”The first thought when I saw the signal, I thought the number one thing was get the ball down wherever the pitch was. I was excited. I have never done it before. It was definitely a big insurance run and got the out of the game.”
Jesse Winker and Jose Peraza each had a two-run single during the big inning, and Scooter Gennett also singled in a run. The Reds overcame Daniel Palka’s third home run in two games to win the three-game series and complete a 4-3 homestand before a crowd of 24,442, which stayed for a postgame fireworks show.
The Reds have won 13 of 17 and have come from behind in eight of their last 11 wins.
Yoan Moncada added a two-run homer for the White Sox, who have dropped five of seven and 14 of 20.
Cincinnati improved to 8-2 in interleague play, the most wins since going 11-9 in 2013. The White Sox are 4-11 against NL teams.
Romano (5-8) struck out six and allowing six hits and four runs in five innings. His bunt back to the mound brought home Adam Duvall for the final run of Cincinnati’s breakout fourth inning.
Reds relievers Amir Garrett and Michael Lorenzen teamed up for 2 1/3 scoreless innings before Jared Hughes celebrated his 33rd birthday by pitching the final 1 2/3 for his sixth save.
Dylan Covey retired his first nine batters before the Reds erupted for five hits and six runs while sending 10 batters to the plate in the fourth. Winker and Peraza each had a two-run single before Romano’s bunt knocked Covey (3-4) out of the game. Covey allowed a walk, struck out two and hit a batter in 3 2/3 innings.
”I was trying to get ground balls, but I was leaving my pitches elevated,” Covey said. ”I tried to make adjustments. That’s not my game, I’ve got to keep the ball down.”
”Their guy was shutting us down pretty good,” Reds interim manager Jim Riggleman said. ”We saw some things from him better the second time around. We put together some good at-bats.”
Moncada, whose 12th-inning bases-loaded triple broke open Chicago’s 12-3 win Tuesday, gave the White Sox a 2-0 lead with a two-out, two-run homer in the third. Palka went deep for a 3-0 lead in the fourth.
The Reds added a run in the eighth on pitcher Chris Volstad’s bases-loaded throwing error.
EXPLOSIVE
The Reds sent nine or more batters to the plate in one inning in five of the seven games on the just-completed homestand.
SHREWD MOVE
Billy Hamilton, who entered the game as a pinch-runner in the sixth and stayed in to play center field, threw out Jose Abreu at the plate trying to score from second to end the eighth – Hamilton’s eighth assist of the season, tying Cubs left fielder Kyle Schwarber for the NL lead among outfielders.
SHAKEUP
The Reds traded RHP Dylan Floro and a minor league pitcher to the Los Angeles Dodgers for two minor league pitchers, optioned IF/OF Brandon Dixon to Triple-A Louisville and recalled RHP Tanner Rainey and LHP Cody Reed from Louisville before Wednesdays game.
DON’T FORGET TO WRITE
A 10-day, nine-game road trip and the All-Star break will keep the Reds away from Cincinnati until July 20.
TRAINER’S ROOM
White Sox: Abreu returned to Chicago’s lineup after leaving Monday’s game and missing Tuesday’s with a bruised left ankle from a foul ball.
Reds: Gennett reported no problems from having his left hand bent back while trying to make a catch on Adam Engel’s bunt Tuesday.
UP NEXT
White Sox: LHP Carlos Rodon (1-3) faces the Astros on Thursday. He is 1-0 with a 1.71 ERA in four career starts against Houston.
Reds: RHP Tyler Mahle (6-6) faces the Cubs on Friday at Wrigley Field. Mahle was 3-0 with a 2.18 ERA in five June starts.
The team has won five games in a row and will try to stretch it to six on Wednesday afternoon in a Fourth of July matinee.
“Everything is believable,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon told reporters when asked about his team’s recent hot streak. “We believe in everything right now. Santa Claus is absolutely true.
“When you get to that point and you get that kind of confidence, you don’t want to do anything to nick it.”
Chicago (48-35) has climbed 13 games above .500 to match its high-water mark. The Cubs have a chance to set a new high when they host the Detroit Tigers (38-49) in the finale of a two-game series at Wrigley Field.
All of the Cubs’ five wins during the streak have been in come-from-behind fashion.
“One of our concepts is to score first,” Maddon said. “One of our concepts is to win the inning. But I think this is maybe the residue of our starting pitching not being what it probably is. We’ve given up more runs early from our starters that we didn’t anticipate happening.
“But it’s a tightly knit group. They’re there to pick everybody else up. So, OK, they’ve scored a couple runs. There’s no quit. The chatter in the dugout is great, all that stuff is outstanding. I just think that the come-from-behind component right now is based on our starters not pitching to their capabilities yet.”
That said, the Cubs will look for a solid start from left-hander Jose Quintana (6-6, 4.31 ERA) in his 17th start of the season. The 29-year-old has allowed three earned runs or fewer in nine of his past 12 starts.
In 18 career starts against the Tigers, Quintana is 5-5 with a 4.37 ERA. The Colombia native has walked 26 and struck out 82 in 111 1/3 innings.
The Tigers will counter with veteran left-hander Francisco Liriano (3-4, 3.99 ERA), who is scheduled to make his 13th start of the season. The burly southpaw carries a career record of 105-103 with a 4.14 ERA in 335 career games.
More than a few teams could be scouting the 34-year-old Liriano as the trade deadline approaches. He is coming off a quality start against the Toronto Blue Jays but has not logged a victory since April 17 against the Baltimore Orioles.
In 14 career starts against the Cubs, Liriano is 5-4 with a 3.27 ERA. He most recently faced the club in 2016, when he posted an 0-2 record with a 7.63 ERA in three starts with the Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays.
The Tigers could turn to a six-man rotation in the next couple weeks, which is fine with Liriano.
“I think that would work Jack Johnson Jersey ,” Liriano said recently to mlive.com. “It wouldn’t bother me at all. I don’t know about any other guys. (Blaine) Hardy has been doing a great job, so it’s hard to put him in the bullpen with the way he’s throwing the ball right now. I think that’s a great idea.”
Injured Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (shoulder) is not expected to play Wednesday. He is hitting .280 with nine home runs and 36 RBIs in 66 games this season.
A man being held in a suspected drunken-driving crash that killed Indianapolis Colts linebacker Edwin Jackson and his Uber driver has been twice deported from the U.S. – a revelation an Indiana congressman said Monday should anger ”all Americans.”
Manuel Orrego-Savala, 37, remained jailed Monday but has not been charged in Sunday’s deadly crash along Interstate 70 in Indianapolis. State Police said Monday that he’s a citizen of Guatemala who gave officers a fake name when he was arrested following the pre-dawn crash.
Investigators said he was deported in 2007 and 2009, and was again living illegally in the U.S.
Police said Jackson, who grew up in Atlanta, and Uber driver Jeffrey Monroe, 54, were standing outside Monroe’s car along I-70 after Jackson became ill while Monroe was transporting him for the ride-hailing company.
Both men were struck and killed by a pickup truck driven by Orrego-Savala, police said. Investigators said they believe Orrego-Savala, who lives in Indianapolis, was intoxicated and driving without a license.
A breath test administered at the crash scene found that Orrego-Savala’s blood-alcohol content was 0.239 percent, or nearly three times Indiana’s legal limit of 0.08 percent, according to a probable cause affidavit.
That affidavit, which was filed Sunday under the fake name Manuel Orrego-Savala gave police Womens Josh Anderson Jersey , also states two vials of blood were drawn from Orrego-Savala by a nurse at a hospital about 90 minutes later and sent for analysis. It said Orrego-Savala has prior run-ins with law enforcement for driving without a valid license and that he was walking away from the crash scene when an Indiana state trooper arrived and detained him.
Republican U.S. Rep. Todd Rokita said Monday in a statement after police released details on Orrego-Savala that ”the loss of life at the hands of illegal immigrant criminals should make all Hoosiers sad and ultimately angry.”
He added that the fatal accident highlights the need for building a U.S.-Mexico border wall, ”ending sanctuary cities, and stopping illegal immigration once and for all.”
Rokita later tweeted that ”this news should make all Americans angry.”
The deaths of Jackson and Monroe come about two months after a California jury acquitted a Mexican man in the fatal July 2015 shooting of a woman on a San Francisco pier – a death that touched off a fierce national immigration debate.
Jose Ines Garcia Zarate, who was found not guilty of murder on Nov. 30 in Kate Steinle’s death, had been deported five times and was wanted for a sixth deportation when she was fatally shot. Garcia Zarate said the shooting was accidental and occurred when picked up a gun wrapped in a T-shirt under a seat on the pier.
During the presidential campaign, then-candidate Donald Trump pointed to Steinle’s death as a reason to build a wall along the Mexican border and tighten immigration policies. As president, he has threatened to withhold federal funding to cities with sanctuary city policies.
Orrego-Savala remained in the Marion County Jail on Monday as the investigation into Sunday’s crash continues. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office was working with police on ”potential criminal charges” in the case, spokeswoman Peg McLeish said.
Jackson, 26, started eight games for the Colts during the 2016 season, finishing third on the team with 61 tackles. He was considered a possible starter at inside linebacker for the 2017 but missed the season after suffering an injury during training camp.
The 6-foot, 234-pound Jackson previously played for the Arizona Cardinals.
The Colts said in a statement Sunday that Jackson ”was well-respected among all with whom he crossed paths, and he will be greatly missed in our locker room and throughout our entire organization.”
Matt Kemp wasn’t supposed to last long in his return to Los Angeles. He was tabbed as trade bait after arriving from Atlanta in exchange for a salary dump by the Dodgers.
The 33-year-old slugger has made himself at home again in a hurry.
Kemp got three hits and drove in four runs Authentic David Pastrnak Jersey , including a go-ahead homer leading off the eighth inning that rallied the Dodgers past the Colorado Rockies 6-4 on Sunday to prevent a sweep and end a three-game skid.
Kemp is on track to earn his third All-Star nod and first since 2012. He’s the second-leading vote-getter, ahead of Washington’s Bryce Harper, among NL outfielders.
”That’s what the All-Star Game is, having a good first half,” Kemp said. ”My real focus is trying to get to the playoffs and win a championship, something I’ve never done.”
Kemp was 1 for 6 in the first two games of the series, which the Dodgers lost by identical scores of 3-1. He has been solid in his last 14 games against Colorado, batting .438 with 11 RBIs.
”He showed in spring training he was in shape and was hitting from the start,” Dodgers starter Ross Stripling said.
Kemp sent his 14th homer of the season over the center-field wall off Adam Ottavino (4-2) to put Los Angeles ahead 5-4. It was the Dodgers’ first homer of July after they hit a major league-leading and franchise-record 55 in June.
One out later Jake DeBrusk Jersey , Yasiel Puig doubled. Joc Pederson followed and reached on an infield single to second that DJ LeMahieu dived to stop. Puig made a heads-up baserunning play when he scored an insurance run after taking an extra base on Pederson’s hit.
Puig took advantage of LeMahieu’s soft throw from his knees to first baseman Ian Desmond.
”DJ slipped,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. ”If DJ wanted to do it over again he would probably give a firmer throw to Desmond to get it back in.”
Puig hopped back and forth before taking off for the plate, sliding belly first. He got up and swung his arms in wild celebration with the Dodgers ahead 6-4.
”I do my crazy move and score,” Puig said. ”I said in my mind, `He’s not going to throw me out, I’m going home.’ Not too many players who score from third base in that situation.”
Kemp agreed, saying, ”Everyone is living right.”
Kemp drove in the Dodgers’ first three runs with an RBI groundout in the first, a double in the third and a single in the fifth.
Daniel Hudson (3-2) went one inning. Kenley Jansen pitched a perfect ninth for his 22nd save.
Nolan Arenado hit his team-leading 21st homer and had an RBI grounder Patrice Bergeron Jersey , helping the Rockies take a 4-2 lead in the fifth.
Rockies starter Chad Bettis was pulled after three innings because of fluid underneath a callus on his right middle finger. The right-hander allowed two runs and three hits, struck out two and walked two in his shortest outing of the season.
”It is really painful,” Bettis said. ”It is kind of something that is a little bit of a mental block trying to battle through that pain. I felt like it got to the point where I really needed to say something.”
Stripling gave up four runs and a season-high nine hits in six innings. The right-hander struck out seven and walked one.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Rockies: RHP Bryan Shaw (right calf strain) will throw a bullpen session on Monday and simulated game on Wednesday. He is working on mechanics with his delivery and more consistent pitch locations.
UP NEXT
Rockies: LHP Kyle Freeland (7-6, 3.29 ERA) makes his second straight start against the Giants on Monday in the home opener of a three-game set. He is 3-1 with a 2.91 ERA at Coors Field in his career against them.
Dodgers: LHP Alex Wood (4-5, 4.00) starts on Monday in the opener of a three-game series against the Pirates. In eight games (seven starts) against them, Wood is 2-2 with a 2.86 ERA.
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The Chicago White Sox have a chance to complete their first three-game sweep of the season when they face the Minnesota Twins in the series finale Thursday afternoon at Guaranteed Rate Field.
Chicago (28-51) is coming off back-to-back wins by margins of 8-4 and 6-1 over the Twins in the series’ first two games. The White Sox have won three straight, including a 10-3 decision over the Oakland Athletics on Sunday afternoon.
A win Thursday would give the White Sox their longest win streak of the season.
Minnesota (34-42) is hoping to salvage a win in the series and turn around a tough week for the club. The Twins have dropped two in a row and five of their past six to fall eight games below .500, which is tied with their low-water mark for the season.
White Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito (5-7, 7.01 ERA) will try to build upon his recent improvement in his 16th start of the season. The highly touted 23-year-old has struggled badly with command this year Rick Nash Jersey , but has 14 strikeouts and only four walks in his past two outings.
Giolito is 1-2 with a 4.42 ERA in three career starts against Minnesota. Two of those starts took place this season, with the 6-foot-6, 245-pounder posting a 1-1 record with a 3.65 ERA.
Lately, Giolito has found success by not thinking so much about his pitching mechanics.
“It’s been kind of a long road to figure that out,” Giolito said to his team’s official website. “But I’m definitely in a much better place right now with that, just letting it flow. The key words are let it flow. Just go out there and be athletic. …
“It’s like the desire to be as good as I can be to the point where I’ve overanalyzed things and been like, ‘What am I doing wrong? What should I fix? What can I fix?’
“I’m doing that instead of being like, ‘Hey, I’m here Riley Nash Jersey , I’m going to compete and let it all happen and just be athletic and let what I’ve been doing for years take over.'”
The Twins will counter with right-hander Jake Odorizzi (3-5, 4.97 ERA) for his 17th start of the season. The Illinois native has 80 strikeouts in 79 2/3 innings this season, but his walk rate (4.1 per nine innings) is the highest since his rookie campaign in 2012 with the Kansas City Royals.
Odorizzi is 1-2 with a 4.13 ERA in five career starts against the White Sox. He has an 0-1 record with a 5.23 ERA (six earned runs in 10 1/3 innings) in two starts against Chicago this season.
Avisail Garcia has homered in back-to-back games for the White Sox and could pose a challenge for Odorizzi, who has given up 14 long balls this year. Jose Abreu also is coming off a much better day at the plate in which he slammed his 12th home run and showed signs of breaking out of a slump.
For the Twins, Ehire Adrianza carries a hot bat into the series finale. He went 4-for-4 with a double and an RBI on Wednesday night, elevating his season average to .264 with four homers and 17 RBIs.
Chicago is 16-26 at home; Minnesota is 14-22 on the road.
After the game, the Twins will stay in Chicago and head about 8 miles north to take on the Cubs in a weekend series. Minnesota is 6-6 in interleague action compared with a 28-36 record against AL teams.
Pitching coach Chris Bosio said Thursday he was fired by the Detroit Tigers for using the word ”monkey Jean-Gabriel Pageau Jersey ,” but insists he didn’t say it in a racial or demeaning context.
Bosio told USA Today he used the word while talking about pitcher Daniel Stumpf, who is white. Bosio said Stumpf is nicknamed ”Spider Monkey” because of the faces he makes while lifting weights.
Bosio said an African-American clubhouse attendant overheard the conversation. Bosio told USA Today that ”the kid thought we were talking about him. He got all upset. He assumed we were talking about him. I said, `No, no, no. We’re talking about Stumpf.”’
”I swear on my mom and dad’s graves, there was nothing else to it,” he told the newspaper.
General manager Al Avila said Wednesday that Bosio was fired for making insensitive comments to another team employee. Avila declined to offer additional details.
”I have to take seriously what the comments were,” Avila said. ”And Mark Stone Jersey , the action we took was appropriate.”
Bosio told USA Today that he was ”crushed” about his firing. Bosio said he plans to hire an attorney to help determine whether to sue for wrongful termination.
Bosio was in his first season as Detroit’s pitching coach after serving in the same role for six years with the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs didn’t renew Bosio’s contract after last season and hired Jim Hickey to replace him. The 55-year-old Bosio was 94-93 over an 11-season major league career, mostly as a starter, with Milwaukee and Seattle.
The Tigers promoted bullpen coach Rick Anderson to replace Bosio. Roving pitching instructor A.J. Sager will be the team’s bullpen coach until Triple-A Toledo pitching coach Jeff Pico takes his place next week.
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Information from: USA Today,
LOS ANGELES — Two things Clayton Kershaw clearly hates: Being on the disabled list and having pitch restrictions while on the mound.
The Los Angeles Dodgers‘ left-hander might be done with both when he takes the mound Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Kershaw will be making his third start since coming off the disabled list for his most recent back injury and has been trending in a positive direction.
What Kershaw would like to see is more of the offense the Dodgers showed in Monday’s series opener, when the club scored 17 runs on 21 hits in an easy victory.
Tasked with slowing that offense at Dodger Stadium, while matching Kershaw pitch for pitch, will be Pirates right-hander Ian Nova.
If Kershaw is almost all the way back on top after an injury, Nova is there already. In four starts since coming off the DL because of a sprained right finger Youth Matt Duchene Jersey , Nova is 2-0 with a 1.75 ERA.
Kershaw is only this far along in his return from the DL because the Dodgers pulled a last-minute switch on June 23, and had him pitch in New York against the Mets instead of with Triple-A Oklahoma City on a rehab outing.
Kershaw threw 55 pitches against the Mets, giving up two runs on five hits over three innings. On June 28 against the Chicago Cubs, Kershaw was back at it, throwing 68 pitches while giving up one run on four hits over five innings.
A natural progression would have Kershaw at about 80 pitches on Tuesday, but Kershaw has a way of getting more out of himself when the situation requires it.
“I’ve proven that I’m healthy,” Kershaw told reporters after his most recent start. “So now, next time out I’m sure the restriction should hopefully be pretty close to off. (I will) get ready and just try to beat an opponent.”
Nova has thrown between 86 and 94 pitches in his four starts since coming off the DL and has given up one or no runs in three of those outings. The one where he did not was on Wednesday at New York. But he did hold the Mets to three runs over six innings Mike Condon Jersey , keeping the Pirates close enough to put together a ninth-inning rally for a victory.
That victory was part of a Pirates run where they won four of six games and took series at New York and San Diego. Sure there was a five-game losing streak before that, but going back even further, the Pirates had won four of five.
So even though they were roughed up by the Dodgers on Monday, the Pirates have learned the value of resiliency.
“We’re well aware of what we need to improve upon,” manager Clint Hurdle said, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “We’re well aware of our monthly progress and then some of our monthly challenges. Love the fact that the game brings attention to specific areas, daily, weekly Ryan Dzingel Jersey , monthly, and then I love to watch how some guys are able to fight and battle and work through it.”
Up next is a challenge against Kershaw, who is 2-3 with a 3.18 ERA in 11 career starts against Pittsburgh. The Pirates are one of two National League teams Kershaw has a losing record against in the regular season, along with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Nova knows his way around the Dodgers, going 1-0 with a 2.31 ERA in two starts, one in each of the previous two seasons.
Marcus Mariota did everything he could to help the Titans advance in the playoffs Authentic Odell Beckham Jr Jersey , throwing a crazy touchdown pass to himself , running for crucial first downs and providing the kind of spark that Tennessee needed to rally from a 21-3 halftime hole.
Heck, he even threw a crucial block on the run that clinched the game.
It all added up to a heart-stopping 22-21 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday, the first postseason win for the Titans in 14 years and one that will provide some relief – for the week, at least – for embattled coach Mike Mularkey and his remarkable bunch of underdogs.
”Special,” said Mariota, whose 205 yards passing included the go-ahead 22-yard strike to Eric Decker with six minutes left. ”I’m part of a great team. I’m part of a group of guys that really believe in each other. And it’s something special.”
Now, the Titans will find out Sunday whether they’re headed to New England or Pittsburgh next.
Derrick Henry added a career-high 156 yards rushing and another score for Tennessee (10-7), while a defense fileted by Alex Smith and the Chiefs (10-7) in the first half pitched a shutout in the second half – dooming the Kansas City franchise to another humiliating postseason defeat.
The Chiefs haven’t won a home playoff game since January 1994.
”I’m in shock,” Smith said. ”The swing at halftime to the final whistle, definitely a shock. Yeah. Didn’t feel like we played up to how we’re capable of playing and that’s disappointing.
Smith threw for 264 yards and two touchdowns Womens Odell Beckham Jr Jersey , but most of that came before halftime. He couldn’t get going in the second half and misfired on fourth-and-9 at the Titans 44 with just over two minutes to go, denying the Chiefs a chance for Harrison Butker to kick a go-ahead field goal.
Adding to the depression? Henry appeared to fumble as Tennessee tried to run out the clock.
The Chiefs’ Derrick Johnson picked up the ball and returned it for a touchdown with 1:47 to go, and the crowd went wild as fireworks shot off over Arrowhead Stadium. But a replay clearly showed Henry down, the call was overturned and Tennessee succeeded in running out the clock. Mariota threw a block that helped spring Henry for a 22-yard gain on third-and 10 late that helped finish off the comeback.
”Grit. It’s just grit,” Henry said. ”We told them we’ve got 30 minutes left, all we’ve got to do is play our game. Execute the plays and everything will take care of itself.”
In the first half, the Chiefs looked every bit the team that had won four straight in convincing fashion, and the Titans looked every bit the team that backed into the playoffs.
Kareem Hunt, the league’s top rusher this season , plunged in from 1 yard for a 7-0 lead. Smith hit Travis Kelce, who later left with a concussion Authentic Landon Collins Jersey , with a 13-yard touchdown pass. And he added another TD toss to Demarcus Robinson on the final offensive play for a 21-3 lead at the break.
”We were feeling good,” Johnson said. ”We came in 21-3 and that’s all we were talking about: `Finish. Don’t get complacent. We have bigger goals than this game.”’
But it was the Titans who finished, and it was Mariota who led the way. He capped a 91-yard TD drive to start the second half in the bizarre fashions: Mariota threw a TD pass to himself.
His throw to the end zone was batted right back at him by Darrelle Revis, and Mariota hauled it in and dived for the goal line. It was the first time a player has thrown a TD pass to himself in the playoffs, and the first time in any game since the Vikings’ Brad Johnson during the 1997 season.
”Right place, right time,” Mariota said with a smile.
Tennessee nearly squandered its momentum when Adoree Jackson fumbled a punt, but the Chiefs were unable to pick up a first down and Butker knocked a 48-yard field goal off the upright. And the Titans capitalized when Henry rumbled nearly untouched 35 yards for a touchdown a few minutes later.
The Chiefs’ offense had been rendered impotent by that point, unable to move the ball after Kelce left with a concussion in the first half. And the Titans blanketed Tyreek Hill whenever he touched the ball, and they stacked the box to slow Hunt down in obvious rushing situations.
Finally, the Titans pulled ahead on Mariota’s strike to Decker Womens Landon Collins Jersey , and that led to more controversy from the officials. Tennessee went for a 2-point conversion and a field-goal edge, Mariota fumbled as he was getting sacked and Frank Zombo scooped up the ball for two points the other way.
But the officials had blown the play dead, ruling Mariota’s progress had been stopped, and the Titans retained the slimmest of margins – one that would stand up to the final whistle.
”I feel really good around our football team,” Mularkey said. ”I know what I’m going to get from them every week. That’s a good feeling, knowing how they’re going to come out, no matter what.”
OFFICIAL COMPLAINTS
The Chiefs also complained about the officials blowing their whistles on a play late in the first half, when Mariota fumbled while getting sacked. He clearly lost the ball and the Chiefs picked it up, but the play could not be reviewed. Tennessee wound up kicking a field goal.
RECORD RALLY
Only two other road teams have rallied from at least 18 down to win a playoff game in NFL history. The Cowboys came back from 21-3 in the first half to beat the 49ers 30-28 in December 1972, and the Lions came back from 27-7 in the second half to beat the 49ers in The Boston Red Sox acquired veteran first baseman/outfielder Steve Pearce in a trade with the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday night.
Dave Dombrowski, the Red Sox president of baseball operations Authentic Eli Manning Jersey , announced the deal after Boston’s 4-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels.
Boston sent minor league infielder Santiago Espinal to Toronto.
Pearce’s cost to the Sox will be $1.5 million. The Blue Jays will give Boston $1,658,602 to cover part of the $3,158,602 remaining in the $6.25 million salary of Pearce, who can become a free agent after the World Series.
The 35-year-old has hit .291 with four home runs and 16 RBIs in 26 games for Toronto this season. Pearce has a career average of .255 and 83 career home runs and 268 RBIs. Boston manager Alex Cora said the Red Sox are adding a strong batter they can use against left-handed pitching.
”It’s one more weapon that we have. We got better tonight,” Cora said. ”It’s good to have him.”
Pearce could join the Red Sox this weekend in New York when they face the division-rival Yankees.
MILWAUKEE — Jorge Polanco is expected to make his season debut Monday night when the Minnesota Twins open a two-game interleague series against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park.
Polanco will be reinstated Monday from his 80-game suspension for use of performance-enhancing drugs after going 6-for-13 in four games with Triple-A Rochester.
He batted .256 with 13 home runs Richard Sherman Jersey , 30 doubles in 133 games last year and was especially strong in the second half, slashing .293/.359/.511 with 10 homers and 43 RBIs.
That performance moved him into the No. 3 spot in the Twins’ lineup, but manager Paul Molitor said he probably won’t bat that high right away upon his return.
“We know what he did last year when he had a chance to move up into a pretty important role,” Molitor told reporters Sunday in Chicago. “I don’t know we’ll jump him up there that fast. For us to see him is going to be different than hearing about him and reading about him and texting him and all those kinds of things.
“We’ll see how it is. To be honest, coming up here and playing, even though he’s doing really well, it’s going to be a little different than what he’s been doing.”
Right-hander Kyle Gibson (2-6) starts for Minnesota. He posted a 2.45 ERA through his first four June starts but saw that number grow to 3.35 after allowing five runs in seven innings to the Chicago White Sox his last time out.
Gibson struck out seven in the game and walked just one but gave up a season-high 11 hits.
“I went back and looked at some of the hits I gave up,” Gibson said. “I don’t know if I just picked the wrong pitch at the wrong time or what. I executed quite a few pitches there, and they found holes.”
The Twins dropped a three-game weekend series to the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field and have lost eight of their last 10 overall.
Milwaukee struggled during the weekend, too, dropping the last two of a four-game series at Cincinnati. The Brewers managed just five total runs in those losses while allowing 20, including a grand slam in each one.
“Two runs, three runs … You’re going to need more to win most games,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said.
Despite that showing Garry Gilliam Jersey , the Brewers will return home still leading the National League Central by a half-game over the Cubs, who will be idle Monday.
Brent Suter (8-5) gets the nod in the series opener. He’ll be looking to get back on track after his three-game winning streak was snapped last week by the Kansas City Royals.
Suter overcame a somewhat slow start to the season and has turned into a solid starter in the last two months. He’s 6-2 with a 3.50 ERA in his last eight starts. Before his outing against Kansas City, he hadn’t allowed more than three runs in his previous seven games.
Part of Suter’s success can be attributed to his pace, which is among the game’s fastest. That makes it difficult for hitters to settle in between pitches and, Suter admits, there can be a slight advantage to working quickly.
“I don’t want to quick-pitch people; I don’t do that,” he said. “But I want to keep the tempo up and let my fielders get back in and hit as quickly as possible. That’s how I operate. If that gets them uncomfortable, that’s fine, but I’m just in attack mode and up-tempo.”
Suter is 1-0 with a 3.72 ERA in two career starts against the Twins, both of which came at Target Field. He held them to a run and five hits while striking out six in 5 2/3 innings on May 18.
The New York Yankees are in the midst of their longest losing streak of the season.
It’s only three losses in a row for the Yankees, but they enter the week with an injured starting catcher and a meeting with a surging opponent.
The Philadelphia Phillies have won four consecutive series and will host the Yankees for a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park. Vince Velasquez of the Phillies will face rookie right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga of the Yankees in the series opener on Monday night.
New York was swept in a three-game weekend series on the road by the Tampa Bay Rays. It’s the first time in 2018 the Yankees have lost three consecutive games — something the team had not done since Aug. 28-30, 2017.
“As far as the losses, I look at it as a bump in the road,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone told MLB.com after a 7-6 loss in the series finale. “Unfortunately Marquise Goodwin Jersey , it’s bound to happen in a long season. You’ve just got to turn the page.”
The Yankees lost more than a game on Sunday. Catcher Gary Sanchez hurt his right groin/hip while running to first base in the 10th inning. Sanchez is scheduled to get an MRI on Monday, and Boone told reporters that it’s likely the 25-year-old will be placed on the disabled list.
Sanchez, in his third major league season, is hitting .190 with a .724 OPS and 14 homers through 63 games this season.
Despite being swept, the Yankees (50-25) are still tied with the Boston Red Sox for the American League East lead.
The Phillies (41-34) have won nine of their last 13 games and moved within 2 1/2 games of the Atlanta Braves for the top spot in the National League East.
Velasquez (5-7, 4.82 ERA) will try to make it five straight wins for the Phillies on Monday night. The right-hander has pitched into the seventh inning in three of his last four starts, including his last outing.
Velasquez struck out eight and allowed four runs against the St. Louis Cardinals last Tuesday. He allowed just four hits in the start, but two of them were homers.
Velasquez has faced the Yankees twice in his career, and both appearances came during the 2015 season when he was with the Houston Astros. He has a 3.24 ERA and 0.840 WHIP in those games.
Loaisiga (1-0, 3.12 ERA) will make just the third start of his major league career.
The 23-year-old from Nicaragua was sharp in his debut, throwing five scoreless innings against the Rays on June 15. Loaisiga had a tougher time in his second start. Facing the Seattle Mariners last Wednesday, he allowed three runs and six hits and used 84 pitches to get through 3 2/3 innings.
The Yankees and Phillies are meeting for the first time since the 2015 season. Philadelphia took two of three at Yankee Stadium from June 22 to June 24 three years ago.
NEW YORK — The last time Giancarlo Stanton stood in front of his locker at Yankee Stadium Authentic David Desharnais Jersey , he was in a testy mood with the line of questioning after a rough day at the plate.
Two days later, Stanton was in a much better mood, especially when he discussed the poise the young hitters batting behind him are showing.
It was on display Tuesday when the Yankees cruised to a 7-2 win over the Seattle Mariners on a night when rookies Miguel Andujar and Gleyber Torres hit their ninth and 14th homers, respectively.
Now Stanton and his young teammates get a chance at winning another series Wednesday night when the Yankees host the Mariners in the middle game of a three-game set.
The Yankees are 15-4 in their last 19 games after Stanton followed up a four-hit night in Washington by homering on the first pitch he saw. Then he watched as Andujar blasted a two-run homer and Torres hit a solo shot, giving the Yankees the chance to clinch their 16th series victory since April 19 on Wednesday.
“Seeing the guys and playing with them, I’m not surprised by what they can do,” Stanton said. “But the way they’ve been able to do it and keep doing it is cool to see.”
Andujar is on the verge of becoming the seventh Yankee to hit double figures in home runs. His homer snapped a 0-for-14 skid and was his 35th extra-base hit, the third-most by a Yankee in his first 65 games behind Bob Meusel (41) and Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio (47).
Torres has four homers in his last 10 games and his latest home run occurred in his 50th game, matching Aaron Judge for the third-fastest in team history. Only Gary Sanchez (19) and Kevin Maas (15) did it faster and Torres leads all first-year players with 14 homers and 35 RBIs.
“They’re very well rounded and they keep proving it,” Stanton said.
While the Yankees were marveling at more production from their youth, the Mariners are hoping to avoid losing three straight games for the first time since April 17-19 against the Houston Astros. The Mariners (46-27) are on their first losing streak since May 29-30 and are 37-19 since they last dropped three in a row.
The Mariners matched a season low by mustering two hits and went hitless in 20 straight at-bats at one point.
“The key on the road, is you have to play really good defense and you have to hit,” Seattle manager Scott Servais said before the game. “It’s hard to win the 1-0 game, 2-1 game. We’ve won a couple of them but it’s not easy. It’s not a formula you want to subscribe to often.”
Nelson Cruz homered and has seven in his last 10 games and eight in his last 13 contests.
“We’re going to play our game,” Cruz said. “Things didn’t turn out the way we wanted it to. We’ll come back positive tomorrow and try to make things better.”
After getting a rough outing from Marco Gonzales Tuesday, the Mariners will hope to rebound with Felix Hernandez on the mound.
Hernandez (6-6 Henrik Lundqvist Jersey Kids , 5.44 ERA) will start Wednesday after losing his last two starts. He allowed six runs (five earned) in three innings of a 7-3 loss at Tampa Bay on June 9 but took a tough 2-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox after allowing two hits on eight hits in seven innings on Thursday.
Hernandez has pitched at least five innings and allowed three runs or less in nine of 15 starts this season.
Hernandez is 10-7 with a 3.04 ERA in 21 career starts, including four complete games against the Yankees. In New York, he is 7-2 with a 2.00 ERA in 11 starts, including a 6-1 record with a 1.41 ERA in nine starts at the current Yankee Stadium.
Since Aug. 4, 2012, he is 3-0 with a 1.36 ERA in five starts at Yankee Stadium.
Jonathan Loaisiga will make his second start in place of Masahiro Tanaka (hamstring). He picked up the win in his major league debut Friday against the Tampa Bay Rays when he allowed three hits in five innings of a 5-0 win.
Loaisiga was the 11th pitcher (eighth starter) in Yankees history to go at least five innings in his major league debut and only the second since 1943. The other was Sam Militello in 1992.
Loaisiga was the first native of Nicaragua to appear for the Yankees and the 15th Nicaraguan to appear in the major leagues.
The Yankees are 8-2 in the last 10 meetings with the Mariners.
Marcus Mariota threw for a touchdown to give the Tennessee Titans an early lead, and had another TD pass that was the final score of the game.
In between, he spent a lot of time trying to limp away from the New England Patriots rush.
One week after leading the Titans to victory in his first career playoff game, Mariota took his first postseason loss – and took it hard – absorbing eight sacks while the Patriots scored five touchdowns in a row on their way to a 35-14 victory in the AFC divisional round Saturday night.
”Man, embarrassed,” said Mariota, who sustained what coach Mike Mularkey said was a strained quadriceps muscle in the first quarter and went 44 minutes between scores.
”It felt like the momentum was on our side” after a 15-yard pass to Corey Davis gave the Titans a 7-0 lead, Mariota said. ”They’re a team that’s been here before, and they didn’t blink an eye. They just stuck to their game plan and it worked out for them.”
Just two seasons after going 3-13 when Mariota was a rookie, the Titans (10-8) reached the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Last week, they earned their first postseason victory in 14 years Jimmy Vesey Jersey , rallying from a 21-3 halftime deficit to beat Kansas City in the wild-card round.
Against the defending Super Bowl champions, the two-touchdown underdogs jumped out to a surprising early lead but still trailed 21-7 at the half.
”We saw what happened last week in Kansas City, when Kansas City had a lead at the half similar to the one that we had,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. ”Our guys did a real good job of kind of keeping their foot on the gas and keep pressing it.”
Mularkey said Mariota’s leg prevented him from scrambling away from the New England rush. The Patriots sacked him four times in the third quarter – including back-to-back plays that left Tennessee with a third-and-31 from their own 2 – and three more in the fourth.
”They did a good job with the line game,” Mularkey said. ”Marcus was hampered. Tough to get away.”
Mariota completed 22 of 37 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns in the game, both of them to Davis. He also ran four times for 37 yards.
But Tom Brady was even better in leading New England to its seventh consecutive AFC championship game, completing 35 of 53 passes for 337 yards and three touchdowns. Danny Amendola caught 11 passes for 112 yards, Rob Gronkowski had six catches for 81 yards and a touchdown and James White scored twice, once running and one receiving.
The Patriots will host the AFC title game on Jan. 21 against the winner of Sunday’s game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Pittsburgh Steelers. It will be Brady’s 12th appearance in the conference championship.
”Obviously, this is the blueprint,” Mariota said. ”New England has been in the playoffs consistently. They’ve won a bunch of championships and we can learn a lot from this, and I think we will.”
The Titans also committed 10 penalties in the game after a season in which they had the second-fewest in the NFL. One of the calls was for an offside that allowed the Patriots to avoid punting from their own end zone; they went on to score and extend the lead to 21-7.
”You can’t make those mistakes against a really good team that’s waiting for you to do it,” said Mularkey, whose job was reportedly in jeopardy even after reaching the playoffs.
”They didn’t make a lot of mistakes. That’s why they’ve been successful all these years. You can’t go and beat yourselves,” he said. ”I’d like to see us play a complete game. … We didn’t.”
26.02.2019 06:55
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