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McMahon tweaked his swing early in the afternoon and then hit a go-ahead [url=http://www.buccaneerscheapshops.com/cheap-authentic-jordan-whitehead-jersey]Authentic Jordan Whitehead Jersey[/url] , three-run homer to help rally the Rockies past the New York Mets 10-8 on Wednesday night.
Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon also went deep, and Colorado’s struggling bullpen shut the door in the late innings.
”You need a bullpen to do what ours did tonight from the sixth on – put up zeros,” Rockies manager Bud Black said. ”That’s the expectation, and that’s their expectation.”
Colorado trailed 8-6 when McMahon pinch-hit with two on and two outs in the fifth. He sent a 1-0 changeup from reliever Robert Gsellman into the Rockies’ bullpen to give Colorado the lead.
It was McMahon’s second homer of the season and it came just hours after he worked with hitting coach Duane Espy in the batting cage.
”I made a small adjustment today with my hands, just put them in a better position to get that shorter swing off, that flatter swing off,” McMahon said. ”Stood the bat up a little more and got instant results.
”It’s been a long time coming and it felt really good to come through for the guys.”
Gsellman (5-2) had given up just one home run in 16 road games prior to Wednesday.
”A changeup right down the middle and the hitter just did his job and hit it out of the ballpark,” he said. ”Got to execute the pitch.”
Bryan Shaw (3-5) got one out to earn the win. Wade Davis pitched the ninth for his 21st save this season – and the 100th of his career.
New York took an 8-6 lead with a four-run fifth. The Mets batted around for the second time in the game and benefited from three walks in the inning, including one to Brandon Nimmo with the bases loaded.
Dominic Smith, who tripled in the fifth, had a career-high three hits for New York and was a home run short of the cycle.
The Mets loaded the bases in the sixth against lefty Harrison Musgrave but pinch-hitter Kevin Plawecki grounded into an inning-ending double play to Arenado at third.
”The sixth got a little dicey [url=http://www.minnesotatwinsteamshop.com/authentic-eddie-rosario-jersey]Eddie Rosario Minnesota Twins Jersey[/url] , but zeros nevertheless,” Black said. ”That’s how you win games.”
Neither starter lasted long in another high-scoring game at Coors Field. The Mets scored three in the first and another in the second to take a 4-1 lead, but Colorado tied it with three unearned runs in the second.
The Rockies went ahead 6-4 in the third on RBI singles by Gerardo Parra and Tom Murphy.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mets: RHP A.J. Ramos had arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder. … Mets manager Mickey Callaway said the results of OF Jay Bruce’s MRI revealed a right hip strain and the team will decide on a plan soon. … RHP Noah Syndergaard (strained ligament in right index finger) threw before batting practice.
Rockies: LHP Mike Dunn (rhomboid strain) threw live batting practice and said he had no ill effects. Dunn said he threw about 20 pitches. If he feels good Thursday, Black said Dunn could go on a rehab assignment this weekend. … RHP Scott Oberg (back strain) could also go on a rehab assignment, Black said.
INJURY SCARE
New York second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera was holding his left arm after tagging out Murphy on a steal attempt in the seventh inning. The trainer checked him over but Cabrera was able to stay in the game.
”He just landed hard on his left elbow,” Callaway said.
HOME INVASION
The Rockies have allowed eight or more runs in their last nine home games, which ties for the longest streak in big league history, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The 1894 St. Louis Browns were the last team to do it.
ROSTER MOVE
Before the game, the Mets recalled RHP Chris Flexen from Triple-A Las Vegas and optioned RHP Hansel Robles to their top farm team.
UP NEXT
In a matchup of left-handers, the Mets will send Steven Matz (3-4, 3.31 ERA) to the mound against Colorado hometown favorite Kyle Freeland (6-6 [url=http://www.cowboyscheapauthenticstore.com/connor-williams-jersey-cheap]Connor Williams Jersey Cowboys[/url] , 3.59) in the finale of the four-game series Thursday afternoon.
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鈥?Their minds still racing with childlike exuberance over the stunning last-snap victory that sent them to the NFC championship game, many of the Minnesota Vikings remained awake several hours past midnight.Cornerback Xavier Rhodes replayed the video clip of the winning touchdown “about a thousand times” at home, searing the image of Stefon Diggs leaping to catch the pass from Case Keenum and sprinting for the end zone into his memory forever so the details of the sequence that beat New Orleans were no longer foggy.Ten seconds left.Trailing by one point.Sixty-one yards to go. The outcome that produced the 29-24 victory was so improbable that the Vikings were predictably continuing to process their status as the first team in NFL history to score a winning touchdown on the final play of regulation in a postseason game.“The Minneapolis Miracle”, as it was dubbed in trending on social media, was as unfathomable as the name sounds.“We still can’t believe it in the locker room,” wide receiver Adam Thielen said. “I woke up this morning and made sure it wasn’t a dream.”The Vikings were about a field-goal favorite on the early betting lines to beat the Eagles on Sunday and become the first team to play a Super Bowl on home turf.“I believe anything is possible at any moment, as you can see what happened yesterday,” Rhodes said.Such an emotional ending carries the potential to distract from preparation for and focus on the next game at Philadelphia, when the winner’s high will be worn off and the Vikings will be in an unfriendly stadium without the advantages and comforts of their own place.They wouldn’t have advanced this far without an unassuming attitude, though, so they were quick on Monday to dismiss the danger of savoring the moment too long.“I think it took a little bit longer yesterday to probably get over it [url=http://www.newyorkjetsteamonline.com/sam-darnold-jersey]Sam Darnold Jets Jersey[/url] , but, no, today I think guys are ready,” Thielen said. “We know how tough this game’s going to be for us, and we know that we still have a long ways to go.”For those anxiously and impatiently long-waiting fans of one of the NFL’s most agonized franchises, the victory on Sunday was evidence that whatever curse existed in their minds might no longer be relevant.Sure, most of these players endured the missed 27-yard field-goal try by Blair Walsh in the closing seconds of the wild-card round defeat two years ago against Seattle.Defensive end Brian Robison, at least, was on the 2009 team that lost in overtime at New Orleans in the NFC championship game.Except for Thielen and the handful of Minnesota natives on the roster, though, those crushing losses of the past that helped shape Vikings lore have not been a part of this team’s experience [url=http://www.authenticstampabaybuccaneers.com/cheap-ronald-jones-ii-jersey]Ronald Jones II Jersey Elite[/url] , let alone the lives of most of the players.“We’re not playing to make up for anything,” Thielen said. “We’re just playing to win football games.”To beat the Eagles, the Vikings have some more work to do. They won’t have the crowd noise or the fast surface, for one.They’ll have to face a defense just as strong if not stronger than the Saints. That’s why coach Mike Zimmer, who let his guard down during an uncharacteristically playful postgame news conference , was all business at the podium inside the team’s practice facility on Monday.“We can’t make these mistakes in playoff games or we’ll be going home,” Zimmer said. “There’s always good and always bad in some of the games, but we made some critical errors in that game that could have gotten us beat.”.
We've been very sensitive
It's also a chance for fans, pundits and the rest of the league to spend several months enthusiastically discussing whether that team will make the move.
The Los Angeles Chargers have had the same starting quarterback in every game since 2006, and Philip Rivers will turn 37 years old in the fall.
Already one of the most prolific passers in NFL history, Rivers said last week he is nowhere near retirement and intends to play "a handful more years."
That hasn't stopped the football world from wondering whether general manager Tom Telesco will decide that this is the year to grab his next quarterback when he makes the 17th overall pick on Thursday night.
After winning nine of their final 12 games and barely missing the playoffs last season, the Chargers have a solid roster with few obvious weak spots. The time could be right for a move toward the future behind center, but Telesco isn't sure.
"That's a question we know we'll get every year until we draft a quarterback," Telesco said Monday.
"The great thing right now is that we're very happy with Philip. He's our quarterback, hands down, rest assured, for this year and hopefully beyond. But we always have to have an eye on the future. That's part of our job. There are a lot of other areas on our football team that we'd like to add to, too. That's all part of it."
Telesco realizes the questions are particularly sharp this spring not because of any decline in Rivers' play, which was largely outstanding last season [url=http://www.jaguarscheapstore.com/logan-cooke-jersey-cheap]Logan Cooke Jersey Jaguars[/url] , but because a handful of elite prospects could be available when the Chargers are on the clock.
Local product Josh Rosen and Heisman Trophy winners Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield all are conceivable possibilities for the Bolts, particularly if they elected to trade up a bit.
Telesco agrees the crop of quarterbacks in this draft is "a deep class, not only in the first round, but some other rounds as well. We've seen it the last couple of years. The quarterback classes have been pretty good. Guys are coming into the league and playing a little bit quicker than they used to."
With Geno Smith and Cardale Jones on the roster behind Rivers, Telesco has the luxury of knowing he doesn't need to draft a quarterback. He'll decide soon whether the succession plan will wait another year.
Here are more things to contemplate before the Chargers make their picks:
TOUGH CHOICES
The Chargers' prolonged surge into playoff contention last season left them squarely in the middle of the pack for the draft. Telesco would have rather been in the postseason than the 17th overall slot, but his scouts and executives believe they can get a worthy talent with their current position.
"You typically have about 18 to 20 first-round-graded players, give or take a couple," Telesco said. "If we don't trade out, we'll still get someone who we feel is a first-round player on our board. It's just more scenarios you have to work through."
BACK ON D
Telesco's team has plenty of desires, but no gaping needs that would compel them to value position over talent. Telesco said he will stick to his philosophy of picking the top available player, but he sees "more defense" among the desirable picks in this particular draft pool.
If that's a clue to the Chargers' intentions, they have plenty of needs [url=http://www.authenticsoaklandraiders.com/cheap-johnny-townsend-jersey]Johnny Townsend Jersey Elite[/url] , including a topflight safety to replace Tre Boston or a starting linebacker to help out Denzel Perryman.
While Los Angeles has one of the NFL's best pass-rushing duos with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, another defensive tackle such as Vita Vea or Da'Ron Payne would bolster a sometimes porous run defense.
RUN IT BACK
Telesco acknowledges he could be looking for an offensive playmaker who can double as a kick returner after Los Angeles finished 30th in the league in return yards. The Bolts already have elite talent at receiver in Keenan Allen, Tyrell Williams and Mike Williams, who is hard at work in the offseason program after an injury-filled rookie year as the seventh overall pick.
DO THE WORK
The Chargers' front office executives and scouts were busy this week preparing for the draft by sifting through hundreds of scouting reports and making their final evaluations before going into a massive mock draft.
"We'll go through different scenarios of where guys would go, and what we would do," Telesco said. "Because (on) draft day, you can't have those discussions. It's hard enough making decisions with the clock ticking down in front of you. You can't have those long discussions at that point. You have to have that decided."
HITS, MISSES AND BARGAINS
Telesco's first five years in charge included big hits in 2016 with first-round pick Bosa and second-round tight end Hunter Henry, both budding stars. He also grabbed running back Melvin Gordon in the first round in 2015 and got starting linebacker Denzel Perryman in the second round.
Telesco hasn't been as successful in unearthing hidden gems, with few later-round picks becoming major contributors. For instance, 2016 third-round pick Max Tuerk lasted just two years and failed to become the Bolts' starting center. But he got a huge hit in the third round in 2013 when he drafted Keenan Allen, who overcame injuries to become a Pro Bowl receiver.
Much of the evaluation of last year's class must wait [url=http://authenticlosangeleschargers.com/cheap-justin-jones-jersey]Justin Jones Jersey Elite[/url] , since first-round receiver Mike Williams didn't play much and second-round offensive lineman Forrest Lamp missed the whole season because of injuries.
The NFL Players Association filed a grievance with the league on Tuesday challenging its national anthem policy.
The union says that the new policy, which the league imposed without consultation with the NFLPA, is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement and infringes on players' rights. The filing met a statute of limitations deadline and will be heard by an independent arbitrator, an NFLPA spokesman said.
In May, the NFL approved its national anthem policy at its owners meetings in Atlanta. The policy allows players to protest during the national anthem by staying in the locker room, but forbids them from sitting or taking a knee if they're on the field or the sidelines.
Teams will be subject to fines if players don't comply and will have the option of punishing players.
When the league announced the policy, Commissioner Roger Goodell called it a compromise aimed at putting the focus back on football after a tumultuous year in which television ratings dipped nearly 10 percent; some blamed the protests for such a drop. The union said at that time that it would file a grievance against any change in the collective bargaining agreement.
The union said Tuesday it has proposed having its executive committee talking to the NFL instead of proceeding with litigation. The union said the NFL has agreed to those discussions.
The NFL declined to comment about the union's action.
In 2016, then-49ers quarterback, Colin Kaepernick began protesting police brutality and social injustice by kneeling during the national anthem, and the demonstration spread to other players and teams. It became one of the most controversial and sensitive issues in the NFL, with players saying their messages last year were being misconstrued, while others 鈥?including President Donald Trump 鈥?called them unpatriotic. Trump even said NFL owners should fire any player who refused to stand during the anthem.
Following those comments [url=http://www.philadelphiaphilliesteamshop.com/authentic-will-middlebrooks-jersey]Authentic Will Middlebrooks Jersey[/url] , more than 200 players protested during the anthem that weekend before the number of protesters dwindled as the season progressed.
"We're here for a bigger platform," Raiders tight end Jared Cook said during the spring. "We're not just athletes. We're people that live this. It's people in our neighborhood, it's people that we grew up with, it's people that we know who are actually living through these circumstances. So when we speak on it, it's not like we're just speaking out of the side of our neck. It's things that actually touch home and things that we can actually relate to.
"All I have to say is, I just think it's sad that it's veered from something that stood for good and the whole narrative has changed into something that's negative when that was not what it was initially about in the first place."
The NFL started requiring players to be on the field for the anthem in 2009 鈥?the year it signed a marketing deal with the military.
"We want people to be respectful of the national anthem. We want people to stand," Goodell said at the May meetings, when he dismissed concerns about the lack of union involvement by contending the league met with countless players over the past year.
"We've been very sensitive on making sure that we give players choices," the commissioner added, "but we do believe that moment is an important moment and one that we are going to focus on."
The league and the Players Coalition have been working in tandem on efforts to support player initiatives in the community and for a variety of social issues. The NFL is committing $90 million over the next seven years to social justice causes in a three-segment plan that involves league players.
.When I hear a lot that
Hurst started all 16 games in 2017, the fourth consecutive season he played in every game with Baltimore. He started at left guard in 15 games and at left tackle on Nov. 19 against Green Bay, subbing for the injured Ronnie Stanley.
Signed as a rookie free agent in 2014, the 26-year-old Hurst has been used at guard, tackle and on special teams.
”This is good news for our football team,” coach John Harbaugh said. ”James is a reliable, tough and versatile player who has played a lot of football for us. He has started at both tackle and guard, and all he has been is productive and someone who has made us better.”
In 2017, the 6-foot-5, 317-pound Hurst was part of an offensive line that allowed only 27 sacks, tied with Minnesota for seventh fewest in the NFL.
By signing Hurst, the Ravens now have 10 unrestricted free agents.
”This feels great,” Hurst said. ”I’ve been here four years already, so I’m really excited to come back for four more and build on what we started.”
Also Monday, the Ravens freed some salary cap space by releasing cornerback Lardarius Webb.
Webb, who played nine seasons in Baltimore, wrote on Twitter: ”Thank you Baltimore it’s been a great run.”
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Nothing could keep Joe Thomas off the field.
The Browns’ sturdy left tackle never missed a game and never missed a single snap before a freak injury ended his 2017 season. And [url=http://www.chiefsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-breeland-speaks-jersey]Chiefs Breeland Speaks Jersey[/url] , sadly, his career.
The face of Cleveland’s franchise for more than a decade, and one of the best offensive linemen in NFL history, Thomas retired Wednesday after 11 seasons, ending a run exemplified by durability, dependability and dominance.
A 10-time Pro Bowler, Thomas ended months of self-reflection and speculation with a bow.
”This was an extremely difficult decision, but the right one for me and my family,” said Thomas, the No. 3 overall pick in the 2007 draft. ”Playing in the NFL has taken a toll on my body and I can no longer physically compete at the level I need to.”
Few players have ever reached his level.
Thomas started 167 consecutive games and was on the field for 10,363 consecutive snaps before tearing his left triceps while blocking on a routine running play during an Oct. 22 game against Tennessee.
The sight of the 6-foot-6, 310-pound Thomas helplessly sprawled on the ground in pain was shocking to teammates, the Titans and Cleveland fans who had never seen No. 73 look so vulnerable.
He had been an iron man, football’s version of Cal Ripken.
But the severe injury required surgery and gave Thomas, who had fought through torn knee ligaments, ankle sprains and a sore back to play in recent years, more time to consider the next phase of life. And to reflect on a career that will one day lead to his enshrinement in Canton [url=http://www.raidersfootballauthentics.com/martavis-bryant-jersey-authentic]Youth Martavis Bryant Jersey[/url] , Ohio.
”From the moment I was drafted, the city embraced me in a way that I could never fully describe,” Thomas said. ”I am proud to call Cleveland home. The loyalty and passion of Browns fans is unmatched and it was an honor to play in front of them from the past 11 years. I would like to thank all of the coaches, teammates, staff, fans and everyone who has shown me support throughout my career.
”Even though I will be hanging up my cleats, I will always be a Cleveland Brown.”
After announcing his retirement, Thomas, who hosts a popular podcast with former teammate Andrew Hawkins, provided more details about his physical condition and the destructive toll that playing took on his body.
”As a competitor, you always think that you can still do it, but there a point in your career that you get to that crossroads and you say I just can’t do it anymore, I just don’t have it in my body,” Thomas said on ”The ThomaHawk Show.”
”My mind is good, but my body is not willing, and I think that’s where I am. … As your body fills up with inflammation, your muscles shut down [url=http://www.minnesotatwinsteamshop.com/authentic-jake-odorizzi-jersey]Jake Odorizzi Minnesota Twins Jersey[/url] , it’s a protection mechanism that your body has. Specifically, in my knee, which is the main reason I feel like I had to retire.”
The loss of Thomas, who would have received a $3 million roster bonus on Sunday and had a $10.3 million salary for 2018, leaves a huge hole for the Browns on and off the field. Thomas was more than just an excellent player. Jovial with a Midwestern charm, he personified this blue-collar city: loyal, hardworking, reliable.
Owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said Thomas’ playing streak – the number 10,363 – will be added to the team’s ring of honor at FirstEnergy Stadium this season.
Thomas is one of just five players selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first 10 seasons, and the other four – Barry Sanders, Lawrence Taylor, Mel Renfro and Merlin Olsen – are Hall of Famers.
Easily the best player of Cleveland’s expansion era since 1999, he’s on the short list of the top players in the Browns’ storied history, a group that includes Jim Brown, Otto Graham, Ozzie Newsome and Lou Groza.
But for all his personal accomplishments and success, Thomas never got to play in the postseason. That wasn’t his fault.
The Browns have been in a perpetual cycle of chaos almost since Thomas was drafted on a day he chose to spend fishing with his dad on Lake Michigan rather than being with the other college stars at Radio City Music Hall in New York.
Thomas played for six coaches [url=http://www.coloradorockiesteamshop.com/authentic-chris-iannetta-jersey]Chris Iannetta Colorado Rockies Jersey[/url] , at least that many offensive coordinators, and protected 20 quarterbacks during his 11 seasons. When he was featured in an ESPN documentary last year, Thomas incredibly named all the QBs he played with, a list that started with Derek Anderson and finished with DeShone Kizer.
Cleveland won 10 games in his rookie season but missed the playoffs, and never won more than seven games in any of his other seasons. In all, the Browns went 48-128 during his career.
But despite year after year of losing, Thomas never wavered in his commitment to the Browns or Cleveland. He’s the only player to earn the team’s Walter Payton Man of the Year distinction several times and Thomas was active with several area charity groups.
On Tuesday night, he spoke at an awards dinner for the Positive Coaching Alliance.
”When I hear a lot that stuff about my career, I have to pinch myself because I wanted to show up every day and do my job and be a good teammate, and then 11 years later I was able to rack up some impressive accolades,” he said. ”So hopefully years from now when my kids grow up and think I’m a total jerk and telling me how much of a loser I am, I can say, `Well, I did win a Walter Payton Man of the Year a couple times.”’
—
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The Raiders wil
The Reds also optioned utility player Brandon Dixon to Triple-A Louisville and recalled Tanner Rainey and Cody Reed from Louisville to bolster a depleted bullpen.
The Dodgers sent James Marinan and Anerurys Zabala to the Reds for Floro [url=http://www.officialpredators.com/authentic-adidas-filip-forsberg-jersey]Adidas Filip Forsberg Jersey[/url] , Zach Neal and international signing bonus pool space. Marinan锟絯ill report to Billings of the rookie-level Pioneer League and锟絑abala锟絫o Single-A Dayton.
Floro was 3-2 with a 2.72 ERA in 25 relief appearances this season with Cincinnati.
”He’s got a good arm, a heavy sinker, puts the ball in the ground,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. ”He’s a guy that can go multiple innings if we need as well.”
Rainey had no record in five previous stints with the Reds this season. Reed had spent the entire season with the Bats.
Dixon hit .219 with a home run over 29 games, including 2 for 8 with two RBIs as a pinch hitter.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Dodgers designated right-hander Daniel Corcino for assignment.
—
As he squares off against first-round draft pick Kolton Miller almost daily in training camp, Oakland Raiders rookie defensive end Arden Key rarely uses the same move twice.
On one play, Key takes a jab-step inside then spins around to Miller's outside shoulder and speeds past the big left tackle. A few moments later, Key bull-rushes his way between Miller and another offensive lineman with little resistance.
It's not an indictment of Miller so much as it is a credit to Key [url=http://www.philadelphiaphilliesteamshop.com/authentic-lenny-dykstra-jersey]Lenny Dykstra Jersey[/url] , the Raiders' third-round draft pick who has been one of the early stars in training camp.
"We love Key," Oakland coach Jon Gruden said Monday. "We've liked Key ever since the draft process. We felt lucky to get him where we got him. There's some things this kid can do that are very special. Hopefully, we get full strength someday at the defensive end position and we can show our true colors."
Gruden was referring to defensive end Khalil Mack, who is entering the final year of his contract and is holding out for a new deal.
Mack, the 2016 defensive player of the year, has been the Raiders' best pass-rusher for the past four seasons. In hopes of giving him some help up front, the team used three of it first six draft picks to acquire Key along with defensive tackles P.J. Hall (second round) and Maurice Hurst (fifth round).
Oakland also moved Bruce Irvin from outside linebacker to right defensive end, the same position as Key. The two men formed a close bond, with Irvin serving as a mentor to Key.
Irvin compares Key to Aldon Smith [url=http://www.redskinsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-troy-apke-jersey]Redskins Troy Apke Jersey[/url] , the talented but troubled former Raiders linebacker who had 33 陆 sacks in his first two NFL seasons before off-field issues forced him out of the league.
Like Smith, Key wears jersey No. 99.
"He's a really natural rusher," Irvin said. "He reminds me a lot of the old 99 that was here. If he keeps his head on straight, which he will, he's going to be a hell of a player and a hell of a player for the Raiders. Can't wait to see what he's going to do this year."
Irvin is among a number of Oakland players and coaches who have repeatedly praised Key during camp.
The 22-year-old has tried to keep it all in perspective. Key buries his head in the playbook and has been pouring over film of other pass-rushers, trying to find new tricks to add to his arsenal of pass-rush moves.
"I look at a lot of pass-rushers to try to steal some of their moves and try them in one-on-one," Key said. "If it works it works and if I like it, it's going to stick with me."
Getting around an offensive tackle, Key said [url=http://www.authenticschicagobears.com]Bears Elite Jerseys[/url] , is much like a chess match.
"I always work on one move first and see if he beats it," Key said. "If he beats that then I'm going to counter with something else. If he beats my counter move then I've got to counter with another counter."
The Raiders have also had Key lining up in the three-technique over a guard, giving the defense more speed for the interior rush.
"He's a stud, I'll put it that way," linebacker Tahir Whitehead said. "He's big, he's strong, he's athletic. He can go inside, he can go outside. I'm excited to see him go out there in the first game and let it rip."
As for his ongoing battles against Miller, Key said the competition has been heating up between the two rookies.
"Kolton gets better every day [url=http://www.jaguarscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-tanner-lee-jersey]Authentic Tanner Lee Jersey[/url] ," Key said. "From the first day we went against each to now, it's just gotten so much better. Now I have to dig in my tool box to try to pick different moves to use on him."
Notes: The Raiders will host two joint practices with the Detroit Lions beginning Tuesday. . RB DeAndre Washington has left the team for personal reasons but is expected back soon. . The team waived defensive back Shaquille Richardson and signed cornerback Raysean Pringle. . Gavin Newsome, a candidate for California governor, attended practice and chatted with owner Mark Davis.
__
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Players on both
Former San Diego Chargers coach Mike Riley will be the head coach and former Dallas Cowboys fullback Darryl "Moose" Johnston is the general manager.
San Antonio joins Atlanta [url=http://www.giantscheapstore.com/kyle-lauletta-jersey-cheap]Kyle Lauletta Jersey Giants[/url] , Orlando, Salt Lake City, San Diego, Phoenix, Memphis and Birmingham.
The Alliance will kick off its inaugural season the week after the Super Bowl and has a TV contract with CBS.
San Antonio is the eighth and final city for The Alliance's inaugural season, joining Orlando, Atlanta, Memphis, Salt Lake [url=http://www.ottawasenatorsteamshop.com/authentic-mark-stone-jersey]Authentic Mark Stone Jersey[/url] , Phoenix, San Diego and Birmingham.
"Not only does San Antonio have a large population of football fans, it has a first-class stadium to host them in," says Charlie Ebersol, co-founder and CEO of the league. "The Alamodome is a perfect backdrop for Alliance San Antonio, and we are eager to give this city a competitive team, led by coach Mike Riley, that they can rally around and support.
Riley also has coached in the CFL and at Oregon State and Nebraska.
Bills receiver Kelvin Benjamin was not interested in what Panthers quarterback Cam Newton had to say before Buffalo's preseason game against the Panthers.
"I'm just moving on from it," Benjamin said repeatedly when asked about a discussion he and Newton had on the field about 90 minutes before kickoff.
Asked what Newton was trying to tell him [url=http://www.coltsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-customized]Authentic Customized Colts Jerseys[/url] , Benjamin responded: "I wasn't even trying to listen."
Newton declined to comment following Carolina's 28-23 win Thursday, and merely shook his head while walking up the tunnel.
Tensions between the former teammates were raised a week ago, when Benjamin criticized Newton's accuracy in an interview with The Athletic. Benjamin, who was traded to Buffalo in October, also questioned why the Panthers ever used a first-round pick to select him in the first round of the 2014 draft, because he thought he wasn't a good fit in the offense.
The bad blood wasn't resolved Thursday.
The Charlotte Observer posted a video showing Benjamin chatting with Panthers linebacker Thomas Davis when Newton approached the two and attempted to shake Benjamin's hand. Newton waved away Davis, and then had a brief discussion with Benjamin before the receiver began walking away.
Newton followed and the two talked again. The discussion ended when Benjamin shrugged and turned to walk away, and Newton waved his hand at the receiver's back.
"I walked away to allow them an opportunity to talk things out. That's what it was," Davis said.
"Just brothers having a conversation [url=http://www.authenticsdenverbroncos.com/cheap-royce-freeman-jersey]Royce Freeman Jersey Elite[/url] ," he added. "It's one of those things. You go up to a guy. You talk about it. You hash things out or you don't."
The discussion didn't affect the two once the game began with Benjamin and Newton playing key roles in touchdown drives in the first quarter.
Benjamin caught four passes for 59 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown reception from Nathan Peterman on Buffalo's first possession. Benjamin scored by beating former Bills cornerback Kevon Seymour off the line, and was open when catching the pass at the 2 up the left sideline.
Newton responded on the next possession, completing 4 of 5 attempts for 67 yards as part of an 85-yard drive capped by Christian McCaffrey's 2-yard run.
Newton finished 6 of 9 for 84 yards in two series. He was nearly intercepted on Carolina's second possession when he overthrew tight end Greg Olsen over the middle. Jordan Poyer got a hand on the ball, but was unable to bring it in to his body.
Panthers coach Ron Rivera noted Newton may have been "a little jacked up" with some of the passes he missed, including the one to Olsen.
Rivera doubted Newton's over-excitement had anything to do with the pre-game discussion with Benjamin.
"Cam's always excited when it's football, and he's really one of those emotional guys," Rivera said. "You'd like him just to settle in a little bit, slow down and deliver a good pass."
The Panthers overcame a 17-7 first-half deficit and went ahead for good on C.J. Anderson's 4-yard run 2:19 into the fourth quarter. Mose Frazier caught a 26-yard touchdown pass from backup Garrett Gilbert [url=http://www.thebroncosfootballauthentic.com/josey-jewell-jersey-authentic]Youth Josey Jewell Jersey[/url] , and Elijah Hood sealed the win with a 21-yard TD reception from Taylor Heinicke with 5:05 left.
Stephen Hauschka hit a 26-yard field goal and backup running back Marcus Murphy scored on a 7-yard run in the final minute of the first half.
ALLEN'S DEBUT
One of the biggest cheers went up when Buffalo's first-round draft pick Josh Allen took over the offense to open the second half. On his first snap, Allen faked a handoff and then showed off his strong arm by sailing a 50-yard pass intended for Robert Foster that just went out of bounds at the left sideline.
Allen finished 9 of 19 for 116 yards, and hit Ray-Ray McCloud III for a 14-yard touchdown with 1:10 left.
Buffalo traded up five spots to select the Wyoming product with the No. 7 pick. Still considered raw, Allen is being brought along slowly and has spent a majority of the offseason working with the third-string offense.
QB WATCH
Panthers: Gilbert went 7 of 12 for 93 yards and a touchdown in four series in the competition to replace Derek Anderson as Newton's backup. Heinicke went 7 of 9 for 121 yards and a touchdown.
Bills: Peterman, Buffalo's returning backup, went 9 of 10 for 119 yards and an interception over two drives. Free-agent addition A.J. McCarron went 7 of 10 for 116 yards in two drives to close the first half. Peterman and McCarron have split time with the starters all offseason.
INJURIES
Panthers: S Damian Parms did not return after hurting his shoulder in the second half. CB LaDarius Gunter did not return after being placed in concussion protocol in the third quarter.
Bills: DT John Hughes limped off and did not return midway through the fourth quarter.
NATIONAL ANTHEM
Players on both teams stood for the national anthem.
UP NEXT
Panthers: Host Miami on Aug. 17.
Bills: At Cleveland on Aug. 17.
.There may also be some
Dubas joined the team as assistant general manager in 2014. He is an advocate of analytics and succeeds 75-year-old Lou Lamoriello.
Lamoriello shifted to the role of senior adviser last month. Most expected President Brendan Shanahan to choose Dubas or Mark Hunter, another assistant GM with the team.
The Maple Leafs set franchise records for points (105) and wins (49) this season but were eliminated in seven games by Boston in the first round of the playoffs.
Dubas was responsible for player personnel, the farm system and research and development. He was general manager of the team’s AHL affiliate. The Toronto Marlies were AHL regular-season champions for second time in three years.
In Dubas’ four seasons as Marlies general manager, the affiliate developed eight players on the current Maple Leafs roster: Connor Brown, Connor Carrick, Travis Dermott, Zach Hyman, Andreas Johnsson [url=http://www.authenticsmiamidolphins.com/cheap-jerome-baker-jersey]Jerome Baker Jersey Elite[/url] , Kasperi Kapanen, Josh Leivo and William Nylander.
The Maple Leafs have gone young before in the front office. In 1988, Gord Stellick became the league’s then-youngest general manager at 30.
John Chayka became the youngest general manager in NHL history in May 2016 when, at 26, he was promoted by the Arizona Coyotes.
Bobby Wagner reacted as though he was hoping the question would come.
With all the changes on the Seattle Seahawks defense 鈥?the leaders, the voices, the veterans no longer around 鈥?will there be a new focus on a group of linebackers that at times has seemed underappreciated?
"It has always been about the guy in the middle," Wagner said emphatically. "So for me [url=http://www.seattlemarinersteamshop.com/authentic-ryon-healy-jersey]Authentic Ryon Healy Jersey[/url] , it's not no different because that's how I look at it, but from the outside maybe it is different because those guys are gone and you guys are looking for someone who is going to be that leader. Y'all ain't got to look. You're looking at the guy right here. I will be that guy and we're going to be fine."
And with that, any question about who the leading voice is on Seattle's defense was quickly answered.
For most of the past half-decade, Seattle's highly regarded defense was defined by the secondary with the catchy nickname and the flashy personalities. From there, attention often shifted to the defensive line and the type of chaos Michael Bennett and others created on 鈥?and sometimes off 鈥?the field.
Then there was Wagner and fellow linebacker K.J. Wright. They have been regarded as two of the best in the league at their positions and sometimes have received that level of recognition. But they were often relegated to a secondary role on their own team in terms of recognition even with Wagner being voted first-team All-Pro three times and Wright being a Pro Bowl selection.
"The attention has gone elsewhere, I guess," Wright said. "Nothing will change. We'll still be the bad-ass linebackers on this team. We'll still lead the way. Stuff will still be run in order. We'll still make plays and it'll be fun out there."
Seattle's offseason defensive overhaul saw Bennett, Richard Sherman and Sheldon Richardson find new homes; Cliff Avril and Kam Chancellor step away from the game due to neck injuries [url=http://www.losangelesdodgersteamshop.com/authentic-mark-lowe-jersey]Mark Lowe Jersey[/url] , and Earl Thomas hold out in search of a new contract. There are changes everywhere across Seattle's defensive alignment, with the exception of the linebackers.
Wagner has been calling Seattle's defense from the moment he arrived in the NFL and became a starter as a rookie. His partner the entire time has been Wright. With the departures, those voices they've used together for the past six seasons will be even louder.
"Yeah, they had the name, they got a lot of the attention and now the attention may shift to the linebackers," Wagner said. "But we pride ourselves on being the guys that lead this team and that has been my mindset since I stepped in. I had coach Norton teach me the way."
Ken Norton Jr. has returned to Seattle to be the defensive coordinator. He was a mentor for Wagner and Wright as the linebackers coach when both arrived in the NFL. Now he's returned with an even bigger imprint on what Seattle does defensively.
"He's the linebackers guy and he put that responsibility more on us. He calls on me in the meeting room to answer most of the questions, calls on Bobby to answer the questions because he knows that we're all on the same page," Wright said. "He knows that we're the guys that can share our leadership abilities [url=http://www.washingtoncapitalsteamshop.com/authentic-alex-ovechkin-jersey]Authentic Alex Ovechkin Jersey[/url] , share our knowledge of the game. He's putting that on us."
There may also be some schematic tweaks that give Wagner and Wright more freedom defensively. Wright said he believes the adjustments will make Seattle more fundamentally sound defensively and the linebackers could be the benefactors.
"I think this defense is hungry," Wright said. "We have a lot to prove. Myself, the secondary with all the guys leaving, the (defensive) line with the guys leaving. It's going to be fun because you've got guys who want to come and show who they are."
.Francona chalked up Carrasco
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The Indians caught a lucky break. Carlos Carrasco is only bruised.
An MRI taken Monday revealed that Cleveland’s steady starter only suffered a bruised right elbow when he was struck by a vicious line drive on Saturday against Minnesota.
”We dodged a huge bullet,” said relieved Indians manager Terry Francona.
Carrasco, who has previously sustained serious injuries after being hit by comebackers, will be treated for swelling over the next 48 hours before being evaluated on Wednesday.
At this point, it’s expected that Carrasco will return to the rotation and mound once his stint on the disabled list ends.
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In the second inning on Saturday, Twins star Joe Mauer hit a line drive that Carrasco couldn’t avoid. The 31-year-old, who has been one of the AL’s most consistent pitchers the past three seasons [url=http://www.authenticsbuffalobills.com/cheap-josh-allen-jersey]Cheap Josh Allen Jersey[/url] , braced himself before absorbing the liner. He was forced to leave the game and taken to the hospital.
Carrrasco has a history of being hit on the mound. He was struck in the face in 2015 and then missed the 2016 playoffs after breaking his hand, a blow that left the Indians short one of their top pitchers during their run to the World Series.
But despite Carrasco’s track record of being a target, Francona isn’t worried about the 31-year-old showing any jitters when he pitches.
”He’s been hit before and you think, `OK will it bother him?”’ Francona said. ”He’s been hit before so I think he’s champing at the bit to get this out of there and start pitching again. It’s easy to tell him, `Hey [url=http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/jihad-ward-jersey]Authentic Jihad Ward Jersey[/url] , don’t worry about it.’ I’m not the one standing out there.
”This is fourth time, and I’ve never seen any ill effects before and I don’t anticipate any going forward. I think he’s just glad that it’s a bruise and see how quick he can get better.”
Francona chalked up Carrasco’s mound misfortune to bad luck.
”I do think there are pitchers that put themselves in a position where they are not able to field their position, but Carlos is fine,” Francona said. ”He lands flat and he’s in a really good position, most of the time. The fact that he could get his hand up and kind of block it and not hit somewhere else.”
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AP Sports Writer Teresa
It's not an ideal position. It's also not one Greene seems concerned about.
"I'm a deep thinker and I'm aware that life is going to hit you sometimes," Greene said after minicamp Wednesday. "It's hitting me this way, and it's my job. You've got to be able to bounce back and be strong and show that you can overcome adversity. It builds character and makes you a better person."
He's counting on it making him a better player, too.
Just being healthy is a good start.
Greene missed seven games as a rookie in 2015 because of a broken thumb. He missed eight more the following year because of an Achilles injury. He sat out all of last season with an ailing back.
Even with the injuries mounting, his confidence never wavered.
So it didn't bother him when the Jaguars signed Donte Moncrief to a one-year, $9.6 million deal in free agency or when they selected DJ Chark in the second round of the NFL draft.
"I wasn't thinking, 'Oh, this is the end,' or getting agitated with what was going on," Greene said. "You've got to make plays. At the end of the day, it's a job [url=http://www.officialflames.com/authentic-adidas-johnny-gaudreau-jersey]Adidas Johnny Gaudreau Jersey[/url] , and if you don't make plays, you're not going to make the team. That's imperative.
"You can't have anxiety. You just got to relax, have fun and make plays."
Greene would have been considered a long shot to make Jacksonville's roster just a few weeks ago. But the former Florida State standout, a fifth-round draft pick in 2015, has made his share of plays during organized team activities.
He's been so impressive that he looks like a strong option to be part of a rotation that includes Marqise Lee, Moncrief, Keelan Cole and Chark.
"A lot of times when you are injured, you do not have that ability to showcase what you can do," coach Doug Marrone said. "I think he went through that last year and right now he is healthy, performing well and looking a lot like the player that I first saw when he came here, making plays and doing things.
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Greene has 24 receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns. He's been more dynamic on special teams, returning 39 punts for 432 yards and a score. He averaged 16.7 yards a punt return as a rookie.
But injuries have been his more prominent story line.
"He is definitely versatile," offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett said. "He is a smooth wide receiver that has a lot of good quick shake and control of his body. He is a guy that we are excited to see as the pads come on and as training camp goes. We just want to keep seeing him. He is doing everything he can to put himself in position to get out on the field."
And maybe watch less and play more.
"All I can ask for is a chance," Greene said. "And the organization is giving me that. It feels great to be out there and competing. I'm having fun, and I can live with the results."
Seen Steven Stamkos? Is he healthy?
The Eastern Conference No. 1 seed Tampa Bay Lightning sure hope so after Stamkos missed four of the last seven regular-season games with a nagging lower-body injury.
After a torn meniscus in his right knee cost Stamkos several months and likely Tampa Bay a playoff spot last season, his status bears watching more than any other injured player going into the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Stamkos was a full participant in practice Monday and said it’s ”the hope” to be ready for Game 1 Thursday when the Lightning host the New Jersey Devils.
”Definitely a step in the right direction,” Stamkos told reporters in Tampa. ”Felt pretty good all things considered.”
That’s a good sign for the Lightning, who got 100 points from Nikita Kucherov but count on Stamkos to be their top-line center and a big-time scorer on the power play.
Tampa Bay’s opponent is hoping to get Marcus Johansson back after he missed New Jersey’s final 35 games with a concussion. Johansson has been cleared for contact, but not yet to play and said over the weekend he’s feeling better.
In the West, the already-deep top-seeded Nashville Predators are on the verge of getting forward Calle Jarnkrok back after he missed almost the final month of the regular season with an upper-body injury. Jarnkrok had 16 goals and 19 assists for 35 points in 68 games with Nashville, which opens against Colorado.
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Washington Capitals coach Barry Trotz called forwards T.J. Oshie (lower body) and Jay Beagle (upper body) day to day, too. Oshie practiced Tuesday, while Beagle skated afterward with a more questionable status.
”I feel good,” Oshie said. ”I feel right now I’m playing my best hockey. Obviously, I’ve rested a couple of games. But I feel like I’ve had the most energy and the most clarity out there then I did for a while there. Right there I feel at my best.”
In the first round, they’ll have to deal with Columbus captain Nick Foligno, who’s ready to rejoin the Blue Jackets lineup after missing time with a lower-body injury.
A few high-profile defensemen weren’t as fortunate, and their injuries could prove costly. Boston lost Brandon Carlo and Minnesota lost Ryan Suter to broken ankles, and Winnipeg won’t have Dmitry Kulikov with a back injury. Winnipeg faces Minnesota in the first round.
It’s the second consecutive playoffs Carlo missed after he was concussed by Alex Ovechkin a year ago.
”It’s the one thing he’s been looking forward to,” Krug said of Carlo. ”Obviously he went through it last year missing the time and this year he was excited for it. You feel awful. It’s a tough break.”
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The Bruins are optimistic injured forwards Rick Nash, Riley Nash and Sean Kuraly will be ready for Game 1 against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday.
”They’re all working that way,” Boston GM Don Sweeney said. ”Hopefully they’ll all be available.”
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AP Sports Writer Teresa M. Walker in Nashville, Tennessee, contributed.
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Flaherty is facing Milwaukee
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And to get the kind of house he and his wife wanted, Mathis needed to free up some money. And that meant the avid sports card collector would have to part with his prized possession: a 1952 Mickey Mantle baseball card.
"Just that image of the young Mickey Mantle, over the years it's been a centerpiece of the hobby," Mathis told The Associated Press by phone. "I guess it's kind of like the Mona Lisa of the sports card world."
Issued as part of its first set of baseball cards by Topps, the Mantle card is the marquee piece of a card-only spring collection by Heritage Auctions. It is one of six versions of the card to have been rated a Mint 9 by PSA, one of the leading sports memorabilia authenticators, with three others having earned a Mint 10 rating.
The card has been estimated by Heritage to be valued at $3.5 million. For comparison, the highest price paid for a card at auction was $3.12 million two years ago for a 1909 Honus Wagner card.
"It's what I consider the new face of card collecting," said Chris Ivy, Heritage's director of sports auctions. "For decades it's been the (Wagner card). For post-war (World War II) cards and the baby-boomer generation and beyond, it really does come down to this '52 Topps rookie Mickey Mantle card, which has kind of moved from just sports collecting to more of Americana."
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"The fact that this one came out of the factory in strong condition, survived for many decades in that same condition, didn't get put in spokes or thrown away by mom is pretty miraculous," Ivy added.
Bidding for items in the collection, which also includes cards from the 19th century, ends April 20.
Mathis was a third-round pick by Carolina in the 2005 NFL draft. He retired in January 2017 after 12 seasons as an offensive guard with the Panthers, Miami, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Denver and Arizona. He was on the Broncos team that won Super Bowl 50.
He got into card collecting as a kid growing up a fan of Bo Jackson in Birmingham, Alabama, in the late 1980s. Jackson, who had attended high school in nearby McCalla before starring in football and baseball at Auburn [url=http://www.coltscheapshop.com/cheap-authentic-kemoko-turay-jersey]Authentic Kemoko Turay Jersey[/url] , was a two-sport professional for the NFL's Los Angeles Raiders and baseball's Kansas City Royals. Mathis, about 6 years old then, started going to the store to buy packs of cards to get as many of Jackson as he could.
By his recollection, Mathis got away from the hobby around the time he was in middle school before picking it up again years later when his own NFL career was progressing and he could afford some of the cards he couldn't earlier. He was drawn to the 1952 Mantle card and bought several versions of the card inferior to the one he currently owns, and his best was a Mint 8 until about two years ago. That's when a collector friend sent him a photo of his Mint 9 to show it off, and Mathis knew he had to have it.
Mathis said he traded the "vast majority" of his collection and agreed to a payment plan for rest of the value to get the card. Now, he's moving with his wife, Katelynn, and their two daughters from Arizona to Tennessee to be close to family, and needed to free up some money.
"I don't think I'll have any regrets because I'll have a nice house to show for it instead of the card," he said.
Looking to expand the pool of potential buyers, Mathis is willing to accept cryptocurrency such as bitcoin as payment.
"A lot of new money was created in crypto," Mathis said. "There's a lot of people that might have some newfound riches that they might want to diversify with [url=http://www.raiderscheapstore.com/nick-nelson-jersey-cheap]Nick Nelson Jersey Raiders[/url] , and I just kind of wanted to spread the target market out a little bit and give those guys a chance to jump in."
While Mathis is selling the card he owns now, he hasn't given up on the thought of acquiring one of the Mint 10 versions one day.
"It's not within my grasp at the moment," he said. "It's something to work for."
Follow Vin Cherwoo at VinCherwooAP
Seven years after making his major league debut as an outfielder, Eric Thames is getting reacquainted with the position for the Milwaukee Brewers.
Normally Milwaukee’s first baseman, Thames has started three straight games in the outfield — including two in a row in left — and has seen the bulk of his action there since returning from a 41-game stint on the disabled list earlier this month.
Manager Craig Counsell has Thames in the outfield as he tries to keep Thames left-handed power bat in the lineup alongside right-hander slugger Jesus Aguilar.
Thames will likely stay in the outfield Friday night as the Brewers continue a four-game series with the St. Louis Cardinals at Miller Park.
Thames played left field and drove in three runs as Milwaukee began the series with an 11-3 win on Thursday.
Aguilar took over as the everyday first baseman when Thames suffered a thumb injury April 25 and has thrived ever since. Aguilar is tied with Travis Shaw for the team lead with 14 home runs.
With the benefit of added offense also comes liability: Thames spent three years playing first base in the Korean League and made just 15 outfield appearances when the Brewers brought him back to the major leagues last season, so there is a little fine-tuning with Thames’ defensive skills.
“It’s not new for him but it is unfamiliar, and we recognize that,” Counsell said. “We understand this isn’t a regular position at this point. There’s going to be some rough edges there, but he’s shown that he can handle the basics.
“There was a ball he misplayed in Pittsburgh, but he came back and made two very nice plays. That’s what we’re going to get and that’s what we’ve got to be willing to live with.”
Counsell is willing to sacrifice a little on defense if it means getting the kind of pop Aguilar and Thames are capable of.
“I think having both of those bats in the lineup is reward enough for that,” Counsell said.
Junior Guerra (3-5, 2.89 ERA) will make a second consecutive start a day after the Brewers scored 10 runs or more. He’s hoping Friday turns out better than the last time, when Milwaukee followed an 11-run outburst against Philadelphia with a 4-1 loss.
Guerra pitched well in that outing. He allowed three runs on four hits over 5 1/3 innings but took the loss for the second time in three starts and is looking for his first victory since May 14 despite posting a 2.67 ERA in the six starts since.
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He is 2-2 with a 3.82 ERA in six career starts against the Cardinals.
St. Louis has dropped eight of 11 after committing four errors on Thursday and will start right-hander Jack Flaherty (3-2, 2.66).
Flaherty has allowed just one earned run over his last two starts, spanning 11 1/3 innings and has held opponents to no more than a run in six of his nine starts this season.
He held the Cubs scoreless over five innings his last time out on Sunday, striking out nine but didn’t take a decision in the Cardinals’ 5-0 victory.
“I was able to battle and execute when I needed to,” Flaherty said. “I threw a lot of pitches in a short amount of time. I was hoping to go deeper, but that’s how it goes sometimes.”
Flaherty is facing Milwaukee for the second time this season and the third time in his short career.
He made his first start against the Brewers in the 2017 finale at Busch Stadium, going five innings and giving up five hits and four runs and taking the loss. Flaherty made his 2018 debut at Miller Park back in April. He held Milwaukee to a run on six hits while striking out nine but took no decision in the Cardinals’ 5-4 loss.
.It was a sentiment echoed
The Bears grabbed a potential cornerstone defensive player in the first round Thursday rather than add another weapon for prized quarterback Mitchell Trubisky.
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Chicago had 42 sacks last season but let linebackers Pernell McPhee and Willie Young go. The Bears could also use a blocker, with guard Kyle Long recovering from multiple surgeries and guard Josh Sitton gone.
Le’Veon Bell keeps saying he wants to stay with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers keep saying they want to keep one of the NFL’s best running backs in the fold for years to come.
They have until July 16 to make it happen.
The Steelers placed the exclusive rights franchise tag on the two-time All-Pro for a second straight spring on Tuesday, putting Bell’s long-term status with the club up in the air.
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Bell is scheduled to make $14.54 million in 2018 if he signs the franchise tender and the two sides are unable to reach an agreement on a new deal. He skipped offseason workouts and training camp last summer before signing the tender on the eve of the regular season. The absence led to a sluggish start [url=http://www.authenticsnewyorkgiants.com/cheap-b.j.-hill-jersey]B.J. Hill Jersey Elite[/url] , though he was an indispensable part of Pittsburgh’s offense once again, breaking his own club record by catching 85 passes.
The 25-year-old made the 2017 All-Pro team at the ”flex” position, one he considered a tribute to his versatility. Bell said repeatedly over the past year he believes he’s different than other backs in the league and wants to be paid accordingly. He is arguably the best receiving back in the NFL and he’s averaged nearly 25 touches a game in five seasons, though he’s only been healthy at the end of the year twice. Bell has twice been suspended by the NFL for violations of the substance abuse policy.
Bell turned down a long-term deal with the Steelers last summer and told ESPN in January he would consider retiring if the Steelers used the franchise tag on him again. He backtracked a bit during the Pro Bowl when he said he believed a new contract was in the works. It was a sentiment echoed by both Steelers president Art Rooney II and general manager Kevin Colbert early in the offseason.
Pittsburgh’s depth behind Bell is thin. James Conner carried the ball 32 times during his rookie season and the club signed Stevan Ridley at the end of the regular season as insurance. Bell tweeted Monday that regardless of the circumstances he wants to remain with the Steelers.
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