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Transcript: Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer Minnesota Vikings Hats , 13 August As we start the final week of Training Camp for the Minnesota Vikings. . .yes, as long as it took for us to get here, it’s nearly over already. . .we got another opportunity to hear from Mike Zimmer about a variety of topics. Naturally, there were plenty of questions about the offensive line, but there were several other topics that were brought up during today’s press availability as well.Below is the full transcript of the question and answer session with Zimmer today, courtesy of the folks at the Vikings’ Public Relations office.Q: What stood out to you about the two big runs Latavius Murray had?A: He’s been running well all camp. The thing I liked about it is the acceleration through the hole when he found it, and he dropped his pads when he gets contact. But he’s been doing that all camp, so he’s looked really good.Q: How do you think Rashod Hill has looked since returning from his illness early in camp?A: Rashod is doing a good job. He’s an extremely athletic guy that has been getting better and better. Sometimes later in the game his concentration leaves him a little bit, so that’s where we’ll have to extend him more plays so he gets used to doing those things. He’s done a really nice job, he’s moving well in the running game, when he sets good in the passing game he’s really hard to get around. He’s done some good things.Q: How was Tom Compton looking? Are you thinking he might settle in at the left guard spot?A: I don’t know yet. We’re still looking and we haven’t made any decisions that way, but he played pretty well the other night, was solid. He really didn’t have any miscues in there, so we’re just going to continue to look. We still got a couple of more weeks before we go.Q: What makes Aviante Collins a good fit on the interior, particularly where he was at left guard?A: I was just sitting there one day Minnesota Vikings Womens Hoodie , and I said, “Let’s just look at him at guard and see what he can do.” Run-game wise, the footwork is similar between a guard and tackle, so that’s not a big change. But pass sets are different, things happen a lot quicker in there, but he’s a very, very athletic guy. It happens a lot quicker in there, so that’s kind of the thing we have to find out about with him. He’s got a little bit of a nasty streak, and that’s good. He’s a big guy, so I just thought let’s look at him.Q: How difficult is it to move a young player between the guard and tackle positions?A: Like this week with Aviante, when we went from tackle to guard it kind of took him a series to get back and say, “Okay, I got to do it this way now.” That will come, but it’s good for him to do those things, because on game day he could play almost anywhere.Q: When you get together with another team to practice Womens Customized Minnesota Vikings Jerseys , what are the key parameters that you establish with the other head coach?A: The biggest thing is that we want to get work done against a good team. It’s important that our guys know that we’re not going to put up with any trash talking, we’re not going to put up with any fighting. We’re not here for that, we’re here to get better. Hopefully our guys will know that, and they’ll have the same thing. Coach Marrone and I have talked about it. We’re really all about getting work done, we don’t way to get in any kind of conflicts like they apparently had in Washington. I didn’t see it, but things like that.Q: Do you have a history with Coach Marrone at all?A: Not really. Adam [Zimmer] was with him in New Orleans, and I know Tom Coughlin pretty well. They have done quite a bit, so when they called me I just expressed my concerns that I don’t want this to be a fight or anything like that, I want to go out there and try and get better.Q: Now that Jalen Ramsey and Dante Fowler are not going to travel here with Jacksonville, does that take any value out of this?A: They’re a good football team, went to the AFC Championship game last year. Whoever they bring, they bring, and whoever they don’t, they don’t. We’re just going to go out and try to improve. They’re defense is very similar to a lot of defenses that we’re going to face this year schematically, so I think that that will be good www.vikingsauthorizedshops.com , especially for our offense. They’re a downhill, power running football team, which is going to be good for our defense.Q: Is there anything you got out of the joint practices in Cincinnati in 2016 that you’d like to see happen again?A: Yeah, I got to go to the ranch for about three days, that was the number one reason. No, schematically everything was pretty similar defensively to both sides. We got a lot of good work done I thought that week. It was really, really hot and humid. I’m thinking back on it, but it’s always good when you get to go against A.J. Green. We get to go against [Leonard] Fournette this week. We’re not going to be pounding him or anything like that, but it’s good to see great players on the other side of the ball.Q: What were your impressions of the backup running backs on Saturday, such as Roc Thomas and Mike Boone?A: All three of them, including Mac Brown, had some very good runs. We missed a protection one time with one of them that got us a sacked. But they showed some explosiveness. I was actually pleased with those three guys, hopefully we can continue to work with those three and see where that leads. Q: On defense, how did you think Mike Hughes applied the techniques he’s been taught during camp?A: Mike did very well for the first time out. We were talking about some of our other corners and how their first game out was a little bit different compared to his. I thought that he played really well. He made a couple of nice tackles, the deep ball down on our sideline that he covered Minnesota Vikings Womens T-Shirt , I thought he was going to intercept it. He made a blitz one time when he was at the nickel and tackled the running back from behind. He did a lot of very good things, it was a good step in the right direction. Q: How about the special teams and in the return game?A: Yeah, you know he dropped the one ball which was not good, but he probably got what was there. We need to do better on special teams overall then we did the other night. That was not good enough so we are going to put a big emphasis on that now.Q: What does Jaleel Johnson’s position flexibility allow you to do as you try to build the depth of the interior defensive line? A: The biggest thing is on game day we can possibly dress one less defensive lineman because we can move guys around. It is good for him because it is two different techniques when you are playing nose and when you are playing the three-technique. It is good for him to do both, and it allows us to see what he is doing better, is this better or is that better?Q: Is there anything you noticed when watching the film of the first offensive drive? A: What I was probably most impressed with was the way we came off the ball with our offensive line. I thought we were physical up front, I thought we came off the ball well, and we did a nice job getting to the second level with the linebackers. I have been saying this in practice, our guys have been coming off the ball [well], it looked like it does in practice. So those things were really good. I think the footwork for the most part with the offensive line when they were in there was good. There were some other things, obviously Stefon Diggs’ catch. Kirk Cousins’ one-yard touchdown pass that he threw was a heck of a throw. He was getting pressured, he got it out quick and stuck it in there. People probably don’t appreciate that kind of a play as much as the one down the sideline. That was a really good throw. Q: What was your impression of Brian O’Neill and Jalyn Holmes?A: Jalyn did some good things. What he has been working on is, especially in the running game, it is kind of a different animal, you have to bow up and get thick and used to the pounding. I thought he did that better the other night. He showed some flashes in the pass rush. I wouldn’t have given him the same grade that Pro Football Focus did though. Somebody told me what his grade was. I didn’t look at it obviously. Actually Minnesota Vikings Hats , O’Neill played pretty well. Some of the things we were working on that he had been doing previously, he did not do, which was good. In the running game he was pretty good. Getting in the second level, blocking his guys. I thought he improved this week, yes. We are now under ninety minutes from kickoff of today’s contest between the Minnesota Vikings and the Philadelphia Eagles. Both teams have released their inactive lists, so let’s see who will be sitting out of today’s contest.As always, we start with the visiting team.Minnesota VikingsDE Tashawn BowerRB Dalvin CookLB Devante DownsDE Everson GriffenCB Marcus SherelsQB Kyle SloterCB Trae WaynesRookie cornerback Mike Hughes will get his first NFL start in place of Waynes this afternoon. Latavius Murray will be the starter at running back in place of Cook, and Stephen Weatherly will continue to start at defensive end in Griffen’s absence. Rookie defensive lineman Jalyn Holmes is active today for the first time in his NFL career.And now, on to the home team.Philadelphia EaglesDE Derek BarnettOT Jordan MailataDT Haloti NgataG Matt PryorQB Nate SudfeldRB Darren SprolesG Chance WarmackNgata is a bit of a surprise, even though he was listed as “questionable” on the Eagles’ final injury report. His absence will affect the Eagles’ defensive line depth a bit. Will it be enough to get the Vikings’ run game going in any way? We shall see.There are your inactive lists, folks. The Open Thread for the first quarter will be up at approximately half past 2, Central time.

The Titans hadn’t beaten the Patriots since 2002. They didn’t just beat New England on Sunday. They dominated.With a coach who played linebacker for Bill Belichick and a number of players who played in New England Authentic LaAdrian Waddle Jersey , the Titans’ 34-10 victory surely was extra special. It ended the Patriots’ six-game winning streak and got Titans above .500 at 5-4.Darius Jennings got Tennessee off to a good start with a 58-yard return on the opening kickoff. The Titans scored a touchdown seven plays later on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Marcus Mariota to Jonnu Smith.Tennessee never trailed.Mariota completed 16 of 24 passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns. He caught a pass for 21 yards and had two rushes for 21 yards.Corey Davis had seven catches for 125 yards and a touchdown.The Titans sacked Tom Brady three times and hit him three other times and held the Patriots to 284 yards.Brady went 21-of-41 for 254 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. The Patriots pulled him in the fourth quarter with the game out of hand.Julian Edelman caught nine passes for 104 yards before leaving with an ankle injury. When the Patriots take the field next Sunday, Tom Brady will have an opportunity to do something he’s never done before. Score a touchdown in the first quarter of a Super Bowl. It may be hard to believe, but the Patriots haven’t scored a touchdown in the first quarter of any of the 8 of the Super Bowls in which Brady has played. Before last year, when Stephen Gostkowski hit a 26 yard FG Limited Shaq Mason Jersey , the Patriots had actually been shut out of all of the first quarters Brady had played in. They’ve been outscored in the Super Bowl 24-3 in the first quarter, and outscored 89-81 in the first half. Brady’s Patriots have been slow starters in all 8 previous Super Bowls, allowing the other team to score first 6 out of 8 games. This team has made their mark in the playoffs by taking early leads and controlling the pace of play. Being able to do that again next week could pay huge dividends for the Patriots against a tough Rams team. All 8 of Brady’s Super Bowls have been close, with last year the biggest margin of victory(or defeat). You could argue they could just as easily be 8-0 or 0-8. Getting off to a fast start could change that trend. We all want to watch an entertaining Super Bowl Drew Bledsoe Jersey Salute to Service , but I’d be ok with a blowout too.Frankly, after all the near heart attacks the Patriots have caused throughout the years, it would be pretty nice to be able to sit back and enjoy the game, without living and dying with each play. That’s probably just wishful thinking Authentic Malcom Brown Jersey , but if the Patriots get off to a fast start, that’s one wish that just might come true. Pat is the host of The Patriot Nation PodcastInteract with him on Twitter @plane_pats

The Los Angeles Chargers have heard plenty of jokes in the past on their kicking game. From the likes of Roberto Aguayo to Caleb Sturgis Youth Brandon Mebane Jersey , it seemed as if the one Achilles heel that was staring the Bolts in the face was their kicking game. Funny how things have a way of working out. As the Chargers looked to stay alive in the chase for the AFC West, the team called upon Micheal Badgley to play the role of hero against the Cincinnati Bengals. He did so without a complaint, or a missed opportunity either. Philip Rivers struggled the day after his birthday to get the Charger offense going. Going 19-of-29 for 220 yards and a touchdown, Rivers was forced to settle for threes instead of sixes. Keenan Allen once again was the team’s consistent option with five catches for 78 yards and a score. Austin Ekeler bounced back from a rough week in Pittsburgh to combine for 94 total yards of offense a touchdown. But the real story of the day was Badgely. Going 4-of-4 in field goals and a long of 59-yards, the 23-year-old rookie from Miami was the reason for the Chargers 10th victory.As the clock began to wind down in the second quarter, Chargers coach Anthony Lynn called a timeout. Putting faith in his young struggling kicker, Lynn sent Badgely out for the kick of his life. A long of 59 to give the Chargers a five-point lead. As the clock stayed firm at zero, the New Jersey native took a deep breath and let it fly. A perfect snap led to a perfect hold which led to a tight kick nearing the right goal post. Sliding in, the Chargers would take the lead. It was the longest in Chargers history. But it was Badgley’s final kick of the evening that would give the Bolts the dagger to put the game away. With 49 seconds on the clock, Badgely nailed a 49-yard kick give the Chargers a 26-21 lead, thus eliminating a chance for a comeback. Badgley made history in the kicking game Womens Michael Schofield Jersey , an area many have considered to be horrendous for Los Angeles this season. Not only was his 59-yard beauty the longest in team history, but his 59 points is the most by any Chargers kicker through seven career games. The Charger now have the second-best record in the entire AFC. Thanks to losses by New England, Houston, and Pittsburgh, the Bolts are just one game behind the Chiefs for the division lead. If not for an injury to Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, Los Angeles could be the team to beat heading into January. As Thursday night rapidly approaches, the Chargers now are a win away from taking control of the AFC West. On Thursday, the Chiefs will play host to the red-hot Bolts in Arrowhead Stadium. All it takes is a game to change a story. For Badgely, it came in the form of a kick. A history-making kick. This is a great time of year to be thankful for what we have, where we have been, and what the future holds. Although the Chargers have lost their way a bit in recent years Authentic Keenan Allen Jersey , the month of December still holds such incredible promise! This advent calendar is an attempt to hearken back to these days of December joy. Each day will bring a new advent from the Bolts’ history that makes it wonderful to be a Chargers fan.Dec. 01: Kicking the Kicker Woes in 2018There’s no need to recap the challenges of the last two seasons, other than to breathe a sigh of collective relief that it is firmly, finally behind us. It hasn’t been pretty. It has been downright ugly at times, costing the Chargers a playoff berth in 2017 and, surprisingly, not putting a total damper on the first half of 2018.Since 2016, the Chargers have gone 4-8 in games decided by three points or fewer. When the kicking unit isn’t a solid lock, it puts the entire team in a scary mindset. They know that, if the game comes down to the 4th quarter, getting ‘close’ isn’t close enough.There was reason to be optimistic in 2017, as Younghoe Koo was a youtube sensation. But after some positive press prior to the season Womens Virgil Green Jersey , Koo left quite a stink with the organization that fumbled its kicking competition. This was, however, just another way of maintaining the norm between 2002-2017, as the Chargers ranked 30th out of all teams for clutch kick success. There are some really, really interesting stats at this page if you are quite the nerd and want to find out why the Patriots know they’ve won the game before the ball is kicked (#1, 89.5%), and why the Chargers (#30, 63.6%), Texans, and Panthers are conditioned to chew their fingernails.The Chargers tried to throw money at the problem in 2018, bringing in Caleb Sturgis to compete w—ohh http://www.sandiegochargersteamonline.com/kyzir-white-jersey , right, I said that I wouldn’t need to dig up our sordid past. The point of the matter is that the Chargers, on October 11, 2018 had the right idea in signing Mike Badgley. Ignoring the absolute nonsense of waiving Badgley on October 30 after a perfect game, the Chargers brought him back into the fold on November 5 and both he and the team have prospered because of it.The ‘Money Badger’ (which is an awesome nickname, btw) has been a perfect 9-9 on field goals and 16 of 17 on extra points. His kickoffs aren’t pretty, but they are improving. Most of the fans would agree that it is more desirable to get those 3-point guarantees at the cost of a few yards on kickoff (the coaches did not agree for one week, but that lesson was learned soon enough).-Jason “Merry her?I hardly KNOW her!” Michaels Custom Washington Redskins Jerseys

This Halloween weekend http://www.saintsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-ryan-ramczyk-jersey , the New Orleans Saints face one of Who Dat Nation’s most hated non-divisional opponents of the past decade, in the Minnesota Vikings.The story tells itself, from the haunting 34-point loss in the Saints’ first playoff game in January 1988, to the Joyous NFC Championship in January 2010, to the fruitless “Minneapolis Miracle” in January 2018, bad blood remains between the two fanbases.Now, the murderous stretch of the schedule becomes even more chilling, as the Saints face four of last season’s NFC playoff teams in four of the next five games.Fortunately for the Saints, three of those games will take place at home in New Orleans.Unfortunately, this week’s game isn't at home in New Orleans, but in Minneapolis, the scene of the most frightening finish from a season ago.Let’s take a look at this, and all of the matchups in the halfway point of the season, Week 8.Last week I went 10-4I told you so: Saints over Ravens (by the score of 24-23)!What do I know: Bills over Colts?***WEEK 8Thursday, October 25th - Thursday Night FootballDolphins(4-3) at Texans(4-3) Houston’s balanced attack and resurgent defense will lead them past a Miami team that Alex Anzalone Jersey , despite a winning record, can't seem to get out of its own way.Houston wins 28-27.Pick: Texans***Sunday, October 28th - Very Early GameEagles(3-4) at* Jaguars(3-4) - Wembley Stadium - London, EnglandPhilly will rebound from a gut-wrenching loss a week ago, by smashing a Jacksonville team that is falling down like London Bridge.Philadelphia wins 31-10.Pick: Eagles***Sunday, October 28th - Early GamesBroncos(3-4) at Chiefs(6-1)Thanks to their running game and KC’s dreadful defense, Denver will keep this game relatively close, but Kansas City is too good to be beat in this matchup.Kansas City wins 27-22.Pick: Chiefs***Browns(2-4-1) at Steelers(3-2-1)The last time these two teams met, the game ended in a tie.That won't happen this time around in Pittsburgh.The Steelers will get the overtime touchdown to win the game outright here at home.Pittsburgh wins 28-21.Pick: Steelers***Redskins(4-2) at Giants(1-6)Washington’s defense will grind the Giants offense to a dead halt in this one.The Giants trading away their best defenders won't help their cause here either.Washington wins 20-9.Pick: Redskins***Seahawks(3-3) at Lions(3-3)Detroit is relentlessly average at everything they do, and that’s not gonna cut it against Seattle in this one.Seattle wins 21-14.Pick: Seahawks***Buccaneers(3-3) at Bengals(4-3)Mediocre quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton will look fantastic against these far below mediocre defenses.Tampa wins 29-27.Pick: Buccaneers***Jets(3-4) at Bears(3-3)Mitchell Trubisky will be the next quarterback who has a huge game against this Jets team.Chicago wins 24-17.Pick: Bears***Ravens(4-3) at Panthers(4-2)Baltimore will struggle to run the ball against the Panthers defense on the road in Carolina.The Panthers will catch a few lucky breaks and take advantage of them in a very close game.Carolina wins 28-24.Pick: Panthers***Sunday, October 28th - Late GamesColts(2-5) at Raiders(1-5) Despite suffering through rough seasons, both Derek Carr and Andrew Luck will shine in this one.Luck gets the better of the Silver and Black in Oakland.Indianapolis wins 26-24.Pick: Colts***49ers(1-6) at Cardinals(1-6)Is this really necessary? Arizona wins 19-14.Pick: Cardinals***Packers(3-2-1) at Rams(7-0) All of the attention in this one will be given to Aaron Rodgers and Jared Goff, but the true star of the day will be Todd Gurley and his relentless attack on the Green Bay defense.Green Bay’s inability to run the ball against the Los Angeles defense will be their undoing.Los Angeles wins 34-21.Pick: Rams***Sunday Night FootballSaints(5-1) at Vikings(4-2-1) - Game of the WeekMuch will be made of the “Minneapolis Miracle” in the lead-up to this game, and while Saints fans will have to endure the relentless rehashing of that event, this Saints team should have all the fuel they need.They cannot find themselves trying to climb out of the type of hole they faced in both of last season’s pivotal games.Getting more help on the outside Authentic Josh LeRibeus Jersey , in the person of Eli Apple, couldn't have come at a better time, against the Vikings’ deadly passing attack, but ultimately the Saints offense will be the key to victory in this game.A Saints win here won’t change anything about that game back in January.It can’t fix anything from that moment, just like Minnesota’s win that day couldn't make up for their loss in New Orleans with a trip to Super Bowl XLIV on the line.That was the past, and this is the present, in the present the Saints are a better team than they were in January.This Saints team will secure a type of victory they couldn't complete to begin and end last season in Minnesota.This victory will go a long way in fortifying the Saints’ place as a favorite to advance to the Super Bowl this season.Saints win 29-26.Pick: Saints***Monday, October 29th - Monday Night FootballPatriots(5-2) at Bills(2-5)This is going to be a frightfully bad game, as New England will massacre Buffalo in their own house for an early Halloween trick.New England wins 35-16.Pick: Patriots***That’s how I see Week 8 playing out, let’s see if the Saints will win their sixth consecutive game, making it a Happy Halloween for us all.Leave us your picks, comments, and insight below! Justin Tucker stunned everyone with a miss.The Baltimore Ravens' two-time All-Pro kicker is so good that nobody could believe it when he sliced a game-tying extra point wide right in a 24-23 loss to the Saints last month.It was Tucker's first career miss after nailing 222 straight.Despite the shank, Tucker was voted the top player in the league at his position for the second straight year by a panel of 10 football writers for The Associated Press."With the best numbers in NFL history despite kicking in the Northeast and outdoors, is there any question Tucker tops this list?" said New York-based writer Barry Wilner.Tucker Youth Austin Carr Jersey , the most accurate kicker in league history at 90.1 percent, received 92 points in a 10-points-to-one-point system with six of 10 first-place votes.The next three were the same as last year's rankings. New England's Stephen Gostkowski, Greg Zuerlein of the Los Angeles Rams and Indianapolis' Adam Vinatieri finished in that order.Gostkowski received 79 points, including one first-place vote, and appeared on every ballot along with Tucker and Vinatieri."Gostkowski is consistent, clutch and deadly accurate," said New York-based Dennis Waszak Jr. "He replaced Adam Vinatieri in 2006 and the Patriots' kicking game never missed a beat."Zuerlein, who received 63 points, has a powerful leg and is 26 of 45 (57.7 percent) from beyond 50 yards in his career, though the Rams don't need to call him much any longer because they find the end zone quite often."'Greg the Leg' can deliver from long range with the best of them," San Francisco-based Josh Dubow said.Vinatieri set a pair of NFL records this season, surpassing Hall of Famer Morten Anderson for most points and most field goals. The GOAT turns 46 on Dec. 28 and is in his 13th season with Indianapolis after 10 years in New England, where he helped the Patriots win three Super Bowls by making game-winning kicks in the final seconds in two of the wins.Vinatieri received 55 points and a first-place vote from Simmi Buttar."Doesn't matter how old he is. He's got the most points ever in NFL history. Case closed," said Buttar, who is based in New York.Wil Lutz finished fifth Ken Crawley Jersey , one point behind Vinatieri. He is 19 of 20 on field goals for the Saints. Lutz got a pair of first-place votes."He's come through when called upon for a field goal, and he's limiting opponents in the return game by consistently sending kicks into the end zone," Nashville-based Teresa Walker said.Carolina's Graham Gano was sixth with 39 points. Kansas City's Harrison Butker was seventh with 35 points. Jason Myers of the New York Jets was eighth with 25 points. Buffalo's Stephen Hauschka came in ninth with 22 points. San Francisco's Robbie Gould edged Pittsburgh's Chris Boswell for 10th. Boswell is second behind Tucker on the all-time accuracy list at 87.7 percent.The rankings:1. Justin Tucker, Ravens2. Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots3. Greg Zuerlein, Rams4. Adam Vinatieri, Colts5. Wil Lutz, Saints6. Graham Gano, Panthers7. Harrison Butker, Chiefs8. Jason Myers, Jets9. Stephen Hauschka, Bills10. Robbie Gould, 49ers www.nflshopoutlet.com/cincinnati-bengals

Keenan Allen Posted Two of the Top Five Grades by a WR in 2017 To those on the outside of the Chargers organization/fan base Casey Hayward Jersey , Keenan Allen was starting to be viewed as a potential bust who just couldn’t seem to shake the injury bug. In fact, up until this past season, Allen had never stayed healthy through an entire 16-game season.This was a completely valid thought-process as the talented wide receiver sustained back-to-back season-ending injuries in 2015 and ‘16. It also didn’t help the receiver’s outlook when you take into account just how devastating the injuries were.During the team’s contest against the Baltimore Ravens during the 2015 season, Allen came down hard after snagging a beautiful touchdown pass in the corner of the endzone. As the team and fans celebrated, the smiles and cheers quickly turned into faces of disbelief. Allen was taken off the field and soon diagnosed with a lacerated kidney.A what now?It was, by far, the flukiest injury I have ever witnessed on the field. It was so fluky that even the ACL tear he sustained against the Chiefs to begin the 2016 season seem fairly run-of-the-mill. But still, after the absolutely horrendous stretch of bad luck, The Slayer came into this past season with unabashed confidence. What we witnessed was a historic season for not only a Chargers wide receiver, but for the entire NFL.According to Pro Football Focus, Allen had the second and third-highest single game grades for a wide receiver this past season. His phenomenal performances were actually one after the other during weeks 11 and 12, against the Bills and Cowboys, respectively.Against the Bills, Allen exploded for 159 yards on a season-high 12 catches http://www.chargerscheapshops.com/cheap-authentic-darius-philon-jersey , double-dipping in the endzone for good measure. He was graded out at a 95.9, just behind Julio Jones’ 99.9 grade from his thrashing of the Buccaneers in Week 12.On Thanksgiving Day, Allen stuffed the stat sheet once more. In Jerryworld, Allen hauled in 11 catches for a career-high 172 yards and one beautiful catch-and-run touchdown.After baring witness to what Allen can produce during a full season of health, Charger fans and the rest of the NFL have no more excuses to not think highly of the the fifth-year wide receiver. If Allen were to have a similar, if not better, season in 2018, it wouldn’t be much of a stretch to argue that #13 deserves to be in the top-tier of NFL wide receivers.Why Hasn’t Hunter Henry Been Placed On Injured Reserve Yet? Based on my social media timeline, it seems a large segment of the Los Angeles Chargers fan base is convinced Hunter Henry is going to play at some point in 2018. This, of course, is being fueled by the fact that Henry, who tore his ACL on May 22, has yet to be placed on the Injured Reserve some ten weeks after sustaining the injury. The assumption here is that the team would have already placed him on the IR if they planned to do so, which obviously means he’s going to play this season.I Desmond King Jersey , for one, don’t believe this is the case. Regardless of how quickly the team placed Jason Verrett and Austin Roberts on IR after their season-ending injuries, there is no immediate need to do the same with Henry. In my opinion, this is all probably best explained by looking first at the NFL calendar, and then examining the league’s IR rules.As far as the NFL calendar goes, teams no longer have to worry about cutting players during the preseason. Every NFL team has the flexibility of carrying a full 90-man roster through the end of the preseason, which means there is no immediate need to clear a roster spot, or even manage the roster. Once they get through the preseason, teams are required to announce their final cuts by September 1.It actually makes sense to wait until final cuts to place Hunter on Injured Reserve Why? Because doing so gives them an easy roster chip they can manipulate as needed should they add someone after announcing the 53-man roster. Rather than exposing someone they might want to keep to waivers, they can simply create a roster spot by moving Hunter to IR.This tactic should sound familiar because they did it with Denzel Perryman in 2017. As you may recall, Denzel injured his ankle in the preseason opener. Like Henry, he was not immediately placed on Injured Reserve. In fact, he made the team’s initial 53-man roster before being transferred to IR in order to make room for Kellen Clemens, who was cut and ultimately re-signed the following day in a cap-related move. In other words Cheap Joey Bosa Jersey , they effectively kept a roster spot open for Clemens by delaying the inevitable with Perryman.What’s more, being placed on IR doesn’t necessarily preclude a player from returning to the active roster during the season. The NFL has two versions of the Injured Reserve: the Injured Reserve and the Injured Reserve – Return Designation. The return designation means exactly what you think it means – Hunter would be eligible to return to the active roster later in the season.Here is how it works: the Chargers would have to place Hunter Henry on the IR with a return designation by 4pm EST on September 1. Assuming they do that, he would be eligible to return to practice after spending six weeks on the Injured Reserve. Additionally, he would be eligible to return to the active roster within eight weeks of being placed on IR.There is no advantage to leaving him on the active roster when they can place him on the Injured Reserve with a designation to return. They could, in theory, add him to the active roster by week nine of the regular season AND have an able-bodied tight end occupy his spot on the active roster while he mends. There is no financial or strategic advantage to keeping Henry on the roster when he is unable to play, which is why the team won’t go that route.It’s important to keep in mind that Hunter Henry sustained his injury on May 22, which means he probably won’t be physically able to return to practice or game action until November at the absolute earliest. And, assuming he makes it back in November, he would probably only be available in a very limited role.The only other viable option for dealing with a long-term injury is the reserve/PUP list. If added to the reserve/PUP list, Hunter would be ineligible to practice or play with the team for six weeks. Once those six weeks are up, the team would have an additional six-week window to decide whether to activate Hunter, transfer him to the Injured Reserve, or release him (they obviously wouldn’t release him). Once he returns to practice Womens Michael Schofield Jersey , the team would have six weeks to either add him to the active roster or place him on Injured Reserve.Assuming Henry is expected to return, the Injured Reserve with a return designation is the more prudent way to go here. It allows them to keep him without using a valuable 53-man roster spot and, most importantly, he could theoretically return to the active roster anytime between weeks 9 and 17 without having the week 12 deadline looming over them, as it would with the PUP.Is Hunter Henry going to come back this season? No one really knows that right now, including the Chargers. But I do know this much: the fact that he been placed on the Injured Reserve yet isn’t an indication of the team’s plans either way. They simply aren’t in any immediate rush, or under any mandate, to do anything with him until September 1.Not only that, but I’m confident the delay in adding him is not an indication that he won’t be added. I would be stunned if he didn’t wind up on the IR by 4pm EST on September 1. It would be foolish to carry someone the team knows won’t play until at least November on the active roster and, regardless of their plans, placing him on Injured Reserve is the definition of Roster Management 101. It’s all but inevitable.Not even the Chargers are incompetent enough to botch this. (Kidding鈥ort of鈥? Custom Kansas City Chiefs Jerseys

Sam Darnold appeared destined to go to Cleveland in the months leading up to the NFL draft.Then New Orleans Saints Womens T-Shirt , the Browns called an audible along the way and went instead with Baker Mayfield at No. 1 overall. After the Giants took Saquon Barkley next, the New York Jets ended up with the quarterback they wanted all along and Darnold was headed to the Big Apple."I thought I could've been there or several other teams," Darnold said Monday. "I honestly haven't even thought about it since I got drafted by the Jets. With (Cleveland) having the (No.) 1 pick, I guess there was a good chance I might have gone there, so I was thinking about it before. But ever since the draft, I haven't thought about it."On Thursday night, Darnold will be in Cleveland. But as the enemy — and a reminder to Browns fans of who they might have had.Not that Darnold, who'll be making his third NFL start, has revenge or redemption on his mind."No, I'm just going to go out there and play ball," he said.Darnold has much more pressing matters at hand, such as trying to bounce back from a 20-12 loss to Miami on Sunday .The No. 3 overall pick struggled at times with some missed opportunities and mistakes, as did the rest of the Jets. But Darnold also had some positive moments, and at 21 years and 103 days old became the youngest player to throw for 300 yards. He finished with 334 yards passing with one touchdown and two interceptions."Other than the two picks, I thought I played pretty well," Darnold said. "So New Orleans Saints Hats , I'm just going to continue to try to play as consistent as possible and find completions when I can and take shots when I can."Meanwhile, Mayfield hasn't yet taken a regular-season snap for the Browns with Tyrod Taylor as the starter. The former Oklahoma star is considered the future of the franchise for Cleveland — a label that appeared reserved for Darnold."I was excited to go anywhere," Darnold said. "Whoever wanted me, whoever wanted to pick me. As a top pick, it was a dream come true right when it happened. I wasn't concerned with who was picking me, but more with where I was going and where I might need to spend the next, for now, three or four years."The Jets envision Darnold being around for a lot longer than that, and Thursday will serve as the next test — and step — in the young quarterback's development.The Browns are still winless since 2016, but they have a tie and a three-point loss through the first two games so they're no pushovers.Gregg Williams' defense has already caused problems for the likes of Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger and New Orleans' Drew Brees, and could be licking its chops to face a rookie at home in front of the Dawg Pound."First of all, I think his guys are ready to play every single game," Darnold said. "They come out fiery and at the same time, they bring pressures that, sometimes, no one's ever seen before. We're going to be ready. I'm focused on what we're doing New Orleans Saints Womens Hoodie , but also on what the defense is doing and how we can attack them."The Jets and Darnold will have to do a better job than they did for much of the game against the Dolphins. New York was just 3 of 10 on third downs, including 1 of 8 in the first half when it fell behind 20-0.This will be the third game in just 11 days for the Jets, no easy task for a rookie QB. Darnold recognizes that this week's preparation will be condensed even more than last week, when New York was coming off a Monday night game in the opener."It's a different challenge, something I haven't necessarily dealt with, but it's awesome," Darnold said. "It's just another challenge for this team and we're going to take it head on. Looking at Cleveland last night, it was moving on right after that game. We watched that game and then got right to Cleveland. Not the final score that we wanted. Obviously, we looked to come out of there with a win, but move on as fast as possible and get to Cleveland because it's a short turnaround."NOTES: TE Neal Sterling (concussion), S Marcus Maye (foot) and LB Josh Martin (concussion) did not practice, although it was more of a walkthrough session. LT Kelvin Beachum (foot) and LG James Carpenter (foot) were limited. ... Jets coach Todd Bowles said he liked what he saw from Mayfield while going through the draft process. "I thought he was he gritty," Bowles said. "Had a great workout when we worked him out. I think he's a tough player and he's going to be a good player." ... WR ArDarius Stewart returned from his two-game suspension for violating the NFL's policy on performance enhancers. The Jets have until 4 p.m. Wednesday to make a decision on whether to activate or release him. If you’re a daily fantasy player, before each game I will look at three/four players from the New Orleans Saints and their opponent’s rosters that I would target in daily fantasy (based off their value and potential results). Unfortunately, the Saints are on a bye week this week, but daily fantasy knows no such thing as “bye.” So we’ll continue Womens Customized New Orleans Saints Jerseys , but expand out look into the rest of the NFC South.Obviously, Saints QB Drew Brees is a safe QB for daily fantasy leagues, but spending your money on a top-tier starting QB leaves you scraping the barrel to fill out the rest of your roster. So here are two Panthers, one Falcon and one Buccaneers that provide the most bang for your buck. (Values from Fanduel.)QB Jameis Winston (TB) - $7,400Famous Jameis might be one of the best daily fantasy plays in the entirety of Week 6. At $1,100 cheaper than the most expensive QB available (and the 11th most expensive QB), he is an incredible value play going against one of the worst defenses in the NFL - the Atlanta Falcons.RB Christian McCaffrey (CAR) - $8,500McCaffrey is also $1,100 cheaper than the most expensive player at his position this week. In daily fantasy leagues that include full or half-point PPR, McCaffrey is a great play against a Washington Redskins defense that is likely to be still reeling after an embarrassing performance against the New Orleans Saints on Monday Night Football.WR Calvin Ridley (ATL) - $6,700Ridley is an even better value play this week, coming a whopping $2,400 cheaper than the most expensive WR available in daily fantasy. As Julio Jones continues to struggle finding the end zone, Ridley has been one of the beneficiaries. We saw against the New Orleans Saints that Ridley can score (scoring twice, in fact), so he’s a high-ceiling play for Week 6.DST Panthers (@ Redskins) - $3 www.saintscheapshops.com ,900This play is actually a bit of a reach, as the Panthers are one of the cheapest DSTs available this week. But like the Saints last week, the Panthers have a stout defensive line that can give the Redskins rushing game fits all game. Adrian Peterson and Chris Thompson are both still banged up, so the Panthers could find themselves with similar success as the Saints on Sunday.My full daily fantasy lineup this week: QB: Jameis Winston (TB) - $7,400RB: Christian McCaffrey (CAR) - $8,400RB: Marshawn Lynch (OAK) - $6,500WR: Calvin Ridley (ATL) - $6,700WR: Jarvis Landry (CLE) - $6,900WR: Doug Baldwin (SEA) - $6,200TE: Jared Cook (OAK) - $6,400FLEX: Robert Woods (LAR) - $7,300DST: Panthers (@ Redskins) - $3,900 Custom Washington Redskins Jerseys

A brief look at Cardinals/Vikings history It’s a little later in the week than we usually do this White Ben Gedeon Jersey , but it’s time to take a look back at the history between the Minnesota Vikings and their opponent for the upcoming week. On Sunday, the Vikings will return home for the first time since Week 3 to take on the Arizona Cardinals, who this past Sunday became the last team in the NFL to get into the victory column.These two teams have been fairly evenly matched over the years, but it’s depended heavily on where the games have been located. The Cardinals’ success in Minnesota has been pretty limited over the years, regardless of where they’ve called home.As always, the numbers in this piece are brought to you by the folks from Pro Football Reference. Also, we will focus on regular season numbers only.Games between the Vikings and the Cardinals: 25All-time record: Vikings, 14-11Total Vikings’ points scored, head-to-head: 595 (23.8 points/game)Total Cardinals’ points scored, head-to-head: 559 (22.4 points/game)Longest Vikings’ winning streak vs Cardinals: 4, 12 December 1995 to 12 November 2000Longest Cardinals’ winning streak vs Vikings: 4, 6 November 1977 to 30 October 1983Most recent Vikings’ home win in series: 20 November 2016 (final score 30-24)Most recent Cardinals’ road win in series: 6 November 1977 (final score 27-7)Biggest Vikings’ home win in series: 27 points http://www.authenticsminnesotavikings.com/cheap-rashod-hill-jersey , 13 October 1991 (final score 34-7)Biggest Cardinals’ road win in series: 42 points, 6 October 1963 (final score 56-14, first game between the two teams)Current streak: Vikings, 1 winYes, the last time an NFL team named the Cardinals won a game in Minnesota, they were not the Arizona Cardinals. They weren’t even the Phoenix Cardinals. They were the St. Louis Cardinals. Actually, if you look back at the history between these two teams, the Cardinals won the first four regular season games in Minnesota between these two teams (though the Vikings did get a post-season victory over the Cardinals en route to Super Bowl IX against Pittsburgh).In that 1977 contest, neither team generated a whole lot in the passing game. Both teams threw for 143 yards, and both starting quarterbacks (Fran Tarkenton and Jim Hart) were intercepted three times. The difference was the fact that the Cardinals gained 316 yards on the ground, whereas the Vikings. . .well, didn’t. Two Cardinals running backs Youth Everson Griffen Jersey , Wayne Morris and Terry Metcalf, each had a pair of touchdowns in that one, and they each had one on the ground and one through the air. Morris did the majority of the damage, rushing for 182 yards, and the Cardinals raced out to a 27-0 lead before a garbage time touchdown from Sammy White in the fourth quarter closed the final margin to 27-7.The last game between these two teams took place at U.S. Bank Stadium in 2016, and saw the Vikings riding a four-game losing streak after their 5-0 start. They had to do something to try to get themselves right again, and a couple of their stars did their best to do just that. Near the end of the first half, this happened:That 100-yard pick-six by Xavier Rhodes now stands as the longest interception return for a touchdown in team history, and gave the Vikings a lead at halftime. To start the second half, Cordarrelle Patterson took a kickoff 104 yards for another score, and the Vikings were able to hold off a late Arizona rally to walk out with a 30-24 victory.That’s a brief look back at the history between the Minnesota Vikings and the St. Louis/Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals, ladies and gentlemen. The Vikings have won their last eight regular season games on friendly soil between these two teams Youth Adam Thielen Jersey , and hopefully they can extend that streak of dominance to nine in a row. Coming out of the locker room, the Minnesota Vikings got the football first, trailing the New Orleans Saints by a score of 17-13. The kickoff from Will Lutz went for a touchback, giving Kirk Cousins and company the ball at their own 25-yard line for their first possession of the half. A run by Latavius Murray and a pass to Laquon Treadwell got the Vikings a quick first down to start the drive, and the Vikings then faced a third down situation. Cousins got the ball to Stefon Diggs, but Diggs was stopped inches short, and the Vikings elected to go for it on 4th-and-1. Cousins had Laquon Treadwell for more than enough yardage, but Marshon Lattimore knocked the ball out of his hands to force a turnover on downs.The Vikings forced a third down situation, but Drew Brees flipped a short pass to Alvin Kamara to get the conversion for the Saints to the Minnesota 30. The Saints then tried an end-around to Taysom Hill, but it was sniffed out for a short gain. Brees then found Mark Ingram on a screen, and he took the ball all the way to the Minnesota 9-yard line. An incomplete pass and a stuff of Kamara made it third-and-goal, and the Vikings forced Brees into an intentional grounding call to get a huge stop. On came Will Lutz for a 42-yard field goal attempt http://www.authenticsminnesotavikings.com/cheap-riley-reiff-jersey , and he split the uprights to make the score 20-13 with just over eight minutes remaining in the quarter.Lutz’s kickoff went for a touchback, giving the Vikings the ball at their own 25-yard line once again. On the first play of the drive, Cousins scrambled to his left and was run down by rookie Marcus Davenport, who appeared to strip the ball from Cousins and recover it at the Minnesota 17-yard line. Fortunately, the call was overturned, as Cousins’ knee was down before the ball came loose. A run by Murray brought up a 3rd-and-6 from the 29-yard line, and Cousins hit Stefon Diggs for a huge first down to the 42. Unfortunately, Cousins then looked for Diggs again, and instead threw the ball directly to Saints’ cornerback P.J. Williams, who ran it back 45 yards for a New Orleans touchdown. Lutz added the extra point, and suddenly the Vikings were down by a count of 27-13 with just under six minutes left in the third quarter.It looks like Diggs may have stopped his route early on that one. Whatever the reasoning, it was something the Vikings could ill afford Youth Kyle Rudolph Jersey , and put them down two scores.Marcus Sherels brought a short kickoff out to the 20-yard line for the Vikings’ next possession. Murray started things with a short run, and Cousins found Diggs again for a nice gain out to the 45. Murray then took the ball over midfield, and was stopped short to bring up 3rd-and-4 from the Saints’ 49. Cousins then took another sack, and once again it was Sheldon Rankins that took Cousins to the turf. Matt Wile came in to punt the ball away, and the Saints took over at their own 16.The Saints picked up a first down with a couple of running plays, and as we move to the final quarter, the Saints are looking at a 2nd-and-6 from their own 42.Fifteen minutes left from U.S. Bank Stadium, and it’s not looking promising for the good guys as they trail 27-13. Can they pull off what would be a pretty amazing comeback?

Even if numbers occasionally lie Christian McCaffrey Jersey , most of them indicate the New England Patriots are in great position to hoist a sixth Lombardi Trophy.

The reasons begin in the only place they could: with Tom Brady.

Yes, at 40 years old Brady would be the oldest quarterback to win a Super Bowl if the Patriots beat the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. He would dethrone Peyton Manning, who won at age 39 with the Denver Broncos to cap the 2015 season.

Brady has put up numbers in his 18th season unmatched by any player in NFL history. He led the league with 4,577 yards passing during the regular season and his five touchdown passes are tied for the most in the playoffs.

Brady’s seven Super Bowl appearances are as many as the entire Eagles roster. He’s faced a myriad of difficult scenarios in the championship game, including last year’s 25-point hole the Patriots dug out of to beat the Falcons.

Brady won that one without tight end Rob Gronkowski, who will be in uniform after being cleared late this week.

Close games have been no problem , for Brady and coach Bill Belichick either. The total difference in scoring in those seven games is 12 points: Patriots 169, opponents 157.

You want to talk about comebacks? No player in the Super Bowl era has more fourth-quarter comebacks in the playoffs in his career than Brady’s eight. It’s probably why Brady chuckled this week when he was again asked about how long he wanted to keep playing.

”Why does everyone want me to retire so bad?” Brady said. ”I don’t get it. I’m having fun. The team’s doing good. I know I’m a little bit older than most of the guys, but I’m really enjoying it. … I’m not thinking about retirement. I’m thinking about the Super Bowl and trying to win the most important game of the year.”

As big as the Brady factor is, he’s not the only advantage New England has.

The Patriots lost go-to receiver Julian Edelman in the preseason to a knee injury and linebacker Dont’a Hightower to a season-ending shoulder injury in October. After some early-season struggles, Belichick found a way to plug the holes, with contributions from several previously unheralded players like Trey Flowers, Kyle Van Noy, Lawrence Guy and Ricky Jean Francois .

New England has also gotten a strong season from receiver Brandin Cook after acquiring him from New Orleans this offseason. He posted his third straight 1,000-yard receiving season (1,082) and was second on the team in receiving yards behind only Gronkowski (1,084). Running back Dion Lewis has also found new life just two seasons removed from a knee injury. He led the team with 896 yards rushing and six rushing touchdowns.

It’s underlined the football savvy of Belichick, who with a sixth Super Bowl victory would pass Vince Lombardi and tie George Halas and Curly Lambeau for most NFL championships by a coach.

Belichick will be taking part in his 11th Super Bowl as a head coach or assistant, the most among any coach in NFL history. That amounts to 21.2 percent of all Super Bowls in league history and 34.4 percent of all Super Bowls since his first appearance as the Giants defensive coordinator in 1986.

Though there have been reports of alleged friction this season between Belichick, Brady and team owner Robert Kraft, it’s clear they are on the same page when it comes to the pursuit of championships.

”It changes every year. The venues are different Curtis Samuel Jersey , the teams are different, the matchups are different, and the road the team has traveled to get here is different, as is the road your opponent has traveled,” Belichick said. ”Each one is unique. Each one’s special.”

—


BOSTON — Their five-game losing streak over, the Seattle Mariners send seven-game winner Marco Gonzales to the mound against Red Sox ace Chris Sale in the deciding game of a three-game series at Fenway Park Sunday.

The Mariners handed Boston left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez only his second loss in 11 decisions with Saturday night’s 7-2 victory and now ask Gonzales to shake off his last start and butt heads with Sale in the finale.

After allowing just six runs in 38 1/3 innings in his previous six starts, Gonzales yielded six and was reached for three home runs in losing to the New York Yankees in the Bronx Tuesday night.

Sale has struck out 30 in 21 innings over his last three starts but is just 1-1 over that span. His team is just 8-8 in his 16 starts and he is 6-4 with a 2.74 ERA and 140 strikeouts in 102 innings in 2018.

The skinny left-hander is 5-1 with a 2.09 ERA in 10 games, eight starts, lifetime against the Mariners.

Gonzales will face the Red Sox for the first time. Boston is just 9-9 in games started by lefties this season.

Mike Leake pitched eight shutout innings to avenge last Sunday’s loss to the Red Sox and defeat Boston for the first time in his career. Closer Edwin Diaz, who hadn’t pitched in a week, worked a shaky ninth and allowed two runs, but that couldn’t taint the evening for the visitors, who took a 14-10 loss in the opener Friday.

“Unbelievable and really big for our ballclub for him to step up tonight,” Seattle manager Scott Servais said. “Exactly what we needed for someone to shut it down and steady it.”

Said Leake: “When you have a five-game losing streak, yeah, you want to end it.”

The Red Sox, who remained a game behind the losing New York Yankees atop the American League East, fell to 13-2 in Rodriguez’s 5 starts.

While Mookie Betts (illness) was out of the Boston lineup, both teams were without their shortstops Saturday night.

Seattle’s Jean Segura missed his third straight game with an arm infection, had it drained by a Boston doctor Friday and hopes to play Sunday.

“It was bad,” Segura said before Saturday’s game. “It was hurting me Antonio Morrison Jersey , especially when I was swinging. I couldn’t extend my arm. It doesn’t feel right when you swing and feel pinching, like somebody is trying to grab your bat. As a player, you don’t want that feeling.

“If it feels good, I’ll play. But you can’t play around with an infection. I have to wait til it recovers.”

Boston’s Xander Bogaerts, suffered a sprained left index finger diving into second base Friday night and sat out Saturday. He was due for a game off Saturday, anyway, and the hope and Betts will both play Sunday.

“How’s Xander? He’s day to day,” manager Alex Cora said. “We’ll see. (We’ll) probably stay away from him tomorrow. We were looking for an off-day, and it just came up now. Hopefully he’ll be ready to play on Sunday.”

After the game, Cora said he hoped both would be ready to play

“They’re going to show up early tomorrow, see where they at,” Cora said. “So, we’ll go from there.”

The Mariners, 3-4 against Boston in the last 10 days, remained three games behind the Houston Astros in the AL West.

The current Seattle roster is hitting a combined .200 against Sale.

Nelson Cruz is 8-for-26 (.308) with two homers and four RBIs against Sale, but Mike Zunino is 0-for-7. Kyle Seager is 1-for-16 (.063), Ryon Healy and Guillermo Heredia both 1-for-6 (.167) and Andrew Romine 3-for-14 (.214).

Triston Casas, the Red Sox top pick in the recent draft, took batting practice in the same group of J.D. Martinez before Saturday night’s game.

Eighteen years after the Raiders made kicker Sebastian Janikowski a surprise first-round draft pick Jason Spriggs Jersey , his career in Oakland has come to an end.

The team told Janikowski this week that he won’t be brought back when he becomes an unrestricted free agent next month.

”The Raider Nation salutes Sebastian Janikowski as the sun sets on his illustrious career with the Oakland Raiders,” owner Mark Davis said in a statement Thursday. ”He joined the team as a surprise first-round pick in the 2000 Draft and finishes his time in Oakland as one of the greatest or perhaps the greatest kicker in pro football history. His powerful left leg produced an NFL-record 55 field goals of 50-or-more yards. The motto `Once a Raider, Always a Raider’ has never been more true as his 18-year career makes him the longest-tenured player in Raiders history.”

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Davis’ father, Al, made the stunning decision in 2000 to take Janikowski with the 17th overall pick. The only other kicker taken in the first round since the start of the common draft era in 1967 was Steve Little, who went 15th to the Cardinals in 1978.

Janikowski’s successful career made him the Raiders all-time leader in games played (268) and points scored (1,799). His 55 field goals from at least 50 yards are the most in NFL history. The only other player from the 2000 draft still on his original team is Tom Brady, who was picked 199th by New England.

Janikowski, who turns 40 on March 2, missed all of last season with a back injury. His agent, Paul Healy, said in an email that Janikowski is too young to retire.

Janikowski said last spring that he hoped to still be with the Raiders when the team moved to Las Vegas in 2020. But that didn’t happen after the back injury sidelined him before the start of last season and Giorgio Tavecchio took over as kicker.

There was some thought that new coach Jon Gruden might give Janikowski another chance since he was Oakland’s coach when Janikowski was drafted and for his first two seasons. Janikowski is one of five players who were on NFL rosters last season who have played at least one game for Gruden, joining punter Shane Lechler, kicker Matt Bryant, cornerback Aqib Talib and Raiders left tackle Donald Penn.

Janikowski’s departure leaves long snapper Jon Condo as the only player on the Raiders with the team before Al Davis died in October 2011. Condo is eligible to be an unrestricted free agent next month and his long-term status with the franchise is unknown.

—

Jacksonville Jaguars owner Shad Khan felt the organization ”lacked football IQ” in previous years.

So Khan hired two-time Super Bowl-winning coach Tom Coughlin to handle all football-related decisions.

With Coughlin calling the shots, the Jaguars (10-6) made the postseason for the first time since 2007 and will host a playoff game for the first time since January 2000.

”It’s a structure that’s been unsuccessful in the past, but for me, what I felt we lacked was football IQ,” Khan said Thursday, three days before Jacksonville hosts Buffalo (9-7) in an AFC wild-card game. ”And you can’t just say Corey Linsley Jersey , `Let me go to craigslist or Backpage.com and get some football IQ.’ You want somebody who really it’s not just a job, it’s a passion, emotion and a drive. Nobody really personifies that better than Tom Coughlin.”

Khan wasn’t sure how the front-office dynamic would work with Coughlin and new coach Doug Marrone joining carry-over general manager Dave Caldwell.

Coughlin and Marrone changed the culture almost overnight and improved the roster by signing the best free-agent class in franchise history.

”The norm is these things don’t work,” Khan said. ”The short answer is: How do you get people together who are going to pull toward one goal, which is winning, and not be focused on, `Hey, is this right? Who gets the credit? Who gets the blame?’ This was the one time for us to really get that right.”

The Jaguars appear headed in the right direction, with a young and talented roster that appears built to be competitive for several years.

”I think it turned out better than probably, certainly, I thought it would,” Khan said. ”And really the credit is to (Coughlin). I can tell you he never asked for the 53-man roster. It was my idea, `Tom, that means nothing changed. It’s maybe not good for Dave’s ego, but there has to be somebody in charge, and it needs to be you.'”

The biggest question entering the season was about quarterback Blake Bortles.

Jacksonville picked up the fifth-year option in his rookie deal, a decision that seemingly will keep Bortles under contract another year. He’s due to make $19 million in 2018.

The Jags made the move in May, after passing on available quarterbacks in free agency and in the draft.

”Maybe we’re not the biggest idiot on the football block,” Khan said. ”When his option was picked up, it was like David Bakhtiari Jersey , `What are these guys smoking?’ You’ve got to stay the course, but yet you have to have the agility and the flexibility. You have to have both.

”The other thing with Blake is he’s really a nice guy. … He’s from the area, he’s a nice guy, he’s talented, he’s stayed healthy. He’s not a China doll. We are invested. We want him to be successful.”

Bortles completed 60 percent of his passes this season for 3,687 yards, with 21 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. His passer rating was up and his turnovers were down, and he did it without star receiver Allen Robinson. Bortles also had a running game that stalled late in the season and two rookie receivers playing in place of Robinson and Allen Hurns.

He said he managed to avoid thinking about the future by focusing on football.

”My goal is to play football in Jacksonville for as long as they let me, and in order to do that, we have to win football games,” Bortles said this week.

The biggest one in a decade comes Sunday at EverBank Field.

The Jaguars sold every ticket available with ease and even got permission from the NFL to remove tarps covering four sections in the upper deck to satisfy part of the demand.

”If one thing we have proven, it’s fans matter,” Khan said. ”They matter for us. We want them in the seats. … We want them showing up. We need the energy. If the Seattle and Houston games are example, it should be a notch up and it would be certainly (be) an incredible experience.”

Khan also said the Buffalo-Jacksonville game is the most expensive wild-card ticket on the secondary market. He said he saw Tennessee-Kansas City tickets available for $38, about $150 less than those for sale to see the Bills and Jaguars do something they haven’t done since 1999.

Buffalo in the playoffs for the first time since then and Jacksonville is hosting a playoff game for the first time since that same season.

”Could you imagine the hottest ticket in football is right here, selling for five, six times face value?” Khan said. ”Could you believe that happening in freaking Jacksonville?”

—

NEW YORK — A major theme of Friday’s pitching matchup at Yankee Stadium when the Tampa Bay Rays and the New York Yankees continue their four-game series will be the long road that Nathan Eovaldi and Jonathan Loaisiga took to reach the mound.

For Eovaldi Womens Marian Hossa Jersey , is it his fourth start with the Tampa Bay Rays after a second Tommy John surgery. For Loaisiga, it is his major league debut with the New York Yankees after a quick ascent through the minors following Tommy John surgery and missing two seasons.

The Yankees opened the series with a 4-3 victory Thursday when Gleyber Torres hit a three-run homer in the fifth inning off Blake Snell. Torres leads all rookies with 13 homers and 33 RBIs, and the Yankees are 11-3 in their last 14 games and 11-2 in their last 13 home games.

Matt Duffy homered for the Rays, who are on a seven-game road losing streak after striking out 15 times. The Rays also are 4-10 in their last 14 games overall.

Eovaldi, who was 23-11 with a 4.45 ERA in 51 appearances (48 starts) in two seasons for the Yankees, is 1-1 with a 3.94 ERA in his first three starts for the Rays. Though he said his velocity is coming back, he is averaging 97 mph on his fastball, which is roughly the same he averaged on the pitch with the Yankees.

“For sure, the fact that I’ve been throwing the ball good as it is (is nice),” Eovaldi said Thursday. “So I’m going to try to keep doing that with my fastball command and really make sure I execute the off-speed pitches and get them down. Other than that, when you step between the lines, it’s about going out there and competing.”

“I know Nate really appreciated his time here, but, no, I’m not overly concerned,” Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. “He’s been so focused on what he’s doing and kind of his surroundings, and he’s thrown the ball well for us since he’s gotten back. I think that focus won’t change, and it won’t change just because he’s facing a former team.”

Eovaldi last pitched Sunday in a 5-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners when he allowed three runs and four hits in five-plus innings. He allowed a solo homer to Nelson Cruz and a two-run homer to Mike Zunino while throwing 102 pitches, his most since Aug. 4, 2016, against the New York Mets.

“I feel like I’ve been throwing the ball well,” Eovaldi said. “I’ve been recovering better now that we’ve been getting into kind of a five-day routine of things. I feel like my arm really hasn’t been as sore as when I first started from my rehab.”

Eovaldi is the 35th player to pitch after multiple Tommy John surgeries and the 13th to start a game.

He is facing the Yankees for the first time. He is 10-4 with a 3.73 ERA in 24 appearances (23 starts) at Yankee Stadium.

Eovaldi was one of those young low-cost pitchers the Yankees were hoping to develop. Now Loaisiga is one as he fills in for Masahiro Tanaka Patrick Kane Jersey , who injured both hamstrings last Friday against the New York Mets.

Loaisiga is pitching above Double-A for the first time and is 6-1 with a 3.00 ERA in 10 combined starts with Double-A Trenton and Class A Tampa this season. He attended spring training with the Yankees after being added to the 40-man roster in November.

“I’m excited to see him pitch here,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “It’s a guy with a really good arm, really simple athletic delivery, and I think a big reason why he’s the guy we chose is that we feel like his stuff is excellent, but his delivery is low-maintenance enough that it should allow him to step up.”

The 23-year-old originally was signed by the San Francisco Giants in 2012, and the Yankees signed him in February 2016. He was 8-1 in the Dominican Summer League in 2013 but did not pitch again until 2016 because of Tommy John surgery.

“It’s been a tough road for me to get here, and now it’s about enjoying this moment and this opportunity and trying to help this team win,” Loaisiga said through an interpreter. “I’m focused on winning; it’s everything for us and I’m looking forward to it.”

Loaisiga is the 15th native of Nicaragua to appear in the majors and the 11th pitcher. He is the first native of Nicaragua to appear in a game for the Yankees.

The career leader in wins by a Nicaraguan is Dennis “El Presidente” Martinez. Martinez won 245 games from 1976 to 1998 with Baltimore, Montreal, Cleveland, Atlanta and Seattle, and Loaisiga is aware of his impact.

“He’s a baseball ambassador,” Loaisiga said. “You look up to him as a kid, because he’s proof you can make it to the big leagues. For us, it’s following in his footsteps, and hopefully doing well and representing Nicaragua well.”

The Houston Astros‘ offense looks to be back on track.

After totaling 21 runs in their previous seven games, the World Series champs have scored in double-figures in each of their last two.

Yuli Gurriel and Alex Bregman each homered and Charlie Morton won his 11th as the Astros beat the Chicago White Sox 12-6 Saturday for their fifth straight win.

”I think we’re swinging the bats well and playing good baseball,” Bregman said. ”I think offensively, we have a done a good job of passing the baton to the next guy, and if we continue to do that, we will be successful.”

Morton (11-2) allowed five runs and five hits with eight strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. The right-hander has won four of his last five starts.

”I feel bad for Charlie because he got a little nickel and dimed at the end with a few soft hits and an ill-timed walk and then a well-placed, bases-clearing double Kyler Fackrell Jersey ,” Houston manager AJ Hinch said. ”I thought his stuff was really good at the end. . That saying that he pitched better than the line indicates, that’s going to be the day today. Still a winning pitcher, still a guy that gave us a chance to win.”

James Shields (3-10) allowed a season high-tying eight runs on a season-high 10 hits with nine strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings for the White Sox, who have lost four straight. Shields had allowed one run over his prior two starts.

”Just wasn’t my day today,” Shields said. ”I’m just not really happy about not going deep in the game. I’m really trying to save this bullpen. These guys are taxed. I really wanted the ball and be that guy to go deeper in the game.”

Gurriel, who also had an RBI single in the eighth, hit a three-run homer to left field to increase Houston’s lead to 4-0 in the third inning.

Josh Reddick had a run-scoring fielder’s choice and Evan Gattis added an RBI single to push the Astros’ advantage to 6-1 in the fifth. However, Matt Davidson had an RBI single with the bases loaded and Omar Narvaez followed with a three-run double to pull Chicago within one in the sixth, chasing Morton.

Bregman’s two-run homer in the bottom of the inning extended Houston’s lead back to three.

”A 2-0 count, I was trying to get something over the middle of the plate,” Bregman said. ”I was fortunate enough to put a good swing on it.”

Bregman finished a triple shy of the cycle to extend his hitting streak to 12 games.

”He’s doing everything right in the batter’s box as far as seeing the ball, his selectiveness, his approach is A-plus,” Hinch said. ”Bat-to-ball has been exceptional.”

Max Stassi hit an RBI double in the second and an RBI single in the eighth for the Astros. Marwin Gonzalez added an RBI single in the seventh as every Houston starter had a hit. Houston won 11-4 Friday night.

”It’s an excellent ball club, let’s face it they’ve got guys that swing the bat up and down the lineup,” Chicago manager Rick Renteria said of the Astros. ”They’ve got an air of confidence that they play with, which comes with the things that they’ve accomplished. It’s natural.”

Avisail Garcia hit a sacrifice fly in the fourth and a solo home run on to the train tracks in left in the eighth for Chicago. Garcia has five home runs in his last six games.

TUCKER PROMOTED

The Astros promoted top prospect, outfielder Kyle Tucker from Triple-A Fresno. Tucker, who was named to the Pacific Coast League’s All Star team, was hitting .306 with 14 home runs and 66 RBIs. He went 1 for 4 with a single and run scored in the seventh and an RBI walk in the eighth to go along with three strikeouts. The Astros optioned outfielder Jake Marisnick to Fresno in a corresponding move.

TRAINER’S ROOM

White Sox: SS Tim Anderson returned to the lineup. Anderson was out Friday after being hit on the left forearm the previous day. Anderson went 0 for 4 and reached on an error in the fifth.

UP NEXT

White Sox: RHP Lucas Giolito (5-7) will make his 18th start of the season in the series finale. Giolito is 2-3 with a 7.50 ERA in his last eight stars and gave up nine runs in two innings in his last start against the Astros on April 21.

Astros: LHP Dallas Keuchel (5-8) is looking for his third straight win. Keuchel allowed two runs over seven innings in his last start Tuesday against the Rangers.

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