Month: May 2017

Cowboys could be losing another defensive lineman to suspension

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Jabaal Sheard Authentic Jersey The Dallas Cowboys are dealing with yet another drug-related absence on their defense. On Tuesday, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that defensive lineman David Irving is facing a four-game suspension for violating the league’s PED policy. Irving plans to appeal the suspension, which reportedly involves a supplement he has a marketing deal with.

For now, it’s just a workout. Teams often bring in a handful of players at positions of need during the offseason so that they can gauge their readiness to play, whether they are fit for the team, etc. Basically, they’re doing their homework in case they end up needing to sign a quarterback or decide they want a better option at backup.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll mentioned the possibility of Kaepernick and Robert Griffin III as potential considerations for his team earlier this month. General manager John Schneider reportedly reached out to Kaepernick’s agent following that.

It’s still a mystery, in a league where Mike Glennon can get a $45 million contract, that a quarterback with Kaepernick’s bona fides can’t get a gig. It’s hard to take seriously commissioner Roger Goodell’s claim that Kaepernick is not being blackballed for his decision to kneel during the national anthem last season, protesting the institutionalized repression of minorities in America. But maybe he’s finally close to getting another shot.

Lonzo will declare for the NBA Draft after this season and is a consensus top-five pick.

Elite Mike Glennon Jersey Ball played for Washington State during the 1987-88 season and averaged significantly low numbers, making him an unlikely candidate to beat the NBA legend.

Back in my heyday, I would kill Michael Jordan one-on-one, Ball told USA Today on Monday. He cannot stop me one-on-one. He better make every shot ’cause he can’t go around me. He’s not fast enough. And he can only make so many shots outside before I make every bucket under the rim.

On the other hand, Ball’s son, UCLA freshman star Lonzo Ball, would have a fighting chance against Jordan. Of course, Mike is 54.

Lonzo will declare for the NBA Draft after this season and is a consensus top-five pick.

The problem, of course, is that Hall of Fame committees don’t generally get too deep into the weeds with sabermetrics.

Injuries also played a role in curtailing Stieb’s career and preventing him from accumulating more of the counting stats Hall of Fame voters so value. Stieb never went on the disabled list until excessive working out in 1991 gave him a herniated disk in his back, aggravated by a collision near first base that spring. This led to other issues, which ultimately culminated with Stieb’s release from the Blue Jays after the 1992 season.

MORE: Who will be the first unanimous baseball Hall of Famer?

Elite Connor Barth Jersey After a short stint with the Chicago White Sox and a six-week run with the Kansas City Royals’ Triple-A club, Stieb went home to his family.

I was living in Lake Tahoe and just loving life and being with my kids and stuff, Stieb said. I just didn’t even care about baseball while I was on the mend.

NFL Draft 2017: Patient Browns still get their QB in Notre Dame’s DeShone Kizer

The Browns made three first-round selections on Thursday and none was a quarterback.

They got their guy Friday, selecting Notre Dame quarterback DeShone Kizer with the 52nd overall pick of the 2017 NFL Draft.

“We’re going to give all our guys an opportunity to compete,” Jackson said, via the Cleveland Plain Dealer. “That’s what it’s all about. It’s not about who is the starter, who is this. Let’s let these guys get here and learn our offense and spend time with myself and (quarterback coach David) Lee and go out on the field and let’s see how it all turns out.”

Kizer will get a chance to start in his inaugural season, though he’ll first have to outshine former Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler and returning Browns quarterbacks Cody Kessler, a third-round pick last year, and Kevin Hogan, a fifth-round pick of the Chiefs last year who played in four game for the Browns.

Kizer was the only one of the consensus top-four passers not to be taken in the first round, though his patience paid off when he was picked up by a team close to his hometown of Toledo, Ohio.

Getting to the point where he could tell the story was a rocky road in itself. He began turning in that direction on the day his company was being evicted from its Baltimore offices — he was cleaning out the desk that was about to be taken out, and he found a card from Andre Collins, the assistant director of the union’s player assistance fund (and former NFL linebacker).

Collins connected him to Bahati VanPelt, executive director of the NFL Trust, powered by the NFLPA through a provision in the 2011 labor agreement. (The money comes from the mountain of player fines each year, and the contract requires it all to be spent.) VanPelt, coincidentally, was the Jaguars’ director of player programs when Ogden was a player there.

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This is where Romo comes in.

Elite Kids Adrian Peterson Jersey Jones set the NCAA single-season receptions record last season with 158 catches. Of those receptions, 91 of them went for first downs. He finished his East Carolina career with 399 receptions to break the NCAA career record previously held by former ECU receiver and current Atlanta Falcon Justin Hardy.

When the ECU season ended last November, Jones was considered a third-round prospect, at best, despite his prolific career. But he has gained momentum since January, when he had a stellar week at the Senior Bowl, and could now be a first-round pick in next month’s NFL Draft.

Zay had the best week of all of the receivers. He was tremendous here, Senior Bowl director Phil Savage told Omnisport last month. He comes off the line with acceleration. He’s tough. When he’s pressed, he’s big enough and strong enough to swat hands off and quick enough to get away. And he’s got really sticky hands.

I probably didn’t praise him enough. I thought he was clearly the best receiver here.

And not just the best receiver. Wisconsin running back Corey Clement said the 6-2, 201-pound Jones was the best player in Mobile, Ala.
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This is where Romo comes in.

The parallels to Manning are obvious. Manning was considered a crapshoot when signed in 2012 because of the neck concerns that led to his Indianapolis release. As for Romo, the back and collarbone issues that sidelined him for almost all of the past two seasons are the latest additions to a long career injury list.

NFL Draft forces Marlins to stay in Delaware for Phillies series

Elite Mens Barry Church Jersey How big an event has the NFL Draft become since the league decided to take it on the road? Baseball can’t even get a room at the inn.

The Miami Marlins open a three-game series at the Phillies on Tuesday, but they won’t be spending any time in Philadelphia when they’re not at Citizens Bank Park.

Located about 25 miles from the ballpark, the luxurious, century-old hotel meets the requirements spelled out in baseball’s collective bargaining agreement with the players’ union that teams lodge only in high-end hotels.

While the Rays were just happy to have a roof over their heads in that situation — particularly with a traveling party of about 170 people — their Delaware sojourn didn’t help. When Game 5 resumed two days later, the Phillies closed out a 4-3 win to clinch the World Series title.

Beltre said Thursday morning that he was 50-50 on being able to participate in the first round of the WBC, according to The Dallas Morning News.

I wish I had more time to prepare myself and make the decision, the third baseman said. If I decide not to go, I might very well be ready by that time. And if I decide to go right now, it’s possible I won’t be ready. бн I’m in the middle, and I don’t know what to do.

Elite Mens Mike Adams Jersey While Ramirez had held out hope that he would be able to DH for the Dominicans, apparently all parties agreed that such a move wouldn’t be wise for his long-term health.

Mariners shortstop Jean Segura will replace Ramirez on the country’s roster, D.R. general manager Moises Alou told MLB Network.

The Dominican roster remains loaded, with Manny Machado, Jose Bautista, Nelson Cruz, Robinson Cano and Jose Reyes among the options for manager Tony Pena. The 2013 WBC champions open play March 9 against Canada at Marlins Park in Miami.

Ray Rice on return to NFL: ‘I can still play football’

Giolito is only 22, but he’s already had an eventful professional career.

A few hurdles, he told SN with a grin a couple of days before the Triple-A season started, obviously the hardest one being Tommy John surgery when I was 18 years old. Honestly, my rehab process, I really didn’t have any hiccups or bumps, and my arm has gotten healthier and healthier since I’ve moved away from it.
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Yep, Giolito was a fascinating case before he was even drafted by the Nationals 16th overall in 2012. He was in the conversation for the No. 1 pick at one time, but he didn’t pitch during his senior season in high school in Los Angeles because he was rehabbing a strained elbow ligament. Teams knew that Tommy John surgery was a real possibility, which is why he was still available at pick No. 16. The Nationals embraced that risk and, as expected, he had TJ surgery.

Ray Rice has been out of the NFL since 2013, but he’s not giving up hope on a surprise comeback.

The reason why I’m not playing football, you do the dots, Rice said, via ESPN. It ain’t because I’m a bad football player. That’s just keeping it real. I’m never giving up and never giving in.

Rice was suspended indefinitely by the NFL in September 2014 and was released by the Baltimore Ravens when a video surfaced of him punching his then-fiancee in an elevator.

He is now able to play after his indefinite suspension was overturned.

I can still play football, Rice said Sunday. I’m never going to give up. You’re never going to hear me say, ‘I gave up.’
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Rice, 30, is a three-time Pro Bowl running back who has amassed a Ravens record 9,214 yards from scrimmage.

Still, it is highly unlikely any team takes a chance on Rice.

Jordy Robertson initially predicted the surgery would take between 8-10 hours.

Authentic Mens Andre Iguodala Jersey Jordy Robertson initially predicted the surgery would take between 8-10 hours. He said the liver is working, but the next few days will be crucial.

Jarrius, who signed a contract last year on Good Morning America to become an official hype man for the Saints, has played a big role with the organization.

Several Saints players tweeted their support for Jarrius Sunday afternoon, including quarterback Drew Brees.

Pray for @Jarrius today as he receives his liver transplant in New Orleans. Can’t wait to see you running around the #Saints facility, JJ!

Jarrius, 15, battles biliary atresia — a chronic liver disease that affects his physical growth. He has been in and out of hospitals since receiving a liver transplant when he was 1. He spent a year of his life in a coma, according to ESPN.com.
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Pace wasn’t sure Trubisky would be available at No. 3, where the Bears were slated to pick before trading up. The Bears were concerned a team in need of a quarterback was going to trade up to No. 2, since Chicago had taken calls from such teams interested in the No. 3 pick.

We have a lot of feelers out there and you’re kind of feeling the situation out, Pace said, per the Tribune. And I didn’t want to sit on our hands and have some team jump us or have it not work out. When we were this close, within reach of a player that we all really valued, I didn’t want to sit on our hands and risk not getting that player.

So while Bears fans aren’t overflowing with confidence ahead of the 2017 season, Pace is excited about his new signal-caller.

NFL Draft 2017: Jets reportedly shopping Sheldon Richardson, Calvin Pryor

Often the darlings of first rounds past, tackles and guards weren’t expected to go before No. 20 in this draft, and that’s how it played out. But it was worse than expected.

Utah’s Garett Bolles got his name called, as many expected, by the Broncos. But Ramczyk had to wait until the very last pick Thursday. Western Kentucky’s Forrest Lamp and Alabama’s Cam Robinson, both trending upward late, were shut out. Expect the position to dominate the second and third rounds.

The Jets look like they’re going to be active on Friday, Day 2 of the 2017 NFL Draft .

While most everyone knew the Jets were shopping former No. 13 overall pick Sheldon Richardson , to hear Calvin Pryor, the No. 18 overall pick in the 2014 draft, is also on the block comes as a surprise. But that is reportedly what is happening leading into rounds two and three Friday.

The Jets selected former LSU safety Jamal Adams with the No. 6 overall pick Thursday night, which made Pryor expendable. It’s similar to what happened to Richardson last year when the Jets selected former USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams with the No. 6 pick.

Just in case you needed to be reminded that character isn’t a concern in Cincinnati, team officials outdid themselves in ignoring risk, especially considering there’s limited reward with this controversial pick.

It wasn’t a need, with Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill occupying the Bengals’ backfield, and it shouldn’t have been a want with the recent issues involving Vontaze Burfict and Adam Jones. The first-rounder on wideout John Ross was odd. This is an absolute misjudgment.
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Murray was believed to be injured in the last game he played

Phil Taylor Authentic Jersey Brian Dumoulin and Carl Hagelin were somewhat surprise no-shows at a practice today. Usually when Mike Sullivan shows up on the ice (as he did today) it’s not an optional, and to that end, several veterans who usually take the option and skip (Crosby, Kessel, Daley) were all out there.

For a guy like Hagelin, maybe no big deal. Coming off a bad foot he probably doesn’t need to go on the ice for practices.

Limited Mens Evan Fournier Jersey Dumoulin took a big hit from TJ Oshie early in the 2nd period but was able to return and finish the game with no obvious issue.

Officially all the players who didn’t practice were deemed game time decisionsthough that designation would probably be given to anyone with a pulse in Western Pennsylvania today. Bottom line, we’ll have to wait and see who is in the lineup.

Should Hornqvist + Hagelin be out, both Scott Wilson and Carter Rowney will play. If Dumoulin can’t play, Mark Streit or Ruhwedel would slot into the lineup.

Murray was believed to be injured in the last game he played, on Thursday 4/6 against the New Jersey Devils, he looked a little clunky after making a breakaway save on Taylor Hall, was a scratch the last two games of the season. Murray tried to warmup on 4/12 for Game 1 against the Columbus Blue Jackets but looked uncomfortable and left early, not to be seen since.

That makes almost 3 weeks at this point, and with Marc-Andre Fleury in great form at the moment, the Pens aren’t in need of Murray at the moment. And even if that doesn’t change, it sure would be nicer to have Murray as a backup than a guy with a single NHL game.

Murray may be a way off from a return, since some light skating is hardly the same as ready to jump from post-to-post and do the splits, but time heals all wounds and every passing day is one day closer to the return of Murray, should they need.

LeBron James is saving Dahntay Jones from losing two-thirds of his salary

LeBron James told reporters he will pay the fine that cost Dahntay Jones two-thirds of his salary after the Cavaliers’ Eastern Conference semifinals Game 1 win over the Raptors on Monday.

I told him tonight, I said, Listen, Dahntay, now enough is enough. Stop getting kicked out against Toronto all the time. I’m going to stop paying your damn fines,’ James told reporters, according to ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. But yeah, he don’t have to worry about it. He’s good.

Jones played just two minutes in Cleveland’s 116-105 win, but was assessed back-to-back technical fouls and ejected with 19 seconds left in the fourth quarter. He picked up the first after a verbal spat with Raptors rookie Jakob Poeltl. The second came after a run-in with Toronto’s Norman Powell, who took exception with Jones’ late dunk that increased Cleveland’s lead to 14.

Limited Kids Doug Gilmour Jersey Special guy, special talent, unique talent. With yesterday being his sister’s birthday, I believe that she was just looking upon him, looking down on him, and giving him everything and more. There was no way he was going to get tired last night.

Thomas played virtually all of the fourth quarter and overtime in the Celtics’ win, sitting only 23 seconds in the final two periods. He scored nine of Boston’s 15 overtime points on 4-of-4 shooting, outscoring the entire Washington team and hitting a dagger and-one to seal the Celtics’ victory.
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Thomas has had clutch performances all season long, but Tuesday night’s took the cake. James understood that. So did everyone else.