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Mike Vrabel played 14 years in the NFL and the first-year Tennessee Titans coach is more than willing to pick up a pad for drills to get his point across.

And if someone knocks off his sunglasses during the process Vikings Authentic Jerseys , not a problem.

"Yes, that's fun," Vrabel said Thursday after the Titans' first day of training camp. "That's when you know it was a good punch. I use that as a barometer when the sunglasses go flying off. But, they're doing it the right way. They're delivering a blow and trying to transfer power to stop a guy's charge, in that case, the punt team and get out and cover."

The Titans' season opener and Vrabel's debut as a head coach in a regular-season game is just 45 days away on Sept. 9 in Miami. His preseason debut comes Aug. 9 in Green Bay Authentic Rasheem Green Jersey , and Vrabel was starting to drive his wife and son crazy being at home waiting for the start of training camp.

"You wake up in the middle of the night thinking about should I call a time-out in this situation? Then I'm like, I'm really losing my mind. It's just good to have the players back," Vrabel said.

Not only did Vrabel play in the NFL and win three Super Bowl rings, he's been an assistant at Ohio State and with the Houston Texans. That means he got to watch some of football's best make crucial decisions during games, including Bill Belichick, Urban Meyer and Bill O'Brien.

Now it'll be Vrabel's turn to decide Odell Beckham Jr Jersey Youth , and he's been doing his best to prepare for kickoff by doing what he did so much of as a player: watch tape to help figure out what he can and can't challenge, figuring out how to use his timeouts, defending an opponent trying to run clock at the end of a game.

"We've got a library of 10 years," Vrabel said. "You can go back and pretty much get whatever game we want and pull up a scenario and play it out."

For now, Vrabel is trying to improve a Titans team that is coming off consecutive 9-7 seasons and the franchise's first playoff victory since January 2004 鈥?all of which wasn't good enough to keep Mike Mularkey on the job . Music plays throughout practice to help simulate game-day noise, and his assistants spent parts of Thursday's session working on fundamentals like tip drills.

The Titans saw their coach throw himself into camp with the same participation and intensity he displayed during offseason organized team activities.

"Oh man Authentic Matt Murray Jersey , that feels good all the time when you get to hit the coach a little bit," three-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jurrell Casey said. "It just shows you know the stuff that he was doing OTAs wasn't a fluke. He's continued to do it."

Rookie linebacker Rashaan Evans joked that going up against a coach could be a way to work out some frustration. He said it was impressive to see Vrabel working in the trenches, and his new head coach already has given him a tip on how to play better.

"He's always told me not to think so much but just to play ball," Evans said. "He says you're going to make mistakes. But you play fast and aggressive, everything else goes that'll get corrected."

NOTES: Two-time Pro Bowl left tackle Taylor Lewan reported for training camp Wednesday with his agents talking with the Titans about a contract extension past this season . Lewan did not take part in team drills, and he said that might be the Titans waiting until the new deal is done. Vrabel disagreed Kendall Wright Color Rush Jersey , noting Lewan already is under contract but missed the team's mandatory minicamp in June . The coach said the left tackle will rejoin team drills when the Titans feel he's ready.

Representatives for Mark Ingram say the Saints running back did not test positive for a performance enhancing drug and is weighing options for challenging his four-game suspension.

Paul Bobbitt and David Jones of VIP Sports Management say Ingram was using a substance that is permitted by the NFL with a "proper use exemption."

Ingram's agents did not specify which substance Ingram used.

The NFL's drug policy does not merely ban performance enhancing drugs, but also certain legal substances which have been known to skew drug test results.

The NFL announced Ingram's suspension on Tuesday.

Bobbitt and Jones say Ingram has challenged the NFL's decision through arbitration, and that his legal team will consider further options after reviewing the arbitrator's recent ruling.

Last season, Ingram rushed for a career-high 1,124 yards and 12 touchdowns to go with 416 yards receiving.

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ARIZONA CARDINALS (8-8)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: S Tyvon Branch; CB Justin Bethel and Tramon Williams; QBs Drew Stanton Vita Vea Buccaneers Jersey , Blaine Gabbert and Matt Barkley; DT Frostee Rucker; WRs John Brown, Brittan Golden and Jaron Brown; OLBs Karlos Dansby and Kareem Martin; RB Kerwyn Williams; G Alex Boone; ILB Josh Bynes, OT Khalif Barnes; OL Earl Watford; TE Troy Niklas; LS Aaron Brewer,.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: DT Xavier Williams.

NEEDS: With no QB on roster, team’s No. 1 need is obvious. General manager Steve Keim seems to want to sign veteran, with Cardinals in Kirk Cousins sweepstakes despite salary cap challenges, especially considering large number of departing free agents, some of whom could be re-signed. Expect Cardinals also to address QB in draft. Other needs are at WR Gregor Blanco Jersey , where ranks are thin to nonexistent behind Larry Fitzgerald. With big contracts of aging, oft-injured G Mike Iupati and T Jared Veldeer, Cardinals will be looking at OL help as well as in secondary. With entire new coaching regime and system, team might look for someone to play FB.

AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $21 million.

ATLANTA FALCONS (11-7)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: DE Adrian Clayborn; FB Derrick Coleman; WRs Taylor Gabriel, Andre Roberts and Nick Williams; G Ben Garland; LBs Jordan Tripp, Sean Weatherspoon and Kemal Ishmael; DB Leon McFadden; OT Austin Pasztor; DTs Dontari Poe, Courtney Upshaw and Ahtyba Rubin; CB Blidi Wreh-Wilson.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: FS Ricardo Allen; RBs Terron Ward and Terrence Magee.

NEEDS: Tight end is priority following release of Levine Toilolo. Veteran could be signed to challenge Austin Hooper. Team cut Derrick Shelby and could lose Clayborn, so more pass rush help at defensive end may be needed. If team loses Poe and Upshaw in free agency Youth Pernell McPhee Jersey , another veteran defensive tackle may be signed. Guard is another priority that may be addressed high in draft or in free agency. General manager Thomas Dimitroff said at NFL scouting combine that Gabriel would not be re-signed. Kicker Matt Bryant avoided free agency by agreeing to three-year deal.

AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $14.8 million.

CAROLINA PANTHERS (11-6)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: Gs Andrew Norwell and Amini Silatolu; DEs Julius Peppers and Charles Johnson; DT Star Lotulelei; QB Derek Anderson; TE Ed Dickson, Ss Jairus Byrd and Kurt Coleman; CB Teddy Williams; LB Andrew Gachkar; WR Brenton Bersin; RB Jonathan Stewart.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: TE Scott Simonson; G David Yankey; WR Kaelin Clay; CB LaDarius Gunter.

NEEDS: Panthers need thumper at safety after releasing Coleman, as well as pass rushing defensive ends after release of Johnson and with 37-year-old Peppers’ future uncertain. Team allowed All-Pro guard Norwell to walk, but believes last year’s draft pick Taylor Moton can step into that spot. Center Ryan Kalil and outside linebacker Thomas Davis said they will retire after season, so it’s time to address those areas. Carolina cut Stewart, its all-time leading rusher; team needs complement to Christian McCaffrey in backfield. Finding speedy wide receiver remains priority. Don’t be surprised if Carolina drafts quarterback at some point and parts with Anderson.

AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $24 million.

CHICAGO BEARS (5-11)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: CB Kyle Fuller (transition tag), Prince Amukamara, Bryce Callahan and Sherrick McManis; WRs Josh Bellamy Authentic Wayne Simmonds Jersey , Dontrelle Inman and Kendall Wright; QB Mark Sanchez; RB Benny Cunningham; TE Zach Miller; G Josh Sitton; DE Mitch Unrein; LBs Sam Acho, Lamarr Houston and Christian Jones.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: WR Cameron Meredith.

NEEDS: Bears have glaring need for playmaking receivers and could make run at Jacksonville’s Allen Robinson and Rams’ Sammy Watkins in free agency. Chicago needs help on offensive line after declining option on Sitton and with Kyle Long recovering from multiple surgeries. On defense, Bears could use more pass rushers to go with LB Leonard Floyd. Chicago placed transition tag on Fuller, giving them right to match any offer he receives in free agency.

AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $64 million.

DALLAS COWBOYS (9-7)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: DE DeMarcus Lawrence; RB Alfred Morris; WR Brice Butler; T Byron Bell; G Jonathan Cooper; LBs Anthony Hitchens and Kyle Wilber; LS L.P. LaDouceur; C Joe Looney; CB Bene Benwikere.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: DE David Irving; FB Keith Smith.

NEEDS: Lawrence will be back after signing for $17.1 million under franchise tag as sides work on long-term deal. Team plans to tender Irving and wants him back. Dallas also wants Hitchens back but likely won’t overpay in scenario that could be similar to last year, when S Barry Church left for Jacksonville. Morris and Butler probably not coming back, and Cowboys could target LG in draft if Cooper doesn’t return. Days of headline-grabbing free agents mostly over with owner Jerry Jones’ son, executive VP Stephen Jones, having strong influence and preferring to avoid big-money deals with players outside organization.

AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $3.2 million.

DETROIT LIONS (9-7)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: DTs Haloti Ngata and Jordan Hill; LBs Tahir Whitehead Byron Jones Jersey Womens , Nick Bellore, Dwight Freeney and LB Paul Worrilow; CBs D.J. Hayden and Nevin Lawson; C Travis Swanson; Ss Don Carey and S Tavon Wilson; TE Darren Fells; OTs Greg Robinson and Don Barclay; RB Mike James.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: WR TJ Jones; LB Brandon Copeland; OL Zac Kerin; RB Zach Zenner.

NEEDS: Lions’ weakness is defensive line and improving it will be priority under first-year coach Matt Patricia. Former New England Patriots Running back Paul Perkins was released by the New York Giants on Thursday with a non-football injury.

Perkins suffered a pectoral injury before the start of the team's offseason conditioning program and subsequently underwent surgery.

A fifth-round draft choice from UCLA in 2016, Perkins played in 25 regular-season games with five starts. He also started the 2016 NFC wild-card loss at Green Bay. He had 153 carries for 546 yards with a long run of 22 yards; and 23 receptions for 208 yards, with a long catch of 67 yards.

Perkins did not score a touchdown in his Giants career.

He likely would not have been a starter in the upcoming season after New York drafted Penn State running back Saquon Barkley with the second overall pick.

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Drew Brees hardly sounds like a man in denial.

Following the first practice of his 18th training camp on Thursday Mike Gesicki Jersey , the 39-year-old Saints quarterback openly acknowledged how little might be left of his career. But he also expressed a determination to make the most of it.

"I understand that I don't have a whole lot of time left," said Brees, who'll be 40 in January and whose contract expires after the 2019 season. "You've got to work and have high expectations and sacrifice and do maybe even more now than I ever have."

Brees figures wisdom and experience have improved his game mentally in ways that mitigate the physical effects of aging, but that's not what he attributes most to his longevity.

He considers the single most significant evolution in his game over the past half-decade to be his increased emphasis on throwing mechanics 鈥?the placement of his feet, the rotation of his torso, the angle of his arm motion, the point at which he releases the ball, and so forth.

Brees regurgitates odd-sounding terminology he's learned from reputed throwing guru Tom House, such as "ankle eye," meant to convey the idea that if the inside ankle of a thrower's push-off leg had an eye, it should be "looking" toward the target.

"I didn't think a whole lot about mechanics until about six years ago. I think I was just kind of a natural thrower. Like, I'd always been a pitcher in baseball, or shortstop," Brees said. "So you kind of reach a point where that's so second-nature that you just do it Youth Cleveland Browns Jerseys , and yet you don't really understand the elements of why are you able to get velocity, or the components that go into being an efficient thrower and being really accurate.

"As you get older, you begin to develop more of an appreciation for that," Brees continued. "Your physical skills begin to diminish, right? But you want to make those things repeatable and correctable if you do get off track. So, I'd say I've become more in tune with my mechanics."

It was hard to argue with the results during team drills Thursday, when Brees heaved a pinpoint pass over the top of the secondary to rookie receiver Tre'Quan Smith for a touchdown covering about 60 yards.

But when Brees misses a throw, he says he knows "exactly why I missed it," giving various examples of what might have gone wrong. "My feet were out of whack. Or, I didn't get proper rotation, or I let my (non-throwing) arm get outside the framework of my body; I didn't stay closed long enough. I didn't have my front shoulder down. I didn't have my ankle eye" facing the target.

In 2011, when Brees was 32, his 5,476 yards passing set a single-season NFL record eclipsed only once since Broncos Game Jerseys , when Denver's Peyton Manning passed for one yard more in 2013.

Last season, Brees passed for 4,334 yards, his lowest total in 12 seasons with the Saints. Yet, Brees also reclaimed the NFL record for single-season accuracy with a 72 percent completion rate, topping his previous high of 71.2 in 2011, which was an NFL record until it fell to Sam Bradford (71.6) in 2016.

Meanwhile, the Saints were back in the playoffs last season, bolstered by a strong running game and improved defense. So Brees didn't see his 2017 yards passing total as a harbinger of decline.

The success of the running game "allowed us to stay more committed to it," Brees said.

And with a better defense, "we didn't have to take as many chances offensively and have to throw the ball 鈥?push the ball down the field," Brees continued. "Those are all good things."

Brees still talks of playing as long as possible, but eschews bold predictions about lasting into his mid-40s or beyond, unlike New England's Tom Brady .

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Drew Brees says an emphasis on mechanics has helped him maintain his level of play as he's gotten older @brettmartel s://t.co/JWCs9wzZG7 pic.Ak9tKRAseo

鈥?AP NFL (@AP_NFL) July 27 Alex Cappa Color Rush Jersey , 2018

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And what about family? Brees has four children younger than 10, but says he doesn't see his desire to be involved in their lives as a detriment to his football career. Rather, he contends, it makes him more focused when he is at Saints headquarters.

"I have to be able to leave this facility and go be with my family, be with my wife, be with my kids. They help balance me out," Brees said. "That enjoyment in my life helps me be a better football player and it also forces me when I'm here to be as efficient as possible, because I know now my time can't run over. I can't say, 'Oh, I'll stay an extra hour.' No. I have to get my work done by this time, so I get home and read my kids a book before they go to bed 鈥?or else I miss that opportunity and then that eats at me and then it throws off my balance."

Of course, good balance helps with throwing 鈥?for Brees, in more ways than one.

More NFL coverage: ://pro32.ap.org and ://AP_NFL

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DETROIT LIONS (9-7)

OPEN CAMP: July 27, Allen Park Chargers Cheap Jerseys , Michigan

LAST YEAR: Early and late-season slides knocked team out of playoff contention and cost coach Jim Caldwell job. QB Matthew Stafford led pass-dependent offense with 1,000-yard WRs Marvin Jones and Golden Tate. CB Darius Slay emerged as one of league's best in coverage.

IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: Coach Matt Patricia, RB LeGarrette Blount, RB Kerryon Johnson, TE Luke Willson, C Frank Ragnow, DT Sylvester Williams, LB Christian Jones, LB Devon Kennard.

IMPORTANT LOSSES: Coach Jim Caldwell, TE Eric Ebron, DT Haloti Ngata, LB Tahir Whitehead.

CAMP NEEDS: Developing running game with two new backs and rookie center. Learning new defense with first-year head coach and new coordinator Paul Pasqualoni.

EXPECTATIONS: Making playoffs must be goal after firing coach coming off third winning season in four years. Third-year GM Bob Quinn wants team to become tougher, especially in short yardage and near goal line.

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LOS ANGELES — A four-time All-Star who has finished in the top five of the Cy Young Award voting three times Bears Authentic Jerseys , Jon Lester looks to be getting even better in his 13th major league season.

And it leaves the Chicago Cubs with no better pitcher to stop a losing streak that was extended to five games Monday with a 2-1 defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Lester will try for his sixth consecutive victory when he faces the Dodgers on Tuesday night in the second game of the four-game series. He will square off against the Dodgers’ Ross Stripling, who had his own six-game streak come to an end last week in Chicago

The Lester-Stripling matchup is the second one in a span of six days.

Lester not only has a 1.64 ERA over his five-start win streak, he has pitched at least six innings in seven consecutive starts and has a 1.67 ERA over his last 12 outings.

“(Lester) is just slowing the game down,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said before Monday’s game in L.A. “He has gone to another level of maturation pitching-wise so I have really been enjoying watching him go about his business.”

Stripling is only in his third major league season, but he has shown an increased maturity level on the field as well this year. With the Dodgers in need of somebody to step up in the wake of a number of injuries to the starting staff, the right-hander made an easy transition from a bullpen role to rotation workhorse.

Stripling (6-2, 1.99) was not terrible in his outing against the Cubs last week, Lester was just better. The right-hander gave up three runs to the Cubs on eight hits with seven strikeouts over six innings. He sounded eager for a rematch.

“We’ve faced these guys in the playoffs the last two years, and it’s a lineup we’re really familiar with, and they’re familiar with us,” Stripling said after Wednesday’s defeat, according to mlb.com. “We’re right there with this team, and we know that.”

Lester (9-2, 2.10) held the Dodgers to just five hits in his scoreless outing Wednesday as the Cubs closed out a series victory. It is the only series the Dodgers have lost since the middle of May when they were in Miami.

Not only are the Dodgers 16-5 in June, they have 48 home runs in the month after hitting two Monday and nine in their past two games. Since a May 17 victory in Miami Jordan Howard Bears Jersey , the Dodgers are 26-9.

As good as the Cubs have been since the start of the 2015 season, winning at Dodger Stadium has proved difficult. They are just 2-8 in L.A. in that time, while going a baseball-best 334-226 in that same stretch. They did go 2-1 in L.A. while winning the 2016 National League Championship Series.

The Dodgers’ Enrique Hernandez has three home runs in two games and has six in his last 13 games. He is expected to be in the starting lineup Tuesday against the lefty Lester. Hernandez, the Dodgers’ super-utility player, has a career .874 OPS against left-handed pitching.

SCOREBOARD

Sunday, Jan. 7

Buffalo at Jacksonville, 1:05 p.m. EST. The Bills (9-7) are making their first playoff appearance since 1999, ending a 17-year absence that was the longest for any team in the four major North American sports leagues. The Jaguars (10-6) are in the postseason for the first time since the 2007 season, and won their first division title since 1999. They’re coached by Doug Marrone, who was Buffalo’s head coach from 2013-14.

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Carolina at New Orleans, 4:40 p.m. EST. Two familiar foes cap wild-card weekend as Cam Newton’s Panthers (11-5) take on Drew Brees’ Saints (11-5) for the third time this season. New Orleans won the previous two meetings, with the victories bookending an 8-1 stretch for the Saints en route to the NFC South title. The Panthers will have tight end Greg Olsen, who missed the earlier matchups because of a foot injury.

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STARS

Passing

– Marcus Mariota, Titans, led three second-half touchdown drives Authentic Billy Price Jersey , incredibly throwing one of his TD passes to himself, and the Titans rallied from a 21-3 deficit to beat the Kansas City Chiefs 22-21 for their first playoff win in 14 years.

– Matt Ryan, Falcons, went 21 of 30 for 218 yards and a TD to lead Atlanta past the Los Angeles Rams 26-13.

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Rushing

– Derrick Henry, Titans, had a career-high 156 yards rushing and scored a 35-yard touchdown run.

– Devonta Freeman, Falcons, ran for 66 yards and a TD on 18 carries.

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Receiving

– Julio Jones, Falcons, had nine catches for 94 yards and a touchdown.

– Tyreek Hill, Chiefs, caught seven passes for a game-high 87 yards.

– Robert Woods, Rams, had 142 yards on nine receptions.

– Delanie Walker, Titans Chargers Kyzir White Jersey , had six receptions for 74 yards.

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Special Teams

– Matt Bryant, Falcons, booted four field goals – from 29, 51, 25 and 54 yards.

– Ryan Succop, Titans, kicked a 49-yard field goal.

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Defense

– Brian Orakpo, Titans, had 1 1/2 sacks.

– Deion Jones, Falcons had 10 overall tackles and a pass-defensed.

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STREAKS & STATS

With a 22-21 loss to Tennessee, the Kansas City Chiefs haven’t won a home playoff game since January 1994. … Atlanta’s 26-13 win over the Los Angeles Rams gave the Falcons playoff victories in consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history. … Atlanta won a road playoff game for the first time in 5,481 days. The Falcons’ last postseason road victory came in the 2002 playoffs, when Michael Vick’s Falcons defeated Brett Favre’s Green Bay Packers. … Tennessee won a playoff game for the first time in 5,117 days, beating Kansas City 22-21. The Titans’ last playoff win came on Jan. 3 Quenton Nelson Youth Jersey , 2004, when Tennessee topped Baltimore.

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MILESTONES

Los Angeles’ Cooper Kupp became the first Rams rookie to catch a touchdown pass in the playoffs since Torry Holt in the 2000 Super Bowl. … Derrick Henry became the third player in Titans history to have 100 or more yards rushing in a playoff game, joining Eddie George (twice) and Earl Campbell. … Alex Smith’s two TD passes against Tennessee put him past Len Dawson (seven) for the most in Chiefs playoff history with nine.

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COMEBACK KIDS

Tennessee became the third road team to rally from at least 18 points down to win a playoff game in NFL history. The Titans trailed Kansas City 21-3 at halftime before storming back in the second half to win 22-21. Dallas came back from 21-3 in the first half to beat San Francisco 30-28 in December 1972, and Detroit came back from 27-7 in the second half to beat San Francisco in December 1957.

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FROM ME TO … ME

Marcus Mariota capped a 91-yard TD drive to start the second half of Tennessee’s 22-21 win at Kansas City in bizarre fashion: He threw a TD pass to himself. His throw to the end zone was batted right back at him by Darrelle Revis, and Mariota hauled it in and dived for the goal line. It was the first time a player has thrown a TD pass to himself in the playoffs, and the first time in any game since the Vikings’ Brad Johnson during the 1997 season.

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PARTY POOPERS

Atlanta’s 26-13 victory ruined a celebratory night for the Los Angeles Rams, who rebounded from a rough homecoming season in 2016 with an outstanding debut year under 31-year-old Sean McVay, the youngest head coach to reach the playoffs in NFL history. A raucous crowd of 74,300 packed the Coliseum on a crisp evening for the first NFL playoff game in the nation’s second-largest city since early 1994. Los Angeles went 21 years without pro football before the Rams returned last season, and the franchise emphatically ended a 13-year streak of non-winning seasons this fall with an inspiring run to the Rams’ first division title since 2003.

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COOP’S WHOOPS

Pharoh Cooper is headed to the Pro Bowl after his outstanding regular season as a kick returner, but the second-year pro’s misadventures in his playoff debut cost the Los Angeles Rams dearly. He muffed a punt that bounced off teammate Blake Countess in the first quarter, and Matt Bryant subsequently hit the Falcons’ first field goal. After Bryant’s second field goal later in the quarter, Cooper got stripped by Damontae Kazee during a kickoff return at the Rams 32, and the Falcons drove for a TD.

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SIDELINED

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce sustained a concussion on a wick.

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The Chicago Bears anticipated wide receiver Allen Robinson would need time to assume a role as quarterback Mitchell Trubisky’s No. 1 target.

Considering where the Bears passing game was last season Authentic Scooter Gennett Jersey , they expected this wait to be worthwhile.

Robinson continues to work at a slower, steadier pace through his first live practices since suffering a torn left anterior cruciate ligament, and hopes to reach a point where he and Trubisky click in the passing offense.

”It’s all about getting back acclimated, running certain routes, getting the small things in football, as far as actually football – route-running, sinking my hips, stuff like that,” Robinson said Tuesday at Bears training camp. ”As far as physically, I feel fine.”

Robinson took off Monday’s practice to rest his knee after his first full practice participation over camp’s first three days. He returned to work Tuesday with no ill effects.

The slow, steady approach isn’t keeping Robinson from learning during meetings.

”He’s asking great questions,” Nagy said. ”He sits in the front of the room. He’s a little introverted, which is fine. That’s what we talk about – everyone is a little different. But he comes to me probably three to four times a practice and asks me certain questions, so we have a good relationship going there.”

Rehab from the injury kept Robinson from doing much in organized team activities and minicamp.

”Man, it’s fun,” Robinson said. ”Being away from the grass for 10-plus months, it feels so good to be back out here running routes, competing http://www.dolphinsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-daniel-kilgore-jersey , going against defenders, everything like that. It’s exciting.”

Nagy said no receiver has stepped up so far as Trubisky’s top target.

”But in a couple weeks I think if you come back and ask me that question there might be somebody that he starts to develop that bond with,” Nagy said to reporters.

Nagy sees signs Robinson is a bit tentative on routes requiring a cut inside, and expects the fifth-year receiver to overcome this as the knee continues to strengthen.

”I like where he’s at,” Nagy said. ”Allen is doing everything that we’re asking for. There might be a couple routes I think more mentally he’s just trying to get over, that it’s OK to do that. But that’s part of the health part of him.

”Just once you get through that part, then you’re ready to go. So we have the time. That’s the benefit of having five weeks in the preseason and then we get him ready for Week 1.”

Robinson calls his goal a better understanding of the offense rather than simply labeling it a need for receiver and quarterback to build chemistry.

”I think that’s a big misused word,” Robinson said. ”Because at the end of the day you know certain routes and certain things like that, you’ve got to be in the right place at the right time in a way that matches up with your quarterback.”

The Bears last season badly needed a primary target for Trubisky after injuries deprived them of Kevin White and former Bear Cameron Meredith. Chicago finished last in passing yards (2,811) and tied for last in touchdown passes (13).

Despite suffering a season-ending knee injury in Jacksonville’s opener, Robinson signed a three-year, $42 million free agent deal with the Bears. In the process, he left a blossoming AFC championship game qualifier for a team out of the playoffs since the 2010 season.

”You know, looking at the (new) coach, offensively scheme-wise, the quarterback, and things like that, I mean Jimmy Garoppolo Jersey 49ers , there’s no doubt at all that this team has all the talent in the world to win games,” Robinson said.

The talent Robinson brings is being able to stretch defenses and make jump-ball catches. Robinson had 22 touchdown catches in his first three seasons.

”Me being a bigger receiver, I think I’m a versatile receiver,” Robinson said. ”I think that’s something that coach Nagy, as far as his offensive scheme, it’s about versatility.

”For me, watching him, the play calls that he had prior to coming here, I knew that’s something that was a big part of his offense is versatility. I knew that he would be able to use me in a very effective way.”

Even if Trubisky has been targeting receivers such as Kevin White, Taylor Gabriel and Anthony Miller just as much or more often at camp, the Bears quarterback said he knows how to use the 6-foot-3 Robinson.

”He goes up, gets the football, creates separation,” Trubisky said. ”He can make those acrobatic catches that we haven’t seen here in the past.

”He can separate with speed, he’s physical, he runs great routes. He’s really a student of the game. That’s something I’ve learned.”

Robinson expects to apply what he’s learned by making Trubisky’s job easier.

”I want Mitch to be able to go out there and just be able to play free,” Robinson said.

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Justin Reid might have a leg up on most rookies when he joins the Houston Texans after spending years learning about the NFL from his brother Eric, a first-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2013.

"We break down film together Youth Indianapolis Colts Jerseys , I go and visit him at his house," Justin Reid said. "We watched games together. He would let me in on what the game plan was that week, how they're playing certain personnel."

The elder Reid is a safety who spent the last five seasons with the 49ers, but is currently a free agent. Justin, a safety from Stanford, followed in his brother's footsteps when Houston took him with the 68th overall pick in the draft on Friday night.

General manager Brian Gaine said they valued the football pedigree in his family, but were more impressed by his other qualities.

"What I'll tell you about Justin is No. 1 (he has) the prototypical body type, height, weight, speed for the position," Gaine said. "No. 2 production, graded well in terms of production. No. 3 was the versatility, interchangeable ability to play strong safety, free safety, the ability to play the run, the ability to play the pass. We feel like he's a fully dimensional safety at the position."

Reid was Houston's first pick in this year's draft after the Texans traded away their first-round pick to Cleveland to get quarterback Deshaun Watson with the 12th overall pick last year. They previously sent their second-round pick in this draft to the Browns as part of the deal to get rid of Brock Osweiler.

The draft was Gaine's first as a general manager after taking over in January when Rick Smith took an indefinite leave of absence to be with his wife, who is fighting cancer. But Gaine has plenty of experience in scouting and player evaluations, having worked as assistant general manager for the Dolphins and in player personnel for the Texans and the Bills.

He talked about having to wait through two rounds before making his first pick with the Texans.

"Unique circumstance Authentic Nick Chubb Jersey , 20 years of doing this, I've never had that experience before," he said. "But in a way after yesterday it allowed us to kind of reposition ourselves and think about what's already occurred and kind of measure the supply and demand at the positions with 32 players already gone."

Reid started 11 of 14 games last season, piling up 99 tackles, including 6 1/2 for losses with five interceptions and six pass breakups.

Houston addressed its need on the offensive line by taking Mississippi State tackle Martinas Rankin with the 80th pick. The 6-foot-4, 308-pound Rankin is a versatile player who has lined up at almost every position on the offensive line, but spent the most time at left tackle. He'll have a chance to play early, competing with Julie'n Davenport for the chance to protect Watson's blind side at left tackle.

"We see him as an offensive lineman and hopefully the best five play however that unravels here," Gaine said. "But naturally he was a starting left tackle in the SEC so my hope is he'd have the ability to do that, but we also believe that if he has to play guard, right side, left side, wherever we need him that this guy has the versatility to do that."

The Texans used their last pick Friday night to address another need when they chose Central Florida tight end Jordan Akins at No. 98. At 26, the 6-3, 249-pound Akins is much older than most NFL rookies after spending four years playing minor league baseball after being drafted by the Texas Rangers in the third round in 2010.

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NFL owners will be presented 10 rules proposals at their meetings next week Adidas Anze Kopitar Jersey , including changes to the catch rule and to the length of defensive pass interference penalties, and allowing personal fouls to be reviewed by instant replay.

The competition committee and several teams are bringing the proposals, which will be reviewed by owners beginning Monday in Orlando.

Other suggestions include making permanent spotting the ball at the 25-yard line following a kickoff; adding fouls for roughing the passer and penalties against players in a defenseless posture as reviewable in instant replay; designating a member of the officiating staff at New York headquarters to instruct on-field game officials to eject a player for a flagrant non-football act that drew a flag; and limiting the allowable time for a coach to throw a challenge flag.

Included in a dozen bylaw proposals is allowing a player on injured reserve to be traded, and schedule adjustments for western teams playing in the East.

Redefining the catch rule is the highest priority, according to Troy Vincent, the NFL's football operations chief, and Rich McKay, who chairs the powerful competition committee.

"We tried to simplify the rule with a three-step process," McKay said Friday. "Control, two feet down or a body part, and then anything that is a football act. It could be like Jesse James reaching for the goal line ."

The Steelers tight end had a likely winning touchdown catch overturned against New England, one of the most critical plays of last season. In 2018, if the new definition of a catch is passed, it would be a touchdown.

"We got rid of 'going to the ground Isaiah Oliver Jersey Elite ,' which was definitely causing some issues on these calls," McKay added of the process of completing a catch that has caused so much consternation.

Vincent noted that despite slight movement of the ball in a receiver's hands, that is not loss of possession. Under the proposal, it would constitute a reception.

"With movement (of the ball), you can still have control with movement," Vincent said. "That's also addressed in the new proposal language."

Equally controversial has been the defensive pass interference call. The Jets are proposing a change from a spot foul to a 15-yard penalty 鈥?unless the foul is determined by officials to be intentional and egregious. That suggestion drew plenty of discussion among competition committee members; both Vincent and McKay said it had "momentum" heading into the owners meetings.

Vincent was an outstanding defensive back in the NFL and has deep insight into pass interference.

"The difference between college ball and professional defensive backs is the (pros) were too skilled and too smart, and you can play the play, you can be strategic about it," he said. "You don't want a defensive back being able to strategically grab a guy, eliminate the options (on a play).

"As a former defensive back, on a professional level you can frankly bait a quarterback into doing whatever you want."

McKay noted there was one 50-yard or longer defensive pass interference call last season, three of 45 or longer, and seven of 40 or more.

Allowing officiating director Al Riveron or designated staff members at New York headquarters to call for an ejection of a player is a proposal emanating from committee meetings with game officials.

"They were quick to point out in these situations where a lot is going on 鈥?a fight or something else in dead ball situations 鈥?many times they are at a loss to capture exactly what happened and the right numbers (of offending players)," McKay said.

Also proposed:

鈥擨f a team opens overtime with a field goal Kolton Miller Color Rush Jersey , then gets a turnover on the opponent's next possession, that play will be run to conclusion. Previously, if the team that kicked the field goal fumbled the ball and it was run back for a touchdown by the opponent, that TD wouldn't count because of a change of possession. Now, it would count.

Such a situation has never occurred since the rule change allowing each team an OT series.

鈥擮wners will be asked to approve allowing video use on sideline and coaches' box tablets. Now, only photos can be examined.

鈥擟oaches will have a set amount of time during a commercial break to throw a challenge flag.

鈥擡xtra points need not be converted at the end of regulation after a team scores the winning touchdown.

McKay pointed to the end of the Saints-Vikings playoff game.

鈥擳eams seeking head coaches after the season be allowed to negotiate and sign a contract, though the coach would still be prohibited from doing any work for his new team until his club is done in the postseason.

When the Detroit Pistons hired Stan Van Gundy in 2014, owner Tom Gores called it the most important decision his organization had made.

Van Gundy didn’t make it to the end of his five-year contract, and now the Pistons need a plan for a future without him. Multiple plans, perhaps.

Van Gundy’s ouster leaves Detroit with no coach and a leadership void in the front office. That’s what happens when a team entrusts one person with so much authority, then decides to move in a different direction. If healthy, the Pistons may have the talent to reach the playoffs next season, but the franchise’s long-term strategy is the more pressing question.

The team announced Monday that Van Gundy wouldn’t be back as coach or president of basketball operations. There was no news conference – just a release in which Detroit said it would begin the search for a new head of basketball operations and a new coach. Gores spoke highly of Van Gundy while saying the team needed a change to reach the next level.

”I have nothing but respect and love for Stan. I think he is a great coach and a great man, and his presence and leadership helped move this franchise forward Isac Lundestrom Ducks Jersey ,” Gores said. ”Although we did not get the success both of us wanted, his efforts and leadership have put the franchise in better shape today than when he came on board.”

The Pistons made the playoffs under Van Gundy in 2016, the first time they’d done that in seven years, but had a difficult time building on that. Gores took over as owner in 2011, and this is now his second big attempt to reshape the team’s future on the court. Here are a few things to watch:

TELLEM’S INFLUENCE

Former agent Arn Tellem, now a vice chairman with the Pistons, was brought in by Gores in 2015. He is credited with playing a major role in the team’s move back to downtown Detroit this past season. Tellem has worked on the business side of the organization while Van Gundy headed basketball operations, but Tellem certainly has enough experience with enough facets of the NBA that he could be someone for Gores to lean on during the transition.

SPLITTING RESPONSIBILITIES?

Gores said last month he still saw value in one person having coaching and front office authority, but the setup the Pistons had with Van Gundy is rare in the NBA. For example, Doc Rivers used to have dual roles with the Los Angeles Clippers, but last offseason, Lawrence Frank took over responsibility for basketball operations, leaving Rivers to focus on coaching. Some of Van Gundy’s harshest critics have cited the team’s decisions in the draft and free agency, so Detroit may not be eager to give the next coach too much control over the front office.

THE ROSTER

After acquiring Blake Griffin in a blockbuster deal in late January Cheap Justin Jones Jersey , the Pistons still weren’t able to make the postseason. A December injury to point guard Reggie Jackson was a major culprit, and it’s easy to imagine the team improving if Griffin, Jackson and Andre Drummond are all in the lineup for a full season. The Pistons, however, took on a big contract with Griffin, and dealt a protected first-round pick to the Clippers in that trade. Barring another major deal, it may not be easy for them to upgrade the roster in the immediate future.

FAMILIAR NAME

With the Detroit front office in a state of flux, Chauncey Billups is the subject of some speculation. Billups, a popular member of the Pistons’ 2004 NBA title-winning team, had discussions with the Cleveland Cavaliers last offseason but did not join their front office. Perhaps there is a better fit for him in Detroit.

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In a story June 27 about a sports exhibit at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum Josh Gordon Jersey Youth , The Associated Press reported erroneously that the memorial and museum president was named Alice M. Greenwood. Her surname is Greenwald.

A corrected version of the story is below:

Museum exhibit highlights impact of sports after 9/11

New exhibit at 9/11 Memorial & Museum highlights impact of sports after 2001 attacks

By MELISSA MURPHY

AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK (AP) – A new exhibit at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum highlights the impact of sports after the 2001 attacks, including the Mets’ win in New York’s first major sporting event after 9/11.

”Comeback Season: Sports After 9/11” explores how sports helped unite the country and features interviews with athletes such as Hall of Fame catcher Mike Piazza.

”In that first game back, the home team came back and won,” said Piazza, whose two-run homer for the Mets in the eighth inning on Sept. 21, 2001, lifted the team past Atlanta. ”That’s exactly the lesson the city, the country and the world needed to see that night.”

Carol Gies attended that game with her three sons and celebrated the moment in the stands. Her firefighter husband, Lt. Ronnie Gies, died in the attacks on the World Trade Center.

”When that ball went over the wall, I saw my children smile for the very first time since they lost their dad,” she said in an oral history recording.

The exhibit covers various sports, including football, hockey Joel Iyiegbuniwe Color Rush Jersey , basketball, soccer, NASCAR, the New York City Marathon and the 2002 Winter Olympics. The story is told in nine chapters, using archival sports footage and testimonies from athletes, coaches and 9/11 families.

It opens with the U.S. Open final of Venus vs. Serena Williams on the weekend before the attacks. It moves through the cancellation of events, including the first stoppage of Major League Baseball since the death of President Franklin Roosevelt in 1945.

The Mets’ and Giants‘ stadiums were used as recovery and supply sites after the attacks. Piazza’s jersey, his batting helmet with ”NYPD” taped on the back and John Franco’s FDNY hat are on display.

So is Pat Tillman’s Army Ranger uniform, on loan from the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Tillman, an Arizona Cardinal player, enlisted after 9/11 and died in Afghanistan.

New York Rangers Mike Richter, Eric Lindros and Mark Messier are pictured during a visit to thank rescue workers at ground zero on Sept. 16.

There’s a quote from Mets manager Bobby Valentine: ”When we went down there the first time, you could still smell it. You could still feel it. You could see the filth on the faces of the workers. When they saw us, their faces lit up. You could see their teeth through their black masks.”

A letter from 10-year-old Brielle Saracini to Derek Jeter dated Sept. 14 is on display. She explains to her favorite player that her father http://www.steelersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-chukwuma-okorafor-jersey , Victor Saracini, was a pilot of hijacked Flight 175 that crashed into the south tower. Soon after, Jeter called to invite Brielle, her sister and mother to a game.

In the World Series, the Yankees hosted the Arizona Diamondbacks among heightened security for Games 3, 4, 5 at Yankee Stadium, just 14 miles from ground zero. Video shows Jeter hitting a walk-off home run in Game 4 and jumping into the arms of teammates at home plate.

Michael Jordan is pictured with members of the military before a Washington Wizards vs. Knicks game at Madison Square Garden on Oct. 30. Jordan had pledged his entire year’s salary to the 9/11 relief effort.

”Through the lens of sports, this exhibition celebrates the strength of the human spirit and our capacity to come together and support one another through unimaginable grief,” 9/11 Memorial & Museum President Alice M. Greenwald said. ”This story provides additional points of entry into the complex story of 9/11 to better understand our history and the impact it had on our world today, to reflect on our own lived memories from that time and to feel inspired by stories about the best of humanity.”

The exhibit was sponsored in part through the support of the Anheuser-Busch Foundation, MLB, the New York Mets and their chief operating officer, Jeff Wilpon. It runs through the summer of 2019.

The Tennessee Titans will be working out veteran safety Eric Reid in their search for a potential replacement after losing Johnathan Cyprien for the season with a torn left ACL Jaguars Cheap Jerseys , according to a person familiar with the visit.

Reid will work out for the Titans on Friday, a person familiar with Reid's visit told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the team does not announce which players it is working out.

The Titans will become only the second NFL team to bring Reid in for a visit this year. Reid's visit with the Cincinnati Bengals ended with the safety filing a claim this spring arguing he was unsigned as a result of collusion by NFL owners over his protests of police brutality and racial inequality by kneeling during the anthem.

Coach Mike Vrabel said earlier Thursday that the Titans have looked at Reid.

"I know we're in the process of talking and trying to bring him in," Vrabel said. "(GM) Jon (Robinson) and I will continue to discuss that and see where it goes. Yes, it's a guy we evaluated and we'll probably try to talk to his rep and see how many guys we can bring in here for a workout."

Reid, 26, has been out of work since playing out his contract with San Francisco. He started 69 of 70 games with 10 career interceptions.

The safety said in March that he does not plan to protest during the anthem this season if signed by a team. After he filed his collusion claim, the NFL Players Association also filed a non-injury grievance on Reid's behalf in May. Cincinnati owner Mike Brown reportedly asked Reid during their visit whether he would continue to kneel during the anthem.

The Titans are looking for help at safety after losing Cyprien. The veteran left practice Wednesday after hurting his left knee during a noncontact play. He grabbed at his knee and then walked to the locker room with trainers, waiving off a cart. Cyprien, who signed a four-year deal last season, started 10 games after dealing with an injured hamstring.

Tennessee already has Kendrick Lewis, 30 and with his fourth NFL team, and Demontre Hurst among the other options at safety on the roster. Kenny Vaccaro, who played the last five seasons in New Orleans, and Mike Mitchell also are among veteran safeties currently unsigned.

"Devastated to tell you that after checking him out Dolphins Durham Smythe Jersey , he tore his ACL and he'll be out for a year, which is tough for me as is a new head coach to watch guys work hard, extremely hard, in the offseason and care about the team and play hard and do everything that we've asked them to do and then not get a chance to experience the NFL season this year," Vrabel said.

Tennessee already has All-Pro Kevin Byard at the other safety spot, with Logan Ryan, Adoree Jackson and free agent signee Malcolm Butler at cornerback for a unit that has its sights set on being the NFL's best secondary. Ryan said at least the Titans have time to adjust.

"It tests our depth, but some of that's been well-documented that we feel like we have good depth so it's going to show it ...," Ryan said. "This didn't happen the day before the first game. It's giving us time to work out the kinks. They might move me around a little bit and allow me to do more things in the secondary if need be and get more of our guys on the field."

AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this report.

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The Sabres are moving on from Robin Lehner after the goalie failed to establish himself as a starter during three seasons Breeland Speaks Chiefs Jersey , capped by Buffalo’s last-place finish this past year.

General manager Jason Botterill announced Friday the Sabres will not extend Lehner a one-year qualifying offer of about $4 million to retain his rights as a restricted free agent. The decision means Lehner will become free to sign with any team once the NHL’s free agency period opens on July 1.

”It’s a scenario where you finish 31st you have to make some difficult choices,” Botterill told reporters in Dallas, hours before the Sabres were scheduled to open the NHL draft with the No. 1 pick.

”Part of it that was so disappointing and difficult about it is that I know Robin is passionate about the city of Buffalo Authentic Jeff Skinner Jersey , and passionate about helping this organization,” he said. ”We felt like we had to make some adjustments.”

The move comes nearly three years to the day Botterill’s predecessor, Tim Murray http://www.chargersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-kyzir-white-jersey , gave up a first-round draft pick to acquire Lehner and journeyman forward David Legwand in a trade with Ottawa.

Lehner’s tenure in Buffalo was plagued by injuries and inconsistency. He missed the first half of his first season in Buffalo after spraining his right ankle in the Sabres opening game.

Last year, he went 14-26-9 on an under-performing team that failed to meet expectations in becoming the league’s first to finish 31st following the addition of the expansion Vegas Golden Knights.

Lehner finished with a 42-61-22 record in Buffalo, and particularly struggled in winning just six shootout decisions.

The price of Lehner’s qualifying offer was an issue for a rebuilding team seeking to free up space under the salary cap to address other needs.

Another factor was Botterill’s intention to provide Linus Ullmark an opportunity to make the jump to the NHL on a full-time basis after spending the past three seasons developing in the minors.

The Sabres lack experienced depth in goal with veteran backup Chad Johnson also eligible to become a free agent.

Botterill acknowledged the Sabres are in the market to add an established goalie this offseason to work alongside Ullmark.

”You have to understand there’s a growing process here Authentic Markus Wheaton Jersey , and we think Linus is ready for the next challenge,” Botterill said. ”But to hand over the No. 1 role, I think that’s unfair to any young goalie.”

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鈥?Howie Roseman wrapped his arms around Doug Pederson on the sideline in the final minute of Philadelphia’s lopsided win over Minnesota in the NFC championship game and flashed a big smile.The most criticized team executive in the city engineered a dramatic turnaround.After finishing last in the NFC East last season Danny Shelton Jersey Patriots , the Eagles (15-3) are in the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots (15-3).Radio hosts, columnists, writers, fans and even bloggers are not blasting Roseman anymore because he made all the right moves to build a team that’s one victory away from the franchise’s first NFL title since 1960.It’s been quite a journey for Roseman, the once-exiled executive vice president of football operations.Roseman rose from being a non-paid summer intern in 2000 to youngest general manager in the NFL at age 34 in 2010. But in January 2015, Roseman lost control of personnel decisions in a power struggle with former coach Chip Kelly.Owner Jeffery Lurie elevated Roseman to his current position, but gave Kelly full control on the draft, trades and all player moves.Kelly bombed and was fired less than 12 months later. Roseman, after spending a year self-reflecting, regained control over personnel decisions. He hired Pederson to coach and Joe Douglas to be vice president of player personnel and quickly began undoing the mess Kelly created.Roseman traded players Kelly signed to horrible contracts 鈥?DeMarco Murray and Byron Maxwell 鈥?and built enough assets to help the Eagles move from No. 13 in the draft to the second spot. With the second overall pick in 2016 Jihad Ward Jersey Cowboys , the team selected Carson Wentz from North Dakota State.Wentz is the main reason Philadelphia was in position to get to the Super Bowl. He had an MVP-caliber season before tearing his ACL in Week 14 when the Eagles secured the NFC East title.The Eagles didn’t crumble after losing their franchise player because they have a solid backup in Nick Foles . Kelly traded Foles, one season after he was offensive MVP of the Pro Bowl. Roseman brought Foles back last March, giving him an $11 million, two-year deal to provide insurance behind Wentz.Foles shredded the Vikings and their top-ranked defense last week.“It’s a credit to Howie and Joe to bring a guy like that in here who is very capable of getting the job done,” Pederson said.Many of the players Roseman acquired before the season made big plays in the 38-7 rout over Minnesota. He signed wide receivers Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith, running back LeGarrette Blount and cornerback Patrick Robinson to team-friendly contracts in free agency. They combined to score Philadelphia’s five touchdowns.“He’s a very, very smart guy,” Lurie said. “In the role today to be in charge of football operations, it is so much more than simply what has been in the past decades with scouting. Scouting is a big part of it, but you have to manage in so many ways short-term needs Authentic Adrian Clayborn Jersey , midterm needs, long-term needs.”The Eagles entered the season with modest expectations, but Wentz was spectacular and the defense was excellent. After a 7-1 start, Roseman bolstered the offense by getting running back Jay Ajayi from Miami for a fourth-round pick. Ajayi has become a valuable addition.“We found ourselves in an interesting situation where this is Year 2 of the plan but we have a quarterback that was advancing by leaps and bounds and a team that was playing great, great defense, and an offensive line that was really good,” Lurie said.“We thought: ‘Why can’t we win it all?’ We took an approach where we were going to do everything possible that could help our team this year, and at the same time not relinquish any options going forward. I think that was the key to the strategy. We were aggressive at the trade deadline because we thought we had a chance. Normally you wouldn’t do that, but we thought we had a chance.”Other key starters Roseman acquired in trades or free agency since reclaiming his role as personnel boss: defensive tackle Tim Jernigan, cornerback Ronald Darby Harrison Phillips Color Rush Jersey , safety Rodney McLeod, Pro Bowl right guard Brandon Brooks, left guard Stefen Wisniewski and kicker Jake Elliott. He also drafted starting cornerback Jalen Mills in the seventh round in 2016 and starting left tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai in the fifth round that year.The Eagles have overcome season-ending injuries to Wentz, nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters, middle linebacker Jordan Hicks, return specialist/running back Darren Sproles, special teams captain Chris Maragos and kicker Caleb Sturgis because of the depth of a roster Roseman put together.AP NFL website: Former Miami Dolphins offensive lineman Jonathan Martin, who has struggled with mental health issues after a 2013 bullying scandal that shook the NFL, was questioned by Los Angeles police after a threatening Instagram post on his account mentioned two former teammates who had harassed him.

Martin was detained by investigators after the post showed a shotgun and referred by name to the private Harvard-Westlake prep school in Los Angeles that he once attended but was not under arrest Friday evening, police spokesman Josh Rubenstein said.

The post also included mentions of the Instagram usernames of former Miami Dolphins players Richie Incognito and Mike Pouncey and said suicide and revenge were the only options for a victim of bullying.

The Harvard-Westlake prep school was evacuated earlier Friday after officials were made aware of the post. It was not immediately clear whether Martin posted the photo himself.

Martin left the Miami Dolphins midseason in 2013 after accusing teammates of bullying. An NFL investigation found that Incognito DJ Chark Jaguars Jersey , Pouncey and teammate John Jerry engaged in persistent harassment directed at Martin.

Incognito was suspended for the final eight games and sat out the 2014 season before joining the Buffalo Bills.

The NFL's investigation also found that teammates threatened to rape Martin's sister, called him a long list of slurs and bullied him for not being "black enough." Martin is black and Incognito is white.

Martin, who underwent counseling for emotional issues after the bullying scandal, posted on Facebook in 2015 that difficulties in football led him to attempt suicide multiple times.

Martin, the son of two Harvard graduates, attended Stanford University. After he left the Dolphins, Martin played for the San Francisco 49ers and Carolina Panthers. He left the NFL in 2015.

Representatives for the Miami Dolphins and the NFL declined to comment and referred questions to Los Angeles police.

Follow Michael Balsamo on Twitter at MikeBalsamo1 .


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The words that threatened to define Ben Roethlisberger’s season were uttered almost as an afterthought and with more than a hint of frustrated sarcasm.

It just didn’t read that way as it made the rounds on social media Cheap Sebastian Janikowski Jersey , or sound that way during a three-second sound bite played endlessly on a loop.

”Maybe I don’t have it anymore,” the Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback said in a somber locker room three months ago after throwing five interceptions in a 30-9 loss to Jacksonville .

Roethlisberger didn’t mean it. Call it a visceral reaction to having two of his 55 passes returned the other way for game-deciding touchdowns. Three days later the 35-year-old was back to calling himself one of the ”best in the world.” It wasn’t just idle talk. He followed it up by spending the better part of the next 10 weeks playing like it.

The quarterback who will stride onto the field Sunday for a rematch against the Jaguars in the divisional round of the playoffs has his swagger back. Wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey jokingly gave credit to the beard Roethlisberger began growing in the aftermath of one of the most forgettable performances of his career. Of course, that’s not the reality. The guys who surround Roethlisberger in the huddle know the swagger never really left.

”Ben is the most talented guy I’ve ever been around,” Heyward-Bey said. ”I’m not talking quarterback. I’m talking about talent. He can do a lot of different things. He believes in his ability and he’s going to show people on Sunday that he believes in himself.”

The player who openly pondered retirement last spring, the one who quarterbacks coach Randy Fichtner said in November will occasionally uncork a flutter ball while looking very much his age, heads to his 21st career playoff game at the height of his powers. Roethlisberger is averaging 298 yards passing since that forgettable three hours against the NFL’s top defense.

Roethlisberger’s thrown multiple touchdown passes in seven straight games and the Steelers ended the season with a 9-1 sprint Youth Kevin Hogan Jersey , the lone setback a loss to New England on Dec. 17 in which his only mistake came on a poorly executed fake spike that resulted in a game-ending pick.

What’s working? Nearly everything.

Having two of the top skill position players in the league in wide receiver Antonio Brown and running back Le’Veon Bell helps. So does the continued evolution of rookie JuJu Smith-Schuster and Martavis Bryant’s immersion into the offense following an ill-advised trade demand.

Yet Pittsburgh’s offense will only go as far over the next month as Roethlisberger can take it. Though he downplayed looking for payback after the Jaguars shut him down in ways that few teams have in recent years, not everyone is buying it.

”I’m sure just as any competitor would, when you go and have a bad outing or a difficult, tough outing against a team, you want that revenge,” Jacksonville quarterback Blake Bortles said. ”You want to go prove that it was a fluke or whatever it might be. I’m sure that’s probably what he’s thinking.”

Not that Roethlisberger would admit it even if he is. Never one to go into great detail about how he goes about his job Freddie Freeman Jersey , Roethlisberger insists he’s focused simply on playing well. The fact it’s against the Jaguars is coincidental. There is no looking ahead to a potential shot at New England in the AFC title game, or a third Super Bowl that would provide an exclamation point on a potential Hall of Fame career.

”I am not worried about what’s going on up there (with the Patriots),” Roethlisberger said. ”All I can think about and worry about is this defense that we are playing.”

A defense that will likely need to find a way to replicate its October dominance to extend its season. The Steelers have been forced to revisit the loss this week, one that put their journey from that moment to this one in perspective.

”That game for our entire group was kind of a watershed moment,” offensive coordinator Todd Haley said Thursday. ”We stayed together, but there was a lot of pressure from the outside. A lot of outside factors that could have been divisive in some way for our group Authentic Markus Wheaton Jersey , but I take my hat off to the guys. They stuck together. They pulled together tighter. We knew that wasn’t our best football and we knew it probably really wasn’t as bad as it appeared.”

Or, as Roethlisberger can attest, as bad as it sounded afterward. The sound bite was just that, a bite, one that in a way played a role in his resurgence. One that ended with his sixth Pro Bowl selection and a very real shot to become the fourth quarterback in NFL history with three Super Bowl titles.

”He’s confident in his ability and he’s confident in his receivers,” Heyward-Bey said. ”He knows that we’re going to go out there and try and make plays for him. That’s what a quarterback needs. He has to have confidence in his guys.”

Roethlisberger’s confidence in himself was never an issue.

NOTES: CB Artis Burns (hyperextended right knee) did not practice Thursday but is hoping to play Sunday. DE Stephon Tuitt (elbow) also did not practice but plans to play. … LB Ryan Shazier Adidas Dylan Larkin Jersey , recovering from spine stabilization surgery, attended practice again in a wheelchair and hung out in the locker room after practice.

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AP NFL website:

Five-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Haloti Ngata and linebacker Corey Nelson have agreed on one-year contracts with the Philadelphia Eagles, according to two people familiar with the deals.

Both people spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the deals won't be official until the league year starts Wednesday.

Ngata leaves the Detroit Lions to add depth on a strong front four that already landed Michael Bennett last week in a trade with Seattle. Nelson, who started six games in four seasons in Denver, bolsters the special teams and gives Philadelphia another option at linebacker.

The Super Bowl champions released veteran tight end Brent Celek earlier in the day and lost tight end Trey Burton to Chicago.

AP NFL website: pro32.ap.org and AP_NFL

Follow Rob Maaddi on Twitter: s://AP_RobMaaddi


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The NFL roster of game officials for the upcoming season includes seven rookies among the 121.

The newcomers announced Friday are: field judges Land Clark of the Pac-12 Youth Joel Iyiegbuniwe Jersey , Matt Edwards and Don Willard of the Big Ten, and Anthony Jeffries of the SEC; side judge Chad Hill of the SEC; back judge Tony Josselyn of the SEC; and line judge Mark Stewart of the Big 12.

The league also promoted Shawn Hochuli, Alex Kemp, Clay Martin and Shawn Smith to referee. Each was a referee at college football's top division before entering the NFL at different positions. Hochuli and Kemp are the sons of former NFL referees Ed Hochuli and Stan Kemp.

Officials Mike Spanier and Mike Weatherford will not be assigned to crews. They'll work with different crews throughout the season.

The Panthers will not be punished for their handling of Cam Newton’s injury during a playoff loss to the New Orleans Saints on Jan. 7.

The NFL and the Players Association announced Wednesday that Carolina’s medical staff correctly followed concussion protocol guidelines. The league released a statement Wednesday saying it reviewed game footage and medical reports Kenny Young Jersey Ravens , as well as statements and interviews with Newton and coach Ron Rivera, before making its determination that ”there was no protocol violation.”

After walking off the field with a second-half eye injury, Newton stumbled to the ground near the sideline when asked by trainers to take a knee.

The league said they believe that stumble was caused by a previous knee injury.

The NFL said the league’s 2015 MVP had an MRI on Jan. 8 that ”confirmed ligament and cartilage damage and very extensive swelling in the knee.”

Panthers interim general manager Marty Hurney told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Newton will not need surgery on the knee.

Newton sat out one play, but returned on the next offensive series and finished the game.

Hurney said on Jan. 8 that Newton intentionally took a knee because he was told to by the team’s training staff so Carolina could get an official timeout Authentic Cam Fowler Jersey , thus allowing backup quarterback Derek Anderson a little more time to warm up on the sideline.

Anderson came in for one third-down play and threw an incompletion.

”He took a hit,” Hurney said of Newton. ”But when he walked off and he told the trainers he got poked in the eye, then they did take him into the tent and checked him for a concussion, which he did not have. And it was really getting poked in the eye.”

Up for debate in the investigation was whether Newton should have been taken to the locker room for evaluations.

The league and the players union changed its concussion protocol in December after Texans quarterback Tom Savage returned to the field after having a concussion that left the quarterback’s hands shaking following a hit.

The changes to the protocol include the requirement of a locker room concussion evaluation for all players ”demonstrating gross or sustained vertical instability (e.g. Dak Prescott Jersey Womens , stumbling or falling to the ground when trying to stand.)”

Newton did not visit the locker room.

Newton said after the team’s loss to the Saints that ”it wasn’t my head. It was my eye. My helmet had come down low enough over my eyelid and it got pressed by the player’s stomach.”

”Our review of all of the facts do not support a claim of inappropriate medical care,” the NFL Players Association said in a statement. ”Mr. Newton was immediately evaluated for a concussion and cleared by the team physician and unaffiliated neurotrauma consultant.”

The Seattle Seahawks were fined $100,000 in Week 10 after the league and union determined they failed to apply the concussion protocol properly after quarterback Russell Wilson took a blow to the head against the Arizona Cardinals.

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MILWAUKEE — Four months ago Josh Sweat Color Rush Jersey , Milwaukee Brewers manager Craig Counsell was trying to figure out how to fit Jesus Aguilar onto his roster. Now, Counsell is having a hard time taking the hard-hitting first baseman out of his starting lineup.

Aguilar has been Milwaukee’s hottest hitter over the last month, batting .283 with 12 home runs, 34 RBIs and a .964 OPS. Five of those home runs along with 12 RBIs have come over his last five games and he’s driven in multiple runs in five straight starts, tying a franchise record.

“He’s certainly been one of the most pleasant surprises (this year),” Counsell said. “He was last year, as well and he’s taken it up a notch this year. You need those kind of performances you weren’t expecting. You need that kind of stuff.”

All that from a player who came to spring training not sure if he’d have a job when the regular season opened.

Acquired off waivers ahead of the 2017 season, Aguilar split time at first with Eric Thames last year, forming a potent right-left platoon combo. But after the Brewers acquired outfielders Christian Yelich and Lorenzo Cain over the winter, the team planned to transition outfielder Ryan Braun as an occasional right-handed option at first, which seemingly diminished Aguilar’s role.

He played his way onto the roster with another strong spring training and established himself as a dangerous pinch-hitting threat before taking over first base on a more regular basis when Thames was lost to a thumb injury on April 25.

“I’m confident in myself. When I get a chance to go Buccaneers Authentic Jerseys , I’m going to give my 100 percent. That’s how I think.”

Thames, who’s spent the majority of his playing time in the outfield since returning June 11, is still adjusting to the position but is happy for his teammate.

“I mean, hey, the team is winning,” Thames said. “It was the same thing for him the first half of last year when I was going off. It’s great because we’re winning and today, he pretty much did it himself and it was awesome. I’m happy for him. He works hard. He’s such a smart hitter, smart player. He’s a great team guy so you can’t help but root for him.”

His bat — as well as his defensive ability — have been a source of comfort for Brewers pitchers this season and will be Saturday for Chase Anderson, who takes the mound for Game 2 of the Brewers’ four-game series with the Cardinals at Miller Park.

Anderson has yet to find the consistency that led to his breakout season a year ago. He’s 5-6 with a 4.54 ERA through his first 15 starts and has struggled keeping the ball inside the park.

He’s allowed 15 home runs this season — one more than he gave up in all of 2017 — with 13 of those coming at Miller Park, where he’s 3-3 with a 5.70 ERA this season.

He gave up two home runs in the opening inning his last time out, upping his first-inning ERA this season to 8.36.

“It’s just one of those deals http://www.dolphinsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-kalen-ballage-jersey ,” Anderson said. “That’s kind of been my thing since I was a kid. Obviously, I need to correct it and work on it and get better at getting guys out quicker. Something to work on.”

The Cardinals answer with right-hander Miles Mikolas, who’s 1-0 with a 6.00 ERA in two career starts against the Brewers, both of which came this season.

He allowed four runs over 5 2/3 innings but took the victory on April 2 at Miller Park but didn’t factor in the decision after giving up another four runs, this time over 6 1/3 innings, in a 5-4 Cardinals loss on April 9 in St. Louis.

“He pounds the strike zone and uses multiple pitches,” Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. “It’s just not every day you come across starters who can do that … and then to have durability and consistency to stay in the game as long as he has.”

A victory Saturday would mark Milwaukee’s second series victory over the Cardinals in three tries this season.

Lance Lynn gets the start Friday night when the Minnesota Twins continue a four-game series with the Baltimore Orioles at Target Field.

Lynn’s 2018 season has not gone anywhere near the way he may have envisioned when he hit the free-agent market for the first time last fall, ending a six-year run with the Cardinals.

Instead of landing a lucrative, multi-year deal he went unsigned until late in spring training, when he agreed to a one-year, $12 million contract with the Minnesota Twins — approximately $5.4 million less than he would have earned under the Cardinals’ one-year qualifying offer he turned down last November.

After an abbreviated spring camp Adidas Filip Forsberg Jersey , Lynn got off to an abysmal start. He went 0-3 in his first five outings, posting an 8.37 ERA in those contests but finally got into a groove when the calendar flipped to May. He went 5-2 with a 2.88 ERA over his next nine turns.

Lynn, who is 5-7 with a 5.49 ERA for the season, continues his hit-or-miss season Friday after losing his last two starts. He is fresh off his worst outing of the season when he allowed seven runs on five hits and three walks, failing to get out of the second inning in an 11-10 loss at Wrigley Field on Sunday.

Cubs pitcher Jon Lester homered off Lynn during a disastrous second inning that also included Lynn failing to cover first on a routine grounder, which kept the inning going long enough for the Cubs to take a big lead.

“We gave them an extra out,” Twins manager Paul Molitor said of Lynn’s gaffe. “I think that was the biggest thing that stuck out to me. An offense like that, outs when you don’t get them, that was problematic to me. The arithmetic says that was an extra five runs because of that particular play.”

Lynn is 1-1 with a 7.30 ERA in three games (two starts) versus Baltimore.

The Twins snapped a six-game losing streak in the series opener Thursday night and, in turn, extended the misery for the Orioles Riley Sutter Capitals Jersey , who have lost three in a row and 10 of their last 11.

They’ll turn to Dylan Bundy (6-7, 3.75 ERA) to snap the skid. Baltimore plans to activate the right-hander from the disabled list Friday and get him back on the mound for the first time since suffering a sprained left ankle June 23.

He went 3-7 with a 4.46 ERA through his first 12 starts of the season but got hot in June, posting a 1.98 ERA while going 3-0 in four starts before suffering the injury while running the bases after collecting his first big league hit.

His return comes as the Orioles need to decide a course of action ahead of the trade deadline. At 24-62, Baltimore owns the worst record in baseball and will almost certainly be a seller as the deadline approaches.

The 25-year-old Dylan is in his third full big league season and still has three more years of team control, making him an intriguing candidate for a motivated buyer.

The Twins’ Logan Morrison has two home runs in 15 at-bats versus Bundy, who is 0-2 with a 3.60 ERA in four career games (three starts) versus Minnesota. Bundy faced the Twins in his first start of this season, giving up five hits over seven shutout innings in Baltimore’s 3-2 victory on March 29.

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鈥?Rather than retire http://www.packersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-jk-scott-jersey , Frank Gore is joining his hometown team.The NFL’s active rushing leader agreed to terms with the Miami Dolphins, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday. The person confirmed the agreement to the AP on condition of anonymity because the deal won’t be final until Gore passes a physical.Gore, who turns 35 next month, grew up in South Florida and played for the Miami Hurricanes. He rushed for 961 yards for Indianapolis last year, and when the Colts decided against trying to re-sign him, there was speculation the 2017 season might have been his last.But the Dolphins want to give the durable Gore a chance to provide depth at running back behind Kenyan Drake, who became Miami’s starter last year and averaged 4.8 yards per carry.Miami also kept defensive end William Hayes, signing him to a one-year contract. Hayes, acquired by Miami in a trade a year ago, played in 10 games as a backup in 2017 before being placed on injured reserve because of a back injury.Gore has rushed for 14,026 yards in his NFL career to rank fifth on the all-time list. He spent three seasons with the Colts Joe Thomas Jersey , and in 2016 became the league’s oldest 1,000-yard rusher since John Riggins in 1982.Gore also played for the San Francisco 49ers and has started every game since 2011. Third-year pro Kenyan Drake has been with the Miami Dolphins longer than any other running back on their roster, which gives him seniority of sorts 鈥?except that new backup Frank Gore is 35 years old.

Even so, Drake considers his maturity an asset for a change entering his first full season as the starter.

He performed well in the No. 1 role after starter Jay Ajayi was traded to Philadelphia at midseason last year. Drake gave Miami a much-needed big-play threat, had back-to-back 100-yard games, finished with 644 yards rushing and averaged 4.8 yards per carry, which ranked sixth in the NFL.

Drake has touchdowns of 96, 66, 45 and 42 yards for the Dolphins, with the longest coming on a kickoff return. But as they prepare for another season during this month's OTAs, Drake said he should have made more of an impact sooner.

The third-down draft pick out of Alabama in 2016 had only a small role his first year.

"My rookie year was a big learning experience Panthers Rashaan Gaulden Jersey ," Drake said Tuesday. "I just wasn't mentally prepared to handle the workload of an everyday starter. I came up short."

Now, he said, he's ready. And he needs to be, given typically heavy recent roster turnover.

"I'm the longest-tenured running back, which is pretty interesting," he said. "Two years ago I was coming in fresh-faced. Funny how time flies. I'm definitely embracing this role, and trying to help this team win a lot more games in the coming years."

He said he'll benefit from guidance by Gore, the NFL's active career rushing leader, who signed with his hometown team as a free agent in March.

"I always remind Frank that when he first came into the league, I was in fifth or sixth grade," Drake said with a chuckle. "If I have half the success he has had in his career Youth Breeland Speaks Jersey , that would be a win in my book."

Coach Adam Gase expects a lot of success for Drake, and confirmed the young pro has matured.

"When you're in this league, sometimes there's a little bit of a feeling-out process," Gase said. "You're trying to figure out, who are you? You're starting to get older. You really realize this is a job, and it's different than college.

"I see a different guy 鈥?the way he prepares, knowing the situation he's coming into this year. I think we just have a guy that's really looking to bust out."

Drake is part of a much different offense this year. Ryan Tannehill returns at quarterback after missing all of last season because of a knee injury, and the Dolphins added several new pass targets and two starters on the offensive line.

Miami sputtered to a 6-10 finish in 2017, and the dismal season was a new experience for Drake, who lost six games in four years of college.

"I love to win," he said. "That's why I went to Alabama."

The championship pedigree was one reason the Dolphins drafted Drake. It also factored into their decision to take Alabama safety Minkah Fitzpatrick in the first round of last month's draft.

Good choice Josh Gordon Jersey Elite , according to Fitzpatrick's former and new teammate.

"At Alabama, Minkah was a professional from the jump," Drake said. "It's rare you see a freshman come in and have that mentality of, 'I want to work, I want to be the best.' I feel like he is going to be in this league a very, very long time."

AP NFL website: pro32.ap.org and ://AP_NFL

Follow Steven Wine on Twitter: ://Steve_Wine .


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The Philadelphia Eagles got another playmaker at tight end to team with Zach Ertz http://www.49ersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-kentavius-street-jersey , selecting Dallas Goedert from South Dakota State with their only pick in the first two days of the draft.

Now the Super Bowl champions will shift their focus to finding value on Saturday with two picks in the fourth round and one each in the sixth and seventh. Seven of Philadelphia's starters in the 41-33 victory over New England in the Super Bowl were drafted on Day 3 or signed as rookie free agents.

Running back, offensive line, defensive line and secondary are positions the Eagles will target.

Goedert had 72 catches for 1,111 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior after posting 92-1,293-11 as a junior.

The Tigers knew exactly what hit them – the daunting combination of a homer-friendly park and a free-swinging Reds offense starting to come around.

Scooter Gennett hit a tying two-run homer , and Eugenio Suarez also connected on the next pitch – a hit originally ruled a double but changed to a homer on review – for a 5-3 victory and a two-game sweep on Wednesday.

The Reds moved ahead in the all-time series 13-11, with two games left at Comerica Park starting July 31.

After managing only a pair of singles through the first five innings Authentic Jessie Bates III Jersey , the Reds finally got to Michael Fulmer (3-6). Gennett connected with two outs for his 13th homer, tying it 2-2.

”The way we’re playing right now is how we expected to play all year,” Gennett said. ”It’s a lot of fun.”

Fulmer threw Gennett a slider that was headed for the dirt on a 1-2 count, only to see it sail out to right field aided by the wind.

”I thought it was a great pitch,” Fulmer said. ”I’m mad at the results, but I’m not mad at the way I pitched.”

Suarez hit Fulmer’s next pitch to left field, with the ball landing on the top of the wall and bouncing back into play. The Reds sounded their home run siren and shot off fireworks Cheap Customized Detroit Lions Jerseys , but the umpires ruled the ball was in play and stopped Suarez at second base.

After a review of 1 minute, 12 seconds, the hit was ruled a homer – replays indicated the ball skipped off the top of the wall and deflected off a railing behind it.

Adam Duvall added a solo shot in the eighth as the Reds out-homered the Tigers 3-2.

”That’s the way it is here,” manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Tyler Mahle (6-6) overcame a pair of solo homers to remain unbeaten in four June starts. The rookie has allowed a total of four earned runs while going 3-0 in the month. He struck out eight in six innings of his team-high sixth quality start.

”I was more lucky than good today,” Mahle said . ”If I had to give myself a grade today, it would be a `D.”’

Raisel Iglesias gave up a hit in the ninth while earning his 11th save in 13 chances.

INTERLEAGUE

The Reds improved to 6-1 in interleague games. They’ve won five straight against the AL, tying their best all-time mark. The Tigers fell to 1-7.

SWING AND A MISS

Fulmer has little hitting experience in the majors Redskins Kevin Hogan Jersey , and it hurt the Tigers in the sixth. With runners on second and third and two outs, the Reds intentionally walked Dixon Machado to bring up Fulmer. He struck out on three pitches, the last one a high 94 mph fastball. Fulmer is 0 for 9 with six strikeouts for his career.

Gardenhire said that’s the big advantage for the NL, where pitchers take batting practice regularly.

”There’s your unfair advantage,” he said.

HARDY APPEARANCE

Left-hander Blaine Hardy relieved in the seventh and gave up a pair of hits and a walk. Hardy has been a fill-in starter for the Tigers’ depleted rotation and pitched into the sixth inning Sunday for a 3-1 win over the White Sox.

VOTTO HONORED

Joey Votto received his 2017 Lou Marsh Award as Canada’s Athlete of the Year, the second time he’s won it. Ferguson Jenkins and Larry Walker are the other baseball players to win it.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Tigers: Right-handed reliever Drew VerHagen was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a broken nose suffered Tuesday night when he was hit by a thrown ball while covering first base. Right-handed reliever Johnny Barbato was called up from Triple-A Toledo. He gave up Duvall’s homer in the eighth.

Reds: Manager Jim Riggleman and the training staff are developing a rehab plan for starter Homer Bailey, who has been sidelined since June 2 with a sore right knee. He’s 1-7 with a 6.68 ERA.

UP NEXT

Tigers: After a day off Youth Johnny Townsend Jersey , the Tigers start a weekend series in Cleveland, where they’ve lost 20 of their past 26 games, including their past seven. Mike Fiers (5-3) is 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA in two starts at Progressive Field.

Reds: Matt Harvey (1-5) makes his eighth start for the Reds, who open a four-game series against the Cubs at Great American Ball Park. Harvey has lost his past three decisions for the Reds, who got him from the Mets in a trade for catcher Devin Mesoraco on May 8.

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Chris Paul is going to bring the slime as host of the Kids’ Choice Sports awards.

The Houston Rockets‘ guard will preside over the show airing July 21 on Nickelodeon where kids celebrate their favorite athletes and the year’s memorable sports moments. The show will be taped earlier that week at Barker Hangar in Santa Monica Tarik Cohen Jersey , a change of venue from its usual home at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion.

Paul says he enjoys watching Nickelodeon with 8-year-old son Chris Jr. and 5-year-old daughter Camryn. He is promising to ”bring the fun, the slime and the most epic stunts in Kids’ Choice Sports history.”

Paul takes over from Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson, who hosted the last three years. NFL Hall of Famer Michael Strahan hosted the first show in 2014.

The slime-soaked show with trophies resembling blimps includes unique challenges that pit athletes against each other.

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This story has been corrected to change date of airing to July 21 instead of July 22.

11. MIAMI DOLPHINS (6-10)

LAST SEASON: Dolphins missed playoffs for eighth time in nine seasons, and backslid in Year 2 under coach Adam Gase, leaving regime at crossroads in 2018. Miami was wildly inconsistent, undisciplined team last year, and Gase addressed issue in reshaping roster this offseason. Questions arose regarding leadership of defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh and receiver Jarvis Landry Stephen Curry Jersey , and both are gone. Defensive end Robert Quinn and receiver Danny Amendola among veteran newcomers. Gase may have improved locker room culture, but few see net gain in talent, which magnifies importance of draft. Owner Stephen Ross opted for stability at top after last season, and Gase, executive vice president of football operations Mike Tannenbaum and general manager Chris Grier are backs.

THEY NEED: LB, TE, G Jonathan Bullard Jersey , DT, QB, CB, RB.

THEY DON'T NEED: DE, WR, S.

POSSIBLE FIRST PICK: QB Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma; QB Lamar Jackson Ian Thomas Jersey , Louisville; LB Roquan Smith, Georgia; LB Tremaine Edmunds, Virginia Tech; DT Vita Vea, Washington.

OUTLOOK: Dolphins have numerous glaring needs, including vacant starting spots at outside linebacker and tight end. However, Gase wants to draft quarterback to groom as Ryan Tannehill's eventual successor, and question is whether they'll devote their first-round pick to position Tyrann Mathieu Jersey , which would likely require trading up. With Tannehill entrenched for 2018, adding rookie QB would be done with long term in mind. But 77-year-old Ross is eager to win now, and worries about job security may tempt draft decision makers Gase, Tannenbaum and Grier to make picks that pay quicker dividends.

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