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CINCINNATI (AP) John Ross got up to top speed Earl Thomas III Jersey , ran past a defender and caught Andy Dalton’s long pass in stride, drawing an ovation from the approximately 950 fans watching the first practice of Bengals camp.

A day later, he made another impressive catch on a deep throw and heard more applause.

Fans haven’t seen any of this since the Bengals made him their first overall pick last year.

The speedy receiver from Washington expected to show his big-play ability during his first season in Cincinnati. Instead, he missed most of camp while recovering from shoulder surgery and wound up playing in only three games.

He didn’t catch a pass and fumbled on a reverse – the only time he got the ball – before another shoulder injury ended his season.

As debuts go, it was about as bad as it gets. He was playing catch-up from the start because of his injury, and every mistake got magnified.

”It was everything,” Ross said. ”When one thing went wrong, six things went wrong. Not to make excuses Matt Bryant Jersey , but it was so much more than me making one mistake on the field. I think it kind of beat me up mentally and took me away from my game.”

The Bengals are trying to dig out of one of the worst seasons offensively in franchise history. They finished last in the league in yards in 2017, a franchise first. Offensive coordinator Bill Lazor was given wide latitude to overhaul the playbook.

The offensive line has been revamped. Coach Marvin Lewis has said repeatedly that the offense needs to have more big plays this season, the kind they thought Ross would provide when they took him with the ninth overall pick in the draft.

Ross ran a record time of 4.22 seconds in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and the Bengals envisioned him providing another deep threat to A.J. Green. Instead, Ross barely got on the field. He’s been healthy and making a good impression.

”I’ve kind of showed that I can relax and play the game I’m used to playing,” Ross said. ”Mentally, that was the toughest challenge for me last year. Being hurt kind of messed with me throughout the whole year. When you’re beat mentally, I don’t think you can really be yourself.”

Ross was still recovering from shoulder surgery when camp opened in 2017 and wasn’t cleared to practice at the outset. He wound up playing in only two preseason games and making one catch for 6 yards Bradley McDougald Jersey , his total contribution to the passing game last year.

He’s already way ahead of last year.

”John Ross has done things this offseason we saw at the University of Washington,” said Duke Tobin, director of player personnel. ”We’re looking for him to take the next step.”

EIFERT BACK: Tight end Tyler Eifert was cleared to practice on Monday after working out on a side field the first four days of camp. Eifert was limited to two games last season before more back problems required another surgical procedure. He signed a one-year contract loaded with incentives.

Eifert mostly worked out with the backups on Monday. He made a couple of diving plays late in practice, drawing applause from fans.

”I could understand how it would be frustrating as fans, hearing, `Oh, he’s on (injury) list again or whatever,”’ Eifert said. ”But trust me Paul Krause Jersey , it’s 100 times more frustrating for me because all I want to do is be out there, and I’m doing literally everything I can, spending all my time trying to get back out there and stay out there with the guys.”

H-back Ryan Hewitt also was cleared to join practice, leaving only linebacker Vontaze Burfict yet to get approval to practice. Burfict is suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancers.

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Former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Johnny Manziel says he's making a football comeback.

Manziel announced Wednesday that he'll participate in the developmental Spring League in Austin, Texas, which will play from March 28 to April 15. The league is designed for players hoping to impress NFL scouts. The league confirmed Manziel will participate.

Manziel won the Heisman as a freshman with Texas A&M in 2012 and left school after his sophomore season for the NFL. He was drafted in the first round by the Cleveland Browns, but was cut in 2016 and hasn't played since.

In a recent interview with "Good Morning America", Manziel said he's been diagnosed with bipolar disorder and has stopped drinking alcohol. In 2016 Russell Okung Jersey , a domestic assault charge against Manziel in Dallas was dismissed after Manziel took an anger management course and participated in the NFL's substance-abuse program. He was also suspended four games for a substance-abuse violation even though he wasn't under contract.

"Can't wait to get back on the field and show NFL scouts what I can do!" Manziel tweeted Wednesday.

Manziel played nine games with the Browns in two seasons, passing for 1,675 yards with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions.

"Football has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. Sometimes you take for granted how much you value something until it's gone. My goal is to make it back to the NFL and I realize I have to earn that privilege," Manziel said in a statement provided by the Spring League.

This version has been updated to correct that Manziel was cut by the Browns in 2016.


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There were no demonstrations by any players during the singing of the national anthem Thursday night at the Hall of Fame game.

All players and coaches for the Chicago Bears and Baltimore Ravens stood as the NFL’s preseason began.

The NFL modified its national anthem protocol in May Danny Etling Jersey , prohibiting any sort of demonstrations for 2018, but allowing players to remain in the locker room during ”The Star-Spangled Banner” if they chose to. Individual teams would be responsible for disciplining any demonstrators.

The players’ union filed a grievance about the policy change, and late last month, the new policy was put on hold while the NFL and NFLPA work on a resolution.

Those demonstrations were begun by then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick in 2016 when he kneeled during the anthem to protest racial inequality and social injustice. The kneeling and other displays of protest spread leaguewide, particularly when President Trump suggested team owners fire players who didn’t stand for the anthem.

On Thursday night Charles Clay Jersey , everyone on the sideline stood.

”We as a group talked about it and decided that was what we were doing,” new Bears coach Matt Nagy said. ”It’s for unity and togetherness. The guys are really excited to come up with one deal as a team. They were all out there; from what we talked about, it happened.”

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Nine days ago, Hue Jackson let it slip in a press conference that he had selected Baker Mayfield to backup Tyrod Taylor. The Browns coach, though Davante Adams Jersey , caught himself after realizing he hadn’t told the quarterbacks of the verdict and tried to couch it.

鈥淚 pretty much have my mind made up on where that is,鈥?Jackson backtracked to reporters. 鈥淚 haven鈥檛 set it officially so you guys can write it. I like to tell my team first before I make those decisions on what we鈥檙e doing. We will kind of go from there.鈥?/p>

On Tuesday, Hard Knocks let everyone behind the scenes when Jackson told the quarterbacks of his decision.

Near the end of the final episode, Jackson called Mayfield and Drew Stanton into this office to let them know the No. 1 overall choice would begin the season active on game days as the No. 2 quarterback.

鈥淚 think it鈥檚 important that I address both of you guys together first. I鈥檝e made a decision to make Baker the backup quarterback,鈥?Jackson told Mayfield and Stanton. 鈥淚 just wanted to make sure . . . I wanted you guys to hear it from me instead of all the stuff that flies out there and all that bulls—. I think it鈥檚 important that you hear that from me. OK?

鈥淸It鈥檚] a lot of responsibility for you [Mayfield]. Doesn鈥檛 change for you [Stanton]. Still got to be ready to play Ray Lewis Jersey , ready to go. But that鈥檚 the direction I want to travel. OK? So I wanted you guys to know that.鈥?/p>

Jackson dismissed Stanton before further addressing Mayfield, who went 35-of-61 for 501 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in the preseason.

鈥淚鈥檓 proud of what you鈥檝e done,鈥?Jackson told Mayfield. 鈥淵ou鈥檝e come in here the right way. You鈥檝e handled everything the right way, and I think that鈥檚 important for this football team. You鈥檙e a very talented young man. Keep grinding.

鈥淚鈥檓 going to keep creating situations for you to even do more. You keep doing your part every day. This is going to be your life for a long time, so I hope you understand the opportunity that鈥檚 in front of you right now. But you鈥檝e earned it. I鈥檓 not just giving it to you. You鈥檝e earned it.鈥?/p>

Mayfield thanked Jackson Marwin Evans Jersey , and the coach added, 鈥淚鈥檓 proud of you.鈥?/p> Authentic Womens Jonathan Allen Jersey

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The Arizona Coyotes don’t have much to play for Ito Smith Jersey , given they have the worst record in the Western Conference and have long been eliminated from the playoff race.

Except maybe a bit of pride.

It showed Wednesday night as Kevin Connauton scored twice to lead the Coyotes over the Pacific Division-leading Vegas Golden Knights 3-2.

It marked Arizona’s first victory over the expansion Golden Knights in the teams’ fifth and final game this season.

”It was a good complete game for us,” Connauton said. ”It’s big, I mean right now we’re focused on building for next year. We still have a group here that has a lot of pride and that is gonna play hard right to the end.”

Richard Panik also scored for the Coyotes, and Antti Raanta improved to 18-16-6 by making 27 saves.

”We knew that we had lost all the games against this team and we wanted to show that we’re not that bad a team,” Raanta said. ”Everybody knows that we’re not gonna go to the playoffs, but we want to show that we can beat anybody in this league. A little bit of a better start (this season) we could actually be in the hunt for a playoff spot.”

The Coyotes began the season 0-10-1 and were 9-27-5 heading into 2018, but now they’re on a 15-7-2 roll, including an impressive 4-1 victory at Eastern Conference-leading Tampa Bay on Monday night.

”It was a huge thing to come from Tampa and start working again, it was a big thing for the team for sure,” Raanta said. ”It’s showing to the fans and showing to the league that we can beat anybody in this league when we are playing like we played today and in Tampa. It’s a confidence boost for sure.”

Erik Haula and Alex Tuch each scored power-play goals for the playoff-bound Golden Knights. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 29 shots.

Vegas is in a 7-6-3 rut and holds a five-point lead over surging San Jose for first place in the Pacific Division. The Sharks were idle Wednesday and visit Vegas on Saturday night. The Golden Knights are 27-10-2 at home this season.

The Golden Knights continued to struggle at the start of games, getting outshot by Arizona in the first period 15-5.

Vegas has been outshot 41-22 in the first period over its past three games.

”It’s bothering me a lot,” Vegas coach Gerard Gallant said of his team’s sluggish starts. ”First game of our road trip in San Jose we had an unbelievable first period and the last three since then it’s been chasing the game every game. That’s three in a row and we gotta fix it. We gotta be better Kentrell Brice Jersey , we gotta be more prepared for those starts and get our game ready.”

The Coyotes opened the scoring when Connauton found the loose puck after a deflection in front of the crease and backhanded it in a wide-open net.

Vegas tied it after James Neal took advantage of a turnover and fed Haula for a one-timer.

With a little more than three minutes left in the first period, Arizona rookie Clayton Keller stole the puck, maneuvered around the defense and served an attacking Panik, whose backhand beat Fleury.

Keller, who leads the team in scoring, continued a red-hot March and has now recorded a point in 10 straight games. Keller’s 18 points this month is the most by a rookie, while his 39 assists and 62 points this season are also team records by a rookie.

Tuch deflected Jonathan Marchessault’s slap shot late in the second period to knot the game at 2, but moments later Connauton scored his second goal when his shot from the point made its way through the five-hole.

”It was big because obviously this is a great hockey team we’re playing. This is a tough building to play in, a loud building,” Arizona coach Rick Tocchet said. ”We held our own, you gotta give our team credit. It’s a tough road trip. I like the way some of these guys are buying in. You do the right things, good things happen.”

Arizona Sheldon Richardson Jersey , which is 6-3-1 in its last 10 road games, played its fifth game of a six-game road trip that started in Buffalo, and continued through Carolina, Florida, Tampa and Vegas. The Coyotes finish their road trip tomorrow in Los Angeles.

NOTES: Arizona is on a winning run of 16-1-1 when holding opponents to two goals or fewer. … Fleury remains one win away from moving into sole possession of 11th on the NHL’s career wins list. … Neal is two games shy from his 700th career game. … Marchessault is two games away from his 200th career contest.

UP NEXT

Arizona: Visits Los Angeles on Thursday night.

Vegas: Hosts St. Louis on Friday night.

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers turned to offense with their first of three picks in the second round, taking USC running back Ronald Jones II.

Tampa Bay then returned to an emphasis on defense with its final two second-round picks, taking cornerbacks M.J. Stewart from North Carolina and Auburn's Carlton Davis.

The Buccaneers closed out Friday night by picking Humboldt State guard Alex Cappa in the third round.

Tampa Bay selected Washington defensive tackle Vita Vea 12th overall during Thursday's first round.

"We're getting five guys that can help us either in the immediate future or some point down the road," Tampa Bay general manager Jason Licht said.

Finding a running back capable of easing the burden on quarterback Jameis Winston to carry the offense was a priority addressed by Jones' selection with the 38th overall pick.

"I can score from anywhere on the field," Jones said. "I've always been a home-run threat."

Jones rushed for 1,550 yards and 19 touchdown for USC last season. He averaged 6.1 yards per carry and scored 39 rushing TDs during his three years with the Trojans.

The Bucs haven't made the playoffs since 2007 and haven't won a postseason game since the franchise's 2002 run to a Super Bowl title.

Jones said when he visited with the Bucs, "it felt like how I did when I went to USC, it just felt like home."

Playing in the NFL and reaching the Super Bowl have long been Jones' goals.

"I've got one down Shilique Calhoun Jersey , got to get the other for my dad, for myself and for the organization," Jones said.

Jones' father died when he was a sophomore in high school.

"He definitely told me that everything that glitters isn't gold," Jones said. "Never forget who I am, stay true to yourself. Those words from my father I never forget, they're always echoing in my mind."

With Brent Grimes turning 35 this summer and Vernon Hargreaves III, a first-round pick two years ago, losing his starting job last season, the Buccaneers were looking to strengthen the secondary.

Stewart has been honorable mention All-ACC players each of the past two seasons.

"I don't want to be last, I don't want to be second, I want to be first in everything," Stewart Ali Marpet Jersey , taken 53rd, said. "I want to win. I want to compete every day. I think that's probably my best attribute, my competitive nature."

Tampa Bay made a trade with New England, moving down from 56th to 63rd, and added a fourth-round selection.

"I was actually kind of in a negative state where I understood my value was slipping but when I got that call it changed everything," said Davis, picked 63rd overall. "I understood that I was getting an opportunity, I understood that this organization took a chance on a player. I have so much more to offer than what I've shown. I know that for a fact and I willing to prove that."

Davis had 138 tackles and three interceptions in 38 career games.

Tampa Bay added a third-round pick, No. 94 from Minnesota, to pick Cappa.

"We thought we were going to get three good football players and we got four," Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter said. "We're happy as we stand here tonight."

The Buccaneers sent fourth-and-sixth round picks to the Vikings.

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The Green Bay Packers have signed free agent offensive lineman Byron Bell Brandon Williams Jersey , adding a versatile veteran to beef up depth.

The 29-year-old Bell played last season with the Dallas Cowboys, appearing in 12 games and making two starts at left tackle. He missed the entire 2016 season after injuring his ankle during offseason workouts with the Tennessee Titans.

The Packers released lineman Jacob Alsadek, an undrafted rookie free agent out of Arizona, to make room for Bell on Wednesday.

Green Bay is short on experienced depth up front. Starting right tackle Bryan Bulaga missed the second half of the 2017 season with a knee injury, while right guard Jahri Evans is a free agent after one season with the Packers.

Injuries also kept out the Packers' top two backup tackles, Jason Spriggs and Kyle Murphy, for much of 2017.

Bell started all 16 games for Tennessee in 2016, playing at left guard and both tackle positions. He entered the league as an undrafted free agent with Carolina in 2011 out of New Mexico.

Bell started 56 of 62 games for the Panthers over the next four seasons, playing both tackle positions.

The Golden Knights’ gold-and-grey-on-black helmets are everywhere.

They’re on T-shirts and hats worn by mall patrons Odell Beckham Jr Jersey , on jerseys of moviegoers, on stuffed animals, on mugs and on bumper stickers deep in suburbia. Bars far from the city’s tourist-driven areas show the games on TV, and watch parties have become a regular activity.

The arena rocks when the expansion team that has taken the league by storm appears on its home ice. A city that for years longed for a major sports franchise has truly embraced the Knights.

”It’s so much different live than it is on TV. It’s a whole different experience,” said David Santangelo, a Las Vegas resident who is a season ticket holder and longtime hockey fan. ”People fall in love with it. So many people I talk to at work are saying that they didn’t know it was so exciting. People are really starting to learn about it now.”

Santangelo, who was wearing a Knights jersey, was among hundreds who attended a party Monday in downtown Las Vegas to watch Game 3 of the Knights’ second-round playoff series against the San Jose Sharks. The Golden Knights have a 3-2 series lead after a 5-3 victory over San Jose on Friday night.

For years, questions were raised over whether the tourist-driven city with a long history of hosting big events could support a big league team night after night. Gambling and a relatively small market size steered major franchises elsewhere. Before the Knights dropped the puck Terrell Owens Jersey , there were naysayers even though initial ticket demand was high.

Average game attendance at T-Mobile Arena is now 18,042. Tourists and comped high-rollers have surely caught games. So have tennis greats Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf, rapper Lil Jon, poker pro Daniel Negreanu and slugger Bryce Harper before baseball season started. But defying some of those early predictions, it’s been regular residents and their children who have filled the stands game after game.

The crowds bode well for the NFL’s Raiders, who are due to move to Sin City in 2020.

The Knights – who were 200-1 at many sports books to win the Stanley Cup before the season began – proudly declare themselves Vegas Born. Their success on the ice has certainly influenced attendance, but it may also have to do with the city’s desperate need for fellowship around the time the season opened.

The Knights’ home opener in October came only a few days after the city suffered the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. The team retired jersey No. 58 during its final home game of the regular season to honor the victims. A banner with 58 stars was hoisted into the rafters. The victims’ names were also projected on the ice.

”I think because all the players are from different places and Las Vegas is a melting pot of people from different places, it’s just really brought community together to have our own team,” said fan Angel Ashby. ”This is a Vegas-born team. It isn’t from somewhere else.”

Ashby had rooted for the Colorado Avalanche Donovan Smith Jersey , but got rid of the jersey when the Knights arrived. She and her friends rotate hosting watch parties.

The energy has existed at the arena from the beginning, but has progressively gotten louder with the success that followed. For the playoffs, the team has expanded the pregame festivities to include a huge knight’s helmet that is lowered from the rafters in front of the Vegas bench. The Golden Knights enter the ice through the front of the helmet.

Some players toss pucks to their young fans before the game and some children in attendance will get sticks from select players after every game. And the popularity has spilled over from T-Mobile Arena to City National Arena, the team’s practice facility. There, the Vegas Golden Knights Skating Academy has grown from less than 100 kids to nearly 1,000 seven months after its inception.

Todd Pollock, vice president of ticketing and suites, said he did not expect the level of support the team has experienced in its debut season and wondered what took so long for Las Vegas to get a major franchise. The team had planned a three-day campaign for season-ticket packages for next season, but the organization canceled after the first day due to an overwhelming response.

”What we’re seeing collectively this year absolutely Dont'a Hightower Jersey , positively, I don’t think I could have scripted it any better than the way it’s currently playing out,” said Pollock, who worked in the same capacity with the Los Angeles Kings and the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers.

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The Carolina Panthers will once again have to figure out the best way to replace the injured Greg Olsen.

The three-time Pro Bowl tight end injured his right foot in the first half of Carolina's 16-8 victory over the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday and spent the second half looking on from the sideline on crutches with his foot in a boot. It's the same foot Olsen fractured in Week 2 last year. That injury kept him out of nine games and ended his streak of three straight 1 Kendell Beckwith Jersey ,000-yard seasons.

Olsen was not available for comment after the game and coach Ron Rivera said he didn't know the extent of the injury.

Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said the team should know more on Monday, but Olsen's teammates made it sound like the 33-year-old won't be returning anytime soon.

Panthers center Ryan Kalil said Olsen was "pretty upset" after the game.

"I feel bad for him," Kalil said. "He works incredibly hard, he cares a vast amount. He does a nice job, and he was out doing his job for his team, and it breaks my heart for him. Hopefully he gets some good news."

The Panthers will likely turn to rookie Ian Thomas as their starting tight end, although Cam Newton suggested the front office might need to make a roster move to add a tight end.

"You guys know how I feel about Greg, you can't ever replace him, his professionalism that he brings to the game, his overall outlook Jordan Phillips Jersey , his IQ, his understanding," Newton said.

If history is any indication, running back Christian McCaffrey will see more balls thrown his way with Olsen out. McCaffrey was used as Newton's safety valve last season and finished with a franchise rookie record 80 receptions.

The Panthers also lost right tackle Daryl Williams to a knee injury, although the severity is not known.

Things we learned from Carolina's win over Dallas:

KICKING TALK: Cowboys fans still angry about the team's decision to release Dan Bailey, the NFL's second-most accurate field goal kicker in history, will have more ammunition this week.

Replacement Brett Maher missed his only field goal attempt from 47 yards wide to the right. It came late in the third period with Dallas trailing 10-0.

Intermittent rain made for a sloppy field at Bank of America Stadium on a windy afternoon, conditions Maher brushed off.

"I know what my job is," Maher said. "My role on this team is to go out there and when I get a chance, put points on the board. I didn't do that today."

REPLACING GREGORY: Randy Gregory's return to football didn't last long.

The Cowboys defensive end Doug Flutie Jersey , who missed the 2017 season because of multiple violations of the league's substance abuse policy, left the game in the first half with a concussion. The league could reportedly rule on another possible substance-abuse related suspension as early as this week.

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said he had no comment on those reports.

CHASING HIM DOWN: The fact that the Panthers sacked Dak Prescott six times bodes well for the Carolina defense, given he's an elusive quarterback.

"We know he's a scrambling quarterback and we know he likes to get out of the pocket," Panthers linebacker Shaq Thompson said. "There were some times he got out and escaped but overall, the D-line did a phenomenal job keeping him in the pocket."

Prescott finished 19 of 29 for 170 yards, but just a 8.9-yard average and two completions of more than 15 yards.

McCAFFREY'S TOUCHES: Panthers coach Ron Rivera said in ideal world McCaffrey would touch the ball "25-30 times per game" this season. But the versatile second-year back only got his hands on the football 16 times for 95 yards on Sunday.

McCaffrey rushed 10 times for 50 yards, with a long of 15, and caught six passes for 45 yards. Newton targeted him a total of nine times in the passing game.

McCaffrey's first carry, from the Dallas 5 in the first quarter and with the game still scoreless, resulted in a fumble that was recovered by Cowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence.

"It can't happen Melvin Ingram Jersey , but it's football," McCaffrey said.

FULLBACK WEAPON: The Panthers might have a new goal line weapon in fullback Alex Armah, who scored on a 1-yard plunge on his first NFL carry.

Armah's number was called after C.J. Anderson's 9-yard run to within two feet of the goal line. The second-year pro out of Division II West Georgia said he wasn't surprised to get the carry in his 10th career game.

"I was just ready," said Armah, who primarily played special teams a year ago. "I wasn't too nervous because we practice it during the week. We go over it, so I really just tried to get into the end zone."

Once he did, Armah chose not to give the ball away despite Newton's pleading with him. He wanted to keep it to mark the milestone.

"I don't blame him," Rivera said.

AP stringers Eli Pacheco and Justin Parker contributed to this report.

With the Saints giving up a third-round pick for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater (and a sixth-rounder), it’s fair to wonder whether other teams were pursuing the former Vikings starter.

It’s still not clear whether that was the case. Multiple sources have suggested the Dolphins pursued Bridgewater. Others insist the Dolphins didn’t.

The Jaguars, per one source Devin McCourty Jersey , also were involved to some degree. The specific extent isn’t known.

Regardless, no one was planning to make Bridgewater a starter. And, in theory, he could still be traded by the Saints to another team, if that team’s starting quarterback suffers a serious injury.

Otherwise, the Saints have a chance to fully and completely assess Bridgewater as a future starter. Given how hard it is to find a true franchise quarterback, the Saints are basically rolling the dice in the hopes of finding a guy who could take over for Drew Brees if need be, and man the position for a decade or longer.

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The NFL’s players had a long weekend for digesting last Wednesday’s changes to the anthem policy. And some of them are now sharing their thoughts about the situation. Panthers receiver Torrey Smith explained his own views on Tuesday.

“I think when you see a reactive policy — and when I say that I mean something that’s done in response to what guys have done in the past — I always think that’s a problem Kellen Winslow Jersey , especially when the message has been changed,” Smith said, via the team’s official website. “Guys aren’t against the military. [Colin Kaepernick] originally started it against police brutality. It was never against the military, it was never about the military, but that narrative changed.”

The changed narrative, coupled with the changed policy, has made players like Kaepernick into the bad guys.

“The NFL is trying to do right by donating money to a lot of different causes that are helping people, oppressed areas in our country, underprivileged areas in our country, which is a great thing Dion Jordan Jersey ,” Smith said. “But you do that and then you also tell your guys to stand up when they’re protesting when, honestly, I thought it had died off in a lot of different ways. [When] you have the league putting this in, it almost makes it seem like a guy like Kaepernick or Eric Reid — the guys who started it —聽what they did was in vain, that they were villains. That’s not the case.”

It creates a discouraging situation for players like Smith.

“You’re disappointed but not surprised because, at the end of the day, the league is all about money, it’s a business,” Smith said. “But to try to silence guys when they’re trying to do the right thing for our country, I mean DeMario Davis Jersey , I really don’t know what to say about it.”

Smith thinks the new policy “could stir things up, which is the problem because you’re stirring things up because you’ve been told to be quiet.”

“It could’ve been done together to figure out what we can do to move forward and what would be best for the players,” Smith said. “The whole reason guys were protesting was to draw awareness to something. To take that away and be, ‘Hey, don’t do that anymore,’ like you’re anti-American or something like people try to paint — it is very frustrating to continue to see that false narrative.”

So Smith doesn’t think the issue is over, as much as the NFL would like it to be.

“You’re going to see reactive things from guys, probably,” Smith said. “I don’t know. Maybe, maybe not. But if you do it Terrell Suggs Jersey , you see it, it takes away even further from what the message was, which was against police brutality, which evolved to the criminal justice system and a lot of other inequalities that we have in this country. So it’s frustrating to see that the NFL had the opportunity to kind of right the wrongs and change the narrative that’s best for everyone — people who are offended by protests and a league that’s 70-percent African American that understands and lived a lot of these problems that guys are protesting about. So dropped the ball there, but we’ll see where it goes.”

The real question is whether the NFL would ever be willing to admit that it dropped the ball last week, and then to once again change the policy. This time with real input from the players and a true compromise — not one among those who run the sport but one among those who own the teams and those who are the sport.

On the day the National Football League season kicked off, four gambling companies either began offering sports betting in New Jersey or announced plans to do it soon.

The Tropicana casino said Thursday that it had reached a deal with William Hill Race & Sports Book to offer sports betting in the near future. No timetable was given for the launch.

Hours later, Caesars casino began online and mobile sports betting.

The FanDuel sports betting app also went live Thursday, and William Hill's was set to do so Friday. Both of those companies received approval last week to begin so-called "soft play" testing of their online systems, and have been found qualified for unrestricted operation.

William Hill already has affiliations with the Ocean Resort Casino and the Monmouth Park racetrack for in-person sports betting.

FanDuel operates the in-person sports book at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford Davon House Jersey , just outside New York City.

New Jersey gambling outlets took in $40.6 million in sports wagers in July, the first full month it was legal.

The moves leave the newly opened Hard Rock casino as the only one of Atlantic City's nine casinos without an operational or announced sports betting program, although it is believed to be pursuing one.

New Jersey won a U.S. Supreme Court case in May clearing the way for all 50 states to offer sports betting should they so choose.

Companies were particularly anxious to be approved by state regulators and up and running by the start of the NFL season, which is expected to generate the lion's share of legal sports wagers. The defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles were to face off against the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night in the season kickoff. A full slate of games is set for Sunday, and two on Monday night.

Follow Wayne Parry at ://WayneParryAC


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The remodel of the Seattle Seahawks has started with the goal of remaining competitive while refreshing a roster that at one time was good enough to win a Super Bowl but grew stale.

The key for Seattle remaining a contender while churning the roster is rediscovering success in the draft after the Seahawks went 9-7 last season and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2011.

In recent years Jim Otto Jersey , general manager John Schneider and his staff have been tagged with more misses than hits. The days of finding stars such as Russell Wilson in the third round and Richard Sherman in the fifth round have been replaced by high-round busts such as Christine Michael and Malik McDowell.

In the past five years, Seattle has drafted just one player to be voted to the Pro Bowl: Wide receiver and kick returner Tyler Lockett.

So the pressure is on Schneider to again have a bountiful draft. It doesn't have to be as good as those ones earlier this decade that defined Seattle's contending squads.

But there are notable areas Seattle needs to address and baring a trade it'll have to do it with limited picks. Seattle's first pick is at No. 18, the Seahawks have just eight selections entering the draft and none in the second or third rounds.

In an effort to have fewer misses, the Seahawks have shrunk their draft board with a smaller pool of players to consider.

"It looks cleaner. It's easier to study. It's easier to figure out where the ledges are, the drop-offs, where the strengths are Garry Gilliam Jersey ," Schneider said. "(In) 2010, 2011, 2012 we had less numbers in general. And then for one reason or another we continue to add more and more players and it's just too much."

Here's what else to watch about the Seahawks entering the draft:

WHAT ABOUT EARL?

The offseason has been filled with conjecture about the future of star safety Earl Thomas, who is going into the final year of his contract in 2018. Thomas wants a new deal and has not hid his desire for one.

Thomas is also one of the few commodities Seattle has on its roster that could yield a bounty of picks if a trade was made. Thomas is still an elite safety, but the chance to get multiple picks could lead Schneider to pull off a trade.

SILENT DAY 2

Seattle is without a pick on the second day of the draft, the result of trading its second-round pick to the New York Jets as part of the Sheldon Richardson deal Anthony Sherman Jersey , and sending its third-round selection to Houston as part of the Duane Brown deal.

Don't expect that to last. Schneider has been among the most active GMs during the draft making deals to acquire more picks.

"We take a lot of pride in our relationships with clubs where we can call someone up really quick and make a deal and move around. ... I wish we had a second-rounder and a third-rounder, but we went for it and now here we are," Schneider said. "It's a challenge, but it's a fun challenge."

BIGGEST NEEDS

While the offensive line is regularly the biggest complaint of fans, it's not Seattle's biggest need. The Seahawks must get some pass rush help in this draft. The trade of Bennett and uncertainty over the future of Cliff Avril because of a neck injury leaves a void at defensive end with Frank Clark as the only proven pass rusher.

The secondary should also be a priority. Sherman is gone. So too are DeShawn Shead and Jeremy Lane. And there's the same uncertainty around Kam Chancellor as Avril. Seattle re-signed Bradley McDougald and Justin Coleman, and has hopes for young safeties Delano Hill and Tedric Thompson Earl Thomas Jersey , but depth is a major concern.

HITS, MISSES AND BARGAINS

The first three drafts Seattle had under Schneider laid the foundation for a Super Bowl team. The past five have been shaky at best.

The misses: None may be more costly than McDowell. The second-round pick has yet to play for Seattle because of an ATV accident before the 2017 season. His injury caused Seattle to trade for one season of Richardson, which cost the Seahawks a serviceable receiver in Jermaine Kearse and a second-round pick.

The hits: Last year the Seahawks nabbed cornerback Shaquill Griffin in the third round and he immediately became the starter. Playing opposite Sherman meant Griffin was targeted right away and his performance showed he can be capable of being Seattle's next great cornerback.

The bargains: His rookie season was cut short because of injury, but Seattle has high hopes for running back Chris Carson, a seventh-round pick last year. Carson won the starting job in training camp last year and will likely be the presumptive starter going into this season.

The New Jersey Devils have re-signed backup goaltender Eddie Lack to a one-year, $650 Marquise Goodwin Jersey ,000 contract.

General manager Ray Shero announced the contract Saturday for Lack, who has played in 144 NHL games for four teams.

The 30-year-old Lack was acquired by New Jersey from Calgary in December 2017 for defenseman Dalton Prout.

He backed up Keith Kincaid when Cory Schneider was hurt. Lack appeared in four games for the Devils, including a 4-3 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning in which he made a career-high 48 saves.

Lack had a 1-2-0 record with a 3.18 goals-against average for New Jersey.

In 16 games with Binghamton of the American Hockey League, he went 6-7-2 with a 2.90 goals-against average.

Lack previously played for the Vancouver Canucks and Carolina Hurricanes.

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TAMPA Marshon Lattimore Jersey , Fla. (AP) — The Jacksonville Jaguars are not quite ready to roll.

Final roster cuts are looming, and several young players competing for jobs have given coach Doug Marrone and his staff a lot to think about.

“The next 48 hours we’re going to have to make some tough decisions,” Marrone said after fourth-stringer Tim Cook ran for two touchdowns to help the Jaguars close the preseason with a 25-10 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night.

“Some of these young guys have played really well, and tonight was a good example,” Marrone added. “They made a couple plays and we were able to come back and win.”

Cook scored on runs of 1 and 3 yards. Carroll Phillips picked up a fumble by rookie quarterback Austin Allen and ran it back 28 yards for another TD as Jacksonville used a 19-point third-quarter to turn a 10-3 halftime deficit into a 12-point lead.

Regulars for both teams sat out the finale Thursday night in mostly empty Raymond James Stadium. A total of 34 players did not dress for the Jaguars, including every starter on offense and defense.

Tampa Bay’s starters had the night off, too, as did suspended quarterback Jameis Winston, who must sit out the first three games of the regular season for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

Winston had a sharp preseason, completing 73 percent of his passes for 388 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He will be eligible to return to practice and play in Week 4, when Tampa Bay travels to Chicago.

“”That’s the most challenging part,” said Winston, who’ll miss the Sept. 9 opener at New Orleans, as well as home games against defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.

“I believe these guys will go out and execute, and we’re going to get some wins,” Winston added. “I can’t wait to get back.”

Bucs coach Kirk Koetter said Winston has handled training camp and the impending suspension about as well as could have been expected.

“It’s a situation that was handed down Jalyn Holmes Jersey , and he’s done what we’ve asked him to do,” Koetter said. “And his play on the field, the most important thing of all is play on the field, was excellent.”

Ryan Fitzpatrick will fill in as the starter, with Ryan Griffin backing up the 14th-year pro, one of just four players in NFL history who’ve thrown TD passes for seven franchises.

The Jaguars, meanwhile, will head into their season opener against the New York Giants with heightened expectations after going 10-6, winning the AFC South and coming within one victory of reaching the Super Bowl last winter.

With starter Blake Bortles sitting Thursday night, Cody Kessler and rookie Tanner Lee split playing time at quarterback for Jacksonville.

Griffin, a fifth-year pro who has yet to take a snap in a regular-season game, completed 17 of 27 passes for 151 yards and one TD in the opening half for Tampa Bay. Rookie Justin Watson scored the Bucs’ lone touchdown on a 2-yard reception in the first quarter.

STAT SHEET

Kessler completed 4 of 6 passes for 32 yards for the Jaguars. Lee went 11 of 22 for 164 yards and no interceptions. Meanwhile, Jacksonville rushed for 151 yards, with Brandon Wilds gaining 88 yards on 17 carries and Cook finishing with 51 yards on 16 attempts.

ROOKIE STRUGGLES

The Bucs drafted RB Ronald Jones II in the second round in hopes of sparking an anemic rushing attack. However, the rookie wasn’t very productive in the preseason. He carried 10 times for 4 yards Thursday night, finishing the preseason with 22 yards on 28 attempts. Jones also had one reception for 37 yards in four games. Koetter conceded there’s concern about not being able to get Jones going in games. “I can’t give you a good answer for it,” Koetter said Craig Mager Jersey , adding he has seen flashes from Jones in practice.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

Players on both sidelines remained standing for the national anthem after observing a moment of silence in remembrance of the victims of last weekend’s shooting during a video game tournament shooting in Jacksonville.

INJURIES

Jaguars: None announced.

Buccaneers: CB Amari Coleman left in the second half and was being evaluated for a concussion.

NEXT UP

Jaguars: Season opener at New York Giants on Sept. 9

Buccaneers: Begin three-game stretch without Winston, opening season at New Orleans on Sept. 9.

Carlos Correa and the Houston Astros won their 11th straight game, finishing off a 10-0 trip by rallying past the Kansas City Royals 7-4 on Sunday.

The World Series champion Astros swept their swing through Texas, Oakland and Kansas City, outscoring opponents 74-35. Last season, Houston had an 11-game winning streak end in Kansas City. This time, the Astros trailed 4-3 in the eighth inning before Correa led off with a tying homer. Evan Gattis, who had three hits, then put them ahead during a three-run burst.

Correa has three home runs and eight RBIs in six games after missing four games with discomfort in his right side. He had a first-inning single and added a sacrifice fly in the ninth.

Gattis hit .366 with five home runs and 19 RBIs on the Astros’ trip. He singled home Yuli Gurriel in the eighth, and Marvin Gonzalez added an RBI single in the inning.

The Royals have lost six straight and 12 of 13. They have dropped 26 of 36 home games.

Brandon Maurer (0-3) took the loss, facing two batters and having both score. Tony Sipp (2-0) picked up the victory. Hector Rondon closed for his fourh save.

RAYS 3, YANKEES 1

NEW YORK (AP) – Wilmer Font held the high-scoring Yankees in check in the latest Tampa Bay game ”started” by a reliever, and the Rays held off New York to avoid a sweep.

Matt Duffy drove in two runs with a second-inning single for his first multi-RBI game in over a month. Carlos Gomez had an RBI double as Tampa Bay scored all three runs in the second against CC Sabathia (4-2).

Tampa Bay beat New York for the first time this season. The Yankees opened the season with five straight wins, outscoring the Rays 31-10 over the games, and was trying for a four-game sweep.

Font turned in his best performance of the year in any role, allowing just one run in 4 2-3 innings with five strikeouts. Tampa Bay used a reliever to open for the 15th time in 29 games. Entering the day, relievers working as starters had allowed 13 earned runs in 18 innings.

Chaz Roe (1-1) pitched two scoreless innings for the victory. Sergio Romo Mike Pouncey Jersey , who has also drawn five starts this season, closed for his third save.

Aaron Hicks homered off Font in the fifth – it was actually the second homer of the day. Hours earlier, the Yankees held the 72nd Old-Timers’ Day and Nick Swisher hit a long drive to right field. Hall of Famers Whitey Ford and Reggie Jackson were joined by the likes of Don Larsen, Willie Randolph, Andy Pettitte and Jason Giambi. Current New York manager Aaron Boone took part for the first time.

CARDINALS 5, CUBS 0

ST. LOUIS (AP) – Jack Flaherty and four relievers combined on a four-hitter, Matt Carpenter homered and St. Louis snapped a season-high four-game skid.

Flaherty allowed just two hits while striking out seven in five innings, but he walked three and hit two batters and was pulled after throwing 97 pitches.

John Brebbia (1-1) worked around two hits in a scoreless sixth inning to earn his first major league win. Austin Gomber, Jordan Hicks and Bud Norris each pitched a hitless inning to finish the shutout and prevent the Cubs from getting their first series sweep in St. Louis since Sept. 13-15, 2010.

Harrison Bader, Tommy Pham, and Marcell Ozuna strung together singles to open the sixth inning. Pham’s single extended his hitting streak to a National League-best 11 games to chase Jose Quintana (6-5) from the game.

Bader scored the game’s first run when Yadier Molina grounded into a double play and Jedd Gyorko’s RBI single drove in Pham to make it 2-0. Carpenter hit his 10th home run of the season and second of this series in the seventh off Brian Duensing.

METS 5, DIAMONDBACKS 3

PHOENIX (AP) – Brandon Nimmo and Asdrubal Cabrera homered off Brad Boxberger in a four-run ninth inning and New York rallied to beat Arizona.

The Diamondbacks led 3-1 entering the ninth and Boxberger (1-3), with his third blown save in 20 tries, struck out the first two batters.

Jose Reyes reached on a bunt single and scored on Jose Bautista’s pinch-hit double to cut the lead to 3-1. Nimmo, who doubled and scored in the first inning, followed with a two-run shot to right field to put New York ahead 4-3 and Cabrera’s solo shot made it 5-3.

The Mets split the four-game series in Arizona and won consecutive games for the first time since May 20-21. The Diamondbacks were 4-3 on the homestand.

Jeurys Familia (3-3) Davante Adams Jersey , just off the disabled list, allowed a run in an inning of relief to get the victory. Robert Gsellman pitched the ninth for his third save in seven tries.

RANGERS 13, ROCKIES 12

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – Jose Trevino blooped a two-run single, capping a four-run rally in the ninth inning that sent Texas past Colorado.

Rockies closer Wade Davis (0-2) retired only one batter while walking four and allowing singles to Rougned Odor and Trevino. A rookie catcher, Trevino entered his third major league game in the top of the ninth. He is 2 for 8 for Texas, including a tying single in Saturday’s 5-2 victory.

Colorado took a 5-1 lead in the seesaw game. The Rangers scored five runs to take a 6-5 lead in the sixth, including Jurickson Profar’s three-run homer off starter Jon Gray.

The Rockies responded with a five-run seventh to go ahead 10-6. Colorado’s Gerardo Parra drove in four runs, three on a bases-clearing double in the seventh.

Texas pulled to 10-9 with three runs in the seventh. Trevor Story hit a two-run homer in the Colorado ninth against Jesse Chavez (3-1).

RED SOX 9, MARINERS 3

SEATTLE (AP) – Rafael Devers, Jackie Bradley Jr., and Xander Bogaerts homered to help Boston rout Seattle.

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Boston Celtics first-round draft choice Robert Williams got a lecture from the team about accountability and said they are moving on from the bad first impression he made by missing a flight and failing to get back in time for summer league practice.

”It’s all on me Garry Gilliam Jersey ,” Williams told reporters Tuesday, a day after he missed practice. ”So we’re going to push forward and move past that.”

A potential lottery pick who dropped to the Celtics at No. 27 because of questions about his work ethic, the forward out of Texas A&M overslept for a conference call with reporters the morning after the draft, blaming the difference in time zones. He was in Boston last week for an introductory news conference, where he said he knew he would have to work hard to make it in the NBA.

Then he went home to Louisiana and missed his flight back.

Williams, 20 Tre'Davious White Jersey , said he was upset with himself for making a bad first impression.

”Missing my flight didn’t help,” he said. ”I talked to Coach (Brad) Stevens when I got back and he obviously explained to me about the opportunity. There’s not that many. So, definitely a real wakeup call.”

Williams said he didn’t expect any discipline, except for maybe some extra sprints.

”They discipline you with words, more than you may know,” he said.

Also Tuesday Tramon Williams Jersey , free agent Brad Wanamaker practiced with the team and was assigned the No. 9 that was last worn by Rajon Rondo.

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Before his rookie season, Bears running back Tarik Cohen said that he compared himself to Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill due to his ability to make plays as a runner, receiver and returner.

Cohen spent much of that rookie season making those plays and he repeated the comparison in a recent interview while noting that Matt Nagy is now Chicago’s head coach after a stint as the Chiefs’ offensive coordinator. Cohen said that gives him a chance to “live up to that” comparison.

Nagy said that he didn’t think it was fair to make a comparison between the two players, but that he understands why Cohen and others have connected those dots.

“Well, No. 1, size-wise you see that and you say Steve Bartkowski Jersey , ‘OK, they’re pretty similar, right?'” Nagy said, via ESPN.com. “And then you have the speed, the shiftiness, the moves LeSean McCoy Jersey , everything that they do. They’re similar in the fact that you can move them around and do different things. As you see on tape, the one thing if you go back and look at simple numbers, you’re going to see that Cohen can run the ball a little bit more from the backfield. Not that Tyreek can’t.”

Hill took a step forward as a receiver in his second season to become an even bigger part of the offense in Kansas City. Cohen averaged just under nine offensive touches a game during his rookie season and an uptick in the early part of the year will be a pretty good sign that Nagy has a similar plan in mind this time around.

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New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady cut short his paid Trent Murphy Jersey , weekly radio interview with Boston radio station WEEI on Monday when a host pressed him with questions about his fitness guru.

Trainer Alex Guerrero has been the source of a rift between Brady and coach Bill Belichick, who reportedly banned the trainer from the team's sideline and plane. WEEI host Kirk Minihane asked Brady about Guerrero being spotted there the past week, and Brady said, "I said I don't want to get into it."

After a follow-up question, Brady said Germain Ifedi Jersey , "All right, guys. Have a great day. I'll talk to you later."

Brady also walked out of an interview session with reporters last month when asked about Guerrero, who also worked with receiver Julian Edelman. Edelman was suspended four games for violating the league's policy against performance-enhancers.

Cleveland Browns starting right guard Kevin Zeitler will miss several weeks of training camp because of a calf injury.

The 28-year-old Zeitler did not practice Thursday, one day after being hurt and walking off the field with a trainer.

”Kevin is going to be OK, but he will be down for a little while Davante Adams Jersey ,” coach Hue Jackson said. ”It is unfortunate, but we will get him back. Hopefully, he’ll be ready to go in the next couple weeks or so. Those things do happen in training camp.”

Zeitler has started all 48 games over the past three seasons, including 16 in his first year with the Browns. The 6-foot-4, 315-pounder played with Cincinnati from 2012-2016.

Cleveland’s offensive line is in flux following the retirement of 10-time Pro Bowl left tackle Joe Thomas.

Left guard Joel Bitonio Jaleel Scott Jersey , a second alternate for the Pro Bowl last season, has been moved to left tackle, where he is trying to block defensive end Myles Garrett in practice. Garrett was the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2017.

”Myles is bringing it, and that’s the best look he can get every day,” Jackson said. ”It’s really fun to see because Joel is not giving up anything. It’s a battle and he’s doing well.”

Third-year pro Spencer Drango has filled in for Zeitler on the first team and will remain there.

”Spencer has played left guard Lorenzo Alexander Jersey , he’s played left tackle and he’s been on the right side before, so he has been all around,” Jackson said. ”That is a comfort that we have.”

The Browns hold their annual ”Orange and Brown” scrimmage Friday.

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Even in the preseason Jaylon Smith Jersey , Matt Ryan gets miffed about a poor showing.

He had nothing to complain about Friday.

Ryan guided the Atlanta Falcons right down the field for a touchdown on their first possession, hooking up with Austin Hooper on a 4-yard scoring pass , and led another impressive drive before calling it a night in a 28-14 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Ryan finished 5 of 7 for 90 yards, looking very much like the quarterback who won the MVP during the 2016 season even though receiver Julio Jones and running back Devonta Freeman didn't play for the second week in a row.

It was certainly an encouraging contrast to the preseason opener, when the Falcons (0-2) were blanked 17-0 by the New York Jets and Ryan played only one brief, dismal series .

"He wants to attack," coach Dan Quinn said. "That's what I saw tonight."

With a resting Jones watching from the sideline, Calvin Ridley got a chance to shine for the Falcons. The first-round pick from Alabama hauled in the first touchdown of his professional career on a 7-yard pass from backup quarterback Matt Schaub .

Ridley finished with three receptions for 49 yards.

"It felt good making some catches and getting that first touchdown out of the way," he said. "I'm ready to get some more."

Kansas City's new starting quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, had an up-and-down game but delivered one tantalizing pass.

Alex Smith's replacement was intercepted on a deep throw by Falcons safety Damontae Kazee , who drifted over from the middle of the field to pick a ball intended for Sammy Watkins. Mahomes caught a break when another ill-advised throw into the end zone was dropped by Falcons cornerback Blidi Wren-Wilson, allowing the Chiefs to salvage a field goal.

But, with just 17 seconds left in the first half, Mahomes made the most of his final pass. Three Atlanta defensive backs inexplicably allowed Tyreek Hill to get behind them, and Mahomes delivered the pass in stride for a 69-yard touchdown .

The throw actually traveled 70 yards in the air 鈥?ample evidence of Mahomes' enormous potential .

"I don't think I've ever thrown one that far in a game," said Mahomes Ha Ha Clinton-Dix Jersey , who finished 8 of 12 for 138 yards. "I don't know many people that would be able to catch that ball going that far in a game. I told (Hill) if I had thrown a spiral, he wouldn't have been able to get to it. He disagreed with that."

Chad Henne took over for at quarterback to begin the second half. He connected with Gehrig Dieter on a 27-yard touchdown that put the Chiefs (1-1) ahead for the first time, capping a 10-play, 76-yard drive.

Ben Niemann finished off the scoring with a 26-yard interception return for a touchdown after picking off a horrible throw by Atlanta's third-string quarterback, undrafted rookie Kurt Benkert.

"He overthrew it and gave me a gift," said Niemann, also an undrafted rookie.

While many Atlanta fans were still backed up in security lines outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Ryan began his impressive showing by converting on third-and-11 with a 29-yard pass to Hooper.

"Classic Matt," Quinn said. "He buys some times, moves around in the pocket and rips one."

Tevin Coleman, the other half of the Falcons' dynamic 1-2 punch at running back, broke off a pair of 15-yard runs before Ryan rolled to his left and hit Hooper on the short scoring pass. The tight end showed impressive athleticism, hurtling into the end zone over cornerback Steven Nelson .

After the Chiefs went three-and-out, Ryan guided the Falcons deep into Kansas City territory once again. The big play was a 36-yard completion to Ridley , who beat David Amerson to haul in the pass.

On fourth-and-2 at the Chiefs 20, the Falcons passed on a field goal attempt, which was essentially irrelevant since 43-year-old kicker Matt Bryant skipped his second straight preseason game. Ryan's pass for Ridley was broken up by Kendall Fuller Tramon Williams Jersey , halting a seven-play, 69-yard drive.

INJURY REPORT

Nelson was kneed in the head by Hooper on Atlanta's first touchdown and staggered off the field. He was evaluated for a possible concussion.

Another Kansas City player, linebacker Terrance Smith, sustained an ankle injury.

The Chiefs also were missing star safety Eric Berry, who didn't dress while he continues to nurse a sore heel.

SARK ON THE FIELD

For the second week in a row, Falcons offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian called plays from the field.

That's where Sarkisian prefers to be, but Quinn ordered him upstairs last season. Now, with Greg Knapp 鈥?a longtime offensive coordinator who was hired as Atlanta's quarterback coach 鈥?working from the press box and passing along what he sees to Sarkisian, it seems everyone has found an arrangement to their liking.

"Right now, I'm comfortable with the way he's seeing it and calling plays," Quinn said.

ANTHEM UPDATE

There were no apparent protests during the national anthem.

UP NEXT

Chiefs: Hit the road again to face the Chicago Bears on Aug. 25.

Falcons: Travel to Jacksonville that same day to face the Jaguars in a matchup between 2017 playoff teams.

Follow Paul Newberry on Twitter at pnewberry1963 . His work can be found at s://apnews/search/paul%20newberry

They’re the hot names that everyone wants to know as they head into fantasy football drafts for the 2018 season — the unearthed gems and the deep values that can come out of nowhere to help you win your league and make you look smarter than everyone you are playing against.

But do “sleepers” even really exist in today’s fantasy world?

There is so much information out there, making it difficult to find out a deep value performer without others in your league knowing about him. Still, it’s about digging deeper than your opponents and figuring out where to find value.

RUNNING BACKS

ROB KELLEY, Washington: The unfortunate season-ending injury to Derrius Guice has created an opportunity for someone to step forward and seize an opportunity to carry the ball consistently. It’s not going to be Chris Thompson, who does not have the frame to take the regular pounding that comes with more rushing attempts. Kelley and Samaje Perine will battle for the chance to replace Guice as the lead runner. Kelley has reportedly slimmed down prior to this season and can do a better job of creating his own running room behind a questionable offensive line. Kelley has flex potential to be the TD finisher for a respectable offense.

NYHEIM HINES, Indianapolis: Andrew Luck has never enjoyed a weapon like Hines before. The effervescent rookie has significant point-per-reception league upside as a player similar to Darren Sproles. Not only can Luck finally have a safety valve when he is in trouble, Hines will also make many plays for him from anywhere on the field. If the Colts can’t establish a running game Vernon Davis Jersey , Hines can act as a substitution or extension of a ground attack, much like Theo Riddick used to in Detroit.

LeGARRETTE BLOUNT, Detroit: There is a lot of initial buzz about rookie Kerryon Johnson so far, but he runs high and could expose himself to some injuries. Plus, the Lions have made an organizational commitment to being more physical — a philosophy Blount fits. Blount has been written off in the preseason before, only to maintain fantasy relevance once the season starts for real. Even with Johnson in the picture, Blount could be a frequent goal line runner for a very productive offense.

WIDE RECEIVERS

CHRIS GODWIN, Tampa Bay: There’s already talk that Godwin will seize a starting job in his second season. He is a big and fast target who should emerge as the top complement to Mike Evans. Godwin averaged 15.4 yards per catch last season, flashing his exciting potential during the first half of the season. DeSean Jackson is not going to recapture past form and Godwin will become a viable upside option.

MACK HOLLINS, Philadelphia: The Eagles are already dealing with Alshon Jeffery injury issues and their receiving depth otherwise is not too impressive, with the likes of retread Mike Wallace. Hollins is a very sizable pass-catcher with some extra gears who has generated some chatter from seasoned Eagle watchers as he heads into his second year. He could step into a more prominent role as a notable playmaker for Carson Wentz.

JARON BROWN, Seattle: Paul Richardson has left for Washington, and Brown is set to step into his old role as a deep threat for Russell Wilson. Brown could be even more productive than his predecessor. Brown consistently got open downfield in Arizona, but was done in by shoddy QB play. Wilson is one of the best downfield passers in the league and Brown is going to make himself known as a more regular playmaker in Seattle. Draft him as a WR5 or 6 before he starts making noise.

QUARTERBACKS

SAM DARNOLD, New York Jets: The excitement among Jets fans is for real. Darnold is the best QB in the rookie class from an intangibles and decision-making perspective. He plays for a team with an aggressive, opportunistic approach. The Jets also have respectable talents surrounding him. Josh McCown flirted with back-end QB1 status for a spell last year. Darnold’s traits that can’t be taught to just anyone will propel him into the starting role quickly and translate into solid, sometimes outstanding fantasy production.

MITCHELL TRUBISKY http://www.indianapoliscoltsteamonline.com/jabaal-sheard-jersey , Chicago: Much like Jared Goff last year, Trubisky is coming off a frustrating and forgettable rookie season, but his team has brought in a fresh new coach and surrounding talents. Trubisky may start a bit slowly as he adjusts to his new surroundings, but eventually he should mesh with the new playmakers he can utilize, and he could vault at least into high-end QB2 status.

TIGHT ENDS

AUSTIN HOOPER, Atlanta: The Falcons do have other weapons, but Matt Ryan has often featured his TE in the past and Hooper is ready to step forward and play a larger role in the offense in his third NFL season. Tight ends sometimes take a while to get into the pro flow, and now Hooper has enough experience to break out. With defenses always so concerned about Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley drawing extra attention downfield, Hooper will be more free to work in the middle and should become a more frequent red zone target.

RICKY SEALS-JONES, Arizona: Seals-Jones showed brief glimpses of his promise last season, with a two-TD outing and a 72-yard performance. Look for him to play a more frequent role in the Arizona offense this season, especially as a TD threat. He may face some discipline from the league for a recent off-field incident, but otherwise he should vault himself into fantasy relevance as a featured pass-catcher on a team needing his size and scoring potential.

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NEW YORK JETS (5-11)

UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: QB Josh McCown; CB Morris Claiborne; C Wesley Johnson Dalton Schultz Jersey , TEs Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Chris Gragg; LBs Demario Davis, Bruce Carter, Julian Stanford, and David Bass; S Terrence Brooks; PK Chandler Catanzaro; DLs Kony Ealy and Ed Stinson; DT Mike Pennel; OLs Jonotthan Harrison Joe Looney Jersey , Ben Ijalana and Dakota Dozier.

RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: WR Quincy Enunwa; S Rontez Miles; OL Brent Qvale; TE Neal Sterling; DL Xavier Cooper.

NEEDS: It’s all about finding quarterback, running theme for this franchise for, well, decades. New York will be in Kirk Cousins sweepstakes and has money it would take to land him. But will the former Washington QB want team that has failed to make playoffs for seven straight seasons and underwent massive rebuild last year? Jets have new offensive coordinator in former QBs coach Jeremy Bates Antonio Morrison Jersey , who runs Mike and Kyle Shanahan-style system Cousins learned during his first two seasons in league. If Jets whiff on Cousins, there’s good chance McCown will be back to mentor whomever New York takes with its first draft pick at No. 6 overall. Plenty of holes elsewhere, although Jets are interested in re-signing Claiborne, Seferian-Jenkins and Davis as core players. Help on offensive line Jack Doyle Jersey , namely at center, proven pass rusher and cornerback will also be high priorities for GM Mike Maccagnan. Running back Matt Forte is retired, so Jets might look for some depth in backfield, as well as on defensive line after releasing disappointing Muhammad Wilkerson.

AVAILABLE SALARY CAP SPACE (approximately): $90 million.

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A judge has ordered former Minnesota Vikings star Adrian Peterson to pay about $600 Russell Bodine Jersey ,000 after he defaulted on a loan from a suburban Minneapolis bank.

Crown Bank in Edina sued Peterson in November after he failed to pay the balance of a $2.4 million loan he took out in May 2016. The Star Tribune reports that Peterson initially defaulted on the loan in October 2016, shortly after injuring his knee. He then paid about $1.9 million on the loan.

Peterson had pledged his Vikings contract as collateral for the loan. The Vikings released him before the 2017 season.

Court records show Peterson didn’t file an answer to the lawsuit or contest the bank’s claims.

Peterson played in six games for the Arizona Cardinals until a neck injury ended his season last year.

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Information from: Star Tribune, Landry Shamet Jersey

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FLOWERY BRANCH http://www.chicagobearsteamonline.com/jordan-howard-jersey , Ga. (AP) Julio Jones insists his status for training camp was never in doubt.

Jones, the five-time Pro Bowl receiver, was back for the start of Falcons training camp Friday after missing a mandatory minicamp in June while asking that his contract be reworked.

Jones dismissed reports he wouldn’t report without a new deal as ”he said, she said” speculation.

”We knew all along we were going to get it handled,” he said.

For coach Dan Quinn, the most important fact was seeing No. 11 catching passes from Matt Ryan.

”It was awesome to have him back,” said Quinn, adding Jones’ routes were ”really sharp and clean.”

Jones drew cheers from fans when he caught a pass on the sideline in front of cornerback Desmond Trufant late in the practice.

General manager Thomas Dimitroff said Thursday the team made an ”adjustment” to Jones’ five-year, $71.5 million contract. Jones is entering the third year of the deal.

Dimitroff said the tweak to Jones’ deal wouldn’t affect the team’s hopes to negotiate contract extensions for left tackle Jake Matthews, defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, and safety Ricardo Allen. On Friday, the team agreed to a five-year, $75 million extension for Matthews.

The biggest new deal of all came earlier in the offseason – a five-year Jeremy Kerley Jersey , $150 million extension for Ryan, the most lucrative contract in NFL history.

Ryan’s contract, and the team’s talks with Matthews, Jarrett and Allen, were among the reasons Dimitroff said the Falcons couldn’t renegotiate Jones’ contract until after the season.

Jones confirmed he told Quinn this month he would report to training camp.

Falcons owner Arthur Blank said at the NFL owners meeting in May he expected Jones to play his entire career with Atlanta.

”Our relationship has always been excellent so I had the confident in Thomas and the confidence in J.J. being a great Falcon for us not only on the field but off the field and a leader in the locker room,” Blank said Friday.

Jones said he and Blank ”reiterated what he had told us – that I’m going to be a Falcon forever.”

Asked if it was difficult to be away from the team for the mandatory minicamp and other offseason work, Jones said he told Quinn ”It was just me getting healthy as far as some stuff with me, getting back right and feeling 100 percent.”

A healthy Jones is especially important to the Falcons’ hopes of returning to their offensive form of their 2016 Super Bowl season, when they led the league in scoring.

One year ago, Jones was recovering from minor offseason surgery on his left foot and was limited in the first training camp with offensive coordinator Steve Sarkasian.

Jones didn’t miss a game last season despite having two ankle injuries – plus back, ribs, thumb and knee injuries.

Jones, who also participated in an informal passing camp led by Ryan in California this month Kenny Clark Jersey , has no injury concerns.

”For me and for the team it’s better than I’m healthy and can do everything,” he said.

Quinn said wide receiver Russell Gage used advice from Jones to fine-tune a route at the California camp.

”Those were the things that don’t show up on the stat sheet that often speak to who he is as a teammate,” said Quinn of Jones.

It’s not unusual for Jones to be included on Atlanta’s game-week injury reports, but he has missed only three games the last four seasons. He has broken his right foot twice, at the NFL combine in 2011 and in 2013 when he missed 11 games.

Jones has remained one of the NFL’s most productive receivers. He had 88 catches for 1,444 yards and three touchdowns in 2017. Jones and Marvin Harrison are the only players in NFL history to have at least 80 catches for at least 1,400 yards in four straight seasons

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Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid are about to find out what the NBA playoffs are really about.

After dispatching the Miami Heat in five games in the first round in their first career postseason appearance, the Philadelphia 76ers‘ youngsters will open the Eastern Conference semifinals on Monday night in Boston against the Celtics.

All those banners hanging from the Garden rafters.

All that history on the parquet floor.

All that bad blood between the two cities.

A civic rivalry that dates back to the Revolutionary War era came of age on the basketball court with Wilt Chamberlain leading the Philadelphia Warriors, and later the 76ers, against Bill Russell’s Celtics in the 1960s. Larry Bird and Julius Erving picked it up in the 1980s.

Celtics forward Marcus Morris, a Philadelphia native, grew up watching the Allen Iverson-led 76ers that went to the NBA Finals in 2001 but lost to Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker’s Celtics in the Eastern Conference finals the following year.

He’s not expecting any favors from his hometown crowd.

”I’m expecting the same treatment as far as them not even caring that I’m from Philadelphia,” he said after practice on Sunday http://www.greenbaypackersteamonline.com/lance-kendricks-jersey , a day after the Celtics advanced by eliminating the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 7 of their first-round series. ”I really don’t care either, when I’m competing against them.”

The franchises have met 19 times in the playoffs (though only three times in the past 33 years), with Boston holding a 12-7 edge.

YOUTH IS SERVED

Two years after winning just 10 games, the Process is paying off for the 76ers.

Embiid, the third overall pick in 2014, returned after missing the first two games of the playoffs and averaged 18.7 points and 10.3 rebounds in three wins over Miami.

Simmons, the No. 1 overall pick in 2016 before missing all of last season, averaged 18.2 points and 10.6 rebounds against the Heat – both improvements over his regular-season numbers.

”They’re super-talented,” Celtics coach Brad Stevens said. ”That’s what happens when you’re in the NBA playoffs. It’s fun.”

HOMETOWN SHOUTOUT

Morris said he’s enjoyed watching the hometown Eagles win the Super Bowl, followed by Villanova’s NCAA basketball championship.

”Philly, we had a great year,” the Celtics forward said. ”(Rapper) Meek Mill got out of jail – it’s funny, but it was pretty big for our city. A lot of people really appreciated it. You can tell that feeling when you get there Paul Hornung Jersey , where it’s coming back. A guy that’s been there my entire life and not really seeing it at its peak. Right now Philly is at its peak with everything, sports, living out there. It’s coming back.”

RUNNING GAME

The Celtics held Milwaukee and star forward Giannis Antetokounmpo to zero fast break points in Game 7 of their first-round series.

They know that transition defense will also be a key against Philadelphia, which was one of the best in the NBA on the break.

”In transition, they just make you pay,” Celtics center Al Horford said. ”They just present a whole different challenge.”

BROWN OUT

Stevens said guard Jaylen Brown still had some soreness from a hamstring injury he sustained in Game 7 and is doubtful for Game 1 against the Sixers. Tests on Sunday were negative, the coach said.

”It looks like it could be something that allows him to play as the series goes on,” Stevens said.

The No. 3 overall pick in the 2016 draft, Brown averaged 14.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game this season. He said on Saturday he would be back.

”Whatever it takes, I wouldn’t miss this series for the world,” Brown said.

The Celtics are already without stars Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving, as well as Daniel Theis.

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Julio Jones wants a new contract. The Falcons don’t want to give him one. And so Jones is holding out.

Jones has decided to skip training camp because of his frustration with his contract Troy Apke Jersey , according to multiple reports.

It appears Jones is willing to hold out of camp entirely, risking $40,000 in fines per day. The Falcons have made clear they don’t plan to give Jones a new contract, although they haven’t specifically said they’ll also fine Jones for his holdout.

If Jones is really serious about this holdout, he could keep it going into the regular season. Jones has a base salary this season of $10.5 million, and he’d lose $617,000 a week if he held out into the regular season.

Jones still has three years left on his contract, and it remains to be seen whether he and the Falcons are going to come to terms on a deal that will satisfy him. For now Vernon Davis Jersey , they’re far apart.

So if Colin Kaepernick and Eric Reid can’t get hired because they won’t commit to standing for the anthem, Wednesday’s uncompromising compromise fashioned by owners who fear a tweet or an base-inspiring rally remark removes the last impediment to their unemployment, right?

I mean, Kaepernick and Reid now know the rules. They have to “respect” the flag. If they refuse, there will be consequences.

So problem solved, right? The burning desire to win! should result in a land rush for their services. And when they sign, there will be no confusion or misunderstanding: No kneeling, no sitting Andre Holmes Jersey , no fists in the air, no disrespect of any kind for the flag.

By solving one problem, the owners potentially have exacerbated another, because with the primary impediment to the unemployment of Kaepernick and Reid — the fear that they’ll still kneel — gone, there’s no reason to avoid them.

And of course we know that won’t be happening. Ultimately, this entire issue is not about patriotism or race or revenue but control. The owners, in crafting the anthem policy, had left a thermal exhaust port in the Death Star Jeremy Kerley Jersey , and Kaepernick jammed a couple of photon torpedoes right into it. The owners resent that Kaepernick discovered the loophole, exploited it, and taught his peers to do the same.

Kaepernick, and to a lesser extent Reid, are the lingering reminders of the fact that the players outsmarted the owners on this one, and that when the owners tried to assert control by keeping them out of the league, they took action to advance their rights.

Keeping them out based on their refusal to commit to standing was convenient, because no one expected them to bow to the league’s will.聽No one expects the league to bow to the will of Kaepernick and Reid Larry Allen Jersey , which means that the owners would much rather write them a fat check than let them ever set foot on the stage that the owners own and, once again, control.

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