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New York Giants

5-on-5: Game 6 stakes, Finals favorites and bold predictions

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What’s the most exciting Game 6 matchup, and what will happen in Round 2?

Our NBA Insiders answer the big questions and make bold predictions before three pivotal games tip off on Friday night.

Bobby Marks, ESPN Insider: Oklahoma City at Utah, the game that has the most storylines of the first round so far. Does the momentum from Game 5 carry over for Oklahoma City? What about the future of Paul George if the Thunder lose? If the Thunder can get off to a good start and take the crowd out of the game from the start, will Utah revert to the same team we saw in the fourth quarter on Wednesday night? If it does, this series could be over even before the Jazz get back to Oklahoma City for a Game 7.

Marc J. Spears, The Undefeated: While all three have outstanding storylines, OKC at Utah is the most exciting to watch. You have Westbrook and George trying to keep the Thunder alive. You have the Jazz trying to move on from a disaster of a possible series-ending Game 5, when they blew a 25-point third-quarter lead. How will rookie sensation Donovan Mitchell respond? What Westbrook will show up? Man, let’s tip this one up now.

“The NBA doesn’t have time to babysit nobody, especially a 20- or 19-year-old coming into the league,” Brown said. “Especially coming in on a playoff team.

“I didn’t want to give nobody no room to say, ‘OK, he’s not ready’ or ‘OK, he has to mature’ or anything. So I think it was just my mindset from the get-go. Everything is a growth experience for me. They might not see it now, but they’ll see it soon.”

At the same time Brown was gritting through Sunday’s news conference, Al Horford stood in Boston’s locker room looking like he’d had a bit of a revelation. Yes, losing hurt, but Horford saw something in the way Tatum and Brown played at the end of that game that had him excited for the future.

And we’re not talking about for next year. We’re talking for Game 5.

“We have high expectations, but, at the end of the day, we have a lot of young players. We’re all learning as we go,” Horford said. “And that was really encouraging [how the young guys played at the end of Game 4].”
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Leonard Williams’ fifth-year option picked up by Jets

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The Jets have decided to exercise the fifth-year option for defensive lineman Leonard Williams, the team announced Saturday.

Pro Football Talk notes Williams remains a bargain with a salary of $2.975 million for this year, however, next year his salary will jump to $14.2 million since his fifth-year option was picked up.

Michigan’s offense hasn’t had a quarterback as athletic as Patterson in Harbaugh’s three seasons as coach. That should help from time to time with an offensive line that allowed the second-most sacks in the Big Ten last season and now has to replace Mason Cole, a four-year starter and its top lineman. It’s not, however, a sustainable recipe for success or the type of formula that has worked best for the offense Harbaugh runs at Michigan.

Patterson alone won’t fix a Wolverines offense that ranked 111th nationally in passing yards per game and 119th in passing touchdowns. He can’t teach a young group of receivers how to create space and run sharper routes to get open. He won’t be successful if new offensive line coach Ed Warriner doesn’t find a way to get more consistency from his group.

The Browns went winless in 2017. They traded DeShone Kizer, who started 15 games at quarterback for the team as a rookie, to the Packers in early March and sent backup Cody Kessler to the Jaguars three weeks later.

While Barkley deserves all the hype he’s getting, Michel is probably underrated because of that. Michel is the No. 2 running back in this class, but the guy averaged a whopping 7.9 yards per carry — including 16.5 and 7.0 yards per carry against Oklahoma and Alabama, respectively, in the College Football Playoff — and he could have been the No. 1 guy in other years. He’s a potential steal.

The top offensive player in the draft gets the slight edge over the top defensive player in the draft. And that third guy? If you don’t know about Vea, read up. At 350 pounds, he moves extremely well, and he is more than a clogger in the middle of the D-line. The former Husky could sneak into the top 10.

To say Jackson is explosive isn’t just to say he has exceptional speed and quickness when he decides to take off with the ball. He’s just explosive in all his actions, period — and that starts with an explosive arm. Ridley is lean, but his explosiveness is obvious on tape. He ran a 4.43 40 in Indy, which is plenty fast for a guy who has good length at 6-foot-3.steelers_058

The frightening reality the Cowboys now face as the NFL draft approaches

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The frightening reality the Cowboys now face as the NFL draft approaches More Oh, and the Cowboys need a starting left guard now that Cooper has signed with San Francisco, and depth is needed along the defensive line and at tight end. Dallas can help itself by finding multiple starters with its first three picks. That isn’t always easy.

But in 2016, the Cowboys’ strong draft paved the way for an NFC East title and a 13-3 regular season. Dallas used the No. 4 pick on running back Ezekiel Elliott and drafted its new franchise quarterback in the fourth round in Dak Prescott. In between, the Cowboys selected Smith in the second round and immediate defensive tackle starter Maliek Collins in the third round.

Ballard said he’s also open to moving further down the draft board. After initially feeling like he wouldn’t want to fall out of the Top 10, Ballard said that he’s more willing to do so because the team has identified eight non-quarterbacks they believe are “premium” players at the top of the draft. A trade down that nets one of them and more picks to fill out a thin roster would work well, but the benefits may be harder to see on the field if the Colts’ bet on Luck goes the other way again this year.

He was born 60 seconds after his identical twin brother, Shaquill, with a left hand that never fully developed. While he was still in the womb, he was affected by a rare condition called amniotic band syndrome, in which strands from the amniotic sac separate and entangle parts of the fetus. His hand was ultimately amputated when he was 4 years old.

That, however, hasn’t deterred Griffin from carrying on in life as if he never had a disability at all. That includes playing organized football at a high level, despite countless coaches taking a first look at him and wondering how in the world he was going to be able to properly contribute to their respective team playing with only one hand.

Erik Chinander, who was Griffin’s defensive coordinator at Central Florida, represents a perfect (and typical) example of what Griffin has faced his entire life. Chinander, who’s now at Nebraska, came to Central Florida along with head coach Scott Frost in 2016, Griffin’s junior year, took one look at him and wondered, How is this going to work?seahawks_182

Geno Smith has spent his career in New York, becoming a bit of a, uh, punchline.

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Assessing the wide receiver situation starts with where Odell Beckham Jr. plays in 2018. Figure he remains with the Giants, decreasing the need for much help here. Sterling Shepard is a rising slot target and, for now Brandon Marshall is on the roster and eager to prove he can finish out his superb career on an upswing. Roger Lewis flashed a bit in 2017 and Cody Latimer was signed away from the Broncos. Adding speed in the draft is certainly a consideration.

The Giants are in good shape at tight end, with 2017 first-round pick Evan Engram already established on the field and in the locker room. Savvy Rhett Ellison is a versatile blocker and adequate pass-catcher. Jerell Adams needs to make a move to stay around.

“What I’m always prepared for is to be accountable for any mistakes that I make and accept the responsibility for any miscommunication in the clubhouse, the dugout or anywhere else in this building. I also feel accountable for putting processes in place immediately that will ensure the mistake doesn’t happen again. That’s my responsibility. That’s what I stay focused on.”

“Jay is the stricter of the two for sure,” she said of their parenting styles. “Jay doesn’t even really yell. If we’re going to go down that route, I’m probably the one that yells more. I’m Italian — I get a little fiesty!”

She continued, “They just know not to mess with Daddy because Daddy’s going to drop the hammer, and for some reason, they feel like they can get away with a lot more with me. Isn’t that great?”

The former “Hills” star and her husband will star in their own reality show, “Very Cavallari,” on E!.

Just because he was a role model to me of how a life should be lived. This says it all: My first Final Four was ’86, it was in Dallas, at the old Reunion Arena. And on the Friday shootaround day, my dad drove from Houston to Dallas to come see me. I’m gonna be hosting the Final Four the next day, alone. And he sat right off to the side, the first seat that was off our stage, our set. The practices went on for four hours. My dad’s eyes never left me. Every time I looked, he was looking right at me, with a huge grin on his face. The session ends, and my dad gives me a kiss on the cheek goodbye, gives me a big hug, tells me how proud he is, and he got back in the car and he drove back to Houston. So he drove 500 miles round trip, just to watch me practicing.
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Patriots create questions in NFL free agency but find all the right answers

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The Eagles were the better team in Super Bowl 52 because they dominated both lines of scrimmage. They racked up 164 rushing yards while averaging six yards per carry. Quarterback Nick Foles saw little pressure and wasn’t sacked in his MVP outing, having plenty of time to drop back and zip the ball downfield.

The Patriots’ persistent problems against the run in 2017 were tied in part to their lack of a true nose tackle against stout interior blocking teams. Shelton (6-2, 335 pounds) is literally a massive upgrade over Lawrence Guy and Alan Branch. Shelton and Malcom Brown give New England a tougher 1-2 punch on early downs.

Pat Valaika (R), fewer than 1 percent, Colorado Rockies vs. San Diego Padres (LHP Clayton Richard): Valaika finds himself in the unexpected role of platoon first baseman. Fantasy managers don’t care how or why, they just relish the chance to get some exposure to Coors Field.

The former Raiders and 49ers linebacker was arrested last week for violating a court order to stay away from the victim in a domestic violence case.

His fiancee accused him of biting her wrists earlier this month, leading to charges of domestic violence, assault with force likely to produce bodily injury, false imprisonment and vandalism.

CFL rookies typically must sign contracts that bind them to the league for two seasons. Unless his CFL team grants a rare waiver, Manziel wouldn’t be eligible to return to the NFL before November 2019 — or, more realistically, the 2020 NFL season.

“If something [with the NFL] pops up, it pops up. And if not, if I don’t get the opportunity to go back, I’m going to go play in the CFL, and things are going to be fine,” Manziel said at Texas A&M’s pro day on Tuesday. “One way or another, one day down the line, I’ll get back to exactly where I want to be, because I’m not going to stop until I do.”flames_015

Report: Raiders have reached agreement with Tank Carradine

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The Raiders have reached an agreement with defensive lineman Tank Carradine, Tom Pelissero of NFL Media reports.

While they may not be finished taking apart the defense which made them a consistent contender, they continue to shop in the lower reaches of free agency to backfill that side.

According to Gregg Bell of the Tacoma News Tribune, they signed Rams safety Maurice Alexander. While he was a starter at the beginning of the year for the Rams, he was released in October after some struggles.

After missing all of last with a knee injury, Perriman is trying to justify his status as a first-round pick and prove he can stay on the field.I think I did all right, Purcell said.McGinn wins face-off versus Monahan Stars zone.Given that average game 1975 saw 6 goals scored while that number was down to 5 last, Sittler’s record figures to last a while longer.The Panthers be missing All-Pro middle linebacker Kuechly and starting safety from their middle of their defense night.I wasn’t thinking that moment.

Slater, 32, arrived in New England via the fifth round of the 2008 draft, winning a pair of Super Bowls and ing in two others. He has earned a spot in the Pro Bowl for seven straight seasons as a special teamer.

Liuget is eligible to participate in all offseason activities and preseason practices and games.

There was no roster limit.After the game, said it was a coach’s decision, and that if Kane wanted back the lineup, all he needed to do was probably just come to the rink.I wasn’t worried about him, Richards says.The next move for Woodley would be signing a one-year deal with the Arizona Cardinals, a team notorious for stockpiling former Steelers.Stein reports the Hornets have had their eyes on Plumlee for some time and won’t receive any draft compensation.

The 26-year-old Brooks entered the NFL as a third-round pick of the Ravens in 2014. He spent two years in Baltimore and one in Philadelphia before the Eagles traded him to the Jets just before the start of last season.
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Seahawks agree to deal with WR Jaron Brown

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Free-agent wide receiver Jaron Brown, who is coming off a career season, has agreed to terms with the Seattle Seahawks, a source confirmed to ESPN.

Brown, 28, returned from a torn ACL injury in 2016 to catch 31 passes for 477 yards and four touchdowns for the Arizona Cardinals in 2017 — all career highs.

After Dowd issued his statement Saturday, Trump reiterated his claim that there was “no collusion” between his campaign and Russians, and he attacked federal agencies that are under his command. But he stopped short of echoing Dowd’s call for an end to the Mueller probe.

Trump tweeted: “As the House Intelligence Committee has concluded, there was no collusion between Russia and the Trump Campaign. As many are now finding out, however, there was tremendous leaking, lying and corruption at the highest levels of the FBI, Justice & State. #DrainTheSwamp.”

Trump was referring to last week’s announcement by Republican members of the House Intelligence Committee that they were concluding their own investigation of Russian interference in the election, though a separate investigation by the Senate Intelligence Committee remains underway.

It’s all part of the Oxygen documentary, “Aaron Hernandez Uncovered” — which features interviews with Aaron’s close friends, ex-girlfriends and members of his legal team.

Aaron’s college girlfriend, Alyssa Anderson, says she first learned Aaron had a relationship with a man while they were attending the University of Florida… but he denied it at the time. It was only years later that Hernandez cryptically acknowledged her suspicions were true.

George Leontire — an openly gay member of Hernandez’s defense team — says he spoke with Hernandez at length about his sexuality and Aaron opened up like never before.

Jimmy Graham is a red-zone machine (10 touchdowns in 2017), making him the perfect match for quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who might just be the most ruthlessly efficient passer inside the 20-yard line in the game’s long history. In that way, Graham isn’t a difficult projection for the Packers; if healthy, he’s a good bet for double-digit touchdowns. 
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Resilient Panthers host Habs

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When NHL teams trail entering the third period, their chances of earning points by the end of the game are slim.

But the Florida Panthers are more resilient that most. They are 6-20-4 when trailing after two periods, and those 16 points in that situation leads the league, tied with the New Jersey Devils.

The Panthers trailed by two goals three times in their most recent game and still came up with a point, losing 5-4 in overtime Tuesday night at the Eastern Conference-leading Tampa Bay Lightning.

On Thursday night at the BB&T Center, the Panthers (32-25-7) will play host to the Montreal Canadiens (25-30-11).

“We’re determined to finish the year strong. We’re going to learn from this experience and get better. We’re going to compete.”

To make matters worse, the Canadiens are without star goalie Carey Price, who suffered a concussion on Feb. 20. His return is not expected to be imminent, although he is progressing.

Montreal could certainly use Price, especially with Florida’s top line that includes All-Star center Aleksander Barkov, red-hot Bjugstad and Evgenii Dadonov. In fact, Barkov has points in seven straight games, including five goals and seven assists during that span.

Florida’s second line is also dangerous with 2017 All-Star Vincent Trocheck at center and Jonathan Huberdeau as his main winger.

The Panthers have 16 power-play goals in their past 16 games, converting 28.1 percent with the man advantage during that stretch.

Florida also puts up plenty of shots, in all situations, including 49 against Tampa Bay. It was the 17th time this season the Panthers had shot the puck more than 40 times in a game.

“We have a resilient group,” Boughner said. “We are finding ways to win or at least pick up points.”

Krug and Jake DeBrusk scored 15 seconds apart in the opening minute of the game. But the Red Wings tied it, getting a power play goal from Frans Nielsen 84 seconds later and a goal from Mike Green about five minutes after that.packers_159

Goodell’s proclamation followed Bennett’s claim that he was racially profiled by Las Vegas police after late August’s Floyd Mayweather-Conor McGregor fight.

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Saints: The Saints were busy early and productive, landing Ohio State CB Marshon Lattimore, rated by some as the best corner in the draft, at No. 11, and Wisconsin OT Ryan Ramczyk at 32. Both players have injury concerns. Lattimore has a history of hamstring injuries and Ramczyk is coming off postseason hip surgery, which might limit him into training camp and beyond.

Then there was this one, in early September, about Seattle defensive tackle and recidivist pain-in-the-arse Michael Bennett:

“Michael Bennett represents the best of the NFL — a leader on his team and in his community.”

As attendees filed out through a casino, chaos erupted. Toppled stanchions mimicked the sound of gunshots.

Responding to what was reported as an “active shooter,” two police officers logically stopped a man seen running from the scene and into traffic — Michael Bennett. He was stopped at gunpoint, handcuffed, detained, questioned, released.

But Bennett claimed he was stopped “for doing nothing more than being a black man in the wrong place.”

When your secondary is one of your team’s biggest issues, putting them in a tough spot on the opening series of the season seems like a horrible idea. Mularkey’s decision didn’t necessarily cost Tennessee the game, but it put them in an early hole in a game where Tennessee never had the lead.

Four days before the Ravens played the Bengals, Baltimore safety Eric Weddle perfectly described his team’s gameplan for winning, “Play great on defense, play unbelievable special teams, and play solid on offense — that’s going to be the secret for us to win,” Weddle said.

But because TV execs and game producers rarely examine what they present us as a matter of habit and misguided ingenuity, we’ll continue to suffer from the ZTDs.

By the way, if points scored off of turnovers are so statistically noteworthy, why are points not scored after turnovers unimportant?nike-youth-cardinals-113

Since Cyrus Jones entered the league as a second-round pick of the Patriots in 2016, he hasn’t done much as a member of the secondary.

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He has, however, been an important special teams player. Last year, he returned 11 punts for 46 yards and eight kickoffs for 180 yards.

He left Thursday’s game with what appeared to be a serious knee injury. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the Patriots fear Jones will miss the entire season.

“Our players have shown a tremendous commitment to raising awareness for important societal issues by using their platform in a positive way,’’ Ellis stated. “In addition to their hard work off the field, we have great admiration for their dedication to making our team the absolute best it can be. They’ve made incredible sacrifices to reach this level, and we recognize they give their all to our team and our fans each and every day.

He continued: “As an organization, we could not be more proud, appreciative and grateful for our players. We’ll continue to support them and work together to advocate for values of respect, diversity and inclusion.”

Coach Jim Caldwell probably deserves to stay. The Lions reached the playoffs last season and still could go 9-7 this season. But the lack of clarity on that issue to this point could be telling.

The Titans’ playoff “push” has been an embarrassment. They still can reach the postseason with a triumph Sunday at home over the Jaguars, who are locked into the AFC’s No. 3 seed and have nothing at stake. But the Titans look like a complete playoff non-factor, and their late-season spiral feels like a step backward for their once-promising development even if they sneak in.

Other NFL teams think the Packers should be forced to release Aaron Rodgers? Great. They can think that all they want. It’s not going to happen. Even so, the Packers got a little too cute by placing Rodgers on IR. It wasn’t necessary. Shutting him down for the remainder of the season was fine. That was the right move. But he didn’t need to be placed on IR. Did the Packers really need to free up that roster spot so badly for two meaningless games? Did anyone tell them that there’s a game-day inactive list?
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