Monthly Archives: July 2018

S Damarious Randall, Cleveland Browns

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Not every player is afforded the luxury of playing the position for which he’s best suited. Take Damarious Randall, for instance, who spent the past three seasons playing cornerback after the Green Bay Packers chose him with a first-round pick in 2015.

Randall played safety for the Arizona State Sun Devils, but his lack of size (5’11”, 196 pounds) and previous cornerback experience made him an intriguing option to change positions. However, he was never fully invested in the switch.  nfl nike jerseys cheap china

During an interview on SiriusXM NFL Radio (via Dawgs by Nature’s Chris Pokorny), Randall said he didn’t enjoy watching tape as a cornerback, as he had to focus exclusively on wide receivers. Instead, he said he “likes to see the whole play.”nike jerseys nfl cheap

In March, the Packers traded Randall to the Cleveland Browns, who have already moved him to free safety.

Randall’s sideline-to-sideline speed and ball skills will allow Jabrill Peppers to move to strong safety. That will give defensive coordinator Gregg Williams a highly athletic duo to utilize in numerous different looks.  cheap nike nfl jerseys from china

CB Eli Apple, New York Giants

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Eli Apple floundered under the direction of former New York Giants head coach Ben McAdoo after the team selected him 10th overall in 2016. His career with the organization appeared to be over after a suspension for conduct detrimental to the team ended his 2017 campaign.

A new staff brings a different approach.nike nfl jerseys wholesale cheap

“You hear things,” new Giants head coach Pat Shurmur said in May, per Newsday’s Tom Rock, “but I’m sure glad that I truly believe in a clean slate. He’s been nothing but professional, he’s been out here competing, he’s one of the guys that has been nike cheap nfl jerseys here almost every single day and I haven’t seen anything that somebody might have thought I heard. He’s been great.”

While Apple’s maturity has been brought into question, his natural ability hasn’t. At 6’1″ and 201 pounds, the 22-year-old defensive back is fluid in coverage and has the size to handle bigger receivers.

“In terms of his stature, his skill set, yeah, nike nfl cheap jerseys he’s what you’re looking for,” Shurmur added.

Apple came into the league at 20 years old and seemed to be overwhelmed by the transition. Now heading into his third season with a more understanding staff, his play could help overhaul his reputation.

World Cup 100: Ranking the Top Players in Russia After the Final

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The 2018 World Cup is now in the books. France won a thrilling final against Croatia on Sunday, lifting the trophy for the first time since 1998.

It’s time to update our World Cup 100—a position-by-position ranking of the top-performing players in Russia—for the last time. With every match played, every performance delivered, it’s time to make a definitive judgement.

We’ve watched every game, rated every player and constructed a top 10 or 20 for each spot and crowned the kings of each. Bear in mind that only performances at the World Cup were considered for these rankings. Reputations count for nothing. nfl youth jerseys

In terms of categorising player positions, we’ve introduced the following rule:

If someone played multiple positions, he is placed in the one he played the most minutes in.
If he played the same number of minutes in two separate positions, he is placed in the one he played in most recently.

Because of team eliminations and rotating lineups, some players appeared in more matches than others. In such instances, those who kept consistently higher performances over a larger number of games were rewarded with a higher rank. nfl youth jerseys cheap

Thibaut Courtois rounded off a brilliant campaign with a clean sheet in the third-placed playoff. His excellence wasn’t given that much airtime over the course of the tournament—presumably because he didn’t go through a penalty shootout—but he made excellent saves every step of the way, becoming a genuine factor in his nation’s run.

He’s a deserved winner of the Golden Glove.cheap nfl youth jerseys

The only goalkeepers that were left with a chance of challenging Courtois for the award were Hugo Lloris, who made a horrendous error in the final, and Danijel Subasic, who conceded more goals (four) than shots saved (three) in the final.nfl youth jersey

Biggest rise: Thibaut Courtois (+1)

Biggest fall: Hugo Lloris (-3)

15-11: Japan, Portugal, Denmark, Spain, Switzerland

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15. Japan

Japan became many supporters’ second team. They played good, fast, technical football with smiles on their faces, and Takashi Inui and Gaku Shibasaki stood out in midfield for all the right reasons.

They almost pulled off what would have been one of the shocks of the tournament but surrendered a two-goal lead to Belgium. Considering the cloudy circumstances that accompanied their arrival in Russia (they sacked their manager in April), you can’t sniff at what the Samurai Blue achieved.

14. Portugal

From a team-wide perspective, Portugal’s performances weren’t good. Cristiano Ronaldo dragged them through the thriller with Spain, and in the next three games only William Carvalho and Pepe impressed regularly.nike jersey nfl cheap

An inability to construct passing moves and poor form from the likes of Raphael Guerreiro and Bernardo Silva contributed to a round-of-16 exit.

13. Denmark

For Denmark to progress any further than they did—the round of 16—they needed Christian Eriksen to have a world-class game in every game. A solid defence can only get you so far if your offensive output is lacking; they only scored three goals in four games, not one of them coming from a striker.cheap youth nfl jerseys

12. Spain

Those suggesting Julen Lopetegui’s departure the day before the tournament began would not impact Spain, that they were simply a self-aware, footballing machine, were proved wrong. Stand-in coach Fernando Hierro looked lost on the touchline as his side passed itself to death then lost on penalties to Russia.youth nfl jerseys cheap

11. Switzerland

Switzerland emerged as a side who had the mettle and the qualities to upset good sides, but when tasked with playing against teams they were supposed to beat, to dominate, they came up short.

Their elimination at the hands of Sweden came as a surprise to many, but they displayed their limitations in possession and in attack.youth nfl jerseys

Pacman Jones Opposed to Kneeling During Anthem: ‘Find Another Way to Protest’

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Longtime NFL cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones said players who want to kneel during the United States national anthem should “figure out another way” to protest racial injustice because social issues “don’t have nothing to do with the national anthem.”

On Saturday, TMZ Sports provided Jones’ comments about the hot-button topic. In May, the NFL announced new guidelines forcing players to either stand for the anthem or remain in the locker room until “The Star-Spangled Banner” is complete.new nike nfl jerseys cheap

“I’m all for standing for the anthem,” Jones said. “… I have a couple of family members that have been over to Iraq.”

The NFL Players Association filed a non-injury grievance against the league Tuesday regarding the new anthem guidelines. The union argues the policy is “inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement and infringes on player rights.”

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick started the movement in August 2016.buy nike nfl jerseys cheap

“I am not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses black people and people of color,” he told NFL Media at the time. “To me, this is bigger than football, and it would be selfish on my part to look the other way. There are bodies in the street and people getting paid leave and getting away with murder.”

Many athletes, both in the NFL and around the sports world, followed his lead.cheap nfl nike jerseys china

Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the Niners in March 2017 and has remained a free agent ever since. He’s involved in an ongoing collusion grievance against the NFL, alleging he’s been kept out of the league for non-football reasons.

The anthem issue has frequently drawn the attention of U.S. President Donald Trump, who suggested in September that owners should fire players who don’t stand, per Sophie Tatum of CNN.

“For a week, (that owner would) be the most popular person in this country,” he said. “Because that’s a total disrespect of our heritage. That’s a total disrespect for everything we stand for.”nfl nike jersey cheap

In October, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told reporters the league and its owners “believe everyone should stand for the national anthem.”

LeSean McCoy’s Ex-Girlfriend Delicia Cordon Uncertain RB Was Involved in Attack

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An attorney for Delicia Cordon, a former girlfriend of Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy who was injured during a home invasion early Tuesday morning, said her client isn’t sure whether the NFL player was involved in planning the attack.

On Friday, lawyer Tanya Mitchell Graham told CBS News that Cordon, who alleged McCoy “set me up” on the initial 911 call, is “no longer certain” about his participation in the assault and is making plans to move out of the residence he owns.nike nfl jerseys for cheap

Police were called to the Georgia home three times over the past year after McCoy told officers he wanted “high-end jewelry items” from Cordon he’d received on loan from jewelers, per CBS News. He also said he feared she might “make false accusations about him.”

Cordon stated on the 911 call that the intruder removed her diamond bracelet and demanded other jewelry.

After graphic photos were posted on social media that alleged McCoy’s involvement in the crime, as well as accusations of animal and child abuse and the use of steroids, the Bills running back posted a statement on social media.nfl jerseys nike cheap

“For the record, the totally baseless and offensive claims made against me are completely false,” McCoy wrote on Twitter. “Furthermore, I have not had any direct contact with any of the people involved in months.”cheap nike nfl jerseys china

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk noted the Bills and the NFL are both looking into the matter.

So far, nobody has been arrested or criminally charged in connection with the case.

Garrett Richards Reportedly Opting to Have Tommy John Surgery, Out for Season

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Los Angeles Angels pitcher Garrett Richards has opted to undergo Tommy John surgery after an MRI on Wednesday revealed damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow, according to MLB.com’s Maria Guardado.cheap nfl nike jerseys free shipping

He will miss the rest of the 2018 season and is aiming to return in 2020, per The Athetlic’s Fabian Ardaya.

Richards had to leave Tuesday’s start against the Seattle Mariners after just 2.2 innings because of forearm irritation, having allowed three runs on four hits. The team announced on Wednesday that the right-hander was presented with both conservative care and surgery as options but that no decision had been made as to which route would be pursued.

That decision has apparently been made one day later.cheap nike jerseys nfl

The 30-year-old was enjoying another nice season. In 16 starts, he had posted a 3.66 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP while striking out 87 in 76.1 innings. He was holding hitters to a .222 average.

Injuries have taken their toll on Richards in recent seasons. He was limited to just six starts in each of the past two years, as he dealt with a partially torn UCL in his right elbow in 2016 as well as nerve irritation in his right biceps in 2017.

“I’m very disappointed for him,” Angels general manager Billy Eppler told Guardado. “Disappointed for the rest of the players in that locker room too that have wanted to see him be our ace, which he’s shown at times but hasn’t been able to show as much as he’s wanted to and as much as we would take.

“I feel bad for him. I went and sat with him for a few innings last night just to be somebody there to talk to him. But yeah, this is a cross to bear. I know Garrett. I know Garrett’s outlook, and I know the drive within him, so he’ll get through it.”cheap nfl jerseys from china nike

Richards will be a free agent after the season.

This is just the latest blow to a Los Angeles squad that has been decimated by injuries, especially the pitching staff. As Guardado notes, Richards is the sixth Angels pitcher to suffer a UCL injury this season, joining JC Ramirez, Blake Wood, Keynan Middleton, Shohei Ohtani and John Lamb. Ohtani is the only one who has not required Tommy John surgery (at least not yet), but he is limited to just hitting for the time being. cheap new nike nfl jerseys

Jordan Hicks: Bud Norris ‘Has the Best Intentions for Me’ in Harsh Treatment

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St. Louis Cardinals rookie reliever Jordan Hicks shot down the notion Thursday that veteran Bud Norris is too hard on him.

In an interview with Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Hicks said the following about his teammate:cheap nike nfl jerseys from china

“He has the best intentions for me. I think he’s nudging me in the right direction. That’s the best way to put it. … It’s a collective group doing it. You have to learn 10 times faster in the big leagues. You have to adjust 10 times faster. You have to be mentally stronger than you have ever been before. You have to make all of that happen faster. I have no problem with anybody getting on me. I get that. I have to listen.

“Bud is not bad at all. He’s getting on me because he wants me to be a better player, and I know it’s to make me a better teammate. That can happen.”

Hicks’ comments came on the heels of an article by The Athletic’s Mark Saxon in which Saxon wrote that Norris “mercilessly rides” Hicks.cheap official nike nfl jerseys

As an example of the sometimes prickly relationship between Hicks and Norris, Goold wrote about an exchange they had before a recent home game.

Hicks turned the clubhouse music up a couple of times after Norris had turned it down, which led to Norris shutting it off completely and suggesting that Hicks put on some headphones.

Hicks told Goold that he didn’t take offense to it: “It’s pretty much like the music thing—I’m trying to keep track and not get confused. I’m a rookie. I need guys guiding me. [Norris] actually does care about me. I know that. There are times, though, when he or anyone basically says, ‘You should know better.'”nfl cheap nike jerseys

The 21-year-old Hicks has become a key part of the Cards bullpen this season despite having never pitched above A-ball previously.

In 42 appearances he has a 3-1 record with a 2.70 ERA.

Norris, 33, is the Cardinals closer, converting 17 of 19 save opportunities with a 3-2 record and 2.87 ERA.new nike nfl jerseys for sale cheap

He is in the midst of his 10th MLB season and has essentially seen and done it all. In addition to having both started and relieved, Norris has played for seven different teams.cheap wholesale nike nfl jerseys

LeSean McCoy’s Ex-Girlfriend Told Police RB ‘Set Her Up’ After Attack

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Delicia Cordon, a former girlfriend of Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy, made a statement to police alleging he “set her up” after she was attacked and injured by an intruder Tuesday morning.

On Thursday, TMZ Sports reported the latest information released by the Alpharetta Police Department in Georgia included statements from Cordon. She said the unidentified individual demanded jewelry she had received from McCoy and appeared to escape from a second-floor window using a sheet.new nike nfl jerseys for sale cheap

Cordon also told police the attacker, who was carrying a gun and wearing a mask, pistol-whipped her during the home invasion, per TMZ Sports.

No arrests have been made in the case.cheap nike nfl jerseys from china

Martin Savidge and Sal Sendik of CNN reported McCoy owns the residence where Cordon is living and he’d “initiated eviction proceedings” last month in an effort to get her removed from the property.

After graphic photos of Cordon’s injuries, accompanied by domestic violence, child and animal abuse and drug use accusations against McCoy, were posted on social media on Tuesday, the NFL player released a statement on Twitter.

“For the record, the totally baseless and offensive claims made against me are completely false.” McCoy wrote. “Furthermore, I have not had any direct contact with any of the people involved in months.”

Both Cordon and McCoy have already hired lawyers to handle the case, per CNN.nfl cheap nike jerseys

The Bills released a statement confirming they’ve been in contact with both McCoy and the league as they “continue to gather information.”

1 Move Each NFL Team Should Make Before the Regular Season Begins

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NFL teams are constantly in motion. Moves are always being made—even in the offseason.

Players are being added and jettisoned. Offensive and defensive schemes are being tweaked. Players are jockeying up and down draft charts.

In Cleveland, that’s called Tuesday morning.nike cheap nfl jerseys

Whether it’s the Browns taking a buzzsaw to a tomato can or the Philadelphia Eagles making a tweak or two to a championship roster, every team is making multiple changes this offseason.

Whether pretender or contender, every franchise, from Phoenix to Boston and all points in between, has at least one more move it should make before games start to count in September.

By all accounts, Josh Rosen has shone from the moment he set foot on the practice field for the Arizona Cardinals. While appearing on The Rich Eisen Show (via Jeremy Bergman of NFL.com), Pro Bowl corner Patrick Peterson raved about the 10th overall pick in the 2018 draft.nike nfl cheap jerseys

“I’m very impressed,” Peterson said earlier this month. “To see [Rosen] make checks and get guys in line early, I was like, ‘Has this guy been here before?’ I was very, very impressed of his spring camp, minicamp, OTAs. He’s just been extremely sharp.”nfl nike jerseys cheap china

If this trend continues into training camp, the future is now for the Cardinals, and Rosen should be under center in Week 1.

We know who Sam Bradford is: a bridge veteran who will all but certainly get injured at some point in the season. Arizona brought him in just as a stopgap. nike jerseys nfl cheap

So far, it doesn’t appear the team needs that bridge. This isn’t to say that Rosen will take the NFL by storm as a rookie, but some young quarterbacks learn best by doing.

It worked for Carson Wentz.

Two years ago, the Atlanta Falcons were an offensive juggernaut and a Super Bowl team. Last season, they were good offensively but not great. They got bounced from the playoffs in the divisional round.

The personnel were essentially the same. But under first-year offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, the offense was both less consistent and explosive (it dropped from second in the league to eighth). Per Matthew Tabeek of the team’s website, Sarkisian is looking for a big improvement in 2018:

“I think the biggest thing for me is just overall comfort level. When I came in a year ago, it was learning the system that was in place. It was learning the players that were in place. In Year 2, I have a year in the system. Now I can make some of the tweaks that I feel like are needed for this offense to continue to grow.”

With an MVP quarterback in Matt Ryan, one of the NFL’s best receivers in Julio Jones and a two-headed monster at tailback in Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman—plus a first-round rookie wideout in Calvin Ridley—the pieces appear to be in place for a prolific, high-octane offense.

Sarkisian needs to channel his inner Kyle Shanahan and open things up. Spread the field. Attack vertically. And then use those backs and Ridley to exploit the holes that creates underneath.