Category Archives: Oakland Raiders

Oakland Raiders

Harden scores 30, Rockets even series at 2 games apiece

Oakland Raiders

Chris Paul pounded the ball down demonstratively on Stephen Curry’s home court in sheer delight.

And maybe he sent a little message: These Rockets are for real and very much remain in the championship chase.

“A whole lot of treatment,” Paul said. “It’s as good as it’s going to be right now.”

Curry couldn’t get off a final attempt before the buzzer.

Game 5 is Thursday night at Houston. Golden State, which went a record 16-1 on the way to last year’s title, will play its longest playoff round after closing out its first two series in five games.

As you’d imagine, Pugh isn’t happy with any label that suggests he’s a bad risk because he’s injury prone. During an appearance on Arizona Sports 98.7, Pugh said people are “not doing their diligence” if they label him that way and explained what led to the back injury that kept him out of the lineup for the Giants’ final eight games last year.

“We were struggling up front and they moved me to a position I hadn’t played in two years,” Pugh said. “I’m out there playing right tackle and then they were like, ‘we need you to play left guard’ and then next week it’s back to right tackle. That’s not good for your body. You can’t get used to it that fast and there was some anxiety because I hadn’t played the position in two years, going to right tackle. … I just put one on the back for the team, no pun intended, and it ended up not helping me too much. It would have been a totally different story this past year if I wasn’t in that situation.”
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Blake Bortles reportedly stops high schooler who allegedly tried to steal his truck

Oakland Raiders

Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles ‘ quiet offseason took an unexpected turn on Wednesday night when an 18-year-old high school student allegedly tried to steal his pickup truck, according News4Jax.com. Citing a police report from the Jacksonville Beach Police Department, News4Jax reported that surveillance cameras caught Joseph Horton going through Bortles’ Ford F-150, which was unlocked with the keys inside and was parked outside a house party. Horton grabbed Bortles’ wallet, but the wallet was later found on the ground. When Horton tried to drive away, he realized he couldn’t get out because other cars were blocking the exit.

Even still, the Jaguars have refused to bring in a challenger, choosing to not pursue Kirk Cousins this offseason, like many thought/hoped they would. Though they traded for Cody Kessler, who comes from Cleveland, and drafted a quarterback, Tanner Lee, in sixth round, neither of those guys are regarded as anything more than backups. Bortles has, at least, flashed some signs of progress — most notably during the Jaguars’ final two playoff games.

There is no question in their mind that he will open training camp throwing the football, Casserly added. Right now, they’re being conservative. He’s throwing a weighted ball. That’s where they are right now, but he’s going to start training camp. They’re totally confident in that.

Luck is healthy enough to participate in offseason practices, but he’s learned the importance of adhering to a strict schedule after missing the entire 2017 season due to the shoulder injury.

It’s been evident for some time, however, that the Colts are counting on the face of the franchise to be fully healthy and capable of withstanding the pounding once the season starts.

Sitting down with Around The NFL Podcast at the Annual League Meeting in late March, new coach Frank Reich was so confident that Luck would ready to go that he expressed hope the teams selecting ahead of Indianapolis would target quarterbacks with the first five picks in last month’s draft.
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The 10 lowest Washington Capitals moments in their playoff rivalry with the Pittsburgh Penguins

Oakland Raiders,

The 1991-92 Penguins were recently voted the second-best team in NHL history during the league’s centennial celebration. Oh, how the narrative could have shifted if the Capitals had won their first-round series against that loaded team. Washington led 3-1 heading into Game 5, but the Penguins rallied with three wins, including this Game 7 victory on the Capitals’ home ice.

A loss so devastating it’s remarkable that it didn’t inspire Capitals fans to take up another hobby, en masse. It was April 24, 1996, in Game 4 of the Eastern Conference quarterfinals. The Capitals had a 2-1 series lead, and oh did things look good in Landover, Maryland. Washington took a 2-0 lead in the game. Mario Lemieux was ejected at the end of the second period for instigating a fight, with the Caps up 2-1. Nedved tied it in the third period. He would end it hours later at 2:22 a.m., in the fourth overtime, after 79 minutes and 16 seconds of extra hockey, in the longest game in the NHL since 1936.

The Penguins would win the next two games and take the series. “The Capitals always seem to suffer the improbable, the preposterous in the playoffs,” wrote William Gildea in the Washington Post, in what must have felt like a lament 22 years ago rather than a prophecy.

However, liking Jackson and actually drafting him in the first round are two different things. As of last week, multiple teams were still weighing whether he would be considered for their first-round pick. I predict the Saints will end up being the team that drafts him, whether they move up to the top 14 or stay put at No. 27.

The Seahawks and Patriots quietly have been two of the most active teams in evaluating quarterbacks for this draft. Both could be bold and consider Jackson. Both could wait until Round 2 for Kyle Lauletta or a different early round prospect. Both could double up on passers in this draft. The overall plan for each team is unclear, but both are likely to be active in the draft’s QB market.

The most quarterbacks ever drafted within the first three rounds was seven in 2006. I think we’ll hit seven by the end of round two this year, with Darnold, Allen, Mayfield, Rosen, Jackson, Lauletta and Mason Rudolph getting selected. Then it’ll take Mike White of Western Kentucky, Luke Falk of Washington State or Kurt Benkert in Round 3 to break the record.
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Nike signs Shaquem Griffin to major endorsement deal

Oakland Raiders

Former UCF linebacker Shaquem Griffin signed his first major endorsement deal on Friday.

Griffin, who is on the cusp of becoming the first player with one hand to be drafted by an NFL team, signed a deal with Nike.

Griffin also signed draft deals with Bose, JCPenney and Eleven James, and did a Twitter Q&A sponsored by American Family Insurance.

The Last Two Minute Report also noted a missed call that benefited the Pacers, saying the referees erred when they gave the ball to Indiana with 27.6 seconds left. On the play, the Pacers’ Thaddeus Young deflected the ball away from James and it landed out of bounds, but the refs failed to blow the whistle. The ball then bounced off James’ arm and landed out of bounds again, with refs whistling the play dead this time and giving the ball to the Pacers.

James, who had 44 points and finished two assists shy of a triple-double, smiled when asked about his final defensive play.

“I definitely thought it was a goaltend,” James said with a laugh. “Of course I didn’t think it was a goaltend. I try to make plays like that all the time, and I mean he made a heck of a move, got me leaning right and he went left and I just tried to use my recovery speed and get back up there and make a play on the ball. And I was able to make a play.”

Thames hurt the thumb fielding a grounder in the eighth inning, but really felt the pain when he caught a dropped third strike from his catcher and the pain was intense. He headed to the dugout and told Brewers manager Craig Counsell, “I’m done.”

Jesus Aguilar, who is hitting .429 with a homer and five RBIs, replaced him for the ninth inning, and he got the start Wednesday night. Ryan Braun could also see some time at first base.

Milwaukee general manager David Stearns said the team still expects to have Thames back in the fold for a “significant” portion of the 2018 campaign.

Yadier Molina (twice), Mike Trout, Bryce Harper and Dustin Pedroia have all torn a UCL in the thumb over the past few seasons.

Rays: 3B Matt Duffy (right hamstring strain) played seven innings for Single-A Charlotte and went 2 for 3 with an RBI. … RHP Nathan Eovaldi (elbow) threw 37 pitches off a mound. He could potentially throw a bullpen Saturday and then a live batting practice before going on a rehab assignment.

Orioles: 3B Tim Beckham underwent surgery for his injured groin and is expected to be out at least six weeks. … DH Mark Trumbo (quad strain) will play rehab games for Triple-A Norfolk on Friday and Saturday. He could be activated from the DL on Tuesday.dolphins_075

NFL revenge games 2018: 49ers CB Richard Sherman’s reunion with Seahawks tops slate

Oakland Raiders

When a long-tenured NFL player moves from one team to another, things can get “very personal,” as former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant recently said after his release. 

Whether the move comes via trade or on the free agent market, bad blood can linger on both sides. But there’s always the opportunity to settle the score on the field.

With the NFL’s regular-season schedule released Thursday, here are the top player revenge games on the slate:

Amendola made some waves when he said he had grown weary of the hardball tactics inherent to the Patriot Way, and that Belichick could be an “(expletive) sometimes.” The intradivisional jump adds to the intrigue, though Amendola will have to prove that he’s more than a product of Tom Brady and New England’s system after his standout run in the postseason.

“Well, let me say this. I miss being in that room with him. It’s fun,” Ballard said. “I mean, looking at his press conferences, they are very entertaining. And I’ll say this: He’ll take everybody’s advice… and how they see the player, and he’ll build a consensus and then he’ll pick who he thinks the best players for the Browns will be. And he won’t share that with anybody. On draft day, I think that in his mind he knows what he wants, but he’s going to let everybody have their say and make the best decision…

“It’s collective because he’s listening to everyone in the room and then making a decision. But John keeps things close to the vest. That’s what makes him really good. Look, he’s got a lot of track record of success with picking good players, and he’ll pick the right guys with the Browns.”

“Saying that, we will be open to moving back if we think it is the right thing for us to do and there’s enough players on the board — depending on how far we have to move back — that we feel comfortable taking.”
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Beckham had his infamous boat trip to Miami before the Giants’ 2017 playoff dud, and the Dolphins could use his talent.

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The genius is at work.

“It doesn’t seem like the Patriots’ way to accumulate all this draft capital and turn around and give it up for a wide receiver who is going to command $18 [million] to $20 million [next season]. It would surprise me a little bit,” Schefter said on “Get Up!”

The more likely possibility that has been floated is the Patriots using some combination of those four picks, which are Nos. 23, 31, 43 and 63, to move up in the first round and potentially draft Tom Brady’s successor. That could mean trying to crack the top 5 and grab one of the big names — Josh Allen, Josh Rosen, Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield — or moving up a few spots to take Lamar Jackson, as CBS Sports suggests.

The 43rd pick is the one New England got from San Francisco for Jimmy Garoppolo in a deal that looks one-sided after Garoppolo shined for the 49ers at the end of last season. Using that pick to find Garoppolo’s replacement could help make up for one of Belichick’s rare blunders.

Belichick can stand pat and help fill the gaps on the offensive line and defense — one that was exposed by the Eagles in the Super Bowl — but the Patriots have been frequently active in the draft. With all those picks, it’s hard to imagine that strategy changing.

Miami Dolphins: Their leading receiver the last three years, Jarvis Landry, is gone — though Landry, Beckham’s teammate at LSU, is now petitioning him through Twitter for a reunion on the Browns. Ryan Tannehill is expected to be back under center and healthy again this season, and having Beckham as a weapon can make any QB look good.

San Francisco 49ers: General manager John Lynch made a splash by trading for Jimmy Garoppolo last season and then signing him to a five-year, $137.5 million contract. How about a new toy to pair him with for the future? The 49ers have had three different leading receivers in the last three years, and Beckham would immediately stop that revolving door. They also have an estimated $46.5 million in cap space remaining for 2018, according to Spotrac, the third-highest number in the league.

New Orleans Saints: A homecoming, perhaps? Beckham hails from New Orleans — his high school was a 14-minute drive from the Superdome — and played his college ball at LSU. The Saints have had some productive receivers in recent years, and with Drew Brees looking to get back to a Super Bowl before he retires, having a guy like Beckham on his side would certainly help.jets_134

Dolphins trading for 49ers center Daniel Kilgore

Oakland Raiders

The Dolphins moved quickly to replace Mike Pouncey.

According to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, the Dolphins are trading for 49ers center Daniel Kilgore in a deal involving a swap of seventh-round picks.

That augmentation comes from giving players (and coaches, executives, and officials) an opportunity to develop at a lower level.

The Bengals seem to do this every year: nab a solid running back and stash him on the practice squad case of emergency.Stopped by Cam Talbot with a rebound.Additionally, Smith Playground’s recreation center, which is currently undergoing construction, is set to receive new turf football and baseball fields, a fitness trail and a Green Stormwater Infrastructure.Both Ramo and the Oilers’ Scrivens are NHL-caliber goalies, players who have shown recent years that they’re very capable a backup role, capable that ‘s two NHL teams have invested significant money them and given them each chances to take on the No.Duke players began to celebrate at mid-field after the kick was deemed no-good, while Oakes and company stomped about confusion.

Per Andrew Groover of NFL Media, the Browns had eight employees on hand, the largest contingent from any team.

Whiteside had a double-double after the first 9, and posted the first 30 game of his career even while sitting out the fourth quarter.He’s just 25 years old.He spent last the Football League, before catching the Saints’ eye at Tulane’s Pro Day last month.

Davis entered the league as an undrafted free agent with the Saints in 2014, but was released in November of that year and signed with the Broncos a short time later. He ed in six games that year and has been a regular in the lineup over the last three seasons.

The same can’t be said for. It’s great to have that goal differential, but it doesn’t add points. Appearances overseas keep the group’s schedule full as well.BuildZoom combines license information on 3 million contractors with 110 million building permits, and over 80 reviews from property owners.A: It was very entertaining.

Given the choice between a quiet replacement-level pitcher and a replacement-level pitcher who draws attention to his dissatisfaction about a day of AIDS awareness, I know which one offer the minor-league contract to.granadafan says: Dec 21 6 PM I’t know Terrelle Pryor at all and defer to the opinions of those who played with him, associated with him, were the locker room with him.Services be private.great ball skills.perform, and where he would also work the hatcheck girls for gossip.

“As much as it was a great honor to be the voice of Monday Night Football — and you guys know me well enough, and certainly a lot of my friends and family do — it wasn’t a tremendous amount of fun the last two years,” McDonough said.49ers_128

Logan and Butler were teammates in New England for three seasons before he signed with the Titans last offseason.

Oakland Raiders

In the end, the Colts never received an offer from any other club, despite several calls from interested teams, according to a league source. After several days of wrangling with the Jets, the Colts pounced when the offer was made.

Malcolm Butler’s time with the New England Patriots ended on a down note, but he was still counted among the top two available cornerbacks in free agency, alongside Trumaine Johnson. Butler is an ideal fit for Vrabel’s secondary alongside Logan Ryan and Adoree Jackson.

The previous experience should benefit Tennessee’s defense this fall.

And don’t rule out the possibility of the Colts trading down even further, as Ballard may elect to continue casting a wider net and taking more shots at the draft board.

That appears to be a less likely scenario, however.

“We’ll still be open if the right opportunity presents itself at 6 to move down, but right now we feel pretty good,” Ballard said. “It would have to be a pretty attractive offer for us to move away from 6 because of the player we think we’re going to get.”

When asked if he’s ever blacked out before, he said no.

After these clips aired, Christopher Darden, one of Simpson’s prosecutors from his criminal trial, said plainly on the program, “I think he’s confessed to murder.”

UPDATE: While Darden certainly believes Simpson provided a confession, the former NFL back wanted to make it clear that’s not what happened. He spoke with Buffalo News, in an article published Friday, about the Fox special and provided some additional context on what happened.

“Listen, if I confessed 12 years ago, you would have heard about it 12 years ago,” Simpson said.

He also commented at large about his life recently being played out on television. From ESPN’s documentary “O.J.: Made in America,” to the FX miniseries “The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story,” Simpson says he doesn’t pay attention to any of it.
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LeBron James was against trading Kyrie Irving, report says

Oakland Raiders

LeBron James did not want the Cavaliers to trade Kyrie Irving after the former Cleveland guard infamously asked to be moved last summer.

According to ESPN, James was firmly against trading Irving after the report came out saying the young guard and his agent had asked team owner Dan Gilbert for a trade in a closed-door meeting.

It’s easy to look at the success the Celtics are having and say the trade should never have been made, and maybe that’s the right way to view it.

“We’re going to have to match their competitiveness, number one, and that’s a big key for tomorrow.”

Don’t tell Jason Pominville and the Buffalo Sabres they have nothing to play for.

For a team all but mathematically out of playoff contention, the Sabres continued making a dent in in the Eastern Conference playoff race with a 5-3 win against their cross-border and Atlantic Division rival Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday.

“It’s an easy game to get prepared for,” said Pominville, one of four Sabres to score a goal and assist. “You know it’s going to be a great atmosphere in our building with the fans they get.”

The Sabres silenced the large contingent of “Go, Leafs, Go!”-chanting fans by building a 2-0 lead within the first four minutes. And after the Maple Leafs tied the game, Buffalo responded by scoring three times and sealed the victory on Johan Larsson’s goal midway through the third period.

Greg Wyshynski and Emily Kaplan take a deep dive into the NHL postseason bubble and cover Alex Ovechkin’s chase for 600 goals. They also welcome former Penguins and Sabres coach Dan Bylsma of the NHL Network to talk hockey analytics, as well as Kings broadcaster Patrick O’Neal of Fox Sports Los Angeles. Listen ?

When Crosby struggled on faceoffs, he taught himself how to master them. Same thing with his shot quality. On the bench during games, Crosby will break down his own shifts to see how to improve them.
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Super Bowl squares template: A quick playing guide for Patriots vs. Eagles

Oakland Raiders

Many people like betting on the Super Bowl, but dealing with Vegas or online sports books can be a hassle. That’s where Super Bowl squares comes in, a relatively simple betting game that can be played at any house party.

Congratulations to the Eagles on their Super Bowl win and to the Patriots for a hard-fought season.

Wade had one last shot for the win with Holiday defending him closely. It bounced off the rim to Josh Richardson, whose rushed put-back missed the basket as time expired in Miami’s third straight loss.

“It is a little bit frustrating and a little bit sad when you lose a game like that, but we still have enough energy and we need to battle until the end,” Dragic said. “We feel like we played a good game, especially on the road.”

Holiday finished with 29 points and nine assists, connecting with Davis on several alley-oop dunks. Ian Clark scored a season-high 21 points and Nikola Mirotic capped his 10-point, nine-rebound performance with a crucial 3 in overtime.

The other side of the counter agrees. “Even though you know something might be up, it’s not easy booking,” Miller said.

Most oddsmakers and bettors claim to be well-equipped for this comical sideshow. But the NBA has a knack for finding new ways to surprise us. After all, no one anticipated a 30-point steam to the under on the NBA All-Star Game, yet the offshore betting market just witnessed that (accurate) move. More history could be on deck.

“The idea that they were moving some of those defensive ends — Graham and Curry, and some of those guys — down inside, because if you’re any sort of football historian at all you know that the Giants were able to beat the Patriots with that NASCAR package, right? And bring in Tuck and those guys down inside and getting pressure on the interior part of it.” NBC announcer and analyst Cris Collinsworth says. “There’s not even a doubt in my that the Eagles are going to try and do much of the same thing.”

The Patriots’ comebacks against the Jaguars two weeks ago and the Falcons last year came on like cold symptoms. Neither team seemed to want to acknowledge that what was happening was actually happening.

The Jaguars ran the ball on first down over and over, only to keep giving the ball back quickly.49ers_078