chdown before leaving with a rib injury

chdown before leaving with a rib injury

18.08.2019 03:56

Trevor Knight doesnt exactly claim that divine intervention brought him to College Station, Texas, but the phrase he has used to describe his move has been a leap of faith.If Knight, who spent the past four years at Oklahoma, was going to leave Norman, it had to be for the perfect situation. Conversely, Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin needed the perfect quarterback to take over a position rocked by transfers and baggage over the past couple of years.There was Knight, searching for a new home with one last year of eligibility left. More than 350 miles away, Sumlin, his program dragging and two starting quarterbacks departing almost simultaneously, was searching for a way to get A&M back on track as his seat heats up.After a few phone calls and some help from an old friend, Sumlin found his guy, and Knight found his perfect situation.We filled a void for him ... and he filled a void for us as a guy who was not just a graduate transfer quarterback, but a guy you would actually want as a quarterback and played in big games and then brought in a maturity level, Sumlin said. Its a good fit for us.Good must turn into great, as both Sumlin and Knight need this relationship to flourish. If Knight wants a storybook ending to his college career, hell have to show a more polished, less risky side. If Sumlin wants to keep coaching the Aggies, hell need Knight to carry an offense with a new coordinator and a team that has underachieved since its meteoric rise in its 2012 SEC debut.I will say right now, its a fresh start, Knight said. Ive got more confidence than Ive ever had in my game just being in a new conference, a new place, new team, new offense and being named the starter again.* * *Texas A&M wasnt Knights first choice after graduation, even though he spent four months committed to the Aggies back in high school. The senior, who was a captain at Oklahoma, honestly considered staying with the Sooners. Even with former Heisman finalist Baker Mayfield in front of him, Knight was content sitting and helping.But ultimately, every quarterback wants to play. Knight said a handful of schools from the SEC, Pac-12 and even Big 12 reached out to him. Knight didnt need to be recruited again; he needed to make a business decision and find a situation that provided him the opportunity to play -- and play at a high level.Knight, a San Antonio, Texas, native, reached out to Sumlin shortly after the regular season ended. But with Kyler Murray and Kyle Allen on the roster, Sumlin thanked him and politely said he wasnt interested in another quarterback.As fate would have it, everything changed a couple of weeks later, when both Allen and Murray transferred within a week of each other, reopening communication between Knight and Sumlin. The two discussed A&Ms roster -- the lack of a proven quarterback and the playmakers around that position -- and scheme.Noel Mazzones up-tempo spread offense fit Knight, as did the chance to play immediately, with only former juco transfer Jake Hubenak in his way. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops, who was once Sumlins boss in Norman, gave both Sumlin and Knight his stamp of approval.The chance to play close to home and outside of the Big 12 pushed A&M to the top.All the stars just aligned perfectly to make A&M be the perfect place for me, Knight said. I felt like it was the perfect opportunity that I was running toward for my senior year.* * *While this is certainly a fresh start for both Sumlin and Knight -- who threw for 3,424 with 25 touchdowns and 19 interceptions and ran for another 853 yards with eight scores at Oklahoma -- high expectations and a healthy dose of pressure will be dumped on their backs. Talk of a lack of internal control has plagued Sumlin for the past few years, but Knight brings the maturity and leadership that A&M?has lacked at quarterback. Knight was known for his gunslinging ability -- both good and bad -- but his claim to fame is his gutty, 45-31 upset win over Alabama in the 2013 Sugar Bowl, during which his ability to extend plays helped him scorch Alabamas world-class defense for 348 passing yards and four touchdowns.Hes been in big games and hes won them, Sumlin said. You can count them on one hand the guys who have done it [beaten Alabama over the past three years]. Im not real smart, but thats a place to start.Knight and Ole Miss Chad Kelly are the only active quarterbacks with wins over Bama.But the gunslinger style that helped him best Bama also cost him later. In 2014, Oklahoma went 8-5, as Knight completed 56.6 percent of his passes with 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, including pick-sixes in losses to Clemson, Kansas State and TCU. Knight threw picks in eight games, with three multi-interception performances. A year later, Knight watched Mayfield direct the Sooners playoff run.Those mistakes, which he hopes are behind him, could cost both Knight and Sumlin. So theres been a lot of emphasis put on ball security and decision-making with Knight, who won the starting job after the spring. Since Johnny Manziel left in 2013, Aggies quarterbacks have combined to throw 64 touchdowns to 30 interceptions. Vanderbilt is the only other SEC team to throw at least 30 interceptions over the past two years (35).Sumlin seems more at ease with Knight, who is his first starting senior quarterback at A&M, but theres a sense it will be a week-to-week journey with these two.You know, the growth during your career can happen quicker if you understand where your shortcomings are, and there was no greater teacher than losing this opportunity at Oklahoma, Sumlin said.He has a better understanding of that now than maybe he had three years ago.* * *Knight insists the pressure is nothing. Its just noise that he has been used to since he started playing quarterback during kindergarten flag football in south Texas. Growing up idolizing high school Texas stars and then becoming one himself allowed Knight to face -- and dismiss -- negativity well before he stepped foot in Norman.Im harder on myself than media or any person behind a Twitter feed, Knight said with a laugh.That may be, but get ready for a firestorm at the first sign of trouble. Backup in the Big 12 is nothing like starter in the SEC.And it all becomes more intriguing with the crisscrossing connections that have come full circle for both parties -- from Sumlins five years at Oklahoma to Knights A&M commitment leading to his playing days with the Sooners, which in turn led to Knight becoming the Aggies starter.Its kinda funny how all that works, Knight said. It definitely could be fate.And whether he likes it or not, the fate of his coachs career is in his right hand. As Knight looks to reinvent himself, Sumlin is too. After bursting onto the SEC scene, Sumlins stock has fallen with consecutive 8-5 seasons and drama -- from players transferring to coaches misbehaving -- creating a black cloud over the program.Winning cures all, and Knight, who is aware of his coachs situation, isnt painting himself as a savior or getting caught up in out-of-the-huddle drama. Hes in College Station to play football, and the better he is at that, the less talk hell hear.If you start thinking about speculation and things like that, thats when you get caught up in things you cant get caught up in, Knight?said. Its a day-to-day process.If you focus on the process and not the end game or everything else thats going on, you most of the time arrive at the place you want to be at. John Wensink Jersey . PAUL, Minn. Matt Nieto Avalanche Jersey . Paul Pierce couldnt believe he missed at the end. Young scored a season-high 26 points to spark a huge effort from the leagues most productive bench, and Los Angeles beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-94 on Wednesday night after blowing a 27-point lead. http://www.hockeyavalanche.com/authentic-paul-kariya-avalanche-jersey/ .ca look back at each of the Top 10 stories of 2013. Today, we look back at Boston Strong - a citys recovery from tragedy. Ian Cole Jersey . Paul Pierce couldnt believe he missed at the end. Young scored a season-high 26 points to spark a huge effort from the leagues most productive bench, and Los Angeles beat the Brooklyn Nets 99-94 on Wednesday night after blowing a 27-point lead. Nathan MacKinnon Jersey . The Dutchmans tenure got off to a poor start when referee Guido Winkmann awarded a penalty within two minutes for Niklas Starks clumsy challenge on Alexandru Maxim. LANDOVER, Md. -- In their first real chance to play together this preseason, Kirk Cousins and the Washington Redskins offensive starters showed plenty of rust and then progress in a 21-16 victory against the Buffalo Bills on Friday night.With the Bills (1-2) resting almost their entire starting defense, Cousins overcame a rough start to finish 12 of 23 for 188 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Despite coming mostly against Buffalos second- and third-stringers, it was an important recovery for Cousins, who had thrown only five passes in the preseason and was rested last week.Were going to have slow moments or slow quarters at times, and the key is going to be to find a way to circle the wagons and regroup, said Cousins, who started 3 of 9. The body of work overall was pretty productive, but there were moments where it wasnt as good as it needs to be, and we know that.Undrafted rookie running back Robert Kelley was the brightest spot for Washington (2-1), especially given the previous injuries to Matt Jones and Chris Thompson, and that seventh-round pick Keith Marshall sprained his left elbow on his only carry of the game.I definitely got some work in today, and I think it helped me out, said Kelley, who ran for 51 yards on 12 carries. Every time I get up there I try to put myself in a better situation to make the team, take advantage of the opportunity.Bills starting quarterback Tyrod Taylor played only two series, by coach Rex Ryans design, going 2 of 5 for 11 yards before being replaced by E.J. Manuel, who was 21 of 39 for 221 yards and an interception.Ryan also opted to rest running back LeSean McCoy and several key defenders, including defensive tackle Kyle Williams, linebacker Jerry Hughes and cornerbacks Ronald Darby and Stephon Gilmore.I feel pretty good about the guys that I sat, obviously, and I dont think we can afford to get them hurt, Ryan said. Its as simple as that, and I dont care about the criticism.Redskins coach Jay Gruden took a more conventional dress-rehearsal approach to the third preseason game for the Redskins (2-1) and got the kind of performances hed like to see from top players tight end Jordan Reed, receivers DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon, left tackle Trent Williams, and cornerback Josh Norman.ddddddddddddROOKIE WATCHBills: RB Jonathan Williams ran for 42 yards on 11 carries, including a 37-yard touchdown before leaving with a rib injury. ... CB Kevon Seymour, a sixth-round pick, continued his impressive preseason with four tackles.Redskins: LB Sua Cravens was used on several key third downs with the first-team defense. ... CB Kendall Fuller broke up a pass and intercepted another in the end zone in the final minute.POSITION BATTLESBills: K Dan Carpenter was 3 of 3 on field-goal attempts, connecting from 28, 52 and 52 yards. ... WR Dez Lewis didnt help himself with a drop, while Walter Powell had five catches for 55 yards. ... TE Nick OLeary lost a fumble and quite possibly his grip on a roster spot.Redskins: Mack Brown ran for 43 yards on 11 carries in the second half. ... LG Spencer Long returned after spraining his right ankle, while Shawn Lauvao, had a false-start penalty in the red zone. ... C Kory Lichtensteiger committed three holding penalties two days after Washington acquired C Bryan Stork from the New England Patriots. ... DL Ziggy Hood had a sack and thrived in a bigger role with DE Chris Baker getting the night off.INJURY REPORTBills: TE Chris Gragg and DB Jonathan Downing suffered season-ending torn ACLs. ... QB Cardale Jones (shoulder), LT Cordy Glenn (ankle), WR Marquise Goodwin (concussion) and S Aaron Williams (concussion) didnt dress.Redskins: LB Ryan Kerrigan had a groin strain on the first series, and Gruden said hell have an MRI on Saturday, along with Marshall. ... RT Morgan Moses (sprained left ankle) is considered day to day.QUOTABLERyan on the Bills 13 penalties for 104 yards: Way too many penalties obviously. I think both teams had a million penalties.Gruden on the Redskins 10 penalties for 87 yards: We have to get those cleaned up. Its hard enough to go down the field first-and-10, second-and-10, but when you have first-and-20 and second-and-25, thats darn near impossible in the NFL.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '


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