Transcript: Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer Minnesota Vikings Hats , 13 August As we start the final week of Training Camp for the Minnesota Vikings. . .yes, as long as it took for us to get here, it’s nearly over already. . .we got another opportunity to hear from Mike Zimmer about a variety of topics. Naturally, there were plenty of questions about the offensive line, but there were several other topics that were brought up during today’s press availability as well.Below is the full transcript of the question and answer session with Zimmer today, courtesy of the folks at the Vikings’ Public Relations office.Q: What stood out to you about the two big runs Latavius Murray had?A: He’s been running well all camp. The thing I liked about it is the acceleration through the hole when he found it, and he dropped his pads when he gets contact. But he’s been doing that all camp, so he’s looked really good.Q: How do you think Rashod Hill has looked since returning from his illness early in camp?A: Rashod is doing a good job. He’s an extremely athletic guy that has been getting better and better. Sometimes later in the game his concentration leaves him a little bit, so that’s where we’ll have to extend him more plays so he gets used to doing those things. He’s done a really nice job, he’s moving well in the running game, when he sets good in the passing game he’s really hard to get around. He’s done some good things.Q: How was Tom Compton looking? Are you thinking he might settle in at the left guard spot?A: I don’t know yet. We’re still looking and we haven’t made any decisions that way, but he played pretty well the other night, was solid. He really didn’t have any miscues in there, so we’re just going to continue to look. We still got a couple of more weeks before we go.Q: What makes Aviante Collins a good fit on the interior, particularly where he was at left guard?A: I was just sitting there one day Minnesota Vikings Womens Hoodie , and I said, “Let’s just look at him at guard and see what he can do.” Run-game wise, the footwork is similar between a guard and tackle, so that’s not a big change. But pass sets are different, things happen a lot quicker in there, but he’s a very, very athletic guy. It happens a lot quicker in there, so that’s kind of the thing we have to find out about with him. He’s got a little bit of a nasty streak, and that’s good. He’s a big guy, so I just thought let’s look at him.Q: How difficult is it to move a young player between the guard and tackle positions?A: Like this week with Aviante, when we went from tackle to guard it kind of took him a series to get back and say, “Okay, I got to do it this way now.” That will come, but it’s good for him to do those things, because on game day he could play almost anywhere.Q: When you get together with another team to practice Womens Customized Minnesota Vikings Jerseys , what are the key parameters that you establish with the other head coach?A: The biggest thing is that we want to get work done against a good team. It’s important that our guys know that we’re not going to put up with any trash talking, we’re not going to put up with any fighting. We’re not here for that, we’re here to get better. Hopefully our guys will know that, and they’ll have the same thing. Coach Marrone and I have talked about it. We’re really all about getting work done, we don’t way to get in any kind of conflicts like they apparently had in Washington. I didn’t see it, but things like that.Q: Do you have a history with Coach Marrone at all?A: Not really. Adam [Zimmer] was with him in New Orleans, and I know Tom Coughlin pretty well. They have done quite a bit, so when they called me I just expressed my concerns that I don’t want this to be a fight or anything like that, I want to go out there and try and get better.Q: Now that Jalen Ramsey and Dante Fowler are not going to travel here with Jacksonville, does that take any value out of this?A: They’re a good football team, went to the AFC Championship game last year. Whoever they bring, they bring, and whoever they don’t, they don’t. We’re just going to go out and try to improve. They’re defense is very similar to a lot of defenses that we’re going to face this year schematically, so I think that that will be good www.vikingsauthorizedshops.com , especially for our offense. They’re a downhill, power running football team, which is going to be good for our defense.Q: Is there anything you got out of the joint practices in Cincinnati in 2016 that you’d like to see happen again?A: Yeah, I got to go to the ranch for about three days, that was the number one reason. No, schematically everything was pretty similar defensively to both sides. We got a lot of good work done I thought that week. It was really, really hot and humid. I’m thinking back on it, but it’s always good when you get to go against A.J. Green. We get to go against [Leonard] Fournette this week. We’re not going to be pounding him or anything like that, but it’s good to see great players on the other side of the ball.Q: What were your impressions of the backup running backs on Saturday, such as Roc Thomas and Mike Boone?A: All three of them, including Mac Brown, had some very good runs. We missed a protection one time with one of them that got us a sacked. But they showed some explosiveness. I was actually pleased with those three guys, hopefully we can continue to work with those three and see where that leads. Q: On defense, how did you think Mike Hughes applied the techniques he’s been taught during camp?A: Mike did very well for the first time out. We were talking about some of our other corners and how their first game out was a little bit different compared to his. I thought that he played really well. He made a couple of nice tackles, the deep ball down on our sideline that he covered Minnesota Vikings Womens T-Shirt , I thought he was going to intercept it. He made a blitz one time when he was at the nickel and tackled the running back from behind. He did a lot of very good things, it was a good step in the right direction. Q: How about the special teams and in the return game?A: Yeah, you know he dropped the one ball which was not good, but he probably got what was there. We need to do better on special teams overall then we did the other night. That was not good enough so we are going to put a big emphasis on that now.Q: What does Jaleel Johnson’s position flexibility allow you to do as you try to build the depth of the interior defensive line? A: The biggest thing is on game day we can possibly dress one less defensive lineman because we can move guys around. It is good for him because it is two different techniques when you are playing nose and when you are playing the three-technique. It is good for him to do both, and it allows us to see what he is doing better, is this better or is that better?Q: Is there anything you noticed when watching the film of the first offensive drive? A: What I was probably most impressed with was the way we came off the ball with our offensive line. I thought we were physical up front, I thought we came off the ball well, and we did a nice job getting to the second level with the linebackers. I have been saying this in practice, our guys have been coming off the ball [well], it looked like it does in practice. So those things were really good. I think the footwork for the most part with the offensive line when they were in there was good. There were some other things, obviously Stefon Diggs’ catch. Kirk Cousins’ one-yard touchdown pass that he threw was a heck of a throw. He was getting pressured, he got it out quick and stuck it in there. People probably don’t appreciate that kind of a play as much as the one down the sideline. That was a really good throw. Q: What was your impression of Brian O’Neill and Jalyn Holmes?A: Jalyn did some good things. What he has been working on is, especially in the running game, it is kind of a different animal, you have to bow up and get thick and used to the pounding. I thought he did that better the other night. He showed some flashes in the pass rush. I wouldn’t have given him the same grade that Pro Football Focus did though. Somebody told me what his grade was. I didn’t look at it obviously. Actually Minnesota Vikings Hats , O’Neill played pretty well. Some of the things we were working on that he had been doing previously, he did not do, which was good. In the running game he was pretty good. Getting in the second level, blocking his guys. I thought he improved this week, yes. We are now under ninety minutes from kickoff of today’s contest between the Minnesota Vikings and the Philadelphia Eagles. Both teams have released their inactive lists, so let’s see who will be sitting out of today’s contest.As always, we start with the visiting team.Minnesota VikingsDE Tashawn BowerRB Dalvin CookLB Devante DownsDE Everson GriffenCB Marcus SherelsQB Kyle SloterCB Trae WaynesRookie cornerback Mike Hughes will get his first NFL start in place of Waynes this afternoon. Latavius Murray will be the starter at running back in place of Cook, and Stephen Weatherly will continue to start at defensive end in Griffen’s absence. Rookie defensive lineman Jalyn Holmes is active today for the first time in his NFL career.And now, on to the home team.Philadelphia EaglesDE Derek BarnettOT Jordan MailataDT Haloti NgataG Matt PryorQB Nate SudfeldRB Darren SprolesG Chance WarmackNgata is a bit of a surprise, even though he was listed as “questionable” on the Eagles’ final injury report. His absence will affect the Eagles’ defensive line depth a bit. Will it be enough to get the Vikings’ run game going in any way? We shall see.There are your inactive lists, folks. The Open Thread for the first quarter will be up at approximately half past 2, Central time.

The Titans hadn’t beaten the Patriots since 2002. They didn’t just beat New England on Sunday. They dominated.With a coach who played linebacker for Bill Belichick and a number of players who played in New England Authentic LaAdrian Waddle Jersey , the Titans’ 34-10 victory surely was extra special. It ended the Patriots’ six-game winning streak and got Titans above .500 at 5-4.Darius Jennings got Tennessee off to a good start with a 58-yard return on the opening kickoff. The Titans scored a touchdown seven plays later on a 4-yard touchdown pass from Marcus Mariota to Jonnu Smith.Tennessee never trailed.Mariota completed 16 of 24 passes for 228 yards and two touchdowns. He caught a pass for 21 yards and had two rushes for 21 yards.Corey Davis had seven catches for 125 yards and a touchdown.The Titans sacked Tom Brady three times and hit him three other times and held the Patriots to 284 yards.Brady went 21-of-41 for 254 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. The Patriots pulled him in the fourth quarter with the game out of hand.Julian Edelman caught nine passes for 104 yards before leaving with an ankle injury. When the Patriots take the field next Sunday, Tom Brady will have an opportunity to do something he’s never done before. Score a touchdown in the first quarter of a Super Bowl. It may be hard to believe, but the Patriots haven’t scored a touchdown in the first quarter of any of the 8 of the Super Bowls in which Brady has played. Before last year, when Stephen Gostkowski hit a 26 yard FG Limited Shaq Mason Jersey , the Patriots had actually been shut out of all of the first quarters Brady had played in. They’ve been outscored in the Super Bowl 24-3 in the first quarter, and outscored 89-81 in the first half. Brady’s Patriots have been slow starters in all 8 previous Super Bowls, allowing the other team to score first 6 out of 8 games. This team has made their mark in the playoffs by taking early leads and controlling the pace of play. Being able to do that again next week could pay huge dividends for the Patriots against a tough Rams team. All 8 of Brady’s Super Bowls have been close, with last year the biggest margin of victory(or defeat). You could argue they could just as easily be 8-0 or 0-8. Getting off to a fast start could change that trend. We all want to watch an entertaining Super Bowl Drew Bledsoe Jersey Salute to Service , but I’d be ok with a blowout too.Frankly, after all the near heart attacks the Patriots have caused throughout the years, it would be pretty nice to be able to sit back and enjoy the game, without living and dying with each play. That’s probably just wishful thinking Authentic Malcom Brown Jersey , but if the Patriots get off to a fast start, that’s one wish that just might come true. Pat is the host of The Patriot Nation PodcastInteract with him on Twitter @plane_pats

The Los Angeles Chargers have heard plenty of jokes in the past on their kicking game. From the likes of Roberto Aguayo to Caleb Sturgis Youth Brandon Mebane Jersey , it seemed as if the one Achilles heel that was staring the Bolts in the face was their kicking game. Funny how things have a way of working out. As the Chargers looked to stay alive in the chase for the AFC West, the team called upon Micheal Badgley to play the role of hero against the Cincinnati Bengals. He did so without a complaint, or a missed opportunity either. Philip Rivers struggled the day after his birthday to get the Charger offense going. Going 19-of-29 for 220 yards and a touchdown, Rivers was forced to settle for threes instead of sixes. Keenan Allen once again was the team’s consistent option with five catches for 78 yards and a score. Austin Ekeler bounced back from a rough week in Pittsburgh to combine for 94 total yards of offense a touchdown. But the real story of the day was Badgely. Going 4-of-4 in field goals and a long of 59-yards, the 23-year-old rookie from Miami was the reason for the Chargers 10th victory.As the clock began to wind down in the second quarter, Chargers coach Anthony Lynn called a timeout. Putting faith in his young struggling kicker, Lynn sent Badgely out for the kick of his life. A long of 59 to give the Chargers a five-point lead. As the clock stayed firm at zero, the New Jersey native took a deep breath and let it fly. A perfect snap led to a perfect hold which led to a tight kick nearing the right goal post. Sliding in, the Chargers would take the lead. It was the longest in Chargers history. But it was Badgley’s final kick of the evening that would give the Bolts the dagger to put the game away. With 49 seconds on the clock, Badgely nailed a 49-yard kick give the Chargers a 26-21 lead, thus eliminating a chance for a comeback. Badgley made history in the kicking game Womens Michael Schofield Jersey , an area many have considered to be horrendous for Los Angeles this season. Not only was his 59-yard beauty the longest in team history, but his 59 points is the most by any Chargers kicker through seven career games. The Charger now have the second-best record in the entire AFC. Thanks to losses by New England, Houston, and Pittsburgh, the Bolts are just one game behind the Chiefs for the division lead. If not for an injury to Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson, Los Angeles could be the team to beat heading into January. As Thursday night rapidly approaches, the Chargers now are a win away from taking control of the AFC West. On Thursday, the Chiefs will play host to the red-hot Bolts in Arrowhead Stadium. All it takes is a game to change a story. For Badgely, it came in the form of a kick. A history-making kick. This is a great time of year to be thankful for what we have, where we have been, and what the future holds. Although the Chargers have lost their way a bit in recent years Authentic Keenan Allen Jersey , the month of December still holds such incredible promise! This advent calendar is an attempt to hearken back to these days of December joy. Each day will bring a new advent from the Bolts’ history that makes it wonderful to be a Chargers fan.Dec. 01: Kicking the Kicker Woes in 2018There’s no need to recap the challenges of the last two seasons, other than to breathe a sigh of collective relief that it is firmly, finally behind us. It hasn’t been pretty. It has been downright ugly at times, costing the Chargers a playoff berth in 2017 and, surprisingly, not putting a total damper on the first half of 2018.Since 2016, the Chargers have gone 4-8 in games decided by three points or fewer. When the kicking unit isn’t a solid lock, it puts the entire team in a scary mindset. They know that, if the game comes down to the 4th quarter, getting ‘close’ isn’t close enough.There was reason to be optimistic in 2017, as Younghoe Koo was a youtube sensation. But after some positive press prior to the season Womens Virgil Green Jersey , Koo left quite a stink with the organization that fumbled its kicking competition. This was, however, just another way of maintaining the norm between 2002-2017, as the Chargers ranked 30th out of all teams for clutch kick success. There are some really, really interesting stats at this page if you are quite the nerd and want to find out why the Patriots know they’ve won the game before the ball is kicked (#1, 89.5%), and why the Chargers (#30, 63.6%), Texans, and Panthers are conditioned to chew their fingernails.The Chargers tried to throw money at the problem in 2018, bringing in Caleb Sturgis to compete w—ohh http://www.sandiegochargersteamonline.com/kyzir-white-jersey , right, I said that I wouldn’t need to dig up our sordid past. The point of the matter is that the Chargers, on October 11, 2018 had the right idea in signing Mike Badgley. Ignoring the absolute nonsense of waiving Badgley on October 30 after a perfect game, the Chargers brought him back into the fold on November 5 and both he and the team have prospered because of it.The ‘Money Badger’ (which is an awesome nickname, btw) has been a perfect 9-9 on field goals and 16 of 17 on extra points. His kickoffs aren’t pretty, but they are improving. Most of the fans would agree that it is more desirable to get those 3-point guarantees at the cost of a few yards on kickoff (the coaches did not agree for one week, but that lesson was learned soon enough).-Jason “Merry her?I hardly KNOW her!” Michaels Custom Washington Redskins Jerseys

This Halloween weekend http://www.saintsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-ryan-ramczyk-jersey , the New Orleans Saints face one of Who Dat Nation’s most hated non-divisional opponents of the past decade, in the Minnesota Vikings.The story tells itself, from the haunting 34-point loss in the Saints’ first playoff game in January 1988, to the Joyous NFC Championship in January 2010, to the fruitless “Minneapolis Miracle” in January 2018, bad blood remains between the two fanbases.Now, the murderous stretch of the schedule becomes even more chilling, as the Saints face four of last season’s NFC playoff teams in four of the next five games.Fortunately for the Saints, three of those games will take place at home in New Orleans.Unfortunately, this week’s game isn't at home in New Orleans, but in Minneapolis, the scene of the most frightening finish from a season ago.Let’s take a look at this, and all of the matchups in the halfway point of the season, Week 8.Last week I went 10-4I told you so: Saints over Ravens (by the score of 24-23)!What do I know: Bills over Colts?***WEEK 8Thursday, October 25th - Thursday Night FootballDolphins(4-3) at Texans(4-3) Houston’s balanced attack and resurgent defense will lead them past a Miami team that Alex Anzalone Jersey , despite a winning record, can't seem to get out of its own way.Houston wins 28-27.Pick: Texans***Sunday, October 28th - Very Early GameEagles(3-4) at* Jaguars(3-4) - Wembley Stadium - London, EnglandPhilly will rebound from a gut-wrenching loss a week ago, by smashing a Jacksonville team that is falling down like London Bridge.Philadelphia wins 31-10.Pick: Eagles***Sunday, October 28th - Early GamesBroncos(3-4) at Chiefs(6-1)Thanks to their running game and KC’s dreadful defense, Denver will keep this game relatively close, but Kansas City is too good to be beat in this matchup.Kansas City wins 27-22.Pick: Chiefs***Browns(2-4-1) at Steelers(3-2-1)The last time these two teams met, the game ended in a tie.That won't happen this time around in Pittsburgh.The Steelers will get the overtime touchdown to win the game outright here at home.Pittsburgh wins 28-21.Pick: Steelers***Redskins(4-2) at Giants(1-6)Washington’s defense will grind the Giants offense to a dead halt in this one.The Giants trading away their best defenders won't help their cause here either.Washington wins 20-9.Pick: Redskins***Seahawks(3-3) at Lions(3-3)Detroit is relentlessly average at everything they do, and that’s not gonna cut it against Seattle in this one.Seattle wins 21-14.Pick: Seahawks***Buccaneers(3-3) at Bengals(4-3)Mediocre quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Andy Dalton will look fantastic against these far below mediocre defenses.Tampa wins 29-27.Pick: Buccaneers***Jets(3-4) at Bears(3-3)Mitchell Trubisky will be the next quarterback who has a huge game against this Jets team.Chicago wins 24-17.Pick: Bears***Ravens(4-3) at Panthers(4-2)Baltimore will struggle to run the ball against the Panthers defense on the road in Carolina.The Panthers will catch a few lucky breaks and take advantage of them in a very close game.Carolina wins 28-24.Pick: Panthers***Sunday, October 28th - Late GamesColts(2-5) at Raiders(1-5) Despite suffering through rough seasons, both Derek Carr and Andrew Luck will shine in this one.Luck gets the better of the Silver and Black in Oakland.Indianapolis wins 26-24.Pick: Colts***49ers(1-6) at Cardinals(1-6)Is this really necessary? Arizona wins 19-14.Pick: Cardinals***Packers(3-2-1) at Rams(7-0) All of the attention in this one will be given to Aaron Rodgers and Jared Goff, but the true star of the day will be Todd Gurley and his relentless attack on the Green Bay defense.Green Bay’s inability to run the ball against the Los Angeles defense will be their undoing.Los Angeles wins 34-21.Pick: Rams***Sunday Night FootballSaints(5-1) at Vikings(4-2-1) - Game of the WeekMuch will be made of the “Minneapolis Miracle” in the lead-up to this game, and while Saints fans will have to endure the relentless rehashing of that event, this Saints team should have all the fuel they need.They cannot find themselves trying to climb out of the type of hole they faced in both of last season’s pivotal games.Getting more help on the outside Authentic Josh LeRibeus Jersey , in the person of Eli Apple, couldn't have come at a better time, against the Vikings’ deadly passing attack, but ultimately the Saints offense will be the key to victory in this game.A Saints win here won’t change anything about that game back in January.It can’t fix anything from that moment, just like Minnesota’s win that day couldn't make up for their loss in New Orleans with a trip to Super Bowl XLIV on the line.That was the past, and this is the present, in the present the Saints are a better team than they were in January.This Saints team will secure a type of victory they couldn't complete to begin and end last season in Minnesota.This victory will go a long way in fortifying the Saints’ place as a favorite to advance to the Super Bowl this season.Saints win 29-26.Pick: Saints***Monday, October 29th - Monday Night FootballPatriots(5-2) at Bills(2-5)This is going to be a frightfully bad game, as New England will massacre Buffalo in their own house for an early Halloween trick.New England wins 35-16.Pick: Patriots***That’s how I see Week 8 playing out, let’s see if the Saints will win their sixth consecutive game, making it a Happy Halloween for us all.Leave us your picks, comments, and insight below! Justin Tucker stunned everyone with a miss.The Baltimore Ravens' two-time All-Pro kicker is so good that nobody could believe it when he sliced a game-tying extra point wide right in a 24-23 loss to the Saints last month.It was Tucker's first career miss after nailing 222 straight.Despite the shank, Tucker was voted the top player in the league at his position for the second straight year by a panel of 10 football writers for The Associated Press."With the best numbers in NFL history despite kicking in the Northeast and outdoors, is there any question Tucker tops this list?" said New York-based writer Barry Wilner.Tucker Youth Austin Carr Jersey , the most accurate kicker in league history at 90.1 percent, received 92 points in a 10-points-to-one-point system with six of 10 first-place votes.The next three were the same as last year's rankings. New England's Stephen Gostkowski, Greg Zuerlein of the Los Angeles Rams and Indianapolis' Adam Vinatieri finished in that order.Gostkowski received 79 points, including one first-place vote, and appeared on every ballot along with Tucker and Vinatieri."Gostkowski is consistent, clutch and deadly accurate," said New York-based Dennis Waszak Jr. "He replaced Adam Vinatieri in 2006 and the Patriots' kicking game never missed a beat."Zuerlein, who received 63 points, has a powerful leg and is 26 of 45 (57.7 percent) from beyond 50 yards in his career, though the Rams don't need to call him much any longer because they find the end zone quite often."'Greg the Leg' can deliver from long range with the best of them," San Francisco-based Josh Dubow said.Vinatieri set a pair of NFL records this season, surpassing Hall of Famer Morten Anderson for most points and most field goals. The GOAT turns 46 on Dec. 28 and is in his 13th season with Indianapolis after 10 years in New England, where he helped the Patriots win three Super Bowls by making game-winning kicks in the final seconds in two of the wins.Vinatieri received 55 points and a first-place vote from Simmi Buttar."Doesn't matter how old he is. He's got the most points ever in NFL history. Case closed," said Buttar, who is based in New York.Wil Lutz finished fifth Ken Crawley Jersey , one point behind Vinatieri. He is 19 of 20 on field goals for the Saints. Lutz got a pair of first-place votes."He's come through when called upon for a field goal, and he's limiting opponents in the return game by consistently sending kicks into the end zone," Nashville-based Teresa Walker said.Carolina's Graham Gano was sixth with 39 points. Kansas City's Harrison Butker was seventh with 35 points. Jason Myers of the New York Jets was eighth with 25 points. Buffalo's Stephen Hauschka came in ninth with 22 points. San Francisco's Robbie Gould edged Pittsburgh's Chris Boswell for 10th. Boswell is second behind Tucker on the all-time accuracy list at 87.7 percent.The rankings:1. Justin Tucker, Ravens2. Stephen Gostkowski, Patriots3. Greg Zuerlein, Rams4. Adam Vinatieri, Colts5. Wil Lutz, Saints6. Graham Gano, Panthers7. Harrison Butker, Chiefs8. Jason Myers, Jets9. Stephen Hauschka, Bills10. Robbie Gould, 49ers www.nflshopoutlet.com/cincinnati-bengals

Keenan Allen Posted Two of the Top Five Grades by a WR in 2017 To those on the outside of the Chargers organization/fan base Casey Hayward Jersey , Keenan Allen was starting to be viewed as a potential bust who just couldn’t seem to shake the injury bug. In fact, up until this past season, Allen had never stayed healthy through an entire 16-game season.This was a completely valid thought-process as the talented wide receiver sustained back-to-back season-ending injuries in 2015 and ‘16. It also didn’t help the receiver’s outlook when you take into account just how devastating the injuries were.During the team’s contest against the Baltimore Ravens during the 2015 season, Allen came down hard after snagging a beautiful touchdown pass in the corner of the endzone. As the team and fans celebrated, the smiles and cheers quickly turned into faces of disbelief. Allen was taken off the field and soon diagnosed with a lacerated kidney.A what now?It was, by far, the flukiest injury I have ever witnessed on the field. It was so fluky that even the ACL tear he sustained against the Chiefs to begin the 2016 season seem fairly run-of-the-mill. But still, after the absolutely horrendous stretch of bad luck, The Slayer came into this past season with unabashed confidence. What we witnessed was a historic season for not only a Chargers wide receiver, but for the entire NFL.According to Pro Football Focus, Allen had the second and third-highest single game grades for a wide receiver this past season. His phenomenal performances were actually one after the other during weeks 11 and 12, against the Bills and Cowboys, respectively.Against the Bills, Allen exploded for 159 yards on a season-high 12 catches http://www.chargerscheapshops.com/cheap-authentic-darius-philon-jersey , double-dipping in the endzone for good measure. He was graded out at a 95.9, just behind Julio Jones’ 99.9 grade from his thrashing of the Buccaneers in Week 12.On Thanksgiving Day, Allen stuffed the stat sheet once more. In Jerryworld, Allen hauled in 11 catches for a career-high 172 yards and one beautiful catch-and-run touchdown.After baring witness to what Allen can produce during a full season of health, Charger fans and the rest of the NFL have no more excuses to not think highly of the the fifth-year wide receiver. If Allen were to have a similar, if not better, season in 2018, it wouldn’t be much of a stretch to argue that #13 deserves to be in the top-tier of NFL wide receivers.Why Hasn’t Hunter Henry Been Placed On Injured Reserve Yet? Based on my social media timeline, it seems a large segment of the Los Angeles Chargers fan base is convinced Hunter Henry is going to play at some point in 2018. This, of course, is being fueled by the fact that Henry, who tore his ACL on May 22, has yet to be placed on the Injured Reserve some ten weeks after sustaining the injury. The assumption here is that the team would have already placed him on the IR if they planned to do so, which obviously means he’s going to play this season.I Desmond King Jersey , for one, don’t believe this is the case. Regardless of how quickly the team placed Jason Verrett and Austin Roberts on IR after their season-ending injuries, there is no immediate need to do the same with Henry. In my opinion, this is all probably best explained by looking first at the NFL calendar, and then examining the league’s IR rules.As far as the NFL calendar goes, teams no longer have to worry about cutting players during the preseason. Every NFL team has the flexibility of carrying a full 90-man roster through the end of the preseason, which means there is no immediate need to clear a roster spot, or even manage the roster. Once they get through the preseason, teams are required to announce their final cuts by September 1.It actually makes sense to wait until final cuts to place Hunter on Injured Reserve Why? Because doing so gives them an easy roster chip they can manipulate as needed should they add someone after announcing the 53-man roster. Rather than exposing someone they might want to keep to waivers, they can simply create a roster spot by moving Hunter to IR.This tactic should sound familiar because they did it with Denzel Perryman in 2017. As you may recall, Denzel injured his ankle in the preseason opener. Like Henry, he was not immediately placed on Injured Reserve. In fact, he made the team’s initial 53-man roster before being transferred to IR in order to make room for Kellen Clemens, who was cut and ultimately re-signed the following day in a cap-related move. In other words Cheap Joey Bosa Jersey , they effectively kept a roster spot open for Clemens by delaying the inevitable with Perryman.What’s more, being placed on IR doesn’t necessarily preclude a player from returning to the active roster during the season. The NFL has two versions of the Injured Reserve: the Injured Reserve and the Injured Reserve – Return Designation. The return designation means exactly what you think it means – Hunter would be eligible to return to the active roster later in the season.Here is how it works: the Chargers would have to place Hunter Henry on the IR with a return designation by 4pm EST on September 1. Assuming they do that, he would be eligible to return to practice after spending six weeks on the Injured Reserve. Additionally, he would be eligible to return to the active roster within eight weeks of being placed on IR.There is no advantage to leaving him on the active roster when they can place him on the Injured Reserve with a designation to return. They could, in theory, add him to the active roster by week nine of the regular season AND have an able-bodied tight end occupy his spot on the active roster while he mends. There is no financial or strategic advantage to keeping Henry on the roster when he is unable to play, which is why the team won’t go that route.It’s important to keep in mind that Hunter Henry sustained his injury on May 22, which means he probably won’t be physically able to return to practice or game action until November at the absolute earliest. And, assuming he makes it back in November, he would probably only be available in a very limited role.The only other viable option for dealing with a long-term injury is the reserve/PUP list. If added to the reserve/PUP list, Hunter would be ineligible to practice or play with the team for six weeks. Once those six weeks are up, the team would have an additional six-week window to decide whether to activate Hunter, transfer him to the Injured Reserve, or release him (they obviously wouldn’t release him). Once he returns to practice Womens Michael Schofield Jersey , the team would have six weeks to either add him to the active roster or place him on Injured Reserve.Assuming Henry is expected to return, the Injured Reserve with a return designation is the more prudent way to go here. It allows them to keep him without using a valuable 53-man roster spot and, most importantly, he could theoretically return to the active roster anytime between weeks 9 and 17 without having the week 12 deadline looming over them, as it would with the PUP.Is Hunter Henry going to come back this season? No one really knows that right now, including the Chargers. But I do know this much: the fact that he been placed on the Injured Reserve yet isn’t an indication of the team’s plans either way. They simply aren’t in any immediate rush, or under any mandate, to do anything with him until September 1.Not only that, but I’m confident the delay in adding him is not an indication that he won’t be added. I would be stunned if he didn’t wind up on the IR by 4pm EST on September 1. It would be foolish to carry someone the team knows won’t play until at least November on the active roster and, regardless of their plans, placing him on Injured Reserve is the definition of Roster Management 101. It’s all but inevitable.Not even the Chargers are incompetent enough to botch this. (Kidding鈥ort of鈥? Custom Kansas City Chiefs Jerseys

We now have the corresponding roster move that the Minnesota Vikings needed to make in order to promote wide receiver Chad Beebe to the active roster Minnesota Vikings T-Shirt , and it might say positive things about the status of another injured Viking.According to Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Vikings have made room for Beebe on the 53-man roster by waiving offensive tackle Storm Norton.Norton was promoted to the active roster from the practice squad a week ago to provide offensive line depth for the Vikings in their game against the New Orleans Saints. The fact that the Vikings are now letting him go in order to make room for Beebe on the roster might say something about the status of offensive tackle Riley Reiff.Reiff has missed the Vikings’ last three games with a foot injury that had been bothering him since Week 3 of the season. He was limited in practice all week this week and listed as “questionable” on the team’s final injury report, but if the Vikings are going to let an offensive tackle go at this point, it would seem that Reiff is trending in the right direction.As mentioned in the injury report post, it will be interesting to see what the Vikings do at the other tackle position if Reiff is able to return on Sunday. Rashod Hill has been starting at left tackle in Reiff’s absence, and rookie Brian O’Neill has actually done a very good job at right tackle in his first few starts. If Reiff comes back, either Hill or O’Neill will have to go to the bench. Acknowledging the Buffalo Bills have much room to improve, coach Sean McDermott rejected the notion he is overseeing a team in turmoil following a tumultuous first two weeks."There's growing pains going through this Minnesota Vikings Hats ," McDermott said, Monday. "Nobody said it was going to be easy."No one said it was going to be this difficult either for a team off to a 0-2 start following a 31-20 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday.Buffalo has been outscored by a combined 54-6 in the first halves of its two losses, and 78-23 overall.McDermott has already switched quarterbacks, taken over the defensive play-calling duties from coordinator Leslie Frazier and also had to contend with veteran cornerback Vontae Davis quitting the team at halftime against Los Angeles.McDermott said not all the issues and distractions are related, particularly when it comes to Davis. The offseason free-agent addition informed McDermott he was done during the first half, and then announced he was retiring after 10 NFL seasons a few hours after the game."His actions spoke loud and clear," McDermott said, when asked if he's had a chance to speak to Davis since Sunday. "I'm focused on my team right now."The NFL granted the Bills a roster exemption regarding Davis.McDermott has plenty on his plate with Buffalo entering a grueling portion of its schedule in which the Bills play one home game 鈥?against Tennessee on Oct. 7 鈥?in the next five weeks. Buffalo plays its next two on the road Minnesota Vikings Hoodie , starting with the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday.Injuries are also becoming an issue.Running back LeSean McCoy's status is questionable after was sustained damage to his rib cartilage during the third quarter against the Chargers.Buffalo is also thin at cornerback. Aside from Davis' departure, Phillip Gaines' status is uncertain after he dislocated his left elbow Sunday.McDermott wouldn't rule out either from playing against the Vikings.As for his overall message to the team: "We all have to do our job better," he said."We've got some young players out there," McDermott added. "And they're going to continue to get better, continue to grow, continue to learn."He was specifically referring to the Bills starting two rookie first-round draft picks, quarterback Josh Allen and middle linebacker Tremaine Edmunds.Allen had a modestly successful first start in going 18 of 33 for 245 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions against the Chargers. Though the offense sputtered in the first half, Allen's 245 yards passing were the most by a Bills quarterback in his first NFL start since Hall of Famer Jim Kelly threw for 292 yards in a 28-24 loss to the New York Jets on Sept. 7 Youth Customized Minnesota Vikings Jerseys , 1986.Edmunds has also been inconsistent.The 20-year-old has a sack and a forced fumble 鈥?Buffalo's only takeaway this season. On the downside, Edmunds has been the anchor of a defense that has surrendered 10 touchdowns 鈥?nine scored on 10 opponents' drives inside the Buffalo 20.McDermott, a former defensive coordinator, had seen enough in taking over the defense after the Bills allowed the Chargers to score touchdowns on four consecutive drives in building a 28-3 lead with 1:55 left in the first half."We're going to do whatever it takes to win," he said.McDermott hasn't decided whether he'll continue to run the defense, while stressing Frazier will still play a role."We're going to work on it together," he said. "I have a lot of confidence in Leslie Frazier."Frazier respected McDermott's decision, and noted he had to make difficult choices during his three-plus seasons as head coach in Minnesota."We owe it to our players to give us the best chance to win www.minnesotavikingsteamonline.com , whatever it may be," Frazier said.The switch showed signs of paying off. After allowing 284 yards, 17 first downs in the first half, the Bills held the Chargers to just 65 yards and four first downs over the final 30 minutes."That's a delicate balance between making sure we build upon what we saw and the positives from yesterday in the second half," McDermott said. "And that we continue to make progress."

CHICAGO — The Chicago Cubs‘ starting pitchers may not be performing as consistent as they would like Luke Glendening Jersey , but Joe Maddon’s offense is finding ways to make up for it.

Addison Russell’s grand slam helped bail out starter Mike Montgomery in Friday’s series opener against the Minnesota Twins. Now, as Tyler Chatwood takes the mound in Saturday’s matinee interleague game at Wrigley Field, the Cubs will push for their third straight victory after they rallied for their second consecutive come-from-behind win Friday at Wrigley Field.

Russell’s blast erased a three-run deficit en route to a 10-6 victory that included home runs by Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist and Kyle Schwarber. The win came a day after the Cubs scored seven runs in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The run support could be big for Chatwood, who has struggled throughout the season and will make his first start after being activated off the paternity list earlier this week. Chatwood told reporters Friday that he feels good and that he was able to come in and throw a bullpen session as he prepared for Saturday’s start.

He admitted the uncertainty of when his wife would give birth weighed on him in his last start. Chatwood (3-5, 3.95 ERA) has taken no-decisions in four of his past five starts but was effective in his most recent outing. Chatwood allowed a run and two hits in five innings against the Dodgers when he threw 101 pitches. He is 0-2 in three career starts against the Twins with a 6.91 ERA.

“Luckily, everything worked out,” Chatwood said Friday of the week’s events, according to the Chicago Tribune. “Everybody’s good.”

Chatwood will start after the Cubs hoped Yu Darvish could return from a right triceps injury on Saturday. Darvish, who experienced pain in a bullpen session on Thursday, flew to Dallas for a second opinion. Tests showed he has a right elbow impingement and inflammation and will be re-evaluated in three to five days.

The Twins, who have lost six of their last eight games despite Joe Mauer’s five RBIs in Friday’s loss, will attempt to get back on track when left-hander Adalberto Mejia makes his first start of the season. Mejia, who went 4-7 with a 4.50 ERA in 21 starts last year, has spent the entire season in the minor leagues.

Mejia pitched well at Triple-A Rochester and struck out 50 and registered a 2.74 ERA in 49 1/3 innings. He has posted a 4-1 record in June with a 1.41 ERA with 30 strikeouts in 32 innings. Mejia will face the Cubs for the first time in his career.

The Twins announced this week that they would recall Mejia at a time that manager Paul Molitor said makes sense for everyone involved.

“The reports have been his command has been much better,” Molitor told reporters earlier this week Martin Frk Jersey , according to the team’s official website. “More efficient. His off-speed seems to be working. His changeup is the only pitch that’s been hot and cold. His fastball-slider command has been really good. He’s had a handful of good outings in a row. Efficient is good.”

Chris Sale pitched his latest Bronx gem, Rafael Devers went 5 for 5 with a first-inning grand slam and the Boston Red Sox held the New York Yankees to two hits during an 11-0 rout Saturday night to take back baseball’s best record.

Sale (8-4) allowed only Giancarlo Stanton’s clean single over seven innings, striking out 11. He has a 1.73 career ERA against the Yankees, best among pitchers with at least 10 starts against them since 1920. His ERA at Yankee Stadium is 1.86, second only to Seattle’s Felix Hernandez among pitchers with five starts.

Boston is a major league-leading 56-28, just ahead of the Yankees at 53-27. New York held the majors’ best mark by percentage points after winning Friday’s series opener 8-1.

Yankee Stadium hosted a season-high sellout of 47,125, and the crowd gave starter Sonny Gray (5-6) an earful after he gave up six runs in 2 1/3 innings. The right-hander dropped to 0-4 with a 9.35 ERA against Boston since being acquired by New York from Oakland last season.

RANGERS 13, WHITE SOX 4

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – Bartolo Colon overcame a sluggish start to earn his 245th major league win and match Dennis Martinez for the most by a pitcher from Latin America when Texas beat Chicago.

Joey Gallo and Ryan Rua homered for the Rangers, who won for the 11th time in 13 games and clinched their fifth consecutive series. Robinson Chirinos hit a three-run double in the fourth inning that put Texas ahead to stay.

The 45-year-old Colon (5-5) was done after Matt Davidson led off the sixth with a homer to center field that pulled the White Sox to 5-3.

Colon already had the most wins by a pitcher born in the Dominican Republic, having surpassed Hall of Famer Juan Marichal for that distinction with his 244th victory at Kansas City on June 18, six days before a loss at Minnesota. Colon won in his first start at home since June 6 to match Martinez, who is from Nicaragua.

White Sox lefty Carlos Rodon (1-3) allowed five runs in 5 1/3 innings.

GIANTS 7, DIAMONDBACKS 0

PHOENIX (AP) – Dereck Rodriguez blanked the Diamondbacks into the seventh inning and San Francisco made it two wins in a row at Arizona.

Brandon Crawford, Andrew McCutchen and Joe Panik homered on another rough night for Shelby Miller (0-2) Mike Green Jersey , who struggled in his second start since returning from Tommy John surgery.

Panik’s homer, off reliever Jimmie Sherfy in the eighth, was his first since April 3, a span of 162 at-bats.

Ty Blach and Cory Gearrin completed San Francisco’s 10th shutout of the season.

The Giants have won nine of 11 to pull into a tie with the Los Angeles Dodgers for second in the NL West, 3 1/2 games behind the first-place Diamondbacks. San Francisco can complete a three-game road sweep on Sunday.

Rodriguez (3-1), the son of Hall of Fame catcher Ivan ”Pudge” Rodriguez, dominated in his sixth major league start. He allowed six hits in 6 1/3 innings, struck out five and walked two.

MARINERS 6, ROYALS 4

SEATTLE (AP) – Ryon Healy had four hits, including a homer, and drove in three runs to lead Seattle over Kansas City.

Felix Hernandez (8-6) gave up four consecutive hits, including a three-run homer by Mike Moustakas, to start the game. But the right-hander settled down to pitch four scoreless innings after that, helping the Mariners to a season-best sixth consecutive win.

Edwin Diaz worked a perfect ninth for his 31st save. The Mariners (53-31) are 22 games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 2003 season.

Jason Hammels (2-10) lost his fifth straight, allowing six runs and 13 hits in six innings.

PADRES 4, PIRATES 3

SAN DIEGO (AP) – Wil Myers homered Johnny Gaudreau Jersey Kids , doubled and drove in three runs, and rookie Joey Lucchesi threw five scoreless innings to send San Diego past Pittsburgh.

The Padres had to hold on after closer Brad Hand allowed two runs in the ninth before earning his 23rd save. Hand gave up doubles by Elias Diaz and Austin Meadows, and a triple by Gregory Polanco. The reliever then got Jordy Mercer to fly out to shallow right field, pinch-hitter Jose Osuna to foul out to right and struck out Starling Marte.

Myers, limited to 19 games this season due to injuries, homered off Trevor Williams (6-6) in the third, his second. Myers then chased the San Diegan with a two-run double to give the Padres a 4-0 lead in the fifth.

San Diego won for just the third time in 13 games.

Lucchesi (4-3) won for the first time since April 28. He was making his third start since missing five weeks with a strained right hip. The left-hander allowed one hit while striking out five and walking four.

BLUE JAYS 4, TIGERS 3

TORONTO (AP) – Justin Smoak led off the bottom of the ninth inning with a home run and Toronto handed Detroit its 11th straight loss.

Smoak connected against reliever Joe Jimenez (3-1) for his 11th homer of the season.

Seyunghwan Oh (4-2) worked one inning for the win. Randal Grichuk also homered for the Blue Jays, who have won 10 of 11 at home.

John Hicks hit a solo homer in the Detroit second off Sam Gaviglio and Nick Castellanos made it 3-0 with a two-run shot in the third, his 12th.

Randal Grichuk hit a two-run homer to cap Toronto’s three-run fifth that tied the score.

RAYS 5, ASTROS 2

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – Wilson Ramos drove in four runs in the first two innings against Justin Verlander, and Tampa Bay won for the seventh time in eight games.

Matt Duffy finished with three hits, including two in the first two innings, to help the Rays move to .500 (41-41) for the first time since June 1. Tampa Bay has held opponents to two runs or fewer in five straight games for only

Jackie Bradley Jr. never doubted he would pull out of his slump Lane Taylor Jersey , even as he hit .167 in June and fell further down Boston’s batting order.

He kept putting in the work. Kept tinkering with his stance and his swing. Kept believing he would snap out of it.

”You have to trust that what you’re doing is going to produce results,” Bradley said after his second straight three-hit game helped the Red Sox beat the Los Angeles Angels 9-1 on Tuesday night.

”If it doesn’t early on, it’s a long season,” said Bradley, who batted ninth and drove in four runs. ”You’ve just got to continue to grind. There’s no other way.”

Mookie Betts homered on John Lamb’s first pitch of the game, and J.D. Martinez hit his major league-leading 24th home run to back David Price’s six strong innings and lead the Red Sox to their fourth win in the last five games. The Angels lost their fourth straight game.

Christian Vazquez also hit one of Boston’s four homers to help Price (9-5) bounce back from his previous loss on Wednesday in Minnesota that was his first since May 3. He allowed five hits on Tuesday, including a solo homer to Chris Young, and two walks while striking out seven.

Bradley has now had back-to-back multi-hit games after producing just five in his previous 68 games this season. He had three hits, all singles, against Seattle on Sunday but still entered the night hitting .189.

”We all want the results now,” Bradley said. ”Sometimes the game’s a lot tougher than that. You can do everything right and still be out.”

Two-time AL MVP Mike Trout, who began the game batting .387 in June, singled in four at-bats for the Angels while serving as designated hitter to aid his recovery from a sprained right index finger. The Angels went hitless in their last three innings against Boston’s bullpen and fell into fourth place in the AL West for the first time since opening day.

SAFE BETTS

Betts’ homer into the Red Sox bullpen sent right fielder Michael Hermosillo crashing over the wall in pursuit. It was his 15h career leadoff homer, extending his franchise record.

”Trying to set the tone against a good team,” Betts said. ”Just letting them know we’re here and we’re ready to go.”

SACRIFICIAL LAMB

Lamb (0-1) got just five outs. He allowed five runs, three earned Alexander Kerfoot Jersey , on six hits and a pair of walks.

He escaped more damage in the first after Betts’ 20th homer of the season, then was removed in the second after giving up Bradley’s two-run double and two more run-scoring hits.

”It was just a nice welcome to Fenway ballpark I guess by one of the better baseball players in the game right now,” Lamb said. ”I tried to get ahead on the outside part of the plate and they went ahead in the run column.”

Deck McGuire needed just one pitch to end that inning, but he surrendered solo homers to Bradley in the third and Vazquez in the fifth before Martinez hit one in the sixth that made it 8-1.

IN A JAM

Price only had trouble in the third, when Young homered and then the Angels loaded the bases with two out on two singles, a wild pitch and a walk. He retired Albert Pujols on a grounder to third to end the inning.

”Pujols can tie the game at that point,” Price said. ”To get that ground ball is big.”

TRAINER’S ROOM:

Angels: McGuire was checked out by the team athletic trainer after Christian Vazquez lined a ball up the middle in the third inning, but he remained in the game.

Red Sox: Knuckleballer Steven Wright was put on the 10-day DL with left knee inflammation, and RHP reliever Justin Haley was recalled from Triple-A Pawtucket.

UP NEXT:

Angels: LHP Andrew Heaney (4-5, 3.43 ERA) gets his first start since going seven innings and allowing one earned run on Friday against Toronto. Heaney has pitched at least seven innings in three of his last four starts.

Red Sox: RHP Rick Porcello (9-3, 3.44) has allowed two earned runs or less in four of his last five starts, holding the Twins to one hit over seven scoreless innings in his last turn on Thursday.

—


CLEVELAND — There is no team Edwin Jackson enjoys facing more than the one he will face Saturday afternoon at Progressive Field. The 34-year-old right-hander will be on the mound for the Oakland A’s, facing a Cleveland Indians team Jackson has beaten 10 times in a row.

It’s been more than 10 years since Jackson lost to Cleveland. The last time, and the only time, he lost to the Indians was on Aug. 17, 2007 Authentic Travis Kelce Jersey , when Jackson was pitching for Tampa Bay.

Since then, Jackson is 10-0 against the Indians. In 16 career appearances against Cleveland, Jackson is 10-1 with a 2.76 ERA. His 10 wins against the Indians match his most victories against any opponent. He has also beaten Pittsburgh 10 times.

Jackson’s 10-game winning streak against Cleveland is the longest by any pitcher against the Indians since Charlie Hough won 13 in a row from June 30, 1984, to April 4, 1988.

If all that wasn’t impressive enough, Jackson’s record in eight career appearances at Progressive Field is 5-0 with a 1.90 ERA.

The A’s signed Jackson to a minor league contract in early June, and called him up to the majors on June 23. He is 1-0 with a 2.13 ERA overall this season after making two starts for Oakland.

“Based on the way he was available and the way he’s been able to pitch for us it’s a surprise, but he’s always been able to do that a little bit with the sinker and the four-seamer,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said, according to USA Today.

“Now he just manipulates a little bit more and the off-speed stuff with the changeup speed and the slider. It really keeps you off-balance.”

Jackson’s last start was against the Indians, and it resulted in a 7-2 victory in Oakland on June 30. He pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on two hits, with six strikeouts.

The Indians will start ace Corey Kluber on Saturday. Kluber (12-4, 2.64 ERA) started the season very strong, but has had a couple of tough outings over his last four starts. In his first 14 starts Jake Ryan Jersey , Kluber was 10-2 with a 1.99 ERA. However, in his last four starts he is 2-2, with a 5.95 ERA.

Kluber’s last start was a 9-3 win over Kansas City on Monday, a game in which Kluber pitched six innings, giving up three runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and no walks.

In two starts against the A’s last year Kluber was 1-0 with a 2.03 ERA. In eight career appearances, including seven starts, against Oakland he is 2-4 with a 2.66 ERA.

The Indians won the first game of the series 10-4 Friday night. In the last two meetings between the two teams Cleveland has outscored Oakland 25-7.

The Indians on Friday designated for assignment reliever George Kontos to clear a roster spot for pitcher Carlos Carrasco, who was activated off the disabled list and started Friday’s game.

The Indians will be adding another player in the not too distant future. The team has signed outfielder Melky Cabrera to a minor league contract as an eventual replacement for outfielder Lonnie Chisenhall, who was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Tuesday with a left calf strain.

“It’s a significant strain. He’s going to miss considerable time,” said Indians manager Terry Francona.

Cabrera played 17 games with the Indians earlier this season, hitting .207. He was designated for assignment on June 14. He had three hits Thursday in his first game at Triple-A Columbus.

“Three hits in his first game is pretty phenomenal,” Francona said. “We want to let him get his legs under him, but when he signed he knew he wasn’t going to stay (at Columbus) forever. So at some point we’ll have to make a decision (on how to add Cabrera to the major league roster).”

A defense lawyer representing the former president of Pilot Flying J truck stop chain has made his closing arguments in a case in which four former employees of the chain are accused of conspiring to defraud customers in a rebate scam.

The Knoxville News Sentinel reports attorney Rusty Hardin told jurors Tuesday that the case is a civil matter and shouldn’t be in criminal court. Hardin’s client Youth Jason Sanders Jersey , Mark Hazelwood, has been on trial with the three others since November in U.S. District Court in Chattanooga. Hardin also said former sales executive Brian Mosher, who previously made a plea deal and testified for prosecutors, falsely accused Hazelwood.

Pilot Flying J is controlled by the family of Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam. The Haslams haven’t been charged with any wrongdoing. The governor has not been involved in the company in recent years.

Federal prosecutor Trey Hamilton presented his closing argument Monday, and former sales staffer Heather Jones’ attorney, Ben Vernia, argued her case Monday. Hamilton is to give a rebuttal argument Wednesday.

On Tuesday Paul Hornung Jersey , attorney David Rivera said former Pilot Flying J Vice President Scott ”Scooter” Wombold was an honest supervisor. Rivera said Wombold didn’t realize Mosher wasn’t telling his customers that he was reducing their fuel discounts.

Former sales staffer Karen Mann’s lawyer, Jonathan Cooper, told jurors that Mann didn’t know her boss and his salesmen were lying to trucking companies about the cuts she made at former executive Arnie Ralenkotter’s command. Cooper said Mann never lied to anyone.

”She wanted to be part of a team,” Cooper said. ”She was not trying to cheat anyone.”

Ralenkotter, a former sales director, pleaded guilty and testified on the government’s behalf.

—

Information from: Knoxville News Sentinel, Tom Brady shook off a hand injury and threw a 4-yard touchdown pass to Danny Amendola with 2:48 remaining Gustav Forsling Jersey , rallying the New England Patriots back to the Super Bowl with a 24-20 comeback victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC championship game Sunday.

Brady, wearing a black bandage on his right hand, showed no signs of being hampered. And, with the game – and possibly the season – on the line, the Patriots star came up big again.

Brady finished 26 of 38 for 290 yards and two touchdowns for the Patriots (15-3), who’ll play Philadelphia in Minneapolis on Feb. 4.

The Jaguars (12-7) led 20-10 early in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t hold against the defending champions.

Jacksonville – looking to reach the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history – had one more shot John Hayden Jersey , but Blake Bortles’ throw on fourth-and-15 to Dede Westbrook was knocked away by Stephon Gilmore.

The Patriots then ran out the clock, with Dion Lewis’ 18-yard scamper with 90 seconds remaining sealing the victory. And they did it mostly without tight end Rob Gronkowski, who left the game late in the first half and didn’t return.

EAGLES 38, VIKINGS 7

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Nick Foles threw for three touchdowns and Philadelphia made big play after big play, winning the NFC title in a stunning rout of Minnesota.

Next up: the Eagles’ first Super Bowl appearance since 2005, against the team that beat them then, AFC champion New England.

Foles was on fire Authentic Jonathan Toews Jersey , throwing for 352 yards in a performance that might make the Philadelphia faithful miss injured Carson Wentz a whole lot less.

Patrick Robinson’s spectacular 50-yard interception return got Philadelphia (15-3) started. Then Foles and his offense tore up the league’s stingiest scoring defense, with long TD throws to Alshon Jeffery and Torrey Smith.

LeGarrette Blount had an 11-yard scoring run when things were decided in the first half, and the Eagles were headed to an NFL title game the Vikings (14-4) hoped to be in at their own stadium.

—

SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Giants left-hander Andrew Suarez will seek to reverse a trend of pitching in bad luck when the faces the San Diego Padres on Saturday afternoon on the third day of a four-game series.

Suarez (2-4 Youth Josey Jewell Jersey , 4.70 ERA), who has just one decision (a win) in his last five starts, is coming off back-to-back outings that were mirror images of one another.

Facing the Miami Marlins on both occasions, Suarez was pulled in the sixth and seventh innings of his last two starts, both times having held the opponent to two runs and both times exiting with a lead.

But the Marlins rallied against the Giants’ bullpen each time, pulling out a 5-4 win in both games.

The rookie has allowed three earned runs or fewer six times this season, yet has only two wins to show for it.

One of those six games occurred the only time he faced the Padres.

Lo and behold, he pitched seven innings in that May 1 game, allowing two runs, and left a 2-2 tie. The Giants went on to lose 3-2.

He’s 0-0 with a 2.57 ERA against the Padres.

Suarez can expect to see a bit of a different look from San Diego on Saturday Youth DaeSean Hamilton Jersey , as Padres manager Andy Green indicated Friday that he’s strongly considering moving Manuel Margot back to the leadoff spot against the left-hander.

Green put Wil Myers atop his lineup card Thursday night against another lefty, Giants ace Madison Bumgarner, and it did not go well. Myers went hitless and the Padres got shut out 3-0.

Batting seventh against a right-hander on Friday night, Margot had two hits and two RBIs in San Diego’s 6-2 win.

He has raised his average to .245 after having spent much of the first two months below .200. He batted leadoff 15 times in that early stretch.

“He’s settled in so comfortably in that seven spot, I haven’t wanted to make an adjustment with him,” said Green, noting he came close to penciling him back into the leadoff spot Thursday. “It’s been such a push for us to get him going that once he’s gotten going, it has seemed prudent to leave him alone down there in the seven hole.

“I do think sometime in the near future you’re going to see him back toward the top, against left-handed pitching especially.”

Margot, the club’s leadoff hitter on Opening Day Youth Sylvester Williams Jersey , hit just .156 atop the lineup before getting demoted in May. He has hit .333 while batting seventh.

Another decision Green will have to make Saturday is what to do with third baseman Cory Spangenberg, who contributed two hits and two runs to Friday’s win.

Spangenberg has hit safely in a personal-best 11 straight starts but hasn’t been starting lately against left-handed pitchers, against whom he is batting just .143 this season.

The Padres will send right-hander Jordan Lyles (2-4, 4.46) to the mound hoping he can snap a three-game skid, during which he has allowed 13 runs in 17 1/3 innings.

Lyles pitched three times out of the bullpen in earlier meetings with the Giants, limiting them to one hit and no runs in 4 2/3 innings.

That was quite a contrast to the last time he started against San Francisco, which was in an 8-0 loss in September. He gave up seven runs and 10 hits in 3 2/3 innings.

Lyles has faced the Giants 17 times in his career, seven times as a starter, going 3-3 with a 6.11 ERA.

LOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Ross Stripling knows he will have to weather the early going Sunday if he wants to get back to his winning ways.

Stripling will face a Colorado Rockies team that is known for fast starts. The Rockies lead all of baseball with 70 runs scored in the opening inning. They also lead the majors with 24 first-inning home runs.

The Rockies are focused on trying to counter the Dodgers’ offensive muscle. Manager Bud Black is preaching to his pitchers to be aggressive.

“We knew coming in (the Dodgers) had power,” Black said. “We know that you have to keep the ball out of the middle of the plate. We have been attacking them and going after them to get into more favorable counts. That’s the message we send to all teams and we have to do it again (Sunday).”

Keeping opponents in check early is one of the many things Stripling has excelled at during his breakout season. The Texas native has allowed one first-inning run in his 11 previous starts Youth Kerryon Johnson Jersey , and two extra-base hits.

Rockies starter Chad Bettis also must prepare for a potential volatile first inning. Not only do the Rockies score a ton early, they also have given up 70 runs in the first inning to lead the majors. Their 21 first-inning home runs allowed are second-most in baseball.

The good news for Colorado is that they are on the road where runs and long balls are harder to come by than at Coors Field. And Bettis is the perfect example.

Bettis 5-1 overall with a 5.07 ERA, with all his decisions coming on the road, where he has a 2.72 ERA. At the start of play Saturday, Bettis’ five road victories were tied for third in the NL. He posted his sixth quality start on the road Tuesday at San Francisco, but did not get a decision.

There is added pressure on Bettis after the Rockies demoted Opening Day starter Jon Gray to Triple-A Albuquerque on Saturday. In 17 starts this season, Gray was a disappointing 7-7 with a 5.77 ERA.

“This was the right time to get Jon to Triple-A to work on some things, not so much mechanically, but mentally, and to realize the inconsistencies that have been happening this season Youth Tracy Walker Jersey ,” manager Bud Black told The Denver Post after the Rockies optioned Gray.

Stripling has been a bit more consistent.

In his past three outings, he is 1-1 with a no-decision. He beat the Giants, then lost to the Cubs despite giving up only three runs on June 20. Six days later, he went five innings and gave up one run in the no-decision.

“He’s been fantastic,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of his starter. “For him to not be as sharp as usual and to keep (the Cubs) to one run in five innings is a credit to him. He gives us a chance every single time he takes the mound. He’s done more than exceed our expectations.”

After rolling through most of June behind an offense that hit a franchise-record 55 home runs for a single month, the Dodgers have looked less invincible in recent days. They split a four-game home series against the Cubs and now have lost two consecutive games to the Rockies.

The Rockies will not look back at their overall June play so fondly, but they ended the month on a three-game win streak.

Colorado went 11-16 in the month. Nolan Arenado was a bright spot as he is the reigning NL Player of the Week. Arenado had home runs in seven of 10 games before play Saturday, a run that included a homer in four consecutive contests.