The Browns signed free agent cornerback E.J. Gaines http://www.buffalobillsteamonline.com/jordan-poyer-jersey , the latest addition to a revamped secondary.

Gaines played last season for the Buffalo Bills. The 26-year-old will be reunited in Cleveland with Browns defensive coordinator Gregg Williams as the two previously worked together with the Los Angeles Rams.

The 26-year-old Gaines, who also met with the New York Jets, will bring speed and depth to the Browns.

New general manager John Dorsey has been busy overhauling Cleveland's defensive backfield. He also traded for cornerback Damarious Randall, signed free agents T.J. Carrie and Terrance Mitchell and dealt cornerback Jason McCourty to New England.

Gaines has started 26 of 37 regular-season games in the NFL, recording 185 tackles and three interceptions. Last year, the Rams traded him and a second-round draft pick to Buffalo for wide receiver Sammy Watkins.

Gaines started 11 regular-season games last season Sherrick McManis Jersey , but missed five with knee and shoulder injuries. He sat out the 2015 season with a foot injury.

Aaron Nola will get to pitch in front of his home fans in Philadelphia a final time Wednesday before he likely gets the chance to pitch in the All-Star Game later this month.

Nola will be on the mound as the Phillies close out a brief, two-game set with the Baltimore Orioles at Citizens Bank Park. The game, which is Philadelphia’s final home contest before the All-Star break, will start at 4:05 p.m. on the holiday.

Nola (10-2, 2.48 ERA) has been dominant all season for the Phillies, but he has been especially good at home. The 25-year-old is 7-0 with a 1.77 ERA and 0.911 WHIP in eight starts at Citizens Bank Park this season.

Nola Chris Ivory Jersey , who has never pitched against Baltimore, has not surrendered more than three earned runs in any of those home starts. Last Thursday, he gave up one run on five hits and two walks and struck out eight in 7 2/3 innings against the Washington Nationals. Nola got the win in the Phillies’ 4-3 victory.

“I actually thought he got stronger as he inched towards the end of the game,” Phillies manager Gabe Kapler told MLB.com regarding Nola. “Even there in the last inning, somewhere around that 105-pitch mark, it almost seemed like he was getting sharper.”

The Phillies are 29-16 at home after Tuesday night’s 3-2 win against the Orioles. Philadelphia has more home wins than any team in the National League http://www.chicagobearsteamonline.com/dion-sims-jersey , but after Wednesday the club won’t play at Citizens Bank Park again until July 20.

The Phillies will try to get their 30th home win of the season against Orioles rookie Yefry Ramirez.

A right-hander, Ramirez (0-1, 2.89) will be making just the second start of his major league career. The 24-year-old went 4 1/3 innings against the Boston Red Sox on June 13, giving up three runs on four hits while striking out six in his first start.

Ramirez threw five scoreless innings of relief against the Seattle Mariners last Thursday in his only other big league appearance. He had a 3.88 ERA and averaged 9.0 strikeouts per nine innings in 14 starts with Triple-A Norfolk this season.

“I don’t want to broadcast it for the other team, but the changeup,” Orioles manager Buck Showalter told the Baltimore Sun when speaking about Ramirez’s strong points. “Hitters are so much more in swing mode Mike Ditka Jersey , so to speak, up here. It’s because they’re good hitters. That’s why they’re in the big leagues. … He’s having a good year down there.”

The Orioles have lost eight of their last nine games and are 0-2 against the Phillies this season. At 24-60 they have the worst record in baseball. Baltimore did not lose its 60th game of the 2017 season until Aug. 13.

Philadelphia, meanwhile, has won three games in a row and five of its last six. At 46-37, the Phillies have a chance to go 10 games over .500 for the first time this season with another win.

Wednesday marks the third straight season the Phillies have played a home game on the Fourth of July. They lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates on the holiday last year.

Womens Trenton Cannon Jersey

Despite his decision to not attend Saturday’s Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremonies Nick Kwiatkoski Jersey , Terrell Owens will be ”honored” by the hall for his NFL career.

Hall President David Baker tells The Associated Press on Monday that the Canton, Ohio, shrine’s mission statement begins with the goal ”to honor the heroes of the game.”

So Owens, who instead will be making an appearance at the University of Chattanooga , where he played college football, will be part of the 2018 class exhibit that includes a glass locker for each new member; their pictures on the light standards of Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium; a role in opening videos shown within the stadium; and mention in any reference to the 2018 class.

Baker said NFL Network and ESPN, which both televise the inductions, will show a video of Owens’ career to the audience at home. That video will not be shown in the stadium.

”It’s difficult he will not be here to put on the jacket, unveil his bust, make a speech, and attend the parade,” Baker says. ”For those things http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/allen-hurns-jersey , there’s nothing we can do.”

Owens has cited the fact it took three years of eligibility for him to make the hall, claiming there were false representations of him as a teammate during the voting process. He also noted that no former players vote, ignoring that Hall of Famers James Lofton and Dan Fouts are among those on the committee.

The 44-year-old Owens had a mostly sensational 15-year career playing for San Francisco, Philadelphia, Dallas, Buffalo and Cincinnati. He is second to Jerry Rice in receiving yards and third in touchdown catches behind Rice and Randy Moss, who is entering the hall this week and will attend the festivities.

But he also eventually wore out his welcome in those cities, and now Canton probably can be added to that list.

Though he will always be received properly at the hall, Baker says.

”I told him I am very disappointed, it is unprecedented, and we’ve certainly been trying to persuade him to come,” Baker says. ”He has a whole city here Derrius Guice Jersey , with 4,800 volunteers who do everything to honor these guys. For him, this could be the opportunity to be honored the way I believe he always felt he should be honored.

”We respect he has strong feelings of his own and I respect his right to make that decision. I invited him to the hall, even at the last moment he would be welcomed, and he is welcomed every day the rest of his life. Even though he is not here, we will honor him to the best of our ability.”

—


The Texas Rangers have been one of the best teams in the major leagues during the past week and head home to attempt to continue that trend against the San Diego Padres in a three-game interleague series beginning Monday at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas.

San Diego will send left-hander Joey Lucchesi (3-3, 3.86 ERA) to the mound for the series opener and the Rangers will counter with left-hander Cole Hamels (4-6, 3.41).

Texas had its season-high seven-game winning streak snapped Sunday in Minnesota with a 2-0 loss, but still went 5-1 on the six-game, seven-day road trip to Kansas City (3-0) and Minnesota (2-1).

Twins pitcher Jose Berrios held the Rangers to three hits in seven innings, struck out a career-high 12 batters and spoiled ageless Bartolo Colon’s attempt to tie Dennis Martinez’s record of 245 wins J'Marcus Webb Jersey , the most ever by a pitcher from Latin America.

Colon allowed two runs and seven hits with a walk and five strikeouts in seven innings in the loss.

“I will take those type of outings from Bartolo every time,” Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. “You just have to tip your cap to a guy who had really good stuff. Bartolo was solid for us, great mix of fastball location, in the strike zone with all of his pitches. Just commanded the fastball all throughout, hit all quadrants and managed the game well for us.

“Bartolo threw the ball extremely well. Berrios was just really good.”

The Padres head to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex on the heels of a 3-2, 11-inning loss at San Francisco on Sunday. San Diego took the lead in the top of the inning on a two-out single by Cory Spangenberg but couldn’t hold it.

On Sunday, the Padres sent right-hander Jordan Lyles to the 10-day disabled list and announced that he will have his ailing right elbow evaluated by team doctors.

Lyles was scratched from his start on Saturday afternoon with right forearm tightness, prompting an unplanned bullpen day, according to mlb.com.

Immediately before the top of the first inning, pitching coach Darren Balsley noticed Lyles awkwardly stretching his forearm after his pregame bullpen session. Balsley and manager Andy Green inquired, and the Padres decided not to take any chances.

“A 10-day break will do him well,” Green said. “He’ll rest the elbow and then hopefully come back ready to start in 10 days. He’s never had any arm issues Jay Novacek Jersey , whatsoever, in his entire career. He doesn’t know how to gauge it off past experience. We’re very, very hopeful it’s nothing very serious.”

Lucchesi returned from the disabled list on Wednesday and allowed four runs in just 1 1/3 innings in a loss to Oakland. He said he felt no ill effects from a right hip strain that placed him on the shelf.

It is Lucchesi’s first career start against Texas.

Hamels will make his 16th start of the season. He leads all Texas starters in ERA (3.41), starts (15), innings (92 1/3), and strikeouts (92) and has gone 3-3 with a 2.81 ERA (20 ER/64.0 IP) in his last 10 starts to lower ERA from 4.76 to 3.41

Hamels has gone six-plus innings in his past eight starts, his second-longest streak with the Rangers, and has allowed just one earned run in 13 innings in his last two starts. He will be working on extended five days’ rest after picking up a win in the Rangers’ 4-1 victory on Tuesday in Kansas City.

Hamels has gone 9-2 with a 2.25 in 17 career starts against the Padres.

Authentic Womens Roquan Smith Jersey

ARIZONA CARDINALS (8-8)

New faces: Coach Steve Wilks Demarcus Lawrence Jersey , QB Sam Bradford, QB Josh Rosen, RG Justin Pugh, RT Andre Smith, S Tre Boston, CB Jamar Taylor, WR Brice Butler, WR Christian Kirk, RB Chase Edmonds, C Mason Cole, CB Bene Benwikere.

Key losses: Coach Bruce Arians, QB Carson Palmer, S Tyrann Mathieu Montae Nicholson Jersey , QB Drew Stanton, C A.Q. Shipley (injured), QB Blaine Gabbert, WR Jaron Brown, WR John Brown, OL Earl Watford, DT Frostee Rucker, DT Josh Mauro, TE Troy Niklas, ILB Karlos Dansby, OG Alex Boone, CB Justin Bethel.

Strengths: With return of RB David Johnson and addition of Bradford, Wilks and offensive coordinator Mike McCoy Sam Acho Jersey , Cardinals are building offense emphasizing running and short passing game. Johnson, NFL leader in yards from scrimmage and TDs two seasons ago, missed 15 games last season with fractured left wrist but returns healthy and hungry for new contract. Waiting on sideline is 10th overall pick Rosen should Bradford repeat his history of injury. Cardinals also are impressed with Edmonds, fourth-round pick out of Fordham, who could provide 1-2 punch behind revamped offensive line. Defense, with switch to 4-3 scheme, looks solid, particularly in secondary, where second-year player Budda Baker plays big role in “nickel” setup. With more zone play, Patrick Peterson might get more shots at making plays. He’s been mostly avoided by quarterbacks who take aim at receivers guarded by someone other than star cornerback. DE Chandler Jones led NFL in sacks last season (17). For what it’s worth, Arizona’s first three preseason opponents committed 16 turnovers.

Weaknesses: Arizona has great wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald, who enters 15th season after finishing second in NFL in catches (109) one year ago. But position is question mark behind him. Kirk, second-round pick from Texas A&M http://www.chicagobearsteamonline.com/anthony-miller-jersey , has emerged as big-play threat in preseason and Chad Williams has shown improvement after rocky rookie year. Butler is looking to prove himself after parting less than amicably with Cowboys. But there is no consistent, proven receiver beyond Fitzgerald. Other main concern is lack of depth at linebacker and on offensive line.

Fantasy players to watch: Johnson, of course. He was just about everybody’s No. 1 fantasy pick in 2017, only to go down in opener. He returns in best shape of life and motivated to remind people how good he is. As reminder, Johnson rushed for 1,239 yards and caught 80 passes for 875 yards in 2016. He topped 100 yards from scrimmage in first 15 games that season, only player in NFL history to so. He also led NFL with 20 TDs.

Vegas Says: Super Bowl 120 to 1. Over/under wins 6.

Expectations: Judging from Vegas and national predictors, expectations aren’t very high. But Wilks, former Carolina defensive coordinator, has worked to install tough, physical mentality and is building around team’s top players: Johnson, Peterson, Bradford Tom Waddle Jersey , Fitzgerald, Jones. Still, it’s uphill climb in NFC West. Don’t expect Rosen to play unless Bradford goes down with another injury, or team slumps. Schedule is brutal, with non-division games at Minnesota, Kansas City, Green Bay and Atlanta. Cardinals might exceed Las Vegas’ expectations, but most likely not by much.

The Tennessee Titans started the NFL draft by selecting Alabama linebacker Rashaan Evans, to help new coach Mike Vrabel tune up the defense

Now they go into the second day with a selection in each of the second and third rounds looking for some depth.

Tennessee will pick at No. 57 in the second round and No. 89 overall in the third round before wrapping up Saturday with three selections.

The Titans swapped their fourth-round pick to Baltimore for a sixth-rounder to move up three spots to grab Evans at No. 22 overall Thursday night, and general manager Jon Robinson says he didn't want to lose any picks after coming in with just six.

The trade means the Titans currently have two selections in the sixth round.

Authentic Womens Brian O'Neill Jersey

Despite disappointment that their Minnesota Vikings won’t be the first team to play a Super Bowl in their home stadium Willie Young Jersey , state officials and team owners opened their arms to Super Bowl fans on Monday as they kicked off a week of events before Sunday’s game between the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots.

Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton proclaimed it Super Bowl Week in the state, and Minnesota Host Committee co-chairman Doug Baker promised fans a week they won’t forget.

Many events include a local flair and outdoor activities that seek to turn the state’s snow and ice into a strength – what promoters are calling the ”Bold North.”

”This is Minnesota. It’s not going to be Florida balmy. But it’s going to be Minnesota cold, and we’re proud of it,” Dayton said. ”We’re proud of our state. And we’re just very much willing to welcome everybody who wants to come up here.”

Officials say the Super Bowl wouldn’t have come to Minnesota’s northern climate without U.S. Bank Stadium http://www.indianapoliscoltsteamonline.com/erik-swoope-jersey , which opened in 2016. Dayton and Minnesota lawmakers in 2012 approved a financing package for the facility, which had taxpayers paying nearly half the cost of the $1.1 billion stadium.

Vikings owner Zygi Wilf said Monday the partnership that got the roofed stadium built ”is a great template for other cities to see that it’s not just a one-way street.” Wilf said that while locales in warmer climates are more likely to draw future Super Bowls, this joint venture between the owners and the city and state resulted in what he called ”the best stadium in the United States.”

The Vikings fell one win short of landing on the NFL’s biggest stage after losing the NFC championship game to the Eagles 38-7 . Instead, the Eagles will be here seeking their first Vince Lombardi Trophy Brett Favre Jersey , trying to deny the Patriots a sixth Super Bowl title.

Neither team has played in U.S. Bank Stadium.

Though he joked about wearing a purple tie ”in defiance,” Dayton said the state will set aside its disappointment that the Vikings aren’t in the Super Bowl and will welcome all visitors, even suggesting: ”Behave yourselves – and dress warmly.”

Perhaps as proof that ”Minnesota Nice” really does exist, more than 10 http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/jamize-olawale-jersey ,000 people have volunteered to direct visitors and help keep things running smoothly during the week. In addition to bringing the Super Bowl to Minnesota, the host committee has spent the last year investing $5 million in grants to improve the health and wellness of kids around the state.

”I’m often asked what makes Super Bowl 52 unique, and the conversation often turns to the cold and to the weather. But my real answer is, it’s the people Bennie Fowler III Jersey ,” NFL Senior Vice President of Events Peter O’Reilly said. ”It’s the people and the energy and the warmth here in the Bold North that is really coming through.”

—

New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez is likely headed to the disabled after pulling up while running out a double-play grounder Sunday at Tampa Bay.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said Sanchez hurt his right groin/hip abductor and ”it’s probably going to be a DL situation.”

Sanchez was injured in the 10th inning. He slowly walked back to the dugout and was replaced defensively by Austin Romine.

”What can I say?” Sanchez said through a translator. ”That’s the way baseball is sometimes. Now I’m just hoping it’s not a long time.”

Sanchez will undergo an MRI exam Monday.

The 25-year-old Sanchez went 0 for 4 in the 7-6, 12-inning loss. He’s hitting only .190 with 14 home runs and 41 RBIs, a season after he made the AL All-Star team while batting .278 with 33 homers and 90 RBIs.

The Yankees have the best record in the majors at 50-25.

Authentic Womens Derrick Nnadi Jersey

The Buffalo Bills‘ long-term future in western New York was secured when Terry and Kim Pegula purchased the franchise following the death of Hall of Fame owner Ralph Wilson in 2014.

Where the team will play its home games – at its current stadium in suburban Orchard Park or at a new downtown Buffalo facility – within the next decade is the question.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell touched on the topic at league meetings in Florida on Wednesday by saying the Pegulas are ”at a very early stage” in assessing their options. Goodell then left the details to be announced by the owners when they are ready to share them with the community.

On Tuesday http://www.buffalobillsteamonline.com/marcus-murphy-jersey , Terry Pegula said, ”We talk about that heavily internally, but not publicly,” when asked if the Bills would consider using the opt-out clause in their lease in two years to explore a new stadium site.

The Bills later clarified Pegula’s comment by saying he was referring to long-term stadium plans and adding that the team had no plans to opt out of the lease, which expires in the summer of 2023.

The Bills maintain they are early in their planning process and have not ruled out any option. They’re also aware that time will become an issue in determining whether the next lease negotiations will focus on a long- or short-term agreement.

The questions come down to building a new stadium, either downtown or near the Bills’ existing site; renovating their current home, New Era Field; and how much public money would be spent.

One possibility is pairing a new stadium and Buffalo’s need for a new convention center, which would ease concerns over taxpayer money being spent on a stand-alone sports facility.

A new stadium alone would cost approximately $1 billion.

Staying at New Era Field Reggie White Jersey , which opened in 1973, also wouldn’t come cheap.

A stadium site selection study conducted by AECOM Technical Services in 2014 projected it would cost $540 million for the next series of renovations, including structural improvements and rebuilding the stadium’s third deck. The study based its estimates on what it cost the Green Bay Packers and Kansas City Chiefs to extensively renovate their facilities over the previous decade.

And that cost is on top of the $130 million in renovations that took place four years ago, and the $18 million the Pegulas are spending on club seat upgrades this year.

The next step would involve the Bills hiring a firm to conduct a feasibility study to identify sites, costs and what best suits a franchise based in one of the NFL’s smallest markets.

The AECOM study was commissioned by New York state – not the Bills – at an uncertain time during the sale process. Concerned that someone out of town would purchase the Bills and consider relocating them, Gov. Andrew Cuomo had the study conducted to provide prospective owners a list of options of what the region had to offer.

The relocation fear ended once the Pegulas, who own the NHL’s Sabres and have established a corporate base in Buffalo, emerged as the front-runners.

The AECOM study can at least still serve as a guide.

Of the three downtown stadium sites identified http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/tony-romo-jersey , one is no longer an option because it has since been developed.

The site that drew the most attention is a large two-block parcel of street-level parking lots located in the city’s emerging Cobblestone entertainment district. The site is located a block east of the Sabres’ arena and within two blocks of HarborCenter, a $200 million hotel and hockey entertainment facility built by the Pegulas, and the headquarters of Pegula Sports and Entertainment.

One person directly involved in discussions three years ago, after the Pegulas purchased the team, told The Associated Press in January that the Bills were focused on building a downtown stadium, and that the Cobblestone site was regarded as ”one of the prime target areas.” The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the talks were private.

It’s unclear whether those plans have changed.

At the time, the state was tentatively committed to funding the necessary infrastructure upgrades, such as expanding roadways and access ramps from nearby Interstate 190. The site is also close to public transportation. It’s a five-minute drive from the Peace Bridge border crossing into southern Ontario Richard Dent Jersey , a few blocks from the Amtrak Rail station, and within about 15,000 parking spaces.

Developer Carl Paladino, who owns a large number of properties in the area, called the Cobblestone site ”the most logical place to put it (a stadium),” in an interview with the AP in January.

Kim Pegula outlined the challenges the Bills faced during an interview with the AP in 2014.

”You only get to build a stadium once, so we just want to make sure we take our time and do the right thing,” she said. ”We just want to make sure that when the time comes that we have done all our homework and have the best stadium that we can for Buffalo.”

The Pegulas have since backed off discussing stadium plans by calling them premature http://www.washingtonredskinsteamonline.com/adrian-peterson-jersey , and added they’re satisfied with the most recent renovations.

—


Texans defensive lineman J.J. Watt has donated $10,000 to the family of a firefighter who was killed after a gas main explosion on Tuesday.

Although Watt hasn’t said anything publicly about the donation, his Twitter mentions show that people in the area of Wisconsin where firefighter Cory Barr was killed contacted Watt to see if there was anything he could do. Not long after, a donation of $10,000 from Justin Watt showed up on the GoFundMe page created for Barr’s family. Watt was born and raised in Wisconsin and played football for the Badgers.

Barr was a firefighter in Wisconsin for 15 years. He is survived by his wife and twin daughters.

Watt has been lauded for his service to the community, including winning the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award last year for spearheading efforts that raised $37 million for Hurricane Harvey relief.

Alize Johnson Jersey

SANTA CLARA Pat McAfee Jersey , Calif. (AP) — San Francisco newcomer Richard Sherman will miss the next week of training camp and the 49ers‘ preseason opener after straining a hamstring in practice Friday.

“We’re definitely going to rest him at least a week,” 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said Saturday. “We don’t think it should be long term. It’s Grade 1, it’s a little higher than we expected so we got to be careful with that.”

The former Seattle cornerback was hurt chasing down receiver Pierre Garcon after a long completion from Jimmy Garoppolo during a full-team drill. The three-time All-Pro returned to practice at the start of training camp after suffering a torn right Achilles in November with the Seahawks. Sherman signed a three-year $39.15 million deal in the offseason after being cut by Seattle.

In Sherman’s place Sunday, the 49ers rotated Tyvis Powell and Greg Mabin with the starting defense. Jimmie Ward stepped in for Sherman during the offseason program but has been withheld from full-team drills after suffering a hamstring strain last week. Ward has participated during individual portions of the last two practices.

San Francisco opens its preseason slate Thursday night at home against the Dallas Cowboys.

Jason Witten is retiring after 15 years with the Dallas Cowboys, choosing the TV booth just as friend and longtime teammate Tony Romo did a year ago.

Witten says the ”time has come to pass the torch.”

Just days from turning 36, Witten walks away as the leader in games, catches and yards receiving for a franchise with five Super Bowl wins, but none since the 1995 season. He and Tony Gonzalez are the only tight ends in NFL history with at least 1 Mason Crosby Jersey ,000 catches and 10,000 yards.

Witten is tied with Ed ”Too Tall” Jones, Bill Bates and the late Mark Tuinei for most seasons by a Dallas player. He’s the only one of those four without a Super Bowl.

Witten was flanked by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and coach Jason Garrett as he announced the decision.

ASHBURN, Va. (AP) – The Washington Redskins say they’re concerned by allegations made by cheerleaders in a New York Times article about a trip to Costa Rica for a photo shoot in 2013.

Team president Bruce Allen said in a statement Thursday the organization is immediately looking into the situation. Allen says if the investigation shows any employees acted inappropriately, ”those employees will face significant repercussions.”

The New York Times reported the cheerleaders had their passports collected, were forced to be topless for a calendar photo shoot that included male spectators and were asked to be escorts for sponsors at a nightclub. The story, published Wednesday, quoted cheerleaders on condition of anonymity because they signed confidentiality agreements.

Allen says team officials have had dialogue with a number of current and former cheerleaders and have ”heard very different firsthand accounts that directly contradict many of the details” of the article. Allen says the Redskins ”will continue to take all necessary measures to create a safe and respectful work environment for their cheerleaders.”

BASEBALL

SEATTLE (AP) – Ichiro Suzuki was released Thursday by the Seattle Mariners and is shifting into a front office role with the team Antwaun Woods Jersey , although he is not completely shutting the door on playing again.

The Mariners announced that Suzuki was becoming a special assistant to the chairman effective immediately. The team said Suzuki will have an active presence with the team and assist with outfield play, base running and hitting.

But nowhere in the announcement do they say the 44-year-old is retiring, although Suzuki is precluded from returning to the active roster in 2018.

Suzuki is in his 18th season and had appeared in 15 games this year for the Mariners. Suzuki started Wednesday night and went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. He hit .205 in 44 at-bats and all nine of his hits this season were singles.

Suzuki has spent parts of 13 seasons with the Mariners. He’s also played for Miami and the New York Yankees.

PRO BASKETBALL

NEW YORK (AP) – David Fizdale is coming back to coaching as the latest pick of the New York Knicks to turn around their franchise.

The Knicks agreed to hire Fizdale on Thursday, a person with knowledge of the details said.

The former Memphis Grizzlies coach will replace Jeff Hornacek, who was fired last month after two seasons.

The Knicks then conducted a lengthy search before agreeing Thursday to a deal in principle with Fizdale, the person told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the deal was not officially announced.

ESPN first reported the agreement with Fizdale.

BOXING

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) – Boxing still risks being kicked out of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics amid concerns over the sport’s governing body, the IOC said on Thursday.

The International Boxing Association http://www.chicagobearsteamonline.com/mike-glennon-jersey , known as AIBA, has been in financial turmoil, faced claims of fixed bouts at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games, and now has an interim president linked to organized crime.

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said issues remained over ”governance, financial and sporting integrity” at the Lausanne-based boxing organization.

The IOC executive board warned AIBA about its Olympic status in February, and a recent update report ”still lacks substance,” said Bach as he asked for a fresh update before the next board meeting in July.

Bach cites ”serious factual issues” as well as concerns about AIBA’s leader. The U.S. Treasury Department has said interim president Gafur Rakhimov of Uzbekistan was involved in heroin trading and froze assets he held in American jurisdiction.

DOPING

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) – The International Olympic Committee will appeal to Switzerland’s supreme court against rulings which cleared some Russian athletes of doping sanctions from the Sochi Games.

The Olympic body is ”not satisfied at all” by the verdicts and written explanations from the Court of Arbitration for Sport http://www.buffalobillsteamonline.com/stephen-hauschka-jersey , IOC President Thomas Bach said on Thursday after an executive board meeting.

The Swiss Federal Tribunal – also based in Lausanne – can overturn CAS verdicts if legal process was abused, though appeals rarely succeed.

”The chances of winning did not play a role in our discussion,” Bach said at a news conference. ”The only factor which led us to this decision was the protection of the clean athletes who have finished behind the Russian athletes who have not been declared innocent.”

Adidas Jonathan Quick Jersey

The Carolina Panthers are off the market.

The Panthers announced Wednesday they have signed a ”definitive agreement” to sell the team to David Tepper Jerry Hughes Jersey , the founder and president of global hedge fund Appaloosa Management.

The deal is subject to NFL approval.

League owners will meet next week in Atlanta, where they are expected to vote on the purchase. Since Tepper already has been vetted by the league as a minority owner of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the approval process is not expected to run into any snags.

The transaction is expected to close in July, the team announced.

Tepper, who has been a minority owner of the Steelers since 2009, said Wednesday in a release that he’s thrilled to become the next owner of the Panthers.

”I have learned a great deal about the community and the team over the past several months and look forward to becoming part of the Carolinas,” said Tepper, who was born and raised in Pittsburgh. ”I want to thank Jerry Richardson and the other Panthers partners for all they have done to establish and develop the NFL in the Carolinas. It has been a remarkable 25-year journey and I promise to build upon the Panthers’ success on the field and in the community.”

Tepper has a net worth of more than $11 billion, according to Forbes.

He is paying an NFL-record $2.2 billion to purchase the team, according to two people familiar with the situation. The people spoke to The Associated Press on Tuesday on condition of anonymity because the team didn’t release the selling price of the franchise.

The release didn’t mention if Tepper plans to move the team or keep it in Charlotte.

Jerry Richardson, the team’s founder and only owner, abruptly announced he was selling the team last December after coming under investigation from the league for sexual and racial misconduct in the workplace.

That investigation is ongoing.

Richardson, who rarely comments to the media Josh Jones Jersey , said in the release that bringing the expansion Panthers and the NFL to the Carolinas in 1993 was enormously fulfilling for him, his wife, Rosalind, and all of the team’s partners.

”We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support over the last 25 years,” Richardson said. ”You have taken the Panthers into your hearts and made them part of this warm and supportive community.”

Richardson has had a strong relationship with the Rooney family in Pittsburgh through the years and is familiar with Tepper.

”I look forward to turning the stewardship of the Panthers over to David Tepper,” Richardson said. ”I have enjoyed getting to know him in this process and am confident that he will provide the organization with great leadership in both its football and community initiatives. I wish David and his family the very best as they enter this exciting new phase of their lives.”

Tepper will have full ownership of the team. He’ll need to sell his ownership stake in the Steelers once he becomes the Panthers owner.

Richardson had owned 48 percent of the franchise and the Panthers had several minority owners under the previous regime.

Tepper is expected to be more outspoken that the relatively recluse Richardson, who hasn’t granted an interview with the media in more than a decade.

Tepper once criticized President Donald Trump before the election, calling him ”demented, narcissistic and a scumbag.”

A noted philanthropist, Tepper told CNBC’s Squawk Box the day before the presidential election that Trump ”masquerades as an angel of light, but he is the father of lies.”

Tepper disputed Melania Trump’s claim that her husband was a generous, giving person in a campaign appearance. He contended Trump did not give money in the wake of some New York-area disasters.

”During Sandy, the big Sandy benefit JK Scott Jersey , the big 9/11 benefit, not one dime. Not one dime! You can’t tell me this is a charitable, generous person,” Tepper said on Squawk Box in November 2016.

Tepper went on to say, ”One thing I do with my wife, this is a thing called the Golden Rule. It has nothing to do with investments-nothing to do with investments. It says do unto others as you would have others do unto you. And that’s not being done with Trump – not at least on the good side. It just was a turning point. That’s my upbringing. I can’t help it. I can’t take it anymore. And when you lie about that stuff and you lie about fundamental beliefs.”

—


OAKLAND, Calif. — Two veteran coaches had a similar message for their teams on the eve of Game 4 of the Western Conference finals between the Houston Rockets and Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night.

“It starts 0-0,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said of Game 4. “It doesn’t matter if we won (the previous game) by one or 41.”

In fact, the Warriors did win Game 3 on Sunday by 41 points, 126-85, to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven.

The margin of victory not only was the largest in Warriors postseason history, but the margin of defeat also was the biggest ever for a team that won 65 or more games in the regular season.

Stephen Curry, who had missed 17 of his 20 3-point attempts in the first 10 quarters of the series Adolphus Washington Jersey , sent the Warriors’ home crowd into a frenzy by making 4 of 5 in the second half Sunday en route to 35 points.

It was a performance that brought back memories to Kerr of the Boston Celtics’ Danny Ainge.

“I don’t remember what I had for breakfast, but I remember what Danny Ainge said 30 years ago,” Kerr warned. “They won a playoff game by 40, and he said, ‘This is not the Tour de France. You don’t start with a big lead because it’s not based on time or how much you won by.’

“It’s the NBA, so it’s 2-1 (in the series). So doesn’t matter what happened (Sunday). We have to be ready for a great team that’s going to come out like they did in Game 2, attacking, hair on fire and taking the force to us, and we have to be ready for that.”

The Rockets’ margin of defeat Sunday was almost identical to the number of fewer points scored by Eric Gordon, P.J. Tucker and Trevor Ariza in Game 3 than in Game 2.

Key members of the James Harden/Chris Paul supporting cast — Gordon, Tucker and Ariza — combined for 23-of-33 shooting and contributed 68 points to a 127-105 series-evening home win in Game 2.

On Sunday, they went a combined 8 of 24 and 23 points in the blowout loss.

Rockets coach Mike D’Antoni wasn’t singling out anyone when he assessed the Game 3 performance.

“We didn’t bring our best game,” he observed. “But I’m hoping for the best (in Game 4). I hope we play great and them bad. Never know.”

The loss was the Rockets’ fourth of the postseason. They rebounded with wins after each of the first three Adrian Amos Jersey , romping by an average of 20.7 points.

This time, they’ll be up against a Warriors team that has won an NBA-record 16 straight playoff games at home.

D’Antoni went as far as to say the pressure is on the Warriors, who would hand the home-court advantage back to Houston with a loss in Game 4.

“I hope so,” Kerr reacted to his rival’s statement. “We’re much better when the pressure’s on. He’s right. We’re at home, so if they win, they have home-court advantage. So, yeah, pressure’s on us. It’s kind of on them, too.”

Mohamed Bamba Jersey

ARLINGTON Terrell Owens Jersey , Texas (AP) 鈥?Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys had another efficient preseason showing.

Andy Dalton bogged down a bit with his Cincinnati Bengals.

Prescott led a pair of scoring drives in three possessions, capped by a scrambling 6-yard scoring pass to Terrance Williams, before the Bengals rallied after halftime for a 21-13 exhibition victory Saturday night.

The Bengals had just two first downs in three Dalton-led possessions a week after he threw for two touchdowns with an offense that was revamped after finishing last in the NFL. One of the first downs was on Dalton's 13-yard scramble after the Bengals (2-0) started with a pair of three-and-outs.

A week after throwing a 30-yard touchdown to rookie Michael Gallup on his only drive of the preseason opener in San Francisco, Prescott was 10 of 15 for 86 yards. The TD drive for a 10-0 lead was kept alive by an 8-yard slant to Gallup, who reached out for a nice catch inside the Cincinnati 10.

TEXANS 16, 49ERS 13

HOUSTON (AP) 鈥?Deshaun Watson threw a touchdown pass and Houston earned a preseason win over San Francisco.

Watson led the Texans down the field, going 5 of 8 for 73 yards, capped off by a 1-yard touchdown pass to Bruce Ellington.

It was a much lengthier outing than the preseason opener in Kansas City when Watson attempted just one pass in his return to game action after missing the second half of his rookie season with a torn ACL.

Watson's efficiency matched a nice opening drive from San Francisco's Jimmy Garoppolo, who threw a 2-yard touchdown pass to Trent Taylor.

Garoppolo's night ended after his second drive when a deep pass to Dante Pettis bounced off Pettis' hands and was intercepted by Johnson Bademosi. Garoppolo was 10 of 12 for 136 yards.

BUCCANEERS 30 Pat O'Donnell Jersey , TITANS 14

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) 鈥?Jameis Winston gave Tampa Bay a potent reminder of what it will miss when the quarterback sits out his three-game suspension to start the regular season.

Winston threw for 226 yards and two touchdowns after coming off the bench in the second quarter, and the Buccaneers beat Tennessee in the teams' second exhibition game.

Ryan Fitzpatrick started for a second straight week as the Buccaneers (2-0) prepare the veteran to run the offense while Winston sits out for violating the league's personal conduct policy after the NFL investigated an allegation Winston groped a female Uber driver in Arizona in March 2016. Fitzpatrick helped the Bucs hold the ball for 9 minutes of the first quarter, but they settled for a field goal as the quarterback was 5 of 13 for 46 yards passing.

Winston completed eight of his first nine passes and left with a 151.4 passer rating. He threw for big chunks, hitting Mike Evans for 38 yards and then DeSean Jackson on a 54-yarder. Winston found Chris Godwin in a pack of Titans (0-2) in the end zone for an 8-yard TD and connected with Justin Watson for a 21-yard TD that gave the Bucs a 20-7 halftime lead.

CHARGERS 24, SEAHAWKS 14

CARSON, Calif. (AP) 鈥?Philip Rivers and Los Angeles looked almost ready for the regular season from their first series.

Russell Wilson and Seattle probably feel like they've got more work to do.

Melvin Gordon rushed for a short touchdown to cap a strong 70-yard opening drive by the Chargers' first-team offense, and Rivers went 6 of 7 for 62 yards in Los Angeles' 24-14 preseason victory over the Seahawks on Saturday night.

JJ Jones returned a punt 72 yards for a touchdown late in the first half, and Mike Williams caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Geno Smith in the second half of a solid performance by the Chargers (1-1) in the preseason home opener of their second season at compact StubHub Center.

While Rivers played only two series Da'Ron Payne Jersey , Wilson was 13 of 21 for 193 yards while playing the entire first half for the Seahawks (0-2). His offense was limited to two field goals by execution mistakes in the red zone.

RAMS 19, RAIDERS 15

LOS ANGELES (AP) 鈥?Rookie John Kelly rushed for 56 yards and a touchdown, and the Rams welcomed the Raiders back to the Coliseum with a preseason victory over Oakland.

Chris Warren rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown for the Raiders in their return to the venerable stadium that was their home for 13 seasons during their largely successful tenure in Los Angeles. Their still-passionate Southern California fan base turned out in force, filling the 95-year-old arena with black jerseys and loud cheers.

BRONCOS 24, BEARS 23

DENVER (AP) 鈥?Case Keenum moved the chains for the first time for Denver in a 24-23 exhibition loss to Chicago, and Chad Kelly threw another touchdown after leapfrogging Paxton Lynch on the depth chart.

Lynch's second straight poor performance opened the door for the Bears to come back from a 23-10 fourth-quarter deficit.

Bears backup QB Chase Daniel threw two TD passes in the final five minutes, including a 12-yarder to tight end Ben Braunecker with 1:53 left to tie it. Pat O'Donnell's extra point gave Chicago (1-2) its first lead.

Lynch had the Broncos (0-2) close to field goal range when Isaiah McKenzie, who had a half dozen fumbles as a rookie last year, coughed up the ball after a catch Johnny Unitas Jersey , and linebacker Isaiah Irving recovered for Chicago with 58 seconds left.

After a pair of three-and-outs in his dud of a Denver debut last week, Keenum rebounded from another three-and-out to lead two scoring drives on his final two possessions, finishing 8 for 13 for 78 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions.

JAGUARS 14, VIKINGS 10

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) 鈥?Yannick Ngakoue had an 11-yard sack that helped Jacksonville's defense hold Kirk Cousins and Minnesota's starting offense to three completions and three points, and the Jaguars reserves rallied for a victory over the Vikings.

Cousins was crisp in his only series last week, but the Vikings went three-and-out on The Philadelphia Phillies have placed right-hander Vince Velasquez on the 10-day disabled list with a bruised forearm a day after he made a dazzling throw with his left hand.

Velasquez was hit just below the elbow on a liner back up the middle by Washington’s Adam Eaton in the second inning Saturday. He picked up the ball and threw it left-handed to first base to get the final out. He then went down, riling in pain and clutching his right arm.

”I feel a lot better than yesterday,” Velasquez told reporters Sunday. ”A lot more movement going on and just continue doing my work stuff that I need to do, lower half DeShone Kizer Jersey , and then continue to doing my core and all that stuff I need to do and go from there.”

This is the fourth trip to the disabled list for Velasquez in his three seasons with Philadelphia.

Also Sunday, the Phillies reinstated right-handed reliever Pat Neshek from the 10-day DL, recalled righty Jake Thompson from Triple-A Lehigh Valley and optioned left-hander Zac Curtis to Lehigh Valley.

Neshek, who was re-signed by the Phillies during the offseason, had been on the disabled list since opening day with a forearm injury.

—

Womens Brian Allen Jersey

Lions coach Matt Patricia will have a familiar face joining the defense in Detroit.

According to multiple reports Michael Irvin Jersey , linebacker Marquis Flowers will sign with the Lions. Flowers was cut by the Patriots, who employed Patricia as defensive coordinator until he was hired by the Lions, over the weekend.

Flowers was a Bengals sixth-round pick in 2014 and was traded to the Patriots before last season. He played just over a quarter of the defensive snaps and was a regular on special teams while appearing in every game. Flowers finished the regular season with 32 tackles, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

The Lions currently have six linebackers on their 53-man roster and Flowers will join defensive lineman Ricky Jean Francois as 2017 Patriots defenders who have made the move to Detroit this offseason.

Jim Schwartz inherited one of the NFL’s worst defenses and turned them into one of the best in less than two years.

When coach Doug Pederson hired Schwartz to be the defensive coordinator in 2016, the Philadelphia Eagles were coming off three straight seasons ranked in the bottom four in yards allowed.

Schwartz changed the scheme back to a 4-3 base and rebuilt the defense using many of the same players left from the old regime. He also brought a swagger that’s reflected in his players.

Three-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Fletcher Cox, two-time Pro Bowl safety Malcolm Jenkins, defensive linemen Brandon Graham and Beau Allen Skai Moore Jersey , and linebacker Mychal Kendricks were part of the unit that struggled under former coach Chip Kelly and former defensive coordinator Billy Davis.

But they’ve thrived under Schwartz because his system fits their skills.

”He always puts us in great position to make plays,” Jenkins said.

Schwartz made an immediate impact last season, helping the defense go from 30th in yards allowed and 28th in points to 13th and 12th, respectively.

This season, they ranked fourth in both categories and had the league’s No. 1 run defense.

While Minnesota’s top-ranked defense got most of the attention, Philadelphia’s unit has been excellent in the playoffs.

The Eagles have allowed only 17 points in two games – one touchdown drive was 18 yards following a fumbled punt. They dominated the Vikings in a 38-7 win in the NFC championship game last Sunday.

Now, Schwartz has to devise a plan to stop Tom Brady and the Patriots in the Super Bowl.

”No player stands on his own http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/leighton-vander-esch-jersey ,” Schwartz said. ”The NFL in general, but particularly the Patriots, you can’t scheme for one player. If you do, then they have plenty of other players that can make plays. You have to do a good job against their entire offense, and you can’t really make it about one person.”

Schwartz began his NFL coaching career in Cleveland as a research assistant for Bill Belichick in 1993. After three seasons with the Browns, he spent three years as outside linebackers coach in Baltimore and then went to Tennessee. Schwartz served 10 seasons with the Titans, the last eight as defensive coordinator.

He coached the Detroit Lions for five seasons Ray Nitschke Jersey , leading them to the playoffs in 2011. Schwartz was Doug Marrone’s defensive coordinator in Buffalo in 2014, worked as a consultant for the NFL’s officiating department in 2015 and came to Philadelphia after Pederson was hired to replace Kelly.

”I owe a lot to Bill Belichick. He got my career started,” Schwartz said. ”That’s the last thing that we’ll be thinking about in preparation. You think any of our players care that in 1993 I got hired as an unpaid intern? They are just going out and playing.

”We need to come up with a good plan. We need to execute. We need to keep in mind what we’re good at, keep in mind our matchups and all those different things. And if we do a good enough job at that, we’ll be able to come out with a victory.”

Schwartz holds players accountable in meetings, singling guys out if they make mistakes. But he does it in a way where he doesn’t alienate them.

”He cares about winning. That’s what he’s all about, not himself Adam Shaheen Jersey ,” defensive end Chris Long said.

Despite Schwartz’s success in Philadelphia, he won’t be leaving for another head coaching job just yet. The New York Giants and Arizona Cardinals were interested, but Schwartz wouldn’t confirm whether he interviewed with either team.

”I think it’s not fair to our players or anything else to talk about anything else,” Schwartz said.

—

AP NFL website: Authentic Womens Alex McGough Jersey

BEREA http://www.chicagobearsteamonline.com/mitchell-trubisky-jersey , Ohio (AP) Football’s giving Browns coach Hue Jackson refuge to cope with family loss.

Jackson, trying to turn around a Cleveland team that didn’t win a game in 16 tries last season, plans to remain with the team in training camp while mourning the recent deaths of his 83-year-old mother and brother in California.

A team spokesman confirmed Wednesday night that Jackson’s mother, Betty Lee, died over the weekend in Los Angeles following a long illness. Her passing came two weeks after Jackson’s brother http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/tony-romo-jersey , John Jr., died unexpectedly.

Jackson intends to stay with the Browns through next week’s exhibition opener against the New York Giants while the family finalizes funeral plans.

Jackson, who is in his third season with Cleveland, has not made any public comments about the deaths during camp, which opened last week. Beyond his daily duties T.Y. Hilton Jersey , Jackson’s every move on and off the field as the Browns’ camp is being chronicled by cameras for HBO’s ”Hard Knocks.”

Jackson’s agent, John Thornton, told Cleveland.com that the deaths have deeply affected the coach.

”It’s been really tough on him,” Thornton said. ”He’s just trying to let football help him out.”

Although Jackson is just 1-31 in two seasons with the Browns, owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said last week that the coach still has their unwavering support.

—


DeAndre Hopkins invited young athletes to come train with him Wednesday in a posting on social media Tuesday night. Some 50 kids showed up at Hermann Park in Houston to run a steep hill with the Texans receiver.

“I’ve been coming out here working out on this hill since I’ve been in the NFL Marquez Valdes-Scantling Jersey ,” Hopkins said, via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. “I thought it was time to open up the training methods to some of the kids who look up to me. They’re always asking me what I’m doing and how can I be a player. So, I wanted to show them what I do and I think it’s good for them.”

Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice made hill climbing legendary. He credits running “The Hill” for his longevity.

Hopkins, 26, has made hill running a part of his offseason routine since the Texans drafted him in the first round in 2013. On Wednesday Randy Gregory Jersey , he and the kids spent more than an hour running and jumping and doing push-ups and sit-ups.

“There are some bigger hills I go to,” Hopkins said. “I didn’t want to put the kids on that. They might have fell backwards.

“It’s great. They understand the importance of coming out and taking care of their bodies. You got to thank their parents for bringing them.”

Womens Antonio Callaway Jersey

Bears coach Matt Nagy decided to rest his starters for the next-to-last preseason game rather than use it as the customary regular-season tuneup.

And the backups proved that they're also ready for the regular season. Backup quarterback Chase Daniel directed touchdown drives on the first three possessions and the Bears defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 27-20 on Saturday.

"It's a confidence builder Denico Autry Jersey , for sure," Daniel said.

The Bears played in the Hall of Fame Game and have been practicing since July 20, and Nagy liked what he'd seen in practices.

So he decided Friday to keep starters out of what normally would be a dress rehearsal for the regular-season opener at Green Bay on Sept. 9.

"This was, for me, more of just knowing the pulse of our team," Nagy said. "I know this team better than anybody right now."

Daniel replaced Mitchell Trubisky against the Chiefs, the team Nagy last year served as offensive coordinator. Nagy didn't think Trubisky, who is in his second year as a starter, would have benefited greatly after about 2,000 preseason and training camp snaps.

"We've had some grueling practices against Denver, some live reps in our past couple preseason games," Nagy said.

Playing against Chiefs defensive starters and then the backups, Daniel led the Bears to a 24-10 halftime lead.

Daniel, a Chiefs backup quarterback from 2013-15, finished 15 of 18 for 198 yards and two touchdowns. The first two Bears touchdown drives came against Kansas City's starting defense, minus injured safety Eric Berry and four other injured players.

"I felt like I was seeing it pretty good out there today," Daniel said.

Wide-open receiver Kevin White caught Daniel's 29-yard TD pass in the first quarter to break a 7-7 tie Lane Taylor Jersey , and Daniel then found Javon Wims for a 7-yard TD pass in the back corner of the end zone and a 21-10 lead.

Benny Cunningham ran in from 13 yards for Chicago's first TD and Cody Parkey added a 48-yard field goal just before halftime.

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes II and the starting offense played into the third quarter against the backup Bears defense, and showed inconsistency.

Mahomes flipped a short pass to the right side and Kareem Hunt turned it into a 19-yard TD for a 7-7 tie. Then he led a 49-yard drive ending in Harrison Butker's second-quarter 47-yard field goal.

Mahomes didn't produce a big play on Saturday, and finished 18 of 24 for 196 yards. He left the game with the Chiefs down 24-10 in the third quarter.

"For me, I thought today was a good day as far as taking what was there and at the same time attacking the defense," Mahomes said.

The Chiefs had eight penalties for 85 yards and a third-quarter drive ended at the Chicago 5-yard line.

"We can learn from this offensively," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. "You're in the red zone you have to put points on the board. You can't have penalties. We had way too many penalties. Special teams, offense and defense, and tackling we have to make sure we work on that.

"Again, that's what the preseason is for."

A FIRST TD

Bears wide receiver Kevin White's 29-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter was the first touchdown he has scored since coming into the NFL as the seventh pick in the 2015 draft. White missed 2015 and much of 2016 with leg injuries, and played one game last year before suffering a shoulder injury. He is vying for a roster spot in a crowded wide receiver competition and has Nagy's eye.

"I root for underdogs, I love underdogs," Nagy said. "And so when you have an underdog that fights his tail off to improve and when people don't believe in him and he proves the people who do believe in him right, then there's nothing better to me."

HOMECOMING

Nagy and his mentor, Reid, shared a hug and a few moments after the game.

Nagy also had a long talk after the game with Mahomes, who started a game for the Chiefs last year as a rookie.

"I told him good luck," Mahomes said. "He was someone that I really got to know last year and really built a great relationship with him. I'm excited for him and his future with Chicago."

ROUGH STUFF

Chiefs linebacker Tanoh Kpassagnon was flagged for roughing Daniel in the second quarter Kevin White Jersey , even though Daniel was tackled with the ball still in his hand. Daniel said it was because Kpassagnon drove him into the ground with the full force of his body.

"I got crushed," Daniel said. "I'm glad I was wearing full pads out there."

Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers last year suffered a broken collarbone on a similar hit.

NATIONAL ANTHEM

There were no protests during the anthem.

INJURIES

Bears wide receiver Marlon Brown left in the second quarter with a possible concussion and did not return. ... Bears reserve tackle Bradley Sowell was assisted from the field in the fourth quarter with a leg injury.

NEXT UP

Chiefs: Close the preseason Thursday by hosting the Green Bay Packers.

Bears: Close the preseason Thursday by hosting the Buffalo Bills.

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Dak Prescott barks at his teammates a little more now that he’s a couple of years removed from a sensational rookie year with the Dallas Cowboys.

At least that’s the way tight end Geoff Swaim put it, and he didn’t mean it in a negative way. The star quarterback sure hopes so.

“I may be a little bit more vocal,” Prescott said. “But when you say ‘barking,’ it’s almost like at a negative tone. Like, you’re going out at them hard. I’d say if anything, I’m trying to be more encouraging and bring more out of them.

“When you have a young team and different personalities, it’s hard just to be negative and be critical the whole time. For me, it’s a lot about coaching the guys up. And then the guys that I know I can be critical on, yeah, sure I am.”

The 2016 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, who opens the season Sunday at Carolina trying to get the Cowboys back to the playoffs after they missed during his less-than-stellar encore , just illustrated offensive coordinator Scott Linehan’s take on leadership from Prescott.

Sure, this 25-year-old with a master’s degree in workforce education leadership from Mississippi State is the unquestioned commander of the offense — and that includes over running back Ezekiel Elliott, his fellow first-year standout from 2016.

But it’s not necessarily because of the retirement of Tony Romo, the quarterback he replaced with one of the best debuts for a quarterback in NFL history.

Or because 15-year tight end Jason Witten joined Romo in the broadcast booth this year. Or because the Cowboys dumped boisterous receiver Dez Bryant http://www.washingtonredskinsteamonline.com/zach-brown-jersey , the franchise leader in touchdown catches, in a cost-cutting move.

Since Prescott showed up as the forgotten third-teamer on Romo’s team two years ago, he has shown the leadership qualities that suddenly became more pronounced. He was a natural to become the face of the franchise , and would be by himself if not for linebacker Sean Lee.

“He’s always been a guy that, even as a rookie, he was not afraid to speak up and give his two cents on the field and encourage guys,” Linehan said. “He’s a natural when it comes to that.”

Prescott led the Cowboys to 11 straight wins after Romo injured his back in the preseason in 2016, when Dallas had an NFC-best 13 victories before losing to Green Bay in a divisional playoff.

Elliott’s six-game suspension marred their second season together, and Prescott felt the burden of the absence.

The poor decisions he avoided as a rookie were more frequent, including an ill-advised throw that was intercepted and returned for a touchdown in a late-season loss to Seattle that finished off Dallas’ playoff hopes in Elliott’s first game back.

The theme last season was whether Prescott could avoid a sophomore slump, a term he brushed off. Now it’s whether he can have a bounce-back season, if there is such a thing for a young quarterback.

“You can call it whatever you call it,” he said. “I’m excited for what we’re going to have and the year we’re going to have and I feel very, very confident in the players we have and the team we have and what we’re going to do this season.”

There are questions, starting with a revamped receiving corps that lacks the star power brought by Witten and Bryant.

The Cowboys say they’ll attack the passing game with versatility, hoping to take advantage of one-on-one matchups with opponents focusing first on stopping Elliott, the league rushing leader when Prescott was voted the top offensive rookie.

There are two new starters on Dallas’ vaunted offensive line. Joe Looney is replacing Travis Frederick at center while the four-time Pro Bowler recovers from Guillain-Barre syndrome Bryan Bulaga Jersey , an auto-immune disease that attacks nerves. He doesn’t know when he will return. Rookie second-round pick Connor Williams is at left guard.

Despite the questions, Prescott is determined not to try to do too much again.

“I know I’ll be better,” he said. “I just learned so much from last year, just moving forward, mature within the game, just learned a lot more that I didn’t know last year that I wasn’t as comfortable with. Just reads, my game on footwork, accuracy and consistency, everything.”

Learning isn’t stopping him from coaching, as he put it.

“I think as a rookie it was more encouraging and that kind of thing,” Swaim said. “This year, the barking, it’s not like he’s screaming and yelling. That’s not his thing. It’s more just, ‘Hey, this is what you need to do here.’ And it’s good because it keeps everyone focused and in their role and doing their job.”

Prescott just wants you to know it’s not negative.

Authentic Womens Danny Shelton Jersey

It would be easy to say the New Jersey Devils are back after ending a six-year playoff drought.

John Hynes’ team went from last in the Eastern Conference in 2016-17 to the postseason in less in the year Leonard Floyd Jersey , riding a career year by left wing Taylor Hall and outstanding first seasons by No. 1 overall draft pick Nico Hischier and Will Butcher. This was a team that made it tough on opponents almost every time it stepped on the ice.

The standings said it all. New Jersey went from 28 wins and 70 points to 44 wins and 97 points.

Still, it was only good enough to outlast the hard-charging Florida Panthers in the closing weeks of the regular season and get the No. 8 seed.

The Devils discovered that playoffs were another level. They were eliminated by Tampa Bay, the top seed in the Eastern Conference, in five games.

”Of course, we’re disappointed,” veteran center Travis Zajac said Tuesday as the Devils cleaned out their lockers. ”But we accomplished a lot as a team. This is just the beginning. I like how we come together as a team. We faced a lot of adversity, but we survived. Because the league is so close and it’s going to be that way again next year, we have to continue to get better.”

The Devils have ridden a roller-coaster in Hynes’ first three seasons as coach. They exceeded expectations in his first year, plummeted two years ago and then stunned the league in getting back to the playoffs.

”You have no idea of how good I feel about what we did this year,” said captain Andy Greene, who like Zajac was with the Devils when they reached the Stanley Cup Final in 2012. ”We were a lot better. The way we competed every game down the stretch. We were fighting for each other. We were picked last in the division and last in the conference. We took that to heart. It’s all part of the process. You don’t go from the bottom to the top unless you work hard.”

Hall carried the Devils this season, scoring points in 26 straight games in which he played. He finished with 39 goals and 54 assists. His 93 points were 41 more than the next closest player on the team Womens Phil Taylor Jersey , Hischier (20 goals, 32 assists).

”I knew he was a really good hockey player, but it was nothing like what I saw this year,” said forward Marcus Johansson, who was limited to 29 games by concussions. ”He was unbelievable day in and day out.”

If Hall can match next season and young players like Hischier, Butcher, Myles Wood, Blake Coleman and Jesper Bratt improve and the work ethic remains the same, the Devils can easily make it back to the playoffs next season.

Here’s some things to watch next season:

GOOD GOALTENDING: The Devils have two starters. Backup Keith Kinkaid had 16 wins in the final two months to secure the playoff berth. Cory Schneider, who lost the starting job after groin and hip injuries in January, was outstanding in the playoffs after taking over for Kinkaid in the second game.

FREE AGENCY: General manager Ray Shero has three big decisions with unrestricted free agents: forwards Patrick Maroon and Michael Grabner and defenseman John Moore. Maroon, who like Grabner was acquired in a deal near the trading deadline Taron Johnson Jersey , played better and provided a net-front presence. Moore might be let go to create space for youngsters Mirco Mueller and Steven Santini.

Blake Coleman and Stefan Noesen, who were the wings on the checking line with Zajac, are restricted free agents along with Wood, who had 19 goals. Expect them back along with Santini, another restricted free agent.

HISCHIER: The 19-year-old can play. He’s not in the same class as Connor McDavid or Austin Matthews. Still, he does all the little things and he will score more if he starts hitting the net.

DEFENSE: For the second straight year the Devils gave up 244 goals. That’s too many. Sami Vatanen, who was acquired from Anaheim, helped the defense and was Greene’s partner on the top pair. The defense needs a star and Shero may go after the Capitals’ John Carlson.

—

Associated Press freelancer Jim Hague contributed to this report.

—

More NHL hockey: The Houston Astros relied on their powerful offense to win 12 straight games.

On Tuesday night that offense went cold, and their streak ended with a 2-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Astros went 1 for 6 with runners in scoring position to come up one victory shy of setting the franchise record for longest winning streak in franchise history. After averaging more than seven runs in their last 12 games, Houston managed just five singles to end a stretch of 34 straight games with at least one extra-base hit.

C.J. Cron homered early and Wilson Ramos hit a tiebreaking RBI single in the eighth inning to lift the Rays to the victory.

Blake Snell (9-4) allowed just three hits and one run in seven innings, but had to pitch around a career-high seven walks for his fifth straight win. Sergio Romo pitched for the third straight game, taking over with one out in the ninth and allowing one hit for his third save a night after blowing the save in Houston’s 5-4 win.

”We didn’t hit enough and we were shut down by a pretty good pitcher Marquez Valdes-Scantling Jersey ,” manager A.J. Hinch said. ”We kept putting up pretty decent at-bats, but that big hit just eluded us again. We kept fighting until the end but just didn’t have enough offense.”

Matt Duffy doubled to start the eighth and advanced to third on a groundout by Jake Bauers. The Rays took a 2-1 lead when the single by Ramos sailed just over the head of a leaping Yuli Gurriel and into left field to allow Duffy to score.

Cron snapped a career-long 0 for 23 slump with a solo homer with one out in the second inning to give Tampa Bay a 1-0 lead. It was the first hit since June 12 for Cron, who struck out 18 times during his hitless streak.

The Rays have struggled to win close games this season and had lost seven of their last eight games decided by one run before Tuesday’s win.

”Things kind of went our way,” manager Kevin Cash said. ”It’s amazing how those pop up in all those games but it’s nice to pull one out where there wasn’t any mistakes. The walks are the only thing that you’d like to have back but you’ll take the performance.”

Justin Verlander yielded six hits and one run while fanning 10 in 6 2/3 innings.

”It was a pretty good day for me, but it was a pretty good day for the other guy, too,” Verlander said. ”Classic pitchers’ duel. I wish we could’ve come out on top, but … it happens.”

Hector Rondon (1-2) took the loss by allowing two hits and one run in one inning.

The Astros had plenty of opportunities to score, but came up short again and again. They loaded the bases with one out in the first inning, but Carlos Gomez caught a fly ball hit by Evan Gattis and his throw home was in time to leave George Springer out at home to end the inning.

Springer was on second base with one out in the third inning when Bregman singled to send him home and tie it at 1-1. Bregman tried to stretch the hit into a double, but Gomez made a perfect throw from right field to leave him out at second.

Snell struck out the side in the fourth, capped by a three-pitch strikeout of Marwin Gonzalez that led to his ejection. Gonzalez argued with home plate umpire Pat Hoberg before throwing his bat and helmet and being tossed. He kept barking at Hoberg after the ejection and continued yelling at him until third base coach Gary Pettis pulled him away and pushed him toward the dugout.

Snell walked Alex Bregman and Carlos Correa with no outs in the sixth. But Gurriel grounded into a double play and Snell retired Tony Kemp after intentionally walking Gattis to leave Houston empty-handed.

Adeiny Hechavarria doubled with two outs in the seventh inning to chase Verlander. Hector Rondon took over and retired Kevin Kiermaier to end the inning. Kiermaier went 0 for 5 in his return after sitting out since April 15 after tearing a ligament in his right thumb which required surgery.

The Astros had a runner on first base with two outs in the seventh when Springer hit a long fly ball to right-center that Kiermaier nabbed as he leapt on the warning track before crashing into the wall of the bullpen.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Astros: RHP Joe Smith (right elbow inflammation) felt good after playing catch on Tuesday but likely won’t return from the disabled list until Houston’s next homestand Chidobe Awuzie Jersey , which begins on July 5.

TOP OF THE HEAP

Houston second baseman Jose Altuve led all players in fan voting for the All-Star game with 1,572,101 votes in the second update on voting released on Tuesday. The 2017 AL MVP leads the majors in hits (102) and average (.342) and was the first player to reach 100 hits this season.

”I think it’s well-deserved for someone who represents our game in exceptional fashion,” Hinch said. ”The voters are getting it right. He’s every bit what’s right about baseball. I’m happy he’s getting the recognition he deserves … he’s as perfect of a player as there is.”

UP NEXT

Tampa Bay’s Nathan Eovaldi (8-4, 2.58 ERA) opposes Houston’s Charlie Morton (8-1, 2.94) in the series finale on Wednesday night. Eovaldi, who grew up in suburban Houston, is 1-0 with a 2.52 ERA in four career starts against the Astros. Morton struck out nine in six innings of a win over Kansas City in his last start.

—

Adidas Patrice Bergeron Jersey

EAST RUTHERFORD Morgan Moses Jersey , N.J. (AP) Aldrick Rosas can’t have a repeat of last season if he wants to remain the New York Giants‘ placekicker.

The 23-year-old from Southern Oregon might have been the biggest surprise of training camp last summer, making the roster as a first-year free agent. The 6-foot-3, rock-solid 233-pounder with a booming leg made almost every kick attempted in training camp to beat out veteran Mike Nugent. It was a no-brainer for then-coach Ben McAdoo and his staff.

Then came the regular season and everything went south for McAdoo, the team – and Rosas.

There were good moments: Rosas kicked in the opener at Dallas and then hitched a ride on co-owner’s Steve Tisch’s jet so he could get to California for the birth of his daughter and first child, Karsyn Isabella.

”She is doing great, she is awesome,” Rosas said Friday after practice. ”It’s amazing. She is eating the house. She is growing so fast. It’s amazing.”

His season wasn’t so pretty.

Rosas made 18 of 25 field-goal attempts. That’s 72 percent and not good enough when coaches expect their kickers to hit 80 percent.

”It’s felt like I have done five years since last summer,” Rosas said. ”It’s been a ride. When you go back and reflect http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/tyron-smith-jersey , it’s learning the game of football, being a professional and learning the game of life and being a Dad. I am still learning.”

Rosas said the biggest thing he learned as a player was the need to stick to a plan and take it one kick at a time, regardless of each result.

This season, he is trying to follow a routine after each kick. He wants to come to the sideline, take a sip of water and wait for his next field-goal attempt, kickoff or extra point.

Rosas insists when he walks on the field, he is never looking to see how far he has to kick the ball, or where the ball is positioned. He is looking at his spot and focusing.

”So if I pushed the last one wide right Jason Spriggs Jersey , I am still going to line up the same, right down the middle,” he said. ”I am going to give it my best effort to make it. It may be the same result, but I am not going to let the last kick dictate what I do on this one.”

Rosas has spent a lot of time recently working with regular long snapper Zak DeOssie and new holder, punter Riley Dixon. Friday was the first time the unit practiced the hurry-up, last-minute field-goal attempts with the fans and media watching.

Rosas made all three attempts.

Looking back on last season, Rosas can’t say one thing went wrong. He said his confidence level was OK, but he felt he let his mind wander on what he should and should not be doing in practice with his kicking.

This year Eddie Yarbrough Jersey , he wants to do the same thing every kick and have a little fun.

New coach Pat Shurmur was hesitant to say what he expected from his kicker, although he agreed with someone with a cranky wizard-like voice from behind the podium curtain who chirped in: ”Just make `em.”

”I think it’s important,” Shurmur said. ”Again, you’ve got to see it happen in game situations. Most often, the kickers that you have in camp make them during the practice sessions, you’ve just got to watch it happen. It’s really not that much more complicated than that.”

—


The 2018-19 NFL season聽is set to kick off and in addition to exciting action and entertaining touchdown celebrations all season long, it鈥檚 also time to take an in-depth look at every team鈥檚 style when they take to the field for 17 weeks this year.

The NFL has some of the most decorative and more appreciated uniform combinations in all professional sports, and that positive characteristic is apparent for a number of the league鈥檚 teams that wear alternate jerseys. Considering a vast number of teams have an official third jersey http://www.washingtonredskinsteamonline.com/paul-richardson-jersey , there鈥檚 still a notable gap between the worst and best jerseys heading into the 2018 season.

While at least a handful of teams have decided to reintroduce throwback jerseys as alternates, some clubs wear and present the vintage style better than others.

Then, there are other teams that have established an uncanny tradition of wearing third jerseys during prime-time games, and with an intimidating appearance. The NFL will

Though, there is an ongoing theme that contributes which NFL teams have the best third jerseys. Teams that tend to stay consistent with their primary designs may be ranked higher than other teams that are almost unrecognizable when they take to the field with alternates.

TheSportster ranks the NFL鈥檚 alternate jerseys from worst to best.

Womens Josh Sweat Jersey

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles left Thursday's exhibition game against the New England Patriots with a shoulder strain.

His return was questionable http://www.indianapoliscoltsteamonline.com/malik-hooker-jersey , the team said.

The Super Bowl MVP appeared to be in pain when he was hit by Patriots defensive lineman Adrian Clayborn in the right arm as he reared back to throw in the first half. The ball popped loose, and linebacker Ja'Whaun Bentley scooped it up and ran it back for a 54-yard touchdown.

Third-stringer Nate Sudfield took over at quarterback on the Eagles' next possession.

Foles took over for starter Carson Wentz last season and took Philadelphia to the Super Bowl Jack Mewhort Jersey , beating the Patriots 41-33. Wentz is expected to return to 11-on-11 drills next week, but it's not certain he will be ready for the regular- season opener.

The New York Giants have another entry in the contest to be the heir apparent to two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning.

After passing on the more well-known quarterbacks early in the NFL draft to take Saquon Barkley of Penn State with the second pick overall http://www.dallascowboysteamonline.com/jason-witten-jersey , the Giants on Saturday used their fourth-round pick to take Kyle Lauletta of Richmond.

Lauletta played in 40 games for the Spiders, finishing his career by throwing for 3 Chuck Howley Jersey ,737 yards, 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 2017. He averaged almost 340 yards and completed almost 65 percent of his passes this past season.

The pick also shows the Giants want to provide some competition for Davis Webb http://www.indianapoliscoltsteamonline.com/quincy-wilson-jersey , the third-round pick a year ago did not see any action last season. It also gives the team another arm in training camp.

—

Womens Mark Walton Jersey

ENGLEWOOD Jarran Reed Jersey , Colo. (AP) — Nobody has more sacks in the last seven seasons than Denver Broncos star Von Miller, who has dumped the quarterback 83 1-2 times since his Rookie of the Year debut in 2011.

Miller’s sole sack of Seattle’s Russell Wilson, whom he’ll face for just the second time Sunday, came in 2014, eight months after the Seahawks throttled the Broncos in the Super Bowl with Miller sidelined by a knee injury.

Neither player seems particularly enthusiastic about facing the other in the season opener at Mile High Stadium.

“Russell’s elite,” Miller said Thursday. “Nobody likes playing Russell Wilson . He’s just elite, best of the best. As a pass rusher, you want a guy that when you get to him and you touch him, he’ll lay down for you. Russell’s the complete opposite.

“He’s probably THE most elusive quarterback out there. So, nobody likes that, especially if you’re a sack guy.”

Miller’s been a big fan of Wilson ever since seeing him outshine Matt Flynn in an exhibition game at Denver in Wilson’s rookie season.

“I feel like he’s been great since his first couple of starts in the preseason, when was that, 2012, when he just went off in the preseason? I think he’s been great. He really hasn’t looked back since then,” Miller said. “He’s a great quarterback. He’s done everything the right way, one of those guys who you want your kids looking up to. So, Russell Wilson is a great quarterback and I’m looking forward to playing against him.

“Not really.”

Wilson is just as effusive in praise of Miller.

“He’s one of those guys that’s a game changer,” Wilson said. “He can make some plays. I think the best thing for us is knowing where he is and playing smart football. When you’re playing LeBron James Jameis Winston Jersey , or you’re playing guys like Kobe Bryant or Steph Curry, they’re going to make their plays.

“He’s one of those guys for sure.”

Miller always fancied himself more of a Dirk Nowitzki.

“Yeah, I thought I was Dirk,” Miller cracked. “It’s great, especially coming from a guy like Russell. I already told you what type of player he is and what he means to the National Football League. So, for him to have those words for me are amazing.

“I still don’t look forward to playing against him,” Miller stressed. “But it’s going to be a great game on Sunday.”

Teams have long schemed to keep Miller from destroying their offensive game plans like he did in Super Bowl 50 with a pair of strip sacks of Cam Newton.

They tilt protection his way, chip him with tight ends and otherwise force him to beat double teams most of the time.

The addition of first-round draft pick Bradley Chubb should ease some of that attention .

The fifth overall selection in the NFL draft, Chubb earned a starting spot opposite Miller but the Broncos have the best depth at that position in the league and can also unleash former first-rounder Shane Ray and Shaq Barrett on quarterbacks.

“Von’s still going to get chipped, and early on they’re going to obviously test Bradley (to see) if he can win one-on-ones away from Von. If he does that, then we’ll get more fair protections,” Broncos coach Vance Joseph said. “But most teams are still going to turn to Von and chip Von. If they don’t, he’s going to take over the game.

“But it helps having Chubb opposite and having Ray opposite and even with our NASCAR package having our four pass rushers on the field. That’s always a good deal, too. It creates more one-on-ones.”

Chubb knows all about Wilson, who started three dozen games at NC State before transferring to Wisconsin.

“I actually got a chance to meet him when I was there at a game, so it was pretty cool,” Chubb said. “I didn’t watch him in college but now as a professional I see he makes plays with his feet and with his arms. He’s a great player.”

His interaction with Wilson basically consisted of asking for a selfie.

“It was more of a quick-type conversation. I came downstairs and he was right there and I said, ‘Hey Eric Fisher Jersey , can I get a picture really quick?’ Took the picture, then he had to be on his way,” Chubb recalled.

He’d love to run into Wilson again Sunday in Seattle’s backfield along with Miller.

Patrick Reed is leading a major championship for the first time, and his confidence is so high that he can only see what’s ahead of him.

Reed started and finished the front nine with three straight birdies. He answered Marc Leishman’s bold shot for an eagle by polishing off another run of three straight birdies. It added to a 6-under 66 and a two-shot lead over Leishman going into the weekend at Augusta National.

Right behind them are five major champions – Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Henrik Stenson.

Nowhere near him are Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, the two names that generated so much of the buzz for a Masters that otherwise is living up to expectations.

BASEBALL

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) – Rookie sensation Shohei Ohtani is making himself at home in the Big A.

Ohtani hit a home run for the third straight game, Justin Upton hit a tiebreaking three-run homer in the seventh inning and the Los Angeles Angels rallied from an early six-run deficit to beat the Oakland Athletics 13-9.

Ohtani, the two-way star from Japan, connected for a long, solo drive in the second inning against Daniel Gossett. The ball landed in the rocks beyond the center field wall after traveling 449 feet and was measured with a 112.3 mph exit velocity according to Statcast, the hardest-hit and longest of Ohtani’s three major league homers.

NEW YORK (AP) – Pedro Alvarez hit a grand slam in the 14th inning, Manny Machado homered twice and the Baltimore Orioles beat the Yankees 7-3 after New York saw four players forced to make early exits.

Yankees starter CC Sabathia left with hip soreness, star catcher Gary Sanchez limped off with a leg cramp right before Alvarez struck, third baseman Brandon Drury was lifted for migraines and second baseman Tyler Wade was removed because of flu-like symptoms. New York had to use 20 players in all – reliever Adam Warren was the only non-starting pitcher left.

Alvarez connected after midnight, deciding a game that took 5 hours David Sharpe Jersey , 20 minutes and included 14 pitchers, a couple of wild misadventures on the basepaths and an admitted missed call by umpires.

MMA

NEW YORK (AP) – Conor McGregor was arraigned on charges of felony criminal mischief charges and misdemeanor assault, menacing and reckless endangerment charges following a backstage melee he sparked at a UFC event in New York City the previous day.

He spoke only to acknowledge that he understood the conditions of his release, saying, ”Yes, your honor.”

McGregor was released on $50,000 bond – pocket change for a fighter who was guaranteed $30 million last year in his ballyhooed boxing match against Floyd Mayweather Jr. McGregor is due back in court June 14.

In the underbelly of Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Thursday, McGregor went wild, using a dolly, chairs and guard rails as weapons, not his fists. Fueled by revenge and running with a pack of his ”hoodlums,” McGregor’s antics landed him in jail – and injured two fighters on Saturday’s UFC 223 card.

NBA

PHILADELPHIA (AP) – Ben Simmons topped LeBron James in a triple-double battle to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to their 13th straight win in their biggest game in six years, 132-130 over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

With a buzz in the city over the Sixers that hasn’t been felt since the pre-Process days, they romped toward a 30-point lead over the Cavs in the first half and scored 78 points at the break.

Simmons had 27 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists. James had 44 points (17-of-29 shooting), 11 assists and 11 rebounds, bringing the Cavaliers to the brink of an epic comeback.

The Sixers (49-30) moved into third place in the Eastern Conference over the Cavaliers (49-31).

LOS ANGELES (AP) – The Lakers unveiled a statue of Elgin Baylor before their game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Baylor’s statue became the sixth that decorates the front of Staples Center, joining Shaquille O’Neal George Kittle Jersey , Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Magic Johnson, Jerry West and Chick Hearn. The Lakers selected Baylor first overall in the 1958 NBA draft. He averaged 27.4 points and 13.5 rebounds in 14 seasons for the franchise, including the first two when it played in Minneapolis.

Various Lakers alumni spoke during Baylor’s ceremony, including O’Neal, Johnson, West and Abdul-Jabbar. Johnson said Baylor put entertainment into the NBA, and will always remember that Baylor set the Finals record for single-game points against the Boston Celtics on the road.

NHL

PITTSBURGH (AP) – The Pittsburgh Penguins will start their bid for a Stanley Cup three-peat home.

Sidney Crosby and Jake Guentzel banked in goals off Craig Anderson minutes apart in the second period, Casey DeSmith stopped 34 shots and the Penguins beat the Ottawa Senators 4-0 to clinch second place in the Metropolitan Division and home-ice advantage in the opening round of the playoffs.

Phil Kessel collected his 34th goal of the season and Patric Hornqvist pushed his career-high to 29 when he beat Anderson late in the third period for the Penguins, who will host Columbus, New Jersey or Philadelphia next week.

AUTO RACING

FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) – Kurt Busch got a little more aggressive in the first round of qualifying, and it paid off with a pole at Texas Motor Speedway.

Busch and his Stewart-Haas Racing teammates Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer will start in the top three spots in Texas after a weather-shortened qualifying session.

With his top lap of 197.368 mph, Busch earned his first pole this season and the 32nd in his career.

There was initially a delay because of lightning in the area Authentic Womens Johnny Townsend Jersey