MIAMI — The Miami Marlins spent June engaged in methodical but fruitful climb out of the basement in the National League East. The New York Mets can begin July by cementing their unimaginably rapid descent to the bottom of not just the division but the entire Senior Circuit.

The Marlins will look to move into sole possession of fourth place in the NL East Sunday Sheldon Richardson Jersey , when they look to complete a sweep of the free-falling Mets in the finale of a three-game series at Marlins Park.

Marlins right-hander Dan Straily (3-3, 4.82 ERA) is scheduled to oppose Mets left-hander Steven Matz (3-5, 3.69 ERA).

The Marlins came back from an early two-run deficit Saturday to earn a 5-2 win over the Mets and their ace, right-hander Jacob deGrom. The win completed the best month of the season for Miami (34-50), which went 14-14 while winning five of nine series.

“That’s how you climb is continue to win series, continue to win series Kenny Stabler Jersey ,” Marlins manager Don Mattingly told reporters Saturday. “Hopefully somewhere in there, you throw an eight- or 10-game winning streak together to really take a chunk out of something.”

The Mets (32-48) are doing the exact opposite. New York went 5-21 in June, during which it lost eight of nine series and split the other. It was the third-worst month in franchise history behind/ahead of only July 1963 (4-25) and August 1982 (5-24).

In the process, the Mets went from five games out of first place and eight games ahead of the Marlins to tie for last, 14 1/2 games out of first. The two teams are tied for the worst record in the NL, though Miami is technically percentage points ahead of New York heading into Sunday.

The Mets are 21-47 since opening 11-1 Phillip Dorsett Jersey , the best 12-game start in franchise history. Only the Baltimore Orioles have a worse record since Apr. 13.

The Mets have not been in last place in the NL East after July 1 since 2005, when they had a 77-77 record while occupying fifth place on Sept. 24. This squad appears far more likely to flirt with 100 losses than with .500, but rookie manager Mickey Callaway said he will continue to remain patient.

“We just have to keep on having daily conversations to try and right the ship,” Callaway told reporters Saturday. “It’s difficult right now. I know the players are feeling it. I know the fans are feeling it. We’re going to continue to do everything we can with the staff, the organization and the players to try and get in a better spot than we are. Because this isn’t acceptable to anybody.”

Straily earned the win in his most recent start last Monday, when he allowed three runs over 6 1/3 innings as the Marlins beat the Arizona Diamondbacks Robert Alford Jersey , 9-5. Matz didn’t factor into the decision last Tuesday, when he gave up three runs over seven innings as the Mets beat the Pittsburgh Pirates, 4-3.

Straily is 1-1 with a 3.04 ERA in five career starts against the Mets. Matz is 2-2 with a 3.67 ERA in five starts against the Marlins.

Jets coach Todd Bowles said early this month that he wasn’t sure how full a participant quarterback Teddy Bridgewater would be during the Organized Team Activity phase of the team’s offseason program.

Bowles added that he wanted to see Bridgewater “out there throwing and competing” with everyone else and things got off to a good start on that front Tuesday. According to multiple reports from Jets practice, Bridgewater, who has only played a handful of plays since injuring his knee in August 2016, followed Josh McCown in quarterback drills with first-round pick Sam Darnold going third in the order.

Bridgewater continued to work in team drills Al Davis Jersey , so it seems like any limitations are minor ones at this point in the schedule.

Several of those reports include video of Bridgewater dropping back and throwing passes and he looks smooth enough doing it, although that’s the bare minimum you’d expect during a May practice conducted at a comfortable pace. If Bridgewater should continue to look good as things ramp up, it will make for a more interesting quarterback competition this summer.

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The Dallas Stars hired veteran assistant Rick Bowness to serve on rookie coach Jim Montgomery’s staff.

General manager Jim Nill announced the hire Friday before the NHL draft Laurent Duvernay-Tardif Jersey , after the Tampa Bay Lightning replaced Bowness on Jon Cooper’s staff with former NHL forward and minor league assistant Jeff Halpern. Lightning GM Steve Yzerman announced the promotion of Halpern from the American Hockey League’s Syracuse Crunch.

Bowness, 63, spent the past five seasons as a Tampa Bay assistant and has also worked for the Jets, Bruins, Senators, Islanders, Coyotes and Canucks. The Lightning parted ways with him after losing in the Eastern Conference final.

Nill says Bowness’ ”experience behind the bench is unmatched in the league, while he brings with him a knowledge of the game that is second to none.”

Dallas hired Montgomery from Denver University.

The 42-year-old Halpern gets his first NHL coaching gig after working in player development and under Benoit Groulx in Syracuse. He played 976 NHL games for the Lightning Charcandrick West Jersey , Capitals, Stars, Kings, Canadiens, Rangers and Coyotes.

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GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — The Green Bay Packers‘ defense needs someone to step up behind Clay Matthews and Nick Perry at outside linebacker.

Reggie Gilbert is starting to make his move. After a strong showing during the team’s preseason-opening victory over the Tennessee Titans on Thursday night, Gilbert got extensive work with the starting defense in practice Sunday, the first time the team was back on the field.

Gilbert lined up at outside linebacker in the base defense opposite Matthews O. J. Howard Jersey , as Perry remains on the physically unable to perform list with an ankle injury. Until Sunday, Kyler Fackrell had gotten nearly all of those first-team snaps with Matthews in Perry’s place.

Gilbert, who entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Arizona in 2016, spent most of the past two years on the Packers’ practice squad before a call-up to the 53-man roster for the final two games last year.

Facing Minnesota and Detroit, Gilbert registered four quarterback pressures and three quarterback hits on the Vikings’ Case Keenum and earned his first NFL sack against the Lions’ Matthew Stafford.

“I feel like I’ve come a long way since I got here and am definitely improving. I feel like I’m improving with every session we get as far as in practice or every year in every game,” said Gilbert, who was a hand-in-the-dirt defensive end in college and had to learn to be a standup outside linebacker in the Packers’ 3-4 scheme. “I feel like I’m learning new things. Clay, Nick and everybody LaDainian Tomlinson Jersey , they’re all helping bring us along.”

Despite unproven depth behind Matthews and Perry — and the two veterans’ history of injuries — the Packers eschewed signing any edge rushers in free agency and didn’t spend any of their high draft picks on the position, either. The only draft choice at outside linebacker was seventh-rounder Kendall Donnerson from Southeast Missouri State.

During the offseason, Packers coach Mike McCarthy raved about Gilbert, saying in part: “It’s incredible what he’s done in his time here. You talk about a guy that has done everything and has taken advantage of every resource that’s been available to him. I mean, in my mind he’s already taken the second-year jump.”

With Matthews sitting for the preseason opener, the 6-foot-3, 260-pound Gilbert was credited with two tackles and a quarterback hit against the Titans, and he generated the most pressure of any Packers rusher while playing the entire first half. Fackrell also started and was credited with a sack when he was in the vicinity as Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota scrambled out of bounds for no gain on the opening drive.

“We’re all hungry. We’re all working hard trying to make plays. I definitely feel like all of us have come a long way and are still improving Jerry Rice Jersey ,” Gilbert said.

NOTES: After facing the Titans without 18 players who didn’t suit up for the game, the Packers got back some of their injured guys on Sunday, including All-Pro left tackle David Bakhtiari (ankle); tight end Jimmy Graham (knee); wide receiver Randall Cobb (ankle); cornerbacks Kevin King (shoulder) and Jaire Alexander (groin); running back Aaron Jones (hamstring); and defensive linemen Mike Daniels (quad) and Muhammad Wilkerson (groin). Bakhtiari, King and Daniels only did individual drills and were held out of team periods. . Bakhtiari said the limited work was encouraging. “(We) just wanted to see the progression. Obviously they want to integrate me back in — don’t want to just throw me in right away — but everything felt good.”

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TORONTO — The Winnipeg Jets will have something to prove to themselves when they face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night at the Air Canada Centre.

The Jets know they cannot afford to continue to play the way they did in losing 6-2 to the Blackhawks in Chicago on Thursday to end a season-best six-game winning streak.

“We just weren’t prepared Marcus Gilchrist Jersey ,” Winnipeg right winger Blake Wheeler said. “We came in and had a pretty bad morning skate. We just weren’t prepared to play the game. We were just really slow.”

The Maple Leafs, meanwhile, will be coming into the game after a 5-4 victory over the New York Islanders in Brooklyn on Friday night. It was the 17th time they have scored at least five goals in a game.

The Maple Leafs will have Leo Komarov, who has been out with a left leg injury, back in the lineup on Saturday. He was ready to return Friday, but Toronto decided to give him another day rather than have him play in back-to-back games.

The Jets (47-20-10) and the Maple Leafs (47-24-7) have both clinched playoff spots.

Winnipeg hopes to use the game against the Blackhawks as a warning.

“It’s definitely humbling,” said Jets right winger Bryan Little Harrison Smith Jersey , who scored his 200th career goal Thursday. “You realize that when we don’t play our game, and we’re not ready to play, a game like that can happen. It’s a little bit of a wake-up call.”

“There wouldn’t be a piece of the game that was at the level that we’ve played at, or at the level you need to play at to win in the NHL,” Winnipeg coach Paul Maurice said. “I don’t think it’s any one thing. The elemental part of our game is to play at a certain rate, a certain pace. We were well off that (Thursday).”

There could be another aspect to the game Saturday that will give the Jets incentive. The Maple Leafs defeated the Jets 7-2 in Winnipeg in October in the first game of the season.

By defeating the Islanders, the Maple Leafs reached 101 points for the season.

“I think that’s real important Michael Pierce Jersey ,” Toronto coach Mike Babcock said. “I always say, I’ve had a lot of 100-point years over the years, and I think it’s a real indication of a good hockey club. It’s hard to get 100 points, you’ve got to be a good team to do it.

“I’m excited for our guys that have worked hard to get good enough that they can do that. Like I said, we’ve got four more opportunities to get better and get ready.”

Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews had a goal and an assist Friday.

“A good two points for us,” Matthews said. “Obviously, they’re a high-offensive team. They’ve got a lot of skill and firepower as far as that goes so you’ve got to find a way to contain them and obviously we’ve got some guys who can put the puck in the net as well. Probably not a fun game for the coaches Deadrin Senat Jersey , but probably a bit more fun for the players.”

Matthews has scored at least one point in each of the five games he has played since returning from a shoulder injury.

“He’s not as good as he’s been and he’s going to be better,” Babcock said. “I thought tonight was another step. I thought his first game and this game — it takes you a while to get your game back. He’s going to get a real test (Saturday), which is real positive for him. Back-to-back games, a good grind, good for his conditioning. He’ll just keep getting better.”

As important as Matthews is to the Maple Leafs, he said the depth of the team is important.

“I think that’s one of the key things for this team is that we’ve got a lot of depth,” Matthews said. “A lot of guys who are skilled Blidi Wreh-Wilson Jersey , can make plays and put the puck in the net so it definitely makes it tough in terms of matching up for the opposing team. Like you said, we’ve got three different guys (with 30 goals) on three different lines so it definitely helps.”

s.

Marlins starter Dan Straily (2-3) and manager Don Mattingly were automatically ejected in the second after Straily hit Posey on the left arm with a pitch. Both sides had been warned by plate umpire Andy Fletcher the previous inning after Giants rookie starter Dereck Rodriguez beaned Lewis Brinson as tempers flared for a second straight game.

Rodriguez (2-1) struck out six over five innings.

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NAPA Cornellius Carradine Jersey , Calif. (AP) — Marquel Lee wasn’t quite ready to end the revolving door at middle linebacker for the Oakland Raiders when he was thrown into the starting lineup to start his rookie season last year.

With a year of experience and a defensive scheme that better suits his game, Lee is doing his best to seize that role this season even after the Raiders brought in veteran Derrick Johnson to be the likely starter.

Lee has spent most of training camp as Oakland’s middle linebacker in the base defense and was one of the team’s best defensive players in the exhibition opener last week against Detroit when he had three solo tackles and two assists in just 15 snaps.

“There is a guy that really stepped up,” coach Jon Gruden said. “He had a great game. He’s physical. I think he’s more and more of a complete linebacker. He’s getting more comfortable in pass coverage. I think he’s a presence in the middle of our defense right now. It’s something that is not going unnoticed with his teammates and coaches.”

Lee showed signs of being stout against the run when he started the first five games last year as a fifth-round draft pick. But he struggled in coverage and the Raiders brought in veteran NaVorro Bowman to take over as starter in Week 6 and Lee played only sparingly the rest of the way.

But Lee looks like a different player in year two and Gruden said he sees the potential for him to become a three-down linebacker. Lee said he feels much more confident in coach Paul Guenther’s defense than he did last year when Ken Norton Jr. was coordinator.

“I’m playing faster,” Lee said. “I’m seeing things faster and diagnosing things and playing with more instinct. I’m more comfortable in the defense. I know where I need to be, which allows me to fit the run well and just make plays.”

The Raiders signed veteran Derrick Johnson in May with the thought of making him the starter but Lee has gotten more time so far in camp with Johnson playing a limited role in sub packages.

Finding a middle linebacker has been difficult for Oakland in recent years.

The Raiders drafted Rolando McClain in the first round in 2010 with hopes he would solidify that spot for years to come. But McClain lost his starting job midway through the 2012 season and the Raiders have been searching for a long-term answer ever since.

Nick Roach filled that role in 2013 but then suffered a career-ending concussion the following preseason. Miles Burris took over in 2014 but wasn’t up to the task and the Raiders signed Curtis Lofton the following season.

Lofton struggled in the passing game and wasn’t brought back the following season when Ben Heeney started the year as the starter before Perry Riley was brought in off the waiver wire midway through the year.

The Raiders made a midseason switch again last year after Lee began the year as the starter. Bowman was signed after being released by San Francisco and finished the year as the starter.

Oakland overhauled the position this offseason, signing Tahir Whitehead and Emmanuel Lamur, who have been starting on the outside, as well as adding Johnson.

Lamur played for Guenther in Cincinnati and has helped his teammates make the transition to a new system.

“I feel like we’ve had a chance to grow as a core together, going through offseason workouts, and then summer workouts Mitch Morse Jersey , and then into training camp,” Lee said. “Just being around each other all the time and stuff, grow as a core, we have each other’s backs out there. Also having Emmanuel, he’s been in the system for a long time, since he came out of college. He’s a great help. He knows the ins and outs, and if we have a question we go to him — or any of the guys — but Emmanuel for sure knows the ins and outs of this defense.”

NOTES: CB Daryl Worley, WR Seth Roberts and WR Martavis Bryant all returned to practice. Bryant had missed two days with an illness. “We’re calling Martavis the ‘White Tiger,'” Gruden said. “Thirteen times I went to Busch Gardens. The white tiger was always in his cage. Well, the white tiger came out today. Bryant came out. I don’t know if you get that analogy Rees Odhiambo Jersey , but sometimes he comes out to play and sometimes he doesn’t. It’s good to see because he’s really special like the white tiger.” … The Raiders claimed DT Gabe Wright off waivers from Miami and placed DT Ahtyba Rubin on injured reserve.

The Tigers knew exactly what hit them – the daunting combination of a homer-friendly park and a free-swinging Reds offense starting to come around.

Scooter Gennett hit a tying two-run homer , and Eugenio Suarez also connected on the next pitch – a hit originally ruled a double but changed to a homer on review – for a 5-3 victory and a two-game sweep on Wednesday.

The Reds moved ahead in the all-time series 13-11, with two games left at Comerica Park starting July 31.

After managing only a pair of singles through the first five innings, the Reds finally got to Michael Fulmer (3-6). Gennett connected with two outs for his 13th homer, tying it 2-2.

”The way we’re playing right now is how we expected to play all year,” Gennett said. ”It’s a lot of fun.”

Fulmer threw Gennett a slider that was headed for the dirt on a 1-2 count, only to see it sail out to right field aided by the wind.

”I thought it was a great pitch,” Fulmer said. ”I’m mad at the results, but I’m not mad at the way I pitched.”

Suarez hit Fulmer’s next pitch to left field, with the ball landing on the top of the wall and bouncing back into play. The Reds sounded their home run siren and shot off fireworks Stefan Charles Jersey , but the umpires ruled the ball was in play and stopped Suarez at second base.

After a review of 1 minute, 12 seconds, the hit was ruled a homer – replays indicated the ball skipped off the top of the wall and deflected off a railing behind it.

Adam Duvall added a solo shot in the eighth as the Reds out-homered the Tigers 3-2.

”That’s the way it is here,” manager Ron Gardenhire said.

Tyler Mahle (6-6) overcame a pair of solo homers to remain unbeaten in four June starts. The rookie has allowed a total of four earned runs while going 3-0 in the month. He struck out eight in six innings of his team-high sixth quality start.

”I was more lucky than good today,” Mahle said . ”If I had to give myself a grade today, it would be a `D.”’

Raisel Iglesias gave up a hit in the ninth while earning his 11th save in 13 chances.

INTERLEAGUE

The Reds improved to 6-1 in interleague games. They’ve won five straight against the AL, tying their best all-time mark. The Tigers fell to 1-7.

SWING AND A MISS

Fulmer has little hitting experience in the majors, and it hurt the Tigers in the sixth. With runners on second and third and two outs, the Reds intentionally walked Dixon Machado to bring up Fulmer. He struck out on three pitches, the last one a high 94 mph fastball. Fulmer is 0 for 9 with six strikeouts for his career.

Gardenhire said that’s the big advantage for the NL Mohamed Sanu Jersey , where pitchers take batting practice regularly.

”There’s your unfair advantage,” he said.

HARDY APPEARANCE

Left-hander Blaine Hardy relieved in the seventh and gave up a pair of hits and a walk. Hardy has been a fill-in starter for the Tigers’ depleted rotation and pitched into the sixth inning Sunday for a 3-1 win over the White Sox.

VOTTO HONORED

Joey Votto received his 2017 Lou Marsh Award as Canada’s Athlete of the Year, the second time he’s won it. Ferguson Jenkins and Larry Walker are the other baseball players to win it.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Tigers: Right-handed reliever Drew VerHagen was placed on the 10-day disabled list with a broken nose suffered Tuesday night when he was hit by a thrown ball while covering first base. Right-handed reliever Johnny Barbato was called up from Triple-A Toledo. He gave up Duvall’s homer in the eighth.

Reds: Manager Jim Riggleman and the training staff are developing a rehab plan for starter Homer Bailey, who has been sidelined since June 2 with a sore right knee. He’s 1-7 with a 6.68 ERA.

UP NEXT

Tigers: After a day off, the Tigers start a weekend series in Cleveland, where they’ve lost 20 of their past 26 games, including their past seven. Mike Fiers (5-3) is 1-0 with a 3.86 ERA in two starts at Progressive Field.

Reds: Matt Harvey (1-5) makes his eighth start for the Reds, who open a four-game series against the Cubs at Great American Ball Park. Harvey has lost his past three decisions for the Reds, who got him from the Mets in a trade for catcher Devin Mesoraco on May 8.

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Johnny Manziel’s next stop will be the Canadian Football League.

Manziel Melvin Gordon Jersey , the former Browns draft bust, said in a video distributed by Barstool Sports that he is heading to Canada.

“I am formally signing in the CFL,” he said. “I have decided to sign with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. I’ll be up here for it looks like two years. I’ll be getting back to playing ball. That’s what I want to do.”

Manziel also said he will have a formal partnership with Barstool Sports in which he’ll do a regular podcast that documents his time in Canada.

CFL rules require a two-year contract JK Scott Jersey , so Hamilton will have Manziel’s rights in 2018 and 2019, and the earliest Manziel could get back to the NFL would be late in the 2019 season, which likely means it would be 2020 at the earliest.

Of course Lavonte David Jersey , Manziel’s other option was probably never to play in the NFL again: He wasn’t drawing any NFL interest. If he has two good years in the CFL, perhaps he will.

A Boston sports radio station facing criticism after a host used a stereotyped Asian accent to impersonate New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady's agent will suspend live programming while employees receive "sensitivity training."

WEEI announced Wednesday that live programs will halt from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday while the staff participates in the mandatory, all-day training.

It comes after host Christian Fauria impersonated Don Yee on air last Friday. Yee is of Chinese descent but was born in Sacramento Dan Feeney Jersey , California.

Fauria, a former Patriots tight end, was suspended for five days and has since apologized. But The Boston Globe reports at least five advertisers have terminated or suspended commercial buys as a result of the incident.


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METAIRIE Paul Hornung Jersey , La. (AP) — Newly signed veteran cornerback Marcus Williams and safety Robert Nelson have joined the New Orleans Saints at training camp.

The roster moves announced Sunday by coach Sean Payton give the Saints two players in the secondary named Marcus Williams, the other being a second-year safety and 2017 second-round draft choice.

The newly acquired Williams has played four NFL seasons Jaleel Johnson Jersey , mostly with the New York Jets, for whom he played 39 games with 14 starts. He was traded last season to Houston and played in 10 games there as a reserve Dorian O'Daniel Jersey , intercepting one pass.

Nelson also is entering his fifth NFL season. He played in seven games for Cleveland in 2014, 11 for Houston in 2016 and two last season with the Jets.

Payton says the club waived guard Trevor Darling and defensive back De’Vante Harris to make room on the 90-man training camp roster for the new defensive backs.

The Jets won’t have tackle Ben Ijalana in Thursday night’s game against Washington because of a shoulder injury he suffered when the two teams held joint practices this week.

Ijalana won’t be available for any of the Jets’ other games either. The team announced on Wednesday that Ijalana has been placed on injured reserve.

Ijalana started 13 games for the Jets in 2016 before moving back to a reserve role while appearing in 11 games last season. He was slated for swing tackle duties again this year and his injury comes at a moment when left tackle Kelvin Beachum is out of action due to a foot problem.

The Jets filled the roster spot by signing Gino Gradkowski. The 2012 Ravens fourth-round pick was Baltimore’s starting center in 2013 Durham Smythe Jersey , but went back to the bench the next year and then moved on to Atlanta in 2015. He last saw regular season action with the Panthers in 2016.

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Randy Moss on one side David Bakhtiari Jersey , Terrell Owens on the other. Isaac Bruce in the slot.

A defensive coordinator’s dilemma.

On Saturday, the 48 voters for the Pro Football Hall of Fame face a similar complexity. Is Moss, in his first year of eligibility for the Canton, Ohio, shrine, worthy of induction? And what about T.O., in his third year on the ballot? Or Bruce, in his fourth year.

How about all of them?

The two dynamic and sometimes controversial wide receivers and the always-reliable and often spectacular Bruce are among 15 modern-era candidates. From that group, no more than five will be selected.

Also being considered are first-year eligibles linebackers Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher Ito Smith Jersey , and guard Steve Hutchinson. Other finalists are running back Edgerrin James; center Kevin Mawae; safeties John Lynch and Brian Dawkins; guard Alan Faneca; tackles Joe Jacoby and Tony Boselli; and cornerbacks Ty Law and Everson Walls.

The senior nominees are linebacker Robert Brazile and guard Jerry Kramer. In the contributor’s committee it is Bobby Beathard.

Much of the attention will be paid to the guys who caught the ball extremely well. Moss and Owens made the Team of the Decade for the 2000s. Bruce’s TD reception won the 2000 Super Bowl for the Rams against the Titans.

Owens has been a lightning rod because despite impressive career numbers, he’s failed twice to get the necessary 80 percent for induction.

”I think it diminishes the reputation and the credibility the Hall of Fame is really revered for,” Owens says of not being elected for what he believes are ”character” reasons.

”I have kind of just moved on from it. Me not getting in first time – and everybody else said at the same time, I should have been in – and even the second time, I have been in (contention) – I am very fortunate and blessed to have played the game as long as I did considering I thought I would never play beyond the college level.”

Owens played for five teams in 15 pro seasons, having the most success with San Francisco and Dallas, losing a Super Bowl with Philadelphia. Each of his stints in those cities – he also was with Buffalo and Cincinnati – didn’t end well.

”Early in my career when I was an adolescent and teenager, I had self-esteem issues,” he explains. ”I had to get out of that. You have to believe in yourself in order to progress in order to do anything in your life. No matter what Olivier Vernon Jersey , I am not going to look at the Hall of Fame as a platform to kind of validate what I did in my career.”

Nor does Moss, who spent 14 NFL seasons with five clubs, having his best years with Minnesota and New England. He was the 1998 Offensive Rookie of the Year with the Vikings, and in 2007 helped the Patriots go undefeated until they fell to the Giants in the Super Bowl.

Like Owens, Moss also had some run-ins with teammates, opponents, coaches and executives. Whether that affects him as Owens believes it has impacted him for Hall of Fame consideration remains to be seen.

”Going through college and my first couple years in the league, I never looked at the Hall of Fame or at the (gold) jackets,” Moss says. ”I loved and enjoyed the game. As I retired Aaron Ripkowski Jersey , now on my fifth year and up as a finalist, now is the time I really looked at, `Am I Hall of Fame worthy? Will I get the nod?’

”Through my playing career, the Hall of Fame was not in my equation. I just enjoyed coming to the stadium and being around my teammates and just competing.”

Moss admits there might be some nerves Saturday.

”It’s kind of like you going into court and being in front of a jury, the fate is in their hands,” he says. ”I don’t have a vote.

”What I will do is be around close family and friends and just wait it out. … I guess your overall final accomplishment for playing in the NFL is the gold jacket. Some nervousness will come in.

”I think I am worthy of getting in on the first ballot, but if not, you win some, you lose some. If the Hall of Fame is my final stop Wayne Gallman Jersey , I am definitely honored to be part of it.”

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Fans attending the Super Bowl in Minneapolis will have the chance to go through security screening off-site, and out of the elements.

NFL Chief Security Officer Cathy Lanier says this is the first time remote satellite checkpoints are being used for a Super Bowl, and she says it’s by far the easiest way to get to the game. Fans can be screened at the Mall of America, then take a light rail to U.S. Bank Stadium.

Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen says there’s no threat to the Super Bowl. But people will see more security.

Rick Thornton, special agent in charge with the FBI, says it is game time for law enforcement. He says authorities have planned for every scenario and are ready.

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Tom Brady has thrown touchdown passes to many receivers during his 18 NFL seasons. He’ll likely be adding new names to the list.

The Patriots receiving corps took a hit this offseason: the trade of Brandin Cooks to the Rams; the free-agency departure of Danny Amendola to Miami; and Julian Edelman’s suspension for the first four games for a drug-policy violation.

That leaves New England’s top returning wide receiver as Chris Hogan Ed Dickson Jersey , who had 34 catches for 439 yards and five touchdowns in 2017.

It means there will be an opportunity for others. The candidates are a mix of familiar names of newcomers.

Hogan earned Brady’s trust the past two seasons and will certainly be a major part of the passing offense, along with All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski. But it will also be a chance for the likes of Phillip Dorsett, Jordan Matthews and Kenny Britt to become factors in offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels’ system.

Dorsett said going through his first offseason program in New England has been big help.

”I’m just light years past where I was last year when it came to just knowing the playbook (and) knowing what to do,” said Dorsett, a 2015 first-round pick by the Colts, who was traded to New England for Jacoby Brissett just before the start of last season. ”I feel comfortable at every position.”

And Dorsett seems to be a guy the coaching staff is looking to play multiple positions. He was lined up both in the slot and on the outside during spring drills.

The wild card in the discussion is third-year receiver Malcolm Mitchell, who spent all of 2017 on injured reserve with a knee injury. He missed the opening day of training camp Thursday. He was on the field Friday, though he joined the team only for warmups before heading to a separate field for rehabbing players.

Coach Bill Belichick declined to say whether Mitchell might be on the trade block this preseason, but his presence is a welcome sign for a player who showed lots of potential as a rookie in 2016.

Mitchell appeared in 14 games that season, hauling in 32 passes for 401 yards and four touchdowns. He also had six catches for 70 yards in New England’s Super Bowl win over Atlanta.

Matthews has a similar injury history. He was plagued by knee and ankle issues the past two seasons before being signed by the Patriots to a one-year deal in April.

Meanwhile Dontae Johnson Jersey , Britt’s situation mirrors Dorsett’s, with Britt having just gone through his first spring in New England after signing in December and appearing in only three games last season.

Hogan is just two years removed from being a wide-eyed newcomer to the Patriots when he arrived in 2016. Now entering his third season in New England, Hogan said he wants to be the veteran presence that players like Edelman and Amendola were for him.

He likes the group and expects there to be tough decisions for the coaches to make by the end of camp.

”The competition brings out the best in people,” Hogan said. ”It’s great that we have such a great room and a lot of guys that want to compete. … When we come out here, we’re not going through the motions.”

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Brian Dawkins transformed from a calm, soft-spoken man into an action hero on game days for 16 seasons in the NFL.

Following what seemed like an out-of-body experience during pregame introductions, "Weapon X" terrorized opponents with ferocious hits all over the field. Dawkins redefined the safety position by providing excellent pass coverage, strong run support, and the ability to blitz quarterbacks.

A fan of the "Wolverine" Marvel comic, Dawkins played like a safety Spencer Ware Jersey , cornerback, linebacker and defensive lineman in one package. No. 20 was the heart and soul on defense for the Philadelphia Eagles during the team's impressive run of success in the 2000s. His unique skills helped Dawkins become the first defensive back in franchise history elected into the Hall of Fame.

Perhaps even more remarkable is the fact no football player who passed through a city known for its passion and toughness was more revered than Dawkins. He has a special bond with the fans.

"They're crazy. They're twisted in some ways. But I love them, because there are a lot of parts of me that are twisted in a lot of different ways," Dawkins said. "That's why I did some of the crazy stuff on the field that I did. So we fit like hand in glove.

"I believe if a Philadelphia Eagles fan had a chance to play, I believe the majority of them, if not all of them, would play the game the way that I played it. They would dance, they would be having a good time, and they would go out and enjoy the opportunity to be on the football field and show it and not be afraid to show their emotions, to play with passion and give everything that they have Justin Jones Jersey , because that would be the only chance that they would ever get to play the game of football, and that's how I played. I played with a chip on my shoulder. I wanted to have a good time. I danced. I celebrated after plays. I celebrated with my teammates, and they saw that."

Dawkins was a four-time All-Pro and went to the Pro Bowl seven times in 13 seasons with the Eagles. He made two more Pro Bowl rosters in three seasons for the Denver Broncos.

Dawkins played in five NFC championship games and one Super Bowl, a 24-21 loss to the New England Patriots following the 2004 season. He had 37 interceptions, 36 forced fumbles and 26 sacks in 224 regular-season games.

His crushing hit on Atlanta's Alge Crumpler was the defining moment in Philadelphia's 27-10 victory over the Falcons that sent the team to its second Super Bowl appearance.

"That was kind of a tone setter for what the game was going to be about," Dawkins said. "It was going to be a physical contest. We knew that going into it. We talked about it all week long. It just so happened that Alge got the brunt of that blow when it comes to the frustration and anger I felt."

A second-round pick from Clemson in 1996, Dawkins moved into the starting lineup as a rookie under coach Ray Rhodes. He thrived after Andy Reid replaced Rhodes in 1999 and brought defensive coordinator Jim Johnson to Philly.

Dawkins credits Johnson for finding different ways to use his talents.

"With Jim and his imagination and his willingness to go away from some traditional thinking when it comes to the safety position, he allowed me and my gifts (to shine)," Dawkins said. "Jim just opened the floodgates. He would draw up different blitzes. We worked together when it came to those things. Without him using me the way he used me, I still would have had a good career. But if you look at my ability to affect the game in pretty much every statistical category Jonathan Stewart Jersey , that had a lot to do with Jim running the defense through me a lot of times. That's unheard of for a defensive coordinator to run a defense through a safety."

Former teammate Troy Vincent, a five-time Pro Bowl cornerback, will present Dawkins for induction on stage at the Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday night. Vincent, the NFL's executive vice president of football operations, called it a "great honor" to present his good friend.

"There are so many factors that go into B-Dawk the man that complemented his football instincts and athleticism," Vincent said. "His non-negotiables of faith, family and football made him one of the fiercest competitors in the history of the game. His dedication to his wife and children, his non-wavering love for Jesus Christ, and his all-out commitment to excellence served as an inspiring example to our teammates and to those watching."

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JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (12-7)

OPEN CAMP: July 26 Corey Linsley Jersey , Jacksonville

LAST YEAR: Earned first postseason berth since 2007 and made surprising run to AFC championship game, when Jaguars led New England by 10 points in fourth quarter before losing 24-20. Rode one of league’s top defenses – featuring Pro Bowlers A.J. Bouye, Calais Campbell, Malik Jackson, Yannick Ngakoue and Jalen Ramsey – to most successful season in nearly two decades. RB Leonard Fournette and LT Cam Robinson, both rookies, helped Jacksonville lead league in rushing.

IMPORTANT ADDITIONS: All-Pro LG Andrew Norwell, TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, CB D.J. Hayden, WRs Donte Moncrief and DJ Chark.

IMPORTANT LOSSES: WRs Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, LB Paul Posluszny Jatavis Brown Jersey , CB Aaron Colvin, TE Marcedes Lewis, RB Chris Ivory, LG Patrick Omameh.

CAMP NEEDS: Stay healthy. Develop chemistry between QB Blake Bortles and revamped receiving corps that features newcomers Moncrief, Chark and Seferian-Jenkins. Bolster running game – Norwell should help – that faltered late last season, especially in playoffs. Stout defense returns 10 of 11 starters, which should allow coordinator Todd Wash to make seamless tweaks to stunts, blitzes and coverages to become more diverse.

EXPECTATIONS: With nearly every key starter and entire coaching staff back, Jaguars expect to be AFC contenders in Doug Marrone’s second season. They surely will be trendy pick to win AFC South and make consecutive postseason appearances for first time since 1998-99.

—


ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays continue to win games they perhaps shouldn’t, and they’ll have an opportunity for more of that Saturday against Houston’s Justin Verlander.

The Rays (40-41) hit the midway point of their 2018 season with a 3-2 win over Houston Ahkello Witherspoon Jersey , giving them six wins in their last seven games. Their pitching has led the way — three times in the last four games, they have held their opponent to three hits or less, this after doing so only three times in the first 77 games of this season.

“If we are going to win a lot of game and we are going to string a bunch together, we have to have good pitching,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “The timely hitting is great, but we have to stay in the ballgame. For us to have allowed three runs in 18 innings against arguably the best team in baseball, we should find a way to win one.”

Houston will send Verlander, who has been dominant (9-3, 1.82 ERA) but has gotten surprisingly little run support from a potent Astros lineup.

Houston is just 11-7 in games he starts, and the Astros have scored a total of two runs in five of those losses.

So Saturday could look like Thursday’s 1-0 Astros win, or could look like Friday’s 3-2 loss Demarcus Robinson Jersey , which saw two errors factor in Tampa Bay’s scoring.

Verlander faced the Rays just 11 days ago in Houston, again pitching well, allowing one run on six hits in 6 2/3 innings, but ultimately taking a no-decision in a 2-1 loss. He has 136 strikeouts in 113 innings this season and a ridiculous 0.81 WHIP.

Against the Rays for his career, Verlander is 8-3 with a 3.18 ERA, but since 2010, he’s just 4-3, despite a 1.72 ERA in his last five starts against the Rays. At Tropicana Field, he’s 5-2 all-time with a 2.53 ERA, including a 1.20 ERA in his last two outings.

The Rays counter with reliever-turned-starter Ryne Stanek, who has thrived in the “opener” role that Tampa Bay has essentially created in the past six weeks. He’s starting for the second time in three days against the Astros having thrown 1 2/3 innings of scoreless Cameron Brate Jersey , hitless baseball Thursday night. For the month of June, he’s pitched in 11 games and 14 2/3 innings without allowing a run.

He’s held opponents to just four hits, lowering his season ERA to 1.85, just barely above Verlander’s.

The Astros know they have to be careful with the white ceiling of Tropicana Field — the Rays’ three-run fourth inning got a spark Friday when center fielder Jake Marisnick couldn’t hold onto a pop at the warning track, allowing a run to score.

“When you play here, you try to not take your eye off the ball,” Marisnick said. “With the ceiling, I kind of glanced quickly at the ball, then looked back up and lost track. I wasn’t able to come up with it. That’s a play I need to make 10 out of 10 times.”

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