Month: June 2018

Now fully healthy, Tyler Lockett has his legs back underneath him

Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett played all 16 games last season, staying on the field for 64.8 of the offensive snaps. But he was not 100 percent after his gruesome right leg injury on Christmas Eve in 2016.

What’s that, you say? The First Amendment doesn’t apply to private employers? It generally doesn’t. But when private employers put their employees to work in a publicly-funded venue, the analysis possibly changes. As explained by Andy Grimm of the Chicago Sun-Times, a 2017 lawsuit filed by a Packers fan who had purchased Bears season tickets could potentially open the door for a First Amendment-based attack on the anthem policy.

Russell Beckham argues that the Bears violated his First Amendment rights by preventing him from walking the sidelines while wearing Packers colors during a pregame event for season-ticket holders in 2016. Beckham, who represents himself in the lawsuit, has survived a preliminary effort by the Bears to have the case thrown out of court.

Pryor caught 20 passes for 240 yards and a touchdown during his lone season in Washington. He had 77 catches for 1,007 yards and four touchdowns with Cleveland in 2016.

And in the middle, you’ve got Gase and the Dolphins looking for a reset, after the 14-8 start he boasted through 22 games in charge came undone in last year’s 2-8 finish. Gase knew a reset was coming by Christmas of last year, after he saw his team go from an upset of the eventual AFC champion Patriots on a Monday in Week 14 to playing like they had no interest in being in frigid Buffalo six days later.

They basically drummed us, and it wasn’t even really a game,Gase said. That was disappointing. You knew that was a big game, and it was following a big game. We’d gone up there and won the year before. And we didn’t show up.Since then the Dolphins … Cut Ndamukong Suh and Mike Pouncey, the second- and fifth-highest paid players on their roster, and traded the mercurial Jarvis Landry, who is now making more than any Dolphin not named Tannehill.

Report: Colts’ Chris McCain charged with misdemeanor battery

Indianapolis defensive end Chris McCain is charged with misdemeanor battery stemming from an incident with a woman in January, before he signed with the Colts.

McCain is accused of spitting on a woman and grabbing her neck, according to TMZ.

McCain has had an odd offseason even before this incident came to light. His contract expired after the 2017 season, but the Chargers put a right of first refusal tender on him as a restricted free agent. Then, after two weeks, the Chargers rescinded that tender. In May, McCain signed with the Colts.

His work against Texas A&M’s Christian Kirk (two catches, 44 yards) shows a combination of grit, smarts and athleticism. He could have immediate impact as a slot cornerback.

A little undersized, but Nickerson has high-end speed and gets his hands on the ball. In 46 career starts, 48 games overall, he forced three fumbles, recovered four fumbles, blocked a kick, had 16 interceptions and broke up 31 pass

Cardinals coach Steve Wilks didn’t want to discuss anything about Johnson’s condition on Thursday, saying he’s not going to really indulge in injuries or things like that in the offseason. He has said at other points in the offseason that players have remained on the sidelines for precautionary reasons.

Johnson was cleared to return to football activities in April and has spent the offseason program with the team. They wrap up that program with a three-day minicamp next week.

Colts center Ryan Kelly detailed his battle with the concussion symptoms that marred the latter half of a disappointing 2017 season.

And quarterback Andrew Luck won’t be throwing at all during Colts’ minicamp. According to the Indy Star, the plan is he won’t throw with his surgically repaired shoulder for at least another month. Giants tackle Ereck Flowers is on the trade block. That shouldn’t be surprising since it’s clear New York wants to rid itself of the former first-round pick.

The Boston Globe put together a fun, interactive piece on the all-time first-round draft picks just in time for us all to embrace debate.

The St. Louis Cardinals always find a way to beat the Cincinnati Reds.

Jose Martinez homered twice off Matt Harvey, and Jedd Gyorko singled home the tiebreaking run in the 10th inning Friday night as the Cardinals rallied to a 7-6 victory, their 12th in a row over the Reds.

It was the second day in a row that Cincinnati tied it in the ninth. On Thursday, Winker’s two-run homer in the 13th sent the Reds to a 7-5 win over the Rockies.

Sure, right now you feel bad, but I feel like if we can keep grinding like we have been, we can carry this into some kind of streak, said Scott Schebler, who had a career-high four hits.

Martinez had a solo shot off Harvey in the first inning and a three-run homer in the third that made it 5-1. His first multihomer game of the season left him 11 for 22 during a six-game hitting streak.

The first thing is that he takes control of everything, receiver Demaryius Thomas said, via Nicki Jhabvala of The Athletic. Not just offense but the whole group. Offense, defense, special teams and all. He takes control of the huddle. I know that I was in the huddle one day and I said, ‘Wait, wait, wait. We’re missing. . . ‘ and he said, ‘I’ve got this,’ and I said, ‘OK.’ So, it’s stuff like that. It’s good to have him around. We’re still working to get that connection going.

Keenum has called leadership a daily mindset. The Broncos, who have sought a leader at the position since Peyton Mannning’s retirement, have noticed.

Kennum has credibility, having led the Vikings to the NFC Championship Game last season.

Pulkkinen was a speedy winger who needed some seasoning to become a regular. The Coyotes were fine letting him walk, especially as he became an RFA (they had plenty of wingers in the system). No regrets there. The Golden Knights were smart to avoid Jamie McGinn’s hefty contract and Brad Richardson, who was returning from a terrible leg injury. Pulkkinen’s 29 goals and 65 points in 75 games for the AHL Chicago Wolves were pleasant but not a shock; he could compete for the Golden Knights’ roster in 2018-19.

Jay Gruden excited by what Derrius Guice can add to Washington’s passing game

Washington rookie running back Derrius Guice caught just 32 passes in three seasons at LSU. But in the NFL, he appears poised to have a significant role as a receiver.

That’s the word from Washington coach Jay Gruden, who said it’s been very exciting watching Guice catch passes during offseason work.

Washington’s depth. The Wizards’ starting five are playoff tested and, if healthy and playing with the sort of consistency they lacked at times during the regular season, will make Wahsington a tough draw for the top-seeded Raptors. The big question is what happens when the Wizards go to their bench. The Raptors won an East-best 59 games this season in part because of a deep second unit that coach Dwane Casey has pledged to continue leaning on in the postseason. Can players such as Tomas Satoransky and Kelly Oubre keep the team afloat when the stars sit?Ryan Shazier injury update timeline: Tracing recovery efforts of Steelers linebacker

No one has contacted me about anything, McCain said. No cops; no one. No one has talked to me.

Arpi Davtyan accuses McCain of spitting on her and grabbing her neck in a Jan. 7 incident while he was with the Chargers. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Los Angeles on July 13.

Kyle Lowry vs. John Wall. The two talented point guards are a contrast in styles. Wall races baseline to baseline as quickly as any guard in the league, while Lowry is a fireplug who relies on his strength, fortitude and sweet stroke to exact damage against opponents. All eyes will be on Wall, who has just recently returned from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. Will there be limitations to be exploited by Lowry, or will Wall, who heard whispers that his team performed better without him, unleash that lightning-quick speed in a series that gets decided at the top of the floor?

Even with his max contract, Hassan Whiteside is constantly trying to prove himself — that’s his lot in the NBA. Two years ago, he got injured in his first playoff run with the Heat, and therefore the results were incomplete. Now he gets another chance.

Report: Giants axe three equipment staffers previously involved in memorabilia case

The New York Giants have parted ways with three members of their locker room and equipment staff that were involved in the Eli Manning fake memorabilia lawsuit, according to Jordan Raanan and Darren Rovell of ESPN.com.

These lawsuits are part of a series of recent complaints that have been made by cheerleaders against NFL teams across the country.

The New York Times reported last month that on a trip to Costa Rica for a photo shoot in 2013, Redskins 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.

Former cheerleaders with the Dolphins and Saints also have filed recent discriminatory complaints and lawsuits against their ex-teams.

Last year, a federal judge in California dismissed a lawsuit that had been filed by a former 49ers cheerleader who had accused the NFL and team owners of conspiring to suppress wages for cheerleaders.

Allred said she planned next week to present a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell asking him to review the complaints being made by her clients and other cheerleaders about their working conditions.

If you want to make mistakes, you make them now, Mahomes said, via ESPN.com. You don’t want to make those mistakes in the game.

No one’s expectations for Mahomes are going to be dimmed by a shaky practice in May, especially with Mahomes embracing Reid’s message about this being a time to learn and feel out what’s going to make up the best approach come September.

Flowers stayed away from the first month of the offseason program. but he has been on the field for the organized team activity practices. This time is vital for him, not only acclimating to a new side of the line but also learning to play in conjunction with Omameh on what will be a brand-new right side of the Giants’ line.

I mean, it’s huge, Omameh said. The development of that chemistry is something that comes with familiarity, it comes with repetition. And being able to have the opportunity to work on that physically together in the same place, there’s no better way to do it. So, it’s huge being able to do that.

DeAndre Hopkins: I can be the best WR in the NFL, Deshaun Watson can be the best QB

During the games when Deshaun Watson was their starting quarterback last season, the Texans were the highest-scoring team in the NFL. So it’s no surprise that Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins thinks he and Watson can be the best pair in the NFL this year.

Hopkins said at Houston’s Organized Team Activities that he sees the two of them developing into the best quarterback-receiver combination in football in 2018.

The Texans are coming off a 4-12 season, but with Watson and J.J. Watt returning to health, there’s every reason for plenty of optimism coming out of Houston.

Still, Lewan is showing up to work every day, even though it’s not mandatory. He figures something will get done when it gets done.

As of right now, there is no situation, Lewan said, via Terry McCormick of titaninsider.com. I understand that this is a business, and if something gets done here, that’s great. But if not, I understand it. That’s how it is. That’s how this game works. Whatever happens happens.

Lewan currently is scheduled to make $9.341 million on the fifth-year option the Titans exercised. He is not opposed to his representation, CAA, negotiating into the season if that’s what it takes to get a long-term deal.

When it comes to this kind of stuff, that’s why I have an agent, Lewan said. I don’t give them 3 percent to sit on their [expletive]. I’m being serious. If they want to go, and Jon [Robinson] wants to call, and they want to have a conversation, I’m more than willing to, but I’m not going to move forward any in my life not focusing on football. That’s the main most important thing, and I can’t lose track of what is important, and that’s playing football.

Pete Carroll encouraged by look of healthy, revamped running back group

Fixing the running game has been one of Pete Carroll’s foremost goals this offseason with the Seattle Seahawks.

Seattle was woefully inept running the ball last season. J.D. McKissic was the only Seahawks’ running back to score a rushing touchdown last season. Eddie Lacy was wholly ineffective, and Chris Carson and C.J. Prosise were both sidelined with injuries for most of the season.

Getting Carson and Prosise back healthy would go a long way toward stabilizing Seattle’s backfield. Both players are healthy and taking part in OTAs despite having their seasons ended due to injury. Penny also adds a top talent to the group that is expected to be able to contribute as a receiver and potential kick returner as well.

There’s really kind of no restrictions on what they can do in terms of catching the ball and getting out of the backfield and the kicking game and all kinds of stuff. It’s a really good group and again, it helps that they’re all healthy. It keeps their reps down and hopefully we can keep marching forward in a positive way and just keep growing. It is really the source of my excitement to see all those guys together because we’ve needed them. It’s been two years really not having a group all together so it’s pleasing.

The positives for Seattle is that it’s difficult to get much worse than they worse a season ago. Improvement on the ground should certainly be expected this year. How much it will improve remains to be seen.

The cops were called at 8:43 a.m. when he was apparently trying to steal a car, but he left before the cops got there. He returned two hours later, and was apprehended by their K-9 unit named Rizzo. Wilson was briefly hospitalized with minor injuries and then taken to jail.

Police later found he had tried to steal a car from an Infiniti dealer nearby.

Wilson has a long and disturbing record, including three arrests for breaking into places while naked, including one in which he was shot.

On Monday, he was snapping to Eli Manning, grateful he did not get swept away in the offensive-line makeover.

I think everybody could see all five guys weren’t on the same page last year, Halapio said. Change is good, though. Change is refreshing. Especially after last season, all the struggles. Change is good. You can see the energy coming back in the locker room, everybody has that urgency to get everything fixed.

Two-time Super Bowl champion and All-Pro wide receiver Dwight Clark, famous for The Catch, died Monday of complications related to ALS. He was 61.

Clark’s wife, Kelly, announced the death on his Twitter page.

Taco Charlton, Cowboys expect more from the DE in his second season

Taco Charlton’s rookie year went about like all rookie pass rushers rookie seasons go. He played 38.1 percent of the Cowboys’ defensive snaps and made 19 tackles and three sacks.

The beginning wasn’t as good as I wanted it to go, but at the end I started to hit my stride, Charlton said Wednesday, via Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. It’s starting to all come together. The season had to end, which was bad for me because I really started to get in my groove. Now I can start fresh, and really think I can have an impact and help this team win games.

Of course, Engram said. I know our locker room, and just the guys that I’ve been able just to mesh with and get to know, it’s a really unselfish team, a really unselfish locker room and I know based off last year, we would’ve liked a lot more wins at any cost. So definitely I think we’re going to have the guys that are going to come in and compete and do whatever it takes to win a ballgame, to not really worry about personal accolades and numbers.

Ware isn’t the only guest coach working with the Broncos this offseason. Longtime NFL offensive line coach Howard Mudd is also working with the team on a short-term basis.

No team has put more players in the majors this year from the 2012 draft than the Mets’ nine (the other four NL East teams had a combined eight). But those nine players are Kevin Plawecki, Matt Reynolds, Matt Koch, Corey Oswalt, Tomas Nido, Paul Sewald, Chris Flexen, Tim Peterson and Matt Bowman. It does not include (at least not yet) Gavin Cecchini, taken 12th overall in 2012 and arguably the worst draft decision of Alderson’s reign.

The Yankees had the third-largest drafted group from 2008-13 (22) playing in the majors this year. There are mainly depth position (Tyler Austin, Ben Gamel and Rob Refsnyder) and bullpen pieces (Adam Warren, Shane Greene and Tommy Kahnle), but also Greg Bird and Aaron Judge.

Not having big numbers does not doom a team. The Red Sox and Indians (12), and Dodgers and Nationals (14) are among the teams with the fewest players in the majors from those drafts. But if that is the case, you better get some significant impact.