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Monday, September 19, 2016

Despite Adrian Peterson injury, Sam Bradford gives Vikings reason for hope

Adrian Peterson - Unbreakable

USA TODAY Sports" Tom Pelissero recaps the biggest takeaways from Sunday"s games.

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford (8) smiles following the game against the Green Bay Packers at U.S. Bank Stadium.(Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn, USA TODAY Sports)

MINNEAPOLIS For a guy best known for his injury history when he arrived here 15 days ago, Sam Bradford sure earned a lot of points for not backing down from a beating in his Minnesota Vikings debut Sunday night.

That dude is one tough (expletive), Vikings guard Alex Boone told USA TODAY Sports after Bradford completed 22 of 31 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns (and officially took 10 hits) in a 17-14 triumph over the rival Green Bay Packers.

There was a couple times he got hit I thought he was dead. He wasnt moving, so I had to pick him up. Im like, Sam, dont be dead. Next play: (Expletive) bullet. Youre going, Jesus, this guys a beast!

The Vikings needed that production and resiliency from their new quarterback on a night they again struggled to get star running back Adrian Peterson going before he was carried to the locker room in the third quarter with a right knee injury.

Peterson had minimal swelling and could extend his leg after the game, providing optimism he avoided a season-ending ACL tear an injury Bradford is familiar with, since two of them are responsible for 25 of the 35 starts he missed because of health in his first six NFL seasons.

Bradford, 28, did go briefly to the locker room Sunday for an X-ray after taking a helmet to his left (non-throwing) hand on the Vikings first touchdown drive, causing nasty swelling from his wrist to his pinkie that was captured by NBCs cameras.

It was nice and fat, tight end Kyle Rudolph said of Bradfords hand. But hes gutsy. Just to stand in there and take hit after hit it speaks volume of him as a player and a person.

Equally impressive: Bradford outplayed two-time NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers with all of two weeks to learn Norv Turners offense and about a half-dozen practices under his belt, including three last week getting most of the reps after veteran backup Shaun Hill started the opener.

Coach Mike Zimmer said the plan was to get Bradford into that first game at Tennessee, because he didnt think this the first regular-season game at the new $1.1 billion U.S. Bank Stadium, not to mention one on national TV against a blitz-happy Packers defense was the best atmosphere for the former No. 1 overall draft pick to make his Vikings debut.

But it didnt seem to bother Bradford, who connected withRudolph on an out for the first score (and took a hit from Clay Matthews) and Stefon Diggs on a post for the second (and took a hit from Mike Daniels). Perhaps Bradfords best throw was a 44-yard strike on a deep crossing route to Diggs, who made a fingertip grab that helped set up a field goal before halftime.

Its unbelievable to have timing like that when we havent even been together for two full weeks, Rudolph said.

Bradfords only here because of a season-ending knee injury to third-year pro Teddy Bridgewater, who was hurt Aug. 30. Four days later, the Vikings traded a first-round pick and change to the Philadelphia Eagles, flew in Bradford that night and began immersing him in an offense h**l still be learning all season.

Right now, its still in the phase where I have to translate it in my mind to what it was in a previous offense, because thats what hits my brain first, Bradford said.

The Vikings believed in Bradford then in part because his former coordinator in St. Louis and Philadelphia, Pat Shurmur, is their tight ends coach, providing insight on how they could meld the scheme to his strengths and weaknesses. They also had extensive access to Bradfords medical records, thanks in part to head athletic trainer Eric Sugarmans time on the Eagles staff.

Bradford passed the teams physical and passed his first test Sunday night, on multiple fronts.

Asked what he learned about Bradford on the TD throw to Diggs (and the ensuing shot from Daniels), Zimmer said: He can throw the ball. Hes got some toughness about him. This isnt his first rodeo, so hes had opportunities to get in there and to go. He was pretty composed all night. ... It was a good start.

The tests only figure to get tougher the longer the Vikings may be without Peterson, who remains the focal point of their offense, even if the numbers through two games 50 rushing yards on 31 carries dont show it. Poor run blocking has been a major problem.

But the Minnesota defense showed again how impactful it can be in preventing Rodgers from taking over as he so often does. Brian Robisons strip-sack snuffed one late Packers drive, and an interception by second-year cornerback Trae Waynes stopped another with 1:50 left.

By playing like this, and holding up physically like this, Bradford provided something rather unexpected: reason to believe this Vikings has a chance to be a dangerous with Peterson or without him.

Not that letting Bradford get knocked around like that every week is a good long-term plan.

He took some hits he shouldnt have taken, Boone said of Bradford. He delivered the ball well. Just an overall great performance by him.

Follow Tom Pelissero on Twitter @TomPelissero.

PHOTOS: Best of NFL Week 2

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Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/vikings/2016/09/18/adrian-peterson-knee-injury-minnesota-green-bay-packers/90671158/

Emmys 2016"s Worst Dressed Celebs: Emilia Clarke, Viola Davis, Sarah Paulson & More!

Sarah Paulson Wins Her First Emmy: "The Responsibility of Playing a Real Person is an Enormous On…

Rob Latour/Variety/REX/Shutterstock

As the good people at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences can you tell, we can"t all be winners.

They might decide who"s worthy of an Emmy, but we"re calling it when it comes to which celebs deserve a fashion winand the stars who missed the mark as well. At such a glamorous event like this, everything from the hair, makeup and styling matters, so unfortunately, we have to give the celebs who underwhelmed a Worst Dressed title.

Actress Anna Chlumsky came ready for a moving party, wearing a mini pink frock that also kind of looked like bubble wrap. The long train didn"t help either.

Viola Davis rarely does wrong, but her magenta Marchesa gown coupled with her just-as-bold makeup equaled a matchy-matchy situation we just couldn"t overlook. Emilia Clarke, too, stunned in Atelier Versace; however, the pointed neckline and ruched top aged the 29-year-old Game of Thrones star.

Who else didn"t fare so well in the fashion category? Click through the gallery below to see the worst dressed celebs at the 2016 Emmys.

Watch the Fashion Police 2016 Emmy Awards special Sept. 19 at 8 p.m., only on E!

Source: http://www.eonline.com/news/795180/emmys-2016-s-worst-dressed-celebs-emilia-clarke-viola-davis-sarah-paulson-more

Recap: Panthers 46, 49ers 27

Every Cam Newton Throw (Week 2) | 49ers vs. Panthers | NFL

CHARLOTTE The San Francisco 49ers proved surprisingly pesky early in the Panthers" home opener Sunday at Bank of America Stadium, but the reigning NFC champions eventually took command.

Eventually.

"The second half we had an opportunity to put them away. We put them away," quarterback Cam Newton said.

"And then, we let them back in. That just can"t happen."

The Panthers absorbed initial resistance from the 49ers by scoring 24 unanswered points to build a three-touchdown lead, then they held on after San Francisco pulled within a single score to emerge with a 46-27 triumph.

"When we"re firing on all cylinders, it"s fun to be a part of and fun to watch, but we can"t allow ourselves to keep having those lulls," said Newton, who bounced back from an interception on his first pass of the day to throw for 353 yards and four touchdowns. "It felt early on like we were taking turns messing up. This play it was me. Next play it was that person. Next play it was this person. You don"t have good production with that.

"When we just settled down and honed into our responsibilities, everything took care of itself."

It looked like the Panthers had finally taken care of business after wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin opened the second half with tough touchdown receptions of 10 and 9 yards from Newton, the second one giving Carolina a 31-10 edge and giving Newton the Panthers" all-time record for career touchdown tosses with 121.

But after the defense forced a 49ers punt for the sixth consecutive drive going back to the first half including four three-and-outs one of Newton"s signature scrambles ended on a sour note when he lost a fumble.

Carolina"s defense turned the 49ers away pushing them back 4 yards in fact and held them to a field goal. But on the ensuing kickoff, Ted Ginn, Jr. couldn"t corral the ball, setting San Francisco up for a 1-yard touchdown "drive." After Ginn bounced back with a 59-yard kickoff return to set up a Graham Gano field goal, the 49ers struck with a 75-yard touchdown pass from Blaine Gabbert to tight end Vance McDonald.

Just like that, with 7:51 still to play, the Panthers" lead was down to 34-27.

"We had a couple of lulls in the fourth quarter that we can"t have," linebacker Thomas Davis said. "Championship-caliber teams close games out. We were able to bounce back and do it today, but as the season goes on, we can"t allow things like that to happen."

The 49ers forced a pair of incompletions on Carolina"s next drive, but that"s when the Panthers bounced back. On third-and-10, Newton hung in the pocket and rocketed a pass over the middle for Benjamin, who held on for a 25-yard gain between two defenders that crunched him and knocked his helmet off in the process.

That kept the ball with the Panthers and kept the clock going, eventually setting up Gano for a 49-yard field goal with 4:08 left and a 37-27 lead. The defense then put the finishing touches on the victory, with linebacker Luke Kuechly and rookie cornerback James Bradberry picking off passes on the 49ers" next two possessions. The offense cashed in on both, with Newton hitting wide receiver Devin Funchess for a 16-yard score after Kuechly"s pick and Gano drilling his fourth field goal to cap it.

"We put up a lot of plays, put up a lot of yards, put up a lot of points, but I still don"t think we played very well," tight end Greg Olsen said. "We have to be a lot more dialed in and smoother with our operation.

"You know we will, we will work on that. It gives us something to work on going forward, and we got the win."

Olsen got the Panthers heading in the right direction in the first place, starting the key stretch in the game in which both sides of the ball played well. The defense provided the first spark, when linebacker Shaq Thompson picked up a fumble by running back Carlos Hyde who was held to 34 total yards and fought his way into the end zone for a 9-yard touchdown and a 7-3 lead for the Panthers.

The 49ers, however, answered right back with a 28-yard touchdown strike from Gabbert to Torrey Smith to reclaim the lead and, heading to the final 10 minutes of the first half, the San Francisco defense still had not allowed a point all season.

On the next play, Olsen changed that and changed the game, starting the Panthers on their path to 24 unanswered points. Olsen sped across the middle, caught a Newton pass in stride and raced from the San Francisco 43 all the way to the end zone for a 78-yard score and a 14-10 lead.

"When I passed the safety, I could feel that he was flat-footed, so I knew I was behind him a bit, and then I didn"t need to break stride to catch the ball," said Olsen, adding that it was the longest touchdown of his football life. "I didn"t think that they could catch me. I"m just glad they didn"t because I never would have heard the end of it."

If the 49ers had caught the Panthers, Carolina would have never heard the end of it, either. But, despite some stops and starts, that play gave the Panthers a lead they never relinquished.

"There are some things that we have to get corrected if we expect to be a very good football team," head coach Rivera said. "But anytime you win in the NFL, it"s a nice thing."

Source: http://www.panthers.com/news/article-2/Recap-Panthers-46-49ers-27/08baf713-f53b-4f3a-9713-1ee6bdab467e

Julia Louis-Dreyfus" Emmy win breaks the record

Julia Louis-Dreyfus Offers ‘Personal Apology’ for Current Political Climate FuLL Speech

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Sept. 19, 2016, 6:15 a.m.

What will Sunday"s 68th Primetime Emmy Awards be remembered for? Game of Thrones won best drama series, while Veep took home the top comedy award.The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story also earned five awards (plus four of last weekend"s Creative Arts Emmys), while Julia Louis-Dreyfus made history with her fifth consecutive Emmy win in the lead comedy actress category. But what are people talking about most? Stirring speeches, such as Jill Soloway"s call to "topple the patriarchy," Kate McKinnon setting Twitter on fire, Sandwich-gate and Tatiana Maslany getting a win for the clone-club.

Source: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-st-emmys-live-updates-awards-columnist-glenn-whipp-julia-1474246009-htmlstory.html

Texas Longhorns vs. Cal Golden Bears: College football game preview

Notre Dame vs Texas football 2016

Thanks to a dramatic season-opening 50-47 win over Notre Dame and a 41-7 thumping of UTEP, the heat is off Texas football coach Charlie Strong.

But for the 11th-ranked Longhorns to become serious Big 12 contenders, they"ll need to find a way to improve greatly on a 1-4 road record in 2015. The first chance to do that comes on Saturday night when Texas (2-0) travels to the Bay Area to face Cal (1-1).

California, behind future No. 1 NFL Draft pick Jared Goff, handed Texas a 45-44 home loss last season, a contest that ended with kicker Nick Rose missing an extra point that would have possibly sent the game to overtime. A victory in the rematch Saturday would give Texas its first 3-0 start since 2012, even Strong"s record in Austin to 14-14 and possibly move the Longhorns into the top-10 next week.

"You"re taking a young team into a hostile environment," Strong said. "There are certain things as a team that you have to pack. You"ve got to pack your defense. We can take the crowd out of the game if we can play great defense."

When it comes to traveling with confidence, Strong said he will lead by example.

"It"s all about the attitude of the players and even the coaches," Strong said. "They will look at how we lead and that"s how they"ll go."

Texas will face a couple of Texans across the field in Cal coach Sonny Dykes, son of former Texas Tech coach Spike Dykes, and quarterback Davis Webb, who transferred to the Golden Bears from Texas Tech. No matter the results for either team coming into the game, Dykes and Webb have familiarity with Texas and no doubt burn to beat the Longhorns.

They also have the offense to properly duel with Texas.

Strong knows his team will have to accept giving up yards, but also need to make a few big plays on defense.

"It"s going to be a big challenge for our secondary," Strong said. "We need to get pressure on the quarterback to take pressure off the secondary because some b***s are going to be completed. We just can"t allow b***s to be thrown over our head."

Cal graduated a ton of its leaders, across the table defensively, including Goff: the Los Angeles" Rams first pick in the NFL draft. His replacement, senior transfer Davis Webb, has been splendid -- including in the Golden Bears" 45-40 loss to San Diego State Saturday on the road.

Webb threw for 522 yards and five touchdowns, so the Golden Bears" offense wasn"t the problem. As it"s been in recent years, it was the defense yielding 281 rushing yards and three touchdowns to Aztecs tailback Donnel Pumphrey, the reigning Mountain West Conference Offensive Player of the Year.

Now, Cal sits in danger of falling to 1-2 with the opening of Pacific-12 Conference play waiting on Sept. 24 at Arizona State. Golden Bears coach Sonny Dykes, in his fourth year in Berkeley, was proud of the effort, though, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

"Our effort was outstanding. He said that was the hardest any team has ever played under him," Cal wide receiver Chad Hansen said, reflecting on Dykes" postgame message. "It"s no consolation, but we know we left everything out on the line."

Hansen is becoming the breakout star the Golden Bears believed he could be. After Cal"s six most productive wide receivers saw their collegiate eligibility end after 2015, Hansen has posted team-highs with 28 catches for 350 yards. Those numbers also lead the FBS. He also has caught three TDs. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound junior had 14 grabs for 190 yards and a TD against San Diego State.

The Longhorns have benefitted from two capable quarterbacks in true freshman Shane Buechele (starter) and senior Tyrone Swoopes (dynamic running threat). Swoopes made a name for himself in the Notre Dame win with three rushing TDs.

Source: http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/College-Football/2016/09/16/Texas-Longhorns-vs-Cal-Golden-Bears-College-football-game-preview/4721474026109/

"OJ"s" Sarah Paulson felt responsibility to Marcia Clark

Sarah Paulson Talks First Big Win at the 2016 Emmys | E! Live from the Red Carpet
"O.J"s" Sarah Paulson felt responsibility to Marcia Clark

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Sarah Paulson won an Emmy Sunday for her portrayal of prosecutor Marcia Clark in "The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story."(Photo: Dan MacMedan, USA TODAY)

LOS ANGELES Sarah Paulson took her Emmy-winning portrayal of prosecutor Marcia Clark very personally.

Playing a real person while theyre still living is a big responsibility, she said of her Emmy-winning role inFX"s The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.

Paulson, speaking backstage,said Clarkwas subject to unfair criticism for everything from her legal skills to her hair and wardrobe during the mid-1990s trial.

I feel there was a collective failing by women for Marcia during the time of the trial, she said. I think an apology was in order.

She spoke to Clark, late in filming, because executive producer Ryan Murphy, a Paulson collaborator onAmerican Horror Story, didnt want a meeting to affect her portrayal.

Clark, Paulson"s guest at the Emmy ceremony,was very communicative about how much gratitude she had for what the series did in general, Paulson said. She was under such scrutiny. She was a public servant. She wasnt an actress accustomedto the glare of the nationalmedia spotlight.

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Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2016/09/19/ojs-sarah-paulson-felt-responsibility-marcia-clark/90676552/

Rams defense makes another stand

Rams vs. 49ers (Week 1) | Post Game Highlights | NFL

The Rams will play host to an NFL game in Los Angeles for the first time since 1994 when they take on the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday at the Coliseum. Kickoff is 1 p.m., with the game broadcast on FOX. Check here for live updates throughout the afternoon.

Scoring Summary:

FIRST QUARTER

Rams K Greg Zuerlein makes 39-yard field goal (Rams 3, Seahawks 0)

SECOND QUARTER

Seahawks K Steven Hauschka makes a 23-yard field goal (Rams 3, Seahawks 3)
Rams K Greg Zuerlein makes a 28-yard field goal (Rams 6, Seahawks 3)

FOURTH QUARTER

Rams K Greg Zuerlein makes a 47-yard field goal (Rams 9, Seahawks 3)

Source: http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-live-coverage-rams-vs-seahawks-rams-defense-makes-another-stand-1474239039-htmlstory.html