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Thursday, March 12, 2015

NFL Free Agency 2015: Grades for Tuesday Signings and Trades

Psych!

It's not just an annoying thing that children say. It's also made its way to NFL free agency in 2015.

After being linked to the Philadelphia Eagles for most of the weekend, veteran running back Frank Gore got cold feet.

Former Eagles and new Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy jokingly took credit for convincing the former 49er not to go to Philadelphia in an NFL Network segment, saying, "We talked on the phone I said, 'Frank, man, do not go to Philly, man. I will be angry with you.'" He then clarified his remarks:

Nah. We talked about Philadelphia. He did ask me a lot of questions. It was mutual. ... He asked me about Chip and the offense. ... I told him he'd get the ball a lot and he'd love it. Chip is a mastermind. He finds way to get the ball in space with the running backs. I was honest with him, for the most part.

By the time Tuesday rolled around and Gore could actually sign on the dotted line, his landing spot ended up quite a ways west of the City of Brotherly Love.

The 31-year-old signed a three-year, $12 million contract with the Indianapolis Colts. Gore will receive $8.5 million in guarantees over the first two years of the deal.

And so ends the Trent Richardson (giggle) era in Indy.

If there was one glaring issue with the Indianapolis Colts offensively in 2014, it was in the run game. Richardson was awful (again), and while Dan Herron did the best he could, he's, well, Dan Herron.

Yes, Gore is the wrong side of 30. He doesn't seem to realize that, though, as he topped 1,100 yards on the ground last year. He's now gained over 1,000 yards in four straight seasons and eight of the last nine.For $4 million a season, it's a no-brainer for a team trying badly to keep up with the Joneses in the AFC.

Your move, Bill Belichick.

Grade: A-

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2391996-nfl-free-agency-2015-grades-for-tuesday-signings-and-trades

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Trending Now: Jake Locker announces retirement at age 26

Posted Tuesday, March 10th 2015 @ 7pm

Quarterback Jake Locker announced his retirement from the NFL after 4 years, saying he has no "burning desire" to play football.

The Saints traded tight end Jimmy Graham and a 4th round pick to the Seahawks for center Max Unger and a 1st round pick.The Ravens dealt defensive lineman Haloti Ngati to the Detroit Lions. The NFL Network says Baltimore will get a 4th or 5th round pick in return.The Rams will trade QB Sam Bradford to the Eagles for quarterback Nick Foles. The Rams and Eagles also swapped draft picks in the deal.Running back Frank Gore agreed to a 3-year deal with the Colts.Denver Post: Tight end Owen Daniels has signed a 3 year deal with the Denver Broncos.Free agent linebacker A.J. Hawk has agreed to a 2 year deal with the Cincinnati Bengals.Heat center Hassan Whiteside was suspended 1 game for elbowing Celtics center Kelly Olynyck in the back during last nights game.Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman is done for the year after tearing his ACL in his left knee in workouts today.Updated: After a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews, Phillies pitcher Cliff Lee will try and pitch through his elbow injury and not have season ending surgery.

Photo: Getty Images

Source: http://www.foxsportsradio.com/articles/fox-sports-radio-trending-now-478012/trending-now-jake-locker-announces-retirement-13397318/

Jaguars, Raiders eyeing DeMarco Murray

After a flurry of trades, cuts and signings, DeMarco Murray remains the biggest of names left on the open market. So where will he land?

NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that the former Dallas Cowboys running back is receiving interest from the Philadelphia Eagles and remains "intrigued" by the concept of playing for coach Chip Kelly.

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Murray is the second high-profile runner to land on Philly's radar after Frank Gore pulled out of a pending deal with the Eagles on Monday.

Rapoport was told that Murray took note of Tuesday's stunning trade that sent Rams quarterback Sam Bradford to the Eagles in exchange for passer Nick Foles. Murray and Bradford played together for three seasons in an Oklahoma offense that used similar up-tempo concepts to Kelly's scheme. Both players "know it extremely well," Rapoport said.

While Bradford is looking to turn the page on his underwhelming, injury-riddled career, Murray hit the open market on Tuesday at No. 4 on our list of the top 101 free agents of 2015.

The Eagles aren't alone. Rapoport noted that the Jaguars "have long been working" on Murray, while the Raiders are "making a run" despite the presence of promising third-year runner Latavius Murray. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, the Cowboys are "waiting if anyone shows real interest before they decide to pop in and make a final push."

Said Rapoport: "It's safe to say DeMarco Murray's market is really starting to percolate."

The latest Around The NFL Podcast analyzes early free agency news, including Ndamukong Suh to Miami, Devin McCourty's new deal and much more. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.

Source: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000477865/article/jaguars-raiders-eyeing-demarco-murray

Patrick Willis: 'I am here to do the work that my father sent me to do!'

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

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Linebacker Patrick Willis, (52) talks with the news media as the San Francisco 49ers' veteran players reported to training camp today to prepare for the 2014 season at their practice facility in Santa Clara, Calif., as seen on Wednesday July 23, 2014.

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis (52) warms up before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis (52) breaks up a pass meant for Atlanta Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez (88) in the 2nd quarter of Monday night's game on Dec. 23, 2013 in San Francisco, Calif.

Photo: Beck Diefenbach, For The Chronicle

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 07: Patrick Willis #52 of the San Francisco 49ers intercepts a pass intended for Jason Witten #82 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first half at AT&T Stadium on September 7, 2014 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Photo: Christian Petersen, Getty Images

San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis warms up before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 28, 2014.

Photo: Marcio Jose Sanchez, Associated Press

Patrick Willis: 'I am here to do the work that my father sent me to do!

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Niners linebacker Patrick Willis penned what could be viewed as a retirement message on his social-media accounts Monday night.

One notable part of his post: Willis, 30, didnt mention football.

Today is my Future, Past, and Present all in one, he wrote, in part. ... It's bigger than me, it always has been and it always will be ... I thank you guys for everything, it has been an absolute pleasure.

Willis post included references to 11 Bible scriptures, which have been a staple of his recent social-media messages. Among them was Proverbs 19:21, which seemed appropriate given his reported decision to end an eight-year career that included seven Pro Bowl berth and five first-team All-Pro honors: Many are the plans in a persons heart, but it is the Lords purpose that prevails.

Willis is retiring partly because surgery didnt completely correct a chronic toe issue that limited him to six games last year, but also because he wants to spend his time working with youth, ESPN reported. Willis was raised in poverty by an abusive father in Bruceton, Tenn., and he and three younger siblings were taken in by foster parents when Willis was 17. His background has inspired much of his community service during his career.

Willis concluded his message by referencing the listed scriptures.

I'm in love with these words, he wrote. I am here to do the work that my father sent me to do!

Twitter: @Eric_Branch

Source: http://www.sfgate.com/49ers/article/Patrick-Willis-I-am-here-to-do-the-work-that-my-6124798.php

49ers' Patrick Willis retiring after injury-shortened season

SANTA CLARA His eyelids swollen from tears, seven-time Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Willis bid farewell to football and called it one of his happiest days yet because he is leaving on his own terms.

His tender, size-13 feet "12 when they're bent" can no longer handle the grind of NFL practices let alone the demands of game day.

Willis announced Tuesday he will retire after his 2014 season was cut short by a toe injury that required surgery and sore feet that make everything more of a challenge.

"In my head, I'm already a Hall of Famer," Willis said. "I am leaving this with closure. I'm happy today, more happy today than the day I was drafted."

San Francisco is losing its defensive captain and locker room leader, the player who often addressed the team before games with inspirational pep talks.

Willis isn't saying exactly what's next, perhaps a vacation, some speaking gigs, a day of fishing, slow mornings with a cup of coffee instead of an intense workout.

"I have no regrets. I've had the most amazing eight years of football of my life. I am so humbled to have had this opportunity. I've been so humbled to have played this game.

Willis and friend NaVorro Bowman had made up one of the best 1-2 linebacker punches in the NFL until both missed time last season, the entire season for Bowman as he recovered from reconstructive knee surgery.

The 30-year-old Willis was sidelined with a strained muscle in his left big toe. He was placed on the season-ending injured reserve Nov. 11 after getting hurt in the third quarter at St. Louis on Oct. 13.

"These feet, boy, boy, boy, I've made no excuses," said Willis, who notes his feet "spoke" to him. "When you don't have no feet, that's what has made me what I am. I no longer have in these feet to give you guys that kind of 'Wow.'"

Source: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/sports/niners/3641355-181/story.html

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Hillary Clinton To Meet The Press, But Likely To Avoid The Circus

NEW YORK -- Hillary Clinton is expected to take questions from reporters Tuesday afternoon, more than a week since revelations surfaced that she exclusively used a private email account while conducting State Department business and amid continued questions about the Clinton Foundation accepting millions of dollars from foreign countries.

Clinton will be giving the keynote address at a women's conference, but her choice of venue, the United Nations, may help the former Secretary of State avoid a media circus because of how difficult it is for reporters to quickly get U.N. accreditation.

Politico reported Monday that Clinton was expected to hold a news conference this week, but it wasn't until Tuesday morning that reporters began tweeting news that her much-anticipated availability to the press likely would be that afternoon.

Reporters now frantically trying to get accreditation Tuesday morning to an event several hours later could be out of luck, as applications for credentials needed to be made 24 hours in advance, according to MSNBCs Alex Seitz-Wald. A Clinton spokesman said Tuesday that they are trying to get additional access for reporters not already credentialed to cover the conference.

Still, a reporter would first need to apply for a U.N. media credential by submitting a letter from a manager on company letterhead. If a reporter has current U.N. media credentials and is accredited to cover Tuesdays conference, he or she would also need to wait in line at a nearby office Tuesday morning to receive a pass, which along with a passport, is needed to gain access.

The process could prevent not only political reporters who don't normally cover the U.N. from getting inside, but also, say, a Howard Stern regular who may lob oddball questions.

Clinton has so far bypassed the media filter by speaking directly through Twitter and stating late Wednesday night that she wanted the public to see her emails.

But that tweet didn't answer questions such as why she exclusively used a private email that could prevent transparency and accountability, how her staff determined which emails to recently provide to the State Department, and how secure her communications were on a private email server.

Clinton has avoided answer questions when approached in public. An enterprising TMZ reporter, though somewhat mangling the question, asked Clinton last week about the emails and didn't get a response. On Monday, Clinton didn't respond to reporters' questions at the Clinton Foundation's "No Ceilings" event.

While Republican 2016 hopefuls are frequently doing interviews, Clinton, the presumptive Democratic frontrunner, has engaged little with the media in the run-up to an expected campaign launch in April.

Clinton sat down last month with Re/codes Kara Swisher at the Watermark Lead On conference after giving a speech. That was Clintons first interview with a reporter since August, when she spoke with The Atlantics Jeffrey Goldberg.

She also appears to have last taken questions at a news conference in July 2014 at an event to encourage reading to children.

This story has been updated to include comment from a Clinton spokesperson.

Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/03/10/hillary-clinton-media-circus_n_6838898.html

Which NHL players would be absolutely awesome on 'The Bachelor'?

Chris Soules quest to find true love ended Monday evening with his decision to choose [spoiler] and [spoiler] her.

Now America can go back to its daily routine and not worry about how some random farmer in Iowa got engaged after close to two months of dating someone he had never met before in his life.

But watching The Bachelor the guiltiest of all guilty television pleasures got me thinking. Would an NHL player work with this show? It would be tough. After all, taping is done in the fall, generally. But if someone was picked early enough, maybe scheduling adjustments could be made? You only need like a month to make out with the entire cast of women, as Farmer Chris showed us.

A North American pro athlete hasnt done the show since former New York Giants quarterback Jesse Palmer in 2004. And that brought a much broader appeal to the dating show that bizarrely draws scorn and declarations that male watchers to give back their man card. (Ill have you know mine is in my wallet next to that spa gift card.)

Regardless, with another season over, we pondered: Which NHL player would make the best Bachelor or would have made the best Bachelor?

We left out players that are married for obvious reasons, those reasons being that Patrick Sharp would have been a stone-cold lock No. 1. Keep in mind we dont know the official relationship statuses of guys on every team. Some of these guys may not officially be single. Then again, neither are many of the contestants

Here are the eight NHL players we feel would make for great television, from the limo arrival to the final rose:

1. Michael Del Zotto, Philadelphia Flyers

AsLisa Ann pointed out earlier in the year, Del Zotto is looking for love.But hes doing it in all the wrong places. Plus, it would be great to see him address his dating past on television. If nothing else, we know he cant get defensive.

2. Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

Hes swinging single again folks, and hes having a blast. Plus, watching Ovi go to middle America for someones hometown would be priceless. Watching a contestant meet his folks in Moscow? Even better. And hey, if Ovechkin cant win a ring, might as well give one to someone else, right?

3. Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins

Make all the women Canadian and then watch them play six degrees of knowing him.

4. Jack Eichel, Boston University

OK, hes not an NHL player yet. And hes 18 years old, so he cant legally drink. Buthe clearly likes to have a good time. And hes not afraid to voice hisum opinions on social life.

5. Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings

As we saw on EPIX Presents Road to the NHL Stadium Series hes just a bro. Would he wear a hat on his dates? Based on ice time alone, he should be able to handle the dating volume.

6. Jamie Benn and/or Tyler Seguin, Dallas Stars

Just so they could make their mothers happy afterthat prank they pulled on those two poor ladies.

7.P.K. Subban, Montreal Canadiens

Hes one of the games most entertaining personalities, and would no doubt have a ton of fun on the show. In that were pretty sure hed wear a GoPro camera in the fantasy suite. Worth it just to see him meet his one true love and then find out shes from Boston.

8. Phil Kessel, Toronto Maple Leafs

While we cant imagine hed be down with cameras following him around for two months, the world needs to see Kessel in romance mode. We imagine it entails offering her the last beer while they play Xbox.

***

So those are our picks for NHL player on The Bachelor. Who are yours?

Josh Cooper is an editor for Puck Daddy and legitimately likes "The Bachelor" this much.Have a tip for the next Bachelor? Email him at puckdaddyblog@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!