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Oakland Raiders

Jerome Harrison says Twitter account posing as his was fake

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A Twitter account that posed as belonging to former NFL running back Jerome Harrison over the weekend has proven to be a fake.

Harrison, in a brief conversation with ESPN on Thursday afternoon, confirmed the account @jharrison_35, which had posted messages about Harrison’s recovery from a brain tumor discovered during the 2011 NFL season, was not his.

Harrison, 35, is not believed to be on social media.

Harrison, from Kalamazoo, Michigan, was an All-American at Washington State and was a fifth-round draft pick of the Cleveland Browns in 2006. Harrison was traded to Philadelphia in 2010 and was signed by the Detroit Lions in 2011.

Detroit then traded Harrison to Philadelphia, and the tumor was discovered during his physical with the Eagles. After a surgery, a blood clot in his brain left him as a quadriplegic who couldn’t eat or talk. He has been recovering since, including learning to walk, talk and eat again, according to a CBS story in 2012.

I’m not going 1-15, Jackson said January of 2017 (per ESPN). No. I’ll be swimming in that lake over there somewhere. That’s not happening.

Well, the Browns had an even worse 2017 season, finishing 0-16, and Jackson held up his end of the deal he made 18 months ago.

He led a group of about 150 employees, including Browns owner Dee Haslam, into Lake Erie Friday and called the plunge a cleanse. Jackson shouted, No more freakin’ losing! as he jumped into the 72 degree water.

Jumping into the lake wasn’t just about staying true to his word, though. It was also a charitable event to support the Hue Jackson Foundation, which fights human trafficking.

Jackson pledged to donate $100 for every Browns employee who joined him on the jump and owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam agreed to match the donation, bringing the total to $30,000 raised.

Those people have been with me every day, Jackson said, per Ohio.com. When you lose a game and you lose as many games as we have and you keep parking your car and walking into the building and have to see those faces each and every day, I carry them with me.

NBA mock draft 2018: Knicks passing up Mikal Bridges for Michigan State forward?

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As the countdown to the 2018 NBA Draft  commences, all eyes in New York will on what the rebuilding Knicks  do with the No. 9 pick.Based on mock drafts over the last few months, a consensus has begun to form.

Barring something wacky happening within the first eight picks, the Knicks have been connected to the following combination of names and/or positions:

Let’s add a new name to that list. Well, technically. In Sporting News ‘ latest mock draft, the Knicks selected a different Bridges at No. 9: Michigan State’s Miles Bridges, passing on Mikal from Villanova.

According to Jon Heyman of FRS Baseball, five names are floating out there as possibilities: Tampa Bay Rays’ Chris Archer, Detroit Tigers’ Michael Fulmer, Kansas City Royals’ Danny Duffy, San Francisco Giants’ Madison Bumgarner  and Texas Rangers’ Cole Hamels.

If they could somehow talk the Giants out of Madison Bumgarner, that would perfectly fill the need for an ace. But barring a miracle like that, they may have to settle for a No. 2-3 type starter. Chris Archer may be the most talented starter out there, but it’s hard to see Tampa Bay helping the Yankees. Michael Fulmer, Cole Hamels and Danny Duffy are among others who could potentially help, but none are pitching like Cole at present. Hamels, though, may be a non-starter due to the Yankees’ desire to stay under the $197 million luxury tax threshold due to his $24 million salary.

That possibility of that dream got better odds late last week when New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees hand-delivered a prosthetic leg to Ruiz, who grew up watching Brees with the Chargers and wears No. 9 in his honor. Brees surprised Ruiz last Friday at a flag football event in San Diego. The 39-year-old NFL veteran called it “a very emotional presentation,” according to ESPN.

“In the back of my mind, I said to myself, ‘I hope I get a chance to meet this young man someday,'” Brees recalled. “Alex has suffered a long and very difficult road but has remained so positive and insists this set of circumstances will not hold him back. He still has loftier goals than ever for his athletic career and beyond. We wanted to help his dreams come true. Brees also committed to paying for Ruiz’s athletic training prosthetic down the road, once he gets used to walking with the new one. The athletic training prosthesis will help the teenager start running and doing football-related activities. Ruiz, who was also invited to a Saints-Chargers joint practice this summer, seemed thrilled with the surprise. “If there’s anything above cloud nine, that’s where I’m at right now,” he said.

So all the Browns can do now is embrace what should be some of the first positive exposure they’ve received in years.

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It should be compelling to see how HBO addresses Jackson’s job security and how the series will depict the quarterback situation, given Jackson announced veteran Tyrod Taylor would be the starter in 2018 well before Mayfield was drafted.

Hard Knocks has a way of turning its chosen team into a fan favorite thanks to creative storytelling and exceptional access. Who didn’t watch last season and not think Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston was poised for a breakout campaign? Unknown players fighting for jobs and often heartbroken during roster cuts often makes for gripping footage. HBO has a way of selling the team it features as a legitimate playoff threat. (Sometimes, coaches provide that fodder themselves. Here’s looking at you, Jeff “No 7-9 B.S.” Fisher, with the 2016 Rams… who wound up 4-12.)

The only thing missing will be Joe Thomas, the perennial Pro Bowl left tackle, who retired earlier this year — though expect him to find a way to make at least a few cameos.

By September, when the cameras stop rolling, HBO will probably have us believing that the Browns will turn it around — that Garrett will collect double-digit sacks, that Mayfield will become the franchise quarterback Cleveland has spent two decades searching for, and maybe even that Jackson deserves an extension.

Who knows? Maybe all that will happen, and the Browns will be the rare team to buck the Hard Knocks trend. Or, maybe, this will another mistake by the lake.

They’re trying to build an actual team, too. They traded for several notable players this offseason, including quarterback Tyrod Taylor, wide receiver Jarvis Landry, and safety Damarious Randall. Then they added potential immediate contributors like Baker Mayfield, Denzel Ward, and Nick Chubb in the draft. Now Jackson has to sell the locker room on believing in what he’s trying to do.

Luckily, Bleacher Report is here with tips and suggestions that will have you placing bets like a character from A Bronx Tale in no time. Or if that doesn’t sound sensible to you for some reason, we can at least get you a little more comfortable for slight dabbling in your new right to add action to your NFL action.

The best way to explain how to place an NFL bet is to clear up a few misconceptions about 21st century sports wagering.

Adam Jones says he’s 100 percent after groin surgery

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Cornerback Adam Jones became a free agent in March when the Bengals opted against picking up his $5.5 million option for the 2018 season, but his market has been quiet due to the groin surgery he had shortly after the end of Cincinnati’s season.

According to Jones, things are starting to pick up. Jones said on SiriusXM NFL Radio that he’s recovered from the surgery and has been talking to teams about coming aboard.

He’s still struggling with Kirk’s death. Last Sunday marked two months since the date. Kyle relies on his wife, Juliet, and the rest of the family for support. The grieving process is still ongoing, but basketball has enabled him to smile a little, just as it did all those afternoons in the backyard with his brothers.

“You know the world gives you a little bit of time. They’re very sad for you. And they still are,” Kyle said. “But sometimes it’s like, ‘OK, we’d like you to take the shots and make every one, please.'”

On top of the base pay, Foles can earn $14 million in incentives.

“I like how young we are. Guys are laying it on the line for each other. We’ve been good at overcoming some stuff, with a never-say-die mentality. In past years, we might feel a different way. Maybe had a different aura in the room. This year is just different,” said defenseman John Carlson. “Newer guys. Guys that haven’t been around.”

Super Bowl 58 will see the Superdome extend its record for the most times hosting the big game to eight, but it will end up being a lengthy gap between slots — the Super Bowl was last played in New Orleans in 2013. The 2024 event will be the 11th Super Bowl to be held in the Crescent City, as Tulane Stadium hosted three times in the 1970s before the Superdome opened.

Those announcements will lock in the hosts for the next six Super Bowls. The 2019 game will be hosted by Atlanta, with 2020 in Miami, 2021 in Tampa and 2022 in Los Angeles at the new Rams and Chargers stadium.

Bruce Allen on Oakland rumors: “I’m not going there”

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Bruce Allen denied the suggestions that he might be leaving for Oakland. Or playing baseball.

The most productive of the new additions is Shay Fields, who caught 194 passes for 2,590 yards and 21 touchdowns over four years at the University of Colorado. He’s second in school history in career receiving yards.

The Redskins also signed former Nebraska wide receiver De’Mornay Pierson-El and former Alabama wideout Cam Sims. Washington also drafted Trey Quinn with the final pick in the draft, so there are going to be a lot of new faces vying for work at receiver this season.

Virginia defensive back Quin Blanding, Grambling running back Martez Carter, Pittsburgh tight end Matt Flanagan, Stony Brook tackle Timon Parris and TCU defensive back Ranthony Texada have also agreed to deals with the team.

I simply mentioned that I had thrown a text to a coaching friend — saying 1 think I could give him one more yr if he needed me! Warner said.

This was not — I’m dead set on making a comeback… just friends having a convo!!

“We’re really happy with the post,” said Greg Bensel, the vice president of communications for the Saints and Pelicans. “Our guy has been training well over this track. He loves this track, and [trainer] Tom Amoss has been getting him in perfect condition. He’s ready to go. I think we’ll outrun our odds.”

Favorites have won the Derby five straight years, but 50-1 long shots have won before (Mine That Bird in 2009 and Giacomo in 2005). Lone Sailor is the third horse Benson has sent to the Derby, following Mo Tom (eighth) and Tom’s Ready (12th) in 2016.

Peterson may not have had a great run in New Orleans, but he’s not opposed to a reunion. Per Pelissero, the team was impressed with how the veteran helped Kamara as he transitioned to the league. Saints running back Mark Ingram was recently suspended four games for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs.

NFL Network’s Steve Wyche reported Wednesday that New Orleans does not plan on signing a veteran running back to fill in for Ingram.

Peterson is just two seasons removed from running for 1,485 yards and 11 touchdowns. However, he has since suffered a serious knee injury and a neck injury over the last two years. Don’t forget that he is also now 33 years old.

Raptors, Wizards honor victims of Toronto van attack with moment of silence

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The Raptors honored the victims of Monday’s deadly van attack in Toronto with a moment of silence Wednesday night before their Game 5 win over the Washington Wizards.

Players from both teams held up banners with the hashtag (hash)TORONTOSTRONG as they stood on the court during the tribute and the national anthems that followed.

Raptors president Masai Ujiri spoke about the attack after the Raptors practiced Tuesday.

“What we do doesn’t really matter sometimes,” Ujiri said before the Raptors’ 108-98 win. “I can’t imagine what it would be like to be on that sidewalk.”

Like Casey, Ujiri said he is proud of Toronto’s reputation as a safe, welcoming place.

“Everywhere I go, I brag about this city,” Ujiri said. “It’s the safest place in the world. It’s the best city in the world, and it’s going to continue to be the best place and the best city in the world.”

Toronto police said the 10 people killed and 14 injured in the attack were “predominantly” women, but they have declined so far to discuss a motive. The 25-year-old Minassian has been charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder and 13 counts of attempted murder.

“I’ve been a big fan of Chubb for a long time. One thing about SEC running backs is when you play running back in the SEC you have to create between the tackles with your feet. You have to be able to play a physical style of football,” Browns vice president of player personnel Alonzo Highsmith said. “And Nick Chubb exemplifies all of that in his running style.”

“I have no questions about the guy. Just give him the ball.”

Chubb joins a Browns backfield that already includes Carlos Hyde and Duke Johnson.

The Browns opened the second round by selecting guard Austin Corbett from Nevada with the 33rd overall pick. Corbett could be the long-term replacement at left tackle, filling the void left by Joe Thomas, who retired after 10 season this offseason.

Chubb is the second Georgia running back drafted in 2018, as Sony Michel was taken by the New England Patriots in the first round on Thurdsay. Georgia is the first school with multiple running backs taken within the first two rounds of the same draft since Arkansas in 2008 when Darren McFadden and Felix Jones were selected in the first round.

Last year’s draft resulted in a projected $56.1 million in direct spending on hotels, restaurants, bars and retail shops in the Philadelphia area, according to Temple University’s Sport Industry Research Center.

Rainout delays Orioles RHP Cobb’s reunion with Rays

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The Tampa Bay Rays have to wait at least one more day before taking their swings against former teammate Alex Cobb.

“He was a crucial part to this organization’s success,” Rays starter Chris Archer said. “He’s a big-game pitcher and somebody who’s very consistent, very routine oriented. The competitive nature rubbed off on me and rubbed off on the other guys in this clubhouse as well.”

Cobb signed a $57 million, four-year deal with the Orioles, who will be counting on him to deliver the same kind of pitching and leadership in Baltimore.

Thus far, it hasn’t gone well. Cobb got off to a late start because he missed most of spring training, and since his return he’s gone 0-2 with a 15.43 ERA.

“Abbreviation has affected that,” Rays manager Kevin Cash said. “He’s going to get going here. Hopefully he can wait one more start before he does.”

Brad Miller was down to bat cleanup for the Rays on Tuesday night before the game was called. Miller knew better than to chat with his old friend beforehand.

“Definitely wouldn’t talk to him on his start days,” Miller said. “Thought about maybe texting him just to rattle him a little bit, but … .”

“Absolutely,” Shurmur said. “He’s an excellent player, he’s part of our team and he’s a very valued member of our team. Everybody that’s out here, I’m planning on them being here.”

Beckham broke his left ankle in October and had been training and rehabbing in Los Angeles. He was at the Giants’ facility for the start of the offseason program two weeks ago. He wasn’t there last week for voluntary workouts, but he returned for this week’s three-day minicamp.

“Yeah, he’s here and he’s been here,” Shurmur said. “He’s going through his rehab to get fully cleared, so he was able to be involved in the walk-through, but as we get going here competitive full speed, he won’t be able to participate [Tuesday] afternoon.”

Offensive tackle Ereck Flowers and defensive tackle Damon Harrison were not at Tuesday’s voluntary minicamp practice. Flowers is expected to be on the trade block during this week’s NFL draft.

Beckham appears to be part of the Giants’ long-term plans. He is in the fifth-year option of his rookie contract and looking for a new deal. The two sides still haven’t had serious talks about a new deal, according to a source.

Wizards’ Wall says he can take over a playoff game

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Facing a do-or-die Game 6, Washington Wizards point guard John Wall said he feels he can take over a playoff game but also admits he will have to pace himself after saying he ran out of gas at the end of Game 5.

The last time these two teams met in Washington, Wall took over Game 4 and evened the series at 2-2 by scoring eight of his 27 points in the last 3:50. Wall made or assisted on the final seven Wizards field goals and scored or assisted on 18 of Washington’s final 23 points, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

“If you put the ball in play, good things can happen,” Snitker said.

Camargo drove in two runs and Ender Inciarte had three hits for the Braves, who led 3-0 after four innings. Acuna scored on Kurt Suzuki’s two-out single in the eighth to make it 4-all.

Jesse Biddle allowed three hits over two scoreless innings, Dan Winkler (1-0) pitched a perfect eighth and A.J. Minter worked the ninth for his first career save.

Kevin Shackelford (0-1) took the loss in his first appearance of the season since coming off the disabled list. The Reds dropped to 5-19, matching the 1931 team for the worst 24-game start in club history.

Gallagher and outfielder Paulo Orlando were optioned to Triple-A Omaha as part of a series of roster moves Tuesday. Right-hander Justin Grimm went to the DL with lower back stiffness, and left-hander Eric Stout joined Perez and Gordon in making the trip from the Storm Chasers.

“You can’t replace what Salvy brings to this team,” Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas said. “His energy, the way he goes about his business, the way he plays the game. When he’s in the lineup there is no doubt we’re a better team.

“The same with Alex,” Moustakas added. “When he’s in the lineup, we’re a better baseball team.”

Gordon was hitting .174 through the first seven games when he tore the labrum in his left hip, an injury similar to one he suffered in 2009 on the other hip. This time, he got an injection and rested rather than opt immediately for surgery, and he thinks that was the right move.

Discontent over the goalie-interference rule has been grabbing headlines for weeks, but the head-shot discussion carries far more serious implications for a league still grappling with how best to protect its players.

DeRozan scores 32 points, Raptors beat Wizards in Game 5

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The Toronto Raptors rode to a seldom-used lineup to move within a game of advancing in the NBA playoffs.

DeMar DeRozan scored 32 points, Kyle Lowry had 17 points and 10 assists and the Raptors beat the Washington Wizards 108-98 on Wednesday night in Game 5.

Toronto rebounded after losing Games 3 and 4 on the road to take a 3-2 series lead back to Washington for Game 6 on Friday night. The home team has won all five games in the series.

The only team in the NBA to avoid losing three straight at any point this season, the Raptors went 5-0 following back-to-back losses during the regular season, and have not lost three straight since last year’s second-round sweep against Cleveland. The last time Toronto lost three regular-season games in a row was from Feb. 8 to 14, 2017.

Wall had 26 points, and Bradley Beal added 20 for the Wizards. They went nearly four minutes without scoring down the stretch. Marcin Gortat had 10 points and 12 rebounds.

Washington shot 8 for 24 in the fourth quarter, and Toronto had 15 rebounds in the final frame.

“We feel like we let one slip away,” Wall said. “They made the biggest shots at the end of the game.”

The Raptors won despite being out rebounded 50-35.

“They crushed us on rebounds,” Lowry said.

Chacin efficiently mowed through the Kansas City lineup Wednesday night, needing just 30 pitches through the first four innings, and ultimately left with two outs in the sixth. The Brewers’ stout bullpen kept the Royals scoreless the rest of the way for a 6-2 victory — their eighth straight overall.

“They were real aggressive,” Chacin said. “They were swinging at the first pitch a lot. I was commanding well. I felt especially my mechanics are getting better. That’s helping my fastball.”

Chacin (2-1) did not allow a hit until two outs in the fourth, when Mike Moustakas went deep. He bounced back to allow one more run on four hits and a walk before the bullpen took over.

Milwaukee’s relief corps pushed its scoreless streak to 28 innings to wrap things up.

“They’re just doing such a nice job of picking each other up,” Brewers manager Craig Counsell said. “They’re doing a heckuva job coming in with runners-on-base situations and putting up zeros.”

The winning streak for Milwaukee matches its longest since June and July 2015, when the club also won eight straight. The run began with two wins over Cincinnati and included a four-game sweep of Miami before taking both midweek interleague matchups with the Royals.

Lowrie, A’s beat Rangers 3-2 as Beltre leaves with injury

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The Oakland Athletics keep finding ways to win after their slow start. The Texas Rangers can’t stop losing — games and key players.

Jed Lowrie hit a tiebreaking double before Texas slugger Adrian Beltre left with a hamstring injury, and the A’s beat the Rangers 3-2 on Tuesday night, tagging Cole Hamels with his fourth loss before the end of April for the first time in the left-hander’s career.

Beltre strained his left hamstring coming out of the batter’s box in the eighth inning and limped to first base on what would have been a double but was instead a single for his 3,075th career hit.

Lowrie’s seventh-inning liner over the glove of a diving DeShields came against reliever Matt Bush after two doubles off Hamels in an inning that included a pair of Oakland baserunners getting thrown out at third base.

Andrew Triggs (2-0) allowed one run in six innings with six strikeouts, and former closer Santiago Casilla pitched a scoreless ninth for his first save in Oakland’s eighth win in nine games since a 5-10 start.

“There’s no coincidence that we’ve been winning games when we’ve been getting starting pitching six innings or more,” manager Bob Melvin said.

Hamels (1-4) gave up two runs in 6 1/3 innings and hit three batters, matching the 2008 World Series MVP’s career high set on April 20, 2016, in a 2-1 win against Houston. Rangers reliever Jake Diekman also hit a batter.

Gennett pulled it out with his second homer of the game, connecting off left-hander Max Fried (0-1) for his first career game-ending shot.

“You had a bad feeling once Atlanta came back,” interim manager Jim Riggleman said. “I give our guys tremendous credit. This is a game of heartbreak sometimes, and it looked like it was going to be one of those nights for us.”

Jared Hughes (1-2) escaped a two-on threat in the 10th and got the last eight outs.

“This is very similar to Coors Field,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said. “I’ve seen some weird games in this place, just like Coors Field.”

Off to their worst start since the Great Depression, the 5-18 Reds rallied for their first set of back-to-back wins since last September — a span of 34 games — and got an encouraging performance from their most promising young starter.

The 23-year-old Mahle fanned a career-high 11 with a sharp slider and a tailing fastball that caught the Braves gawking. Atlanta leads the majors in runs, but managed only two balls beyond the infield through six innings.