Stories and skills learned on the road by Hobo Bob
In the spring of 02 there came a storm that rock the world on it’s heels. This is story of the survival of a homeless vet and his dog and how the two beat the odds, in the spring of 02.
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Wide receiver Odell Beckham ‘s decision to attend the Giants ‘ first day of voluntary offseason workouts on Tuesday was a gesture in good faith, and the Giants apparently welcomed the commitment.
ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, who predicted weeks ago there was a good chance Beckham would be traded, now says NFL teams tell him Beckham is no longer on the block.
“When you speak to teams around the league who have been in touch with the Giants, they no longer believe the Giants are going to be trading Odell Beckham Jr.,” Schefter said Wednesday afternoon on ESPN’s NFL Live . “There’s been a shift in thinking. I think there was some thinking around the NFL that he was available. I think the Giants’ actions, and words dictated he was available.
After Beckham reported on time for the voluntary workouts, Giants head coach Pat Shurmur was complimentary of Beckham’s professionalism and commitment on Monday during a conference call with reporters. Shurmur also revealed that he met with Beckham last month and discussed the video.
“I really believe that Odell is a professional and he wants to be great,” Pat Shurmur said Monday during a conference call with reporters . “He understands the importance of the offseason and he’s a competitive guy and, again, we had already started communicating before all that information kind of got out there and was talked about a great deal. He’s a professional and I’m glad he’s here today.”
In four seasons, Beckham has caught 313 passes for 4,424 yards and 38 touchdowns while averaging 14.1 yards per reception on the way to three Pro Bowls.
If Beckam is untouchable again, his decision to report to the Quest Diagnostics Training Center could jump-start talks on a contract extension as he enters the final year of his rookie contract.
We’ll still put him in some situations. Tonight we’re in pretty good shape with our high leverage guys, Robbie, Greenie and Dellin, and Chap. They haven’t worked, especially with the off-day. They’ve all had a couple of days off but we feel like we’re in a pretty good place when we get back out for the game tonight. He’ll continue to find himself in situations, everywhere from low to medium to sometimes high leverage spots when we need them.
Do you pay attention to the media more, considering you were just in the media?
What’s the latest on third baseman Chris Drury (severe migranes)?
First baseman Ryon Healy on Monday became the latest starting position player placed on the disabled list by the Seattle Mariners.
Healy, who sprained his ankle during a postgame workout on Saturday, was placed on the 10-day disabled list, retroactive to April 8. Right-handed reliever Chasen Bradford was recalled from Triple-A Tacoma in a corresponding move.
Healy opened the season with a 1-for-21 slump before hitting a three-run double in the eighth inning Saturday.
Seattle could have Daniel Vogelbach, Andrew Romine or Taylor Motter handle first base in Healy’s absence.
Besides Healy, designated hitter Nelson Cruz (ankle sprain), catcher Mike Zunino and outfielder Ben Gamel (both with oblique injuries) are already on the 10-day disabled list.
Athletics: Kendall Graveman (0-1, 8.10 ERA) has given up four homers in two starts this season. He gave up five runs in five innings against the Angels on opening day in Oakland.
Angels: Ohtani (1-0, 4.50 ERA) faces the A’s for the second time this season. The right-hander pitched six innings of three-hit ball in Oakland in his strong big-league debut, although Matt Chapman connected for a three-run homer.
Israel’s top basketball team has cut its star player, Glen Rice Jr., after he punched a teammate in the face.
Hapoel Holon said it released Rice after the team’s Monday night loss because of a “severe disciplinary infraction.” It said Rice punched teammate Guy Pnini in the face in the locker room. Pnini was hospitalized with a suspected facial fracture.
The 27-year-old Rice is the Israeli league’s top scorer, averaging more than 24 points a game, and has led Holon to the top of the standings.
He also won a state cup thanks to a last-second shot against powerhouse Maccabi Tel Aviv. Rice, who briefly played in the NBA, was previously arrested in the United States on battery and robbery charges. His father is three-time NBA All-Star Glen Rice.
The Bears were able to keep their interest in quarterback Mitchell Trubisky quiet entering the 2017 NFL Draft.
That won’t be the case with the highest-rated defensive end in the 2018 draft class.
A source told Sporting News that North Carolina State’s Bradley Chubb is meeting Wednesday night with Bears officials as part of a predraft visit.
Chicago’s diligence makes sense: The Bears are in need of a pass rusher to pair with Leonard Floyd. The 6-4, 269-pound Chubb is considered the top prospect at his position after registering 10 sacks and 26 tackles for losses during a stellar 2017 season.
Chad Bettis stood to get the win after giving up just one run and four hits in 5 2/3 innings, but the Braves rallied against Davis in the ninth to erase a 2-1 deficit. It was his first blown save in five chances but he did limit the damage to give the Rockies a chance to win it.
COOLED OFF: The Braves went into the game with the major’s most productive lineup, averaging eight runs a game and leading the majors with a .298 batting average and a .381 on-base percentage. But they were stifled by Bettis and the Rockies’ refurbished bullpen until rallying in the ninth.
But Holland’s future looked murky the past five years after three straight first-round playoff exits followed by no playoff berths in each of the last two seasons. He also was criticized for suspect cap management — the Red Wings have the ninth highest cap number but are tied for 26th in the NHL standings.
There was extra pressure on the Red Wings to succeed after a new home — Little Caesars Arena — opened in October 2017.
The Red Wings now will trust their long-tenured GM to see them out of this downturn.
One of Holland’s first decisions heading into the offseason concerns coach Jeff Blashill, who has one year left on his contract and is 104-105-36 as Detroit’s coach.
It was Scherzer’s ninth career complete game. He struck out 10 batters without a walk in outdueling Julio Teheran (0-2).
Scherzer added his first career stolen base for good measure.
The Vegas Golden Knights are the team that Las Vegas bookmakers are most worried about entering the Stanley Cup playoffs, but despite an amazing inaugural season, the Golden Knights aren’t the favorite.
That distinction belongs to the Nashville Predators, who led the NHL in regular-season points with an impressive 117. The Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook opened them at 4-1 to hoist the trophy on Monday.
The Tampa Bay Lightning (5-1) and Pittsburgh Penguins (7-1) have the next-best odds, followed by the Boston Bruins and Winnipeg Jets at 8-1. The Penguins opened the season with the best odds (7-1) at Westgate.
The New Jersey Devils and Colorado Avalanche are the biggest long shots at 40-1.
Slugger Chris Davis, who’s off to a miserable start, cracked the bat over his knee after striking out in the sixth. He later was thrown out trying to bunt against the shift during an 0-for-4 performance that lowered his batting average to .088.
Blue Jays: 1B Kendrys Morales strained his right hamstring running out a single and was removed for a pinch runner in the second inning. Gibbons did not expect Morales to land on the disabled list. … OF Anthony Alford (hamstring) has started his rehab in Florida, where he is expected to remain for a few days before likely heading to Triple-A Buffalo, Gibbons said.
Witten’s contract runs through 2021.
The Morning News noted that the team also added a few free-agent pieces this week, signing wide receivers Deonte Thompson and Allen Hurns on Thursday and Friday, respectively.
It’s unclear whether the Cowboys will continue to try and create space, but linebacker Sean Lee’s contract could be another target and offensive tackle Tyron Smith’s could be a “last resort,” The Morning News reported earlier in the offseason.
The shooting touch was missing Monday, when Orlando was just 5 of 24 from behind the arc.
The Magic couldn’t make up for the misses on the defensive end, especially in the third quarter.
The Devils activated forward Marcus Johansson from injured reserve on Sunday, and he traveled with the team to Montreal.
The team plays the Montreal Canadiens at 7 p.m. on Sunday at Bell Centre in Montreal.
Coach John Hynes will brief the media at 4:50 prior to Sunday’s game, and he will clarify if Johansson will be back in the lineup against the Canadiens.
Johansson started practicing with the team on Monday, more than two months after suffering a concussion on March 23.
Especially for a guy like him who brings so much skill to the lineup and poise, forward Travis Zajac said. You’re always excited to get those guys back, and I think it’s something a team can always add is some more scoring, some more playmaking abilities.
Including Sunday, the Devils have four games left in the regular season. They currently hold the second wild card in the Eastern Conference — the final playoff spot. Their magic number to clinch a playoff berth is six points.
In 2016, David Bonagura kicked 10 of his 14 field goals but made just one of four beyond 40 yards. He was beat out by Minnesota grad-transfer Andrew Harte last summer, and Harte went on to miss two of his three attempts beyond 40 while converting 7-for-10 overall.
In both years, the competition extended deep into training camp.
But with Harte and Bonagura both graduated, Rutgers is in the midst of another placekicking competition.
For now, it’s Justin Davidovicz position to lose.
The Bridgewater-Raritan High School product saw action in all 12 games as a true freshman last fall, serving as Rutgers’ kickoff specialist.
The Hall of Fame Buffalo Bills quarterback underwent a 12-hour procedure on Wednesday to remove oral cancer and reconstruct Kelly’s upper jaw.
We successfully removed Mr. Kelly’s cancer from his upper jaw and lymph nodes from his neck, Dr. Mark Urken, head and neck surgeon at Mount Sinai West, said in a statement, via ESPN’s Mike Rodak. We then reconstructed his upper jaw. Mr. Kelly is resting comfortably post-operatively.
Jill Kelly said in a statement her husband’s recovery would be extensive. Jim is expected to remain in the hospital for a few weeks.
The real focus of the meeting on the social justice was passing, which we did unanimously, the last piece of our program that we worked out with the Players’ Coalition, which was to create a platform to address the issues which the players had raised, that they’re passionate about. And the ownership wanted to support them. And so I think we’ve really come together in a unique program to support the players and to work between the teams and the players to address those issues in the communities. That was the vast majority of our conversation over the last couple days. There was some discussion on the anthem but only in the context of Is this the platform in which to help the players address these issues in their communities and make sure we’re in a better place
By the way, history is instructive here. Back in 2000, another New York team had a mercurial superstar wide receiver who was entering the final year of his rookie deal, wanted to be the highest-paid wideout in football and ended up getting traded right before the draft for two first-round picks.
Just an opinion, but I still feel it’s very much in play. It has to be! The Eagles are playing this the right way, of course. They are letting it be known that Foles, a freshly minted Super Bowl MVP, represents the ultimate organizational security blanket as Carson Wentz works his way back from reconstructive knee surgery. And that’s certainly true. But it doesn’t trump the fact that a) Wentz has progressed well in rehab and is expected to be ready for Week 1 ; and b) Foles’ trade value will never be higher than it is right now.
Here are other transactions we’re monitoring from Friday:
1. The Los Angeles Chargers agreed to terms on a one-year deal with former Eagles defensive back Jaylen Watkins. Watkins is expected to play safety for the Chargers.
2. The Chicago Bears re-signed veteran defensive back Marcus Cooper to a one-year contract.
3. The Oakland Raiders re-signed veteran safety Reggie Nelson. He started all 16 games for the Raiders last season and his 60 tackles were third-most in his 11-year career.
4. The Kansas City Chiefs signed backup quarterback Matt McGloin and wide receiver Nelson Spruce, the team announced.
There are certainly several teams that could use an upgrade at a backup quarterback. Manziel might just fit the bill in some situations. Among the more prominent of clubs out there that met with Manziel at his most recent pro day were the New England Patriots.
Coincidentally enough, they are in the market for depth beyond Tom Brady and Brian Hoyer.
He just beat them instead.
Townes, who grew up in Edison, is a big reason why Loyola-Chicago has crashed the party in San Antonio, busting a million brackets as an 11-seed that nobody thought had a chance. They’ll be underdogs again in a national semifinals that includes powerhouses Michigan, Kansas and Villanova.
But this team is more than just a nice story with its telegenic 98-year-old nun and decades-long tournament drought. Baldwin is picking the Ramblers to stun Michigan and then cut down the nets on Monday night, and not just because his friend is on the team.
At this point in the draft process, it’s not easy for a quarterback to get his stock to shoot up, but Josh Rosen might have helped his stock recently by working out with Aaron Rodgers.
A few days before his Pro Day last month, the former UCLA quarterback got a chance to meet up with Rodgers for a workout in Los Angeles, and judging by Rosen’s reaction, things went well.
I had a lot of fun with Aaron, Rosen said. It was really helpful. He taught me a lot, on and off the field, how to be a pro, how to conduct yourself.
They also gave up three second-round selections (two in 2018, one in 2019) in order to move up three spots for a player they may have been able to land with their original pick. If they don’t make any more moves in the draft and 90-year-old Josh McCown (38) does indeed start the season under center, Gang Green will have zero rookie first- or second-round picks on the field in the fall.
That’s far from ideal for a team apparently rebuilding and that overachieved by winning a mere five games in 2017.
Getting high-potential wide receiver Quincy Enunwa back from a neck injury will help, and free-agent additions Trumaine Johnson and Avery Williamson could make more of an impact than departed veterans Muhammad Wilkerson and Demario Davis. But the Jets still lack too much depth on both sides of the ball and remain in search of a quarterback good enough to compensate.
The Broncos did not extend a $1.8 million, low-level tender a contract to restricted free-agent receiver Bennie Fowler III, who had been the No. 3 receiver for most of the past two seasons.
And Cody Latimer announced Monday he has signed with the New York Giants, where he will be reunited with former Broncos receivers coach Tyke Tolbert. One NFL source said Latimer got a one-year, $2.5 million deal, plus incentives.
A second-round draft choice of the Broncos in 2014, Latimer had always been a special teams standout, but he finally came on as a receiver in 2017.
Latimer had three catches for 60 yards and a touchdown in a December 14th win against the Colts but didn’t play the rest of the season because of a deep thigh contusion. He also battled through knee soreness last season.
The Cowboys have made a change to their roster that opens some cap space for them to use when free agency gets underway next week.
According to multiple reports, the team has released defensive end Benson Mayowa. The move clears $2.75 million in cap space.
Mayowa joined the Cowboys in 2016 when they signed him as a restricted free agent and the Raiders opted not to match the contract offer. He had six sacks and a forced fumble in his first year with the team, but made less of an impact in about the same amount of ing time during the 2017 season.
On social media, cheerleaders also are required to block players from following them. And if a cheerleader is in a restaurant when a player arrives, the cheerleader must leave immediately.
However, no such prohibitions exist for players.
The implication is, Blackwell says, “players are going to come after you and your character depends on how you react. You need to stay away from them.
The Giants are ready to move on from center Weston Richburg, according to Schwartz. Richburg, a second-round pick in 2014, is set to become a free agent.
Jones started one game at left guard but ed the final 12 games at center after doctors diagnosed Richburg with a concussion. The Giants eventually placed Richburg on injured reserve.
The Giants could return only Jones and tackle Ereck Flowers to their starting offensive line. They are expected to pursue Panthers guard Andrew Norwell, one of the top free agents.
Steelers coach Mike Tomlin, making his first public comments since the end of the 2017 season, said part of the reason he did not rehire offensive coordinator Todd Haley is because the offense needs to “keep moving” and he had a capable replacement in mind.