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Geregistreerd op: 04 Jul 2019 Berichten: 510
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Geplaatst: 05-07-2019 03:44:21 Onderwerp: drew comparisons to Joe |
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NEW YORK -- Michael Vick is switching green jerseys -- and maybe trading his clipboard for a starting job. The New York Jets signed the former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback to a one-year deal Friday, and released Mark Sanchez, the one-time face of the franchise. "I love competition and I love football," Vick said during a conference call Friday night. "And, I feel I have a lot of football left to play." Vick will present a real challenge to Jets starter Geno Smith, who played well down the stretch of his rookie season, but finished with 12 touchdowns and 21 interceptions. "As of right now," Vick said, "Genos the starting quarterback of this football team." But, Vick also made it clear that he still envisions himself as a starter. "I wouldnt say I would necessarily be OK with sitting on the bench all year," Vick said. "But, I know what I signed up for and I know what I came to New York to do." He said his first order of business is competing with Smith and helping the second-year quarterback along. "At the end of the day," Vick said, "Ill be content with it." Vick said he met Smith last year during the draft process and has stayed in touch since. He also acknowledged that he wont wear his familiar No. 7 with the Jets, saying it was Smiths number to keep. Vick was a free agent after spending the last five seasons with the Eagles. He will be reunited with Jets offensive co-ordinator Marty Mornhinweg, who helped the quarterback have the best season of his career in Philadelphia in 2010. Vick was plagued by injuries the last three years and lost the starting job last year to Nick Foles. "I want to personally wish Michael Vick and his family all the best as he heads into the next phase of his career," Eagles chairman and CEO Jeffrey Lurie said in a statement. "I really enjoyed getting to know him over the last five years. He always represented our team with a tremendous amount of class." Vick thanked the Eagles, their fans and the city of Philadelphia in an open letter posted on The Philadelphia Inquirers website. "I was honoured to be their quarterback and took the privilege to heart every day," he wrote. Vick was considered the top quarterback available in this off-seasons free agent class, although he didnt garner much attention. Vick said he was sold on the Jets because he enjoyed the idea of being reunited with Mornhinweg and playing for Rex Ryan, an opportunity he always hoped for. "Hes a great talent whos won many games, including playoff games, in this league," Mornhinweg said of Vick in comments posted on the teams website. "He has the respect of both his teammates and opponents. Hes here in a role where hes going to compete and push Geno Smith to become the very best that he can be. Michael will be able to go in and play at a high level and a winning level if called upon." Vick, who had a solid start in Chip Kellys up-tempo offence, injured a hamstring in Week 5 last season. He was replaced by Foles, who led the Eagles to the NFC East title and was selected the Pro Bowl MVP. Despite losing the starting gig, Vick was praised by Kelly and team officials for being a leader in the locker room and maintaining an outstanding relationship with Foles and helping him through his second NFL season. "I have a lot left," Vick said. "Its evident with what I was able to do last year." The move by the Jets is reminiscent of the headline-making trade they made in 2008, when they acquired an unretired Brett Favre -- but as their unquestioned starter. The Vick signing also came two years to the day that the Jets made the stunning move to trade for Tim Tebow. Vick, a four-time Pro Bowl selection who will be 34 in June, was once considered the most dynamic player in the NFL, particularly during his first six NFL seasons with the Atlanta Falcons. His playing career was abruptly halted for two seasons in 2007 when he pleaded guilty to being part of a dog fighting ring. He served 21 months in federal prison, and two more in home confinement. Since his release in 2009, Vick has worked with the Humane Society of the United States to stop organized animal fighting. The move drew mixed reviews by Jets fans on Twitter and message boards, but that didnt concern Vick. "I appreciate all the Jets fans who appreciate me and accept me for who I am and what Ive become, not for what Ive done," Vick said. "Right now, my past is irrelevant." The Sanchez move came as no surprise, but completes a stunning downfall for the quarterback who once drew comparisons to Joe Namath after helping lead the Jets to consecutive AFC title games in 2009 and 2010. Sanchez struggled with consistency after that, and the lasting image of his time with the Jets came in 2012 when he fumbled after running into the backside of guard Brandon Moore. It was returned for a touchdown by New Englands Steve Gregory in front of a national television audience on Thanksgiving night and infamously labeled "The Butt Fumble." He spent last season on injured reserve after tearing the labrum in his right shoulder in a preseason game, clearing the way for Smith to start every game. Sanchez had three years remaining on his contract, but his $13.1 million salary cap number for next season -- and $2 million roster bonus due Tuesday -- made it unlikely the team would keep him at that amount. "Id like to thank Mark for everything hes done for this team and me personally," Ryan said in a statement issued by the team. "We were rookies together and had some early success, becoming the first rookie head coach-quarterback to go to back-to-back championship games. We experienced a lot together and I really appreciate Mark. "Hes a great player, a great teammate and I wish him nothing but the best." D.J. Foster Jersey . J.J. Hardy drove in a run for the Orioles, who bounced back from an 8-4 loss in the series opener on Friday. Fresh off the 15-day disabled list, Derrek Lee went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Jake Arrieta (7-3) gave up three runs on five hits over six innings to pick up the win. Tramaine Brock Sr. Jersey . Assistant coach Glen Gulutzan said Thursday that Edler, who played Tuesday in Nashville, is out indefinitely. http://www.cheaparizonacardinalsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-david-johnson-jersey . Toronto FC hosts the three-time Italian league champions in a friendly Aug. 7 at BMO Field, a game that Roma CEO Italo Zanzi said falls within a key part of their pre-season. Marcus Gilbert Jersey . He was attracted by the punishing defence, the strong running game and a coaching staff he trusted. The 49ers announced Thursday that Manningham had signed a two-year deal to join the team he helped knock out in the NFC championship game two months ago in their latest offensive upgrade at wide receiver. Rudy Ford Jersey .Connor Graham, Alex Lintuniemi and Sam Studnicka also scored for Ottawa (11-8-2). Liam Herbst made 21 saves for the win.Brendan Lemieux had both of Barries (10-10-2) goals.COLUMBUS, Ohio - Alex Ovechkins familiar gap-toothed grin has returned with the Washington Capitals in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff hunt.Hardly anyones smiling in the West, where the standings are far more convoluted heading into the post-All-Star break of the NHL schedule, which opens with 11 games Tuesday.Its hard, St. Louis Blues defenceman Kevin Shattenkirk said during the All-Star festivities in Columbus, Ohio, over the weekend. If you lose three, four games in a row, its scary because you find yourself in eighth place when you were in first a week ago.Its a tale of two conferences.In the West, seven points separate the fourth-place San Jose Sharks from the 11th-place Dallas Stars. Dont count out the 12th-place Minnesota Wild, who rode a 23-10-7 second-half surge to clinch a playoff spot last year.And then theres the defending Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings who are a single point out of the post-season picture at the moment.Weve had some spurts where we played pretty good, Kings forward Anze Kopitar said. But we also had some moments where we didnt play very good at all.In the East, the Capitals (24-13-9) are seventh, but part of a top-eight group of contenders that have begun separating themselves from the bottom eight.And that, so far, is fine with, Ovechkin who is feeling much better after one his most trying years.Before the season, I said, its a very important year for us, for me, for the whole group of guys on the team, said Ovechkin, who made his fifth career NHL All-Star Game appearance. We all wanted to come back and show last year was maybe a little bit of no luck.The Capitals not only missed the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons, Ovechkins frustrations were compounded on the other side of the Atlantic. Thats where he and his fellow Russians wilted under immense national pressure by failing to even sniff an Olympic medal on native soil at the Sochi Games.The Capitals have successfully made the transition under new coach Barry Trotz, and shored up their defence by adding Brooks Orpik and Matt Niskanen.Ovechkins production has barely slowed, and put him in contention to win his fifth career and third straight scorinng title.dddddddddddd His 27 goals are one off the league-lead shared by Dallas Tyler Seguin and New York Rangers Rick Nash.And Ovechkins defensive numbers are markedly improved. After finishing third-last in the NHL with a minus-35 rating, hes currently 40th with a plus-12.Steven Stamkos, captain of the East-leading Tampa Bay Lightning, isnt exactly rooting for Alex The Greats return to the playoffs. But, he noted, it would be good for hockey to have such a high-profile player competing well into the spring.Its great that hes having a great year, Stamkos said. Any time you have a top player playing well it only adds to building our game.The East teams outside the playoff hunt have plenty of catching up to do. The youth-laden Florida Panthers — whose roster includes rookie No. 1 pick, defenceman Aaron Ekblad — are ninth. Ottawa and Toronto are next with 47 points, and shown few signs of consistency even after both Ontario rivals changed coaches over the past two months.The West is filled with intrigue, which shouldnt come as a surprise after many top teams spent last summer stocking up on high-profile free agents. Still, there are three teams — San Jose (fourth place), Winnipeg (seventh) and Calgary (eighth) — that are in the hunt despite not making many off-season splashes.Chicago and St. Louis both find themselves looking up in the Central Division at Nashville.Its a tough division to be in, but its also a good division to be in, Blackhawks defenceman Brent Seabrook said. Were all playing meaningful games down the stretch, getting ready for the playoffs.Not all will make it.There is a race to watch at the other end of the standings. Buffalo (14-30-3) and Edmonton (12-26-9) have been locked in a battle for futility and, more important, the right to land the top draft prospects — Erie Otters forward Connor McDavid and U.S.-born, Boston University freshman Jack Eichel.The Sabres are suddenly gaining the edge for last place and, with it, a guaranteed top-two selection. They entered the All-Star breaking having lost 11 straight in regulation — the NHLs worst streak since Pittsburgh lost 13 in a row from January to February 2004, according to STATS. Cheap Jerseys China NFL Jerseys Cheap NBA Jerseys Wholesale NHL Jerseys Wholesale MLB Jerseys Cheap Soccer Jerseys China Wholesale NCAA Jerseys Wholesale Football Jerseys Wholesale Basketball Jerseys Wholesale Baseball Jerseys ' ' ' |
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