Tim Thomas

**hongwei28** 04 сен 2018, 04:29

Sam Bradford has arrived in Arizona Antonio Callaway Jersey , acknowledging his difficult history with injuries but saying he feels fine now as he prepares to start at quarterback for the Cardinals under new coach Steve Wilks.

”There has been, definitely, some dark times,” Bradford said at his introductory news conference Friday. ”You fight through that process and every time you turn that corner and you’re able to get yourself back on the field. I feel like I’ve come back mentally tougher and mentally stronger than I was the time before.”

The Cardinals called Bradford’s deal a two-year contract, although the second is a club option. He can earn up to $20 million next season, with $15 million guaranteed.

Bradford, the 2008 Heisman Trophy winner at Oklahoma and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft, is known for his strong and accurate arm but he has struggled with injuries.

After being named NFL offensive rookie of the year in 2010, Bradford tore his left ACL in the 2013 and 2014 seasons. He was traded to Philadelphia in 2015.

Bradford signed with Minnesota in 2016 and started 15 games, completing 71 percent of his passes for 3,877 yards and 20 touchdowns with five interceptions. But he missed most of last season after undergoing surgery to repair a torn meniscus.

”I feel good right now,” he said. ”Obviously, last year was difficult, but after the procedure I had in November I was able to rehab and get myself back in position to play and was able to suit up the two playoff games in Minnesota.”

When asked about Vikings coach Mike Zimmer’s statement that Bradford had a ”degenerative” knee condition, Bradford said, ”I’m not sure what that means Mark Walton Jersey , to be honest.”

”Look, obviously there’s some wear and tear on my knee,” he said. ”I’ve been through a lot with it, but all I can tell you is how I feel right now and really where it’s gone since I had the procedure in November. It’s done nothing but get better and I feel good at the moment.”

He has appeared in 80 games – all as a starter – for the St. Louis Rams, Philadelphia and Minnesota.

Last season’s injury was particularly devastating, Bradford said, because he was playing well on a team loaded with talent. In the season opener on a Monday night against New Orleans, Bradford completed 27 of 32 passes for 346 yards, three touchdowns and a career-best 143.0 passer rating, earning him NFC offensive player of the week honors. He was injured the following week.

”I think last year was definitely the hardest because I knew how special a group we had last year,” Bradford said. ”Going into the year, we all thought that we had an opportunity to do something. I felt like I played really well during training camp. … In week one, I played great, and I felt really good about where we were as a team. To not be able to do it again, yeah, it was tough.”

The 30-year-old quarterback acknowledged the injuries to wear on him.

”It seems like each time Logan Woodside Jersey , it’s a little bit tougher mentally,” Bradford said. ”As you get older, you just realize how precious each game is and how few of these opportunities you are given. So each time it’s taken away from you, it’s a little bit harder because you realize what you’re missing out on. … To not be able to compete on Sundays, that’s the tough part about it.”

Before agreeing with Bradford, the Cardinals had no QBs on their roster after the retirement of Carson Palmer and the departure of free agents Drew Stanton and Blaine Gabbert. The Cardinals now have Bradford’s backup lined up after signing Mike Glennon following his release by the Chicago Bears. Glennon gets a two-year deal worth $8 million. The Cardinals probably will add a third quarterback in the draft.

Now, once again, Bradford has to learn a new offense. He said he really doesn’t know offensive coordinator Mike McCoy but talked to him this week. McCoy has said he would build an offense around the things his quarterback does best.

Bradford said he had other opportunities but chose Arizona because of the roster. He also likes that the Cardinals play on grass in front of perennial sellout crowds.

He mentioned the return of running back David Johnson, who missed all last season after breaking his wrist in the season opener. And, of course, there’s wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald.

”I’ve never played with a guy like that before,” Bradford said. ”Yeah, I’ve played with some good receivers, but when you talk about Fitz, he’s in a class that very few guys are in. To be a part of that and to get to play with him, it’s probably one of the best opportunities of my career.”

NOTES: In addition Rob Havenstein Jersey , the Cardinals signed ex-Cincinnati offensive tackle Andre Smith to a two-year contract and re-signed inside linebacker Josh Bynes to a three-year deal. Offensive lineman Vinston Painter re-signed for a one-year contract. … Arizona was awarded its waiver claim on linebacker Jeremy Cash and released defensive lineman Josh Mauro.

—

Belgium reached the World Cup semifinals for the first time in 32 years by holding off five-time champion Brazil 2-1, sending Neymar home without living up to the expectations of being soccer’s most expensive player.

Belgium scored the decisive goal on a counterattack just after a corner had been taken by Neymar. Romelu Lukaku surged forward with the ball and Kevin De Bruyne put it in the net to give Belgium a 2-0 lead in the 31st minute.

Fernandinho’s trailing arm inadvertently helped Belgium captain Vincent Kompany’s header land in his own net in the 13th minute.

Renato Augusto reduced the deficit in the 76th with a header.

But it was too late for Brazil.

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia (AP) – Antoine Griezmann’s fluke goal helped France earn a place in the World Cup semifinals.

Griezmann scored with a shot that bounced off the hands of the opposing goalkeeper and into the net, giving France a 2-0 victory over Uruguay.

The 1998 champions will next face Belgium on Tuesday in St. Petersburg.

Griezmann’s shot in the 61st minute went right into the hands of Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera. But the ball popped off his palms and looped over his head and into the net.

Raphael Varane gave France the lead with a header in the 40th minute.

NBA

LAS VEGAS (AP) – Tony Parker is done in San Antonio.

Parker agreed to a two-year, $10 million contract with the Charlotte Hornets, ending a 17-year run with the Spurs. And he’s not the only veteran on the move, with Oklahoma City and Carmelo Anthony having mutually agreed they will part ways and Dwight Howard set to sign with the Washington Wizards once he clears waivers.

All of those deals were confirmed to The Associated Press by people involved in the negotiations. Each of the people spoke on condition of anonymity because none of the moves were finalized – but the Parker move was confirmed by Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, who thanked his now-former point guard in a statement released by the team.

Anthony has likely played his last game for the Oklahoma City Thunder – with the sides having mutually decided that he will not be on the team next season. It remains unclear how that departure will actually happen, as in whether it will be through a buyout, the Thunder waiving him or a trade.

Howard started the day on Charlotte’s roster, then was traded to Brooklyn – a deal agreed to days ago, but one that couldn’t be completed until the league’s offseason moratorium on player movement ended. The Nets will buy him out, which will pave the way for Howard to eventually sign with the Wizards.

BASEBALL

DETROIT (AP) – Jordan Zimmermann denied Bartolo Colon’s bid at baseball history, striking out 11 batters in eight innings as the Detroit Tigers beat the Texas Rangers 3-1.

Colon was trying to become the winningest Latin-American pitcher in major league history. He remains tied with Dennis Martinez with 245 career victories.

He pitched well, allowing three runs – including homers by James McCann and JaCoby Jones – in an eight-inning complete game, but Zimmermann was better. The Tigers’ right-hander allowed one run and four hits and struck out 10 or more for the first time since his no-hitter for Washington against Florida on Sept. 28 Frank Ragnow Jersey , 2014.

AUTO RACING

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) – Justin Haley started last and crossed the finish line first.

It would have been a stellar run in just his second Xfinity Series race – if only he could have kept two tires above the double-yellow line at Daytona International Speedway.

Kyle Larson was declared the winner of the Firecracker 250 when Haley’s late pass in overtime was ruled illegal.

A full-time driver in the Trucks Series, Haley used an aggressive and impressive move to complete a stunning pass that looked as if it would lead him to victory lane. But Haley inadvertently crossed the yellow line around the inside of the famed track, and NASCAR ruled it improper. up 18th.

Larson edged Elliott Sadler at the line, giving the Cup Series regular three wins in four starts this year in the second-tier series.

GOLF

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W.Va. (AP) – Kelly Kraft shot a 7-under 63 in the second round of A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier to take a one-stroke lead over first-round leader Webb Simpson and Anirban Lahiri.

Kraft posted his career-best round at the Old White TPC in West Virginia. He was at 13-under 127.

Lahiri overcame poor play off the tee to shoot a career-low 61. Simpson made five birdies after a lousy start and shot 3-under 67. Both were at 12 under.

Jason Kokrak shot 64 and was at 11 under. Whee Kim of South Korea and Harold Varner III were at 10 under. Kim shot 68 and Varner shot 64.

ONEIDA, Wis. (AP) – Sei Young Kim birdied her first four holes to shoot a 7-under 65 and surge to the lead after the second round of the Thornberry Creek LPGA Classic.

Kim was at 16-under 128 – tied for the tour’s lowest of the season – and four shots ahead of Yu Liu.

Jump-started by an eagle on the par-5 third, Liu made a big move with the day’s best round with a 63 to get to 12 under and grab sole possession of second place.

Defending champion Katherine Kirk, who led after shooting 10-under 62 in the first round, couldn’t get her putting going, though, and settled for 71. She is one of five players who are five shots off the pace at 133.

Sung Hyun Park, who won her second career major at last week’s KPMG Women’s PGA Championship and could have moved to No. 1 in the world rankings with a win, missed the cut by five shots at 1-over 1 Deandre Ayton Jersey ,