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Tampa Bay Buccaneers settle franchise tag grievance with Shaq Barrett for $1.372 million, source says

Not only was Buccaneers star pass-rusher Shaquil Barrett awarded a new four-year contract worth up to $72 million Monday, he also was awarded a $1.372 million franchise tag settlement stemming from a grievance filed with the NFL Players Association last year, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Barrett on Wednesday confirmed a settlement was reached but didn’t disclose the terms.

“It means a lot that we was able to go through there and not have to actually go to the grievance. That was just a sign of good faith on both sides. We didn’t want to have to go all the way through with a grievance, so we was able to end up settling on a good number,” he said Tuesday in a Zoom call.

“And they knew they wanted to bring me back, so they didn’t want to really have to go through all that type of stuff, and I didn’t want to go through it either because I wanted to be here. And even though I know it’s a business, we just took that part of it out of there. We just made it easy, made it simple to start working on a long-term contract, and we was able to do it.”

The settlement money will count against the Bucs’ salary cap in 2021. There will be no grievance hearing, which would have been the next step. The Bucs opted to settle it, and in turn, Barrett can recoup the lost earnings.cheap nike nfl jerseys wholesale

The grievance stems from the NFL not differentiating between outside and inside linebackers when calculating franchise tag amounts, nor does it take into consideration scheme. Franchise tag figures are based on the top five salaries at each position.4

Barrett is technically an outside linebacker in defensive coordinator Todd Bowles’ 3-4 scheme, but his job is primarily to rush the passer, like that of a 4-3 defensive end, versus dropping into coverage in the short passing game.

In 2020, the franchise tag amount for linebackers was $15.828 million, whereas it was $17.788 million for defensive ends.

A closer look at Barrett’s snap counts supports his argument.

Over the past two seasons — including the 2020 postseason — Barrett played a total of 171 of 1,851 snaps (9.238%) in coverage and 1,086 snaps (58.67%) rushing the passer (the remaining 594 snaps came against the run). By comparison, inside linebacker Lavonte David played a total of 1,342 snaps in coverage and 207 snaps rushing the passer.

“I think it should be pretty simple if you pass rush more than half the time, but you stand up sometimes too, you should just be called ‘edge.’ If you’re an outside guy on the end pass rushing, you should be just be an ‘edge rusher.’ I understand the 4-3 defense, 3-4 defense, but you can just simplify it as much as you want to, to just — if you’re on the edge rushing on 50% of your snaps, you’re an edge rusher,” Barrett said.new nike nfl jerseys cheap

Barrett also said Wednesday he really didn’t entertain offers from other teams before agreeing to his four-year deal Monday, despite the Bucs’ less-than-favorable salary-cap situation.

“Honestly, I was just all focused on coming back here, returning back here, and we was running it to the ground trying to get something done,” he said.

“We had a great team, we had a great team and it’s like, no reason to not want to try to bring it back and try to do it again, but do it even better this time. Jason Licht — he’s a world-class GM. I applaud every move he’s been making since day one that we’ve been here. He’s been doing it the right way he’s been building steadily, and now that we have a championship team, he’s trying to bring it back and have a championship team again next year.”

Buffalo Bills extend contract of safety Micah Hyde through 2023

The Buffalo Bills and safety Micah Hyde have agreed to a two-year contract extension, the team announced Friday, keeping him in Buffalo through the 2023 season.

The two-year extension is worth $19.25 million. Hyde also received a $7.5 million signing bonus.

A Pro Bowler in 2017, Hyde is among the leaders on the Bills’ defense and forms one of the league’s top safety duos alongside Jordan Poyer.

Hyde, 30, was scheduled to become a free agent after the 2021 season. Now he, Poyer and cornerback Tre’Davious White are signed through at least the 2022 season. The trio came to Buffalo during the same offseason, and Hyde said they focused on changing the culture within the organization.nfl nike jersey cheap

Having reached the AFC Championship Game four years into his tenure, Hyde said he wasn’t interesting in leaving what he’d helped build.

“We felt like when we got there in ’17, the organization obviously wasn’t where we’d want it to be, and I thought the last couple years we were able to turn the thing around,” he said. “I would’ve had a big empty pit in my stomach if I were to have ended up anywhere else, because this team is headed in the right direction.”

Drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 2013, Hyde left following the 2016 season after the Packers told him at midseason they would not re-sign him. Hyde said that experience “left a scar” and that he “can’t even put into words” what his first contract extension means to him.2

“It was a pivotal point in my career to where I really looked myself in the mirror and said, ‘We’ve got to really change this thing and get better,'” he said. “I think with the opportunity I got in Buffalo, it just came hand in hand.”

Since joining the Bills in 2017, Hyde is the team’s third-leading tackler with 282 combined tackles and ranks third with nine interceptions and 25 passes defended. He finished with 70 tackles and an interception in 2020.

In addition to his contributions on the field, Hyde often tried to play recruiter over the past few seasons to no avail. He said anyone interested in joining the Bills is more than welcome to, but he hasn’t forgotten the number of times his offers were turned down in the past.

“I would talk to some free-agent guys that I’m close with, we’d have conversations and they’re going on visits,” Hyde said. “I’d say, ‘Hey, man, come to Buffalo,’ and they’re like, ‘I’m cool, I’m gonna go somewhere else.’cheap nfl jerseys china nike

“Well at the end of the day, I bet you they’re pretty pissed off they didn’t take those visits with Buffalo because they’re probably sitting on a trash team or sitting on a couch somewhere else. That’s kind of my vent, as you can tell, I’m a little mad at being turned down so many times and guys kind of throwing us under the rug.”

Bills GM Brandon Beane foreshadowed an extension during his end-of-season news conference, proclaiming his admiration for Hyde.

“I didn’t see any drop-off from Micah this year, so I can’t say I think he’s declining or anything like that,” Beane said. “I’m a big fan of Micah Hyde, just what he brings not only on the field but in our building. You guys feel me. One of the most positive personalities to be around and just a super-competitive guy. You wouldn’t feel that when you’re just talking to him in an interview. He probably doesn’t feel competitive in a one-on-one conversation.

“But when he’s on that field, he’s one of the most competitive guys, and that’s what you love about him. I think he still definitely will play for years in this league if he wants to.”

Donovan Mitchell, Utah Jazz agree to 5-year extension worth up to $195M

Utah Jazz All-Star guard Donovan Mitchell has agreed to a five-year designated rookie extension worth up to $195 million, his agents Ty Sullivan and Austin Brown of CAA Sports told ESPN.

Mitchell, 24, rapidly developed into one of the most explosive and popular young players in the NBA, an instantaneous franchise cornerstone for the Jazz organization.

The deal includes a 30% escalator clause that would turn the guaranteed $163 million base into $195 million should Mitchell be voted onto one of the three All-NBA teams, sources said. The deal also includes a player option after the fourth year, sources told ESPN’s Bobby Marks.new nike nfl jerseys cheap

Talks moved quickly on the maximum extension, with Sullivan and Brown finalizing terms on Sunday morning with Jazz president Dennis Lindsey and general manager Justin Zanik, sources said.

Mitchell has career averages of 22.7 points and 4.0 assists in the regular season and has been even better in the playoffs.4

Mitchell has averaged 27.3 points in 23 career playoff games, including 36.3 points in last season’s seven-game, first-round loss to the Denver Nuggets, when he joined Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson as the only players in NBA history to have a pair of 50-plus-point games in a playoff series.

During his Rookie of the Year runner-up campaign, Mitchell became the first rookie since Carmelo Anthony to be the leading scorer for a playoff team with a winning record, averaging 20.5 points per game. His scoring average has increased each season. He averaged 24.0 points per game last season while also setting career bests in assists (4.3 per game), field goal percentage (.449), 3-point percentage (.366) and free throw percentage (.863).

Utah expects to have one of the best teams in the Western Conference this season, a roster that’ll include the return of forward Derrick Favors in free agency and the re-signing of guard Jordan Clarkson.

Mitchell is the second member of the 2017 NBA draft class to commit to a max extension. Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox agreed to a five-year, $163M guaranteed deal that could also escalate to $195 million by reaching the All-NBA escalators.cheap nfl nike jerseys china

Boston Celtics star Jayson Tatum is another young All-Star member of the draft class expected to be offered a designated maximum contract extension.

Source: Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum agree to max rookie extension worth up to $195M

Jayson Tatum has agreed to a five-year extension worth up to $195 million with the Boston Celtics, a source told ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

The full designated rookie max of $163 million could go up to nearly $200 million with All-NBA escalators, sources said.

Tatum’s agent, Jeff Wechsler, and the Celtics finalized details Sunday, the source said.cheap nfl jerseys china nike

Tatum will receive the 30% max that would boost the contract’s value to $195 million only if he makes first-, second- or third-team All-NBA next season, per sources. Tatum was a third-team All-NBA selection this past season. He also will receive a player option in the deal, a sourced told Wojnarowski.3

The No. 3 pick in the 2017 NBA draft, Tatum made his first All-Star team this past season, as he blossomed into the face of the Celtics while leading the franchise to the Eastern Conference finals again.

Tatum, 22, averaged career highs of 23.4 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.4 steals this past season for Boston, and boosted his 3-point attempt rate from 3.9 per game in 2018-19 to 7.1 per game. He scored 39 points while guarding Kawhi Leonard in a win in Boston over the LA Clippers before the All-Star break, then scored 41 points at Staples Center in a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers shortly afterward.

“The kid is special,” LeBron James said after that Feb. 23 meeting. “Obviously, that’s a reason he’s a first-time All-Star, and he’s been special all year.”

Boston now has Tatum and fellow wing Jaylen Brown under contract through the 2023-24 season, giving the Celtics one of the best young foundations in the league. The star duo has already made two trips to the Eastern Conference finals together and is looking to get Boston back to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2010.nfl cheap jerseys nike

Tatum’s extension caps a busy opening 48 hours of free agency for Boston in which the Celtics lost Gordon Hayward to the Charlotte Hornets, traded away Enes Kanter, and signed Tristan Thompson and Jeff Teague as free agents.

As New York Jets flirt with 0-16, RB Frank Gore says, ‘I can’t go out like that’

Frank Gore, the NFL’s third-all-time leading rusher, doesn’t know if he will be playing football next season. At 37, he wants to make the most of the time he has left in the game. For now, that means one goal.

A win. A single win.nike nfl jerseys wholesale cheap

“You don’t want to go 0-16, especially if this is my last year,” he said Sunday after the New York Jets’ 34-28 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. “I can’t go out like that.

“Hopefully, we can get one. And I can’t wait until we get it. I’ll be so happy. If it is my last year, I can’t say I’m going out 0-16.”

The Jets (0-10) are six losses shy of joining the 2008 Detroit Lions and 2017 Cleveland Browns as the only 0-16 teams in NFL history.

The Jets missed the playoffs for the 10th straight year, as they were mathematically eliminated on Sunday — their earliest elimination since 1990. It’s the second-longest playoff drought in Jets history, one behind the 1970-80 dry spell.4

Gore admitted this could be the most difficult season of his career. He has been a part of two 4-12 seasons, with the Indianapolis Colts in 2017 and the San Francisco 49ers in 2005, his rookie year.

“Yeah, I’d say it’s tough, because it’s the stage of my career,” he said. “I was younger in San Fran and I always felt like, ‘I got time, I got time.’ Now, I don’t know if I’m going to play next year and … I don’t know.

“You just never know. I’ve got to be real with myself, how teams think about my age. They might not want a 38-year-old running back on the team. It’s tough because I don’t know about next year.”

Gore, in his 16th season, rushed for a season-high 61 yards in the loss, scoring his first touchdown for 2020. He now has 15,794 yards, trailing only Walter Payton (16,726) and Emmitt Smith (18,355) on the all-time list.

“You play this game to win,” he said. “What I can say is what keeps me up is how these young kids come in. … I don’t want to say ‘kids,’ I’ll say, ‘young men.’ They come in every week to work their behind off. That keeps me going. I know that they care.”

After getting blown out in six of the first eight losses, the Jets have played competitively in the past two, falling by three points to the New England Patriots and six to the Chargers.

Jets coach Adam Gase dropped to 7-19 in two seasons.nike cheap nfl jerseys

“It’s probably the most frustrated any of us have ever been playing football,” defensive lineman Henry Anderson said.

The Jets could threaten 0-16, as only one of their remaining opponents has a losing record — the Patriots (4-6), whom they face in the finale. Next up is the Miami Dolphins (6-4) at home.

While waiting to hear from Minnesota Timberwolves, James Wiseman says playing for Golden State Warriors ‘would be great’

Former Memphis big man James Wiseman said he has not spoken to the Minnesota Timberwolves in advance of Wednesday night’s NBA draft. The acknowledgement is notable because the Timberwolves have the first pick in the draft, and Wiseman is expected to be one of the first players selected.

Wiseman said during a Monday conference call with reporters that the only two teams he has worked out for in person are the Golden State Warriors, who have the No. 2 pick, and the Charlotte Hornets, who have the No. 3 pick.cheap nfl nike jersey

“I haven’t [talked to the Timberwolves],” Wiseman said. “But I’ve been getting a lot of recommendations from them. In terms of talking to them, I haven’t.”

A source previously told ESPN’s Jonathan Givony that Wiseman views situations with the Warriors and Hornets as more favorable to his long-term growth, as opposed to joining a Minnesota team that already has All-Star big man Karl-Anthony Towns.3

“I would feel good, whatever team that picks me, I’m truly grateful for that,” Wiseman said, when asked about the possibility that the Timberwolves select him even though the two sides haven’t been communicating. “Whatever team that picks me, I’m going to go in there, learn as much as possible, work my tail off, and just want to win.”

Wiseman repeatedly deflected questions when asked about playing for specific teams, but he did admit at the end of his call that he would enjoy playing in the Warriors system if Golden State selects him with the second pick.

The Warriors have been speculated as a possible landing spot for Wiseman in recent weeks given their need for more depth at center around a lineup that already features prior All-Stars Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green.cheap nike nfl jerseys free shipping

“It would be great because they won a lot of championships, so just being in that type of tradition, being in that type of environment would be great for me,” Wiseman said. “It would create an extra push in terms of my maturity as a basketball player, and just learning under Steph and Klay would be a great situation for me to be in. So, I feel that being in that type of situation would be great for me.”

Wiseman played just three games for the Memphis Tigers last season before leaving school amid an eligibility battle with the NCAA. Despite his early exit from school, Wiseman said he still has close relationships with many teammates and coaches in the Memphis program — and he remains confident that his skills will translate to the league when the time comes.

“I feel like any team that needs a center, I can be able to provide,” Wiseman said. “Just run the floor, blocking shots, and really just use my versatility that I’ve been working on … just being able to guard one through five.”

‘Contagious’ energy of Dalvin Cook fueling Minnesota Vikings’ run

A shift took place when the Minnesota Vikings drafted Dalvin Cook 41st overall in 2017.

The franchise that had been centered around the run game over the previous decade with one of the greatest to ever do it — Adrian Peterson — would maintain that identity. But Cook personified the modern running back — a player who was just as dangerous running as he was catching the ball.

Coming off a breakout season in 2019, Cook, 25, signed a five-year, $63 million extension that came with $28.2 million guaranteed. The Vikings paid him as if he is the face of the franchise. And he has delivered.cheap nike nfl jerseys wholesale

After a 1-5 start to the season, the tide appears to be turning in Minnesota, largely because of Cook. In back-to-back wins over the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions, Cook totaled 478 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns. He made NFL history in that stretch by becoming the first player to score a touchdown on each of his team’s first four possessions against Green Bay. He joined Jim Brown and Deuce McAllister as the only players to record 225 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns in consecutive games.3

Cook has emerged in the MVP conversation and if this recent streak continues, that’s where he’ll stay. And his play has willed his team to the verge of contention at a critical juncture.

They have a way to go, but the 3-5 Vikings are looking to make a playoff push. In essentially a must-win game against the Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN), the Vikings will rely on the face of their franchise to continue his remarkable run while carrying his team along with him.

Cook and the Tennessee Titans’ Derrick Henry are in a tug of war for the NFL’s rushing lead. One week, it’s Cook, who captured the lead after running for 206 yards against Detroit. The next, it’s Henry, who regained first place after another 100-yard performance Thursday in a loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

Henry leads the NFL in rushing with 946 yards. But Cook, who has 858 yards, leads in rushing touchdowns (12), yards per game (122.6) and yards after initial contact (2.82), the latter of which is on pace to be one of the best marks in the past 15 seasons.

“I think it’s good for us up front,” Cook said of his offensive line. “Getting that confidence going into the back end of the season, knowing what we’re trying to get done, knowing the identity of who we [are]. I think that’s key for us up front, for the guys up front. It’s always good to be out front in statistics, it just shows the hard work you put in, but I’m big on letting my guys know up front that this thing can be done.“nfl nike jerseys for cheap

Injuries limited Cook to 31 games over his first three seasons, including some nagging issues down the stretch last year. He spent the offseason focused on building strength. He wanted to come back bigger, faster and better able to withstand the wear and tear on his body.

It has paid off. Despite missing a game-and-a half this season because of a groin injury sustained at Seattle in Week 5, Cook hasn’t slowed and has shown he can shoulder a heavy load on offense.

Liverpool forward Salah tests positive for coronavirus

Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has tested positive for the coronavirus, the Egypt Football Association confirmed, ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualification double-header against Togo.

Sources have told ESPN that the former Chelsea and AS Roma player, who is the Premier League’s joint-leading scorer this season with eight goals, is now likely to have to quarantine in Egypt for a period of seven days in order to comply with the COVID-19 protocols in the country.cheap nfl nike jersey

Gomez could miss the majority of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a damaged knee tendon.3

Salah, who will miss the Premier League clash with Leicester City after the international break and potentially the Champions League home game against Atalanta on Nov 25, is the fifth Liverpool player to be forced out of action due to COVID-19 this season, with Thiago Alcantara, Sadio Mane, Konstantinos Tsimikas and Xherdan Shaqiri also testing positive since the start of the campaign.

The loss of Salah, following the injury to Gomez, in the middle of an international break comes just a month after Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp voiced his frustrations and concerns at the number of international fixtures being played this season.

“I really don’t want to sound disrespectful as we don’t know too much about what other countries are doing, but everyone in this moment wants family around you. You want to keep your players. I’m not saying this is the safest place in the world but it’s the place we know, at least. We know how to deal with the different situations and scenarios,” Klopp said.nike nfl jerseys cheap china

“In these moments as a club we are completely alone. As a football club you are alone in this moment.

“We have to make sure we bring the players home in the quickest and safest way because nobody helps us. This is the situation we’re in. It’s really tricky. We try everything to make it right and as safe as possible.”

Tampa Bay Rays’ Kevin Cash named AL Manager of the Year

Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash was named American League Manager of the Year on Tuesday, receiving 22 of the 30 first-place votes.

Cash guided the Rays to a division title as well as the AL’s best regular-season record at 40-20. The Rays’ .667 win percentage was by far the best in franchise history.

Tampa Bay overcame a rash of pitching injuries to clinch the AL pennant before losing in six games to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series.nfl jerseys nike cheap

Cash, who turns 43 on Dec. 6, hit .183 with 12 homers and 58 RBIs in 246 major league games as a catcher for five teams, including Tampa Bay. After his playing career, he worked as an advance scout for Texas and Toronto before joining Terry Francona’s staff in Cleveland as the bullpen coach.3

The Tampa, Florida, native and Florida State alum was hired as Tampa Bay manager the day before his 37th birthday. “There is a sense of pride being a Tampa guy,” said Cash, who is 454-416 in six years as manager of the Rays.

Tampa Bay had a $29 million prorated payroll as of Aug. 1, which ranked 28th out of 30 teams. Still, the Rays won the AL East for the first time since 2010.

Cash became the second manager in Rays history to win the AL Manager of the Year award, joining Joe Maddon, who won the award in 2008 and 2011. Cash finished third in the balloting for AL Manager of the Year each of the past two seasons.

Cash was roundly criticized for pulling ace left-hander Blake Snell in the sixth inning of the decisive Game 6 of the World Series against the Dodgers. However, the Rays leaned heavily on their bullpen throughout the pandemic-shortened season, with 12 pitchers recording at least one save — matching the major league record. Cash has insisted that if he were to face the same situation again, he would trust his bullpen to close it out.china nike nfl jerseys cheap

“Yes, I would do it the same way all over again. I would plead for a different outcome, that’s for sure,” Cash said. “That decision was not reflective of my confidence in Blake. It was very reflective of my confidence in Nick [Anderson], and that’s [what] I felt was, at the moment, the best chance for us to win the game.”

Voting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America concluded before the beginning of the playoffs. Rick Renteria of the White Sox finished second, and Charlie Montoyo of the Blue Jays finished third.

Detroit Pistons intrigued by LaMelo Ball, moving up in draft

Currently holding the No. 7 pick in the upcoming 2020 NBA draft, Detroit Pistons general manager Troy Weaver says that “moving up is definitely an option.”

One possible target has been training in the team’s backyard throughout the coronavirus pandemic: top prospect LaMelo Ball — whose mentor and manager, Jermaine Jackson Sr., is a former Piston and a Motown native.cheap nfl jerseys from china nike

In October, Ball hosted a free basketball camp at Oakland Fieldhouse in Rochester Hills, Michigan, for kids ages 8 to 13. Weaver says the Pistons plan on scheduling an interview with Ball soon to get to know him.

“I’m always happy to hear players embrace our organization, our city. That never goes unnoticed. I know people around him. His trainer is a Detroit native, so I’m sure he’s been here for a while working out,” Weaver said during Thursday’s pre-draft media availability. “I’m sure he’s well versed in the city from traveling around, being with his trainer and hearing different things, so no, that doesn’t go unnoticed and that’s always a positive when prospects speak highly of the city and the organization.”4

Sources told ESPN’s Jonathan Givony that Ball has already met with the Minnesota Timberwolves, who hold the No. 1 pick. Their meeting happened in Southern California with Timberwolves president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas and head coach Ryan Saunders.

ESPN has Ball listed as the top available prospect.

Weaver says “everything’s on the table” to bring the Pistons back to relevance, including an attempt to shuffle around in the draft, currently set for Nov. 18. The No. 7 pick is Detroit’s highest since Greg Monroe’s seventh overall selection in 2010.new nike nfl jerseys for sale cheap

“I love the draft. I love it every year. I always look at the draft with a glass half full. Yeah, you may not have a Zion Williamson or a Ja [Morant], but there’s guys in the draft that we really like,” Weaver said. “The draft is always great because you have a chance to bring these young men in your program and help shape your culture from day one. So we really like the draft. Yeah, moving up is definitely an option as well, but I’m excited about the draft.”