nfl Archives | WE SPEAK MEDIA

Richard Sherman agrees to 3-year deal with 49ers

umeektv — Sun, 11 Mar 2018 10:08:12 +0000

Star cornerback Richard Sherman agreed to a three-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers on Saturday, one day after being released by the rival Seattle Seahawks.

Sherman confirmed in a text message that he agreed to the contract on Saturday after spending the day meeting with the team. ESPN reported that Sherman’s deal is worth up to $39.15 million.

Sherman played an integral role in the fierce NFC West rivalry between Seattle and San Francisco earlier this decade. His deflection on a potential game-winning touchdown pass in the 2013 NFC championship game against the 49ers led to an interception that sent the Seahawks to the Super Bowl, which they won.

Sherman then celebrated a Thanksgiving night win in a road game against the 49ers the following season by eating a turkey leg on the 50-yard line.

Now, the player who was reviled so much by 49ers fans is joining their team after the Seahawks decided he wasn’t worth his $13 million salary for 2018. San Francisco hopes he can make a big impact even as he turns 30 later this month and is coming off an Achilles tendon injury that cost him half of the 2017 season. Sherman also had a cleanup surgery on his opposite ankle during the offseason.

The 49ers had a glaring need at cornerback with 2017 third-round pick Ahkello Witherspoon and slot cornerback K’Waun Williams the only players under contract with extensive experience. The Niners believe Sherman can fill that role in a defense modeled by coordinator Robert Saleh after the one that had so much success in Seattle. Saleh was a former defensive assistant with the Seahawks.

Sherman became a star in Seattle, bringing a brash attitude and willingness to speak out on any topic to go along with his stellar play. His best seasons came in 2013 and 2014, when Seattle made two Super Bowl appearances, and he has 32 interceptions.

Sherman still was one of the better cornerbacks the past three seasons, ranking second in the NFL by allowing just 49.2 percent of passes against him to be caught, according to Pro Football Focus.

Sherman played his college ball in the Bay Area at Stanford under former coach Jim Harbaugh, who then went up against Sherman during his four seasons in charge of the 49ers.

Niners general manager John Lynch is also a Stanford alum and tweeted out a photo with Sherman.

The post Richard Sherman agrees to 3-year deal with 49ers appeared first on WE SPEAK MEDIA.

Jim Kelly receives 2018 Vince Lombardi Award of Excellence days after announcing cancer has returned

umeektv — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 16:25:39 +0000

The Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation awarded Jim Kelly the 28^th Annual Vince Lombardi Award of Excellence. Kelly, an NFL Hall of Fame Inductee and two-time cancer survivor, recently announced that his cancer has returned.

The Vince Lombardi Award of Excellence recognizes Kelly for his continued strength and excellence both on and off the field.

Kelly was selected in the first round of the 1983 NFL draft. He played for the Buffalo Bills all of his eleven seasons in the NFL and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2002. His jersey is one of two numbers retired by the Bills.

In June 2013, Kelly was first diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in his upper jaw. He underwent successful surgery. After a follow- up appointment in March 2014, he announced that his cancer had recurred and began radiation and chemotherapy treatment. In August of that year, doctors indicated that they no longer could find evidence of cancer. However, just days ago Kelly announced that the cancer has once again returned, but he remains ‘Kelly Tough’ as he continues on this difficult journey.

Former and current NFL players Frank Reich, Lynn Dickey, Brett Farve, Dan Marino, JJ Watt, Carson Wentz, Mason Crosby, Chris Berman, Joe Montana, Morten Andersen and James Loftonshowed their support through a video that was shown at the event.

The Vince Lombardi Award of Excellence Dinner Ball was created to recognize individuals who capture the spirit of commitment and pursuit of excellence; standards which define the legendary coach Vince Lombardi and the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation. Past recipients include:

2017-Barry Alvarez	2008- Willie Davis	1997- Bart Starr
2016- Bud Selig	2007- Mario Andretti	1996- General H.
2015- Bob Uecker	2006- Mia Hamm	Norman Schwarzkopf
2014- Robin Yount	2005- Cal Ripken, Jr.	1995- Dan Jansen
2013- Andy North	2004- Mark Johnson	1994- Jane and Lloyd
2012- David Robinson	2003- Peggy Fleming	Pettit
2011- Green Bay	2002- Hank Aaron	1993- President George
Packers Super Bowl	2001- Jack Nicklaus	H. W. Bush
Championship Team	2000- John Wooden	1992- Bob Hope
2010- Mike Ditka	1999- Don Shula	1991- Pete Rozelle
2009- Roger Staubach	1998- Eddie Robinson

The post Jim Kelly receives 2018 Vince Lombardi Award of Excellence days after announcing cancer has returned appeared first on WE SPEAK MEDIA.

Pink Nails the National Anthem Before Super Bowl LII, Despite the Flu (Watch)

umeektv — Mon, 05 Feb 2018 01:40:28 +0000

Despite a well-publicized battle with the flu in the days before Super Bowl LII, Philadelphia-area native Pink positively nailed the National Anthem.

Clad in a satiny white outfit and with bright blonde hair, the three-time Grammy winner was true to her badass image, removing chewing gum just before she began singing (and setting off a torrest of Internet memes in the process).

She played loose with the song’s timing, occasionally hitting a note just inside the tempo set by the accompanying orchestra, but hit every note with ease, at times breaking up a note or toying with the phrasing, possibly in an effort to sidestep the challenges of singing with the flu, but her voice was strong and on-point and she had little trouble holding notes.

If there’s a special Grammy for performance under physical duress, Pink earned it a long time ago.

The post Pink Nails the National Anthem Before Super Bowl LII, Despite the Flu (Watch) appeared first on WE SPEAK MEDIA.

Jaguars surprise Steelers with the Win 45-42, An advance to AFC championship game

umeektv — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 22:02:24 +0000

The Jacksonville Jaguars have earned a spot in the AFC Championship for the first time since 1999, surprising the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road, 45-42. The Jaguars had an impressive offensive performance against one of the better defenses in the NFL this season, one week after struggling to move the ball in the Wild-card round against the Bills.

The Jaguars raced out to a 21-0 lead, silencing the crowd at Heinz Field. Jacksonville got the ball to start the game and put together a tidy eight-play scoring drive for the early lead. And as they’ve done all season, the Jacksonville defense did its share, forcing a three-and-out on the Steelers’ first possession and getting an interception on the second, a tremendous heads-up play by Myles Jack well inside Pittsburgh territory, giving his teammates a short field to work with.

One play later, the Jaguars had their second touchdown.

Jacksonville fullback Tommy Bohanon and the Jaguars held off the Pittsburgh Steelers and are headed to the AFC Championship game. (AP)

Pittsburgh certainly made things interesting, and for a while it looked like they’d turned the tide and we were headed for the kind of eye-rolling, of-course-Jacksonville-would-do-that type of meltdown we’ve kind of come to expect from the Jaguars over the last several years.

The Steelers scored just before halftime to cut the deficit in half, 28-14; they got the ball to start the third quarter and scored again, 28-21, and had a blocked punt early in the fourth. But Pittsburgh wasn’t able to take advantage of the short field.

Pittsburgh had a couple of questionable fourth-down calls, one in each half; on the first, needing less than a foot, the call was a toss to Le’Veon Bell, and on the second, again fourth-and-1, the play was a pass for JuJu Smith-Schuster.

Calling a quarterback sneak with Ben Roethlisberger, who is 6-foot-5 and roughly 250 pounds, would have made sense in either situation – or both.

A week after rushing for more yards (78) than he passed for (77), Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles was steady, though not spectacular: he completed 14-of-26 attempts for 214 yards, with one touchdown.

But rookie Leonard Fournette had a hat trick of touchdowns, returning to the game after appearing to roll his ankle late in the second quarter. Fournette was noticeably limping as he was taken back to the team’s locker room, but was back on the field for the second half. Fournette had 109 yards on 25 carries.

The post Jaguars surprise Steelers with the Win 45-42, An advance to AFC championship game appeared first on WE SPEAK MEDIA.

Active For Sunday’s Divisional Round Game Against Jaguars

umeektv — Sun, 14 Jan 2018 18:25:24 +0000

Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown is officially active for Sunday’s Divisional Round game against the Jaguars.

Brown, a unanimous All-Pro selection this season, missed Pittsburgh’s last two regular season games with a calf injury he suffered in the team’s loss to the Patriots in Week 15.

This season the six-time Pro Bowler led the NFL with 1,533 receiving yards to go with his 101 receptions and nine touchdowns. In Pittsburgh’s previous meeting with Jacksonville in Week Five, Brown had 10 receptions for 157 yards as the Steelers lost 30-9.

In three playoff games last season, Brown totaled 18 catches for 309 yards and two touchdowns.

The post Active For Sunday’s Divisional Round Game Against Jaguars appeared first on WE SPEAK MEDIA.

Falcons’ players react to clinching playoff berth

Michael Walker — Mon, 01 Jan 2018 13:10:59 +0000

The Falcons are the only team in the NFC that made the playoffs last season to return to the dance a year later.

Atlanta will take on the Los Angeles Rams, who clinched the No. 3 seed on Saturday night in Los Angeles.

Here’s what several Falcons players had to say about making the playoffs in the locker room full of excitement following the victory:

Wide receiver Mohamed Sanu

ROSTER

2017-12-31 9:16 PM | Kelsey ConwayFalcons’ players react to clinching playoff berth

Game highlights: Falcons 22, Panthers 10

ATLANTA – The Falcons knew going into Sunday’s game against the Carolina Panthers their chance at clinching a playoff spot was on the line. And they took care of their business to make that happen by defeating the Panthers 22-10 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.The Falcons are the only team in the NFC that made the playoffs last season to return to the dance a year later.

Atlanta will take on the Los Angeles Rams, who clinched the No. 3 seed on Saturday night in Los Angeles.

Here’s what several Falcons players had to say about making the playoffs in the locker room full of excitement following the victory:

Wide receiver Mohamed Sanu:

“It’s awesome. Every [year] I’ve been in the NFL I’ve been to the playoffs.”

“You have stay focused on this game and this game only. You can’t look too far ahead. You have to worry about each day, each meeting, each walk-through, each rep at practice. Do your best and keep stacking.”

Defensive tackle Grady Jarrett:

“It felt good to take matters into our hands and clinch a playoff spot. Everything we want is still ahead of us. As far as myself, I feel like I played pretty well today. I’m excited I had a good performance, the defense had a good performance – [we] stepped up and made some stops.”

Cornerback Desmond Trufant:

“It feels good. A lot of hard work to get to this point. We put ourselves in a position to where we controlled our own destiny and we took advantage [of it]. We just have to keep pushing now, take it one game at a time.”

Cornerback Robert Alford:

“It feels good. Our playoffs started early – it was either win or go home.”

Defensive end Takk McKinley:

“We’re not satisfied with making the playoffs, we want more. We know we have to take one game at a time.”

The overarching theme?

Yes, the Falcons are excited about making the playoffs, but this team isn’t satisfied with just getting in.

The post Falcons’ players react to clinching playoff berth appeared first on WE SPEAK MEDIA.

FALCONS SIGN GUARD JAMIL DOUGLAS TO ACTIVE ROSTER, WAIVE CORNERBACK DEJI OLATOYE

Kiki Archer — Sat, 30 Dec 2017 02:40:48 +0000

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The Falcons signed guard Jamil Douglas to the active roster. In order to make room for Douglas, the team waived cornerback Deji Olatoye. With Alex Mack questionable to play on Sunday and guard Andy Levitre and Wes Schweitzer limited in practice all week with a triceps injury, the Falcons added depth at this position.

Douglas has spent the entire season on the practice squad with the Falcons. Drafted in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Dolphins, Douglas started six games in his time in Miami before being placed on the practice squad.

The post FALCONS SIGN GUARD JAMIL DOUGLAS TO ACTIVE ROSTER, WAIVE CORNERBACK DEJI OLATOYE appeared first on WE SPEAK MEDIA.

Pro Bowl Skills Showdown Returns to Disney

Michael Walker — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 10:06:46 +0000

Pro Bowlers to compete in Epic Dodgeball, Drone Drop, Kick Tac Toe events; NFL Legends Captains will lead Pro Bowlers in unique competitions

For the second consecutive year, Pro Bowl players from the AFC and NFC will go against each other in unique competitions at the 2018 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown, which airs on Thursday, January 25 at 7:00 PM ET on ESPN.

The Skills Showdown is one of the many events occurring during Pro Bowl Week at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort, culminating with the 2018 Pro Bowl on Sunday, January 28 at Camping World Stadium. Tickets to the game, which will be televised live at 3:00 PM ET on ESPN and ESPN Deportes and simulcast on ABC, are on sale now at ProBowl.com.

The 2018 Pro Bowl Legends Captains, Jason Taylor and LaDainian Tomlinson of the AFC and Derrick Brooks and Warrick Dunn of the NFC, will lead their respective squads. Each team in the Skills Showdown will feature a mix of quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, linemen, linebackers, defensive backs and kickers.

Taking place at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., competitions will include:

Epic Pro Bowl Dodgeball: Pro Bowlers will compete in a game of dodgeball.
Kick Tac Toe: A new challenge this year which will test the accuracy of kickers with a version of the classic game.
Gridiron Gauntlet: A selected number of players from each team will participate in a relay race which showcases strength, speed and agility.
Precision Passing: Two players on each team will battle it out, trying to hit moving targets of varying size and distance.
Best Hands: Quarterback and wide receiver duos from each team will show off their skills, connecting on as many pass attempts as possible before time runs out.
Drone Drop: A bonus event where one player from each team will attempt to catch footballs dropped from drones from increasing heights above the field. The player who records the highest catch total wins a monetary prize that will be donated to the charity of his choice.

Fans are encouraged to join the conversation surrounding the Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on social media using the hashtag #ProBowlSkills. For additional information or to find out more about week-of festivities, fans are encouraged to visit ProBowl.com.

The Pro Bowl rosters are determined by the consensus votes of fans, players and coaches. Each group’s vote counts one-third toward determining the 88 All-Star players who will be selected to the Pro Bowl. The NFL is the only sports league that combines voting by fans, coaches and players to determine its all-star teams. It was the first professional sports league to offer online all-star voting in 1995.

Check out the position-by-position rosters below:

AFC Pro Bowl Roster

Offense

Wide receiver: Antonio Brown*, Steelers; DeAndre Hopkins*, Texans; A.J. Green, Bengals; Keenan Allen, Chargers

Tackle: Alejandro Villanueva*, Steelers; Taylor Lewan*, Titans; Donald Penn, Raiders;

Guard: Kelechi Osemele*, Raiders; David DeCastro*, Steelers; Richie Incognito, Bills

Center: Maurkice Pouncey*, Steelers; Rodney Hudson, Raiders

Tight end: Travis Kelce*, Chiefs; Rob Gronkowski, Patriots

Quarterback: Tom Brady*, Patriots; Philip Rivers, Chargers; Ben Roethlisberger, Steelers

Running back: Le’Veon Bell*, Steelers; Kareem Hunt, Chiefs; LeSean McCoy, Bills

Fullback: James Develin*, Patriots

Defense

Defense end: Joey Bosa*, Chargers; Calais Campbell*, Jaguars; Khalil Mack, Raiders

Interior linemen: Geno Atkins*, Bengals; Jurrell Casey*, Titans; Malik Jackson, Jaguars

Outside linebacker: Von Miller*, Broncos; Jadeveon Clowney*, Texans; Terrell Suggs, Ravens

Inside/middle linebacker: C.J. Mosley*, Ravens; Ryan Shazier, Steelers

Cornerback: A.J. Bouye*, Jaguars; Jalen Ramsey*, Jaguars; Aqib Talib, Broncos; Casey Hayward, Chargers

Free safety: Eric Weddle*, Ravens

Strong safety: Reshad Jones*, Dolphins; Micah Hyde, Bills

Special Teams

Punter: Brett Kern*, Titans

Kicker: Chris Boswell*, Steelers

Return specialist: Tyreek Hill*, Chiefs

Special teamer: Matthew Slater*, Patriots

NFC Pro Bowl Roster

Offense

Wide receiver: Julio Jones*, Falcons; Adam Thielen*, Vikings; Michael Thomas, Saints; Larry Fitzgerald, Cardinals

Tackle: Tyron Smith*, Cowboys; Trent Williams*, Redskins; Lane Johnson, Eagles

Guard: Zack Martin*, Cowboys; Brandon Brooks*, Eagles; Brandon Scherff, Redskins

Center: Alex Mack*, Falcons; Travis Frederick, Cowboys

Tight end: Zach Ertz*, Eagles; Jimmy Graham, Seahawks

Quarterback: Carson Wentz*, Eagles; Russell Wilson, Seahawks; Drew Brees, Saints

Running back: Todd Gurley*, Rams; Alvin Kamara, Saints; Mark Ingram, Saints

Fullback: Kyle Juszczyk*, 49ers

Defense

Defensive end: Everson Griffen*, Vikings; Demarcus Lawrence*, Cowboys; Cameron Jordan, Saints

Interior linemen: Fletcher Cox*, Eagles; Aaron Donald*, Rams; Gerald McCoy, Buccaneers;

Outside linebacker: Chandler Jones*, Cardinals; Ryan Kerrigan*, Redskins; Anthony Barr, Vikings

Inside/middle linebacker: Luke Kuechly*, Panthers; Bobby Wagner, Seahawks

Cornerback: Xavier Rhodes*, Vikings; Patrick Peterson*, Cardinals; Marshon Lattimore, Saints; Darius Slay, Lions

Free safety: Earl Thomas*, Seahawks

Strong safety: Landon Collins*, Giants; Malcolm Jenkins, Eagles

Special teams

Punter: Johnny Hekker*, Rams

Kicker: Greg Zuerlein*, Rams

Return specialist: Pharoh Cooper*, Rams

Special teamer: Budda Baker*, Cardinals

* Indicates starter

The post Pro Bowl Skills Showdown Returns to Disney appeared first on WE SPEAK MEDIA.

NFL Chief’s Tamba HALI and Masterkraft release “SAMBA”, hottest new Afrobeat Dance Music

Michael Walker — Fri, 29 Dec 2017 00:19:14 +0000

Tamba Hali, an All American Liberian born football outside linebacker for the Kansas City Chiefs, has arrived with the “BEST NEW DANCE MUSIC” making the club scene. Hali joined forces with award winning executive producer Masterkraft to push the boundaries creating the hottest new Afrobeat dance music. With influences from his native country, hip-hop, and electronic music, they channel the spirit, the enbodiment, the quintessence of all that is dance.

Hali has now created a track record proving himself a proficient and talented singer. And with the maestro of music Masterkraft as his producer, we can only expect more to come. This tune is certainly armed and ready for the “club”.

Sunday Ginikachukwu Nweke, professionally known as Masterkraft is an accomplished award winning Nigerian record producer, disc jockey, band director, pianist, and songwriter. Masterkraft started his professional music career with Kennis Music, and has worked with artist such as Flavour N’abania, Bracket, Banky W., Sound Sultan, Timaya, Lynxxx, M.I. and J. Martins, among others.

Masterkraft’s production hits include “Fine lady” by Lynxxx featuring Wizkid, “Kwarikwa (Remix)” by Flavour N’abania featuring Fally Ipupa, “Girl” by Bracket featuring Wizkid, “Chinny Baby” by Flavour N’abania, “Ukwu” by Timaya, and “Jasi” by Banky W. Leadership newspaper ranked him 8th on its 2014 list of the Top 10 Music Producers In Nigeria. In August 2015, Nigeria Entertainment Today ranked him 7th on its list of Nigeria’s Top 7 Biggest Music Producers at the Moment. Thisday newspaper listed him as one of its Top 10 Music Producers in Nigeria.[5]

Limited PreOrder Link for Apple. Samba – Single by Tamba Hali

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/samba-single/[tps_title][/tps_title][tps_footer][/tps_footer]

The post NFL Chief’s Tamba HALI and Masterkraft release “SAMBA”, hottest new Afrobeat Dance Music appeared first on WE SPEAK MEDIA.

Following crash, vehicle belonging to DeSean Jackson found to contain marijuana, hollow-point bullets

Kiki Archer — Thu, 28 Dec 2017 16:36:58 +0000

TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Police Department is currently investigating an incident with a vehicle registered to Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver DeSean Jackson that was involved in a crash on Christmas Eve.

At approximately 8:28 p.m., officers responded to a single-vehicle crash near International Mall on Westshore Boulevard in Tampa, three miles from the team facility, according to the police report obtained by ESPN.

They found an abandoned Chevy Silverado that had left the roadway and crashed into a tree. Inside the vehicle, police found 6.3 grams of marijuana and two .38 caliber hollow-point bullets, according to the report.

Possession of 20 grams or less of marijuana is a misdemeanor in the state of Florida and subject to a maximum fine of $1,000 and a year in jail.

Jackson was contacted by authorities and later responded to the scene, telling police that he was not operating the vehicle at the time of the crash.

“It was a friend of DeSean’s who borrowed his car while he was out of town without his knowledge,” said Denise White, a spokesperson for Jackson. “None of what was in the car was his, obviously. He’s dealing with the person that was using it without his knowledge privately. The incident is being handled.”

According to a report from NFL.com, Jackson initially declined to cooperate before providing the name of the driver.

Tampa police say that the vehicle was impounded. As of Wednesday evening, no arrests had been made. It is still unclear to police as to who was driving the vehicle at the time of the crash.

Tampa police told ESPN that they have not spoken yet with the person Jackson said was driving the truck and that the incident was still under investigation.

Bucs team officials were made aware of the incident by Jackson and are looking into it.

“We are aware of a one-car accident involving a vehicle registered to DeSean Jackson on the night of Dec. 24,” Bucs general manager Jason Licht said in a statement Wednesday. “Our understanding is that DeSean has been in contact with authorities and is cooperating with the investigation.”

In Florida, fleeing the scene of an accident in which there is only property damage is a second-degree misdemeanor, with penalties of up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.

In his first year with Tampa Bay, Jackson has 50 catches for 668 yards and three touchdowns. He missed his first game of the season last week because of an ankle injury but was a limited participant in Wednesday’s practice.

The post Following crash, vehicle belonging to DeSean Jackson found to contain marijuana, hollow-point bullets appeared first on WE SPEAK MEDIA.