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Angemeldet: 02.07.2018 Beitrge: 278 Wohnort: asdf
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Verfasst am: 14.09.2018, 07:57 Titel:
After the Warriors |
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Chris Thompson goes out for a pass route with his right leg on his mind.
Eight months since breaking his right fibula Patrick Omameh Jersey , Thompson still thinks about it when running and making sudden moves. Now two days into his first taste of team drills at training camp, the Washington Redskins 2017 offensive MVP is attempting to get over the mental hurdle of rehabbing from surgery and getting back to normal.
Im still nervous about just making cuts, he said. Im nervous about, `What happens if this guy falls and hits my ankle? I know its healed. I know the plate is there so I dont have to worry about it breaking. But its a big mental game.
Thompson became Washingtons secret weapon on offense with 39 catches for 510 yards receiving and four touchdowns to go along with 64 carries for 294 yards rushing and two touchdowns on the ground. Its no coincidence the Redskins playoff hopes effectively ended when Thompson went down in New Orleans in November.
Doctors put a plate and five screws in Thompsons leg, and he considered the ensuing rehab more difficult than after previous surgeries to repair knee injuries. They told him he wouldnt be 100 percent until a full year had passed, so its on Thompson to manage the pain, his own expectations and his progression along with the teams training staff.
Its easier said than done.
I talk to the trainers the whole time, especially before practice just to ask them, `What am I doing today? Thompson said. Because I know me: If Im feeling good, Ill continue to just go. Theyre just letting me know what Im doing every step of the way. Im just kind of leaving it in their hands and just kind of being smart about it because I know this is still a journey.
The goal of the journey is being ready for the beginning of the regular season. Coach Jay Gruden on Wednesday said he was confident Thompson would be ready for the opener Sept. 9 at Arizona.
The way he runs, he looks faster right now, Gruden said. His burst looks like its 100 percent back. Only he knows how he feels as far as being 100 percent. But he looks great right now.
Gruden left open the possibility of limiting Thompsons workload early in the season because the 27-year-old running back knows hes not yet close to being back to himself. The sustained speed isnt there, but teammates are glad to get a glimpse of Thompson working his way back.
Chris Thompsons a key asset to our offense, linebacker Preston Smith said. He brings a lot of different tools to the offense. He can be used in multiple ways. And seeing him out there practicing is a great thing for Chris because I love him, his spirit. Hes a great teammate Tre'Quan Smith Jersey , a great guy and I always want to see him on the field.
There are several steps left in Thompsons progression, including no limitations in practice and then possibly some action in preseason games. The next milestone is getting hit by an opponent and seeing how he reacts.
I am not looking forward to it, but I know Ive got to do it, Thompson said. I know Im going to be super nervous about it, but once I get that first hit, whether its in preseason or the first game or whatever they plan on doing once I get hit one time, I know Im going to be good after that.
NOTES: WR Josh Doctson left practice after landing hard on his left shoulder while trying to make a diving catch. A spokesman said Doctson was being evaluated for a shoulder injury and that the team would have an update Thursday. In a since-deleted tweet on his verified account, Doctson said hes just fine silly rabbit. In another tweet, he said, (hash)imgood. WR Paul Richardson went down in individual drills but returned minutes later and made several catches. S DeAngelo Hall announced his retirement at a formal news conference after playing 14 NFL seasons for the Atlanta Falcons, Redskins and Oakland Raiders.
LeBron James sprung to his feet and screamed along with thousands of delirious Cleveland fans.
When Indians outfielder Rajai Davis connected off Chicago Cubs reliever Aroldis Chapman for a tying home run in the eighth inning of Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, James came unglued and reacted the way he might after a monstrous dunk or back-breaking 3-pointer in the NBA Finals.
And while his fanatical response said a lot about James and his allegiance to the Indians, so did the tight, black T-shirt he wore on that unseasonably warm November night.
It said: Cleveland Or Nowhere.
As the sports world waits to see where the three-time champion intends to play next season and beyond, there remains the real possibility that James could choose to stay in Cleveland Harrison Butker Jersey , his hoops home for 11 of the past 15 years and where this Northeast Ohio son shares a unique and profound connection with fans who have followed him since his teens.
James has other options: Los Angeles (salary-cap space for another star, Magic Johnson in charge), Houston (a chance to play on a super team with MVP James Harden), Philadelphia (young stars Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid), and maybe more.
But, as has always been the case for James, home will pull at his heart.
For the longest time, the perception was that once James ended Clevelands 52-year title drought in 2016, he would leave again as soon as he could. That doesnt seem to be a slam dunk any longer.
By Friday, James is expected to make his first move and likely decline a $35.6 million contract option for next season with the Cavs, who are hoping their past loyalties to the 33-year-old and his own sentimental attachments family, legacy will keep him in Cleveland.
Unlike his free-agency forays in 2010 and 2014, James will not meet with prospective teams. Hes letting agent Rich Paul and his other representatives handle the business side of things as he vacations with family and makes up his mind.
Months ago, James connection with the Cavs seemed broken, hopeless. Last summers shocking trade of All-Star Kyrie Irving Stephen Gostkowski Jersey , the teams failed attempt to integrate guard Isaiah Thomas, a lack of playmakers, assorted injuries and coach Tyronn Lues medical issues contributed to James appearing ready to pull up stakes again and pursue championships elsewhere.
But a funny thing happened on the way to the NBA Finals.
James was boosted by general manager Koby Altmans drastic-and-dramatic roster overhaul at the trading deadline, and despite a lack of cohesion and Vegas odds makers labeling the Cavs as underdogs, Cleveland advanced to a fourth straight summer showdown with Golden State, surviving two Game 7s and sweeping the top-seeded Toronto Raptors along the way.
Of course, James did all the heavy lifting. He played in all 82 regular-season games and had perhaps his best postseason, averaging 34 points, 9.1 rebounds and 9.0 assists while making a pair of buzzer-beating shots and doing all he could in a Finals sweep that could have been much different if Cleveland had not lost Game 1 in overtime.
He gave his heart and soul, die-hard energy, commitment to this team, to this franchise, to the city, to Northeast Ohio, Altman said last week after the Cavs drafted Alabama guard Collin Sexton Davis Webb Jersey , who quickly raised some eyebrows by choosing to wear No. 2, Irvings number for six seasons with Cleveland. It was an historical year and probably one of the best postseason runs of all time. Were very, very fortunate to have him here and what he gave to this franchise this year was nothing short of remarkable.
We dont take that for granted at all.
And its why the Cavs havent surrendered from the fight to keep him.
Owner Dan Gilbert, whose relationship with James remains tricky if not rocky, has displayed a willingness to spend whatevers necessary to keep his team championship competitive. Thats unlikely to change whether James extends his second stint with Cleveland.
In a recent Business Insider podcast, Gilbert referred to James as a partner, an acknowledgment by the billionaire to what the superstar he once criticized means to his franchise.
The appeal for James to stay home is different now than it was eight years ago when he bolted for Miami. Hes more mature, with three children and a burgeoning business empire. His priorities, responsibilities and goals are different.
After the Warriors finished their Finals sweep of the Cavs, James revealed an injured right hand but an unchanged view of the next phase of his career.
I will still continue to be in championship mode, he said. When I decide what Im going to do with my future, my family and the folks that have been with me for the last 20 years will have a say-so. Then it ultimately will come down to me.
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