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od **hongwei28** » pát 28. zář 2018 6:17:59

GREEN BAY Vladimir Sobotka Jersey , Wis. (AP) Aaron Rodgers‘ no-look touchdown pass is still the talk of Green Bay Packers training camp.

The defense was called for offsides to give Rodgers a free play during a two-minute drill in practice Thursday. The play was going left. Rodgers was looking left. But he threw the ball to his right.

Touchdown, Geronimo Allison.

The play looks even better on film to coach Mike McCarthy.

”I think you appreciate it more when you watch the video. I know I did, because he spoils you,” McCarthy said Friday. ”You don’t have too many practices around here where he doesn’t make that throw where you’re just like, `OK, file that onto the library. That’s the way you want to teach it.”’

Packers fans who dared to worry about Rodgers’ seven interceptions during the first five days of camp can breathe easy. The two-time NFL MVP likes how the offense has worked in the first week.

”Well, I’m working on things in training camp. I’m working on throws, whether it’s looking or no-looking. Trying different plays that we we’re working in,” Rodgers said.

A 7-9 finish last season ended a streak of eight straight playoff appearances for the Packers. The offense struggled while Rodgers was out with broken collarbone, and the defense had familiar problems against the pass.

McCarthy overhauled the coaching staff after the season, which included bringing back Joe Philbin as offensive coordinator. Philbin was the coordinator when the Packers won the Super Bowl in the 2010 season.

”We’ve done a medium overhaul of some offensive concepts, so working on some new stuff and trying to get on the same page with receivers,” Rodgers added.

An added wrinkle for Rodgers is the new looks in practice from coordinator Mike Pettine’s defense. His units have finished in the top 10 in the league when he’s been in charge.

”Well, they’re just so multiple. They have a lot of different pressures and types of pressures Torey Krug Jersey ,” Rodgers said. ”They’re giving you pressures where they can actually get home. We haven’t had that issue in a while, where they scheme pressures to have a free guy on the play.”

It gives the linemen good practice for the regular season, too, since the NFC North-rival Minnesota Vikings are among teams that run pressures similar to what the Packers’ defense is doing now.

”So the protection elements for offense are really challenged by his defense, which is great for us,” Rodgers said.

Getting Bryan Bulaga back will help too. The veteran right tackle was activated off the physically-unable-to-perform list on Friday and returned to practice on a limited basis for the first time since tearing his right ACL in Week 9 last year.

”I am very optimistic about Week 1, I really am,” Bulaga said. ”I still have some work to do to get to it but it’s definitely looking better than it did, say, four months ago, even though I thought I’d still get to that point.”

His return would solidify a right side of the line that will already have a new starter at guard. Bulaga is a steady, reliable presence up front who has played in big spots with Rodgers.

”He’s a pro’s pro. He knows how to play the game,” Rodgers said. ”Unfortunately, he’s sustained a couple of tough injuries. But when he’s out there Vladimir Tarasenko Jersey , he’s a rock.”

At its best, a starting five with Bulaga gives Rodgers just enough time to get out of trouble and outside the pocket, where the quarterback might be most dangerous.

As he showed with his no-look TD throw to Allison.

NOTES: WR Jake Kumerow, an undrafted free agent in his second year out of Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater, continues to impress with his hands and route-running ability. He could be a long shot to make the roster, especially after the Packers drafted three receivers this year. But the 6-foot-4 Kumerow has earned some reps with the first-string offense and caught Rodgers’ attention. ”So there’s going to be some tough decisions when the cutdown happens,” Rodgers said. ”We drafted three guys, so. If you’re playing today, you’d like him on the field.”

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Between the LeBron James guessing games and the Kawhi Leonard trade talk, it seems NBA shopping season is well underway.

It’s actually just about to start.

Terms like salary caps and contract options have been in the news for weeks, so fans might have an understanding of what they all mean. For those who don’t, here’s an attempt to explain how this all works.

Q: When does free agency start?

A: It begins at 12:01 a.m. EDT on July 1. So that’s early Sunday morning for teams in the East, but Magic Johnson and the Lakers can actually start their recruiting on Saturday night.

Q: When can deals start happening?

A: Players and teams can agree to contracts immediately, but except for some limited exceptions http://www.officialbruinsproonline.com/authentic-adidas-brad-marchand-jersey , such as rookies inking their initial contracts, nothing can be signed until after the free agency moratorium period ends, which is noon EDT on July 6.

Q: How is the salary cap determined?

A: It’s basically a formula based on basketball revenues. Last season’s was $99.1 million, and this year’s will be announced Saturday.

Q: Why is James a free agent when he had a contract for next season?

A: His $35.6 million salary for 2018-19 was a player option. He chose not to take it and became a free agent instead . Same thing with Paul George, who opted for free agency instead of the $20.7 million he was due in Oklahoma City next season, and Kevin Durant, with an option for $26.3 million in 2018-19.

Q: Does any team have a chance to sign them?

A: Not really. Teams either need to be under the salary cap, or use some of the various exceptions that allow teams to exceed it (for example, to re-sign their own veteran free agents). There are exceptions allowing teams to spend even if they are over the cap, or above the luxury tax line, but those are not big enough to afford a top-level player.

Q: Any other ways for players to become free agents before their contract expires?

A: Yes, sometimes they have an early termination option. Carmelo Anthony could have gone that route, but decided to keep his contract, which plays him $27.9 million next season Kevin Hayes Jersey , intact.

Q: Besides James and George, who are other big-name free agents?

A: Chris Paul, DeMarcus Cousins, Isaiah Thomas, Tony Parker, J.J. Redick and Derrick Favors are all unrestricted options that could draw interest. There are also players such as Jabari Parker, Aaron Gordon, Zach LaVine and Marcus Smart, but they are restricted free agents and their current teams would be allowed to match any offers they receive and keep them.

Q: Are most teams far enough under the salary cap to really improve themselves?

A: No, there are many more that are already over it or up against it. But the Lakers have slashed enough payroll to position themselves to afford James and another maximum-salary player.

Q: How far over the cap can teams go?

A: Depends on how much they’re willing to pay for it. There is a tax line (last year at about $119.3 million) and teams begin incurring a penalty once they reach that. It gets pretty severe depending on how far and how many years in a row they are over it.

Q: How does Leonard fit into all this?

A: He’s under contract two more seasons but apparently doesn’t want to wait for free agency, telling the San Antonio Spurs he wants to be traded even though he could cash in big by waiting and re-signing there. Teams that can’t afford a marquee free agent can try to entice the Spurs with a trade package for the 2014 NBA Finals MVP.

Q: Will things settle down once most of the signings are finished?

A: Not entirely. Though deals can start to be finalized on July 6, that doesn’t mean free agency will end when the moratorium period ends. And talks never really stop in the NBA offseason. Last year it was Kyrie Irving asking to be traded from Cleveland and the Knicks trying to move Anthony that lasted deep into the summer, so count on something coming up.

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