Die Macht » Kaepernick is still dealing

CLEVELAND -- Even if he did not have a supermodel spouse, Tom Brady would be living a life to die for. Fame, fortune, championships, leading-man looks and a job that makes him one of the most recognizable American men on the planet. Who wouldnt want all of that?But upon further review, this is one glamour boy who has never been about the glamour. For however many commercial endorsements Brady has, he could have dozens more. He surrendered that marketing battle to his retired rival, Peyton Manning, a long time ago.In other words, Brady is the ultimate grinder, a full-scholarship player who built his legend around a walk-ons approach to success. This was back on display about an hour before his return to the NFL, when Brady, 39, was already breathing hard and working himself into a lather Sunday in the bowels of FirstEnergy Stadium. Outside the New England Patriots locker room, he was pumping his arms and knees while running pregame wind sprints. Pregame wind sprints with a resistance band strapped around his waist and tethered to a trailing team staffer who was providing the resistance.This is the Brady you never see but sometimes read about, the guy who tortures his body and strains his brain to prepare himself for every given Sunday. Its hard work being a franchise player for a four-time Super Bowl winner, even harder when your boss -- in this case NFL commissioner Roger Goodell -- forces you to take an unpaid four-week vacation from a position that requires constant reps in order to survive, never mind thrive.Brady doesnt make it look as easy as it looked Sunday by accident. Of course, the winless Cleveland Browns contributed to the cause, providing less resistance to Brady than that staffer holding the band. But the home teams considerable flaws didnt define Bradys performance any more than the Deflategate suspension will define his career. Bradys 406-yard, three-touchdown debut in the Patriots 33-13 victory was just another reminder that the quarterbacks insatiable desire to be great has always been his most lethal weapon.I want to do the best job I can for the city, for all of New England, and for my teammates, and for my family, Brady said. With all of these players, you put a lot into it and ... you have to make certain choices in your life in order to play this game. You need a lot of support from your family and friends to do that, certainly from our fans.I love running out in front of 70,000 people that are cheering for us. I love running out when weve got 20,000 fans cheering us, and weve got 50,000 against us. Its just fun to run out and play.Brady had a blast at the Browns expense, throwing himself a comeback party that began in pregame warm-ups, when he pumped his fist at the overflow number of Patriots fans who had poured into town. On his first series, Brady completed his first three passes, hit Rob Gronkowski for 34 yards to the Cleveland 2, and celebrated LeGarrette Blounts 1-yard touchdown run around left end by turning toward his bench and pumping his fist even before Blount crossed the goal line to finish the 80-yard drive.Brady threw a 7-yard scoring pass to Martellus Bennett to punctuate his next series and then found Chris Hogan for 43 yards on the following possession to set up his second of three touchdown throws to Bennett. Brady later stepped into a perfect 63-yard heave to a streaking Hogan down the right sideline, defying his age and any notion that his right arm should be rusty, and closed out the first half with these staggering numbers: 18 completions in 25 attempts, 271 yards, two touchdowns.They have a big-time quarterback, said the losing coach, Hue Jackson.A big-time quarterback with a big-time source of extra motivation. Over the years, superstar athletes the likes of Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods have publicly admitted that real and imagined slights have driven them to a higher level of achievement. Asked if the same applied to him Sunday, Brady responded with an artful deflection.This isnt a time for me to reflect, he said. Im just happy we won today. Were not going to win every time we play. Ive got a job to do, and theres no point in looking back at anything, whether we won Super Bowls or lost championship games or the last four weeks. None of that matters.But Aaron Shea, a former Michigan and Browns tight end who is Bradys close friend, said last week that the Deflategate case hurt Tommy a lot more than hell let anyone know and that he feels certain Brady wants to stick it to Goodell by playing 2016 at the highest possible level. If so, Brady has his reasons. Outside the stadium before the game, a group of Browns fans approached a group of Patriots fans on West 6th Street and shouted, Cheaters. A moment passed before a woman in a Brady jersey fired back. Losers, she barked.Asked in his postgame news conference what hed say to those who feel Deflategate would be a stain on his career, Brady said, Ive just moved on, man. Im just trying to play a good game today.He played a hell of a game, too, completing multiple passes to seven receivers. Hogan, the kid from Monmouth, had 114 receiving yards. Gronk checked in with 109 receiving yards and wasnt even the best Patriots tight end on the field. In this rehab start of sorts, Brady looked like he was throwing BP fastballs, nice and easy and right in the heart of the strike zone.The visiting fans chanted his name, and perhaps Brady wanted to reward them for their loyalty and affection. So while holding a 30-7 lead in the third quarter, Brady did something that was downright mad -- he took off and ran with much bigger defenders on his heels.Understand that Tom Brady is in his 16th year as a starter, and though hes thrown for more than 58,000 yards in the regular season, he still hasnt rushed for even 900 (he has 999 if you include the postseason). In fact, when he tried and failed to escape an earlier sack, he moved as if Gronk and Bennett were strapped to his back. But something inspired Brady to take off out of the shotgun on third down at the New England 31, and take off (well, sort of) the old quarterback did. Brady gained 4 yards and a first down the hard way before getting blasted near the sideline, undoubtedly sending a shiver or three down coach Bill Belichicks spine. On cue, a defiant Brady hopped to his feet, planted his left hand on his right shoulder, and dramatically extended his right arm toward the sky to signal a first down.I dont run much, Brady said, so I was a little excited. I was just glad we got the first down.He spent most of his session with the press downplaying any Deflategate-related emotion and channeling questions about him into answers about the team. Belichick? He addressed Bradys effort like hed addressed Jimmy Garoppolos and Jacoby Brissetts in his absence -- as just another day to move on from. Just another day in the grind.If Belichick was moved by his own personal stake in this trip, a return to the city where hed worked five years as a first-time head coach, he wasnt asked about it. Brady was the one and only topic of discussion, and the most interesting thing Belichick had to say of his quarterback was this: I think theres a lot of things he needs to work on.Brady would have it no other way. He left the game with 6:02 to play, shook Belichicks hand, removed his helmet, and hugged defensive coordinator Matt Patricia. Soon enough Brady would be on a bus, and on a plane back home to his near-perfect life, and to a diet, workout regimen, and film study schedule that would leave most men on their knees crying uncle in five days.This is a blue-collar quarterback with a white-collar profile. You saw that first-down run from a lead-footed, 39-year-old man so desperate to win a record fifth Super Bowl ring that hed put himself in harms way with a 30-7 lead over the winless Cleveland Browns?You really shouldve seen him running with that resistance band in the hallway about an hour before kickoff. The scene was a reminder that Tom Bradys career has always been about his heart, not his arm or his brain.Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap . The news was first reported on Gonzalezs Twitter account and confirmed by the Rockies. Gonzalez has a six-week window before position players have their first workout at spring training in Arizona. Cheap NFL Jerseys China . PETERSBURG, Fla. https://www.chinajerseysnfl.us/ . The veteran safety was a starter for the Bengals from 2008-2012. He totaled 41 tackles and three interceptions while starting all but four of the 13 games he played last season. Nike NFL Jerseys China . The 31-year-old Spain midfielder hasnt played since Madrid lost in the Copa del Rey final to Atletico Madrid in May due to back and foot injuries. Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Free Shipping . -- Linebacker Myles Jack ran for four touchdowns, defensive end Cassius Marsh caught a scoring pass, and No.NFL Nation reporters assess the top storylines to watch for every team on Wednesday.NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West AFC East | AFC North| AFC South | AFC WestAFC EASTBuffalo BillsWhen it rains in Buffalo, it pours. Defensive tackle Marcell Dareus -- perhaps the teams best player -- was suspended Tuesday for the first four games of the season?in?yet another blow to coach Rex Ryans bid to turn around the Bills defense. With the team already without starting outside linebacker?Shaq Lawson and starting inside linebacker?Reggie Ragland because of injuries, how Ryan responds to the latest hit will be the story of Wednesday. -- Mike RodakMiami DolphinsFormer Pro Bowl running back Arian Foster, who is returning from an Achilles injury, is expected to make his Dolphins debut Friday against the Cowboys. Foster began training camp on the physically unable to perform list but has practiced well the past two weeks. Wednesday is the final practice for Foster to get game-ready. Could he seize the starting job? -- James WalkerNew England PatriotsThe Patriots and Bears meet for the third straight day of joint practices, and though there were player ejections on Monday and Tuesday, this practice figures to be lighter on intensity, as it wont be in full pads and comes the day before the teams preseason game. Will that mean an appearance from tight end?Rob Gronkowski? He pulled up in practice Monday and wasnt present at Tuesdays workout. -- Mike ReissNew York JetsThe Jets continue to give all four quarterbacks -- Ryan Fitzpatrick, Geno Smith, Bryce Petty and Christian Hackenberg -- reps at practice. But coach Todd Bowles isnt sure whether all four will play against the Redskins on Friday. All of them gotta be ready to play, Bowles said Tuesday. Whether we play em all or not, well just see how the game goes. Petty could be the odd man out, as the Jets invested a second-round draft pick on Hackenberg this spring. The second-year man from Baylor looked inconsistent Tuesday and might be playing for his job this week. -- Kieran DarcyAFC NORTHBaltimore RavensQuarterback Joe Flaccos training camp has gone as well as expected, considering he is eight months removed from getting two ligaments surgically repaired in his left knee. Flacco is moving around well, hasnt missed a snap in practice and has even scrambled for a first down on occasion. Flacco, however, wants everyone to know he hasnt completely recovered from the knee injury. Its not totally normal, Flacco said of the knee. But as far as going out there and operating on the field, running around and doing things, I dont pay attention to it. Its unknown whether Flacco will sit out Saturdays preseason game. -- Jamison HensleyCincinnati BengalsBrandon LaFells recent right hand injury is the latest in a series of blows to the Bengals health this preseason. As a result, dont expect the veteran receiver to be in pads when Cincinnati visits Detroit on Thursday. In fact, if LaFell determines in the next few days to have surgery on the hurt hand, he could miss much more than this lone preseason game. Although they will go through a slightly uptempo walk-through Wednesday, the Bengals will have a chance to give their bodies a much-needed break from a physical practice ahead of the road preseason game. -- Coley HarveyCleveland BrownsWide receiver Josh Gordon progressed from individual work Monday to a handful of plays in team drills on Tuesday. How did he look? Fast. Long. Tall. Big. Can catch, coach Hue Jackson said. Gordon, who is suspended the first four games of the season, is not expected to play in Thursday nights preseason game against Atlanta. -- Pat McManamonPittsburgh SteelersThe LeVeon Bell go ball could become a thing. The Steelers are looking for creative options to drive the ball downfield, and in Tuesdays training camp finale,?Ben Roethlisberger dropped a 50-yard bomb into the hands of a diving Bell down the sideline. Great throw, great catch. Later in the practice, coaches were overheard talking with Bell about different ways to get him open deep downfield. Its going to be hard to stop us regardless, and we know that, Bell said. -- Jeremy FowlerAFC SOUTHHouston TexansKeep an eye on what outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney does in the second day since he returned to practice. He missed a week of practice because of knee soreness, but on Tuesday, he was able to participate in team and individual drills, which is more than coach Bill OBrien said he expected. If Clowney continues to come out of practice healthy, expect him to play Saturday against the Saints. -- Sarah BarshopIndianapolis ColtsQuarterback Andrew Luck isnt exactly running around in excitement over potentially making his preseason debut against Baltimore on Saturday. Luck is looking forward to playing in his first game since Week 9 last season, but he realizes its just preseason. Ive always thought that the first preseason game as a rookie is a special, special thing, he said. Its the first time you go and put on a uniform. Then after that, they are all somewhat the same, in a sense. Its not to downplay any of them -- there are things you get better at. Winning regular-season games is the important thing. Coach Chuck Pagano wouldnt reveal how long he plans to play Luck against the Ravens. -- Mike WellsJacksonville JaguarsThe Jaguars will have the first of back-to-back practices with the Bucs on Wednesday, and some of the talk in the locker room revolved around making sure tempers dont flare and lead to fights -- or worse, another of the sideline-clearing brawls that happened during Texans-Redskins joint practices last preseason. Its going to be really, really important that we stress to the guys, Hey, we want to play hard and fast, but we need to be smart in this environment, linebacker?Paul Posluszny said. We need to all be professionals and make sure the mess that happened last year in practices in this type of environment -- we dont want that to happen. -- Mike DiRoccoTennessee TitansAn inexperienced group of backup offensive linemen will practice with Dennis Kelly, who was acquired in a trade for receiver Dorial Green-Beckham. Kelly has played guard and tackle, and the Titans expect that he has the style and physicality to help them maintain their smashmouth attitude, protecting quarterback?Marcus Mariota and plowing running holes for backs?DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry, if a starter goes down. -- Paul KuharskyAFC WESTDenver BroncosBroncos coach Gary Kubiak finally said this week what many around the team have seen on the practice field in recent weeks: Ronnie Hillman, who was the Broncos leading rusher last season, is in a battle to keep his roster spot. C.J. Anderson is the Broncos No. 1 back at the moment, rookie Devontae Booker has worked as the No. 2, and Juwan Thompson, who plays running back, fullback and a full slate of special teams, has been the No. 3. If the Broncos keep four backs in addition to fullback Andy Janovich, there is some sentiment that they would keep Kapri Bibbs. But whether they keep three or four backs, Hillmans last stand might be to show that he can play on special teams. This weeks joint practices with the 49ers, as well as Saturdays game, might be his only chances to do something he hasnt done much of in his career. -- Jeff LegwoldKansas City ChiefsRunning back?Jamaal Charles returned briefly to practice, but hes a long way from playing in a game. It would be a surprise if Charles played in any of the remaining preseason games, but the Chiefs believe he will be available when the regular season begins. Charles participated only in individual and position drills Tuesday, and trainer Rick Burkholder said, The next couple of days, he may do exactly what he did today. The Chiefs wrap up the St. Joseph, Missouri, portion of training camp on Thursday. -- Adam TeicherOakland RaidersWith the Raiders casting knowing glances at Las Vegas as a possible home in the near future, the organization is also looking at Reno as a possible new training camp site. Quarterback?Derek Carr was asked if he gave thought to this potentially being the Raiders last camp in Wine Country, with the team breaking camp Tuesday after 13 practices. I love Napa. I love the Bay Area, Carr said. If it is [the last one here], I loved it. If not, I look forward to coming back. -- Paul GutierrezSan Diego ChargersCardinals tight end Troy Niklas said he looks forward to playing against Chargers linebacker Manti Teo?when the two teams meet in joint practices this week. The two were teammates at Notre Dame and butted heads plenty of times in practice. Im excited to play against him, Niklas said of facing Teo. Maybe Ill give him a good pop. -- Eric D. WilliamsNFC EASTDallas CowboysWide receiver?Dez Bryant has found himself moving around the formation more this training camp than in past years. Last year, Bryant was not able to practice much in the summer because of a strained hamstring. Then he broke his foot in the season opener, and that limited him to nine games. With the ability to practice more this summer, the Cowboys have put Bryant in different positions in an attempt to free him up and break him away from double coverage. Hes had a repertoire of routes through his career at all different spots, coach Jason Garrett said. One thing you try to do is help players grow, and if you can increase that repertoire from different spots he plays and be able to run different thingss out of movement, that helps him, and that helps us.dddddddddddd -- Todd ArcherNew York GiantsThe hope is that wide receiver Victor Cruz (groin) is able to get on the field when the Giants return to work Wednesday. Cruz hasnt participated in a full practice since last Tuesday. He hasnt played in a game in 675 days. If he cant practice Wednesday, its not looking good for the Giants second of four preseason games this year. -- Jordan RaananPhiladelphia EaglesThe Dorial Green-Beckham experiment begins. The Titans gave up on the talented second-round pick after just one season and received backup lineman Dennis Kelly in the trade. The Eagles are hopeful that a new setting will click the 6-foot-5, 237-pounder into gear. Green-Beckham is expected to travel with the team to Pittsburgh for its preseason game against the Steelers on Thursday but wont play, according to coach Doug Pederson. -- Tim McManusWashington RedskinsOne player who impressed the coaches in three weeks of camp in Richmond was veteran corner Greg Toler. He wont start for Washington, but he has looked solid in practices and provides the Redskins excellent depth. The Redskins havent had this sort of depth at corner in the past, and its important because they lack depth elsewhere defensively, especially with pass-rushers. Toler came to Washington in part because new outside linebackers coach Greg Manusky coached him as a coordinator in Indianapolis. Coach Jay Gruden said Toler plays great, tight, man-to-man coverage. ... At the end of the day, if you can play tight, good, man-to-man coverage, it gives your defensive line time to get home against the quarterback, and good things will happen. -- John KeimNFC NORTHChicago BearsFollowing a pair of joint practices marred by skirmishes, the Bears and Patriots hope to have an incident-free walk-through Wednesday, as the teams prepare to square off in preseason game No. 2?Thursday at Gillette Stadium. I dont anticipate [things escalating in the preseason game], coach John Fox said. I think they played a very clean game in their opener, and so did we, so thats the key thing. I dont think theres anything to raise any eyebrows about. Fox and the Bears will monitor the health of tight end Zach Miller, who missed practice Tuesday, despite returning from a concussion over the weekend. Fox stressed that Miller did not suffer a setback in New England, but the Bears decision to send Miller to see a doctor on Tuesday was curious. -- Jeff DickersonDetroit LionsDeAndre Levy practiced on Tuesday -- sort of -- for the first time this season after being taken off the NFI list. Levy did only individual drill work in his return, then sat out team drills, and?Kyle Van Noy took first-team reps again. Levy will regain his job when hes ready, but the Lions want to be cautious with their star linebacker. Lions coach Jim Caldwell wouldnt commit to using Levy in any preseason games, saying its not a necessity. Levy would like to see some live reps before the season-opener Sept. 11 against Indianapolis but understands that he needs to take care of himself. In other words, if Levy plays at all this preseason, itll be for a very small amount of time. -- Michael RothsteinGreen Bay PackersAlthough no official announcement has been made, expect Brett Hundley to get the majority of the quarterback reps in Thursdays preseason game against the Raiders. Hundley has already missed two opportunities: the canceled Hall of Fame game and last week against the Browns because of an ankle injury. The Packers want to make sure hes ready to back up Aaron Rodgers, who has been impressed with Hundley in practice and QB meetings. He watches every rep Im doing and asks some good questions, Rodgers said. The mental part for him has been the most important part of his growth. When you start to become an expert of the offense, then you start worrying about whats going on, on the other side of the ball and of practice. I hope he feels good and gets a chance to play on Thursday. -- Rob DemovskyMinnesota VikingsCoach Mike Zimmer said this week that he thinks rushing the quarterback is what the Vikings defense does best. There could be opportunities to get past the Seahawks battered offensive line on Thursday in Seattle, but going after Russell Wilson presents a challenge in and of itself. Most of the time, what happens is you start peeking and you quit rushing. So instead of maintaining and trying to beat the guy youre on, youre looking around for the quarterback, and then you dont rush, Zimmer said. But weve been fairly disciplined with our rush lanes, so Im sure theres a possibility that hell get out a couple times. -- Ben GoesslingNFC SOUTHAtlanta FalconsVeteran pass-rusher Dwight Freeney is set to make his Falcons debut Thursday against the Browns. Coach Dan Quinn said Freeney is likely to play the equivalent of a quarter. Of course, the Falcons want to keep the 36-year-old Freeney fresh for the season to play his role as nickel pass-rusher. Im excited to get back out there, Freeney said. Itll be good to get that rust off a little bit. -- Vaughn McClureCarolina PanthersKeep an eye on Pro Bowl tight end Greg Olsen, who missed the past two practices because of back spasms. Coach Ron Rivera said Olsen was improving, but it would be a surprise at this point if he played in Saturdays preseason game at Tennessee. The Panthers get the day off after breaking camp in Spartanburg, South Carolina, on Tuesday. They resume practice Thursday afternoon in Charlotte. -- David NewtonNew Orleans SaintsThe Saints will wrap up training camp at The Greenbrier resort in West Virginia with one final practice Wednesday?before flying to Houston for two days of joint practices with the Texans. Mondays injury to defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins in a live goal-line drill put a damper on things. In general, however, the Saints seem pleased with the work they accomplished in their first three weeks of training camp, with more demanding practice sessions designed to ramp up the competitive atmosphere. The defense certainly seems to have gained some confidence and energy, which showed during last weeks joint practices and preseason game against the Patriots. -- Mike TriplettTampa Bay BuccaneersThe Bucs are set to begin two days of joint practices with the Jaguars on Wednesday in Jacksonville. Coach?Dirk Koetter has been preaching compete to his players, but after 11 practices, that gets a little old, so things have gotten a bit chippy at camp. They get tired, they start going against the same guys, and this guys got his hand in this guys face mask, and this guys holding this guy, Koetter said. Now its going to be exactly the same when we go to Jacksonville, except its just going to be different guys, and they have to figure out what they dont like about the other people, and then were going to play them on Saturday. I love the competition. -- Jenna LaineNFC WESTArizona CardinalsThe Cardinals announced that all three players on the PUP list -- safety Tyrann Mathieu, defensive tackle Frostee Rucker and cornerback Justin Bethel -- were activated Tuesday. Although this sounds promising, coach Bruce Arians didnt seem optimistic that the trio would be on the field any time soon. That would allow the likes of cornerback?Brandon Williams, safety?Tyvon Branch and a slew of defensive linemen, such as Rodney Gunter and Josh Mauro, to continue getting snaps with the first team and build up some experience. -- Josh WeinfussLos Angeles RamsThe Rams will be in full pads for a second straight day Wednesday, and it could be a big practice for E.J. Gaines, the 24-year-old cornerback who spent all of 2015 recovering from a foot injury. Gaines was held out of Saturdays exhibition opener because of a lingering hamstring issue but has been cleared to go full-speed. Gaines is competing with the likes of Lamarcus Joyner and Coty Sensabaugh for the right cornerback spot, opposite Trumaine Johnson. Coach Jeff Fisher said its going to be a great race. -- Alden GonzalezSan Francisco 49ersThe 49ers are set for a pair of joint practice sessions with the Broncos on Wednesday and Thursday in Denver. One thing theyre going to have to manage closely this week is their quarterback situation. Colin Kaepernick is still dealing with shoulder tightness and hasnt thrown in a week. The team is hoping hell be able to practice against the Broncos, but the team added veteran Christian Ponder to add some depth. Adding Ponder doesnt necessarily preclude Kaepernick from returning to practice, as the Niners needed a replacement for Thad Lewis, who is out for the season. If Kaepernick cant play this week, it would present Blaine Gabbert with another golden opportunity to claim the lead in the starting quarterback competition. -- Nick WagonerSeattle SeahawksThe Seahawks biggest offensive line addition this offseason was JMarcus Webb, but its looking like he might not start. Webb entered the summer as the first-team right tackle, but he has dealt with a knee issue and was running with the second team on Tuesday. For now, the Seahawks seem to believe?Bradley Sowell at left tackle and Garry Gilliam at right tackle is their best combination. That could change, of course, depending on how the players perform in Thursday nights preseason game against the Vikings. -- Sheil Kapadia ' ' '