lingzi
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HOUSTON —The Houston Astros are closing in on an agreement with top overall
draft pick Carlos Correa. Jordy Nelson White Jersey . Owner Jim Crane
said Wednesday the team has a verbal agreement and expects to sign the Puerto
Rican shortstop on Thursday. Later, general manager Jeff Luhnow said while they
have agreed to some elements of a contract, “it is by no means a done deal.” “I
feel confident that we are well on the way, and Im optimistic that were going to
get something done sooner rather than later,” he said, adding it could be in the
next 48 hours. Crane also said the team had a verbal agreement in place with
Correa when it drafted him Monday night. He said Correa will be in Houston on
Thursday and is expected to sign the contract after he passes his physical.
“Weve approved the amount, and we hope that hell sign the agreement and pass the
physical tomorrow,” Crane said. But Luhnow also clarified those comments from
Crane. “I did have some discussions with our first pick and his group prior to
the selection,” Luhnow said. “Thats normal, standard practice. It was not an
agreement. It was a discussion of general neighbourhoods and areas. The purpose
of those discussions is just to get a sense of whether or not a deal can be
done.” The 17-year-old Correa is the highest draft pick ever from Puerto Rico.
He also is the first shortstop to go first overall since Tampa Bay selected
Tim Beckham in 2008, and the fourth shortstop taken with the top pick since
1994. The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Correa is committed to the University of Miami. Randall Cobb Jersey . Napoli progresses to
the final 3-2 on aggregate and will meet Juventus on May 20 after the Turin
outfit beat Milan on Tuesday. Napoli took the lead in the 10th minute when,
under pressure from Cavani, Siena captain Simone Vergassola fired into his own
net. Clay Matthews Jersey . With three straight
wins, the Thunder have changed the conversation from how anyone can stop the San
Antonio Spurs record-setting 20-game winning streak to how Oklahoma City needs
just one win on its home court in Game 6 on Wednesday night to play for the NBA
title. http://www.officialgreenbaypackersgear.com/jordy-nelson-jersey
. —No. 1 Alabama got everything but the shutout. A.J. Hawk Womens Jersey . Jakub Culek scored
the winning goal in the fifth round of the shootout as Rimouski defeated the
visiting Blainville-Boisbriand Armada 5-4 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior
Hockey League action. Aaron Rodgers Womens Jersey . The flame flew
to Britain from Greece on the gold-painted British Airways Flight 2012 and
landed at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall on Friday evening.
METAIRIE, La. —Drew Brees left ankle isnt hurting as much as his pride is
right now. Brees, who limped away from a hit last Sunday in Carolina and was
listed on this weeks first injury report, nonetheless took every snap in
practice on Wednesday. Then he addressed his role in New Orleans 0-2 start, and
his desire to live up to the expectation that he, more than anyone, would give
the Saints a chance to win despite the bounty scandal and resulting upheaval
that plagued their off-season. “I take great responsibility in the fact that
people feel that way,” Brees said. “I know the things I need to work on. I know
the things I need to improve on. Certainly, my productivity at the quarterback
position, but also as a leader and someone guys look to for guidance and
leadership, respect—and I certainly embrace that role.” When Brees ended his
off-season holdout a few weeks before training camp and signed the NFLs richest
contract—$100 million over five years—Saints fans were relieved. The talk
around town was that Brees leadership, skill and command of the offence designed
by suspended head coach Sean Payton made New Orleans a contender to return to
the playoffs for a fourth straight season. Instead, Brees has thrown a pair of
interceptions in each game. One was returned for a touchdown last Sunday at
Carolina. Another in Week 1 cut short a potential game-tying drive that began
with more than three minutes remaining. In some ways, those plays have
overshadowed the fact that New Orleans still ranks third in the league in total
net yards (422 per game), tied for third in yards passing (324.5) and sixth in
the league in scoring (29.5 points per game). Brees derives some consolation
from those numbers because he sees it as a sign that the Saints are within
striking distance of their usual production. He only regrets that each game was
marred by a few crucial mistakes. “Im always going to look at the thing with a
very critical eye,” Brees said. “Im not going to change my mentality, my
aggressiveness, my approach, my preparation, but I do understand how important
it is to take care of the football.” There are other areas where Brees play
appears to be off his usual pace, although the sample size is still relatively
small after two only two games. Brees completion rate is 54.5, well below his
NFL record 71.2 per cent last season. His quarterback rating is 71.6. Last
season, he finished at 110.6 Brees teammates say they have not seen much of a
change in the quarterbacks approach and do not sense that he is pressing. Right
guard Jahri Evans said that while the offensive line has played well overall,
the blocking has been riddled with untimely breakdowns that have led to sacks or
hurried throws. Aaron Rodgers Jersey. “A lot of teams are
giving us different looks and kind of bringing us some pressure right now and we
have to pick those things up,” Evans said. “With protection, its normally five,
six, sometimes seven guys (blocking), so just a leak here or a leak there can
throw off a little bit of timing.” Interim head coach Aaron Kromer said not all
of Brees interceptions resulted exclusively from poor quarterback play. “A
couple of them were pressure on the quarterback,” said Kromer, who also coaches
the offensive line. As for the interception returned for a touchdown, a pass
Brees threw on the run while in the shadow of his own end zone, “Youd say it was
a choice that he probably wouldnt make again,” Kromer said. Added Brees, “I
understand that my mistake with that interception return for a touchdown, even
though it was in the first quarter last week, is a critical mistake and I cant
do that.” The fact that Brees has not quite performed up to his usual lofty
standards is of little comfort to Kansas City coach Romeo Crennel, whose 0-2
Chiefs meet the Saints in a matchup of desperate teams in New Orleans on Sunday.
“Drew is a professional. He is a legitimate quarterback,” Crennel said. “He
knows how to play the game. He knows what needs to be done. He can operate with
whoever is calling the plays.” Injuries to New Orleans receivers also could have
been a factor in Brees recent performance. Marques Colston has been hobbled by a
left foot injury in the first two games and was limited in Wednesdays practice.
“You could say that hindered us a little bit; he didnt run as fast as he
normally does,” Kromer said. “He is resting it a little bit this week.”
Devery Henderson, New Orleans top deep threat, also has not played since the
third quarter of Week 1. However, he is expected to return this week. “Thats big
because Devery plays all the receiver positions,” Brees said. “He can do
everything. He can do the downfield stuff, the intermediate stuff, the short
stuff. Hes a great blocker in the run game. He can stretch the field. Hes
obviously involved in a lot of our game plan, so its great to have him back.”
Notes: Saints CB Johnny Patrick returned to practice after missing all of Week 2
with a right thigh injury from the season opener. ... LB Jonathan Casillas (left
knee) and DE Turk McBride (left ankle) did not practice. ... New Orleans waived
CB Jerome Murphy and brought back CB Elbert Mack, who had been cut in Week 1.
... The Saints also reached an injury settlement with WR Adrian Arrington,
making him a free agent. ’ ’ ’
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