导出博客文章METAIRIE, La. -- Hardly two years removed from playing college football on a
12-man defence in western Canada, Akiem Hicks is primed to emerge as a full-time
starter on an NFL defensive line. Just dont tell him that, because he wont even
admit to being encouraged by the fact that he played with the starting unit in
the New Orleans Saints preseason opener and is regularly practicing with the
first team. "Not yet, because theres so much more to go," said Hicks said,
referencing a metaphor defensive line coach Bill Johnson uses about each day of
good work amounting to nothing more than a bean in a jar, which has to be full
to represent a good season. "I dont have enough beans to be encouraged yet."
Maybe not, but his effort in practice on Tuesday certainly seemed worthy of
another bean. He was a force in 11-on-11 drills, registering what would have
been a sack on Drew Brees if he were allowed to touch the quarterback. Later,
during a 2-minute drill, he had two more standout moments. First he batted down
one of Brees passes, then he perfectly read a screen pass to Darren Sproles, who
Hicks wrapped up for a 4-yard loss in a 2-minute drill. The 6-foot-5 Hicks, who
said he now weighs about 330 pounds, is currently playing the left defensive end
in co-ordinator Rob Ryans new 3-4 defence (three linemen, four linebackers).
Last year as a rookie, drafted in the third round out of the University of
Regina (Saskatchewan), Hicks played reserve defensive tackle in a 4-3, then made
the transition this year to what Johnson calls "the most physical position on
our defence." It wasnt clear whether Hicks would emerge as a starter when 2013
training camp opened because the Saints had signed 11-year veteran defensive
lineman Kenyon Coleman, who had played the past two seasons in Ryans 3-4 defence
in Dallas. Last week, however, Coleman tore a pectoral muscle, which has likely
ended his season. Third-year pro Tom Johnson also is in the mix to start at that
spot, though he has missed more than a week of practice with a hip injury.
Johnson conceded that Hicks is in position to win the starting job, but stressed
that three weeks of evaluation remained. "Thing Ive said all along about Hicks
is that hes raw but he has a lot of versatility," Johnson said. "I thought our
scouting people did a great job watching him in Canada to know." Hicks, who grew
up near Sacramento, was recruited by LSU out of the community college ranks, but
an NCAA violation related to financial help provided by an assistant coach left
him ineligible to play in the United States, hence his move to Canada, where he
thrived as a stand-up defensive end. "What was hard was to evaluate him versus
the people he was against," Johnson said. "It wasnt like if he had went to LSU
and stayed. You could evaluate him against guys who would potentially be in this
league. It was like guys that were just little kids and he was obviously
dominating up there." Big NFL offensive tackles can find him tough to block as
well. "Hes a good athlete that weighs (330 pounds) that moves like hes 300 or
290," said Saints right tackle Zach Strief, who has to block Hicks in practice.
"Thats something pretty God-given thats pretty hard to find." NOTES: RB Pierre
Thomas (left leg), OLB Martez Wilson (left elbow) and OLB Junior Galette (left
leg) all returned to practice from injuries, participating to varying degrees.
Thomas did the most, taking part in seven-on-seven drills. Wilson participated
in a "walk-through" and Galette mostly watched. ... Courtney Roby, a veteran
special teams leader and reserve receiver, needed help off the field after
apparently hurting his left foot. Payton said Roby had a toe injury. He did not
get more specific. ... Jerry Romig, who has been the public address announcer
for Saints home games since 1969, and who also handled P.A. announcing for the
first four Super Bowls in New Orleans, said his last game on the job will be
this Fridays home preseason game against Oakland. Romig, 83, said his voice is
fine but back problems have made it tough to get around. His 57-year-old son,
Mark, who will take over, said his father wants him to show his own personality.
But Mark Romig added, "My mother told me I have to do it just like my father."
Wholesale Chicago Bears
Jerseys . LOUIS -- Rookie Tavon Austin has missed another day of practice,
lessening the odds hell be ready for the St.
Chicago
Bears Gale Sayers Jersey . Philadelphia is 2-0 against the Senators this
season and scored five goals in each victory. The Flyers recorded a 5-0 win in
Ottawa on Nov. 12 and then earned a 5-2 home decision on Nov. 19. The Flyers
have claimed three straight and four of the last five encounters with the Sens
overall and Philly has won two in a row and three of its past four tests in
Canadas capital city.
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. -- An ugly goal by Nick Bonino helped the Anaheim Ducks overcome the
defensive-minded Phoenix Coyotes on a night when their ragged power play
continued to struggle.
Chicago Bears
Apparel Clearance .Y. -- Leading 3-0 with only 11:25 left, the Colorado
Avalanche committed a seemingly meaningless penalty to give the New York
Islanders a power play.
Mitchell
Trubisky Jersey Orange . Terms of the deal were not immediately available.
The 26-year-old finished last season with Clevelands Triple-A affiliate in
Columbus after signing with the Indians in August.An unnamed Chinese club are
prepared to pay £38m to sign West Ham midfielder Dimitri Payet, according to Sky
sources. Sky sources understand the Chinese club have made an offer to Payet
through his representatives and have proposed to pay the France international
£7m-a-year in wages. However, West Ham confirmed on Tuesday they were in talks
with Payet over a new deal and a club source told Sky Sports: I cant see him
going to China. Payet has scored six goals in 18 Premier League appearances so
far this season The Hammers revealed that contract negotiations, initiated by
the club, are progressing well and stressed that neither Payet or his agent have
made any demands over a new deal. The Daily Mirror claimed Payets agent had
demanded a new contract for his client worth £125,000-a-week, just seven months
after he joined West Ham from Marseille for an initial £10.75m. Payet has been a
hugely impressive performer for West Ham this season Following reports in todays
media, West Ham United would like to clarify that at no time has Dimitri Payet
or his agent made any demands to the club over a new contract, a club statement
read. However, the club can confirm that due to Dimitris outstanding impact
since his arrival at the Boleyn Ground, they have initiated amicable and
productive talks about an improvement and extension to his contract. Those talks
are progressing well and it is hoped they can be concluded shortly.Dimitri would
like to make clear that he is very proud to play for West Ham United and he
appreciates the support he has received from the board, manager and fans since
he joined the club in the summer. Making the difference The stats highlight
justt how important Payet is to West Ham Following the clubs announcement, Payet
declared his desire to remain at West Ham for the foreseeable
future.dddddddddddd. I say and I repeat Im proud to wear the shirt of West Ham.
My future is here and I hope for many years, he said via his official Twitter
account.Ahead of West Hams FA Cup fourth-round replay with Liverpool, manager
Slaven Bilic stressed the importance of keeping Payet at the club. Slaven Bilic
is keen to secure Payet on a long-term contract Payet has been exceptional for
West Ham during his debut season in the Premier League and has played a pivotal
role in the clubs challenge for European qualification. The 28-year-old, who is
contracted to West Ham until June 2020, has scored six times and provided four
assists this season. Dimitri Payet is our best player. And of course I would
love to have him happy, long-term, at the club. Slaven Bilic The club is moving,
with the new stadium and everything, and the most important move is to keep your
best players, Bilic said.Dimitri Payet is our best player. And of course I would
love to have him happy, long-term, at the club.He only signed a few months ago,
but he has made a huge impact and while he has a long contract he is in a good
position. We all want to keep him for a long, long time.West Ham are on the
verge of one deal with a Chinese club, according to Sky sources, who say an
agreement for Nikica Jelavic to join second division side Beijing Renhe is 95
per cent done.The Croatia striker has scored two goals since arriving from Hull
in the summer. Also See: Payet in contract talks Bilic: We need to keep Payet
Gold expects sell out Bilic wary of Liverpool threat ' ' '
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