Share this: PHILADELPHIA — The 2017 NFL Draft was labelled as unpredictable, and that held true throughout Thursday night. As always, some teams handled the chaos and pressure better than others. Here are the most notable winners and losers of the first round. WINNERSSan Francisco 49ersThe 49ers need to rebuild their defense because the unit that led them to three straight NFC Championship Game appearances from 2011 through 2013 mostly is gone. Well, the 49ers are on track to a successful retooling after selecting Stanford defensive end Solomon Thomas at No. 3 and Alabama linebacker Reuben Foster at No. 31. Thomas has the skill and strength to be an excellent run stopper, while Foster brings great athleticism and tackling to the linebacker corps. Foster nearly fell
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NFL Draft Prospect Forrest Lamp Gets Endorsement Deal From Lamp Company
Share this: Former Western Kentucky offensive lineman Forrest Lamp is one of the top offensive line prospects in the 2017 NFL Draft, and he already is making money off his last name. That’s right, the 6-foot-4, 295 pound Lamp hasn’t even had his name called and he’s already inked a marketing deal — with a lamp company. The lighting company Lamps Plus signed a deal with the soon-to-be NFL lineman, and even their CEO couldn’t stay away from the lamp puns. “Lamps Plus brings a sense of comfort and security to homes with a large selection of lighting, home décor and furniture.,” Dennis Swanson, CEO of Lamps Plus said, per Businesswire.com.”Similarly, Forrest Lamp will be providing comfort and security for quarterbacks and running backs
NFL Draft 2017 Live: First-Round Updates, Analysis Of All 32 Picks
Share this: 7 p.m.: Check out some scenes from the NFL draft red carpet. 5 p.m.: The red carpet ceremony is about to begin. But first, here are some links to the latest draft rumors. — N.G. Browns will take Myles Garrett at No. 1 >> Titans have received offers for No. 5 pick >> 1:05 p.m.: Here’s a very interesting quote from Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson. Unfortunately for him, North Carolina’s Mitch Trubisky probably will be the first QB drafted. — N.G. QB Deshaun Watson respects all prospects but told me it'd be a "slap in the face" if Mitchell Trubisky went 1st gvn his championship resume. — Josina Anderson (@JosinaAnderson) April 27, 2017 1 p.m.: Fans now are being let in to the Ben Franklin Parkway
Rajon Rondo Officially Ruled Out Of Celtics-Bulls Game 6 With Thumb Injury
Share this: UPDATE (7 p.m. ET): Rajon Rondo officially has been ruled out of the Chicago Bulls’ Game 6 versus the Boston Celtics on Friday. From Bulls media relations dept For tomorrow night’s game vs. the Boston Celtics: Rajon Rondo (right thumb fracture) is OUT. — chuck swirsky (@ctsbulls) April 27, 2017 ORIGINAL STORY: Injuries appear to be catching up to the Chicago Bulls ahead of their do-or-die Game 6 against the Boston Celtics. Bulls point guard Rajon Rondo, who has missed the team’s last three games with a fractured thumb, is unlikely to play Friday in Chicago, coach Fred Hoiberg said Thursday. “Nothing’s changed as of now,” Hoiberg told reporters during a conference call, via ESPN.com. “… Rajon, most likely, will come in and work out (Thursday night), but
Watch Fred Hoiberg Walk Out On Reporters After Isaiah Thomas Dribbling Question
Share this: BOSTON — Fred Hoiberg had some words to say about Isaiah Thomas’ ball-handling Wednesday night for the second straight game. Well, more like “word.” After Chicago’s 108-97 Game 5 loss to the Celtics at TD Garden, the Bulls coach was asked if he thought Boston guard Isaiah Thomas carried the ball during the contest. Given Hoiberg’s eye-opening remarks about Thomas’ dribbling (or lack thereof) after Game 4, it seemed like a fair question. But Hoiberg was having absolutely none of it. Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg quickly bails from podium when asked whether Celtics' Isaiah Thomas carried the ball during Game 5… pic.twitter.com/M1IYVrVRkK — Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) April 27, 2017 The Bulls coach responded with a terse “no” and promptly left the podium fewer than five minutes into his press
How Celtics Are Finding Their Playoff Identity Amid Comeback Vs. Bulls
Share this: BOSTON — Don’t look now, but Brad Stevens’ scrappy group of regular season overachievers are starting to figure out how to win in the playoffs. First things first: They’ve have some luck on their side. The Celtics looked dead in the water in their first-round NBA playoff series against the Chicago Bulls until Rajon Rondo went out with a fractured thumb after Game 2. Rondo’s absence absolutely helped facilitate Boston’s three-game win streak, the latest a 108-97 victory in Game 5 on Wednesday night that pushed the C’s one game away from completing a historic comeback. But to equate Boston’s recent success solely to the Bulls’ failures without Rondo would miss an important point: The Celtics, after repeated postseason struggles under Stevens, appear to have developed the mental toughness required
Celtics Notes: Isaiah Thomas Can’t Handle Avery Bradley Praising His Defense
Share this: BOSTON — That Isaiah Thomas and Avery Bradley both played key roles in the Celtics’ Game 5 win over the Chicago Bulls on Wednesday is no surprise. But Bradley shining on offense and Thomas stepping up on defense? Now that’s a little more eye-opening. Bradley, usually known for his smothering defense, went off for a playoff career high 24 points, hitting 11 of 19 shots while grabbing six rebounds. And the 5-foot-9 (on paper) Thomas, often labeled a defensive liability, held his own on defense down the stretch, even snatching a clutch defensive rebound in traffic in the fourth quarter. In fact, the All-Star point guard’s defensive effort was good enough to prompt this humorous exchange between he and Bradley in their postgame