Der Fremde » connecting 23 times in that span

To watch the NFL Draft from afar and to witness the drama unfold in person are two completely different things. Like many of you, Ive sat in front of my TV watching teams cherry pick the cream of college football talent down the years, but on this occasion they werent just names on a board, these were individuals I met in person. For however brief the time, I had a sense of the pressure, the nervous excitement, the demands on their time that this years highly touted players were subjected to in Draft week. Jared Goff tells Richard Graves hes ready for the pressure of leading the Los Angeles Rams Twenty-four hours before the biggest day of their lives - a day where they would become instant millionaires - these young men were out and about in Chicago visiting hospitals and engaging with children at a Play60 event.Jared Goff, who would eventually be the first player selected in this years Draft, struck me by his calm demeanour. Such great composure for a college graduate, aware he would carry the hopes and expectations of an entire team and its fan base. Goff joined everyone else in huddles, fielding every question thrown his way and all did it with a remarkable maturity. Eli Apple tells Richard Graves why he almost didnt pick up the phone call from the New York Giants The Draft is a marquee event in the NFLs calendar and it is big business for the city which stages it. Fans from across the country gather to be a part of it, security is tight - even police dogs had their own accreditation badges around their necks! Its an occasion where the Commissioner plays the role of pantomime villain, getting roundly booed every time he walks to the podium, but its also an event which means this organisation commands the national spotlight and the NFL arent in the habit of wasting such opportunities.Roger Goodell was ever-present, proudly lauding the qualities of this Draft class, keen to raise the leagues profile and acutely aware that its not just American eyes watching. Carson Wentz talks to Richard Graves about his selection by the Philadelphia Eagles For the second straight year, Sky Sports were welcomed in and afforded our own set inside the auditorium - Dara Kennedy, Neil Reynolds, Jeff Reinbold and I witnessed the drama unfold. So, the Commissioner seized this opportunity to send a football message back to the UK.With a game scheduled in Mexico for the coming season and plans to stage a game in China in 2018, Goodell took time time out of his schedule to speak to us directly and stated that plans to expand interest elsewhere have no implication for the game in the UK, insisting fans here can expect more games, more interest, more activity. Even in draft week, there can be no doubt, developing the game outside of the US remains a top priority. Richard Graves gives us behind-the-scenes access to the Jacksonville Jaguars But this week was about the league welcoming its newest stars. From Goff realising he is the new face of the Rams, to Laremy Tunsil - a man for so long projected to be the first man picked but who slid all the way down to 13 after a video of him apparently smoking appeared online, to Eli Apple admitting he very nearly didnt even answer his phone when the Giants called because he thought it was a prank call from a friend, these few days in Chicago had all of the drama, the excitement and the headline grabbing moments the NFL thrives on.If ever there was an example of how the NFL is now a 365-day-a-year business, this was it. No pass was thrown, no tackle made nor a touchdown scored but the NFL had football fans hanging on every word spoken, and every move was scrutinised. Richard Graves takes you backstage at the 2016 NFL Draft. The influx of fresh faces to all 32 franchises means already pundits and fans alike are projecting who will make a Super Bowl run and who will be picking No 1 in 12 months time. In Chicago dreams were realised, hopes were raised, expectations lifted and yet this is just the beginning. Pick Six Neil Reynolds analyses six key storylines Also See: Goff picked at No 1 Pick Six Duo drafted despite injuries WATCH: Jags in London Clearance Air Jordan Store . - Roger Federer squandered a big lead and lost to No. Fake Jordan . -- Adrian Peterson remained in a walking boot to treat a high ankle sprain on his left leg on Wednesday, and coach Leslie Frazier said he will not play on Sunday against Atlanta if he cant hit the practice field in the next two days. https://www.jordanchina.us/.com) - Klay Thompson is quickly proving he is worth every penny of his recently signed four-year contract extension. Cheap Air Jordan Free Shipping . McCutchen was cut before the series opener against Seattle on Monday night, when Lewis was set for his first start for Texas since July 18, 2012. Texas selected Lewis contract from Triple-A Round Rock. Cheap Jordan From China . They signed their first kicker. Ottawa inked Nick Setta, a 32-year-old native of Lockport, Illinois, to a contract.NEW YORK, N.Y. - In a season full of bumps for the New York Yankees, there has been one sure thing. Namely, Masahiro Tanaka. Tanaka tamed the highest-scoring team in the majors and the Yankees stopped a four-game skid, beating Oakland 2-1 Thursday and ending the Athletics five-game winning streak. Facing the As for the first time, Tanaka (9-1) got an early jolt when John Jaso homered as the second batter in the game. But that was the only run the Japanese rookie allowed in six innings, and he exited with an AL-leading 2.02 ERA. "I think theres an expectation when he goes out there that hes going to give you distance, that hes going to shut them down," manager Joe Girardi said. And given the Yankees recent rut, he added: "I think you could say its his biggest performance for us." David Robertson worked the ninth for his 13th save in 15 chances, helped by a lucky bounce. Stephen Vogt singled with one out and pinch-runner Craig Gentry stole second. Alberto Callaspo followed with a hard grounder that deflected off Robertsons leg, and first baseman Mark Teixeira corralled the carom and flipped to the pitcher covering the bag for an out. Pinch-hitter Derek Norris looked at strike three for the final out. "I was probably the happiest guy in the stadium that the ball hit me," Robertson said. Shortly after he was inserted for speed and defence, Yankees right fielder Ichiro Suzuki blunted Oaklands bid to tie it in the eighth with a sliding catch on Brandon Moss liner into the gap with runners on first and second. After a wild pitch, Adam Warren struck out Yoenis Cespedes to end the inning. The Yankees wrapped up a 2-5 homestand that left them one game over .500. Its been a struggle all year for a team beset by injuries and inconsistency among the hitters, rotation and bullpen. Tanaka restored some order, at least for a day, as the Yankees broke a six-game losing streak to Oakland. The As own the top record in the AL, and best road mark. "As far as my personal performance goes, I dont think it was my best," Tanaka said through an interpreter. "Given the fact our team was in a little bit of a funk and that faced one of the best teams in the league, I was glad I was able to contribute." Tanaka gave up five hits, struck out four and walked one. He retired 10 straiight batters after Jasos homer and left several As taking tentative swings.dddddddddddd As Tanaka has demonstrated during his first 12 starts in the majors — at least six innings with three or fewer earned runs, all of them — he toughens up when theres trouble. He twice escaped two-out, two-on jams, and threw 104 pitches overall to a team known for grinding out at-bats. Before the game, As manager Bob Melvin said there was some "intrigue" to seeing Tanaka up close, kidding he wouldve preferred Oakland miss the aces turn. "We made him work some, maybe a little bit more than hes had to, where his pitch count got up and they had to get him out," he said. "But you can see why his numbers are the way they are. Hes got a lot of pitches." Brett Gardner hit a leadoff homer in the third against Drew Pomeranz (5-3) for a 2-1 lead. Jacoby Ellsbury almost had a two-run homer for the Yankees in the first. He hit a drive to the top of the right-field wall, hustled around the bases and slid into second. The umpires, however, ruled it a home run and Ellsbury got up and trotted to the plate and into the dugout. Melvin challenged the call and it was overturned to a double. Carlos Beltran then struck out to finish the inning. On the disabled list since May 15 because of a bone spur in his right elbow, the star outfielder was activated and went 0 for 3 as the designated hitter. "I have to find a way to adjust to my role right now," he said. Alfonso Soriano broke an 0-for-16 slump with an RBI single in the second, set up when Brian McCann singled and continued to second as the ball skipped past Moss in left field for an error. NOTES: The As have homered in 13 straight games, connecting 23 times in that span. ... Tanaka had gone five starts without allowing a homer. ... Cespedes was Oaklands DH. Melvin gave the slugging OF a lighter day after hitting 2 HRs Wednesday night. Melvin also said Cespedes was working through some shoulder issue. ... RF Vogt made a nice catch in his first major league start in the outfield. Hes normally a catcher. ... Seven veterans of the D-Day invasion were honoured at home plate before the game. ... There was a pregame moment of silence for former Yankees bench coach Don Zimmer, who died Wednesday at 83. A video tribute before the third inning drew cheers. ' ' '