ITPV » Pineiro made it 17-13, linebacker Joel Iyiegb

ATLANTA (AP) — Julian Edelman is certainly a compelling story.A diminutive guy with a bushy beard Jace Sternberger Jersey , picked in the final round of the draft, defying the odds to become one of the NFL’s top receivers.And, now, a Super Bowl MVP.But let’s not forget one other fairly important element to this story:He cheated.Edelman was honored Monday for his 10-catch, 141-yard performance the previous night, the only discernable bright spot offensively in a dreary Super Bowl won by the New England Patriots. Commissioner Roger Goodell — the same guy who said with a straight face five days earlier that Colin Kaepernick’s two-years-and-counting banishment from the league for protesting social injustice was merely a football decision made independently by 32 franchises — was all smiles as he handed Edelman his silver, football-shaped prize known as the Pete Rozelle Trophy.“Well deserved. Extraordinary performance, and not just last night, but his performance in postseason has been simply off the charts,” Goodell said. “Julian, congratulations. Come on up and get your trophy.”There was no mention of Edelman being suspended for the first four games of the season after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.In his brief opening remarks, the receiver talked of the “ups and downs” the Patriots had been through, what he called “just the ebbs and flows of the season.”Then came the first question.“You missed last year (with a torn ACL), you come back this year and have a four-game suspension, talk about fighting back through adversity and coming out on the other end as the Super Bowl MVP,” the reporter said, a tone of admiration In his voice. “What did that mean to you, through all the work that you put in?”Coming off a serious knee injury http://www.packerscheapstore.com/dexter-williams-jersey-cheap , there’s no doubt Edelman worked extremely hard to make it back at age 32, when there was plenty of skepticism that he’d ever be as effective as he was before.But it’s also worth noting that Edelman gave his rehab an illicit boost by taking a PED, undoubtedly looking to improve the odds of returning to the field on the downside of his career.Edelman apologized for his mistake, expressed the usual confusion that all cheaters rely on when they’re caught, but never revealed the substance in question. He served the suspension and returned to put up roughly the same prorated numbers as he did in 2016, before his injury, catching 74 passes for 850 yards and six touchdowns over the final 12 games of the regular season.He was even better in the playoffs.Edelman hauled in nine catches for 151 yards in a divisional-round victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. He had seven receptions for 96 yards in the thrilling overtime triumph at Kansas City in the AFC championship game. Finally, he provided an offensive spark in the lowest-scoring Super Bowl ever, helping the Patriots knock off the Los Angeles Rams 13-3.Now, if Edelman was a Major League Baseball player or an Olympic athlete, he probably wouldn’t have had a chance to shine on the big stage.The MLB’s doping policy has a provision that prevents anyone who tests positive from taking part in the postseason that year, even if they’ve already served their full penalty. The extra sanction was added in 2014 after All-Stars Jhonny Peralta and Nelson Cruz returned from doping suspensions in time to participate in the playoffs, which rightfully angered other players.The World Anti-Doping Agency went down the same path, doubling the potential penalty for a first-time doping offender from two to four years, a way of ensuring that those blatantly caught cheating would have to miss the next Olympics.But the NFL has never shown it’s all that serious about stamping out doping, nor has the players union. At the very least, those who test positive for PEDs should face an eight-game suspension — half the regular season — and a postseason ban. Stricter testing rules, in line with international standards Josh Allen Jersey , should also be imposed, perhaps in tandem with relaxed restrictions on pot use and approval of medical marijuana to help deal with the chronic pain so many current and former players must endure.Those of us in the media should also take a hard look at whether there are racial overtones to the way we look at those who violate the rules.Edelman faced little real criticism over his doping violation, perhaps because he’s usually gushed over with that convenient stereotype applied to so many white players: undersized, not as talented as those around him, someone who makes up for it with his intelligence and work ethic. There are undoubtedly fans, and perhaps even members of the media, who feel Edelman was merely showing just how dedicated he is to the game by doing whatever it took to get back on the field after a serious injury.He was rightly lauded for his accomplishments — but let’s not forget that other thing.He cheated. INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Andrew Luck watched one last game from the sideline Saturday.Then he said goodbye to the NFL.The Indianapolis Colts quarterback heard boos as he walked away from the field, then walked to the podium and made the surprise decision official: The oft-injured star is retiring at age 29.“I’m in pain, I’m still in pain. It’s been four years of this pain, rehab cycle,” Luck said. “It’s a myriad of issues — calf strain, posterior ankle impingement, high ankle sprain. Part of my journey going forward will be figuring out how to feel better.”Luck wasn’t planning to make the announcement following Saturday’s 27-17 loss to the Chicago Bears. But when ESPN first reported the news during the fourth quarter, Luck changed the plan for a Sunday afternoon announcement.Instead, he held a 25-minute impromptu news conference.At times he sounded wistful. At others, his voice cracked with emotion.One thing was clear: The endless barrage of injuries stripped away his joy for the game and prompted him to walk away so he could enjoy the life he wants.“There’s no doubt when you hear him talk about the cycle of pain and injury and rehab, you can hear that,” coach Frank Reich said. “There’s a saying in football that everyone knows and everybody lives by http://www.jaguarscheapstore.com/jawaan-taylor-jersey-cheap , it’s next man up and even though this situation is unique, no one is exempt.”That task now falls to Jacoby Brissett, a fourth-year player whom the Colts acquired in a cutdown weekend trade two years ago who has been practicing with the starters since April.He went 4-11 as a starter in the 2017 season after taking over for opening day starter Scott Tolzien.But the Colts had already been preparing for the possibility Luck might not be ready for the Sept. 8 season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. Luck was diagnosed with a strained left calf in March and team officials kept him out of all of the team’s offseason workouts.He returned to limited action when training camp opened in late July. After three practices, though, the lingering pain near his ankle forced him back into rehab. He hadn’t practiced with the team since, though he did throw passes in pregame warmups before last week’s preseason game.“I had a thought that it might be my last time throwing at Lucas Oil as a current member of the Colts team,” Luck said. “And I wanted to make sure I could go out and enjoy it.”It wasn’t just the leg, though.He played with shoulder pain for most of 2015 and 2016, and his 2015 season ended when he suffered a lacerated kidney. He missed all of 2017 following shoulder surgery and then the happy-go-lucky former Stanford star dealt with more pain and more endless months of rehab.The Colts bet big on Luck in 2012.They cut an injured Peyton Manning to take Luck with the top overall pick, fully believing he would be their franchise quarterback for the next 10 to 15 years.Team owner Jim Irsay called it a “no-brainer” because his aging team needed to rebuild.“I never felt that he (Luck) owed me to play until he’s 40 or until he’s 36 or whatever,” Irsay said. “I mean, this is an unusual situation.”Luck delivered quickly on his promise.He led the Colts to the playoffs in each of his first three seasons and to the AFC championship game after the 2014 season — without missing a start. But a subpar offensive line struggled to keep Luck upright and in 2015, the shoulder and kidney injuries forced him to miss nine games. The Colts finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs.In 2016, after Luck opted not to have shoulder surgery, then coach Chuck Pagano gave Luck extra days off to try and keep him healthy. Luck made 15 starts that season though the Colts again finished 8-8 and missed the playoffs.While Luck had surgery for a partially torn labrum in January 2017, he never felt right and after throwing for two weeks in the fall was shut down for the rest of the season.Last year, Luck looked like his old self. He established career highs in attempts (639), completions (430) and completion rate (67.3 percent) Josh Oliver Jersey , throwing for 4,593 yards with 39 touchdowns and 15 interceptions as he led the Colts back to the playoffs, earned his fourth Pro Bowl selection and was the runaway winner of the league’s Comeback Player of the Year award.Then came the mysterious calf-ankle injury that again never felt quite right.So after marrying his longtime girlfriend this spring and now awaiting the birth of his first child, Luck called it quits.“I am going to retire,” he said. “This is not an easy decision. It’s the hardest decision of my life. But it is the right decision for me.”Players around the league were just as stunned as the Colts.“It was mind-blowing,” Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson said. “It’s something that of course caught everyone off guard. He can control his own future. He’s a great player. He’s a great quarterback. One of the top five quarterbacks in the league. He’s doing it for the right reasons for himself.”Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes, the reigning MVP, said: “Knowing Andrew he’s a great football player, of course, but he’s also a great human being — I know that he’s going to make the right decision for himself and his family.”Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson, who was in the same draft class as Luck, said he found out from offensive tackle Duane Brown before the Seahawks‘ game against the Los Angeles Chargers and was surprised, like everyone else.“We all expect we’re going to play this game forever. The reality is for most players, it’s not very long,” Wilson said. “I’ve always loved being around him, and the times we’ve gotten to be around each other. I know this has to be really hard on him. Just praying for him to stay encouraged.”Reich had said he hoped to have an answer about Luck’s availability for the Sept. 8 season opener after the third preseason game. This might not have been the one he wanted — and certainly didn’t expect.“Teams win, don’t write the end of the story yet,” Colts general manager Chris Ballard said. “I’m telling you the story’s not over yet.”Luck finishes his seven-year career with 2 http://www.jaguarscheapstore.com/quincy-williams-ii-jersey-cheap ,000 completions, 3,290 attempts, 23,671 yards, 171 touchdowns and 83 interceptions and those stinging boos as he left the field.“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t hear the reaction,” he said. “It hurt, I’ll be honest with you, it hurt.”BEARS DEFENSEChuck Pagano, Luck’s first coach, returned to Lucas Oil Stadium for the first time since his firing shortly after the 2017 season.The new Bears defensive coordinator made a splash.Despite both teams sitting all of their starters including Brissett, the Bears used their second defensive touchdown to take the lead for good late in the third quarter.Trailing 10-0 early in the second quarter, safety Deon Bush ripped the ball out of the air from rookie tight end Hale Hentges got up and scored on a 91-yard interception return. After two field goals from Eddy Pineiro made it 17-13, linebacker Joel Iyiegbuniwe returned a fumble 22 yards to give the Bears a 20-17 lead.Chicago closed out the scoring with a 17-yard TD pass from Tyler Bray to Jesper Horsted.Bray was 11 of 16 with 136 yards and Ryan Nall had two carries for 73 yards.Chad Kelly led the Colts to all three of their scores and was 16 of 21 with 209 yards and one touchdown — all in the first half. Deon Cain caught three passes for 74 yards, including a 46-yard TD catch.PINEIRO STICKS ITThe Bears spent the whole offseason looking for a kicker. And it looks as if they found the right one.Less than a week after giving Pineiro the job, he made all three of his field goals, including a 58-yarder in the third quarter. His previous long during the preseason was 41 yards.UP NEXTBears: Host Tennessee on Thursday in the preseason finale.Colts: Begin the post-Luck era at Cincinnati on Thursday.