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Menu Kelly Olynyk had 26 points and nine rebounds and added 17 points and 13 rebounds to carry No. 5 Gonzaga past pesky San 71 on Saturday, snapping a three-year losing streak at War Memorial Gymnasium. The Bulldogs’ frontline tandem bullied and bruised their way to a fast start and furious finish. Olynyk finished 13 for 17 from the floor and went 7 of 15 as both keyed an 11 run the final minutes that put the Zags ahead for good. Dickerson scored 15 points and Cody Doolin added 14 to Andrej Sekera Jersey help the Dons rally back after trailing by 15 the first half. Unlike the last three years when USF stunned Gonzaga at home, the Bulldogs regrouped and showed why they’re ranked high.
Today marks seven years since Mordechai Vanunu, the Israeli nuclear whistleblower, was released from Ashkelon prison to face the assembled world’s media, having served his full sentence of 18 years for revealing the truth of ‘s clandestine nuclear weapons programme. Since his release he has faced no further charges regarding any secrets he is still supposed to have, yet it is for this reason he is not allowed to leave and suffers daily restrictions on his freedom of movement, speech and association. It is Cam Ward Jersey time the British government called for these cruel restrictions to be withdrawn so he can leave immediately, as he wishes.

Menu NASHVILLE, Tenn. The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms with six of their 10 draft picks, including Heisman Trophy winner Derrick. The Titans announced the deals Monday, the day their rookie class reported for work for the first time. Those agreeing to terms include two of their three selections the second round with defensive lineman of Penn State and from Alabama, the 45th pick overall. Tennessee also agreed to terms with both fifth-round selections wide receiver Tajae Sharpe of Massachusetts and cornerback LeShaun Sims of Southern Utah and both seventh-round picks linebacker Aaron and Southern Mississippi cornerback Kalan Reed. That leaves only four draft picks still unsigned, including the eighth pick overall offensive tackle Jack Conklin. The Titans’ rookie minicamp starts Friday.

Menu Khalil has done just about everything the Oakland Raiders have asked of him his rookie. He has solidified the run defense with his ability to fight off blocks and get into the backfield, pressured quarterbacks consistently as a pass rusher and forced offenses to alter their game plans. The only thing lacking so far from is something he was supposed to get frequently: a quarterback sack. Through seven, is still seeking his first sack despite being compared to pass rushing specialist Von Miller when he was drafted fifth overall. It’s something that’s kind of sitting on mind, said. All teammates talk about it. It come soon enough but even then I’m working hard to get there. has come awfully close, especially recent weeks. He has been credited with 15 quarterback hurries and hits the past three, according to Pro Football Focus, and his 22 pressures for the are the most for any player without a sack. The consistent pressure is bound to lead to sacks soon enough. They come, defensive coordinator Jason Tarver said. Keep pressuring the heck out of them, making sure everybody knows who you are and where is 52 and that stuff happen. As as he’s around the ball, we’re happy. While has lacked sacks, he has not lacked praise. Opposing quarterbacks and Hoyer singled him out after the past two for his stellar play. Seattle quarterback Russell called him a spectacular player who was playing like the defensive rookie of the year heading into Sunday’s game against the Seahawks. He jumps off the film, Seattle coach said. Every one of our coaches, when they break up and start looking at the Raiders and taking seriously what they’re doing well, everybody comes back talking about him. He’s almost unblockable and he’s got a great motor. He’s fast, he’s tough, he’s instinctive. We think he’s obvious factor. played down the wide-spread praise he has received recent weeks, saying it means nothing until the Raiders have more success on the field. It’s gratifying a personal aspect but you want to go out and win the game, he said. It can mean something once you stamp a win. But we’re still working on that win. All you see out there is hunger for a win. has been dominant against the run, where he is the biggest reason for a dramatic turnaround recent weeks by the Raiders. Oakland has allowed just 2 yards per carry October, second to Denver for the NFL lead. is tied with Tampa Bay’s Lavonte David for the NFL lead with 8 2 tackles behind the line of scrimmage against the run, including 5 2 the past two weeks. He’s going to be measured whether or not he sacks the quarterback, but I would just say that it’s been a time since I’ve seen somebody do that the run game, interim coach Tony Sparano said. What he did the run game to opponent, this guy Khalil has just really dominated. NOTES: CB Carlos Rogers did not practice for a second straight day with a knee injury and his status is unknown for Sun day….

FINAL: A’S 6, TIGERS 3 Game. Set. Match. The Tigers are on the verge of elimination after suffering a 6 defeat. With the loss, the Tigers now trail the A’s, 2, the best-of-five series. interesting twist, both benches and bullpens cleared the ninth inning after it appeared Martinez took exception to some words said by A’s closer Balfour. There was a bit of a skirmish at the mound, but no punches were thrown. After two minutes of pushing and shoving, players returned to their respective dugouts and warning were issued to both benches. Martinez resumed his at-bat and flew out to right. When he circled back to the mound, Moss, Vogt and plate-umpire Darling all jumped between him and Balfour.

EIGHTH INNING: A’S 6, TIGERS 3 The Tigers Michael Bowie Jersey are down to their final three outs after they fail to trim the A’s lead the eighth. Torii a one-out walk, but Cabrera popped out on the first pitch and Fielder lined out to short. Detroit’s offense has now plated runs just two of 26 combined innings this series, totaling six runs. That’s just not going to get the job done. SEVENTH INNING: A’S 6, TIGERS 3 Another scoreless frame for the Tigers, who are down to their final six outs. Including today, they’ve scored three or fewer runs seven consecutive playoff . More concerning: Detroit has scored just 12 runs their last 62 postseason innings. SIXTH INNING: A’S 6, TIGERS 3 With the heart of the Tigers’ lineup due up, decided to go to his bullpen — and it paid off. Despite throwing only 73 pitches, Parker was lifted favor of Otero, who worked a inning.

He gave up a soft single to Fielder, but O’Brien Schofield Jersey induced a 3 double play to end the inning. Both starters are officially done before the sixth inning. Who woulda thunk it? Sanchez could only go 4 3 innings — his shortest start since June 15. Only nine more outs for the Tigers. Can they score at least three runs to try and force extra innings? What do you think? FIFTH INNING: A’S 6, TIGERS 3 Just like that, the A’s retake the lead after Sanchez allowed a pair of homers the fifth, including a two-run shot off the bat of Smith, which forced Sanchez’s early exit. It was a bizarre start for Sanchez, who gave up three homers, including a quiet solo shot from Moss. The last time Sanchez gave up more than one a game? Sept. 9. The last time he gave up three?

July 28 — his Tigers debut. FOURTH INNING: A’S 3, TIGERS 3 A big fourth inning as both teams break out their big-boy bats and plate a handful of runs. More importantly, the Tigers finally scored a run to snap their streak of scoreless innings at 20 when Martinez scored from second with a double to right field. The Tigers added two more off the bat of Peralta, who laced a single to shallow left to tie the game at 3-all. If you were wondering why Peralta got the start left field today, there’s your explanation.

The Ferris State University men’s ice hockey program was featured this weekend’s National Hockey League Entry Draft as forward Schempp was chosen the sixth round on Saturday as the 155th overall pick by the New York Islanders. Schempp, who tallied 10 goals and 25 points 43 contests as a freshman the 2013 campaign, became the first Bulldog skater to be drafted since former standout Chris Kelly Jersey defenseman Zach Redmond was chosen the seventh round 2008. He represents the 28th individual Bulldog Hockey history to ever be picked by NHL squad. The 6 Schempp was among seven individuals chosen by the Islanders this year’s draft. The 52nd annual NHL Entry Draft was held Philadelphia on Friday and Saturday at the Wells Fargo Center with players born between Jan. 1, and Sept. 15, eligible for selection along with undrafted, non-North American players born 1993.

Schempp is now among only four Ferris State players to be selected the last 15 years, joining past draftees Derek MacIntyre , Chris Zarb and Redmond . Redmond spent four seasons with the Bulldogs and has played 18 career NHL contests with the Winnipeg Jets over the past two seasons. Ferris State had a school-record six selections apiece both the 1987 and 1991 NHL Entry Drafts. A total of 11 former Ferris State players have went on to play the NHL, including two-time Cup Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Chris Kunitz, wing , defenseman Mike Colman, defenseman , defenseman Dave Karpa, defenseman Gruden, defenseman Roach, forward Collins, forward Rallo and defenseman Chad Billins along with Redmond. This past , 2013, four different Bulldogs played the NHL as Kunitz, Billins, Rallo and Redmond all spent time on hockey’s biggest stage.

In his initial campaign at Ferris State this past , Schempp claimed All- Collegiate Hockey Association Rookie honors, becoming FSU’s first-ever player to earn freshman recognition the league. He also was a WCHA Rookie of the Week and placed fifth overall among first-year scorers the conference with 18 points league action. He also ranked among the top 40 freshmen nationally scoring. As a freshman, Schempp placed tied for fourth on the squad scoring and posted a +10 plus minus efficiency rating with 88 total shots. He had three power-play goals, a game-winner and 12 blocks his initial . Prior to David Krejci Jersey his Bulldog arrival, Schempp began his playing career with the Detroit Compuware Ambassadors for three seasons from 2008.

He then played for the Traverse City North Stars of the North American Hockey League for 59 games 2011 before spending the 2012 with the United States Hockey League’s Sioux Falls Stampede. During the 2013 campaign, Schempp helped Ferris State win the WCHA Regular- Championship the Bulldogs’ debut . FSU also the WCHA Final Five Championship game and came within a single victory of reaching the NCAA Frozen Four for the second time three years. Along the way, Ferris State set a school-record with a nation-leading 16-game unbeaten streak that stretched from late October to early and the Bulldogs’ 29 total wins led the country and ranked as the second-best seasonal school history. The Bulldogs were ranked as high as second the nation during the regular- and finished sixth the final rankings. Ferris State was the lone team from the state of Michigan to reach the NCAA and one of only two schools from the WCHA along with Minnesota State. The Bulldogs led the WCHA race for the McNaughton Cup from wire-to-wire and became only the third program ever to win both the former CCHA along with the WCHA. The Bulldogs open defense of their WCHA Regular- Championship as they begin the 2014 campaign early October. The home opener is set for Saturday, Oct. 4, when FSU hosts the University of Michigan Big Rapids.

The clock is ticking ever closer toward a potential front-office shakeup for the NBA’s glamour franchise, the once mighty — but now rebuilding — Los Angeles Lakers.

The timeline was first set in April 2014, when Lakers part-owner and executive vice president of basketball operations Jim Buss told the Los Angeles Times that he would step down within three years if the team hadn’t made a deep playoff run by then.

The Lakers, who opened training camp at UC Santa Barbara on Tuesday, are entering the final season of Buss’ self-imposed deadline — one that Lakers president and co-owner Jeanie Buss has time and again publicly stated that she will make sure her brother honors.

There’s a chance — if not a strong possibility — that Jim Buss’ potential departure won’t be the only one within the Lakers front office, though it’s unclear what exactly might happen. It has long been widely speculated, though, that if Jim Buss departs, so too would Lakers longtime general manager Mitch Kupchak.

In the past, Kupchak has deferred questions about Jim Buss’ deadline to turn around the Lakers, who have missed the playoffs for three straight seasons and are coming off their worst campaign in franchise history after finishing 17-65 last season.

The New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony, who was among those to open this year’s ESPYS with a plea to stop the violence, said the Knicks likely will do something collectively to address the social turmoil.

“I think we’re in the same state,” he said. “I think it’s actually getting worse.”

Similarly strong assessments have been expressed around the league for months, as the list of U.S. cities dealing with protests — including Baltimore, Milwaukee, Chicago, New York, Ferguson, Missouri, and now Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Charlotte, North Carolina — over gun violence and racial turmoil continues to grow.

Anthony, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Paul talked openly in July about how players and coaches can help create substantive change in cities across the country.

In a league in which about 75 percent of the players are black and some have enormous social-media followings, plenty of eyes will be on the NBA to see what it does after NFL players and some athletes from other sports have taken to kneeling during national anthems or raising a fist in an effort to spark discussion about race relations and other matters.

Last week, former NBA superstar Shaquille O’Neal was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

While speaking with the media, O’Neal was asked by CSN Philly about the 2016 rookie class and if any players stood out as future stars.

“I don’t know all of them, but I know my guy’s going to be pretty good, Ben Simmons,” O’Neal told CSN Philly, referring to the Philadelphia 76ers rookie who was picked No. 1 overall.

“I’m a better golfer, but obviously in golf you play with handicaps so everything’s fair,” Curry added. “The last two times I’ve played, I’ve lost to him.”

Curry said his handicap is two, but he wouldn’t divulge President Obama’s handicap, claiming it’s “top-secret” information.

Curry did admit, however, that the president is an avid trash-talker during a round of golf.

“During his speeches, he has that very slow cadence that kind of draws you in,” Curry said. “He brings that same kind of vibe to his trash talk. So I’ll hit a shot out of bounds, and he’ll just look like, ‘Yeah, that’s not a good shot. I’m going to need you to do better next time.’ So it gets under your skin, too, because I’m like, ‘I know. I hit out of bounds.'”

Michelle Obama then gave Curry some sound advice for next time he golfs with the POTUS: “You should trash-talk back, Stephen.”

“Give him some things to say,” DeGeneres quipped.

“Talk about his ears,” Michelle Obama said. “Here’s one: As you’re putting, say, ‘The shadow from your ears is messing up my putt.’ Try that one.”

Now imagine the flip side, going into Rounds 3 and 4 with a combination of Curry and Thomas or Paul and Lowry, for example. If you can pull something like this off, you’ll be set in the assist, steal and 3-point categories and benefit firsthand from all the frontcourt value that falls your way between picks 25 and 50.

Vin Scully says the last ballgame he will broadcast is the Los Angeles Dodgers’ regular-season finale — regardless of whether they reach the playoffs.

“I’m going to say goodbye at Dodger Stadium the last game with Colorado. I will say goodbye in San Francisco. And then that will be it,” he told The Times.

Cole’s fastball registered in the 93-96-mph range Monday, but velocity couldn’t compensate for a lack of command. Of the 11 straight heaters that he threw to Cesar Hernandez and rookie Roman Quinn to begin the game, eight missed the strike zone. Cole recovered from the back-to-back walks to freeze Maikel Franco on a 96-mph fastball and get Ryan Howard swinging on a slider, and it appeared he had found his equilibrium.

But everything unraveled in the second. Freddy Galvis drove a fastball into the seats to give Philadelphia a 1-0 lead, and Cole proceeded to give up a single to Odubel Herrera, a double to Cody Asche, consecutive walks to Jeremy Hellickson and Hernandez and a run-scoring double to Quinn. Once the inning mercifully ended with the Pirates down 5-1, he called it a night.

The Rangers have won largely because they’ve stymied the Astros’ big bats. Carlos Correa is hitting .167 in 66 at-bats and George Springer is hitting .149 in 74 at-bats. Springer has been the final out in four of the losses, three in which he represented the tying or winning run. The two were a combined 0-for-7 on Tuesday. In fact, Astros other than Jose Altuve were 1-for-25 on Tuesday.

Altuve is hitting .275 against the Rangers this season. His teammates are hitting .212.

“We had guys on base all night,” manager Joe Maddon lamented of the loss. “We had many opportunities to score, and we did not do it.”

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson and Backman both have characterized Backman’s departure from the Las Vegas 51s as a resignation, although multiple published reports have labeled it as Backman being fired. Those reports portrayed Backman as being insubordinate, asserting he disregarded instructions to bat Brandon Nimmo leadoff and to use Michael Conforto against left-handed pitching.

ESPN’s Dan Szymborski has an interesting look at baseball’s MVP races and argues why Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout should still be the top candidate in the American League. Of course, we know the case against Trout: The Angels aren’t going to make the playoffs, so his performance has apparently played out in a vacuum of meaninglessness. Szymborski presents a chart that lists how much a team’s World Series odds would decrease minus the individual performances of key players. The top two players here are Indians right-hander Corey Kluber and Cubs slugger Kris Bryant. This is the conventional “who means the most to his team” MVP argument. Trout is nowhere to be found, since the Angels aren’t contenders.

Trout is universally regarded as the best all-around player in baseball. He holds a significant lead over Mookie Betts in Baseball-Reference WAR, 9.3 to 7.8 (and 8.4 to 6.9 on FanGraphs). If you asked 30 general managers which player they would want on their team, knowing they would get that player’s 2016 performance, all 30 would likely take Trout. Yet he’s not going to be named American League MVP — and not just because the Angels are 62-77. Voters still love their conventional AVG, HRs, RBIs stat lines. In that department, Trout doesn’t stand out from Betts or Jose Altuve:

Trout: .323, 27, 88

Betts: .316, 30, 100

Altuve: .344, 22, 92

The Mets did go the pure showman route back in 2000, when they invited entertainer Garth Brooks to Mets camp. He went 0-for-17 in what was deemed mostly a charitable endeavor. The Tebow signing is more of a hybrid — some baseball legitimacy with a lot of upside benefit based on the novelty.

For whatever it’s worth, Alderson insisted the signing was made on baseball merits.

“While I and the organization, I think, are mindful of the novel nature of this situation, this decision was strictly driven by baseball,” Alderson said. “This was not something that was driven by marketing considerations or anything of the sort. We are extremely intrigued with the potential that Tim has. He has demonstrated over his athletic career that he is a tremendous athlete, has got character, a competitive spirit. Aside from the age (29), this is a classic player-development opportunity for us. As an organization, we’re going to provide that development opportunity for Tim.”

The Boomers may have walked away from the Rio 2016 Olympic Games without a medal, but the overall success of the campaign cannot be understated.

They entered the Olympic tournament as the No. 11-ranked team in the FIBA standings, but victories against Lithuania (No. 3), France (No. 5) and Serbia (No. 6) should see them move comfortably into the top 10.

That success comes on the heels of Ben Simmons and Thon Maker being drafted with the No. 1 and No. 10 picks respectively in the 2016 NBA draft, and hence light has never shone brighter on Australian basketball.

Australia currently has eight contracted players for the 2016-17 NBA season, behind only Canada, France and Brazil on the international players list. Include New Zealander Steven Adams — and it’s not like Australia doesn’t have form in that regard — and the number rises to No. 9.

(Aron Baynes was also born in New Zealand, but he’s well and truly Australian having played for the Boomers.)

So, of the contracted NBA players from Australia and New Zealand, who is the cream of the crop?

1. Andrew Bogut (Dallas Mavericks)

Career figures: 10.3 points per game, 8.9 rebounds per game, 2.3 assists per game, 1.6 blocks per game.

2. Patty Mills (San Antonio Spurs)

Career figures: 7.5 ppg, 1.5 rpg, 1.9 apg, 0.6 steals per game.

3. Steven Adams (Oklahoma City Thunder)

Adams had his coming out party during the 2015-16 NBA playoffs, asserting himself as the Thunder’s go-to man behind megastars Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.

With Durant fleeing town, the No. 2 position is open and Adams is primed to become the Robin to Westbrook’s Batman off the back of averaging almost a double-double during 18 playoff games.

Career figures: 6.2 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 0.7 apg, 1.0 bpg.

4. Matthew Dellavedova (Milwaukee Bucks)

Dellavedova is taking his championship experience from Cleveland to the youngest side in the league, where he’ll likely play second fiddle to Michael Carter-Williams but should see much increased average minutes.

Off the back of a stellar Olympics campaign, in which he finished with the highest number of assists, Delly will be looking to translate that form into the coming NBA season.

For those who don’t know, Anthony’s dad, Carmelo Iriarte, who died when Melo was only 2, was a member of the Young Lords, the Puerto Rican group of the 1960s and ’70s that pushed for social justice.

And it’s not as if Anthony doesn’t talk about this part of his life. Ask him about his family and he might even show you tattoo of the Puerto Rican flag.

Yet, I still hold out hope. Imagine hearing this during a USA Basketball game:

“An 18-footer by Anthony as the U.S. takes a commanding lead. The New York Knicks star has been a strong voice this summer, speaking out against police violence. Many fans might not know that Anthony is an Afro-Latino whose father was Puerto Rican. Even as black athletes are speaking out, an Afro-Latino is leading the way.”

After the season, the team was sold and moved to San Francisco, eventually becoming the Golden State Warriors. While Chamberlain left his native Philadelphia — only to eventually return — Harvey Pollack never did.

Boutet is 52 now. The Braves have been gone from town nearly 40 years and moved yet again, to Los Angeles. But in his mind’s eye, Boutet can still see himself and his dad climbing the steps in old Memorial Auditorium and settling into the blue or orange nosebleed seats to watch Bob McAdoo, Randy Smith and Ernie DiGregorio.

Dr. Jack Ramsay, like McAdoo a future Hall of Famer, coached the Braves for four seasons before moving on to Portland in 1976-77 and winning a title in his first season there.

“When you think about what could have been here with the Braves, it’s really something,” said Boutet, an elementary school teacher and avid Braves memorabilia collector who sits on the board of directors of the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame. For the last few years, Boutet has been part of an effort to establish a brick-and-mortar sports museum to preserve the city’s sports history.

RIO DE JANEIRO — Ten first-time Olympians. Six players who had never played a game for the senior national team before they got here. The shock to the system of three single-digit games in one single Olympics wasn’t all that surprising to USA Basketball officials once you did the roster math.

“I just wanted to clear the air for all these people,” Wall said in a video published to the Twitter feed of the LeBron James media platform “The Uninterrupted.”

“Listen, that doesn’t matter to me,” Wall said. “If I produce like I’m supposed to on the basketball court and take care of myself and image, I’m going to be fine with making money. That’s not why I play the game of basketball.”

Wall’s soliloquy comes days after he and fellow Wizards guard Bradley Beal discussed their apparently conflicted relationship in interviews with Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic.

Beal signed a five-year, $128 million max contract this offseason with Wall in the middle of an $80 million deal that runs through the 2018 season.

“Me, talking about Bradley Beal [making] more money, I’m not mad. I’m happy. He’s my teammate,” Wall said Friday. “He came out at the right time when the contract money came up. I can’t control that.”

“Melo’s for sure the leader,” Team USA sixth man Paul George offered. “He’s the voice of this team.”

“We don’t have enough time,” Colangelo said of the outgoing coach, “to talk about how much he has meant to our program.”

Hard as it was to keep track of all the understandable praise flying around, Sunday’s gold-medal dismantling of Serbia was ultimately Durant’s day. He managed to trump the retiring Coach K (who leaves his post with a record of 88-1) and the record-setting Anthony (who became the first men’s basketball player in Olympic history to win three golds) with a performance on par with the 30 points he uncorked in the 2012 gold-medal game in London.

FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys opened training camp in Oxnard, California, with issues and they returned to their new practice facility, The Star, with issues. Some are old. Some are new. Some have been answered. Some haven’t.

Rolando McClain and Randy Gregory

They remain on the reserve/did not report list. As of late last week the Cowboys have had zero contact with McClain. Gregory, according to sources, is at a treatment facility. The approach from the coaching staff and locker room has been out of sight, out of mind. Two years ago the Cowboys needed McClain in a bad way, so they bent over backward in dealing with his idiosyncrasies. With accountability being one of the themes of this year’s camp, there doesn’t seem to be any longing for McClain’s return. So why is he on the roster? Jerry Jones is the last holdout. If something were to happen later in the season, the Cowboys could always see if McClain is in shape to play football after his 10-game suspension ends. There appears to be more in-house sympathy for Gregory, but some of that may be due to the team’s questions about the pass rush.

Good problem at running back

The Cowboys have too many of them. Constructing a 53-man roster with five tailbacks does not make much sense, but it is doable. Ezekiel Elliott will be the starter. Alfred Morris has shown to be a great fit for the scheme. Lance Dunbar, who was activated off the physically unable to perform list Sunday, can be a third-down back. Rookie Darius Jackson has shown the ability to play in this league. Darren McFadden has yet to practice because of a broken elbow suffered in June. He is on the non-football injury list, and the hope is he will be ready for Week 1. But if he’s not, the Cowboys could delay a decision by keeping him on NFI, which would mean he’d miss the first six games. That’s one way to solve a puzzle with too many pieces.

On Friday night, Griffin had two runs in a preseason game against the Atlanta Falcons. On one, he rolled right, faked a throw and took off for 14 yards. Before anyone could touch him, he slid. On the second, he ran the read-option around left end and gained 22 yards, then slid again.

Whether he said anything on the field isn’t known or material.

Because when Cleveland coach Hue Jackson saw those slides, he smiled. Griffin was doing exactly what the coach wanted him to do. On each run, Griffin’s speed and quickness could have gotten more yards. But they also would have led to hits, exposing himself to potential injury.

“Sometimes,” Jackson said, “more is not better.”

Of the many criticisms that dogged Griffin in Washington and followed him to Cleveland, one was his refusal to slide. Time and again, coaches would tell him the wise thing was to slide and avoid a hit. Time and again, he would take a hit. Griffin has had two major injuries to his knee, a concussion and a fractured ankle, all on plays when he improvised, none on designed runs.

Griffin emphasized that he never wanted to give up on a play, so he was reluctant to throw the ball away or to slide. When he tried to slide, it looked as if he had never been taught how to do so.