On the AAU front, James hopes that his …

On the AAU front, James hopes that his advice from his years of experience as a player and parent provides parents and young athletes with a better grasp of the multiple developmental options out there and the many consequences of trusting the wrong people. “The best programs are the EYBL. There’s no question about it,” James told Yahoo Sports. “They play one or two games a day. It’s the off-brand tournaments [that are the problem]. It’s those tournaments in those small cities. There’s no Whole Foods in those small cities. Those kids are eating McDonald’s, bro. They’re eating bad, and they’re playing five, six games a day. Come on, man. That’s what it is.”

Ezekiel Elliott has no answers after going stagnant in Cowboys loss to the Vikings

What I’m Hearing: Jori Epstein spoke to Ezekiel Elliott following the Cowboys loss to the Vikings on Sunday night and the running back had no explanation for his poor performance.

What I’m Hearing: Jori Epstein spoke to Ezekiel Elliott following the Cowboys loss to the Vikings on Sunday night and the running back had no explanation for his poor performance.

Lonzo Ball ruled out again for Monday’s contest against Rockets

The New Orleans Pelicans will be without starting point guard Lonzo Ball for the second straight game on Monday against Houston.

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For the second-straight contest, Lonzo Ball will be out for the New Orleans Pelicans on Monday as they host the Houston Rockets. Ball continues to be out with an adductor strain, more commonly listed known and listed on the injury report as a groin injury.

Ball suffered the injury last week against the team’s loss to the Brooklyn Nets. After initially playing through the injury in Friday’s loss to the Raptors, Ball sat out Saturday’s game at Charlotte. Ball was held out of practice the week leading up Friday’s game.

Without him, the Pelicans picked up its second win of the season against the Hornets. Ball has been playing well this season, averaging a career-high 11.5 points with 6.1 assists and 4.5 rebounds while shooting a career-best 36.7 percent from three-point range through his first eight games of the season.

After Monday’s contest, the Pelicans will be off until Thursday when they host the Los Angeles Clippers.

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Giants’ Saquon Barkley couldn’t hide frustration following latest loss

A clearly frustrated Saquon Barkley could not hide his emotions following the latest New York Giants loss.

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley was visible and uncharacteristically frustrated following a 34-27 loss to the New York Jets on Sunday, refusing to answer certain questions and deliberately avoiding others while appearing completely dejected.

“We just have to get better. The Jets played a heck of a game. We get to go on a bye week, get to reflect on myself and move on,” Barkley curiously stated when asked how he was feeling physically.

In addition to a high ankle sprain that continues to hamper him, Barkley was sent for X-rays on his shoulder following the Week 10 defeat, but he had literally no interest in discussing it when pressed.

“Next question,” Barkley said bluntly.

Barkley finished the game with a career-low one yard rushing on 13 carries, which included -13 yards before first contact and 11 of his 13 carries leading to a hit in the backfield. He was routinely running up the back of his offensive linemen and was unable to get himself into space at any point.

“Frustration, disappointment, anger, everything you said. No one wants to be 2-8, no one wants to have a losing record. Everyone’s upset, everyone’s frustrated,” Barkley said of his emotions.

Outside of his poor offensive production, Barkley was an obvious liability in pass protection, finding himself spelled by Wayne Gallman on obvious pass plays later in the game.

One of Barkley’s missteps included being run over by Jets safety Jamal Adams, who proceeded to walk right up to Daniel Jones, yank the ball out of his arms and return it for a touchdown.

“Jamal Adams beat me, it’s as simple as that. He’s a heck of a player, all pro. I didn’t really want to switch jerseys with him at the end of the game, I jokingly told him that,” Barkley said. “[He’s] one of my good friends, one of my boys. He’s a hell of a player, much respect to him. I have to be better there.”

It’s clear that Barkley is currently a shell of himself and is being hampered by injuries and an offensive scheme that simply doesn’t match his style of play. At this point, it might behoove the Giants and Barkley to shut things down for the season and start again fresh in 2020.

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NFC South Week 10 review: Falcons flip the script, stun Saints

Here’s our review of what happened around the division this week.

The Saints have been the team to beat in the NFC South for the last two and a half seasons. On Sunday though they suffered a huge collapse at home against the Falcons. So, maybe they aren’t quite as indestructible as everyone had thought.

Here’s our review of what happened around the division this week.

Saints (7-2) lost to Falcons (2-7), 26-9

Nobody saw this one coming. New Orleans had a six-game win streak going coming into Week 10 and Atlanta appeared to be dead in the water. The Falcons defense flipped the script, holding the Saints to just nine points in a stunning upset. They were dominated in the trenches – a normally flawless offensive line allowed Drew Brees to get sacked six times and Latavius Murray and Alvin Kamara combined for just 36 yards on the ground. The division leaders also saw Marshon Lattimore suffer a hamstring injury. The Saints will try to rebound at Tampa Bay next week.

Panthers (5-4) lost to Packers (8-2), 24-16

The Saints’ surprise loss gave Carolina a golden opportunity to close ground in the NFC South race. The Panthers squandered it, though. Two turnovers by Kyle Allen certainly didn’t help, but it was more excruciating run defense that truly lost this matchup. With defensive tackle Kawann Short on IR and unavailable, Ron Rivera needs to consider taking drastic measures to turn things around, including abandoning his new 3-4 scheme.

Buccaneers (3-6) beat Cardinals (3-6-1), 30, 27

Kyler Murray and Jameis Winston put on a show Sunday, combining for 682 total passing yards. Winston’s threw two more interceptions, though and wasn’t nearly as efficient as the No. 1 overall pick. Nevertheless, the Bucs came out on top, boosted by a second consecutive big game from Ronald Jones II. He totaled 106 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown. Beating Arizona and their awful defense at home is nothing special, though. Call us when they get a secondary.

Falcons (2-7) find a spark vs. Saints (7-2), 26-9

Dan Quinn finally made a real change this week: he switched up his coaching staff and abandoned defensive play-calling duties in favor of linebackers coach Jeff Ulbrich. The impact was immediate. Atlanta’s defense played better than it has in a long time, especially their front seven. Grady Jarrett remains the centerpiece, but Vic Beasley finally stepped up and produced. Together, they totaled four sacks and seven quarterback hits. The Falcons’ victory came at a cost, though. Devonta Freeman and Austin Hooper both suffered injuries and could be out a while. They’ll visit the Panthers next.

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Updates: Michigan Jim Harbaugh press conference (Week Twelve – MSU)

The Wolverines head coach is set to meet with the media to discuss the in-state rivalry.

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ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Hate week is finally here, with the Michigan State Spartans coming to Ann Arbor this week.

As he does every Monday, Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is set to meet with the media, this time to preview the maize and blue’s penultimate home contest against rival MSU this upcoming Saturday.

WolverinesWire’s Isaiah Hole is on the ground, and will bring you LIVE updates starting at 12PM EST.

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Michigan State Legend Charles Rogers Passes Away

In two career games against Notre Dame, Rogers was the best player on the field

38 years is way too short of amount of time for someone to get on Earth. That was my first reaction when I heard the news about former Michigan State receiver and 2003 number-two overall draft pick to the Detroit Lions, Charles Rogers.

TMZ reports it was a liver disease and cancer that wound up running its course.

Off the field issues get linked to Rogers who battled through more than just injuries during and after his NFL career.

Charles Rogers gets remembered by NFL fans for being a bust but college fans remember a legend.

Obviously Michigan State fans feel that way having watched him weekly but Notre Dame fans can’t name many players that tormented the Irish quite like No. 1 in green and white did.

Michigan State teammate and former NFL tight end Chris Baker remembered his friend on Twitter this morning:

In two career games against Notre Dame, Rogers was the best player on the field compiling 11 receptions, 291 yards and three touchdowns in those games.

Even Josh Gordon was surprised to learn Patriots would waive him

“Your time can be short lived anywhere.”

Josh Gordon was just as surprised as NFL fans to learn he’d no longer be a New England Patriot. The Seattle Seahawks receiver addressed his surprising exit from New England.

“But we all know it’s a business,” he said Saturday, via The Seattle Times’ Bob Condotta. “Your time can be short lived anywhere. You never know what could happen day to day in the NFL. But that was the decision they made, and I’m glad to be here now, though.”

Gordon joined the Patriots in a trade with the Cleveland Browns during the beginning of the 2018 season. But New England ultimately decided to place him on injured reserve and then on waivers during the 2019 season. The Seahawks claimed him, and Gordon is expected to be active for Monday Night Football.

Gordon played in 17 games for the Patriots in his two seasons, but spent time serving a suspension for violating the NFL’s drug policy. That indefinite suspension has caused him to miss significant time over the past five seasons. This season, he had 20 receptions for 287 yards and a touchdown.

Gordon joins a group of Seahawks wideouts, with Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf. Gordon also moves from one MVP candidate, Tom Brady, to the next, Russell Wilson. New England, meanwhile, has receivers Julian Edelman, Mohamed Sanu, N’Keal Harry, Phillip Dorsett, Jakobi Meyers and Gunner Olszewski.

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Charles Rogers, No. 2 pick in 2003 NFL draft, dies at 38

Former Michigan State and Lions receiver Charles Rogers has died at age 38: https://t.co/tj9y5W5rSs pic.twitter.com/JbXJKfZId7 – Sports Illustrated (@SInow) November 11, 2019 One of the most highly drafted wide receivers in NFL history, Charles …

One of the most highly drafted wide receivers in NFL history, Charles Rogers has died at the age of 38.

A star at Michigan State, Rogers was selected No. 2 overall in the 2003 NFL draft by the in-state Detroit Lions. He was a first-team all-conference pick in back-to-back seasons, winning the Fred Biletnikoff Award as college football’s best wide receiver in 2002. He was also a unanimous All-American selection that season.

Unfortunately, Rogers’ college success never translated to the pro game. He only appeared in 15 games over three seasons with the Lions, catching 36 passes for 440 yards and four touchdowns for his career.

The Detroit Lions released the following statement:

Rogers dealt with multiple legal issues during his time in the NFL, and was suspended in 2005 for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

Though he played just two seasons for the Spartans, his 27 touchdown receptions are still the highest mark in school history, while he ranks No. 3 in career receiving yards.

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