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Juli
2018

James pulled a prank on unsuspecting

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The CJ2K era is over in Tennessee, just the latest step by the Titans in their franchise makeover. The Titans told Chris Johnson they are releasing him Friday after six seasons to avoid paying $8 million the running back is due in 2014, along with the final three seasons left on the $53.5 million contract he signed in September 2011. His release comes before the Titans start their off-season program Monday with new coach Ken Whisenhunt. General manager Ruston Webster said the Titans thank Johnson for his contributions, setting so many franchise records and being durable over his six seasons with Tennessee. "We have had an open dialogue with Chris agent, Joel Segal, over the last few weeks, and we appreciate the patience and professionalism they have shown throughout this process," Webster said in statement. "We made an effort to trade Chris but were unable to do so." The Titans have been busy working to replace Johnson, who turns 29 in September. They agreed with Dexter McCluster on a three-year deal at the start of free agency after signing Shonn Greene in March 2013. The Titans also re-signed Jackie Battle recently, along with reaching a one-year deal for kick returner and running back Leon Washington on March 11. Adding another running back in the May draft also is expected. It didnt help that Johnson repeatedly said he wouldnt take a pay cut. The Titans didnt face a deadline that would have guaranteed the $8 million Johnson was due in 2014 until the first week of the regular season, but Johnson planned to report for the start of the off-season program Monday. He flew into Nashville late Thursday night to meet with the Titans on Friday. "Id like to thank all of my teammates, the fans, the staff and the coaches who have supported me throughout my journey with the Titans," Johnson said in a statement." I have grown so much as an individual and as teammate over the past few years, and I am excited about the opportunity to bring my experience and talents to a new organization. Im looking forward to the next chapter and cant wait to contribute to my new team." Johnson got that big contract in 2011 after holding out through the preseason, calling himself a playmaker who deserved to be paid. He does have the most touchdown runs of 80 yards or longer in NFL history with six � twice the total of anyone else in a group including Adrian Peterson, Barry Sanders and O.J. Simpson. He also has 12 career TD runs of at least 45 yards, trailing only Sanders (18) and Jim Brown (13) in that category. He is just the sixth player to rush for 1,000 yards in each of his first six seasons, along with Sanders, Curtis Martin, LaDainian Tomlinson, Eric Dickerson and Corey Dillon. But Johnson has fallen far short of the 2,006-yard season he posted in 2009, the sixth man to rush for at least 2,000 yards. He earned the nickname CJ2K for such exploits, but last season he went until the final game to top 1,000 and finished with 1,077 yards � the second lowest total of his career. He also had a career-low 3.9-yard average. He was at his best catching 42 passes for 345 yards with four TDs, including a long of 66 yards. Greene, speaking on SiriusXM radio Friday, called Johnson a great teammate he had hoped would be back. Greene credited Johnson with teaching him a lot. "I still think he has a lot more, and hes going to prove that," Greene said. The Titans have been remaking the franchise this off-season since owner Bud Adams died in October. His son-in-law, Tommy Smith, took over as president, and the Titans fired coach Mike Munchak in January. Whisenhunt was hired to get this franchise back into the playoffs after a five-year drought, and he kept Sylvester Croom as the Titans running backs coach. Durability remains Johnsons best attribute. The 24th pick overall in 2008 out of East Carolina, Johnson has never missed a game because of injury. He had surgery after the season to repair a torn meniscus that he played with most of the year. Brett Gardner Jersey .com) - World No. 1 Rafael Nadal, Wimbledon champion Andy Murray and four-time Australian Open titlist Roger Federer were among Mondays fourth-round winners at Melbourne Park. Sonny Gray Jersey .com) - The Dallas Mavericks had a five-game winning streak snapped last time out, but theyll try to get back into the winners circle Sunday evening when the Milwaukee Bucks pay a visit to American Airlines Center. http://www.authenticbaseballshopyankees....ens-jersey/.com) - The Winnipeg Jets got over one hurdle by snapping their longest losing streak of the season. Johnny Damon Jersey .com) - The Milwaukee Bucks will try to get another win on this homestand Thursday night when they welcome the Utah Jazz to the Bradley Center. Andrew Miller Jersey . The group of Slava Fetisov, Igor Larionov, Vladimir Konstantinov, Sergei Fedorov, & Slava Kozlov were a dominant force for The Wings at one point in the 90s.CLEVELAND - The crowds deafening roar was so loud LeBron James couldnt hear his name announced.Unsure of whether to walk out onto the floor, he looked around and realized he was the last one left on the bench.Seconds later, James knew he was home.Cleveland fans welcomed the NBA superstar back with open arms and ear-splitting screams on Wednesday night as nearly 17,000 fans showed up to watch the Cavaliers hold their annual scrimmage, a glorified practice that provided a preview of what could become a spectacular season.Wearing the familiar No. 23 wine and gold jersey, the one he swapped for a No. 6 in Miami four years ago, James returned to the court where he took his first steps as a pro.As he waited on the bench to be introduced, James couldnt hear the announcer say, From Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, No. 23 ... So James began walking out.I really couldnt hear it, he said. The fans were really loud and the PA was a little down, so I really couldnt hear it. I was the last person sitting on the bench, so I guess it had to be my time. But the roar was very well received and Im grateful to be able to be in this position where the fans welcomed me back like that.This ovation was in stark contrast to the one he got following the last game James in played for Cleveland in 2010. Following a 27-point loss to Boston in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference semifinals, a game in which he was oddly passive, James was targeted with boos and later questioned about his effort.Two months later, he announced he was signing with the Heat.But all has been forgiven, if not forgotten.For Cleveland fans, the sight of James once again on the Cavs home floor, soaring to the basket for a dunk or catching an outlet pass from new teammate Kevin Love, was something to behold.I cant believe this, said 19-year-old Alex Krocker from Bolivar, Ohio. Ive waited my whole life for a Cavs team like this, for a Cleveland team like this. Its crazy.Moments after the opening tip, James, who in a heartfelt letter declared he was re-signing with the Cavs on July 11, reminded Cleveland ffans what theyve been missing.dddddddddddd He was short with his first shot, a fade-away baseline jumper. But he grabbed his own rebound and calmly sank a 3-pointer.He followed that with a two-handed dunk and later drove the lane for one his signature slams, the kind of play that has elevated him to the worlds best player.The Cavs gave away 20,000 free tickets for the event and the team announced 16,723 showed up to watch the Wine squad beat the Gold 66-52. James scored 13 points, Kyrie Irving added 10 and Love had nine, but the numbers didnt matter.This was another first in a season of homecoming events for James.Before the Cavs took the court for pregame warmups, James gathered his teammates in a hallway outside the locker room and led them in prayer. He told them to play hard and play smart. Lets get better today.As they were about to exit the tunnel, James pulled a prank on unsuspecting rookies Joe Harris and Alex Kirk. James told the two youngsters to lead the team out, and when they started toward the court, the superstar held the rest of the Cavs back, leading to an embarrassing moment for Harris and Kirk.It was a good laugh, Harris said.While the Cavs were on the floor, first-year Cavs coach David Blatt was encouraged by the teams ball movement but knows the defence has a long way to go before its at a championship level.Overall the impression was positive, said Blatt, who started James, Irving and Love along with Tristan Thompson and Dion Waiters but hasnt committed to his first five. For me, you have starters and second starters, thats what makes teams good.Blatt has James, and thats all that matters.A successful international coach, Blatt will face his former team, Maccabi Tel Aviv on Sunday in the Cavs first official exhibition game. Its sure to be an emotional night for Blatt, who has witnessed Cleveland warmly wrap its arms around James again.Its a very special group of people who live here that appreciate things about people and about life that are admirable, he said. Im not surprised at all at how he has been received. Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale NFL Camo Jerseys NFL Jerseys From China China NFL Gear Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Stitched NFL Jerseys ' ' '