Dein erstes Forum » 8.5 percent (5 of 2

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Willis McGahees decision to skip off-season workouts isnt what cost the veteran running back his job with the Denver Broncos. His absence, however, did allow the organization to see ample promise in rookie Montee Ball and abundant progress from second-year speedster Ronnie Hillman. That gave them the faith to put the football and their fortunes in the hands of the two young running backs Thursday by releasing McGahee, the 31-year-old bruiser who led them in rushing last season despite missing the final two months with a right knee injury. The move wasnt unexpected, but the timing of it was a bit of a surprise. The Broncos could have kept McGahee through training camp as an insurance policy against injury even if he wasnt going to vie for the starting job. Instead, they sent him on his way just before wrapping up their three-day mandatory minicamp where McGahee had gotten just a handful of handoffs. "In fairness to him, I think (for) the things hes done for us, this gives him a better opportunity to hook on somewhere," coach John Fox said. "It gives us a better opportunity to give some of these young guys more reps. Its just a conscious decision for us to get younger." McGahee was mostly a spectator this week and seemed resigned to his impending release when on Tuesday he said, "If it happens, it happens." Hours after releasing McGahee, the Broncos signed Ball, their second-round draft pick, along with cornerback Kayvon Webster, their third-round selection. "Im not here for money, honestly," Ball said shortly before heading inside team headquarters to sign his contract. "And thats what I told my agent. I told him not to bother them that much. Im just blessed to be here because its always been my favourite team." McGahee had two years and $4.5 million remaining on the four-year, $9.5 million deal he signed in 2011. By releasing him, the Broncos will take a $1 million cap hit this season. The Broncos are still deep at the position with former first-round pick Knowshon Moreno and versatile fullback Jacob Hester, among other veterans, also in the mix. McGahee was the first signing Fox and his boss, John Elway, made when they joined forces in 2011, and Fox said parting ways with the affable pro was difficult both for him and running backs coach Eric Studesville, who had worked with McGahee back in Buffalo. "Id like to thank Willis for everything he did. He did a great job for us, leading rusher. He was one of our first signees when we came here to get this thing turned around and its an unfortunate part about this business, but he did a great job for us," Fox said. Elway said, "Its never easy to part ways with a veteran player who made so many positive contributions to our team and community. I appreciate all of the competitiveness, toughness and leadership Willis brought to the Broncos. He was an integral part of our teams turnaround during the past two seasons, and I wish him the best as he continues his NFL career." Even with Ball, who scored an NCAA record 83 touchdowns at Wisconsin, joining a bulked-up Hillman in the Broncos backfield, McGahee shunned the teams three weeks of voluntary workouts this spring, something Fox insisted had nothing to do with Thursdays decision to release him. Upon his return for the Broncos mandatory minicamp Tuesday, McGahee said he skipped the OTAs for family reasons, insisted he would still be the starter come September and suggested that missing those 10 workouts didnt put him at a decided disadvantage by giving the youngsters a head start. "I probably would have been behind the 8-ball either way," he said. "Younger group. Just being real, right?" Now hell be looking to carry the ball for someone else. The 11-year veteran who was set to make $2.5 million in 2013 should draw interest across the league. Although hes pushing 32, hes doesnt have the wear and tear that would be expected of a running back who has been in the league a decade because he spent much of his career sharing snaps. He played in Buffalo from 2003-06 and Baltimore from 2007-10 before joining the Broncos for an eventful two seasons in which he was an integral part of the Tim Tebow experiment and then the Peyton Manning comeback tour. McGahee, who became one of the NFLs most dependable runners despite tearing all the ligaments in his left knee during his last game for the University of Miami, tore the medial collateral ligament and suffered a compression fracture to his right knee in a game against San Diego last November and missed the rest of the year. Still, he led the team with 731 yards rushing. McGahee said this week he wasnt bothered by the Broncos selecting another running back high in the draft, suggesting, "Im a different breed. I can block, I can run, I can get the tough yards. Everybody cant do that." He also said he had been medically cleared to participate fully at practice, declaring, "Im healthy. Im clear. No problems. I can run," and he said he felt he still had plenty of football left in him, especially with the way the rules severely limit padded practices now. His teammates had figured McGahee would be back with them for some of those practices when training camp opens next month and were stunned to see his empty chair in the running backs meeting room. "I mean hes a guy that you look up to being in the league for a very long time and hes still capable of doing the things that he was doing six years ago," Hillman said. "So Im pretty sure hell get picked up again. But its a sad day for me because he was a real mentor to me." Wholesale NHL Jerseys 2020 . That left plenty of energy for pitching books and swatting away free agency questions. Anthony had 24 points and nine rebounds, and the Knicks avenged an embarrassing home loss with a rout of their own, beating the Boston Celtics 114-88 on Wednesday night for their third straight victory. Adidas NHL Jerseys 2020 . The 29-year-old from Port Colborne, Ont., has nothing but good things to say about former U.S. marine Liz (Girlrilla) Carmouche ahead of their co-main event Wednesday on the UFCs "Fight for the Troops" televised card in Fort Campbell, Ky. https://www.nhljerseys2020.com/ . 10 VCU 85-67 on Thursday night at the Puerto Rico Tip-Off. The Seminoles (4-0) have scored at least 80 points in each of their games. Buy NHL Jerseys 2020 . Woodson said during a radio interview Thursday that the Knicks Carmelo Anthony doesnt get the same calls as other superstars. Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic . Deulofeu injured a muscle in his right leg in Evertons 4-1 win over Fulham in the English Premier League on Saturday. Barcelona says that its team doctors will "co-ordinate" with Evertons medical staff as Deulofeu recovers. KINGSTON, R.I. -- Rhode Island coach Dan Hurley felt the key to defeating Belmont was to limit the Bruins proficiency from beyond the 3-point arc.The 23rd-ranked Rams held the Bruins to 18.5 percent shooting (5 of 27) from 3-point range and posted an 82-73 victory Friday night.The plan tonight was to keep them to five 3s or less and keep them under 25 percent, Hurley said. We felt like they wouldnt be able to score enough 2s to beat us if we just eliminated that 3-point line.We were willing to give up some things around the basket because theyre such a lethal, 3-point shooting team. We were willing to trade 2s with them and felt the only way we could lose was if they made 3.Hassan Martin paced the Rams (5-1) with a career-high 31 points while Jarvis Garrett added a season-high 23. Garrett also matched his career-high for 3-pointers with four.Martin shot a blistering 70 percent (14 of 20) from the field.Hassan was a monster, Hurley said.The Bruins (1-3), who played without leading scorer Evan Bradds (concussion), didnt have an answer for Martin.My main thing was to take advantage of their size, Martin said. I was looking forward to the matchup with Bradds. But once I got myself going I just didnt stop.Im surrounded by scorers which gives me space to operate. Im comfortable with my back to the basket.Nick Smith led Belmont with 17 points while Dylan Windler contributed a double-double with 16 points and 14 rebounds.Rhode Island led by as many as 20 points early in the second half before Windler led a rally that pulled the Bruins within 58-52.Martin blunted that rally by scoring eight points during an 11-5 run.If youre not in a Power 5 conference these are the type of nonconference games you have to play, Hurley said. You have to take risks. You have to play games against people that have the potential to make the (NCAA) Tournament.BIG PICTUREBelmont: The Bruins have won more than 20 games and earned a postseason tournament berth in 10 of the last 11 years. They began the season as one of only seven non-Power 5 programs to earn national Top 25 poll votes and post a Top 100 RPI in each of the last six seasons.Rhode Island: After splitting two games against ranked teams (including then-No.dddddddddddd1 Duke) in the Hall of Fame Tip-Off Tournament, the Thanksgiving Day break was a welcome respite for the Rams who had played five games in 10 days. No Ram needed the break more than E.C. Matthews, who underwent surgery early last season to repair a torn ACL and played on consecutive days for the first time in 20 months in the Tip-Off Tournament.POLL IMPLICATIONS: By defeating a quality, mid-major school, Rhode Island ensured it should remain in the Top 25 for a fifth consecutive week.STAT OF THE NIGHT: Belmont stepped on the Ryan Center court shooting 44.2 percent (80 of 181) from beyond the 3-point arc. But Rhode Islands man-to-man defense held the Bruins to 18.5 percent (5 of 27) from 3-point range.HIGHLIGHT REEL: Martin flashed his athletic ability early in the first half when he flipped the ball over his head, off the glass and in the basket.STAR WATCH: Smith had the thankless task of making his first start in place of Bradds, who was sidelined with a concussion. Smith scored 17 points, one shy of his career high, and shot 50 percent from the field (5 of 10).TURNING POINT: The Bruins had reduced what was a 20-point deficit to 58-52 with 12:04 remaining. Martin then took control of the game and scored eight points that keyed an 11-5 Rhode Island run for a 69-57 lead. Seven points was the closest Belmont would get after that run.LETDOWN: Matthews began play as Rhode Islands leading scorer (17.4, but he experienced a rare off night by scoring six points.UP NEXT:The Bruins, who host Lipscomb on Nov. 29, still have seven nonconference games on their schedule before they play their first Ohio Valley Conference game Dec. 31 against Austin Peay. How they fare in this portion of their schedule may serve as an indication of their chances of winning the conference title.The Rams, who are ranked for a fourth consecutive week for only the third time since the AP poll was instituted in 1949, face three severe tests when they play road games at Valparaiso and in-state rival Providence before returning home Dec. 6 against Old Dominion. ' ' '