TAMPA, Fla. NHL Jerseys . - Tampa Bays Mike Evans resists labels that describe him as a football player, especially those that shortchange what hes accomplished as part of an outstanding class of rookie receivers lighting up the NFL.The seventh overall pick in last springs draft has been much more than a bright spot in an otherwise dismal season for the Buccaneers (2-12), who have the NFCs worst record and could wind up with the No. 1 draft pick in 2015.Odell Beckham, Jr.s acrobatic, one-handed reception during a breakout performance for the New York Giants in prime time is being trumpeted as the greatest catch of the season. Sammy Watkins has helped the Buffalo Bills move to the brink of their first winning season in a decade. Kelvin Benjamin has compiled an impressive resume with the Carolina Panthers.But arguably no offensive rookie has meant more to his team than Evans, whos already tied Tampa Bays single-season record for touchdown receptions with 11. Thats tied for fourth in the NFL — most by a rookie — and an astounding 44 per cent of the Bucs offensive TDs.Thats kind of crazy, the 6-foot-5, 231-pound Evans said.I expected to do well. ... Im humble, but Im confident in my game, the 21-year-old receiver said. If I wasnt confident, I would have stayed in college. I came out. I thought I had the physicality to be successful. Ive made the transition the way I thought I would.If there was a knock on Evans entering the NFL after spending the last two seasons as Johnny Manziels favourite target at Texas A&M, it was he lacked the speed to be a consistent deep threat. That hasnt been the case despite playing much of the season with struggling quarterback Josh McCown, the NFCs lowest-rated passer.Evans has 13 receptions of 25-plus yards — five more than both Beckham and Watkins, and six more than Benjamin and Jacksonvilles Allen Hurns. He has four catches over 40 yards, matching Beckham, Hurns and Pittsburghs Martavis Bryant, including a 56-yarder for a TD during a seven-catch, 209-yard performance against Washington.Beckham torched the Redskins with 12 receptions for 143 yards and three TDs last week, taking the lead among rookies with 972 yards receiving. Evans is third with 948, four behind Benjamin.With Watkins standing at 850 with two games remaining in the regular season, four rookies are within striking distance of 1,000 for the year. If at least three get there, it would be a league first. The only year more than one rookie receiver finished with 1,000-plus yards was 1986: Bill Brooks had 1,131 for the Colts and Ernest Givins finished with 1,062 for the Oilers.Beckham and LSU college teammate Jarvis Landry, drafted in the second round by the Dolphins, lead all rookies with 71 receptions. Theyre followed by Benjamin (67), Evans (59), Watkins (59) and Philadelphias Jordan Matthews (56). With nine touchdowns, Beckham and Benjamin trail Evans, who has nine in his past seven games following a relatively quiet start.Green Bays Jordy Nelson, whos having a career season, said its difficult to not notice Evans emergence.I havent been able to watch him too much, but Ive seen some of his highlights on TV. Hes obviously a big guy that can make plays. Hes got a huge catch radius, and what he can do after the catch as well, the Packers receiver said, noting you have to be impressed with any rookie with a shot at topping 1,000 yards.I think every rookie receiver, especially drafted early, theyll have their splash games and youll see the talent and the ability thats there, Nelson said. But to grasp an offence and get that chemistry down with a quarterback and sustain it in a season ... its impressive. You can tell that hes put a lot into it and hes got a bright future.Watkins was the first of five receivers drafted in the first round, No. 4 overall, three spots before Evans. Beckham was taken 12th and has blossomed after missing the first four games because of injury. New Orleans Brandin Cook (No. 20) had 53 catches before being lost for the year with a thumb injury, and Benjamin (No. 28) has given Carolina a boost during an otherwise tough season for the Panthers offensively.Its been huge with all the roster turnover in the off-season at that position to have Kelvin cone in as our top pick and hit the ground running from the first game and keep that consistency, Carolina tight end Greg Olsen said.He brings a ton to the table physically, but his mental approach for a young kid has been tremendous. He studies, he wants to do well, he wants to do everything right. Theres a reason hes had success on the field. He works that way, he continues to want to improve. ... The sky is the limit. Hes just going to continue to get better.McCown said Evans undoubtedly has benefitted from playing opposite receiver Vincent Jackson, whos closing in on his third straight 1,000-yard season with the Bucs, sixth overall.Jackson leads the Bucs with 66 receptions, but has only two TDs — none in the past 10 games.Hes a big part of my success. Hes one of the best receivers in the league. I looked up to him and watched him a lot when I was in high school and college. Its surreal to be playing with him, Evans said. Whatever he has to say, I listen.As good as Evans has been catching the football, the most memorable play of his rookie year may wind up being — of all things — a block. Much like video of Beckhams much-talked-about circus catch, Evans blocking and eventually knocking Cincinnatis Terrence Newman to the ground against the Bengals is must-see viewing.It was kind of weird. ... I guess he was upset. I had pushed him right before that and I guess he wanted to (retaliate) and he launched at me, Evans said. It was awkward. He kind of ended up in the air, and I just slammed him. ... It didnt seem like much at the time. Much better on tape.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL NHL Jerseys 2020 . -- Catriona Matthew remained atop the Airbus LPGA Classic leaderboard Friday, birdieing four of the last seven holes to take a one-stroke advantage over Charley Hull into the weekend. Cheap NHL Jerseys .A. remained bitter for Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers on the long flight back home to New York.LANDOVER, Md. - A week after their Hands Up, Dont Shoot! show of solidarity, several St. Louis Rams players made another societal statement Sunday with the message: I Cant Breathe.The slogan refers to Eric Garner, who died after a New York police officer placed him in a chokehold during an arrest for selling loose cigarettes. A grand jury decided last week that it would not indict the officer. A video of the arrest showed Garner gasping, I cant breathe.Guard Davin Joseph wrote the words on the cleats he wore during pregame warmups before the Rams beat the Washington Redskins 24-0. Tight end Jared Cook had it written on his wrist tape during the game, and he said receiver Kenny Britt and two or three other offensive players did the same.I feel like we should support what we feel is right, said Joseph, who intended to wear the cleats during the game but had to change because of the condition of the slick turf at the Redskins stadium. We should always have an opinion of sticking up for people who dont have a voice.Joseph Tweeted an image of his shoes before the game with the message: R.I.P. Eric Garner.Players at other NFL games expressed similar sentiments. Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush had I Cant Breathe written in black across his blue warrmup shirt. Authentic NHL Jerseys. Browns cornerback Johnson Bademosi wrote the message on the back of the shirt he wore before a game in Cleveland.On Saturday night, Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose wore the message on his T-shirt during warmups before an NBA game.The decision not to indict the officer came after another grand jury decided not to indict police officer Darren Wilson over the Aug. 9 shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri. Last week, before a Rams home game, five St. Louis players — including Cook and Britt — took the field making the Hands up. Dont Shoot! gesture associated with Brown. The St. Louis Police Officers Association expressed outrage and called for the NFL to discipline the players; the league declined.Although Garners death occurred far from St. Louis, Joseph felt the need to make his feelings known.In that case, its another incident where its a sad case and its sad to see, Joseph said. Every life in this world is worth something, and when you lose one, it hurts, no matter who it is. We have to stand for the value of life.Added Cook: Its something thats important to a lot of people.___AP NFL websites: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___Follow Joseph White on Twitter: http://twitter.com/JGWhiteAP ' ' '
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