Page 36 - Florida Sentinel 12-16-16 Online Edition

Sports
Ravens Waive Former Bears Legend Devin Hester
DEVIN HESTER
The Ravens are parting ways with a potential future Hall of Famer.
Baltimore waived kick re- turner Devin Hester on Tuesday, one day after the team's loss to the Patriots.
Hester joined the Ravens on a one-year, $4 million deal just one week before the sea- son opener and three months after being cut by the Falcons.
The former Bears legend never quite regained his spark in Charm City, having fumbled five times and averaging just 7.2 yards per punt return and 24.5 yards per kick return in 2016. Hester failed to record a single return touchdown in 12 games with the Ravens.
With three games to go, the Ravens will look to other op- tions in the return game to spur a late postseason charge. Potential replacements on punt and kick returns include Michael Campanaro, Mike Wallace and Lardarius Webb.
For Hester, his next desti- nation, if he doesn't land with another team, is likely Canton. His 19 career return touch- downs are a league best, a su- perlative worthy of the Hall's recognition.
Jeff Fisher Issues Statement Following Rams Firing
Cowboys Will Be Tested By Hot Jameis
Winston, Buccaneers Defense
Sunday At 8:30 p.m. On NBC
Jeff Fisher was fired on Monday after a nearly five- season run with the Los An- geles Rams.
On Tuesday, the longtime coach issued a statement about the team's decision to let him go.
"First and foremost, I want to thank (Rams owner) Stan Kroenke for the opportu- nity to be part of this organi- zation the last four and a half years," Fisher wrote. "I want to thank the entire football staff as it has been a privilege to work with each one of them day in and day out."
Said Fisher: "I especially want to thank all of the play- ers. They are a great group of
With last week’s loss to the New York Giants, the Dallas Cowboys are no longer the NFL’s hottest team.
The hottest teams now are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions, who have five-game winning streaks. Who are the Cowboys’ next two opponents? The Bucca- neers and Lions.
Tampa Bay visits AT&T Stadium Sunday at 8:30 p.m on NBC and pinned a wholly forgettable 10-6 loss on an of- fensively-challenged Cow- boys team last season. The Cowboys enter Sunday’s game in an offensive down- turn but nothing quite like they experienced last year.
Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston has made a monster turnaround when it comes to interceptions. Through the first four games, he’d thrown eight, second- most in the league during that span. In the past nine games, he’s thrown just four, tied for seventh-fewest in the league. Winston’s greatest attribute has been his ability to make plays outside the pocket, where he’s got a passer rating of 118.7, the best in the league. His motivational speeches before the games is worth noting that he is defi- nitely the leader of the team.
Defensive end Robert Ayers had four quarterback
Cowboys Add Darren McFadden To Roster, Waive Darius Jackson
DARREN MCFADDEN AND DARIUS JACKSON
The Dallas Cowboys made Darren McFadden's move to the 53-man roster official on Tuesday after waiving rookie running back Darius Jack- son.
McFadden has been prac- ticing the past three weeks after spending the first 14 weeks of the season on the non-football injury list because of a broken elbow he suffered in the offsea- son. McFadden finished fourth in the NFL in rushing last year with 1,089 yards de- spite not becoming the Cow- boys’ lead back until the sixth game.
While McFadden is now on the roster, getting him on the 46-man game-day roster will be the next trick.
JAMEIS WINSTON AND DAK PRESCOTT
hits on Drew Brees last week and came up with a huge sack for a 9-yard loss, forcing the Saints to settle for a field goal just before half- time. Ayers missed four games earlier this season with an ankle injury but has been a menace as of late -- he’s pro- duced three sacks and nine quarterback hits in the past three games and 4 1⁄2 over the past five, tied for fifth-most in the league during that span. Just like he did when he was with the Giants, he will line up on the inside in nickel passing situations.
LB Kwon Alexander is the Bucs second-year middle linebacker currently leads the NFL in solo tackles (86) and is their best weapon against the run. Alexander has the quickness and athleticism to fly across the field.
Safety Keith Tandy may or may not even play this week, but it’s hard to overlook a career backup and primary special-teams performer who has produced the game-win- ning interception two weeks in a row. What Tandy, a for- mer college cornerback, lacks physically, he makes up with his intelligence -- he has a keen understanding of where everyone is supposed to be on defense at all times.
JEFF FISHER
men that I respect, and that I will greatly miss. My hope is that each one of the players experience great success in the future."
It's fair to wonder if Fisher has coached his last NFL game. As for the Rams, their search for his replace- ment is already underway.
Richard Sherman: Seahawks 'Last Ones To Get The Middle Finger' From NFL
Seattle Seahawks shut down cornerback Richard Sherman blasted the NFL on Tuesday for continuing to schedule Thursday night games.
"Poopfest. It's terrible," Sherman said. "We got home like 1 o'clock in the morning, something like that on Monday and then you've got to play again. Congratula- tions, NFL, you did it again. But they've been doing it all season, so I guess we're the last ones to get the middle finger."
The Seahawks visited the Green Bay Packers on Sun- day. They host the Los Ange- les Rams at home on Thursday.
Sherman said his body will likely be only 50 to 60 percent recovered by the time the Seahawks have to play
RICHARD SHERMAN
again.
He has taken the league to
task on a number of things this season, but he said Thursday night games are among the top five issues he has with the NFL.
"Because it's just no re- gard," Sherman said. "It's hypocritical, as I've stated be- fore. They make this huge stance about player safety. Then you put the players in tremendous danger.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2016 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 15-A