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A32 sports
Diabierna 11 September 2020

QB position in spotlight for Dolphins-

Patriots season opener

NFL game.
Andrews spent the 2019 sea-
son on injured reserve after
being diagnosed with blood
clots in his lungs. It was a
shock to the system for a
player who had been one of
New England’s most durable
offensive linemen since join-
ing the team as an undrafted
free agent in 2015.
Now cleared to play, An-
drews said he is feeling grati-
tude and excitement to be
back.
“I just get chills thinking
about it,” he said.
(AP) — Bill Belichick and take for granted,” he said.
Brian Flores have built “I’ve kind of gone back and Relocated :
their NFL coaching repu- forth and been the guy and Three of the Dolphins’ eight
tations on the defensive not been the guy. I know captains are newcomers
side of the ball. But it’s how difficult it is to earn who came from the Patri-
what will happen offen- something like this. ... It’s the ots: center Ted Karras, line-
sively for both teams that reason I still play.” All things backer Elandon Roberts and
will be in the spotlight as considered, It’s not a bad linebacker Kyle Van Noy.
the Patriots and Dolphins consolation for Miami. The They’re looking forward to
open the 2020 season. 37-year-old Fitzpatrick is 55- facing their former team-
New England’s offense is 83-1 as a starter, but he was mates. “They’ve been talking
expected to look differ- the Dolphins’ most valuable trash the four years I’ve been
The Latest: Chiefs, Texans ent with Cam Newton at player last year. there,” Van Noy said, “so I’m
the helm following Tom
excited to see if we both can
healthy as they play NFL Brady’s exit in free agency. Flores said he isn’t concerned back it up.” Van Noy, Rob-
Miami is turning to veter-
about if or when he’ll have erts and Flores all won Su-
an coordinator and coach to make a decision between per Bowl rings with the Pa-
opener Chan Gailey to revitalize Fitzpatrick and Tagovailoa. “I triots, an achievement that
its attack with top draft think it could happen at any stands out on a Miami team
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Latest from the pick Tua Tagovailoa wait- position. It’s football. Guys that hasn’t won a playoff
opening game of the NFL season between the Kan- ing in the wings behind get injured. Things happen,” game since 2000. Van Noy
sas City Chiefs and Houston Texans. veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick. Flores said. “So the entire said Flores has the Dolphins
team or the guys who are on pointed in the right direc-
(all times local): Newton hasn’t tried to hide the active roster have to be tion. “I know what winning
6:10 p.m. The Chiefs and Texans arrived at their opener his giddiness since officially ready to go and Tua is part of looks like,” Van Noy said. “I
Thursday night without any significant health concerns, being selected as the starter that." respect Flo a lot. He’s doing
either because of injuries or the coronavirus. at the end of training camp. a really, really good job. We’re
The Texans had wide receiver Keke Coutee, fullback After nine seasons in Caro- Making history : not taking any shortcuts.”
Cullen Gillaspie, right tackle Charlie Heck and corner- lina, including two final years Newton will become the first
back Cornell Armstrong inactive along with linebackers disrupted by injuries, he Black player in Patriots histo- Support for fitz :
Jonathan Greenard and Dylan Cole. Wide receiver Bran- said joining the Patriots is “a ry to be the Week 1 starter at Fitzpatrick, who begins his
din Cooks was available after he was listed as questionable match made in heaven.” quarterback. Jacoby Brissett 16th NFL season Sunday,
with a quad injury. “Excitement level is on 1,000 became the first Black player has made a lot of connections
(percent)," Newton said. to start for New England in while playing for eight teams.
The Chiefs had defensive ends Taco Charlton and Demo- “I’ve been away from foot- 2016, when he started Week 2 That became apparent with
ne Harris inactive along with cornerback BoPete Keyes, ball really for a full year — 16 while Tom Brady was serving the outpouring of sympathy
tight end Ricky Seals-Jones and offensive lineman Yasir games. ... So I haven’t really his four-game “Deflategate” when his mother died two
Durant. They also were without cornerback Bashaud had this whole process for a suspension. weeks ago. “There were a lot
Breeland, who is serving a four-game suspension, and long time now.” “It's a big deal. It’s really a big of people that reached out,”
defensive tackle Mike Pennel, who is suspended for two deal,” Newton said. “I under- he said. “I’ve been feeling a
games 6 p.m.Thousands of fans of the Kansas City Chiefs That doesn't mean he'll be stand who I am, I understand lot of love lately in that re-
trickled into the parking lots surrounding Arrowhead nervous though. "I don’t being an African-American gard — just people that want
Stadium for the start of the NFL season Thursday night. get butterflies. I give them," in this time we have to be to let me know that they care
The Super Bowl champions were playing the Houston Newton said with a smile. stronger and sticking with about me, and they’re think-
Texans. Fitzpatrick will start for the each other more than ever ing about me and my family.”
Dolphins on Sunday. But now. Yet this is a great feat Flores said the embrace of
The Chiefs are among five franchises that have been giv- even he has described him- to achieve but at the end of Fitzpatrick is emblematic of
en the green light to have fans in person. The number self as a “placeholder” while the day we have to make sure the level of respect the team
was capped at 22% of the capacity of the stadium, and that the Dolphins groom Tago- we’re using our platform for has for him.
equates to about 17,000 fans. Most of those who arrived vailoa, who is working his positive reasons, and that’s
early huddled with friends under tents in the parking lots way back from the hip injury what I want to do.” “Fitz embodies everything
as rain continued to fall.The Chiefs are using a pod sys- that limited him to just nine we’re looking for in a Dol-
tem that allows fans to sit with their group, but that also games in his final collegiate Andrews returns phin,” Flores said. “He loves
puts a certain amount of empty seats between the groups. season at Alabama. Patriots center David An- to play. He’s competitive. You
Most fans said they thought those precautions, along with Still, Fitzpatrick acknowl- drews may be one of the can feel his energy on the
the requirement of face masks, will be enough to ensure edged that “it means a ton” to most enthusiastic players on field in practice and games.
the game can be played safely with people in the stands. be the Week 1 starter. the field Sunday. That’s be- And he’s got leadership.
cause it’s been more than a Guys gravitate to him and
“It’s not something that I year since he suited up for an follow him.”