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SPORTS Friday 8 december 2017
Nothing like suspension to remind NFL who’s indispensable

By TERESA M. WALKER Surviving and staying in the uars coach Doug Marrone
AP Pro Football Writer playoff hunt until Dec. 24 said. “Just from the way
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — when Elliott returns against to prepare, the leadership
Anyone can see just how Seattle may not be possible in the locker room, on the
much the Dallas Cowboys without what he brings to field, leads by example
desperately miss Ezekiel El- the field. and, obviously, has been
liott. Washington linebacker playing extremely well for
Now the New England Pa- Zach Brown says it’s easy to us. A lot of times in free
triots will get a reminder see on film just how differ- agency, maybe you don’t
of life without Tom Brady’s ent the Cowboys are with- get, sometimes, the value
favorite target when Rob out Elliott’s speed and abil- of what you would like, but
Gronkowski sits out his own ity to score on any carry. that’s not the case with
suspension Monday night “Now everybody’s forc- Calais. We’ve gotten that,
in Miami. “He’s a big focal ing them to pass the ball,” and I believe more, out of
point in our offense,” Brady Brown said. him.”
said of Gronk. “I mean, I Gronkowski leads the Pa- Oakland may have one
think when he gets going, triots with 55 catches and of the worst defenses in
it’s great for everybody, seven touchdowns , and the NFL, but defensive end
so it’s been great having he just turned in his best Khalil Mack — last year’s
him in there this year. He’s game this season with nine Defensive Player of the
worked really hard and catches for 147 yards. But Year — helped the Raiders
he’s a great player. I love his late hit on Bills corner- contend again in the strug-
playing with him. We’ve back Tre’Davious White gling AFC West despite
got a great rapport.” means Gronk will miss his being the defender each
Yes, even Brady has a first game this season with opposing offense focuses
teammate who makes him the Pats chasing the AFC’s on most.”Some of the stuff
better. No. 1 seed. he was doing just can’t be
And every NFL team has “He’s obviously a guy that’s In this Sept. 24, 2017, file photo, New England Patriots tight end done,” Denver linebacker
Rob Gronkowski runs after a catch against the Houston Texans
that one player that makes super consistent when he’s during an NFL football game at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Von Miller said earlier this
everything click, someone been out there for us, and Mass. season. “Just pick up of-
with so much ability and he’s really playing that Associated Press fensive linemen and run
leadership who makes ev- same role this year,” Brady ton may do the Superman play, because he’s a tough straight through them —
eryone else better, too. Or, said. A quarterback’s best poses, but the Panthers’ guy to play chess with. For that stuff, it can be done,
in the case of tail-ending friend can be a left tackle real MVP is middle line- me, I’m on the sideline and but not the way Khalil does
teams, a player who stands like Joe Thomas in Cleve- backer Luke Kuechly. The he’s on the field, so it makes it.” Then there are play-
above the mess. land or David Bakhtiari in Panthers aren’t the same it really tough.” ers that teammates know
Sure, the quarterback is Green Bay. The Falcons without the 2013 NFL De- Jacksonville had been mean everything to a fran-
the most important, touch- didn’t click on the offen- fensive Player of the Year, spending millions on its de- chise such as two-time Pro
ing the ball every snap on sive line until signing center and he’s missed time with fense that seemed wasted Bowl tight end Delanie
offense. But take Mr. Indis- Alex Mack last year, and three concussions over the until end Calais Camp- Walker in Tennessee . Such
pensable off the field, and then they went straight to past three seasons. When bell arrived as easily the players may not get the
nothing works quite the the Super Bowl. A talent- healthy, Kuechly rarely league’s best free-agent attention from fans their
same. ed wide receiver also can misses a tackle. He also acquisition of 2017. He’s play deserves, but oppos-
Nobody knows that better carry an entire team. Just usually knows what play is helped put the Jaguars ing teams build their game
than Dallas, 1-3 since Elliott look at Pittsburgh’s Antonio being called . (8-4) in the mix for their first plans around them. “I know
started serving his suspen- Brown , or conversely what “When you watch his film playoff berth since 2007. that the teams we’re play-
sion and putting a serious it’s been like for the Giants against other teams, he’s Campbell leads the AFC in ing are trying to stop him,”
crimp in the Cowboys’ without Odell Beckham Jr. pointing where the run sacks and is a calming influ- Titans coach Mike Mular-
postseason plans. Dallas Defenders can be indis- is going,” Miami coach ence in the locker room. key said. That’s the ultimate
finally ended the skid last pensable, too. Adam Gase said. “It’s re- “He’s everything that’s sign of how indispensable a
week, beating Washington. In Carolina, Cam New- ally amazing to watch him been advertised,” Jag- player really is.q

Hall of Fame quarterback Warren Moon sued for sex harassment

By The Associated Press sons in the NFL with Hous- The statement also said
Hall of Fame quarterback ton, Minnesota, Seattle the 61-year-old Moon had
Warren Moon has been and Kansas City, is the co- requested a leave of ab-
accused of sexual harass- founder and president of sence from his role as a
ment in a lawsuit filed in the company. radio commentator for the
California by a woman Moon’s attorney, Daniel F. Seattle Seahawks, duties
who worked as his assistant Fears, issued a statement that “will be impacted as
at his sports marketing firm. Thursday saying Moon has he defends himself against
In the lawsuit filed early this yet to be served with the these claims.” The team
week in Orange County lawsuit but is aware of the said it had granted the re-
Superior Court, Wendy claims and denies them. quest.
Haskell alleges that Moon “Mr. Moon contends these Additionally, the lawsuit
made “unwanted and un- claims are meritless, and says Haskell was required
solicited” sexual advances he has every intention to to keep the bathroom door
while she worked for Sports vigorously defend himself unlocked while she show- In this Sept. 9, 2012, file photo, Warren Moon walk along the
sideline prior to an NFL football game between the Seattle
1 Marketing. Moon, who in court,” Fears said in the ered and Moon repeat- Seahawks and the Arizona Cardinals in Glendale, Ariz.
played parts of 17 sea- statement. edly entered the room. q Associated Press