Daily Archives: May 23, 2017

The Bears are diving deeper into their offseason program at Halas Hall, in their first week of organized team activities at Halas Hall. Here's what we learned from Tuesday's session, the only one this week open to the media.

White was in attendance Tuesday, but the Bears' media policy prohibits reporting on how much White participated. The third-year receiver continues working back from the season-ending spiral fracture he suffered in his left fibula last October.

Asked for his early impressions of White, starting quarterback Mike Glennon lit up.

"I've really enjoyed getting to know Kevin on the field and off the field," Glennon said. "He's a great guy. He works his butt off. And he made some really good plays (Monday) that got me excited. He's really eager to learn. I know he's eager to get back out on that field."

Bears coach John Fox was asked about White's status but offered an intentionally vague response.

"We're just trying to make sure we get guys ready for camp, and even more precisely, for Game 1 against Atlanta," Fox said. "So we're going to do anything necessary to make that happen."

Pressed on whether White would be participating extensively on the field in the OTAs over the next three weeks, Fox dodged the question.

"We're not really going to get much into that, as far as who's in and who's out," Fox said. "It's just realizing that we're not lining up to play just yet."

There have been no indications that White has suffered any sort of setback in his recovery. White, the No. 7 pick in 2015, has missed 28 games over his first two seasons and has totaled 19 catches for 187 yards in the four games he has played.

White will be under escalating pressure this season to remain healthy and produce. And Fox did him few favors Tuesday by refusing to shed light on the receiver's status. The Bears coach certainly didn't reduce any outside worry about White's ability to stay healthy.

The veteran quarterback acknowledged feeling surprised when the Bears drafted Mitch Trubisky with the No. 2 overall pick last month. And if he initially felt jilted, Glennon found reassurance in general manager Ryan Pace's persistent pledge that he will be the Bears' starter heading into 2017.

"The 2017 season is my year," Glennon said. "That's all I can worry about. I'm not worried about the future. I'm not worried about the past."

Publicly anyway, Glennon expressed confidence that he and Trubisky would be able to coexist harmoniously. He also reiterated his comfort in his role as the starter.

"This is my year, and the meetings are geared around me," Glennon said. "Am I going to help Mitch as much as I can? Definitely. I'm going to be a great teammate. But my job is to win football games for the Chicago Bears. And that's where my head's at."

Among those not present at Tuesday's practice were inside linebacker Danny Trevathan, outside linebacker Willie Young, offensive lineman Kyle Long, tight end Zach Miller and center Hroniss Grasu. All five of those players are still rehabilitating from surgeries after suffering season-ending injuries in 2016.

In addition, outside linebacker Pernell McPhee is gradually working back from shoulder surgery and was on the field Tuesday.

New outside linebackers coach Brandon Staley praised McPhee's "infectious spirit" and said, in studying the Bears' film from the last two seasons, he noticed a difference when McPhee was on the field.

"You saw this difference when 92 is out there," Staley said. "From the second I got here and we went out one-on-one to eat, I just said, 'It's got to be your mission to get back out there at the beginning. Because this team is going to be different with you at the beginning.' That's what he has been working for every day. I think he's going to allow us to be a lot more complete defense.

dwiederer@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @danwiederer

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Kevin White's progress a mystery as Bears begin OTAs - Chicago Tribune

New York Times

US Nuclear History Offers Clues to North Korea's Progress New York Times An unidentified rocket, reported to be a Hwasong-type missile similar to the one used in a May 14, 2017, test launch, was part of a military parade in Pyongyang, North Korea, last month. Credit Ed Jones/Agence France-Presse Getty Images. It started ...

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US Nuclear History Offers Clues to North Korea's Progress - New York Times

FRISCO, Texas It wont be seen by the public, but Tuesday marks the arrival of something the Cowboys have been working toward for quite some time.

Yes, Organized Team Activities begin Tuesday at The Star, and the coming weeks will offer the Cowboys their first true look at the 2017 roster. Thats an exciting prospect across the board.

But specifically, OTAs mark an opportunity for Jaylon Smith to take the field for the first time in his NFL career more than a year after he was drafted. To say thats been an anticipated event would be a massive understatement.

As would have it, I was talking with Dr. Cooper today, and were certainly very pleased with his progress and have every reason to believe hell have a good camp here OTA camp, said Cowboys owner/general manager Jerry Jones last week.

A quick refresher, for those that need it: Smith suffered a horrific injury in his final college game, a Fiesta Bowl loss to Ohio State on Jan. 1, 2016. The Notre Dame linebacker tore both his ACL and his LCL, and he suffered damage to the peroneal nerve in his left leg.

Dr. Dan Cooper, who is the Cowboys team physician, performed Smiths surgery back before the 2016 NFL Draft, and his familiarity with the situation contributed to the teams decision to draft the All-American with the No. 34 overall pick.

Smith was unavailable for his entire rookie season while he recovered from the injury -- specifically the nerve damage, which has limited his ability to move his left foot. But in the time since the 2016 season ended, Smith has steadily increased his workload, with the Cowboys often-repeated goal that hed be ready to participate in OTAs.

Its going to be a process, said Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones. I know everybody is going to want to analyze each practice, each practice he misses, each exercise he does out there Ive got a little of that in me too, looking at a guy like that and what he can do for us. But at the end of the day weve just got to see how he progresses and not overdo it with him.

To that end, Smith will undoubtedly be working on a specified timetable during the next few weeks. The Cowboys want him to be as fresh as possible, and they dont want him to overwork himself. Because of that, its a good bet that Smith have a set schedule of practice days and off days.

What we want to do is the term is fresh, Jerry Jones said. We want him to do his things, probably on alternative days, so that at all times when hes moving, hes moving around fresh.

Regardless of how much work hes doing, having Smith in the huddle for a Cowboys practice would be a step in the right direction. Smith and Jerry Jones both noted for their remarkable optimism have long expressed confidence about the future. Jones has repeated numerous times that he thought Smith might have been able to play in the playoffs last season, if not for the NFL rules keeping him on injured reserve.

For everyone else, though, seeing is believing. And from the sounds of it, Smith just might offer the outside world a glimpse of what the Cowboys have been seeing for the past few months.

I know everybody is curious as to how this is going to work, Stephen Jones said. I just think we feel very optimistic about him, very optimistic that hes going to be playing football for the Cowboys this year and making a difference.

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Start Of OTAs Offers Cowboys A Good Look At Jaylon Smith's Progress - DallasCowboys.com

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Photo: Karen Warren, Houston Chronicle

Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) during the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Sunday, May 21, 2017.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) during the eighth inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Sunday, May 21, 2017.

Astros catcher Brian McCann takes in Monday's game from the dugout while on the seven-day disabled list due to a concussion.

Astros catcher Brian McCann takes in Monday's game from the dugout while on the seven-day disabled list due to a concussion.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) in the dugout during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Sunday, May 21, 2017.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) in the dugout during the sixth inning of an MLB baseball game at Minute Maid Park, Sunday, May 21, 2017.

Entering Saturday, the Astros' Dallas Keuchel had the best ERA among major league starters at 1.84.

Entering Saturday, the Astros' Dallas Keuchel had the best ERA among major league starters at 1.84.

Astros' Dallas Keuchel, Brian McCann both making progress

Pitcher Dallas Keuchel and catcher Brian McCann continue to make progress toward returning to the active roster Saturday, Astros manager A.J. Hinch said

"Both are progressing nicely," Hinch said. "Dallas is going to play catch, Brian is going to play catch in the next couple of days. Once that hurdle is made, we'll be able to assess exactly when their availability will be later in the week."

McCann, who is on the seven-day concussion disabled list, still must pass several on- and off-field tests dictated by Major League Baseball's concussion recovery protocol before he can return to play.

Keuchel was placed on the 10-day disabled list last Saturday, retroactive to May 17, with a pinched nerve in his neck. He missed a scheduled start Monday.

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Astros' Dallas Keuchel, Brian McCann both making progress - Chron.com

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) Tennessee quarterback Marcus Mariota has progressed through his rehabilitation from only taking snaps from his center, to dropping back and then moving on to handing the ball off.

Now he is throwing passes in 7-on-7 drills as the Titans started the next phase of their offseason program Tuesday. But the Titans are taking great care to protect their franchise quarterback, who broke his right leg five months ago.

I know hed like to do more, he looks like he can do more, Titans coach Mike Mularkey said of Mariota. Again, its May still. We got time.

When Mariota broke his leg on Dec. 24 in a loss at Jacksonville , the Titans estimated the quarterbacks recovery taking up to five months. But team officials have made it very clear since February that their goal is making sure Mariota is completely ready Sept. 10 when the Titans open the season hosting Oakland and Derek Carr, who also broke his right leg hours after Mariotas injury.

Mularkey said he didnt know two months ago if Mariota would be able to throw in a 7-on-7 drill in these sessions. But the coach said Mariota is ready for what the Titans are giving him. Mariota threw all of the 7-on-7 drills, ensuring he threw passes to Tennessees new wide receivers like top draft pick Corey Davis and third-round selection Taywan Taylor.

The more he can do the better, Mularkey said. Thats why were giving him more reps, even in 7-on-7, is because of the timing in the passing game.

Mariota, the No. 2 pick overall in 2015 and the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner, was just happy to be on the field with his teammates and practicing football after months of rehabilitation. His recovery from surgery included not being able to put weight on his right leg until late February. He still has yet to run full speed, though Mariota said hes getting close.

I was like a little kid again to be able to go out there and be able to play, Mariota said. Its crazy. You kind of take some of those things for granted. For me, I was really just thankful to be out there.

Whether or not the Titans are able to improve on their 9-7 record last season and end an eight-year playoff drought depends on Mariotas health and complete recovery.

The quarterback has put up impressive numbers through his first two seasons and has yet to be intercepted inside an opponents 20-yard line. Inside the red zone, he has a 114.6 passer rating with 33 touchdowns in that span. For 2016, Mariota threw for 3,426 yards with 26 TDs and nine interceptions with a 95.6 passer rating.

Mariota already has 16 games with at least 2 TD passes, which ties him with Russell Wilson and Peyton Manning for third all-time through a quarterbacks first two NFL seasons. He trails only Dan Marino (22) and Carr (17).

Its why Mularkey emphatically told the Titans to stay away from Mariota and all the quarterbacks on the field. When Pro Bowl linebacker Brian Orakpo closed in on Mariota, the veteran exaggerated a bit as he avoided contact with the quarterback.

It was way over-exaggerated, Mariota said. But its fun to be out there with the guy, and I enjoyed it.

The Titans liked seeing their quarterback, even if he is limited right now.

Wish he could do more, but it is what it is and weve just got to make sure he stays safe and is ready to go Week 1, Pro Bowl left tackle Taylor Lewan said.

Notes: Mularkey said LB Kevin Dodd isnt likely to take part in the remaining on-field sessions. The Titans believe Dodd, the No. 33 pick overall in 2016, can be completely recovered from a foot injury by the start of training camp. Defensive lineman Sylvester Williams also is limited as he recovers from ankle surgery.

For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL.

Follow Teresa M. Walker at http://www.twitter.com/teresamwalker

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Mariota making progress, Titans being careful with their QB - FOXSports.com

Xilinx Drops 6%: Look Past Expenses to Progress, Says Morgan Stanley Barron's Qualitative progress vs. 12 months ago is exceptional in our view. "We talked to numerous investors who expressed frustration after the meeting, he writes, "that the company had promised to deliver 30% operating margins 'relatively soon', vs ...

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Xilinx Drops 6%: Look Past Expenses to Progress, Says Morgan Stanley - Barron's