Daily Archives: June 7, 2017

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Teddy Bridgewater surprised coach with two weeks of progress ... NBCSports.com Vikings coach Mike Zimmer was gone for two weeks, and he's still recovering from his latest eye surgery. But he could easily see a difference in quarterback ... Minnesota Vikings QB Teddy Bridgewater making progressUPI.com all 16 news articles »

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Teddy Bridgewater surprised coach with two weeks of progress ... - NBCSports.com

FRISCO, Texas The Cowboys are in the middle of their third and final week of OTA practices here at The Star.

Next week, the team will be on the field for a three-day minicamp but it wont be a major difference in what is being seen from an outside perspective.

Inside the locker room, the players were asked a variety of questions by the media. Here are different quotes from the locker room session on Wednesday:

Dak Prescott on the overall rhythm of OTAs:

Prescott: Theyve been well. Weve had some days that have been great, some days that havent been. But its all about us just growing as a team. Well continue to do that and were headed in the right direction.

Dak Prescott on Jaylon Smiths development

Prescott: Ive definitely seen some improvement a lot of improvement. Look at him running some people say it doesnt look like anythings wrong with him. Hes a freak. Hes a freakish dude. Hes getting his abilities and his talents back, and hes going in the direction he needs to.

Sean Lee on Jaylon Smiths progress at linebacker:

Lee: What Ive found is every week hes gotten better and better. That is whats been amazing is every week since weve started back this spring, to watch him progress, to watch him progress, to watch him pick up things so quickly.

Jason Witten on the leadership of the offensive line:

Witten: The set the standard for our football team. These guys are some of the best at their position in the league. They come back and approach it like they do Tyron (Smith), Zack (Martin), Travis (Frederick) and you add some of the other guys that are mixing in with Chaz (Green) and Emmett (Cleary) and of course L.C. (Lael Collins) moving out (to right tackle). They do a great job.

Chaz Green on making the adjustments from tackle to guard:

Green: Its definitely different. Pass-pro, Im just l earning to set the hole. Youve got help on both sides so you dont have to drift as much. Run-blocking its different assignments. Just getting those calls down so I can get my footwork down so I can play fast and not think.

Lael Collins on back-to-back plays in which he tossed the defensive end to the ground at the end of Wednesdays team period:

Collins: Thats just a mindset. Anytime you get a chance to put a guy on the ground, thats what youre going to do. Thats my mindset on each and every play. But at the same time, it has to be controlled.

Byron Jones on having a completion for the other safety spot next to him:

Jones: Its not a distraction at all. This is why were here. Were here to compete to try to bring the best out of everybody.

Ezekiel Elliott on doing post-OTA film sessions with Dak and Dez:

Elliott: "I think its definitely a bonding thing. We are a close group, but you never can spend too much time together. Thats how you strengthen those bonds. Thats how you become better friends."

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Sound Off: La'el Dominating, Jaylon's Progress, Zeke's Extra Film Work & More - DallasCowboys.com

The search to expand upon the progress made by checkpoint inhibitors Keytruda and Opdivo and others has put the spotlight on several novel mechanisms. IDO inhibition appears poised to be the next advance after release of data at Asco showing a benefit when used in combination with the Merck & Co (NYSE:MRK) and Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY) drugs.

Leading the pack is Incyte's (NASDAQ:INCY) epacadostat, which had detailed phase I/II Keytruda combo data that support pivotal trials in three types of cancer. Incyte's combination-agnostic approach has also enabled it to confirm clinical benefit with Opdivo, showing responses in melanoma and head and neck cancers.

Building evidence

Epacadostat is not the only IDO inhibitor in the clinic. Newlink Genetics' (NASDAQ:NLNK) two assets, indoximod and the Roche (OTCQX:RHHBY)-partnered RG6078 had data at Asco, along with Danish group IO Biotech's IO102.

But Incyte's project so far has generated the richest body of evidence. Thanks to the adaptive design of the Echo-202/Keynote-037 trial with Keytruda, Incyte was able to present efficacy data in head and neck, non-small cell lung, renal cell, triple-negative breast and ovarian cancer, along with pooled safety data.

Breast and ovarian cancer do not look promising - in the former, 30 of 37 patients had progressed or died at a median follow-up of 20.8 weeks, while in ovarian cancer 26 of 34 patients had progressed or died at a median follow-up of 23 weeks. Objective response rates of 10% in breast cancer and 8% in ovarian, with no complete responses, are not very persuasive.

On the other hand, the signs have been strong enough in numerous other diseases to proceed into phase III (Incyte dramatically ups the immuno-oncology combo ante, April 3, 2017).

At Asco, Incyte also featured lung, urothelial, head and neck and kidney cancer (see table).

Ovarian out

With the other leading PD-1, Opdivo, also reporting disappointing data in ovarian cancer in combination with epacadostat, it is safe to say that in the absence of a signal in subgroups this indication might not be one where the IDO inhibitors will be used.

On the other hand, the Opdivo-epacadostat pairing also had data in head and neck cancer - cross-trial comparisons are tricky with small patient numbers, but Opdivo and Keytruda look pretty similar at this early stage of development (see table).

Moreover, the 58% partial response rate in a melanoma cohort in the Echo-204 trial yielded the best objective response rate seen at Asco - not surprising since the skin cancer is the most responsive to immunotherapy. And Incyte has announced plans to advance the Keytruda-epacadostat combination into phase III in melanoma.

Amid the advances for epacadostat, Newlink's two IDO inhibitors were trying to remain relevant. RG6078 was tested in a phase I dose escalation trial with Tecentriq in solid tumors in which 9% of patient showed a partial response and 24% had stable disease.

Indoximod was tested following treatment with Valeant's (NYSE:VRX) Provenge in metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer - patients taking the IDO inhibitor had a median progression free survival of 10.3 months compared with 4.1 months for patients taking placebo.

IO Biotech, meanwhile, had a poster on its planned phase II trial of IO102 in combination with checkpoint inhibitors in advanced, metastatic non-small cell lung cancer.

IDO inhibition shows promise, but the onrush of combination trials with PD-1 inhibitors means that it has to fight for attention (Immuno-oncology combinations surge as sector seeks the fairy dust, June 1, 2017).

Nonetheless, combining two checkpoint inhibitors remains an attractive choice, and medical meetings next year may very well show whether that attraction was worthwhile.

Editor's Note: This article discusses one or more securities that do not trade on a major U.S. exchange. Please be aware of the risks associated with these stocks.

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Solid Progress For IDO Inhibitors | Seeking Alpha - Seeking Alpha

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) Christian Hackenberg has plenty of critics, many of whom think the New York Jets second-year quarterback will never be an NFL starter.

And thats before the former Penn State starter has even played in a regular-season game.

Thats their opinions, Hackenberg said of the naysayers. I cant really speak for them, whoever it is.

Hackenberg was drafted in the second round last year, a pick some thought was a reach because of his struggles with the Nittany Lions in his last two seasons following a fabulous freshman campaign. He was widely considered a project who needed work on his mechanics, footwork and overall approach.

It didnt help that Hackenberg went 17 of 47 for 159 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in his two preseason appearances last summer. And, even as the quarterbacks carousel spun with Ryan Fitzpatrick, Geno Smith and Bryce Petty taking turns under center during the regular season, Hackenberg never saw the field.

I know what I can do, Hackenberg said. And I know what my coaching staff feels I can do, so Im just confident in my abilities. And when I get my opportunity to play, Im going to do that.

Sounds like a guy who knows he has lots to prove to everyone other than himself.

Im confident that I can play at this level, and play at a high level, he said. So, when I get my opportunity, Im going to take advantage of that.

Hackenberg is competing with Petty and veteran Josh McCown for the starting job in what the Jets have characterized as an open competition that might not be decided until sometime in training camp.

McCown is the early favorite to be under center in Week 1 at Buffalo on Sept. 10, having worked mostly with the starters during practices open to the media. But with New Yorks offseason purge of veteran stars, including wide receivers Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker, the franchises sights are firmly set on the future.

Hackenberg will get the chance to show whether he can be the quarterback to lead the Jets this season and perhaps beyond. At 6-foot-4 and a solid 228 pounds with a cannon arm, Hackenberg certainly looks the part.

I love the way he prepares and the way he competes, offensive coordinator John Morton said at the start of organized activities two weeks ago. Im talking about competing in the classroom, too. Guys have to learn to do that, and be a pro and be a student of the game and learn to take notes and those things. Hes doing those things.

On one play at practice, he can hit a receiver with a pretty back-shoulder toss in the end zone. But then, he can also have some ugly throws that could be interceptions.

Thats how it has been so far this offseason for Hackenberg. Some ups, some downs and even some progress while learning Mortons offense.

Im not going to say night and day, but definitely just being able to go through it, its been really good, Hackenberg said. I feel a lot better going in there, having a greater understanding of whats going on.

Hes no longer the wide-eyed rookie trying to navigate his way through the basics of life in the NFL. The plays on the field are also coming to him a lot easier, even compared to a few months ago.

I think were getting to a point where Im not even thinking about it, Hackenberg said, and Im feeling that right now.

Hackenberg has been a starting quarterback since high school, so sitting out all of last season a redshirt year took some getting used to. It was a humbling experience in which Hackenberg had to keep his ego in check.

I really cant change it, Hackenberg said. It was in the past. It is what it is. But I think if youre a negative person, you kind of think about it negatively and you say, `Dang, I wish I had a chance. I dont want to fill my mind with that type of negativity.

Id rather focus on the positives of it and take what I learned from it, the good from it. Thats how I kind of look at last year: I try and take the positives out of it and go from there.

Hackenberg has been working closely with new quarterbacks coach Jeremy Bates, the two often seen chatting during practice. Theres still plenty of work to be done, of course, but Hackenberg could end up working his way onto the field during a game and silencing all of the doubters.

I think Ive grown in a lot of ways, he said. Its a long road, but I feel good where Im at right now.

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

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Jets' Hackenberg ignores critics, focuses on making progress - FOXSports.com

President Trump signs a letter of initiative Tuesday to privatize the nation's air traffic control system during an event staged to resemble an official signing ceremony.

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Donald Trump, you may have noticed, is not terribly good at being president. Nearly five months into his term, the White House seems stymied by its own ineptitude and a Congress that Trump has found more difficult to command than the underlings he bossed around for the past 40 years. Naturally that hasnt stopped him from continuing to make moribund promisesBloombergs Toluse Olorunnipa writes Monday morning that the administration reliably misses its self-imposed deadlines on just about everything it sets out to door shifting blame. On Monday, for instance, Trump attacked Democrats for stalling his nominations. Dems are taking forever to approve my people, including Ambassadors, he tweeted. They are nothing but OBSTRUCTIONISTS! For the most part, Democrats havent even been sent nominations to obstruct. The administration has yet to nominate candidates for hundreds of key positions, and as Politicos Seung Min Kim writes, the administration frequently takes weeks to formally submit the nominations of the candidates it does name:

And McAleenans nomination is far from alone in taking weeks to be sent to the Senate, where Republicans are growing impatient and bewildered with the Trump White Houses historic lag in filling administration posts.

[...]Its unclear exactly why the Trump White House has been so slow to officially submit some nominees paperwork, but it comes amid broader struggles by the new president to vet senior officials and staff his administration.

Of course, Trumps woes in office thus far arent purely the consequence of inexperience. The presidents inability to meet his own deadlines highlights his struggle adjusting to the pace of Washington, Olorunnipa writes.That's only partially truehis record thus far also highlights his craven dishonesty. Trump has, after all, spent many years jilting, shortchanging, and letting down parties ranging from contractors to his own wives. Relatedly, two recent stories suggest that the administration might be leaning more heavily on one of its favored strategies for overcoming its lack of progress: faking it.

On Monday, the Brookings Institutions Bruce Riedel reported that according to defense industry and congressional contacts, the $110 billion arms deal reportedly struck between the Trump administration and Saudi Arabia is largely illusory. From Brookings:

According to Riedel, the Saudis and the Trump administration compiled a list of potential deals either considered or approved by the Obama administration and presented them as a new deal. Moreover, its unlikely that the Saudis could pay for a $110 billion deal any longer, due to low oil prices and the two-plus years old war in Yemen, he writes. What is coming soon is a billion-dollars deal for more munitions for the war in Yemen. The Royal Saudi Air Force needs more munitions to continue the air bombardment of the Arab worlds poorest country.

Also on Monday, the New York Times Julie Hirschfield Davis noted that Trumps unveiling of his plan to privatize the nations air traffic control had been staged to resemble signing ceremonies for actual legislation:

This kind of stagecraft and deception, of course, isnt new. But these charades are and will continue to be particularly useful for a shambolic administration that has few achievements thus far. Useful, that is, as long as the media covers his nonevents and empty pronouncements as though Trump isn't fundamentally a huckster.

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Trump's Solution to His Administration's Lack of Progress: Lying About It - Slate Magazine (blog)

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. Women in politics have made great advances in the past decade, yet there is a long way to go. For over 10 years, Nichola Gutgold, professor of communication arts and sciences at Penn State Lehigh Valley, has continued her research and writing to revamp her 2006 book, Paving the Way for Madam President.

Still Paving the Way for Madam President (Lexington Books, 2017) provides a follow-up on the progress women have made in politics, specifically towards the U.S. presidency. Additionally, a section on Hillary Clintons race for the presidency in 2008 and 2016 have been included. Gutgold reviews the struggles women candidates face and what it will take to overcome these struggles.

The idea to write a book originally came to Gutgold in 1999 as she was completing her dissertation for her doctorate in speech communication at Penn State.

I discovered Elizabeth Dole in 1999, the same year she ran for president. Dole was involved in politics, as was her husband, who ran for president in 1996. I noticed she spoke at his convention and did not mention any of her own accomplishments; she just spoke of his masculine attributes. She knew what she had to say, she was a public speaker. I knew there was more to this story and I wanted to know who Elizabeth Dole was. When she ran for president, media headlines read, The first viable female bid. I thought this was wrong, I knew there were other female candidates in the past who should not be forgotten, which led to Paving the Way for Madam President.

Still Paving the Way for Madam President tells the stories of Margaret Chase Smith, Shirley Chisholm, Patricia Schroeder, Elizabeth Dole, Carol Moseley Braun and Hillary Clinton, six of the most acknowledged women who have run for president since 1964. Gutgold interviewed these women, or those close to them, for the majority of her research. She also conducted her research through tapes and video, and attended events such as the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

Writing these books and making an impact have meant a lot to Gutgold. Though a woman has won a presidential nomination, she says the United States "is not there yet" with women in politics. From 1964 when Smith ran for president, to 2016 when Clinton ran for president, there are many of the same issues keeping women from winning the presidential race.

My goal for writing on this topic is to keep the conversation going. We have not had a woman president yet and women deserve to be in the history books, said Gutgold. I have a passion to amplify the voices of those who may not have been heard. I want to encourage people to be non-traditional, whatever that means.

Gutgold has published many books on the topic of women in politics, including:

Paving the Way for Madam President (Lexington, 2006)

Seen and Heard: The Women of Television News (Lexington, 2008)

Almost Madam President: Why Hillary Clinton won in 2008 (Lexington, 2009)

Gender and the American Presidency: Nine Presidential Women and the Barriers They Faced (Lexington, 2012)

The Rhetoric of Supreme Court Women (Lexington, 2012)

Women in the Academy: Learning from our Diverse Career Pathways (Lexington, 2012)

She has also written a childrens book, Madam President: Five Women Who Paved the Way.

Gutgold hopes to impact her students with her books and research.

My job as a professor is to help students achieve their ambitions. I am happy to interest students in research and to involve students in my research. I have taken students on interviews with me, I have started a research project for students at the Schreyer Honors College, and most recently I have been invited to present my research on women and the U.S. presidency to the students of the University of Zagreb in Croatia this fall, said Gutgold.

Gutgold dedicated Still Paving the Way for Madam President to her students, hoping that they can follow their path, even if it is still unpaved.

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Penn State professor analyzes women's progress in politics - Penn State News