The Bengals released safety George Iloka last weekend in a move that saved them money and opened up playing time for 2018 second-round pick Jessie
Bates.
That’s a move the Bengals could potentially replicate at another spot on their defense. They moved 2017 fourth-round pick Carl Lawson to defensive end
where he joins 2017 third-rounder Jordan Willis and 2018 third-rounder Sam
Hubbard as young options. Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson are the veterans in
the group and the team has been talking about an extension with Dunlap.
There’s been no sign that similar talks are going on with Johnson and the team can save some more money by making the same move they made with
Iloka
Womens Jared McCann Jersey , but such considerations aren’t on Johnson’s mind.
“Why would I think about that?” Johnson said, via Jay Morrison of
The Athletic. “I come in and I work hard and I do whatever I’m asked to do, and I don’t worry about all that. You can’t. Of course you see what’s going on, but
you control what you can control. You get to focusing and worrying about all the
other stuff, you get distracted, and that ain’t what you want. I?? just focused
on being disciplined and dependable.”
Johnson has missed one game in three years since returning to the Bengals, so dependability is a strong suit and he showed some versatility by sliding inside
when Lawson came on the field for passing downs last year. With the Bengals
planning to use Lawson in a similar way this year, Johnson may be playing out
the final year of his contract before his attention has to turn to what’s
next.
The Chicago Blackhawks are taking a closer look at their house after missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade.
They aren’t sure just yet if a complete teardown is necessary.
The Blackhawks are heading into one of their most intriguing summers in years after finishing with 33 wins and 76 points
Anthony Duclair Jersey , their lowest totals since they went 31-42-9 during the 2006-07 season. While they might not make any big changes, improvement next
year is mandatory, general manager Stan Bowman said Monday.
”This year was extremely disappointing,” Bowman said. ”Last year was more abrupt, but this was equally disappointing. I’m not happy with where we are.
We’re going to examine everything, look long and hard at ways to improve through
personnel.”
The Blackhawks have been on a downward trend since winning the 2015 Stanley Cup. They were eliminated by St. Louis in seven games in the first round of the
2016 playoffs, and then were swept by Nashville in the opening round last
year.
They stumbled all the way to last in the Central Division this season, falling short of the playoffs for the first time since star forwards Jonathan
Toews and Patrick Kane were rookies during the 2007-08 season.
Bowman said the team’s top priority is keeping the young players who impressed this season. Rookie Alex DeBrincat had a team-high 28 goals
Filip Forsberg Jersey , one more than Kane, and Vinnie Hinostroza showed flashes of promise after beginning the year in the minors.
”That’s the direction we’re headed,” Bowman said. ”They’ve showed they’re part of the future.”
His second priority is free agency, and Bowman said he’s more interested in short-term deals than longer pacts that would tie his hands in the future.
He could look for goaltender help after Corey Crawford missed the final 47 games with an upper-body injury. He also could focus on his blue line after top
defensemen Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook showed signs of age this season.
”This was an off year in about every category,” coach Joel Quenneville said. ”From every individual except two or three, we expect more next year.”
Both Bowman and Quenneville expressed confidence in a healthy return for Crawford, who went 16-9-2 with a sparkling 2.27 goals-against average in 28
games. Anton Forsberg, Jean-Francois Berube and Jeff Glass all struggled in goal
after Crawford got hurt.
”He’s on the right track
Patrick Marleau Jersey , close to being ready to go,” Quenneville said.
Toews, who missed the last eight games with an upper-body injury, said previous successes ”happened naturally, organically. Now there’s a lot of issues
you need to find solutions. We need to take a creative approach to finding
solutions. It’s humbling to a certain degree. You feel like you’re starting
over.”
LOTTERY FEVER
The NHL draft lottery is April 28, and Chicago has a 6.5 percent chance of winning the top pick. The Blackhawks drafted Toews with the third overall pick
in 2006 and got Kane with the No. 1 selection in 2007, fueling their run to
three Stanley Cup titles.
TIPPING POINT
Crawford’s injury just before Christmas turned the season around. They were in a playoff position on Dec. 23, his last appearance
Johnny Gaudreau Jersey Kids , and fell out of contention soon after he was placed on injured reserve.
WRONG NUMBERS
The Blackhawks allowed 256 goals, 67 more than they gave up during the 2014-15 season. Keith, a two-time Norris Trophy winner as the league’s top
defenseman, finished with a career-worst minus-29 rating, the worst such number
on the team.
GOODBYE
One of the most memorable moments of the season was Patrick Sharp’s final game at the United Center. The 36-year-old Sharp is planning to retire after
finishing with 10 goals and 11 assists in his 15th NHL season. The team honored
Sharp with a highlight video in the third period of its home finale, and he
waved his stick and tapped his heart to acknowledge the sustained roar of the
crowd.
NEXT UP
Defenseman Henri Jokiharju could get a long look during training camp in the fall. He was selected by the Blackhawks in the first round of last year’s draft,
but he doesn’t turn 19 until June.
CAPTAIN AMERICA
Kane has decided to keep playing. USA Hockey announced Monday that Kane will captain the U.S. team for the world championship in May in
Denmark.
http://www.officialusafootballs.com/seattle-seahawks
