Penguins sign goalie Murray to 3-year extension

October 21, 2016

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Matt Murray's breakout performance in last year's Stanley Cup playoffs earned the Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender a hefty raise.The 22-year-old and the team agreed to a three-year extension beginning next season that will pay Murray $3.75 million per season.Murray helped the Penguins to the franchise's fourth championship last spring after taking over for injured Marc-Andre Fleury then held onto the job once Fleury returned from a concussion. Murray went 15-6 with a 2.08 goals against average and a .923 save percentage in the postseason. He would have been a restricted ...

Tight end Gesicki becoming key cog for Penn State’s offense

October 21, 2016

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) - Penn State tight end Mike Gesicki gets a quick pep talk from a teammate or two before every game."Be Mike," they say.It's taken him some time to figure out exactly what that meant, but he's on the right track. Gesicki's found his way in Penn State's emerging offense with 14 catches over the past three games and has become Trace McSorley's most reliable receiver.He's a different Mike that the one who played the last two years. That one was enamored with thoughts of stardom and his overconfidence never let nerves seep in before games. That Mike led the team in ...

Steelers defense hoping to disrupt Gronk, Patriots

October 21, 2016

PITTSBURGH (AP) - When the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Sean Davis in the second round last spring, defensive coordinator Keith Butler reveled in the possibilities.Here was a 6-foot-1, 202-pound guy who could play both safety and cornerback depending on the situation, someone with the size and the speed to keep up with - if not totally neutralize - players like New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski.Davis may very well develop into such a player, but he's not there yet. "You would like to think we could put him on Gronk and say we got him," Butler said. "I don't think anybody can ...

AP source: Bills’ McCoy will be game-time decision on Sunday

October 21, 2016

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) - LeSean McCoy was healthy enough to at least watch part of practice from the sideline Thursday, though it's unclear whether the Buffalo Bills top offensive threat can play at Miami on Sunday.A person with direct knowledge of McCoy's hamstring injury told The Associated Press the Bills running back is "a game-time decision." The person spoke to The AP on the condition of anonymity because the Bills have not revealed their plans regarding McCoy's playing status.Coach Rex Ryan used the word "hopeful" in providing an update a day after McCoy left practice complaining ...

Tribe time! Indians going to World Series

October 20, 2016

TORONTO (AP) - A most unlikely pitching performance helped put a most unexpected team into the World Series.Cleveland rookie Ryan Merritt came out of nowhere and coolly delivered a lead to the Andrew Miller-led bullpen, and the Indians won their first pennant since 1997 by blanking Toronto 3-0 Wednesday in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series.Cleveland, which has never hosted a World Series opener, will play Game 1 at Progressive Field on Tuesday night against the Chicago Cubs or Los Angeles Dodgers.Manager Terry Francona's team will try to augment what's already been a scintillating ...

Jones’ message to Steelers teammates: ‘Don’t panic’

October 20, 2016

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Landry Jones is a realist. Call it the byproduct of spending the last three-plus years fighting for a job and fending off repeated attempts by the Pittsburgh Steelers to find somebody better to back up Ben Roethlisberger.So in a team meeting Wednesday, with the franchise quarterback resting at home while recovering from left knee surgery and a visit from the New England Patriots awaiting on Sunday, Jones felt it was time to send a message, albeit more than a little tongue in cheek."Don't panic."No, really."Any time THE Landry Jones graces us with his verbal leadership, ...