warum » breaking down film of his opponents. For

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The Panthers used the franchise tag on Greg Hardy on Friday, preventing the outspoken defensive end from hitting the free agent market. Hardy will make $12.45 million next season. The team also re-signed kicker Graham Gano to a four-year contract. Financial terms of that deal were not released. Hardy, known by teammates as "The Kraken," tied a franchise single-season record with 15 sacks in 2013 and was selected second-team All-Pro by The Associated Press. SportsIllustrated.com ranked Hardy as this off-seasons top NFL free agent. Hardy led the Panthers with 38 quarterback pressures and posted a career-high 67 tackles last season. "We are very pleased that Greg will be back with the Panthers next season," Panthers head coach Ron Rivera said in a release. "He was a big reason we were able to lead the league in sacks last year and keeps our defensive line intact." The Panthers have until July 15 to sign Hardy to a long-term contract extension. After that date they cant discuss a contract extension until after the season is over. "The franchise mechanism gives us time to secure the services of a very good player while we continue to look at the future of Greg with the Carolina Panthers," Panthers general manager Dave Gettleman said in a release. "We have had great dialogue with both Greg and his agent. It was important to keep our defensive front together." Hardy and Charles Johnson are the only set of teammates to record 10 or more sacks in each of the last two seasons. They have combined for 49.5 sacks during that span, tied for most in the NFL. A former sixth-round draft pick out of Mississippi, Hardy made the league veteran minimum salary last year. Hardy said in January he would have no problem if the Panthers used the franchise tag on him after being selected to his first Pro Bowl. "I would love a franchise (tag), man," Hardy said prior to the playoffs. "Add another year on my career. Get to play football a little bit longer without a contract. Another year to be in Carolina just to get them a chance to get their fiscal responsibilities in order so we can be here forever, like Steve Smith and a lot of other guys." Hardy becomes the fifth player in Panthers history to receive the franchise tag, joining punter Todd Sauerbrun (2003), tackle Jordan Gross (2008), defensive end Julius Peppers (2009) and centre Ryan Kalil (2011). Gano helps solidify the teams kicking situation. The 26-year-old Gano is coming off a successful season, converting 24 of 27 field goal attempts while helping the team to a 12-4 record and the NFC South title. He set a franchise record and tied for the NFL lead with six made field goals from 50 yards or more. He was the only NFL kicker with three or more attempts from 50 yards or more without a miss from that distance. "Im really excited to be back in Carolina," Gano said. "It is where my family and I wanted to be. I love the organization and feel this is the best place for me." Rivera said: "The special teams unit was a large part of our success last year and we are excited to keep Graham as a part of our team. Graham has shown range and accuracy in his field goal kicking, and his strong leg has been a weapon for us on kickoffs." Of his 82 kickoffs, 76 reached the end zone, including 63 for touchbacks, the highest percentage in the NFL since 1994. A five-year NFL veteran, Gano spent his first three seasons with the Washington Redskins. He has converted 92 of 118 field goal attempts in his career. Gano feels like he has some stability on the team, which has helped his game. "When I was in Washington I went through four holders and that took some getting used to," Gano said. "I finally got comfortable there and made my last 14 of 17 field goals. Ive carried over that consistency to Carolina." Gano said he was celebrating the new deal by taking his son to Chic-fil-A. NHL Jerseys Sale . -- Howie Kendrick had a two-run single in his first game batting leadoff this season, Chris Iannetta hit a pair of RBI singles and the Los Angeles Angels beat Cleveland 6-4 Tuesday night, sending the Indians to their fifth straight defeat. Cheap NHL Jerseys Authentic . The game had many controversial incidents that, upon closer inspection, were not as controversial as many believed. The Formations Toronto FC lined up in its usual 4-4-2 formation, with Nick Hagglund slotting in at right fullback and Bradley Orr at centreback in place of the injured Mark Bloom and Steven Caldwell, respectively. https://www.chinanhljerseys.us/ . He was attracted by the punishing defence, the strong running game and a coaching staff he trusted. The 49ers announced Thursday that Manningham had signed a two-year deal to join the team he helped knock out in the NFC championship game two months ago in their latest offensive upgrade at wide receiver. Fake NHL Jerseys .Y. - Alex Smith and the Kansas City Chiefs didnt flinch in the face of adversity. Wholesale NHL Jerseys China . - Young and old.Anthony Calvillo wants to hit the pavement running as an assistant coach with the Montreal Alouettes.Pro footballs all-time passing leader ended his one-year hiatus from football Monday when he was named an offensive assistant with the Alouettes. The 42-year-old Los Angeles natives official position wont be determined until Montreal hires a new offensive co-ordinator, which head coach Tom Higgins figures will happen in early January.The biggest thing for me right now is to start hunkering down, Calvillo said during a conference call. Once I get off this call Im going to get on the phone with (GM Jim Popp) and start getting access to a computer and start watching film from last year.I want to look at the entire season on the offence and see what was going on and absorb everything and learn from it. Being away from the game for a year has been great but its time for me to get back to work.Calvillo retired in January after a concussion limited him to just seven games in 2013. During his retirement announcement Calvillo said he was taking 2014 off to spend time with his wife and two young daughters but often stated his goal was to start coaching in 2015.Montreals defensive coaching staff returns intact with Noel Thorpe (defensive co-ordinator/assistant head coach), Keith Willis (defensive line), Greg Quick (linebackers) and Anwar Stewart (quality control). Offensively, Kris Sweet (offensive line) and Andre Bolduc (quality control) retained their jobs but offensive co-ordinator Ryan Dinwiddie will return as an offensive assistant, just like Calvillo.Dinwiddie, 34, who began his CFL coaching career as an assistant in 13 with Montreal, assumed the offensive co-ordinators job after Rick Worman was fired during training camp. To help Dinwiddie, the Alouettes hired former NFL assistant Turk Schonert and former CFL/NFL star Jeff Garcia as consultants before naming them receivers and quarterbacks coach, respectively.He (Dinwiddie) was put in a situation that there was no one else and so we surrounded him with whatever we possibly could, Higgins said. You have to look at it he also understood he was in a situation that was overwhelming to him.For him to have had that experience so very young in his coaching is going to serve him very well . . . I think hes a lot more comfortable now knowing he can continue to work and grow and learn. I dont look at it as a demotion, its just being back where he was and needs to be in his development.Higgins said Garcia, who joined Montreal in August as an offensive consultant before being promoted to quarterbacks coach, wont return. Garcia has a young family living in Southern California and wants to be closer to home.Running backs coach Mark Speckman and defensive assistant Jean-Vincent Posy-Audette both wont return. Speckman has interviewed for a head coaching position at Lewis & Clark, a Division III school in Portland, Ore., while Higgins said Posy-Audette opted against coming back.Montreal is also looking for a special-teams co-ordinator.The Alouettes opened last season losing six of their first seven games before finishing 8-2 to secuure second in the East with a 9-9 record.dddddddddddd After beating the B.C. Lions 50-17 in the East semifinal, Montreals campaign ended with 40-24 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the division final.Higgins also said Schonert might return in 15, fuelling speculation the former NFL quarterback could be promoted to offensive co-ordinator. Schonert served as the Buffalo Bills offensive co-ordinator in 08 and was a finalist for the Montreal head-coaching job that went to Dan Hawkins in 13.Hawkins was fired just five games into the 13 season after compiling a 2-3 record.With Garcia gone, Calvillo could become Montreals quarterbacks coach and tutor young starter Jonathan Crompton. Its a position Calvillo certainly knows well, having played 20 CFL seasons, including his final 16 with the Als.Calvillo retired as the most prolific passer in pro football history (79,816 yards) and three times was the CFLs outstanding player. He led Montreal to eight Grey Cup appearances, winning three, and Oct. 13 the Alouettes retired his No. 13.Higgins said Montreals offensive co-ordinator will determine the coaching roles of his assistants but added the experience Calvillo gained as a player would allow him to coach much more than just quarterbacks.He can coach running backs, quarterbacks, receivers anything on the offensive side of the ball not associated with the offensive line, Higgins said. Hes hungry to learn.He knows hes young in this process. He knows he can bring a lot to the table but also knows the learning curve hes going to incur.A fact not lost upon Calvillo.Im here to learn . . . Im up for anything, he said. Im really looking forward to the challenge because thats exactly what its going to be, a challenge to learn how to be a coach.Calvillo was blessed with a strong right arm, but physical ability was but one reason for his on-field success. He was also meticulous in his preparation, spending countless hours breaking down film of his opponents. Former Als head coaches Don Matthews and Marc Trestman both included Calvillo in forming the weekly offensive gameplan and were rewarded with Grey Cup titles with Calvillo under centre.However, the challenge Calvillo faces now is finding an effective way to pass on the many lessons hes learned to Montreals players.I have all this knowledge in my head but I have to make sure it comes across where guys can understand it, he said. When I would have my days off, when Id relax at home during the season the coaches were grinding away preparing for the next opponent . . . I have to see what they were doing for so many years to make sure I could bring information and knowledge to that whole process.Im starting from the bottom.But Popp said Calvillos many on-field accomplishments will command respect from Montreals players.Anthony will begin his career learning the ropes of being a coach, which is very different than a player, Popp said. Hell learn it very quickly but right off the bat when he walks into the locker-room theres true trust there with a lot of our players because he was their leader before he stepped away. ' ' '