German_Force » You don’t necessarily make

The Tennessee Titans are doing their best to keep their core players together http://www.redskinsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-geron-christian-jersey , and now wide receiver Rishard Matthews is the latest to receive a contract extension.

The Titans announced Tuesday they extended Matthews through 2019, a surprising move for a veteran who missed the offseason and has been on the physically unable to perform list this preseason.

"Rishard has had a lot of success since he's been here," coach Mike Vrabel said. "I think that's the plan going forward with everybody. The guys that we think can help us win in the future and win now, we'd like to keep those guys around and extend them."

Matthews signed with Tennessee in March 2016 after spending the first four seasons of his career with Miami. He's had his best seasons since joining the Titans.

Since 2016, he has 118 catches for 1,740 yards and 13 touchdowns in Tennessee, and he ranks ninth in the NFL among receivers with at least 100 receptions averaging 14.7 yards per catch.

The receiver has 225 catches for 3,136 yards and 21 touchdowns in his career. Matthews was heading into the final year and due $5 million under the contract he first signed with Tennessee.

Being out with an undisclosed injury meant Vrabel and his assistants had to gauge Matthews off tape of his past two seasons. Vrabel said they feel good about Matthews' work and where he is at Authentic Clay Matthews Jersey , hoping to see the receiver soon when he's ready to go.

"He has been very professional with the walk-throughs and the meetings," Vrabel said.

"Watching from behind the huddle and getting the call while trying to take the mental reps the best that he can and stay away from things. It's a process, but I think he's taken it in stride and he's been a real pro."

Tom Wilson does not want to boast he is now a big part of the Washington Capitals‘ core.

His new contract does that for him.

When the Capitals signed the physical, top-line right winger to a $31 million, six-year contract, it was their biggest statement yet about how they see Wilson. The long-term commitment to the 24-year-old is a big-money investment in a homegrown player who played a significant role in Washington winning the Stanley Cup and could be a future captain once Alex Ovechkin is gone.

”I’ve taken more on my plate every year, and with this deal that’s going to continue to be expected,” Wilson said Monday. ”The development J.J. Jansen Jersey , they’ve watched me grow as a player and my role on the team. I think from their side, they’re confident that I’m going to continue to grow as a player.”

Wilson making an average of $5.17 million a year puts him the same range as Minnesota’s Jason Zucker, Tampa Bay’s J.T. Miller and Calgary’s Elias Lindholm, who all signed this offseason and have at least 60 more points in their NHL careers. None have Wilson’s mix of size, hitting ability or penalty-killing prowess, but Washington is also paying for his intangible value in the locker room fresh off its first championship.

”Tom is a unique player in this league in that he plays a physical game, leads by example and contributes in every facet of the game,” general manager Brian MacLellan said. ”He is just entering his prime Reggie White Jersey , and we believe that he will only continue to excel and improve as a player.”

Wilson doubled his career high with 14 goals and set a new mark with 35 points last season as he was elevated to the top line to play with Ovechkin and either Evgeny Kuznetsov or Nicklas Backstrom. His 15 points in 21 games during the Capitals’ Cup run is a level of production more in line with what he will be expected to put up over the next several seasons.

”Each year I’m going to have to continue to perform,” Wilson said. ”The NHL is about consistency. Guys will tell you there’s pressure on you as a player. You’re expected to get the job done every single night, and for me it’s just going to be about being consistent and helping the team win.”

The Capitals didn’t have to give a long contract to Wilson, a restricted free agent who didn’t elect salary arbitration. But the organization has been Wilson’s biggest supporter since 2012 when it took him in the first round, 16th overall, and then-GM George McPhee compared him to Milan Lucic.

Now only Kuznetsov, winger T.J. Oshie and defenseman John Carlson are signed for longer, and Wilson is a strong candidate to be a future face of the franchise.

This move is also a vote of confidence that Wilson will be able to rein in some of the play that has gotten him in trouble. He was suspended twice from preseason incidents and once in the playoffs last year. He also was the only forward with 30-plus points and 90-plus penalty minutes Jeremy Kerley Color Rush Jersey , finishing with 187 and a league-high 41 minors.

Wilson said he sees his elevated role as reason enough to tone down some of the borderline hits without giving up his value as a physical player.

”You don’t necessarily make as many big hits if you’re playing 19, 20 minutes,” Wilson said. ”That physical part of my game is always going to be there. That’s the nature of who I am, that’s how I play the game. I’m not going to let anyone take that away from me, but I have to be smart about it.”

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