By Matt Kawahara Updated 9:24 pm CDT, Saturday, August 3, 2019 Cliff Branch, the dynamic receiver who won three Super Bowls in a 14-year career with the Raiders, has died, the team confirmed late Saturday. Branch, a Houstonian who attended Worthing High School, had just turned 71 on Aug. 1. A cause of death was not immediately known. The Raiders released a short initial statement from owner Mark Davis on Saturday evening: “Cliff Was My Best Friend.. I Will Miss Him Dearly,” Davis wrote. Branch is arguably one of the most accomplished receivers not in the Pro Football Hall of Fame and compiled his numbers in an era when passing offenses were far less prevalent. He finished in the top-10 in the NFL in receiving yards in four seasons and top-10 in receiving touchdowns five times, leading the league in both categories in 1974. In 14 seasons, all with the Raiders, Branch had 501 catches for 8,685 yards and 67 touchdowns, averaging 17.3 yards per catch. He was … [Read more...] about Former Raiders receiver Cliff Branch dies at 71
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A former UMass wide receiver ran the fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL combine Saturday
Get Patriots game stats and the inside scoop on the season with The Boston Globe's Point After newsletter delivered for free to your inbox. When Andy Isabella’s 40-yard dash times first surfaced Saturday, the initial results seemed like mistakes. The 4.56 and 4.46 marks are dream times for most sprinters, but for the University of Massachusetts product Isabella, something seemed off. As it turned out, the times actually were incorrect. Isabella ultimately ran a 4.31 – which tied him for the fastest time among all NFL combine participants Saturday – and that was no mistake. Defensive backs didn’t run Saturday, but no players who did were faster then Isabella. Last year, only two receivers ran under 4.40. This year, there were seven, and Isabella tied Ohio State’s Parris Campbell for the top spot. Many have tabbed Isabella – who led the Football Bowl Subdivision with 1,698 receiving yards in 2018 – as a potential Patriots target. … [Read more...] about A former UMass wide receiver ran the fastest 40-yard dash at the NFL combine Saturday
49ers’ Kittle on pace to break Gronkowski’s NFL record
By Eric Branch Published 1:05 pm PST, Monday, December 10, 2018 San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is greeted on the bench after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Josie Lepe) less San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is greeted on the bench after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Santa Clara, ... more Photo: Josie Lepe / Associated Press Photo: Josie Lepe / Associated Press Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Image 1 of 1 San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is greeted on the bench after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the … [Read more...] about 49ers’ Kittle on pace to break Gronkowski’s NFL record
Kittle’s 210 receiving yards lead 49ers to upset win over Broncos
By Eric Branch Published 4:29 pm PST, Sunday, December 9, 2018 SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 09: San Francisco 49ers Tight End George Kittle (85) celebrates a first down during the NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the San Francisco 49ers on December 9, 2018 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, CA. (Photo by Cody Glenn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) less SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 09: San Francisco 49ers Tight End George Kittle (85) celebrates a first down during the NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the San Francisco 49ers on December 9, 2018 at ... more Photo: Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire Via Getty Images Photo: Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire Via Getty Images Image 1 of / 18 Caption Close Image 1 of 18 SANTA CLARA, CA - DECEMBER 09: San … [Read more...] about Kittle’s 210 receiving yards lead 49ers to upset win over Broncos
Broncos RB Phillip Lindsay: “We’re a playoff team”
There’s one thing Phillip Lindsay isn’t carrying to daylight right now: A shred of doubt. “I mean, you have confidence every time you win,” the Denver Broncos’ rookie tailback and former University of Colorado star said after rushing for a season-best 110 yards Sunday in a 24-17 victory over Pittsburgh. “You build a bond, you build what you need to get to the next step. We (need) to peak here, so that when we get to the playoffs, we can peak again.” Hang on. Playoffs? “We’re a playoff team,” Lindsay replied. “If you sit here and doubt yourself, there’s no reason for you to play.” No. 30 is toppling more skeptics — and front-line NFL defenses — by the week. The AFC Central-leading Steelers (7-3-1) came into Broncos Stadium at Mile High having allowed just 99.6 rushing yards per game, the eighth-best clip in the league. Lindsay topped the century mark on just 14 carries, averaging 7.9 yards a tote, … [Read more...] about Broncos RB Phillip Lindsay: “We’re a playoff team”