NAPA, Calif.
New England Patriots Pro Shop . -- Raiders defensive back DJ Hayden knows his NFL career might already be at a crossroads after just three seasons.That point was driven home emphatically in the offseason when the team made multiple changes to the secondary, bringing in veteran Sean Smith to pair with David Amerson as the starting cornerbacks.The Raiders also declined to pick up the fifth-year option on Haydens contract, meaning that -- barring a change from Oaklands front office -- the 12th overall pick in the 2013 draft will go into the offseason next year as a free agent.Not that Hayden seems bothered by it one way or the other.The 26-year-old reported to training camp leaner and more muscular as he transitions from playing on the outside to defending the slot receiver.The move has gone smoothly so far, too, as Hayden intercepted a pass from quarterback Matt McGloin and returned it for a touchdown on Saturday then made a nice play to break up a deep throw from Derek Carr on Sunday.I feel like Im more confident, Hayden said Sunday. Its my fourth year, its about time I made some plays. I want to score some touchdowns. Pretty confident I will.Hayden has struggled to live up to expectations after becoming the first first-round pick by Raiders general manager Reggie McKenzie.Hayden came out of college having survived a near-fatal heart injury, was plagued by injuries that limited him to 18 games over his first two seasons and has just three interceptions.Last season, Hayden started 13 games, played in all 16 and had a career-best 70 tackles.Now hes moving inside after spending time there last season as the Raiders nickel back while Smith and Amerson start at cornerback.Inside, you have to kind of come at it at a different approach because (receivers have) got so much field to work with, Hayden said. But its pretty much the same thing. `Thats your guy, cover him. I like it, I like it a lot.The Raiders held their first fully padded practice of training camp Sunday and Hayden stood out with his play to break up the pass from Carr.A small step, to be sure, but a signficant one for Hayden.His confidence is really high, Raiders second-year defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. He loves what hes doing. We have competition across the board and hes a competitor so hes fitting right in and competing every day.The challenge for Hayden isnt so much about transitioning to a new position. Its in convincing the coaching staff -- and perhaps other teams around the NFL -- that he can play, and play well, no matter where he lines up.We have a lot of film, a lot of evaluating but hes a really good football player and he really wants to be good, Norton said. Theres really nothing stopping him. Hes a guy that we really see as a guy thats really going to excel this year.Hayden has been one of the few constants in a secondary that has undergone sweeping changes almost every year since McKenzie was hired as general manager in 2012. One of the biggest changes this year has been adjusting to the absence of safety Charles Woodson, who retired last year after 17 NFL seasons.You cant replace Charles Woodson, but we can pick up the slack, Hayden said. Were going to have to because hes not here anymore. Its next man up.Game notes Kelechi Osemele was held out of practice for undisclosed reasons, but coach Jack Del Rio said he expects the veteran left guard to be back on Monday. ... McGloin and undrafted rookie wide receiver Johnny Holton made the plays of the day when they connected on a pair of long touchdown passes.---AP NFL websites:
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https://www.patriotsjerseysale.com/ . Down by seven with 90 seconds left in regulation, thats where they looked comfortable. Uncapped allrounder Dwaine Pretorius has been named as Dale Steyns replacement for the remaining Tests in Australia. South Africa needed the reinforcement because Steyn broke his shoulder while bowling on the first day of the Perth Test; he bowled only 12.4 overs in the match and was ruled out of the series.Pretorius, 27, represents the Lions franchise in domestic cricket in South Africa and made his ODI debut in September, playing three matches against Ireland and Australia. He has played 36 first-class matches and taken 115 wickets at an average of 22.27. He also has 1963 first-class runs at an average of 43.62 with four centuries.In the first three rounds of the ongoing Sunfoil Series, South Africas first-class competition, Pretorius made scores of 87, 80, 97, 28 and 72.
New England Patriots Gear. He also took 6 for 81 in an innings, against Warriors.Despite losing Steyn - he is expected to be sidelined for around six months - South Africa were able to win the Perth Test by 177 runs, bowling Australia out twice with a three-man attack comprising fast bowlers Vernon Philander and Kagiso Rabada, and debutant left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj. South Africa have Kyle Abbott and Morne Morkel, who was not 100% for the first Test, in the squad as well and they will now be joined by Pretorius. ' ' '