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Tue Nov 26, 2019 10:43 am
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SAN FRANCISCO -- Bruce Miller recalls springtime three years ago when 49ers running backs coach Tom Rathman called to inquire whether he might be up for a position change. Greg Maddux Jersey . Defence to offence. The answer was simple: of course he would. Miller wanted his best chance to contribute in the NFL as soon as possible. "You know me, I didnt care if it was offence, defence or special teams," Miller said. "That was exciting to know I was on their radar." Now, that well-timed switch has helped Miller earn some job stability. He signed a three-year contract extension with San Francisco on Thursday, ensuring the team can keep a key member of its running game through the 2017 season. The do-everything Miller was lost for the season Dec. 15 with a left shoulder blade injury sustained during a win at Tampa Bay -- and his absence left a huge void. San Francisco greatly missed his contributions the rest of the way before losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion and rival Seattle Seahawks in the NFC title game. Miller had a tough time using the arm after the game. He took a hard hit from Buccaneers safety Keith Tandy after a 10-yard catch midway through the fourth quarter. He has been training and rehabbing at 49ers headquarters and is ready for a full off-season program with his teammates. "Its going great. I had a complete, full, healthy recovery," Miller said. "Its looking good. Ill be completely ready and 100 per cent come April 21 and have a great off-season. Im a full participant right now. If we were to start today Id be ready to go." The 26-year-old Miller has been a key blocker for 1,000-yard rusher Frank Gore, and Miller had 25 catches for 243 yards along with seven carries for 13 yards last season. He worked to convert from college defensive end to NFL fullback. Gore has long credited Miller with allowing him to break big gains. "Bruce is a hard-working, dedicated young player that has done an outstanding job for us, both on and off the field," 49ers general manager Trent Baalke said. "He is one of those players that contributes a lot more to the team and to the community than he gets credit for, yet wouldnt have it any other way. We are pleased that Bruce has chosen to extend his stay with the 49ers." During the 2011 season as a rookie, Miller caught the 49ers lone touchdown in a 19-11 win at Washington and emerged as a feel-good story in coach Jim Harbaughs first season. Harbaugh has appreciated Miller from Day 1. Especially considering Miller was open to the idea of converting from defensive end to fullback. The move gave him a regular job with the 49ers. "Its definitely been a long journey and a lot of hard work, but its been a blast. I couldnt have planned it out any better for me," Miller said. "Three years as a part of this organization, I couldnt ask for anything more. Excited for whats to come." Miller was a dominant defensive end for Central Florida, earning Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year honours while becoming the schools all-time sacks leader with 36. "Ive had so much help, especially when I first came in, transitioning to offence," Miller said. "Him having the confidence of putting me out on the field and letting me play that first year was big." While Miller has quietly emerged supporting Gore and the running backs in so many ways, he has become one of the players the Niners count on most. San Francisco has increased his role and load each season, and he would love to take on even more. "For me, its wanting to definitely just be a part and do whatever I can to help our offence be successful. Every year its been evolving and more on my plate," Miller said. "Hopefully, more additions and a little more playing time for me." Koji Uehara Jersey . The Tournament of Champions, which starts Friday, is his first event since a freak accident in Shanghai two months ago. Snedeker was on a Segway scooter during a corporate outing at Sheshan International when he took a tumble and injured his left knee. Steve Cishek Jersey . -- Cordell Cato scored his first goal of the season and the San Jose Earthquakes survived a full half playing a man down to beat FC Dallas 2-1 Saturday night. https://www.cheapcubs.com/1540t-larry-bowa-jersey-cubs.html .J. Ward appeared in court Friday on misdemeanour charges that he threw a glass mug at a bartender at a Denver strip club. MILAN, Italy -- New Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri kicked off his time in charge with a victory as his team won 1-0 at Chievo Verona in the Serie A opener on Saturday. Roma, last years runner-up, won 2-0 at home to Fiorentina, with Radja Nainggolan and Gervinho scoring. Juventus showed that little has changed from the spirit which drove it to three consecutive league titles as Martin Caceres helped open the scoring in the sixth minute. Caceres headed Carlos Tevezs corner toward goal, although it eventually went in off the back of Cristiano Biraghi. Juventus had several chances to extend its advantage and hit the woodwork three times in the first half. "There are good signs, Im happy enough," Allegri said. "But there is a lot to improve. I was more worried than angry at the end. We should have closed the match and instead we risked them equalizing." Roma got off to a record Serie A start of 10 straight wins last season, before faltering as the campaign wore on. It once again looks set to push Juventus all the way. "Were strong and were not going to hide it," Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi said. "This year for the first time I say that we can aim for the title. But aiming for it is different to making it seem very easy." Allegri was hired by Juventus last month, replacing Antonio Conte, who resigned -- and later became Italy coach. For his first competitive match in charge Allegri was without the injured Andrea Pirlo, Alvaro Morata and Andrea Barzagli while Giorgio Chiellini was suspended. Fernando Llorente and Sebastian Giovinco had been suffering from flu and were only fit for the bench, which meant that Kingsley Coman started and the 18-year-old impressed on his debut. Juventus began brightly and Tevez, who had been left far too much space inside the penalty area, drilled narrowly wide of the left post inside the opening minute. After taking an early lead it had several chances to double its advantage but Claudio Marchisio lifted Paul Pogbas deft pass over the bar. Vidal, who had been the subject of intense transfer speculation in the off-season, had an effort cleared off the line before then heading the resulting corner off the right post. "It was important for us to win today, we have a long season ahead and need to be ready too battle every weekend," Allegri said. Jose Quintana Cubs Jersey. . "Now we have the international break to hopefully get at least one of so many absentees back." Chievo was struggling and its best opportunity came in the 25th minute as Valter Birsa raced down the left flank before centring for Ezequiel Schelotto, whose effort flew well wide of the left post. Juventus hit the woodwork again shortly before halftime when Tevez fired Stephan Lichtsteiners cross off the bar. From the resulting corner, Caceres also hit the bar. Coman almost capped a brilliant performance with a goal seconds after halftime, but his curled effort from just outside the penalty area scraped the outside of the right post. Juventus was nearly made to rue its wasted opportunities when goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon was forced into a fantastic save at point-blank range to deny Maxi Lopez. In the capital, Roma was also struggling with injuries so Kostas Manolas -- who only joined last week -- was thrown straight into the back four along with fellow new signings Ashley Cole and Davide Astori. The attacking pace of Gervinho and Juan Manuel Iturbe caused Fiorentina no end of problems. Roma took the lead in a move started and finished by Nainggolan. He threaded the ball through to Gervinho and was on hand to smash the rebound into the bottom right corner after his teammates effort had been parried by Fiorentina goalkeeper Norberto Neto. Fiorentina coach Vincenzo Montella responded by immediately taking off Australia international Joshua Brillante, who had given the ball away in the buildup. Gervinho should have extended Romas lead early in the second half following a swift counterattack but, after a fantastic run, the Ivory Coast striker saw his shot smothered when he might have done better to square it to unmarked teammate Miralem Pjanic. Moments later Gervinho also had an effort blocked by Neto. Roma goalkeeper Morgan De Sanctis had had little to do all match but kept his team in the lead shortly after the hour mark when he tipped Josip Ilicics free kick onto the crossbar before pulling off another great save to deny Khouma Babacar. Gervinho sealed the result in stoppage time, beating the offside trap to race onto Nainggolans through ball, before rounding Neto and firing across into the back of the net. ' ' ' |
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