ENGLEWOOD Deandre Baker Jersey , Colo. (AP) — The Vic Fangio Era began in Denver without one of the Broncos‘ best defenders and a potential contract standoff looming.“Yeah, I won’t be there,” cornerback Chris Harris Jr. texted The Associated Press before the Broncos became the fourth team to start their offseason program.Entering the final season of a five-year, $42.5 million deal he signed in 2015, Harris is due $7.8 million in 2019, after which he’d become an unrestricted free agent.One of the NFL’s most versatile defensive backs, Harris first raised the prospect of a stare-down with general manager John Elway four months ago after the Broncos missed out on the playoffs for the third consecutive year.“It’s late in my career and I can’t waste any years anymore,” said Harris, who turns 30 in June. “It’s time for me to win. I always wanted to retire here and finish my career here, but I’m ready to see what changes and things we do.”Those changes included Vance Joseph’s firing and safety Darian Stewart’s release, which left Harris as the last remaining original member of the “No Fly Zone” defense that helped the Broncos win Super Bowl 50.Elway, who signed two defensive backs in free agency, has said he would like to work out a new deal with Harris after the draft later this month.Elway signed cornerbacks Bryce Callahan (three years, $21 million) and Kareem Jackson (three years http://www.giantsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-oshane-ximines-jersey , $33 million) in free agency last month. Jackson’s deal includes salaries of $11 million in 2020 and $10 million in 2021, and he turns 31 this month.Jackson was the best cornerback on the market, and pairing him with Harris gives Fangio enviable flexibility in coverage as both cornerbacks can line up in the slot, on the outside or even at safety.With mandatory veteran minicamp two months from now and the start of training camp more than 100 days away, Harris’ absence Tuesday didn’t raise many eyebrows.“I mean, it’s optional, right?” said linebacker Von Miller , who skipped the Broncos’ offseason program following his Super Bowl MVP performance three years ago during a contract stalemate. “We all know what type of pro Chris is on and off the football field, and he’s going to be ready to go whenever he’s here. And if he’s not here, he’ll still be ready to go.“We’re talking about ‘Strap’ Harris. So, he can be on Mars and he’s still going to be ‘Strap’ Harris,” added Miller. “He’s going through whatever he’s going through right now and I support him 100 percent. But when it’s time to go, he’s going to be ready to go. This is his ninth year coming up and whatever he has to do to get ready, I’m for it.”Harris is coming off a stellar 2018 season despite missing the last month with a broken right leg.The only NFL player with multiple interceptions in each of the past seven seasons Julian Love Jersey , Harris picked off three passes, returning one for a touchdown, and broke up 10 passes in a dozen games last season before getting hurt at Cincinnati on Dec. 2.The Broncos lost each of their last four games during Harris’ absence. He returned a month later to play in his fourth Pro Bowl, intercepting a pass in the AFC’s 26-7 victory.
The Tampa Bay Rays finished the second-best homestand in their history, with a much easier path between now and the All-Star Game as they try to claw their way back into wild-card contention.

Tampa Bay (41-40) went 8-1 at Tropicana Field, finishing a grueling stretch of 16 games against the New York Yankees, Houston Astros and Washington Nationals and going 10-6 in those games to rise back above .500.

Now the Rays have a stretch of 16 straight games against teams with losing records, including a three-game series at the Miami Marlins (34-51) starting Monday.

The Rays have dominated with their patchwork pitching staff, allowing a total of seven runs in their last six games, with five wins and a 1-0 loss. They took three of four from Houston to close out the homestand and hope to continue the success to take some positive momentum into the All-Star break.

“The fact that we have been winning and everyone has been coming together at clutch moments has been great,” said outfielder Mallex Smith, who had a late solo home run in Sunday’s 3-2 win over Houston. “We’ve been jelling as a team. We’ve been feeding off one another. It seems like someone new coming through at the right time every day.”

Next for Tampa Bay is Nathan Eovaldi (2-3, 4.08 ERA), who played for the Marlins from 2012 to 2014 and will almost certainly fare better than his only career appearance against his former team. In June 2015 http://www.giantsauthorizedshops.com/authentic-darius-slayton-jersey , he played there with the Yankees and gave up nine hits and eight earned runs in less than an inning, leaving after two outs with a 108.00 ERA to show for it.

Eovaldi has shown promise since returning from Tommy John surgery — his last start against Washington lasted six innings and he gave up no runs, one and and two walks with nine strikeouts.

The Marlins will answer with Wei-Yin Chen, who knows the Rays from his days with the Baltimore Orioles. He has started 21 career games against Tampa Bay, more than any other opponent, and posted a 5-6 record with a 3.72 ERA.

That’s considerably better than his overall numbers this year — he’s 2-5 with a 6.14 ERA, though his last start was solid. He limited Arizona to one run and five hits in six innings last week. Against Tampa Bay last year, he pitched well, holding the Rays to two runs and two hits in six innings.

The in-state rivals will meet again right after the All-Star break for three more games, but the extended run against lesser opponents is something the Rays must dominate if they want to get back into wild-card contention.

Even after winning eight of nine games, Tampa Bay is still 11 games behind Seattle for the second AL wild card. Still, being 42-41 after opening the season 1-8 isn’t bad, especially considering the injuries they’ve dealt with and the talent traded away since the end of last season.