Red Bluff Daily News

December 11, 2015

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ByMichaelWagaman TheAssociatedPress ALAMEDA Fiveweeksaftersay- ing it was too early to discuss his contract situation, Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree finally has the big- money deal he had been hop- ing for. Crabtree got a four-year ex- tension with the Raiders this week that keeps the 28-year-old in the fold through 2019. The deal, according to NFL Net- work, is worth $35 million and includes nearly $19 million in guarantees. That's a far cry from what Crabtree went through as a free agent when he drew tepid inter- est before settling for a one-year, incentive-laden contract with Oakland in April. "It's always nice to get it done, that way we can just go play football," Crabtree said Thursday. "You ain't worried about where you're going to be next year and all that stuff. It's pretty neat that you know you're wanted and you want to be on the team and you're here." That the Raiders wanted to get a deal done with Crabtree before the offseason wasn't sur- prising. The veteran wide re- ceiver leads Oakland in catches (66) and receiving touchdowns (7), and is on pace for just the second 1,000-yard season of his career. Equally as important as his production on the field has been Crabtree's impact inside the Raiders locker room. Teammates have repeatedly praised Crabtree's leadership and his influence on some of the team's younger players, specifi- cally first-round draft pick Am- ari Cooper. That's also in stark contrast to what Crabtree's reputation was before he signed his origi- nal deal with the Raiders. "Over the years there's been some talk and rumblings about him not being a good teammate and things like that," Oakland safety Charles Woodson said. "You try not to pre-judge peo- ple. I know how it was when I left here and went to Green Bay. NFL Crabtreehassecurity, newdealwithRaiders Oakland'sveteran wide receiver brings skills plus leadership to his teammates PHOTOSBYBENMARGOT—THEASSOCIATEDPRESS Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) is tackled by Kansas City Chiefs inside linebacker Josh Mauga (90) and defensive back Tyvon Branch (27) during the first half Sunday in Oakland. Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) celebrates a er scoring on a touchdown reception against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half Sunday in Oakland. By Bob Baum The Associated Press GLENDALE, ARIZ. Dwight Free- ney joined the Cardinals a month into the season to help boost Arizona's troubled pass rush off the edge. He helped it a whole lot on Thursday night with a game- clinching play. Freeney stripped the ball from Teddy Bridgewater with 5 seconds remaining to deprive the Vikings a chance at the ty- ing field goal, and the Cardinals clinched a playoff berth with a 23-20 victory over Minnesota. Bridgewater moved the Vi- kings to the Arizona 31-yard line, well within the range of Blair Walsh. But Freeney hit the quarterback's arm as Bridgewa- ter tried to pass. The ball came loose and Calais Campbell re- covered. Chandler Catanzaro's 47-yard field goal with 1:23 to go was the winning score as Arizona (11-2) won its seventh in a row. Bridgewater passed for 335 yards and a touchdown for the Vikings (8-5), who were playing without four defensive starters but made it close after being embarrassed at home by Seat- tle 38-7 on Sunday. Carson Palmer threw for 310 yards and two touchdowns for the Cardinals, who will win the NFC West if Seattle is beaten Sunday at Baltimore. Minnesota's Adrian Peterson wanted more carries than the NFL Freeney's defensive play saves Arizona Pass rusher causes fumble by Vikings' quarterback to seal it ROSS D. FRANKLIN — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Arizona Cardinals tight end Darren Fells (85) is up-ended by Minnesota Vikings cornerback Trae Waynes (26) during the second half Thursday in Glendale, Ariz. CARDINALS23,VIKINGS20 Up next: Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles, 5:30p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20, TV on NBC. Up next for Vikings: Minnesota vs. Chicago Bears, 10a.m. Sun- day, Dec. 20, TV on FOX. THESCORE Sunday: Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos, 1:05p.m., TV on CBS. TUNEIN Staff Reports RED BLUFF The Red Bluff Spar- tans girls' soccer team fell to the Chico Panthers on Wednesday af- ternoon 3-1 in their first home loss of the season. After leading at the end of the first half 1-0 thanks to a goal from sophomore Karissa Mena, the Spartans were held in check and allowed three Panthers goals in the second period. Maya Cruz got the assist on the Red Bluff goal and goaltender Grace Thorton made eight saves. Mena and Cruz each had three shots on goal and Paula Kujanpaa had one. With the loss Red Bluff goes to 5-2-1. The Spartans are sched- uled to play the 5-0-1 University Prep Panthers at 9 this morning at the Foothill High Tournament in Palo Cedro. Chico remains undefeated at 3-0. CORNING 5, GRIDLEY 0 The Corn- ing Cardinals girls' soccer team shut out the Gridley Bulldogs on Wednesday 5-0 in a nonconfer- ence home game. The Cardinals scored three times in the first half and two in the second. No individual stats were posted for the game as of 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Corning, now 3-2, is scheduled to host the 0-1-1 Pleasant Valley Vikings at 3:15 p.m. Monday. Gridley remains winless at 0-3. GIRLS SOCCER Spartans beaten by Chico in home loss Corning dominates in shutout win over Gridley Sunday: San Francisco 49ers at Cleveland Browns, 10a.m., TV on FOX. TUNEIN TOM GANNAM — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILE San Francisco 49ers running back Reggie Bush is taken off on a cart during a Nov. 1game against the St. Louis Rams in St. Louis. By Janie McCauley The Associated Press SANTACLARA After the unfortu- nate way Reggie Bush's season be- gan with a hurt calf in the opener and ended on a fluke knee injury, the San Francisco 49ers running back expects to be fully healthy and ready for the 2016 season. "I'll be doing stuff every day un- til I'm healthy," Bush said, noting he could begin football activities in a couple of weeks. "Very en- couraging." Bush is still working out de- tails of his potential case against the St. Louis Regional Conven- tion and Sports Complex Author- ity after he suffered a season-end- ing knee injury on concrete at the Rams' stadium last month. The authority operates the stadium. "Strongly considering it," Bush said Thursday of taking legal ac- tion. Bush tore the meniscus in his left knee and underwent surgery, which cost him the final eight games in his first year with the 49ers. The Rams have since put down padding to cover the field- long stretch of concrete behind both benches at the Edward Jones Dome that also injured Browns quarterback Josh McCown a week before Bush went down. "They covered it up, though. They covered up the concrete," Bush said. "I would appreciate it NFL Bush works on potential case over injury in St. Louis game BUSH PAGE 2 CRABTREE PAGE 2 CARDINALS PAGE 2 SPORTS » redbluffdailynews.com Friday, December 11, 2015 MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/RBDAILYNEWS AND TWITTER.COM/REDBLUFFNEWS B1

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