writers and other dignitaries select the Robinson Award

RENTON, Wash. Custom Uruguay Soccer Jerseys . -- Earl Thomas is the latest member of the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks to be locked up for the future. The best free safety in the NFL is getting rewarded quite well. Thomas and the Seahawks reached agreement Monday on a $40 million, four-year contract extension with just over $27.7 million guaranteed, according to two people with knowledge of the agreement. They spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity because there had been no announcement from the team. The agreement was first reported by NFL.com. Thomas, a two-time first-team All-Pro, could have gone into the 2014 season with free agency on the horizon. Instead, Seattle made sure to keep the most important cog of its defence through the 2018 season. Its the latest move in a strong off-season for the defending champions. While there were losses in free agency and difficult roster decisions with expensive veterans released, Seattle re-signed defensive end Michael Bennett before free agency began, then locked up coach Pete Carroll with an extension through 2016. The debate was whether Seattle could get a long-term deal done with either Thomas or cornerback Richard Sherman before either became a free agent after the 2014 season. Thomas deal is finished and the Seahawks can turn their attention toward trying to get a deal done with Sherman and solidifying three-fourths of the top secondary in the NFL for years to come. Strong safety Kam Chancellor is already signed through the 2017 season. Thomas was Seattles second first-round pick in the 2010 draft, the first with Carroll and general manager John Schneider leading the franchise. Its turned out to be one of the most important selections the team has made since starting a makeover with the duo in charge of moulding the Seahawks into a championship club. "Earl is as serious a competitor as you could ever hope to be around. He is in it, and hes on it and dialed in," Carroll said before the Super Bowl. Thomas was Seattles second-leading tackler last season and added five interceptions, but its what his presence allows the Seahawks to do defensively that underscores his value. His speed in coverage and recognition in the secondary are among the best in the game. Much of what Seattle wants to do defensively is predicated on having Thomas on the roster. At one point early in his career, Carroll had to threaten Thomas with benching because he was trying to do too much. Thomas was getting out of position and being undisciplined in his assignments. As he matured, those mistakes became harder to find. Thomas recognition of what opponents were trying to run became so good that he could play alone in the back of Seattles defence. Often this past season, the Seahawks were able to move Chancellor closer to the line of scrimmage and ask Thomas to patrol the back end by himself. He did that job at an elite level and earned his second straight All-Pro selection. "In this defence, I think me and Kam do a lot. Sometimes dirty work, sometimes a lot of game-changing plays," Thomas said during Super Bowl week. "Everybody on the defence understands that. Thats why this defence is so compatible with each other. Its selfless guys. "Were going to put everything on the line for each other. Love is the highest frequency we have and we understand that, and thats what its all about. When youre filled up with gratitude, its a genuine appreciation for everybody around you. Thats the way I love it." Thomas has 15 career interceptions in the regular season and two more in the playoffs. Thomas will still only be 29 years old when his new deal expires after the 2018 season. Custom Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys .com) - Hassan Whiteside scored 20 points with nine rebounds in the Miami Heats 83-75 win over the Boston Celtics on Sunday. Custom Croatia Soccer Jerseys . Coach Randy Carlyle didnt know the severity of Bozaks injury. Bozak left the bench and went down the tunnel early in the second period, returned to play a handful of shifts and then did play in the third. https://www.cheapcustomjerseysonline.com/custom-bayern-munich-jerseys/ . Felton was in court as the Manhattan district attorneys office outlined the agreement, which would resolve a gun case that arose amid the breakup of his marriage. Hes expected to admit June 30 to at least one charge, attempted criminal possession of a weapon -- he wont have to come to court to do so -- and get a $5,000 fine and 500 hours of community service.Philadelphia, PA (SportsNetwork.com) - A virtual Whos Who of great FCS coaches over the last three decades have captured the Eddie Robinson Award, and this years national coach of the year will take his place next to them. Voting for the Eddie Robinson Award began on Monday with 21 finalists from across the FCS. Morgan States Lee Hull was named as the final addition to the list. Each of the 13 FCS conferences has at least one finalist. Eleven of the coaches have led their teams to either a shared or outright conference title and 13 will be coaching in the FCS playoffs. Past winners of the esteemed Eddie Robinson Award include Mark Duffner, Erk Russell, Chris Ault, Jim Tressel, Houston Nutt, Andy Talley, Paul Johnson, Joe Glenn, Jerry Kill, Jerry Moore, and the only two-time winners, Mickey Matthews and Craig Bohl. A national panel of sports information and media relations directors, broadcasters, writers and other dignitaries select the Robinson Award, now in its 28th year and selected only on regular-season merits. The winner will be announced Dec. 15 at The Sports Network FCS Awards Banquet and Presentation. The Sports Network FCS Awards package is located at http://tinyurl.com/n5ysh8x. The 2014 Eddie Robinson Award finalists: Beau Baldwin, Eastern Washington (Big Sky Conference) Has led Eagles to a third straight conference title, a 10-2 record, a No. 4 ranking in the final regular-season poll and into the FCS playoffs Rod Broadway, North Carolina A&T (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) The Aggies won a share of the conference title for the first time since 2003 and posted their highest win total (nine) since that same season, while climbing into the Top 25 for the first time in over 10 years. Clint Conque, Stephen F. Austin (Southland Conference) While improving a 3-9 record last year to 8-4 in Conques first season, the Lumberjacks have defeated two Top 10 opponents and qualified for the FCS playoffs. Marty Fine, Bryant (Northeast Conference) The Bulldogs appeared in the Top 25 for the first time ever and won eight games - the most since their program moved into the FCS ranks in 2008. Broderick Fobbs, Grambling State (Southwestern Athletic Conference) In his first season at his alma mater, Fobbs has turned around a 1-11 squad with a seven-win season and a chance to reach the SWAC championship game. John Grass, Jacksonville State (Ohio Valley Conference) Has led the Gamecocks to a perfect conference record in his first season as well as the No. 3 national ranking and a 10-game winning streak heading into the FCS playoffs. Dean Hood, Eastern Kentucky (Ohio Valley Conference) Has guided the Colonels to nine wins - the most in his seven seasons - second place in the OVC and into the FCS playoffs. Russ Huesman, Chattanoooga (Southern Conference) With a perfect record in conference play, the champion Mocs are 9-3 and headed to the FCS playoffs for the first time since 1984. Custom Jacksonville Jaguars Jerseys. Lee Hull, Morgan State (Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference) The Bears were picked ninth in the MEAC under their first-year coach but have gone 7-5 with a share of their first conference title in 35 years, advancing to the FCS playoffs for the first time. Chris Klieman, North Dakota State (Missouri Valley Football Conference) After a 9-0 start that was the best by a first-year coach in Missouri Valley history, the Bison are 11-1 and No. 2-ranked entering the FCS playoffs. Mike Kramer, Idaho State (Big Sky Conference) An 8-4 season represented the Bengals combined win total over the previous five seasons, and they have moved into the Top 25 for the first time since 2005. Dale Lindsey, San Diego (Pioneer Football League) Has directed the Toreros to a 9-2 record and the PFL championship as well as a berth in the FCS playoffs for the first time. Sean McDonnell, New Hampshire (CAA Football) The Wildcats are No. 1 ranked and the No. 1 seed in the FCS playoffs after posting a 10-1 record, including a perfect season in CAA Football. Joe Moglia, Coastal Carolina (Big South Conference) Led the Chanticleers to the No. 2 ranking and the first 11-0 start in Big South history while earning a share of the conference title and an FCS playoff berth. Tim Murphy, Harvard (Ivy League) Led the Crimson to the league title for an eighth time and a 10-0 record for the only unbeaten finish in the regular season among all FCS programs. Tony Reno, Yale (Ivy League) Early season victory over FBS member Army helped push the Bulldogs to an 8-2 record - their highest win total since 2007. Mike Sanford, Indiana State (Missouri Valley Football Conference) In his second season, Sanford has turned around a 1-11 team with a seven-win campaign and the Sycamores first FCS playoff bid since 1984. Brock Spack, Illinois State (Missouri Valley Football Conference) The Redbirds have earned a share of the conference title, doubling their 2013 win total with a 10-1 record and earning a bid to the FCS playoffs. Mark Speir, Western Carolina (Southern Conference) A 7-5 record marked the Catamounts first winning season since 2001 and they shared second place for their best finish in the conference since 1992. Joe Susan, Bucknell (Patriot League) With an 8-3 record, the Bison reached that win level for only the fifth time in their 129-year history, and finished second in the league standings. Everett Withers, James Madison (CAA Football) A seven-game winning streak to end the regular season has pushed the Dukes and their first-year coach to a 9-3 record and into the FCS playoffs. ' ' '