When Kyler Murray joined the Heisman Trophy club in

December Ryan Finley Jersey , Charlie Ward thought about his initiation in 1993.Back then, the Florida State quarterback was the shiny new star, ready to embark on a world full of options.Everyone wanted to know if the promising dual-sport phenom could become the next Deion Sanders, the next Bo Jackson or perhaps an even bigger celebrity. His talent was off-the-chart good, and he seemed destined to be a winner wherever he went.A few weeks later, Ward sealed his fate by working harder on basketball than preparing for the NFL draft.The former NBA player never regretted that decision and doesn’t believe Murray should either after choosing football over baseball.“It was calculated and a risk, but it’s what I wanted to do,” Ward told The Associated Press earlier this week. “It’s the same thing I shared with Kyler at the Heisman dinner — when you make your decision, take your time and know there are consequences. I knew I wasn’t probably going to end up getting drafted (by the NFL) because I wasn’t 100 percent committed.”Murray insisted again Friday at the NFL’s annual scouting combine that he’s all-in on football, assuring Ward he’ll still be the last Heisman Trophy winner to never play a down in the NFL.If everything goes right this week in Indianapolis, at Oklahoma’s pro day in mid-March and during the first day of the April draft, Murray will have one of the rarest resume lines in sports: First-round draft pick by the NFL and Major League Baseball.Not even Ward can’t boast about being a two-time first round pick — though he did start for the 1998-99 NBA runner-up New York Knicks.For Murray, it was an easy call.“Yes, it’s my final decision,” he told a throng of reporters Friday. “I’m here. I’m ready to go. There’s no turning back.”For others, the choice wasn’t so simple.Ward, now a high school basketball coach in Tallahassee, Florida, made up his mind when NFL scouts knocked him for his size and projected him as a mid-round pick. Murray heard similar questions before measuring in at 5-foot-10 1/8 in Indy.Sanders and Jackson, of course, balanced two-sport careers until essentially being forced to choose one.Tim Tebow, the 2007 Heisman winner http://www.bengalscheapstore.com/renell-wren-jersey-cheap , bounced around the NFL for several years then began pursuing a baseball career.Some, such as San Francisco Giants pitcher Jeff Samardzija, even have second thoughts.Smaradzija made up his mind after reporting to Notre Dame for football in 2006 after a six-week, minor-league stint. The side-by-side comparison helped the talented receiver select the sport that made him happier. But after working his way from the minors to the major-league level, Samaradzija wondered if he made the wrong choice when he was sent down in 2009.“I called up my agent and said, ‘All right, start lining up tryouts.'” he said. “We talked a day or two later and let the senses cool. I thought that looked chintzy to just quit right then and there. I wanted to give it a little more (time). It’s a learning process.”Murray believes it won’t happen to him.Since making the announcement Feb. 11, he has continually rejected any notion he’ll change sports — or use baseball as leverage.But football executives can’t simply take Murray at his word. Team doctors will spend this weekend poking and prodding Murray’s body for injuries, scouts will evaluate Murray’s strength and speed, and the league’s decision-makers will probe to see how committed Murray is to the sport.One of those conducting interviews could be Denver Broncos boss John Elway, whose threat of playing baseball forced the Baltimore Colts to trade him to Denver after taking him No. 1 overall in 1983. Elway spent his entire 16-year career in Denver, where he won two Super Bowls and the 1987 MVP award.“What I like about guys who do multiple sports is it shows me they’re great competitors and they want to be great at what they do,” Elway said. “They like to compete, whether it be football, basketball (or) baseball. The competitive side and the athleticism that they have to be successful in both is a big thing.”Murray fits the mold.The three-time Texas state football champion started his college career at Texas A&M then transferred to Oklahoma where he sat one season before serving as the backup to 2017 Heisman winner Baker Mayfield.Then, after being drafted No. 9 overall by the Oakland A’s last summer, Murray delivered his own award-winning football season.He completed 69 percent of his throws and finished with 4,361 yards, 42 touchdowns and seven interceptions, capping it with the Heisman dinner and an appearance in the College Football Playoff. And now everyone, including Ward, can’t wait to watch Murray’s next chapter.“I spoke with him at the Heisman dinner and haven’t spoken to him since Michael Jordan Jersey ,” Ward said. “I’m not sure if he’s throwing, but I’m sure he’s preparing himself for that and I wish him well in his career.” DAVIE, Fla. (AP) — For any New England Patriots wanting to say hello Sunday to former teammate Danny Amendola, they most likely can find him running over the middle.But they already knew that. That’s where Amendola made his living for five seasons with the Patriots, and that’s where he has made an impact so far with his new team, the Miami Dolphins.The veteran receiver faces his former team this week and said he’s excited to return to Foxborough, although he’s not sure what form the reunion will take.“They have a lot of great people there,” Amendola said. “I can’t sit down and talk to all of them. I’m going to just focus on the game, and whoever I get to hit or handshake, that’s fine with me.”He’ll likely be hit, too. Amendola’s hallmark is pass patterns over the middle, where he willingly exposes his 5-foot-11, 190-pound frame to jarring blows.He has been effective that way for the surprising Dolphins, leading them with 11 receptions. While he has totaled only 100 yards, he has drawn attention and opened up the flanks to speedier receivers Kenny Stills, Albert Wilson and Jakeem Grant.As a result, Ryan Tannehill ranks third in the NFL in yards per attempt, and the Dolphins this week have a chance at their first 4-0 start since 1995.Tannehill loves Amendola’s contribution to the offense, and his willingness to work between the hash marks.“It’s huge,” Tannehill said. “To have the confidence and the bravery — I don’t know the politically correct word to use here — to stand in there and make those catches in tight windows, knowing that you’re going to take some punishment afterward, is huge. Some guys can’t do it http://www.raidersauthorizedshops.com/authentic-hunter-renfrow-jersey , but if you look at Danny, he’s a guy who has done it for his whole career and continues to do it. So, yes, it’s awesome to have. It definitely keeps the chains moving for us.”Miami coach Adam Gase wanted to improve the culture of his team after going 6-10 last year. So the Dolphins parted with high-maintenance receiver Jarvis Landry and signed Amendola to a $12 million, two-year deal.With 13 postseason games and two Super Bowl rings on his resume, Amendola has brought to Miami the anticipated intangibles, Gase said.“Just seeing him every day in meetings doing things the way that he does them, and the intensity that he brings, and everything he does has been great for our guys to witness,” Gase said. “He has been a positive influence.”Stills agreed.“It takes a lot of heart and courage to go across the middle and take some of the hits he has taken throughout his career,” Stills said. “That energizes a group. It makes our group stronger. That’s a high bar he sets for the rest of us.”If it annoys Amendola that the Patriots didn’t re-sign him, he’s won’t say so. Instead, he said his years with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick provided a lasting education.“Some of the things I learned there I’ll carry with me forever,” Amendola said. “What I’ve learned most is how to prepare for a game, what goes into the weekly routine leading into a game. I’m just using my preparation skills against them now.”When asked if Dolphins coaches picked his brain this week about the Patriots’ system, Amendola said: “They’re smart.”Amendola’s smart, too, and knows better than to gloat about the struggling Patriots (1-2) trailing his new team in the AFC East standings.“It’s early in the season,” he said. “Everybody in the whole league is trying to figure some things out and trying to get moving, including us.”The Dolphins have already figured out they can get moving by throwing over the middle to Amendola.