Even though no one wants to hear the bad news in the world of football Parris Campbell Jersey , it's an unfortunately reality that no player, I repeat, no player is 100 percent safe in the offseason. The NFL is indeed a highly competitive league and there are tons of seasoned veterans and/or hyped up free agents who are brought into team locker rooms across the country having to compete with young prospects fresh out of the NFL Draft and/or regular contributors in their prime, which may or may not be a blessing.That being said, there has been quite a few drastic roster turnovers during the annual offseason, and the NFL continues to prove time and time again that they're a "What have you done for me lately?" type of league. Yeah, it's not fun for a coaching staff to spill out the harsh truth to a player that will likely drag the entire team down if they continue to hold down a roster spot, but there are some things that need to be said and this is easily one of them. And, if any of these players do end up making their team's 53-man roster, it's probably not going to last for a significant amount of time because a team can only accept so much inconsistency before all the reality sinks in and excess weight needs to be trimmed before the upcoming season rolls around.Now Bobby Okereke Jersey , let's shift our attention to the article's topic of Dead Weight: One Player Every NFL Team Should Release Before The Season Starts. The last time Clayton Kershaw pitched at Wrigley Field, the ace left-hander helped lead the Los Angeles Dodgers into the World Series.

It was a much different situation Monday. But still important for the Dodgers.

Kershaw threw a three-inning simulated game before Los Angeles¡¯ series opener against the Chicago Cubs was postponed, taking another step forward in his recovery from a strained lower back. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner said he felt really good and plans to pitch somewhere in four or five days, either in a minor league rehab start or for the Dodgers.

¡±It was good, very encouraged,¡± manager Dave Roberts said. ¡±Just the way that the ball was coming out today, the command of the fastball as good as it¡¯s been for me ¨C and obviously this setting is not a major league game ¨C but for me the best it¡¯s been in a month, for sure.¡±

The 30-year-old Kershaw was sidelined for nearly a month with left biceps tendinitis before returning May 31 against Philadelphia. He tossed five effective innings in a no-decision against the Phillies, and then went back on the disabled list the next day with the back injury.

The Dodgers said over the weekend that Kershaw was headed for a simulated game Tuesday or Wednesday ¨C in Los Angeles. But Kershaw said that was just one of the plans in the mix.

¡±I knew it was probably going to be here,¡± he said. ¡±It¡¯s just more of a logistical thing. It¡¯s just harder to do in L.A. Nobody¡¯s there when you go on the road.

¡±It¡¯s just when you have hitters in there it¡¯s good to see some Khari Willis Jersey , even though it¡¯s a sim game at least you have them reacting. It was a little bit better today.¡±

The trip brought Kershaw back to one of the best moments of his outstanding career, a crisp six innings in an 11-1 victory over Chicago in Game 5 of the NL Championship Series last October ¨C sending Los Angeles to the World Series for the first time since 1988. The Dodgers then lost to the Astros in seven games for the title.

He also was greeted by some Los Angeles-like weather, with temperatures in the mid-90s on a steamy day in the Midwest.

¡±It was hot,¡± he said. ¡±It was good, it lets you get loose.¡±

Kershaw is 1-4 with a 2.76 ERA in just eight starts this year for Los Angeles, which has been riddled by injuries. He missed about five weeks last season with a similar back injury.

While Roberts left open the possibility Kershaw could return this weekend against the Mets, he said the organization was leaning toward a rehab start, likely with Triple-A Oklahoma City.

¡±You look at how much he¡¯s pitched over the last two months and it hasn¡¯t been a whole lot,¡± he said. ¡±So to see it in real competition, obviously that makes a lot of sense.¡±

Los Angeles had won five of six heading into the three-game set with Chicago. The opener was postponed because of rain and a limited power outage at Wrigley Josh Allen Jersey , creating a day-night doubleheader on Tuesday.

The Dodgers have more help on the way than just Kershaw.

Rich Hill is slated to start Tuesday night in his first major league game since May 19. The veteran left-hander has been sidelined by a blister on his left middle finger.

Infielder Chase Utley, who has been sidelined by left thumb sprain, is expected to come off the DL on Tuesday or Wednesday. Rookie right-hander Walker Buehler, one of baseball¡¯s top pitching prospects, is scheduled for a bullpen session Saturday in New York, continuing his comeback from a right rib microfracture.

¡±From that point on we¡¯ll have a little more information and figure out how aggressive we¡¯ll want to be with him,¡± Roberts said.

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Jay Cohen can be reached at