Dein erstes Forum » A couple of late-game missed kicks proved to be the

SANTA CLARA Drew Lock Jersey , Calif. (AP) — difference between making the playoffs and staying home last season for the Los Angeles Chargers.With a chance to end this exhibition season on a winning note, Roberto Aguayo delivered and made his case to be the Chargers kicker when the season starts.Aguayo kicked a 26-yard field goal on the final play of the exhibition season to lead Los Angeles to a 23-21 victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday night.“To hit a game-winner, it counts,” Aguayo said. “I’m glad our team was able to get up close and give me a shot.”Aguayo is in a battle with Caleb Sturgis to win the kicking job for the Chargers (2-2) and got the opportunity for the winner against San Francisco. Coach Anthony Lynn had rotated his kickers during the game, with both making 36-yard field goals and extra points before Aguayo got the final chance after a 63-yard kick return by Detrez Newsome set up the winning drive.“Both guys have kicked extremely well the last couple of weeks,” Lynn said. “It’s been a healthy competition.”It was a sweet moment for Aguayo, who was a second-round pick by Tampa Bay in 2016 but quickly flamed out. He missed nine field goals as a rookie and then was waived by the Buccaneers last summer. He made all three field goals this preseason.“I feel like I’ve done great,” he said. “When I’ve had opportunities, I’ve done well. I’m really proud of myself from where I’ve come since last year. It’s been a long road and a long journey.”The kick spoiled a storybook night for San Francisco’s Jack Heneghan. He was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Dartmouth as a camp arm for the Niners (1-3), joining the franchise his father, Lal, used to work for as a lawyer.Heneghan got almost no snaps in team drills in practice this summer and didn’t play in the first three exhibition games. But with most of the regulars sitting out Thursday, coach Kyle Shanahan gave him a chance and Heneghan made the most of it. He went 8 for 9 for 58 yards and ran twice for 17 yards to lead the two TD drives.“I grew up watching the Niners, going to games back in Candlestick,” Heneghan said. “I’ve always been a big fan of the team. I would have been happy to have an NFL opportunity as a rookie anywhere. It was that much more exciting to do it at home in front of friends and family.”Jeff Wilson scored on a 2-yard run and Jeremy McNichols had a 6-yard TD run with 2:58 to play.Cardale Jones threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Andre Patton http://www.broncosauthorizedshops.com/authentic-dre_mont-jones-jersey , and Terrell Watson scored on a 4-yard run on the final play of the first half for the Chargers.CAMEO APPEARANCESWhile most of the regulars got the night off, two defensive starters got on the field for brief appearances for the 49ers. Defensive lineman Solomon Thomas had two tackles for losses on the opening drive before calling it a night. Thomas had missed time this summer with a concussion.Linebacker Reuben Foster, who left last week’s game with a concussion, played three series and knocked Detrez Newsome for a 6-yard loss after a catch. Foster will sit out the first two games with a suspension following two offseason arrests.UNDER PRESSUREChristopher Landrum had two sacks in the first half for the Chargers, including one that forced a fumble by Nick Mullens and set up a field goal for Los Angeles.ROSTER PUSHSeventh-round draft pick Richie James Jr. delivered another strong performance in his drive to make San Francisco’s roster as a reserve receiver. He caught seven passes for 80 yards and added a 23-yard punt return. He finished the preseason with 15 catches for 192 yards and a TD.“I’m a playmaker,” James said. “That’s what I do. I come in and make plays when I get the ball in my hands.”NATIONAL ANTHEMAll players on both teams appeared to stand during the playing of the national anthem.INJURIESChargers: WR Artavis Scott left with an ankle injury.49ers: FB Malcolm Johnson left with a foot injury.NEXT UPChargers: Host Kansas City for season opener Sept 9.49ers: Visit Minnesota for season opener Sept. 9. METAIRIE, La. (AP) — Saints third-string quarterback Taysom Hill never envisioned launching his body across the path of a punted ball when he arrived in New Orleans last season to serve as an understudy to record-setting passer Drew Brees.Yet his momentum-changing blocked punt in last week’s comeback victory at Tampa Bay became just his latest highlight that has nothing to do with dropping back from the line of scrimmage and throwing a football.It has become increasingly apparent this season that the 6-foot-2, 220-pound Hill has the potential to become the NFL’s ultimate utility player. And if doing so improves the Saints’ Super Bowl odds, Hill’s game.“Standing on the sideline with a hat on and a clip board and a sweat shirt is not as fun as doing what I’m doing,” Hill said.The 28-year-old Hill’s embrace of his unconventional role comes with risk, particularly in light of his background. He had major injuries in four of his five seasons at BYU: a knee injury, a bone fracture in his leg, a foot fracture and a hyper-extended elbow.But at this point, Hill doesn’t see himself playing special teams throughout his career.“I thought that I would come in and develop as a quarterback and have the opportunity to compete to play at quarterback,” Hill said. “That’s what I’m still hopeful for.”In the meantime T.J. Hockenson Jersey , Hill has made a value judgment. He loves playing, so he’s willing to make his skill set available in ways he might not have previously considered.“I’m grateful that the coaches here had a vision for me and then created opportunities,” Hill said. “That’s unique and I’m grateful for the coaching staff here that had a vision, but then they took a chance, right? Because if things don’t go well, they look silly.”Instead, Hill has already made enough plays on special teams that Saints coach Sean Payton figures Hill, if he wanted to, could make a sustained NFL career out of doing just that, much like Steve Tasker did with Buffalo or Fred McAfee did in New Orleans.“Yet, the difference is, I think he can be a quarterback. I think that’s the plan,” Payton said. “The plus is he has that athleticism, size, and speed. He can do a lot of things.“He has very good savvy Zach Brown Jersey ,” Payton continued. “He’s catching. He’s rushing. He’s tackling. He’s running. He’s throwing. I mean, he’s just a good football player.”Hill has five special teams tackles this season. He’s returned a kickoff for 47 yards and helped convert two fake punts into first downs as an upback, one running and one throwing. He has even lined up at tight end.At times, Payton inserts Hill at quarterback in place of Brees for read-option runs, one of which went for a 1-yard touchdown. Hill also completed a 44-yard pass to Michael Thomas at Minnesota.Hill said that if he does get his shot to play quarterback more regularly, he wants to be more of a traditional passer, albeit one who can run when prudent.“I’d much rather throw for a touchdown than run for one,” Hill said. “But I think there are elements of my game that make it difficult on a defense and I think it would be dumb not to take advantage of that.”In high school in Idaho, Hill was a standout football player and basketball player. On the court, his size, strength and jumping ability — he can dunk — led coaches to play him at power forward. He was a strong rebounder, and with his background as a quarterback, had little trouble passing out of double-teams.He had small college basketball offers but initially committed to play football at Stanford before deciding that BYU would suit him better after he completed a Mormon mission.He began his NFL career as an undrafted free agent with Green Bay last season. When he was waived at the end of training camp, Payton signed Hill to New Orleans’ active roster. Late last season, the Saints dabbled with putting Hill on special teams to make use of his athleticism Kyler Murray Jersey , and he quickly started being the first down the field and making tackles.“He’s so good at it you’re not going to have him just sitting there holding the clipboard,” Saints quarterbacks coach Joe Lombardi said. “He’s got to go play.”Running back Alvin Kamara said Hill has earned respect across the Saints’ locker room.“He does it all. He’s a tough player,” Kamara said. “A lot of things he does, that’s not things that one person does. You usually get a couple of people to do all the things he does.”In New Orleans, Hill has captured the imagination of many fans. The Superdome crowd rumbles with anticipation when he takes the field.“Obviously, I’m blessed athletically to create opportunities like this, but I think the moral of my story that can relate to anyone is you can overcome a lot in life if you’re willing to spend the time, energy and effort,” Hill began.And then there’s the part about being adventurous enough to seize unanticipated opportunities.“That comes from doing something you really love, right? And I love football,” Hill said. “I love competing and that’s why it was an easy answer for me when they asked me to do different things. So if you’re doing something you love, you might experience setbacks, but overall you’re going to be willing to work at whatever it is or adjust on the fly to whatever situation comes up.”