The Grand Rapids Press, Miller was charged in Switzerlands Canton of Z

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Rob Gronkowski is getting some help from a couple of very talented friends as he continues his comeback from knee surgery: Tom Brady and Darrelle Revis. As the New England Patriots prepare for their second preseason game, Gronkowski, their star tight end, awaits a return to contact. Meanwhile, he works on the side, and part of that work includes catching passes from Brady, with star cornerback Revis "covering" him without contact. Pretty fair workout partners for Gronkowski until he is ready for hitting. "Its good just to have a defender out there, instead of just running all of my routes on air right now," Gronkowski said after Sundays practice. "To break off a guy, right in front of you, just like its a game, youve got to break off a guy, break off a defender. Having Darrelle out there giving me a little contact, a little bit, pushing me on my routes, just making me a better player out there, as of right now." Asked if Revis is merely offering some resistance, and not working on his own things with his new team, Gronkowski said, "Its basically more of a drill for me, but hes definitely learning, too, I would say. "Hes just breaking a little bit, not going full, full out. Hes just helping me out and getting me back adjusted to having a defender out there in front of me." The drills also further advance the already special connection between Brady and his tight end. Gronkowski, who underwent surgery on his right knee back in December, didnt accompany the team last week as the Patriots joined the Washington Redskins for workouts prior to the teams meeting in the first preseason game. He stayed behind getting his work in and reports continued improvement. "Pretty good, improving every single week so far," he said when asked about his progression --which is aimed at the apparent goal of him returning for the season opener. "No setbacks or anything like that. Just going out there and feeling better every single time I get on the field." He said the team being away also allowed him to get some rest for the knee. "Im feeling better since the time off so Im doing well," he said. "When you (have) something you cant just keep going on it - youve got to let your body heal, youve got to let your body rest and recover. "It was a good week and now Im back to this week going hard and getting back at it." The next step, of course, is contact, something a 100-per cent Gronkowski loves. "Closer every single day," he said. "Closer every single day, to get in there with the team, getting in there and getting some contact. Talking to the trainers, we dont have a set date or anything. Just taking it day by day and well see how it goes. Just improving every day to get back out there and start hitting." Notes: The Patriots will host two dual practices with the Philadelphia Eagles this week before the team meet in a preseason game at Gillette Stadium on Friday night. . Backup quarterback Ryan Mallett, who played a shaky first half in the 23-6 loss to Washington, was among the missing on Sunday, but coach Bill Belichick wouldnt say if it was for physical reasons. . The Patriots released tight ends Asa Watson and Justin Jones, and running back Stephen Houston, and signed veteran tight ends Ben Harstock and Steve Maneri and undrafted rookie tight end Terrence Miller. This is Maneris second time with the team and he has also played offensive tackle in the NFL. San Francisco Giants Shirts . With the Pirates in the thick of the race in the NL Central, the timing couldnt be better. Liriano struck out a season-high 11 in seven innings to win consecutive starts for the first time this season and Pittsburgh beat the San Francisco Giants 3-1 on Tuesday night. San Francisco Giants Pro Shop . And by all indications, the team is expected to select phenom Connor McDavid with their selection. The Buffalo Sabres, who were knocked down to the second overall pick after finishing with the worst regular season record, are expected to take the other generational player in Jack Eichel. https://www.cheapjerseysgiants.us/ . Dragic was a game-time decision because of a sore right ankle that had kept him out of Wednesdays loss at Utah, but played all but the last 10 seconds of the second half in the first 40-point game for a Phoenix player since Amare Stoudemires 44 on March 19, 2010. Fake Giants Jerseys ." Argos general manager Jim Barker uttered those words during an interview with TSN 1050 radio just prior to the CFLs annual free agent frenzy. Wholesale Giants Jerseys .J. Mayo made seven three-pointers and scored 25 points, Ersan Ilyasova added 20, and the Milwaukee Bucks placed seven players in double figures in a 130-110 rout of the Philadelphia 76ers, who lost their 11th straight game on Monday night.GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- A federal judge in Michigan upheld a $1.6 million judgment against former Detroit Red Wings forward Kevin Miller for a hit from behind during a 2000 Swiss league game that ended another players career. U.S. District Judge Gordon Quist in Grand Rapids ruled in favour of a Swiss insurance company. The insurer had asked the court to recognize a Swiss courts $1.1 million judgment, which increased to $1.6 million with interest and costs. Quist said in Thursdays ruling that his court was adhering to the Uniform Foreign-Country Judgments Recognition Act. Millers hit on Canadian national Andrew McKim caused McKim to fall forward and strike his head on the ice. He was hospitalized for weeks with a concussion and other injuries. Miller previously refused to pay the Swiss courts judgment, saying he didnt think the ruling was valid. His attorney, Douglas Donnell, didnt respond to a phone message seeking comment left Saturday at his office by The Associated Press. According to The Grand Rapids Press, Miller was charged in Switzerlands Canton of Zurich in 2004 and eventtually convicted of simple bodily harm, intentional bodily harm and gross negligence.dddddddddddd The court found him completely responsible for McKims injuries. A similar case is playing out in Canada, where a lawsuit is pending against Red Wings forward Todd Bertuzzi for a career-ending hit he laid on Colorado Avalanche centre Steve Moore in 2004, when Bertuzzi played for the Vancouver Canucks. Moore is suing Bertuzzi and the Canucks for $38 million over the hit, which left Moore with a concussion and three fractured vertebrae. The case is scheduled to go to trial in Toronto on Sept. 8. Bertuzzi was suspended for the rest of the regular season and the playoffs, which cost him about $502,000, and he didnt play during the 2004-05 lockout season. But he was reinstated for the 2005-06 campaign and has since continued his career, most recently with Detroit. Like Miller, Bertuzzi also faced criminal charges over the on-ice incident. He pleaded guilty to assault causing bodily harm and was sentenced in 2006 to a year of probation and 80 hours of community service. ' ' '