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ALAMEDA, Calif. - When George Atkinson IIIs name went uncalled through seven rounds of the NFL draft, there was no doubt where he would end up signing as an undrafted free agent. Despite offers from several teams, Atkinson ultimately signed with the team he was always destined to join, following his famous fathers footsteps to the Oakland Raiders. Now more than a quarter century after George Atkinson Jr. terrorized Lynn Swann and dozens of other NFL wide receivers as a hard-hitting safety with the Raiders, his son is trying to make the team as a backup running back and special teams contributor. "I had to turn a lot of teams down," the younger Atkinson said. "Right out of the gate, they were like, Dont go to the Raiders. I know you want to follow your heart but, weve got a spot for you here. But I know without a doubt this is the spot for me." Father and son knew this was a distinct possibility as the fifth round of the draft ended and no team had called. With two rounds remaining, they believed it might be better if the younger Atkinson wasnt drafted so he could make sure he could sign with the Raiders. While some sons might prefer to blaze their own trail in an organization with no connection to their father, the younger Atkinson had been waiting to put on a Raiders uniform ever since he was a kid. "Ive looked up to this organization and this club for a long time and there was no part of that going on with me," he said. "Ive looked up to my dad and wanted to follow in his footsteps but also lead my own trail at the same time. Youve got to find that balance and thats what Im trying to do right now." The elder Atkinson is a beloved member of the organization for his hard-hitting play that epitomized Oaklands style of play in the 1970s. He had 30 career interceptions and helped Oakland win its first Super Bowl following the 1976 season. He was most famous for his hits on Swann, which led former Steelers coach Chuck Noll to refer to him as part of the "criminal element" in football. He is now a broadcaster for the team but made a point of staying away from rookie minicamp last weekend. "He doesnt need that added pressure," the elder Atkinson said. "Hes learning a new game altogether. The pro ranks are a little bit different from high school and college. He needs time to focus on getting adjusted to the NFL. I dont need to be around. Its his time. I dont want to be a distraction to him and the team." The opportunity to play with the Raiders took out much of the sting of going undrafted after skipping his senior season at Notre Dame. In three years in college, the younger Atkinson rushed for 943 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also returned two kickoffs for scores as a freshman. "Its not all about how you come in, but how you leave," he said. "How you set your mark here in the league. You still have to make a team, drafted or undrafted." Atkinson is part of a crowded group of running backs that includes free-agent acquisition Maurice Jones-Drew, returning starter Darren McFadden and last years sixth-round pick, Latavius Murray. But Oakland is searching for a returner and Atkinson III brings one attribute none of the other players competing for a roster spot have. "I think hes a talented athlete and hes got a lot of speed," coach Dennis Allen said. "He has the ability to help us on special teams also. So, I think anytime a chance to get a legacy, somebody who has the Raider blood lines, ... those guys understand what it means to be a Raider. We were pleased that we were able to bring him in here." NOTES: The Raiders signed seventh-round S Jonathan Dowling and CB T.J. Carrie to four-year contracts. ... Oakland also signed free agent DE Denico Autry and waived DT David Carter. ___ AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Detroit Tigers Jerseys .C. - Steve Clifford isnt exactly singing his teams praises after the Bobcats won for the sixth time in seven games. Nick Castellanos Jersey . Viewers in the Canadiens region can watch the game on TSN at 7:30pm et/4:30pm pt and listen on TSN 690. The Canadiens have won three in a row and four of their last five games and recently put the finishing touches on a 3-1-0 road trip. http://www.tigersgearshop.com/Tigers-Al-Kaline-Kids-Jersey/ . -- Navy football player Will McKamey, who has been hospitalized since collapsing at practice three days ago, has died while in a coma. Leonys Martin Jersey . Both had to wait out a rain interruption lasting nearly five hours before taking comprehensive third-round victories to join Carling Bassett-Seguso (1983, 1986), Patricia Hy-Boulais (1996-97) and Daniel Nestor (1999) as Canadians who made it into the second week of a major. Custom Detroit Tigers Jerseys .Y. -- Kristen Gillman rallied to win the U.Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - Julio Teheran threw six shutout innings and the Atlanta Braves defeated the Washington Nationals, 2-1, in the rubber match of a three-game series at Turner Field. Teheran (10-6) allowed five hits while striking out five and walking three in his outing. Craig Kimbrel pitched a scoreless ninth to notch his 39th save. Chris Johnson and Freddie Freeman had an RBI apiece for the Braves, who have won four of their last five games. Jayson Werth drove in the lone run for the Nationals, who have lost three of four following a five-game winning streak. Gio Gonzalez (7-6) had nine strikeouts, but gave up both runs on five hits and four walks over seven innings. The Nationals placed two runners on base in each of the first three innings, but failed to capitalize. Meanwhile, the Braves scored two runs in the first. B.J. Upton walked to start the inning and stole second base. After Phil Gosselin delivered a bunt single for his first major league hit, Freeman scored Upton with a base hit to center.ddddddddddddTwo batters later, Johnson knocked an RBI single to right center. Washington got on the board in the seventh. With Scott Downs taking over for Teheran, Denard Span hit a leadoff single but was forced out on a fielders choice by Anthony Rendon. After Bryce Harper was walked, David Carpenter came out in relief and gave up an RBI single to Werth. However, the would be it for the Nationals. They were retired in short order in the eighth. Span hit a one-out infield single in the ninth, but Kimbrel struck out Rendon and Harper to end the game. Game Notes Werth is on a 10-game hitting streak. He is 19-for-39 with 10 RBI during the streak ... The Nationals were 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left 11 runners on base ... Johnson is on a seven-game hitting streak ... Atlantas Jordan Schafer had two stolen bases ... Atlanta is 6-5 all-time in rubber matches against Washington at Turner Field and lead the season series 12-4 ... The Braves have an off day Monday. ' ' '