https://0xbt.net/blog/archive/elaine95/1559347200/1561939200?offset=30 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/68057/muhammad-wilkerson-jersey Tue, 04 Jun 2019 02:43:02 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/68057/muhammad-wilkerson-jersey The Green Bay Packers finished the 2018 season 6-9-1 Womens Montravius Adams Jersey , and there were numerous reasons for that result. Loads of injuries sapped the team of key players on both sides of the football; the coaching staff’s decision-making was often questionable; Aaron Rodgers’ injury seemed to derail him from his normal caliber of play. All of those issues can be illustrated at least in some form by looking at the team’s total snap counts for the season. Interestingly, the Packers did run more offensive plays than their opponents, but it was a difference of only ten snaps on the season. The injury issues are most clearly evident when looking at the snap breakdowns at the wide receiver, offensive line, defensive line, and cornerback groups. No defensive lineman or corner played more than 72% of the team’s total defensive snaps, while the team had just two receivers over 50%. Here’s a breakdown of all of the offensive and defensive snaps on the year, with a little extra analysis of some of the top special teamers.OFFENSE (1075 total plays)QuarterbacksAaron Rodgers 1013 (94.2%), DeShone Kizer 62 (5.8%)Kizer saw game action in just three contests this year, though he was active for each game. Those came in week one (a catastrophic outing in relief of Aaron Rodgers for about a quarter), week 14 (one kneel-down against the Falcons) and week 17 after Rodgers’ concussion. He finished the year with 20 completions on 42 attempts for 187 yards, no touchdowns, and two picks.Otherwise, Rodgers was healthy enough to play the remainder of the season, though he did not play up to his normal standards. His 7.4 yards per attempt was a bit higher than it was the past few years, but is still well off the 8.4 number he averaged from 2009 to 2014.Running BacksJamaal Williams 523, Aaron Jones 376, Ty Montgomery 150, FB Danny Vitale 19, Kapri Bibbs 17Although Williams led the runners in snaps, Jones was the team’s leader in carries (133) and yards (728), and he averaged 5.5 yards per carry for a second straight season. In addition, after a disappointing season as a receiver a year ago, Jones picked that part of his game up in 2018 with 26 catches for 206 yards, just one reception and four yards fewer than Williams. That all came in 12 games, as Jones missed the first two contests on suspension and the final two games with a knee injury.Of course, one common complaint among Packers fans was Mike McCarthy not giving Jones enough snaps or carries when he was on the field. Even when Jones did return from suspension, it took the head coach several games to truly commit to him as a featured back.Williams, for his part, had 121 carries for 464 yards, and like Jones his average of 3.8 was almost identical to that of his rookie year.Prior to his trade at midseason, Montgomery had done most of his damate as a receiver, picking up 170 yards on 15 catches compared to just 105 yards on 26 rushing attempts. Vitale and Bibbs were late-season additions.Wide ReceiversDavante Adams 954, Marquez Valdes-Scantling 692, Randall Cobb 466, Equanimeous St. Brown 358, Geronimo Allison 241, Jake Kumerow 136, J’Mon Moore 74, Allen Lazard 1Trevor Davis: 0 offensive snaps, 31 special teams snapsAside from missing the final game of the season, Adams was the Packers’ lone constant threat on offense, nearly breaking team records by putting up 111 catches for 1 http://www.packerslockerroom.com/authentic-jamaal-williams-jersey ,386 yards. He also set a career-high in catch rate with receptions on 65.7% of his official targets and his 13 touchdowns made this his third straight season with double-digits.Allison should have been the #2 on the outside this year, and when he played he was very effective with 20 catches for 303 yards. That pace actually would have put him at about 970 yards over a full season, but he only played five games before being shut down for the year. That in turn led to MVS — and later St. Brown — taking on a much larger role in the offense than planned in year one .MVS’ 38 catches for 581 yards were the most for a Packers rookie since James Jones went 47-676 in 2007. Meanwhile, St. Brown led the team in yards per catch at 15.6 with 328 yards on 21 receptions. Moore, the first receiver drafted by the Packers in 2018, never really cracked the lineup.In the final year of his contract, Cobb had another disappointing and injury-marred season. He appeared to be rejuvenated in week one when he took a pass over the middle 75 yards for the game-winning touchdown over the Bears, but outside of that one play he had just 37 catches for 308 yards, a miserable 8.3 yards per catch. It’s tough to see him coming back next year unless he takes a very cheap deal.Davis returned from injured reserve for a pair of games, but never suited up on offense before going back to IR.Tight EndsJimmy Graham 795, Lance Kendricks 315, Marcedes Lewis 191, Robert Tonyan 67For all the hype about Graham’s signing in the offseason, he did exceed his numbers from 2017 in Seattle, at least in receptions (55) and yards (636). However, he was never a consistent threat in the red zone, where he was supposed to be a dominant presence, and he scored just twice all year.Kendricks was the Packers’ de facto fullback for much of the year, lining up largely as an H-back and move tight end and catching 19 passes. Lewis was inexplicably an afterthought, even given Graham’s and Kendricks’ issues as in-line blockers, while Tonyan never got much of a chance to build on his one big touchdown against the Seahawks.Offensive LinemenCorey Linsley 1075, David Bakhtiari 1032, Lane Taylor 881, Bryan Bulaga 782, Byron Bell 527, Justin McCray 481, Jason Spriggs 291, Lucas Patrick 279, Alex Light 26, Adam Pankey 1For the second straight year, Linsley played every snap on offense for the Packers. His availability is his best trait, which is saying something considering he has also become one of the best centers in the NFL. Bakhtiari held up well for most of the year, dealing with a few nagging issues but mostly playing through them until the final 30 minutes of the season.Taylor and Bulaga each had their own injury issues in 2018, missing two games apiece. Meanwhile, the Packers had quite the rotation at right guard, with McCray starting the season there, Bell taking over for him, then back to McCray and eventually Patrick late in the season. Light got just a few snaps in the final game with a couple of players out of the lineup.DEFENSE (1064 total plays)Defensive LinemenKenny Clark 721, Dean Lowry 698, Mike Daniels 419, Tyler Lancaster 271, Montravius Adams 212, Muhammad Wilkerson 115 Womens Kyler Fackrell Jersey , Fadol Brown 39, James Looney 19Oh what could have been with this unit. With Wilkerson going to IR early and Daniels landing there shortly after midseason, Clark was the one stalwart on the line until even he went to injured reserve late in the season. That led to a hefty workload for Dean Lowry all season and eventually got Tyler Lancaster valuable snaps late in the year as the latter showed that he deserves to have the inside track on a roster spot for next year. Adams, the final third-round pick by Ted Thompson, might be gone next year. Looney, a seventh-round pick, started the year on the practice squad and had little opportunity to show his talents.Outside LinebackersClay Matthews 756, Kyler Fackrell 623, Reggie Gilbert 486, Nick Perry 301Somehow, the Packers made it through all of 2018 by playing just four edge rushers; however, Perry likely played his way off the team due to injury and ineffectiveness. The sack numbers here are startling, too; Fackrell put up 10.5 to lead the team, while Matthews had just 3.5 sacks in more than a hundred more snaps. Meanwhile, Perry had 1.5 and Gilbert posted just 2.5 sacks. This group needs an infusion of talent right away.Inside LinebackersBlake Martinez 1049, Antonio Morrison 299, Oren Burks 122, Korey Toomer 12, James Crawford 1Martinez was once again an iron man, playing nearly every snap all season long. The team rotated a handful of safeties through at the Nitro linebacker spot, however, as Oren Burks’ shoulder injury kept him from making the impact that the team presumably hoped he would. Between Jermaine Whitehead, Josh Jones, and Eddie Pleasant, Mike Pettine continued the trend of using a safety there, though Morrison did provide some good, aggressive play against the run when he was in the lineup.Hopefully Burks can come into 2019 healthy and with a better grasp of the defense so he can make a bigger impact in his second season.SafetiesTramon Williams 1059, Kentrell Brice 646, Josh Jones 501, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix 459, Jermaine Whitehead 221, Ibraheim Campbell 112, Eddie Pleasant 86, Raven Greene 43After starting the season at cornerback, Williams moved to safety following the Packers’ trade of Clinton-Dix to Washington and missed just a few snaps all season long. His discipline and versatility made him an essential part of a secondary that struggled with injuries all year long. Brice probably played his way out of Green Bay in his third season, struggling mightily in coverage after a good performance in week one.As mentioned above, Jones split time between safety and Nitro linebacker, showing that his best position still is in the box. Expect the Packers to add some talent here both in free agency and in the draft in 2019. Greene and Campbell both showed enough to bring them back for another go in training camp next season, however.CornerbacksJaire Alexander 760, Josh Jackson 718, Bashaud Breeland 329, Kevin King 304, Tony Brown 287 Muhammad Wilkerson Jersey , Davon House 29, Will Redmond 4The Packers’ top draft pick, Alexander, showed why he was worthy of a top-20 selection much of the season, though he had some growing pains and injury issues as well. When fully healthy, he should have the ability to be a lock-down cornerback. Jackson was available all year long, playing 16 games, but he showed the issues in man coverage that kept teams away from him until the middle of round two. He just doesn’t yet have the feel for man coverage, and he’s too handsy, taking several penalties throughout the year.SPECIAL TEAMS LEADERS (471 total)James Crawford 333 (70.7%), Antonio Morrison 266 (56.5%), Oren Burks 254 (53.9%), Kyler Fackrell 243 (51.6%), Reggie Gilbert 226 (48.0%)Robert Tonyan 191 (40.6%), Josh Jackson 190 (40.3%), Tony Brown 178 (37.8%), Josh Jones 169 (35.9%)The Packers got plenty of contributions from their reserves on special teams. Despite arguments that there was a revolving door of personnel on these units, that’s true only to an extent. The medium-sized bodies — linebackers and tight ends — were quite consistent throughout the season, while the team got regular contributions from a handful of defensive backs as gunners on coverage teams.This is an even greater indictment of Ron Zook as special teams coordinator, as his units remained ineffective despite having much of their core intact throughout the 2018 campaign. The receiver and return specialist could be a late-round draft pick."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections The APC PodcastPackers Film RoomFantasy Football AdviceCDTShareTweetShareSharePackers 2019 Draft Visits: Speedy Penn State WR DeAndre Thompkins visits Green BayMark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY SportsAfter bringing in several big-name players early in the pre-draft visit process, the Green Bay Packers appear to be heading back to their old traditions: hosting players who are likely to go undrafted or who are under consideration as late-round draft picks. The latest such player is a receiver who was lightly-used in college, but whose physical tools have him as a possible late pick in next week’s draft.The player is Penn State wide receiver DeAndre Thompkins, a 5-foot-11, 192-pound player who, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle, visited the Packers recently. Thompkins’ career production maxed out as a junior in 2017, when he had career highs in receptions (28), yards (443), and touchdowns (3), and for his career he had just 83 catches for 1,245 yards and six scores. However, it is likely his testing that has him squarely on the map for NFL teams. Although he was not invited to the 2019 NFL Combine, Thompkins tore up Penn State’s Pro Day with a blistering time in the 40-yard dash. Draftscout.com reports his numbers as follows:40-yard dash: 4.34 seconds (with 1.53-second 10-yard split)3-cone drill: 7.02 secondsShort shuttle: 4.26 secondsThose numbers put him squarely in the Packers’ sights and traditional receiver thresholds. His size puts him on the smaller side, however, and general manager Brian Gutekunst showed a preference for bigger, taller receivers when he took three of them in the 2018 NFL Draft.However, despite not having impressive offensive production in his career, Thompkins has extensive special teams experience, particularly as a return man. He was Penn State’s primary punt returner for three seasons, and he took two punts to the house in his career. He also averaged an impressive 13.3 yards per punt return as a junior in 2017.On a personal side, Thompkins graduated early in December of 2017, and played his final season as a graduate student. He could well be a candidate for one of the Packers third-day draft picks or as a possible priority free agent signing.]]> elaine95 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/67849/max-scharping-jersey-2019 Sat, 01 Jun 2019 03:33:01 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/67849/max-scharping-jersey-2019 It’s Franchise Tag time in the NFL."The 2019 NFL offseason unofficially begins today Seantrel Henderson Jersey , because today teams can franchise tag players. If you don’t know what that means, the franchise tag keeps a player on a roster via a one-year contract at a high salary. If you want more information, you can get it here. Team’s have until March 5th to use their tag if they choose to do so. Choosing to use the franchise tag is an integral decision for the Houston Texans this offseason. Star defensive end, and a player I liked to call the best run stopping defensive end in the game Max Scharping Houston Texans Jersey , Jadeveon Clowney, is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent after playing out the entirety of his rookie contract. Houston can try to re-sign him to a mega contract—the type that pays him out $20 million a year over five years—or they can ensure he stays in Houston for the 2019 season by tagging him and then re-signing him later in the offseason or sticking with him on a one-year deal and revisiting the decision next offseason. Each choice has its advantages. If the Texans give Clowney big money and a multi-year contract now, they can do it with a front-loaded deal while they have the cap space and Deshaun Watson on a rookie contract. If the Texans tag Clowney, it gives them insurance that he can’t run away and play for the Indianapolis Colts (at least in 2019).If the Texans use the franchise tag on Clowney and keep him on a one-year contract Max Scharping Jersey 2019 , it ensures Houston won’t get burned by a player with the injury history Clowney has, even if it is one that hasn’t been an issue the last three seasons. Additionally, a $17 million dollar cap hit, the estimated cost for defensive ends that get tagged Color Rush Max Scharping Jersey , isn’t a big deal for a team with over $70 million in cap space. I think I know what I would do. What would you do, loyal reader? Do you think the Texans will use their franchise tag to keep Clowney around for at least one more year? The NFL’s strong regular season of TV ratings continued into its opening weekend of the postseason.The league said on Monday that there was an average of 28.4 million viewers for the four wild-card round games, which is a 12 percent increase over last year.The Philadelphia Eagles game against the Chicago Bears on NBC averaged 35.89 million, making it the network’s most-watched wild-card game on record. NBC’s previous best was the Jan. 3 Cheap Max Scharping Jersey , 1988, game between Seattle and Houston at 35.86 million. The audience for Sunday’s game peaked at 45.1 million viewers during the final nine minutes.Sunday’s first game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Baltimore Ravens on CBS averaged 25.4 million.Fox’s telecast of Saturday night’s Seattle Seahawks–Dallas Cowboys game averaged 29.5 million while the weekend’s first game between the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans averaged 22.8 million on ESPN and ABC.Digital streaming also increased 139 percent with an average minute audience of 496,000.]]> elaine95 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/67848/jermaine-whitehead-jersey Sat, 01 Jun 2019 02:48:08 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/67848/jermaine-whitehead-jersey Tune in all week for full coverage of the event."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections The APC PodcastPackers Film RoomFantasy Football AdviceCSTShareTweetShareShare2019 NFL Scouting Combine: Full schedule of events Adrian Amos Jersey , workouts, & interviewsMatthew Emmons-USA TODAY SportsThe 2019 NFL Scouting Combine is almost upon us. The event technically kicks off on Tuesday, when the first round of players begin to arrive and start a grueling four-day stretch. After getting to Indianapolis, each invited player will go through a series of medical checks, interviews with teams and the media, and physical testing prior to departing.This year’s event is essentially the same as it has been in previous years. In addition to the players’ availability to the media Billy Turner Jersey , head coaches and general managers of NFL teams will also speak, and this will provide Packers fans with a second chance to hear new head coach Matt LaFleur take questions in less than two weeks. Meanwhile, Brian Gutekunst will also be available, so keep an eye out for his comments on the Packers’ needs and roster concerns as well.On-field workouts begin on Friday and run through the following Monday. This will make up most of the televised portion of the event, as we get to see the players run their 40-yard dashes and work in position drills. NFL Network has full live coverage of the workouts throughout the four days, while ABC will host hosting a two-hour live broadcast of quarterback and wide receiver workouts on Saturday Za’Darius Smith Jersey , starting at 1:00 PM Eastern.Here’s a look at the full schedule of events for this week in Indy.Wednesday, Feb. 27Coach/GM press conferences - Brian Gutekunst 10:45 AM ET; Matt LaFleur 1:45 PM ETRB/OL/ST: Measurements & medical testsThursday, Feb. 28Coach/GM press conferencesRB/OL/ST: Bench press, media interviewsQB/WR/TE: Measurements & medical testsFriday, March 1RB/OL/ST: On-field workoutsQB/WR/TE: Bench press, media interviewsDL/LB: Measurements & medical testsSaturday Jermaine Whitehead Jersey , March 2QB/WR/TE: On-field workoutsDL/LB: Bench press, media interviewsDB: Measurements & medical testsSunday, March 3DL/LB: On-field workoutsDB: Bench press, media interviewsMonday, March 4DB: On-field workouts Thursday’s article from Tyler Dunne of BleacherReport.com contains plenty of intriguing details about past internal issues with the Packers. It also contains one very important nugget regarding the future.Dunne explains that, when CEO Mark Murphy called quarterback Aaron Rodgers to inform Rodgers that the new coach will be Matt LaFleur Antonio Morrison Jersey , Rodgers paused briefly before speaking. Eventually, Murphy had a message for his quarterback: “Don’t be the problem. Don’t be the problem.”Citing the same unnamed source who shared that anecdote, Dunne reports that Murphy is “tired of the diva stuff” relating to Rodgers.And here’s an important non-development regarding the 12 hours or so since Dunne’s report landed. At a time when former coach Mike McCarthy has issued a strong (but perhaps far from dispositive) denial regarding the report that he regularly missed meetings for in-office massages, the Packers have said nothing at all in response to the various claims and contentions that cast Rodgers in a not-so-favorable light.The extent to which this story will be a problem for the Packers remains to be seen. With the team’s offseason program opening on Monday, it surely will be a topic of conversation, both inside the locker room and beyond.]]> elaine95 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/67846/womens-jessie-bates-iii-jersey Sat, 01 Jun 2019 02:07:18 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/67846/womens-jessie-bates-iii-jersey The Bengals are reportedly leaning towards making Zac Taylor the teams new head coach. Taylor is currently still the Rams’ quarterbacks coach in the NFL playoffs Randy Bullock Jersey , so no official announcement can be made, but the media has still been reacting to the hire since it was announced Thursday evening. Here are some of the most interesting thoughts on the Bengals planning to make Taylor the team’s first new head coach in 16 seasons.Here are some instant reactions by Cincinnati writers:For once Womens Alex Erickson Jersey , the Bengals may want their head coach to lose in the playoffsMo Egger of ESPN 1530 is a little skeptical of the hire, in part because Taylor’s stint as the Cincinnati Bearcats’ offensive coordinator was one to forget. However Womens Jessie Bates III Jersey , this is still a great move compared to keeping Marvin Lewis or hiring Hue Jackson: What did a former coach who hired Taylor have to say?Paul Daugherty of the Cincinnati Enquirer also thinks Taylor needs to hire a strong group of veteran assistant coaches around him: Here is what the national media is saying: SB Nation wasn’t too high on the Bengals hiring Taylor:The Bengals Took the ‘Next Sean McVay’ Thing a Little Too SeriouslyWhat are your thoughts on the hire? Bengals tight end Tyler Eifert posted a workout video this week that showed he’s made good progress in his recovery from last year’s broken ankle with the start of free agency drawing closer.Eifert discussed his recovery and his impending freedom during an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio. Eifert called himself “pretty close” to being ready to go on the field and said that his recovery from this ankle injury has been made easier because he went through it with his other ankle in the past.Those ankle injuries are part of a long list of injuries that have kept Eifert off the field for large chunks of his career. Eifert knows that will be part of the discussion with teams when the free agent market opens next month.“Obviously it’s something I have to deal with and something I have to answer to because it is a part of my history,” Eifert said. “It’s tough Clark Harris Jersey , though, because there’s nothing I could do to prevent what is happening. Pretty freak injuries.”Eifert was able to find one bright side to his most recent injury. He’s had three back surgeries and said that the time off due to his ankle injury has left his back feeling as good as it has ever felt Womens Malik Jefferson Jersey , which is good news for Eifert even if it’s unlikely to lead to a lot of guarantees from teams that are aware of how infrequently he’s been able to play.]]> elaine95 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/67842/jonah-williams-cincinnati-bengals-jersey Sat, 01 Jun 2019 01:21:52 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/67842/jonah-williams-cincinnati-bengals-jersey The Bengals continue to do their homework on offensive tackles in this year’s NFL Draft."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections #BITESIZEFilm RoomRoster Transactions and ContractsOrange & Black InsiderSalary Cap And CBABreaking NewsKeep track of the 2019 Bengals draft脳Bengals held private workout with Brian WallaceNew Jonah Williams Jersey 2019 ,5commentsThe Bengals continue to do their homework on offensive tackles in this year’s NFL Draft. EDTShareTweetShareShareBengals held private workout with Brian WallaceNelson Chenault-USA TODAY SportsWith the NFL Draft closing in, the Bengals still need plenty of help throughout their offensive line, especially at offensive tackle. Cincinnati has met with several tackles who could be considered in Round 1, the latest being Andre Dillard.However, the Bengals recently met with Brian Wallace, a potential late-round target by way of the Arkansas Razorbacks.Wallace is an under the radar prospect who started at right tackle in his last three seasons of college football, though he didn’t earn a full-time role until his redshirt junior season. Here is what NFL.com draft expert Lance Zierlein had to say about Wallace:Zierlein also tabbed Wallace as a priority free agent, so don’t expect to see his name called before Day 3. But with the Bengals in possessions of eight(!) Day 3 picks, Wallace is definitely a name to keep tabs on. After all, the Bengals would be wise to draft multiple offensive linemen capable of playing tackle. Wallace would be a nice second or even third one to land. Thursday night football is here to stay, even if it's gone for the rest of 2018.In past years, some — make that many — would have said "good riddance." That would be misguided this year.First off, Fox's presentation generally was strong and on target. Indeed, Troy Aikman Color Rush Jonah Williams Jersey , who has been Fox's lead analyst for 17 years, might have had his best season. Seemingly energized by having a true national game, in prime time with no competition, Aikman not only was spot-on with his analyses, he was more than willing to criticize play calling, performance and officiating.Presenting your convictions and then sticking to them is a must for a top analyst, and Aikman came through for viewers the way he did as a three-time Super Bowl champion quarterback for Dallas."I think after 17 years of doing it somewhat the same way, this was an opportunity to kind of change up my schedule," says Aikman, who at first had some reservations about balancing his family and business responsibilities."I think that is fair to say ‘energized.' It felt more like an event, being the only game, and in prime time. On Sunday afternoon, especially for the late game, it sure seems like that's when most people prefer to view football. But the prime time has a little bigger of a feel to it."We did not feel as restricted to the action on the field; we never feel completely restricted. It certainly freed me up and allowed me to have even more fun within the broadcast."Fox also wound up with some very solid matchups with intriguing storylines. Yes Cheap Jonah Williams Jersey , NBC had the season opener, a Thursday nighter hosted by the champion Eagles in a rematch of a January playoff game with the Falcons. That wound up 18-12, eerily similar to Philadelphia's previous win over Atlanta. It also, of course, didn't have two teams coming off short weeks.Then, Fox prospered with three of the better games of the entire season, games that wouldn't have had the same cachet later in the schedule.Cincinnati's 34-23 victory over Baltimore — look at where those two teams reside now! — was entertaining, with Andy Dalton torching the Ravens with four touchdown passes. It also had the added spice of the Bengals having knocked the Ravens out of playoff contention in the 2017 finale.A week later — and this was Aikman at his best, even if Jets fans swear play-by-play voice Joe Buck was outwardly rooting for the hosts — the Browns finally got a win, with Baker Mayfield stamping himself as an emerging force in just the third game of his rookie year."There were so much expectations with Baker Mayfield in that city. The team had not won a lot of games, and the fans were expecting the team would start to win games, so there was this optimism around the city," Aikman recalls."Having been there for the preseason and then we go back in the regular season, you could just feel this energy building and it was a fan base that just wanted to celebrate. And then Baker comes off the bench to lead them to that victory. It was huge and fun to be a part of."Jets-Cleveland was followed by the Rams‘ 38-31 shootout victory against the Vikings Jonah Williams Jersey Womens , when Jared Goff and Kirk Cousins combined for eight TD throws and 887 yards through the air.For those enamored of the video-game fireworks, well, that was nirvana.There was plenty of offense all year, even with only three full days between games. Oddly, the only Thursday nighter with teams coming off a previous Thursday contest, Saints at Cowboys the week after Thanksgiving, had the fewest points, 13-10 for the Cowboys.That also was a mesmerizing drama in which Dallas' defense stamped itself as capable of carrying a contender, shutting down Drew Brees and the ultra-prolific Saints. It also might have featured Aikman and Buck's best work."I have become comfortable with where I am at within my job, so to speak," Aikman says. "I always have been comfortable with my opinions and how I feel about the play on the field, and how it should be done and how teams should go about playing the game."There have been a lot of league issues and things happening as it relates to our game. I am not trying to grandstand or get on a soap box; that's not my nature. I think I have to be honest in how I feel, and I feel strongly enough in my beliefs to feel I am speaking for the majority of the people viewing."There was a string of nine Thursday nighters, including New Orleans' 31-17 victory over Atlanta on Thanksgiving night on NBC Jonah Williams Cincinnati Bengals Jersey , in which it took at least 27 points to win. The Steelers went for 52 against Carolina, Denver scored 45 vs. Arizona, and Houston got 42 on Miami.So complaints about not enough rest between games mostly would come from defensive players — the same folks who have protested, often with validity, about how the rules are stacked against them.Two teams never made it to the Thursday night spotlight, Tampa Bay and Buffalo. Nobody missed them.Three others had Thursday outings, but on Thanksgiving afternoon, when Chicago visited Detroit and Washington was at Dallas.The Eagles, Cowboys, Saints and Falcons all had two Thursday appearances. Aikman and Buck had 14 such games, including Redskins-Cowboys in the late-afternoon Thanksgiving spot. They doubled up Thursday/Sunday assignments seven times.The longtime partnership Aikman and Buck share made the extra duties much easier to handle."Joe is unbelievable, such a ridiculous talent," Aikman says. "Joe is as gifted at his craft as anyone I played with. It's a real marvel how smooth he is and what he sees."It's like being married, when you've been around someone for so long you know their habits and patterns Jonah Williams Jersey 2019 , and I know where Joe wants to go right from the start, how he wants to set the tone."Overall, ratings for the 13-game Thursday night package on Fox, with its simulcast on NFL Network, were up 2 percent over the 2017 season split between CBS and NBC. The average was 14,304,000 viewers, with Chargers-Chiefs in the last of the midweek games shattering the competition at 17.4 million on Fox/NFLN. That also was a 29-28 outcome in which LA scored a TD and 2-point conversion to win at the very end.NFL games on Thursday nights are a money maker, so much so that the World Series in October hasn't had a scheduled game that night since 2013. Of course, Fox now has the rights to both, and has no plans to create such a conflict.Wait, how about the World Series leading into Thursday night football?]]> elaine95