https://0xbt.net/blog/archive/laiyongcai92/1554076800/1556668800 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/53513/marcus-mariota-jersey Wed, 24 Apr 2019 06:42:44 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/53513/marcus-mariota-jersey Rishard Matthews quit on the Titans Marcus Mariota Jersey , and that’s not OK Rishard Matthews quit on the Titans. He wasn’t happy with his role this season so he decided he would take his ball and go home. Apparently there are a lot of people out there that are OK with this. I just don’t understand that. Being on a team should always be more about what is best for the team that for the individual. It wasn’t for Rishard.I also love this:You know what, Buck, you are dang right that I am mad that he quit on the team that I am a fan of. I think it’s wrong for anyone to quit on any team, but of course I am going to be more upset with Matthews than Vontae Davis. Both guys are quitters, but I don’t really care about the Buffalo Bills. I am not going to apologize for that. Jon Robinson and Mike Vrabel have made it very clear that they only want guys here that are more about the team than themselves because that is the only way to build a successful organization. The bottom line here is that Rishard decided his interests were more important that the interests of the interests of everybody else in the organization. He has the right to do that Ryan Tannehill Jersey , but I’m not going to let anyone tell me to be OK with that. The Giants announced today that they are officially ruling star wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. out for Sunday’s game against the Titans. Beckham is dealing with a mysterious quad injury that he sought a second opinion on this week. This is obviously a huge break for the Titans as they look to win a third straight and continue their push for a playoff spot. The Giants were just fine without Beckham last week in their 40-16 blowout of the Redskins last week, but that’s a Washington team that had quit before the game even started.Replacing Beckham’s snaps at receiveracross from Sterling Shepard will likely be a combination of Bennie Fowler, Russell Shepard, and Corey Coleman. I would also expect to see a heavy dose of tight end Evan Engram and breakout rookie running back Saquon Barkley in this game. The Titans linebackers and safeties will really need to do a nice job in coverage against those two.The 5-8 Giants are still alive in the NFC playoff race somehow so this will still be a tough matchup for the Titans — especially on the road — but it just got a little bit easier.]]> laiyongcai92 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/53511/vernon-hargreaves-jersey Wed, 24 Apr 2019 06:33:09 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/53511/vernon-hargreaves-jersey DeSean Jackson weighs in on upcoming quarterback decision Everyone knows the decision looming ahead for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.With quarterback Jameis Winston suspended for three games Vernon Hargreaves Jersey , many expected the team to flop out to an 0-3 start. My, what a world we live in.One month ago, the Bucs were one of the lowest rated teams in power rankings, mock drafts, Madden, everything.Now, DeSean Jackson leads the league in receiving and Ryan Fitzpatrick is the hottest quarterback in the media since Joe Namath guaranteed victory.So Ali Marpet Jersey , how does the leading receiver see his team’s upcoming quarterback decision?Speaking on NFL Total Access, Jackson was asked about the situation and gave his honest opinion. It’s one that some will agree with, and others will not. Some will say it’s a good problem to have, and in many ways it is. But for those who have to make the decision, it’s a heavy benefit which will not likely be received well no matter which direction they go. The Buccaneers tried to have some April Fool’s Day fun by announcing that Mike Evans will be a two-way player in 2019, but the truth is that Evans will remain focused on life as a wide receiver in Tampa.Evans will remain in the top spot on the depth chart at wideout for the Bucs, but there are other changes for the team to deal with at the position. DeSean Jackson and Adam Humphries have both departed this offseason Shaquil Barrett Jersey , leaving bigger roles for Chris Godwin and newcomer Breshad Perriman than there were in 2018.We’ve already heard head coach Bruce Arians set a high bar for Godwin’s contribution to the offense and Evans said from Monday’s start of offseason work that he believes the entire group is going to be a productive one.“I was out there now looking at the guys we still got, a lot of the pieces we had last year,” Evans said at a Monday press conference. “Losing D-Jax and Humph were big blows. But we have a lot of playmakers. We already had a lot of playmakers before at the tight end position and the running back position. We got Breshad, and then the draft coming up, but we are going to be one of the best receiver groups in the league again this year. No doubt about that.”Big passing numbers weren’t the problem in Tampa last year. They led the league in passing yards last season, but a league-high 26 interceptions and 464 points allowed resulted in a 5-11 record for the second straight year. Finding a way to remain productive through the air while fixing the other issues will be the top priority for Arians this year.]]> laiyongcai92 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/53510/fred-warner-jersey Wed, 24 Apr 2019 06:24:14 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/53510/fred-warner-jersey Will Matthew Stafford fold under pressure? If you were disappointed with Jimmy Garoppolo’s performance in game one against the Viking’s elite defense Fred Warner Jersey , well, Lions fans were disgusted with Matt Stafford’s effort against the somewhat-less-impressive New York Jets. At Pride of Detroit, Jeremy Reisman wrote that:Stafford had four interceptions, and it was far from the first time that has happened. Since he entered the league in 2009, he leads all quarterbacks with five games of four interception each. And he had Calvin Johnson to throw to for most of that time.This brings up a long-running debate: does Stafford fold under pressure? It matters because he can expect to face a lot of pressure Sunday, against a 49ers pass rush finding its stride and facing a Lions offense with no discernible running game and a shaky offensive line. Lions starting right guard T.J. Lang is confirmed out, injured, so the newly effective front line of DeForest Buckner, Arik Armstead and Solomon Thomas will be facing the likes of rookie center Frank Ragnow and marginal veteran guard Kenny Wiggins, who wasn’t even good in the preseason.Stafford has faced accusations of folding under pressure since 2012, when Chicago Bears safety Major Wright said:In 2015, he was benched in the second half against Arizona after throwing his third interception of the night, and Neil Greenberg of the Washington Post wrote that:Later that year, the Lions brought in offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, who put in a quick- (and short-) passing offense that limited Stafford turnovers as well as his big plays. Not a mark of great confidence.Of course there are some hometown voices who are more positive. Last year, Ty Schalter of LionsWire emphasized the fact that that in 2017, “Pro Football Focus charted him No. 3 in yards thrown under pressure.” This is true, but notice that Schalter’s not quoting passer rating under pressure, just total yards.What this statistic is really telling you is that Stafford was under pressure all the time last year, because their offensive line was terrible.A more nuanced take comes directly from PFF, in their Lions preview this year.While they were optimistic about Detroit’s off-season investment in the OL — which hasn’t paid off so far due to injury and the talented Ragnow’s lack of experience — they broke down Stafford’s numbers this way.Their basic point is that Solomon Thomas Jersey , at this point in his career, Stafford isn’t bad under pressure. What he is, is great when he’s NOT under pressure, and mediocre when he’s sweating. I’ve bolded the key parts of this paragraph:There aren’t many quarterbacks who don’t decline when under pressure. Jimmy G might be one of them, but Matt Stafford is definitely not. As long as Robert Saleh and new pass rush coach Chris Kiffin can continue their success in game one, the Niners defense should give Stafford a lot of problems on Sunday.49ers depth chart updated to reflect Jimmy Garoppolo injury, new linebacker lineup The San Francisco 49ers travel south in Week 4 to face the Los Angeles Chargers, and with that game comes a shake-up in the depth chart. The team’s PR department released the unofficial depth chart on Tuesday, and a slightly major move on Wednesday has resulted in a change.The 49ers have placed Jimmy Garoppolo on injured reserve and promoted Nick Mullens from the practice squad. The initial unofficial depth chart listed C.J. Beathard as the starter and Garoppolo in brackets for his injury. I have removed him and added Mullens in. The team is sticking with two quarterbacks for the time being.The PR department also formally moved Malcolm Smith into the SAM spot, Fred Warner into the MIKE spot, and Reuben Foster into the WILL spot. This is a formalization of what we’ve already seen. As long as Smith remains healthy, it looks like he’ll be the SAM the rest of the way, with Mark Nzeocha handling backup work.The running back situation is currently listed as Matt Breida or Alfred Morris as the No. 1 running back. They are splitting the workload pretty evenly, but Breida is starting to emerge as the more successful back, leading the league in rushing yards and yards per carry. One has to wonder if at some point the 49ers will be willing to remove the “OR,” or if they think his success is built in part on having someone like Morris to offset his workload.49ers offensive depth chart, Week 4 vs. ChargersPositionFirstSecondThirdPositionFirstSecondThird49ers defensive depth chart, Week 4 vs. ChargersPositionFirstSecondThirdPositionFirstSecondThird49ers special teams depth chart, Week 4 vs. ChargersPositionFirstSecondThirdPositionFirstSecondThird]]> laiyongcai92 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/53505/jarran-reed-jersey Wed, 24 Apr 2019 06:13:33 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/53505/jarran-reed-jersey Seahawks’ Earl Thomas conundrum is more complicated than ever Whether these folks are ready to admit it yet or not Jarran Reed Jersey , a lot of Seattle Seahawks fans were ready to trade Earl Thomas for a second round pick a week ago. The truth is that trades are so tantalizing; they involve change, movement, unknowns, and future draft picks. Thomas may be an all-time great Seahawk, but having not seen him around for awhile, plenty of fans were ready to move on and secure something like the 50th overall pick instead. After all, that spot has returned Isaiah Pead, Javier Arenas, Marcus Gilchrist, Jon Bostic, Ronald Darby, Nick Martin, and Jeremiah Attaochu in recent years. Who could turn down four years of Javier Arenas just for the rights to one of the best safeties in history?Not that I was opposed to Seattle trading Earl either, but I saw no path towards them getting the compensation they desired. Maybe they get a third round comp next year if he leaves, maybe they don’t, but I don’t think you give up a year of an All-Pro safety just because you’re afraid you won’t get a day two pick if he leaves in 2019. And yet still, before the Week 1 game against the Denver Broncos, Thomas’ value just didn’t seem to be what it once was. The team itself seemed to be weaker than previous seasons, Thomas is a little bit older, and now a little less interested in finishing his career in Seattle.One game in and you have to wonder how the Seahawks could even justify parting ways with Thomas after 2018, unless they really are willing to get weaker at another spot on defense. Thomas didn’t even report until days before the game and yet he left Mile High as perhaps Seattle’s best player that day.The break from camp caused Thomas to miss 10 snaps on defense, needing additional rest, and in those snaps is when Case Keenum and the Broncos’ offense did much of their damage. Clearly Tedric Thompson’s performance in camp and the preseason was enough to earn him the starting gig should Thomas not return, but in these small sample sizes, it seems that Thompson could have been a disaster for 16 games worth, akin to the hype and subsequent failure of Steven Terrell in 2016.The Seahawks just don’t seem to be the Seahawks without Earl Thomas, but I still think there’s going to be a major roadblock when it comes to the contract he wants and the deal Seattle is willing to give him.At this time, Eric Berry has the highest APY for all safeties at $13 million per season. Thomas’ current deal pays him $10 million annually, and he’s likely going to want a raise that gets him at least $13.1 million per year; contract “records” are everything these days. Seattle is already paying Kam Chancellor nearly $10 million against the cap this year to not play, and will have $5 million in dead money in 2019 after they release him. They are also paying Bradley McDougald about $5 million annually, a potential bargain but not when you sort of add in Chancellor’s money, then you see that in total they are still paying strong safety $10 million in 2019. To continue to pay Earl would make them the highest paid safety group in the NFL again — a title they currently hold despite no presence of Kam — and lock them in on a high salary for Earl for at least two more years after that.This at a time when Eric Reid is a free agent.Tyrann Mathieu, who had an interception in his debut with the Houston Texans, only got a one-year, $7 million deal.George Iloka was cut and signed a $1 million deal with the Minnesota Vikings.Even McDougald got a pretty low salary for a player who can adequately start both safety positions and had two interceptions on Sunday. He’s a starting safety making nearly the same amount as Cordarrelle Patterson, a player who experts are calling Frank Clark Jersey , “Not that good.”In my mind, Thomas is asking for $13.1 million and $30 million guaranteed or something, and the Seahawks are offering a three-year, $30 million contract, with $15 million guaranteed or something. Seattle’s offer would be good in this case, keeping him among the highest paid safeties and probably about what they think he’ll actually get on the open market. In Thomas’ camp though, it would be an insult, and I’m sure he believes that as long as he comes out of this season healthy, he could beat the four-year, $48 million extension that Reshad Jones got in 2017.And he might be right. Thomas did a lot of things in the offseason that were completely useless — pen a story for The Players Tribune, make Instagram posts, stay home in Austin — but all he really needed to do was show up for a game to make his point. Thomas was incredible on Sunday, which is something that we all should have expected because Thomas is incredible. And the Miami Dolphins are not yet regretting the extension to Jones, who was also 29 when he signed it and who had two interceptions this week to match McDougald at the top of the leaderboard. The question is: Are the Seahawks willing to beat Jones’ four-year extension? Or are they going to stick to a plan that might not include Thomas in the plans after 2019 despite knowing that at present they appear to be much worse off without him?After one game of Earl, what would you be willing to give up? Thomas or the cap space. Concerns about the height of a quarterback are often overblown, as evidenced by the success of players like Drew Brees, Russell Wilson, and Baker Mayfield. But would-be franchise quarterback Kyler Murray presents concerns not only as to his height, but also as to his overall size.On the Thursday of Super Bowl week in Atlanta, both Wilson and Murray visited the set of . Neither is tall, but Wilson has an overall bulk that Murray simply doesn’t. When seeing both of them in person only a couple of hours apart, it’s a jarring difference.Murray is thin and slight. He’s small. He looks young, too young to play college football much less pro football. While he may be sufficiently elusive and durable to survive an NFL pounding, it’s a concern that will need to be resolved by teams considering him in the draft.Wilson increased his muscle mass after entering the NFL, and Murray could do the same. However, Murray’s frame could limit how much he can add without otherwise affecting his abilities.Obviously, my opinion on this doesn’t mean anything. (Does acknowledging it make it any better?) But scouts, coaches, executives, etc. will notice the overall size difference between Murray and other quarterbacks, and they’ll have to resolve that issue before making a final decision on whether to draft him and, if so, in which round.Then there’s the question of whether Murray will fold under questioning. While he handled his interview well, he had an awkward moment the next day with Dan Patrick. Teams will want to test his supposed commitment to football; what he says will be as important as how he says it.]]> laiyongcai92 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/53492/russell-wilson-jersey Wed, 24 Apr 2019 06:05:05 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/53492/russell-wilson-jersey For the first time this season Russell Wilson Jersey , new Seattle Seahawks tight end Ed Dickson will be active and on the 53-man roster. Having spent preseason and all of the regular season on the Non-Football Injury list, he’s healthy and ready to make his Seahawks debut on Sunday against the Detroit Lions.Of course, with Dickson available and Nick Vannett also slated to return after missing the Oakland Raiders game with injury, someone from the roster had to be let go, and unsurprisingly it’s a tight end. The team confirmed on Saturday that Tyrone Swoopes, who was a last-minute promotion from the practice squad to the active roster to replace the injured Vannett, is the odd man out. Swoopes had one catch for 23 yards against Oakland, the first reception of his NFL career. It’s quite likely that the Seahawks will look to put him back on the practice squad as long as he clears waivers.So for Sunday’s showdown at Detroit, and presumably for the rest of the season, the TE depth chart for the Seahawks consists of Nick Vannett, Ed Dickson, and Darrell Daniels. A quick look at the Seahawks' 2019 free agentsThirteen Seahawks are set to become unrestricted free agents at the start of the new league year on Mar. 13. Here's a quick breakdown of the players who are leaving, and which of them Seattle might choose to re-sign.After Impressive Rookie Season, “The Sky Is The Limit” For Tre FlowersDespite being a rookie learning a new position, Tre Flowers played well in 2018, something that bodes very well for his future.Tuesday Round-Up: Seahawks, EA Sports Team Up To Stream Madden 19 Seahawks ChampionshipTop Madden 19 competitors will compete in a Seahawks Championship at 6 p.m. PT on Tuesday Doug Baldwin Jersey , streamed via Seahawks Facebook and YouTube and EA Sports Madden NFL’s Twitch channel and Mixer channel.Senior Bowl 2019 day one — notes & measurements 芦 Seahawks Draft BlogTracking the Seahawks reserve/future signings.Seahawks will likely have to settle for 3 Pro Bowl participantsThe Seattle Seahawks Pro Bowl alternates appear to have been passed over for a roster spot, leaving them with three Pro Bowl participants.Mel Kiper sends DE/OLB Oshane Ximines to Seahawks in first mock.Pete Carroll updates OT Jamarco Jones' ankle injury.Russell Wilson, Bobby Wagner named to Pro Bowl Skills Showdown rosterSeahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and linebacker Bobby Wagner will represent Seattle and the NFC in the Pro Bowl Skills Showdown on ESPN.Cole Beasley: Cowboys front office 'pushes' WR targets - NFL.comCole Beasley, an impending free agent, raised speculation that he will not be returning to the Cowboys while criticizing the nature and source of Dallas' play-calling.Redskins don't expect suspension for Reuben Foster - NFL.comRedskins president Bruce Allen told reporters Tuesday that the team does not anticipate a suspension coming for Reuben Foster, who saw a domestic violence charge dropped earlier this month.John Elway, Stephen Jones wary of replay changes - NFL.comSean Payton wants changes to the NFL's replay system, but two other competition committee members -- John Elway and Stephen Jones -- disagree.2019 Pro Bowl Skills Showdown rosters released - NFL.comThe faces of football fun have been chosen. The Pro Bowl Skills Showdown rosters are set. Von Miller and Myles Garrett headline the AFC group, wile Adam Thielen and Russell Wilson lead the NFC.Redskins 'optimistic' QB Alex Smith will play again - NFL.comOne day after Alex Smith was spotted publicly for the first time since suffering his season-ending leg injury, a member of the Redskins front office expressed optimism that Smith will return to the field at some point.DeMarcus Ware on Vic Fangio: 'He's a mastermind' - NFL.comNew Broncos coach Vic Fangio draws high praise from former Broncos pass-rushing star Demarcus Ware, who believes Von Miller and Bradley Chubb will get even better under their new coach.Senior Bowl notebook, Day 1: Montez Sweat rising into top 10 - NFL.comLance Zierlein says Mississippi State edge rusher Montez Sweat and Missouri QB Drew Lock were among the top performers on the first day of Senior Bowl practice. Plus, find out what we learned from Jon Gruden and a QB prospect who counts the Manning brothers among the influences in his development.Rams safety: Tom Brady is “definitely beatable” – ProFootballTalkGiven the way they made up the whole notion that nobody thinks they can win, the Patriots will certainly use anything they can for motivation. So this one should be easy. Rams safety John Johnson III said on the Rams' team website that Patriots quarterback Tom Brady was "definitely beatable.Cowboys “more comfortable” about long-term deal with DeMarcus Lawrence – ProFootballTalkCowboys defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence played out the 2018 season on the franchise tag, but didn't have the same upset about that state of affairs that we've seen from other players.]]> laiyongcai92 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/50278/jason-myers-jersey Sat, 13 Apr 2019 06:29:00 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/50278/jason-myers-jersey Doug Baldwin expected to return on Sunday Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll went on KIRO on Friday morning and gave a solid endorsement for the health of receiver Doug Baldwin Jason Myers Jersey , saying that he does expect his star pass catcher to return on Sunday in time to play the Arizona Cardinals.“[Baldwin] looked great (in practice), he looked great” Carroll said. “He was explosive... we’re really excited for him to play in this game.”The Seahawks official injury report won’t come out until later on Friday, but hopefully if Baldwin is listed as a full participant, that’s enough to believe that he will be good to go in two days. Baldwin entered the season with an injured knee and told the media at the time that he likely would not be at 100-percent all season long. He then sprained the MCL in his other knee in Week 1 and has missed the last two games. Prepare yourself for facts. Some of these suckers may even be factoids. Let us compare Russell Wilson to Dak Prescott, statistically.As Deep PassersIn any given snap in which a passing play is called, a quarterback may: throw an on-time pass, throw late, throw early, throw shallow, throw deep, throw accurately, throw inaccurately, throw into coverage, throw to an open man, and of course scramble. A good quarterback throws on time and accurately to a deep (enough) target who is more or less open. That of course is not always his choice, but it’s more or less the universal definition of a good quarterback. Short passes are not very valuable. Late passes are likely to be defended. Errant passes invite a host of bad possibilities. Scrambling can redefine what is “on time,” along with helping receivers get open, but of course it is typically harder to throw deep while on the run. Etc.My point is, if you wanted to know why the Seahawks rank sixth in passing efficiency while the Cowboys rank 26th, looking at where Prescott and Wilson target, and at what rate of completion, would be a good start. So let us:Dak Prescott SplitsPasses thrown 21-30 Yards: 7/23, 271 Yards, 1 Touchdown, 1 InterceptionIncluded in that 271 yards and accounting for that touchdown is this accurate pass to Amari Cooper who is tripled covered.Passes thrown 31-40 Yards: 5/14, 253 Yards, 4 Touchdowns, 0 InterceptionsThis is the range at which Prescott has been most dangerous this season.Passes thrown 41+ Yards: 1/4, 44 Yards, 0 Touchdowns, and 0 InterceptionsRussell Wilson SplitsPasses thrown 21-30 Yards: 20/42, 561 yards, 9 Touchdowns, 1 InterceptionRight away we see a pretty stark difference. Wilson attempts more of these middle-deep passes and completes them at a much higher rate.Passes thrown 31-40 Yards: 7/13, 297 yards, 1 Touchdown, 0 InterceptionsPasses thrown 41+ Yards: 4/7, 187 yards, 4 touchdowns, 0 InterceptionsWilson completed 50% of his deep passing attempts, which is astounding. Prescott completed 31.7%.In one season Wilson completed more passes of 41+ than Prescott has over his three year career. While Prescott attempts more short passes and completes those passes at a higher rate of efficiency, short pass attempts on average actually cost an offense value. There’s a reason we have lots of vaguely emasculating ways of describing this penchant like dink-and-dunk and captain checkdown. The problem does not seem to be in Jason Garrett’s system either. Both Brian Schottenheimer and Garrett run a system which may wear the “Air” epithet, as both are indirect descendants of Don Coryell’s Air Coryell system, which greatly emphasizes downfield passing. Nor did the arrival of Amari Cooper change Prescott’s nature. Prescott just does not seem to be a very skilled or talented deep passer, and his reluctance is probably a result of that deficit.In the PocketThe NFL’s Next Gen Stats site is besieged by bugs and barely usable. Which is really too bad because some of what the site records is unique and potentially very informative. Nevertheless let us muddle through and see if we can further flesh out this statistical portrait of both passers.Both rank within the top ten in what is called “Time to throw.” Basically this means both quarterbacks take forever to pass the ball, either because of indecisiveness, an inability of their receivers to get open, an offense dominated by slow-developing routes David Moore Jersey , a tendency to only target slow developing routes, scrambling or really just a totally unintelligible mix of all of those factors. It does not necessarily tell us much about their protection, but it does seem to indicate which quarterbacks are rhythm passers and which are not.Rhythm guysDerek CarrBen RoethlisbergerDrew BreesAndy DaltonTom BradyPhilip RiversAndrew LuckMatthew StaffordHold and Hope Guys/ScramblersJosh AllenLamar JacksonRussell WilsonDeshaun WatsonAaron RodgersJared GoffSam DarnoldPatrick MahomesDak PrescottBoth Wilson and Prescott get sacked a ton. When either is sacked, it’s often going to lose big-time yardage. Wilson and Prescott both ranked bottom five for most yards lost through sacks. Both fumble very frequently. Dak is in fact last in the NFL having fumbled 12 times. Wilson has ten.A few things separate these often sacked quarterbacks. Wilson has time. Seattle ranked seventh overall in ESPN’s pass rush win rate, while Dallas didn’t finish in the top ten. And Wilson, counter-intuitively, is sacked most while his team is winning. For obvious reasons, sack percentage tends to decrease when a quarterback is winning. This season Prescott has only been sacked on 5.2% of snaps while his team was in the lead. He has been sacked on 9.6% of all pass attempts, ranking sixth from worst in the NFL. Wilson, astoundingly, has been sacked on 16.7% of all pass plays while his team is leading. His overall rate is 10.7%. I would guess Wilson views a sack taken as a relatively minor loss compared to risking a turnover through a bad pass. I would also guess few quarterbacks have ever matched his tendency to get sacked while leading. 129 of his 299 career sacks have occurred while the Seahawks were leading, in only 1,169 pass attempts, for a pretty wicked 10.8% career sack rate while ahead. Something to watch for if Seattle creates but fails to maintain a lead. Managing the game may be Wilson’s greatest weakness.As ScramblersPreviously great all-time scramblers, Prescott and Wilson are now reluctant scramblers. Prescott, in particular, really stopped scrambling effectively following “a major blow to [the] head” in Week 7.Weeks 1-740 attempts for 236 yardsWeeks 9-17 35 attempts for 69 yardsThe Cowboys rushing offense tanked at the exact same time.Weeks 1-719.49 EPA (which would prorate to third place in front of the Panthers)Weeks 9-17-6.74 EPA (. . . to 21st place behind the Dolphins)Wilson has gone the opposite way.Weeks 1-8, 1721 runs for 75 yardsWeeks 9-1646 runs for 301 yardsWeeks 1-8, 17-3.63 EPA (. . . 19th place behind the Browns)Weeks 9-1625.41 EPA (. . . second behind the Rams)I picked out those weeks through intuition, I should note. Facing the Chargers, Wilson seemed to scramble confidently again. In Week 17, he uh throttled down. Also these stats are not opponent adjusted, but they’re not cooked either. I simply followed my intuition and looked. I haven’t time to cook anything but food for myself and my wife. I am perhaps the foremost proponent of the idea that a scrambling quarterback improves the overall rushing attack, and so the above may be loaded with confirmation bias. Criticize away, I don’t blame you.Conclusions David Byrne in his inimitable yet often imitated way, um, rapped:Facts are simple and facts are straight...Facts just twist the truth aroundFacts are living turned inside out...Facts continue to change their shapeAnd I was mindful of that ... fact before writing this. That is the fact that facts are often slippery and deceitful. I try to make this column a performance. It is a crowded universe for Seahawks coverage and NFL coverage in general, and I never developed a specialty I could put on my non-existent business card. I want to make following the Seahawks a little more fun and in the time I have I do what I am capable of to achieve that.Saturday’s game will be a performance. What specific talents and abilities prove definitive are impossible to accurately project. I belong to a generation which I think doesn’t much understand performance, and is inclined to thinking that an author writing a bad book, or a director making a bad movie, or a band making a bad song, &c. is a testament to some profound failure of character. Maybe this isn’t a generational thing but a consumer-driven culture thing, but the more you try your very best, the less inclined you are to think others failed by your estimation because of a defect in character. It is incredibly hard to do well at almost anything worth doing, not least because the competition for anything worth doing is crazy tough.Dak Prescott is a damn good quarterback, but he may not be a very good NFL quarterback. He’s not much of a deep passer and that’s little changed in his short career. That is not to say he can’t throw deep or that he won’t throw deep effectively; or that he won’t rush effectively; or that Seattle will clearly have the better performance from their quarterback on Saturday. But in his third season and especially in the second half of that season, Prescott has been throwing short, and short of the sticks; he has cut way down on his scrambling, scrambling less effectively, and leading a much less effective rushing offense; he has bled sacks and fumbles; and that has resulted in a bad individual performance and a bad team performance for the Cowboys offense.Russell Wilson is a damn good quarterback, and he may soon be the best quarterback in the NFL. He was a great deep passer from snap one and is now perhaps the best deep passer in the league. That is not to say he will be effective on Saturday; or that he will run effectively or at all; or that Seattle will clearly have the better performance from their quarterback. But in his seventh season and especially in the second half of that season, Wilson has been throwing deep, or at the sticks if needed; he has found a way to scramble effectively individually and in a manner which helps his overall rushing attack; he has bled sacks and fumbles; and that has resulted in a top ten performance individually and as a part of a top ten offense.That’s goddamn hard to do. Failure is as easy as yielding to gravity. So while I’m here projecting stuff, sizing people up with numbers and rankings, I feel inclined to say: Saturday is another performance. Perhaps the first in a long run of incredible success for Prescott. Perhaps ... nah, Wilson’s gonna kill it.]]> laiyongcai92 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/50277/ronnie-lott-jersey Sat, 13 Apr 2019 06:20:41 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/50277/ronnie-lott-jersey The Kansas City Chiefs are on an upward trajectory Ronnie Lott Jersey , their blistering start spearheaded by a young, transcendent quarterback in Patrick Mahomes who is already setting NFL records.The San Francisco 49ers are the opposite in every way.Not only were they soundly beaten in a 38-27 loss at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday, trailing at one point by four touchdowns, they also lost their own franchise quarterback when Jimmy Garoppolo was carted off in the closing minutes with what appears to be a season-ending knee injury.49ers coach Kyle Shanahan said the team will know more Monday, when Garoppolo has another round of tests in San Francisco. But he acknowledged late Sunday that the injury appears to be an ACL."Any time you lose your starting quarterback," Shanahan said, "that's a big deal."The 49ers (1-2) signed Garoppolo to a five-year, $137.5 million contract earlier this year after he led them to five consecutive wins to cap last season. And despite some turnover problems the first two weeks he had been pretty good, throwing a pair of touchdown passes against Kansas City.Everything turned in the fourth quarter, though, when Garoppolo scrambled toward the sideline. His left knee buckled as he cut back, rather than step safely out of bounds, and Chiefs cornerback Steven Nelson delivered a wicked shoulder-to-shoulder shot for good measure.C.J. Beathard wound up entering the game, threw a touchdown pass that was wiped out by offensive pass interference, and never got to take another snap as the Chiefs put the game away.His next snap will probably be the first one next week against the Chargers."It' definitely a blow. He's a great quarterback and obviously a great leader," said Beathard, who started five games last season before Garoppolo arrived in a trade with New England."Just keep these guys together. Keep leading them," he said. "We had a lot of injuries today, not just Jimmy. A lot of guys went down today. Just a matter of keeping everybody healthy next week."Meanwhile, the Chiefs (3-0) couldn't be happier with the performance of their young quarterback.Mahomes threw for 314 yards and three touchdowns against San Francisco, giving him 13 on the year without an interception. That broke Peyton Manning's NFL record for the first three weeks of a season.Perhaps most impressive, though, was the way Mahomes spread the wealth. He targeted 11 different receivers, connected with eight and found three with touchdown throws."Pat lives for these moments," said Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley, who had one of the TDs. "I think he excels when the lights are on, and in front of big crowds. I think he's right at home. I think he's in his element. I think he's still growing into his role as the starting quarterback here, and we've just got to keep working with him and growing as well."As the 49ers and Chiefs roll into next week, here are five takeaways from Sunday:PENALTY PROBLEMS: The 49ers were whistled for 14 penalties for 147 yards, and that doesn't count a couple instances of off-setting flags and where they were penalized twice on the same play. That yardage total is substantial chunk of the 408 yards of total offense managed by San Francisco.SACK ATTACK: The Chiefs only had two sacks through the first two weeks, but Justin Houston had two by himself on Sunday. Dee Ford also had a sack before leaving with a groin injury Tom Rathman Jersey , and Allen Bailey had another to help stop San Francisco's final drive of the game.RUN, RUN, RUN: San Francisco rallied on the legs of Matt Breida, who led the NFL in rushing coming into the game and had 90 yards on 10 carries, and Alfred Morris, who had 14 carries for 67 yards and a touchdown. With uncertainty at quarterback, the 49ers' ground game will be even more important.SPEAKING OF RUN: Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt, last year's rushing champ, had his first two TD runs this season. He only gained 44 yards on 18 carries against San Francisco, but many of them came in the closing minutes, when he picked up two first downs to put the game away.MORE INJURY NEWS: The 49ers lost cornerback Richard Sherman to a calf injury, safety Adrian Colbert to an ankle injury, linebacker Reuben Foster on a tackle and backup defensive back Tarvarius Moore to a wrist injury. Throw in a shoulder injury to safety Jaquiski Tartt that kept him on the inactive list and San Francisco has plenty of injury problems on defense. Things are winding down as the NFL postseason is coming to its end. There are only three games left - the NFC and AFC Championship games this weekend and the Super Bowl two weekends from now - and, of the matchups we have, it’s safe to say that no matter who wins we will still have a quite the show in Atlanta. As the season comes to a close we will start seeing more and more news posted about the the upcoming draft and it seemingly all starts this weekend with the East/West Shrine game and the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl. Below you will find some prospects to watch for the Shrine Game. San Francisco will have a keen interest in this game as there are several names to keep an eye on as the morning progresses. Here are some highlights and things to look forward to while you try and fill your time as you await Sunday’s NFL games.How to watchTime: Noon (3 p.m. ET)Location: Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FloridaTelevised: NFL NetworkRadio: SiriusXM NFL Channel 88 East-West Shrine Game Tampa Bay “Flagship Station” is “Sports Talk Florida” WHBO 1040 AM Internationally, the game will be found on a “Listen Live” link on this website, and on the Tunein and SiriusXM Apps.Greg ValerioKeeSean Johnson, WR, No. 2 (West) - Fresno StateHeight: 6011 | Weight: 204 | 40 time: 4.572018 Stats: 95 receptions, 1340 yards, 14.1 average yards per catch, and 8 touchdownsKeeSean Johnson is not a freakishly athletic wide receiver with explosive game breaking speed. He is, however, a good-sized dependable chain-moving receiver with consistent high production and a strong work ethic showcasing his capacity to improve each year. Johnson is a fluid route runner (runs crisp) with a smoothness and sound technique to his game. He showcases great explosion off the line and displays nice bend on breaks coming out quickly with great suddenness and decent burst. He flashes strong reliable hands and is a natural pass catcher with excellent ball skills. Johnson wins in intermediate routes and although he does not possess elite speed, he does win deep match-ups with technique, length, body control, superb ball skills, and high-pointing the catch with great athleticism. Johnson is the type of prospect one can find deep in the draft adding tremendous value at the next level. Cody Thompson, WR Patrick Willis Jersey , No. 25 (West) - ToledoHeight: 6014 | Weight: 200 | 40 time: 4.542018 Stats: 48 receptions, 647 yards, 13.5 average yards per catch, and 10 touchdownsCody Thompson is a fluid playmaker with good speed and quickness, strong reliable hands (natural pass catcher), solid ball skills, and is explosive after the catch running with toughness always spinning for the extra yards. A former high school basketball star athlete, Thompson displays impressive strength and toughness as a receiver (not afraid to take a hit or deliver one), is a fluid and crisp route runner with a smoothness (double moves are on point) to his game showcasing great bend on breaks popping out quickly with great athleticism, nice footwork, quickness, and decent burst. The former high school quarterback displays terrific vision and awareness taking advantage of his high football IQ and savviness utilizing subtle movements to create separation, locates holes on defenses, and works his way back to the quarterback. A willing blocker, Thompson also displays great effort in blocking with solid technique. Next level athleticism and lack of elite speed will limit his opportunities at the next level; however, top notch route running, premier hands, and a solid work ethic will find him a home in the NFL.Alex EisenJordan Brailford, DE, No. 94(East) - Oklahoma StateHeight: 6’3” | Weight: 250 | 40 Time: 4.952018 Stats: 54 Tackles, 16 Tackles for a loss, 9 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble, 1 Batted PassThe versatile athlete out of Oklahoma State was a big factor in the Cowboy’s defense this season. Brailford played at both defensive end spots and at three linebacker spots while he was at Oklahoma State in his collegiate career.. Has good size and measurables for the next level. He has the ability to reach on the pass rush, and can line up in a 3-point stance or as a stand-up outside linebacker. Demonstrates good burst and a quick first step off the snap. At times Brailford can be off balance, and can be one dimensional on rushes against the pass. While I do like his straight-line speed in pass rushing situations, his lateral quickness leaves a little be desired. On tape, Brailford demonstrates his ability to utilize active swipes against blockers. Overall, there is a lot to like about Brailford. I like his ability to play multiple positions on the field. An ability I believe most teams are looking for at the pro level. At the moment I see Brailford as an early day three pick who could potentially sneak into the backend of the second day of the 2019 NFL Draft.Markus Jones, DE, No. 43 (West) - Angelo StateHeight: 6’3” | Weight: 255 | 40 Time: 4.892018 Stats: 84 tackles Jerry Rice Jersey , 36.5 tackles for a loss, 17.5 sacks, 17 quarterback hurries, 4 forced fumblesComing from a small school environment, there isn’t too much buzz or national media attention surrounding Markus Jones. However, he has made quite the name for himself and has put himself in prime position to be drafted in April. Jones comes off strong along the edge, and attacking on point, against blockers. Jones caused a massive amount of disruption this season in the opponent’s backfield. Jones was often required double-team coverage which allowed his teammates to make positive contributions along the defensive line. Jones demonstrates good bend and the ability to use multiple moves against blockers along the line of scrimmage. His ability to bull rush is consistent. Jones demonstrates good lateral speed and defends the edge well against ball carriers. Jones’ stats are off the charts, even playing in the second division in football. His invitation to the shrine game wasn’t by accident. Jones is one of those small school prospects to keep a close eye on throughout the draft process. His draft projection is difficult to project at this point, however, his arrow is pointing up. Josh EcclesDerick Roberson, DE, No. 49 (West) - Sam Houston StHeight: 6040 | 250 lbs | 40 time: 4.762018 stats: 68 tackles, 15 sacks, 2 PD, 5 FFAs a pass rusher, Derick Roberson has a few different moves and can get off the ball so quickly that opposing offensive linemen can sometimes struggle just to get a hand on him, at other times using a little hesitation move or shoulder dip to turn the corner and get to the quarterback. There’s also evidence of a spin move and a club move that can keep offensive linemen from getting their hands into his body, as well as an outside-inside move that would make Von Miller proud. Overall, Roberson has all of the athletic ability necessary to be a good weakside defensive end in high school if he can hone his jump off the ball and continue to refine the variety of pass-rushing moves that his film proves he does have in his arsenal. If Roberson can maximize his significant potential, he could be an all-conference type of player. Roberson had 123 tackles, 23 sacks, seven forced fumbles and eight passes defensed in three seasons at Sam Houston State, with 68 tackles, 15 sacks and five forced fumbles as a senior. The 49ers are one of four teams reported to have met with Roberson, among with the Bills, Browns, and Colts.]]> laiyongcai92 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/50276/chris-godwin-jersey Sat, 13 Apr 2019 06:12:00 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/50276/chris-godwin-jersey It’s already Week 6 in the NFL and it’s becoming more apparent which teams are for real and which teams are not. The same goes for our NFL picks. So far Chris Godwin Jersey , everyone is doing pretty well, evidenced by an over .500 mark for each one of our writers. Here is this week’s preview of the action before we get to the picks. King of the Mountain: James Yarcho has reclaimed the lead with 47 correct picks on the season so far. Week 6 unanimous picks: The Texans, Vikings, Rams, and Packers were picked by the entire staff.Week 6 lone wolves: Evan Winter took the Titans over the Ravens. Gil Arcia took the Giants over the Eagles and the Cowboys over the Jags. Dustin Lewis took the Browns over the Chargers. Week 6 toss-ups: The Panthers vs. Redskins is this week’s only toss-up.Week 6 NFL PicksBucs Nation AlexBaileyDavid DustinEvanGilJamesJonKyleBucs Nation AlexBaileyDavid DustinEvanGilJamesJonKyleWho do you think wins this week? Let us know in the comment section!Buccaneers vs Saints: Five Bold Predictions Fresh off their season-ending victory against the Saints on New Year’s Eve 2017, the Bucs are looking to silence the doubters/critics in Week 1 by notching consecutive victories over their division rival for the first time since 2011. Tampa Bay is 2-0 in season openers under Dirk Koetter, with one win coming on the road against the Falcons in 2016 and a win against the Bears in Tampa Bay last season. Can Koetter and the Bucs make it 3-0? It’s going to be tough without Jameis Winston, but fortunately the Bucs have talent at just about every position. A Bucs’ win in week one this year would be a bold prediction as they are (+9.5) underdogs to the Saints. But hey Jameis Winston Jersey , what’s football without some bold predictions?Alex Salvarezza and I will put our reputations on the line every week with five bold predictions for the upcoming game. These are rooted mainly in optimism and delusion with a slight chance of coming true. Without further delay, let’s dive in. 1. Drew Brees throws for less than 250 yards (Evan)Since defensive coordinator Mike Smith joined the Bucs in 2015, Tampa Bay is 3-3 against New Orleans; however, Brees has done his thing just about every game to the tune of 271 passing yards per game with seven touchdowns and four interceptions. While it may not be vintage Brees - it’sa lot more than most NFL teams have at quarterback.If the defense comes out and looks like the 2017 unit, then the Bucs are in immediate trouble. Drew Brees will face off against the Bucs for the 25th time in his careerKim Klement-USA TODAY SportsBut with a reloaded defense, all bets are off this week as the Bucs look to win their second divisional season-opener in three years. I have little to no confidence in Smith, but I do believe that with an entire offseason to shape a game plan, he should have plenty to throw at Brees on Sunday. Look for Smith and co. to fight off their demons and get the job done on Sunday. 2. Alvin Kamara records less than 100 total yards (Evan)I know Mike Evans Jersey , this sounds absolutely insane. Kamara torched the Bucs last season with 31 touches for 280 yards and three touchdowns - and those numbers don’t even include his 106-yard kickoff return on New Year’s Eve.No matter how you cut it Kamara is a stud. It still remains to be seen how he fares without his running mate in Mark Ingram, who is suspended for the first four games because of a PED violation. The suspension will be enough of a difference for the Bucs to come up with an effective game plan to stop Kamara. The Saints have rookie Boston Scott and newly-signed Mike Gillislee backing him up. That’s not going to scare many teams at all. The Bucs should be able to load up the box and prevent Kamara from becoming an effective runner and they have the linebackers to match up with him when he is targeted in the passing game. Not one team could slow Kamara down in 2017, but the Bucs will be the first to do so in 2018. 3. DeSean Jackson leads the team in receiving (Alex)Crazy, right? With all the weapons the Buccaneers have on offense, it really is hard to predict each week who will lead in receiving, but not many people would pencil in Jackson for week one. There are a few reasons why I think this may be a real possibility. Mike Evans will be going up against Marshon Lattimore the reigning DROY, and Lattimore handled Evans very well last season. The chemistry between Jackson and Fitzpatrick has looked sharp all summer long. Finally, Jackson will have many new plays designed for him out of the slot that the defense hasn’t seen before. I predict a big game for Jackson. 8 catches Deone Bucannon Jersey , 125 yards, and a 60 yard touchdown. 4. Gerald McCoy gets two week one sacks (Alex)McCoy has only one sack in his last five games against the New Orleans Saints, and hasn’t recorded one against them since 2015. That changes this week. McCoy, finally has quality help along the defensive line, which should create some one on one match-ups. Throw in a very good preseason and all signs point to McCoy as ready to eat. McCoy will take advantage of his new help SundayDouglas DeFelice-USA TODAY SportsIt won’t be easy as he will be going up against Max Unger, but McCoy seems to be on a mission this year and I think he starts off the season with a huge statement. He wants to go to the playoffs and will do everything in his power to get the team their this season. 5. The Bucs win the game (Evan)Almost double-digit underdogs, if the Bucs win that will be enough of a surprise on its own.Tampa Bay has seen season prognostications as low as 2-14 to as high as 11-5. The team has a bullseye on its back when it comes to perception from fans and most of the media due to Winston’s current situation. Add in a paper-thin defense and no running game from a season ago and you can’t blame the doubters for their perception of the team. But Dirk Koetter has shown during his tenure that he will have his team prepped for a huge divisional game for the first week of the season and I think the Bucs start 1-0 after Week 1 for the third straight year.]]> laiyongcai92 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/50273/taylor-lewan-jersey Sat, 13 Apr 2019 06:02:46 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/50273/taylor-lewan-jersey So last week my old phone broke and I had to purchase a new one. Because I use the Google Authenticator App to login Taylor Lewan Jersey , it didn’t recognize my new phone and I was unable to get an article in last week.Coincidentally, I managed to get my account back the week the Titans end their losing streak, so I showed up in time. That about describes the Titans’ 28-14 victory over the Cowboys on Monday Night to put them back in the win column and back to .500.Coming off the bye, the Titans desperately needed this victory, as the Texans managed to get by on a missed field goal from Broncos kicker Brandon McManus as time expired to win their sixth straight. Marcus Mariota also needed a strong game statistically to silence his critics, and that’s exactly what he did.People coming away surprised from Mariota’s performance (21/29 for 240 yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 picks, and 32 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown) didn’t get a taste of who Mariota can become, but rather who he is. Prior to this game, the Titans’ receivers were tied with the Browns for the highest drop rate in the league according to ESPN. Along with the hand injury he suffered in week 1, don’t you think that’s been affecting his stats just a little bit?Truth be told, if Tennessee’s receivers catch with the consistency they showed on Monday Night, Mariota would be getting more praise. But since they haven’t been, this game is supposedly a “growth in development” for Mariota or an “outlier game” instead of being used as proof that he’s been consistently capable of making the throws. It’s just that the receivers remembered to bring their hands following the bye.So despite two giveaways on their first two drives (almost three), the Titans played and looked like the better team all the way through, with Mariota saving one of his best performances yet under the big lights at Jerry World. For more on that, let’s take a look at his Monday Night tape in this week’s edition of Keeping Up With Marcus Mariota.Taywan Taylor caught a pass in tight coverage you guys!gamepass.nfl.comThe Titans converted 11 of 14 third downs last night, with Mariota being involved on at all of them (whether passing or running). On the first scoring drive alone the Titans went a perfect 4 for 4 on third down conversions. One of these third down conversions came on this 3rd and 9 on Tennessee’s own 21-yard line. Taywan Taylor has mostly been a liability when trying to win at the catch point, being responsible for several of Tennessee’s drops this season. But he made up for it with this great catch to move the chains.Last night ESPN’s broadcasting crew mentioned on a few occasions how impressed they were with Mariota’s anticipation on some of his throws. Indeed, his quick throwing motion is sublime and he has lighting fast instincts whenever he’s cycling the field, much like Tom Brady, Drew Brees or Philip Rivers.DeMarcus Lawrence, responsible for a strip sack on Tennessee’s first drive of the game, came back to try and get Mariota again on a four-man rush Brian Orakpo Jersey , but Mariota is able to stand tall here and deliver this ball into a tight window to a spot where only Taylor can make a play on it. The result is a perfect throw on third and long to keep the first of four scoring drives on the night going.THIS JUST IN: Mariota is capable of doing this.gamepass.nfl.comDuring the preseason it was noted how Mariota had a significantly high passer rating under pressure, in fact one of the highest, of the 2017 season. There’s been some brutal stretches for this Titans offense on third down, but Mariota made sure to shoot those complaints out of the stratosphere, responding extremely well to pressure.On another 3rd and 9, Dallas sends a two-man blitz after the fourth-year starter, who recognizes it right away without flinching. Instead, Mariota keeps his eyes up, tucks the ball in slightly, and shuffles left to adjust to the blitz, delivering this ball on time to Corey Davis. Keep in mind this also came on the first scoring drive.Mariota would eventually convert the final two third down situations of this drive on the ground, one being on read option and the other being on a quarterback sneak. Derrick Henry would finish off the drive extending the ball over the goal line for a touchdown to tie the game.Mariota would then save his best throw of the night on the Titans’ second scoring drive—coincidentally following the first scoring drive—and it was a beauty.gamepass.nfl.comThe Cowboys initially look to be sending a six-man rush on this play, but two “rushers” drop back and it turns into a four-man rush on a zone blitz. Mariota is able to process this and knows where he wants to go with the ball.Keep in mind this is on another third down.If this play looks a little familiar, it should. Remember back in 2017 at Indianapolis when Mariota made a crazy, mind altering throw to Delanie Walker in quadruple coverage? This is kind of the same throw, expect over the middle of the field and into triple coverage. But that doesn’t make this any less impressive.Somehow, Mariota puts phenomenal touch on this pass to Darius Jennings, who thankfully catches it for 36 yards and the first down. Isn’t it strange that Mariota’s accuracy looks all the better when his receivers actually catch the ball? It’s an innovative concept, but Mariota’s accuracy has never been the issue with his “development.”In the previous three games the issues with Mariota came from lousy protection, receivers dropping passes, a poor scheme, or all three at once. But coming out of the bye, Matt LaFleur came in with a more defined approach on his game plan, giving Dion Lewis the majority of the RB snaps and allowing Mariota to take more shots downfield. The protection and rhythm were not there on the team’s first two drives, but since then the team responded beautifully Ben Jones Jersey , rarely missing a beat.This is who Marcus Mariota is, not who he can become. The sooner we separate his completion percentage and raw stats from his actual play, the sooner we can realize he’s actually putting together a fine season. His masterpiece of a performance from last night would show up more consistently if his receivers continue to catch his passes and the game plan continues to be as defined as it was against the Cowboys.Last season Mariota was required to play perfect in order to carry the Titans to the playoffs in Mike Mularkey’s scheme. Prior to Monday Night, the previous three games required the same feat. But Monday Night’s game showed what could really happen down the road if Mariota and his receivers are on the same page and the scheme allows him to take more shots downfield.The Titans’ next five games on their schedule are as follows: Vs. New England (I guess they’re an okay team from what I’ve heard...), at Indianapolis, at Houston, vs. the Jets and vs. Jacksonville. The matchup against the Patriots is massive, but the following four are very winnable games. The Texans are 6-3, but have just been barely getting by in their wins, while the Colts, Jets and Jaguars have not played that well this season (although the Colts are picking up a little steam coming off a two-game winning streak).We’ll know who this Titans team truly is these next five games and how much help they can give Mariota. But if last night’s victory is of any indication, they’re attempting a step in the right direction with a quarterback coming off an excellent display of quarterbacking. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Unthinkable at the start of December, Derrick Henry has put together the best two-game stretch in franchise history to put himself 118 yards shy of the first 1,000-yard rushing season in his three-year NFL career.It’s still not a number that the Titans running back and 2015 Heisman Trophy winner is pondering.“I’m not focused on that,” Henry said Wednesday. “I’m focused on us getting this (win) and us finishing off the week right, going in there prepared and executing the plan and whatever happens happens. And I don’t really focus on 1,000 yards. As long as we get this win, that’s what I’ll be happy with.”The 6-foot-3, 247-pound Henry has turned around not just his season, but cemented his spot on the Tennessee roster. Rumors swirled that the Titans tried to trade him away at the deadline earlier this year, and Henry lost his starting spot to veteran Dion Lewis in November.Then Henry, who had been running much better since Tennessee’s bye at the end of October, turned in a game for the record books Dec. 6.Henry tied Tony Dorsett’s NFL record with a 99-yard touchdown run and finished with a franchise-record 238 yards on 17 carries and scored four touchdowns in a 30-9 rout of Jacksonville. That got Henry back in the starting lineup, and he ran a career-high 33 times for 170 yards and two TDs in a 17-0 shutout against the New York Giants.His 408 yards combined over the two games are the best in team history Nate Palmer Jersey , topping the 405 yards Hall of Fame running back Earl Campbell managed for the then-Houston Oilers in October 1980. Nobody had ever run for six TDs over two games for this franchise before Henry.Offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur said he knows Henry was a little frustrated earlier this season.So what changed? Better blocking and play all around, especially by Henry.“I just think he’s running with a purpose, running with an attitude, a mindset a mentality that I’m not going down,” LaFleur said.Three-time Pro Bowl left tackle Taylor Lewan says it’s cool to be part of record-setting performances.“He finds the holes, and he makes those extra guys miss,” Lewan said. “You can’t block them all on every single play. As much as we’d like to take credit, that’s him.”Now Henry can run for just 59 yards apiece over each of the next two games to reach 1,000 yards for the season, and he gets his first chance Saturday against Washington (7-7). The Redskins have allowed at least 130 yards rushing over each of the past five games.Henry is very familiar with Washington’s defensive line, having won championships with defensive end Jonathan Allen and rookie nose tackle Daron Payne at Alabama. But the running back, so critical of his own play early this season, insists he’s not worried about reaching 1,000 yards as long as the Titans win.“For me to be doing this stuff, you have to look at what’s happening around me,” Henry said. “That’s why I always say team because for me to have success and make big plays, everybody looks at what’s going on around me, and those guys are doing their job. I’m just going out there trying to do mine.”Coach Mike Vrabel called Henry the type of leader who works to improve what he is doing, which has carried over.“Happy for his success and hope we can get him as many yards as we can get him,” Vrabel said.Notes: Five Titans did not practice Wednesday: Pro Bowl defensive tackle Jurrell Casey (knee), LBs Brian Orakpo (elbow) and Sharif Finch (left shoulder), WR Tajae Sharpe (ankle) and LB Wesley Woodyard (back), added to the injury report after not being listed Tuesday. QB Marcus Mariota (foot) and S Kenny Vaccaro (concussion protocol) practiced fully.]]> laiyongcai92