https://0xbt.net/blog/owner/elaine95?offset=180 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/68316/womens-stephen-anderson-jersey Mon, 10 Jun 2019 05:39:51 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/68316/womens-stephen-anderson-jersey The most yawn-inducing Julien Davenport Jersey White , bore-ville-esque super bowl is in the books and once again, Houston Texans’ head coach Bill O’Brien can brag that his coaching mentor has another ring. What does that mean for the rest of us? All of the NFL-centric media is now turned to wild speculation, poorly informed imaginings and I-just-pulled-this-outta-my-backside “journalism”. Including, but not limited to, mock drafts, free agent predictions, 2019 season results and possibly even some fashion tips... Over at ESPN.com, they’ve kindly included the Houston Texans not once Justin Reid Jersey White , but twice in their Ten Bold Predictions for next season. The first falls into a ‘fat chance’ category, although they make a good argument to get some buy-in:The Texans will sign Le’Veon Bell to a deal that eclipses Todd Gurley’sFirst off, never in the history of ever have the Texans brass shown any signs of throwing crazy money at players who are anything but team guys. Sure, they’ll toss the gross national product of a third world country at guys like [NAME REDACTED], but someone who could legitimately help the team reach the next level doesn’t stand a chance if he doesn’t pass the locker room cancer sniff test. So, we’ll move along... Next up, they have the Texans ruling the AFC roost, but bowing at the altar of Brees soon thereafter Womens Ryan Griffin Jersey , kind of like how they ruled the AFC South for all of 6 days recently... The Saints will defeat the Texans in Super Bowl LIVWhile this is a far more likely scenario, particularly if general manager Brian Gaine can fix the offensive line, the injury bug stops biting a third of the starting depth chart and Bill O’Brien’s newest assistant turned offensive coordinator can actually call actionable plays when the game is on the line, it still remains to be seen. Over at Forbes.com, a site not exactly known for dynamic football coverage, they took the approach of recapping what most already know prior to leaning into any predictions:(Houston Texans) Off-Season Targets The folks at BleacherReport.com - a site more often associated with football than Forbes.com - just ran their first 7 round mock draft and brought the Texans some interesting choices: The Pick: Cody Ford, OL, OklahomaRound Two:Round Three:Round Four: The pick isn’t listed Womens Stephen Anderson Jersey , which begs the assumption they’re assuming Houston makes a tradeRound Five: Round Six:Round Seven: Also not listed, so BR is expecting Gaine and co. to make some trades with later picks. While the head scratching is full-on with a few of these picks, seeing Cody Ford in battle redwouldn’t suck and watching Houston use some draft capital to land a corner and a wide out in the second round makes sense. And, anyone who has been paying attention knows the Texans would never let a draft go by without picking an edge rusher, hence the Ben Banogu selection. Seeing Rodney Anderson (hopefully a fully recovered from season ending knee injury Rodney) do this for Houston would be nice too:But, the off-season is long, the shelf-life of predictions and mock drafts are short and we just don’t know how things will shake out between now and the start of training camp. Want to join in the fun of making crazy predictions? Feel free to drop your craziest Texans predictions in the comments below. Your one-stop shop for Houston Texans, local sports http://www.thetexanslockerroom.com/authentic-senio-kelemete-jersey , and news from around the league for Monday, April 29, 2019.Houston Texans NewsTexans pony up for undrafted free agents Johnnie Dixon, Albert Huggins (Houston Chronicle)Texans move on from national scout Frantzy Jourdain (Houston Chronicle)Where Houston high school stars and Texas college players were drafted (Houston Chronicle)Texans agree to terms with 20 undrafted free agents (Houston Chronicle)Texans tight end Ryan Griffin’s roster status precarious after arrest (Houston Chronicle)NFL NewsDebrief: Most improved groups after 2019 draft (NFL.com)Kitchens unmoved by Duke Johnson trade request (NFL.com)Giants sixth-rounder Ballentine injured in shooting (NFL.com)Draft grades for every team: Patriots get richer (NFL.com)Patriots, Rams partner for three draft-day trades (NFL.com)Rosen congratulates Murray on top pick in video (NFL.com)Giants feared two teams wanted to draft QB Jones (NFL.com)Top undrafted rookies: Who’s signed? Who’s a FA? (NFL.com)Chiefs owner ‘deeply disturbed’ by WR Hill audio (NFL.com)Houston & Collegiate SportsRockets drop sloppy opener to Warriors 104-100 (The Dream Shake)Game Recap: Newest Astros Tomahawk Tribe. Miley Gem, Chrinos Blast Down Indians 4-1 (Crawfish Boxes)2019 Series Preview #10: Houston Astros @ Minnesota Twins (Crawfish Boxes)]]> elaine95 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/68289/christian-jones-jersey-white Mon, 10 Jun 2019 02:32:46 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/68289/christian-jones-jersey-white Ndamukong Suh is looking forward to facing the Detroit Lions for the first time Devon Kennard Jersey White , giving him a chance to visit with friends and to dine at some new restaurants they have told him about.“I love the city of Detroit,” said Suh, who spent the first five years of his career with the Lions. “I spend my time in the offseason there. Got great people that I communicate with and see. Great business town. There’s a lot of people that I consider mentors that are there.”While Suh was quick to share his genuine affection for the Motor City, he chuckled when asked for his feelings about the franchise.“I’ll refrain from my comments about the organization,” he said.Detroit drafted Suh second overall eight years ago and gave him a $68 million deal with $40 million guaranteed , hoping he would lead the defense while Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson starred on offense.Suh was the only rookie to earn All-Pro honors in 2010 and he was an All-Pro two more times with the Lions. He helped Detroit end an 11-year postseason drought in 2011 and reach the playoffs again in 2014.Miami, though, was willing to give Suh much more than the Lions were in 2015. The Dolphins signed him to a six-year, $114 million deal with $60 million guaranteed, making him the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history at the time.Suh’s stay in Miami didn’t last long. He was cut earlier this year with three years left on his contract Womens Theo Riddick Jersey , freeing him up to sign a $14 million, one-year deal with the Rams to play alongside star defensive tackle Aaron Donald.Suh has fit in well, playing inside and on the edge for defensive coordinator Wade Philips.“I pride myself on being able to play any position on the defensive line,” said Suh, who has 34 tackles and 3陆 sacks. “And, if I need to go play linebacker, I’m happy to do so. We’re winning games, so that’s most important to me.”The 31-year-old Suh has not won a division title, but that can change as soon as Sunday.Los Angeles (10-1) can clinch the NFC West championship with a win over the slumping Lions (4-7) at Ford Field.Here’s some things to watch:NEVER SATISFIEDWhile Suh enjoys his homecoming of sorts, Donald will remind the Lions what they’re missing. Detroit drafted tight end Eric Ebron No. 10 overall in 2014 Womens Matthew Stafford Jersey , passing on a chance to take Donald. The Rams selected Donald No. 13 overall and he has become one of the league’s best players. Donald has a NFL- and career-high 14陆 sacks, surpassing the 11 he had last season when he was the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year.“The best part about Aaron is the first thing he’ll say is that he can always improve,” Rams coach Sean McVay said.RUN AROUNDDetroit’s defense has had a dramatic turnaround against the run, becoming the league’s only team to hold three straight opponents to fewer than 60 yards rushing this season.After ranking last in rushing defense earlier this year, the Lions are No. 14 and Damon “Snacks” Harrison seems to have a lot to do with the turnaround. Detroit acquired Harrison from the New York Giants for a fifth-round pick.“The problem is that as the season goes on, it becomes more and more difficult to stop the run,” Lions coach Matt Patricia said.“We obviously have another huge problem this week with the run game with the Rams. Todd Gurley is one of the best backs in the league.”READY TO ROLLGurley has 1,043 yards rushing, trailing only Dallas’ Ezekiel Elliott. He had a touchdown in 13 consecutive games, setting a franchise record Danny Amendola Jersey , before not scoring Nov. 19 during the Rams’ 54-51 win over Kansas City. He is expected to be healthy after having a minor ankle injury early against the Chiefs.SAY WHAT?Lions receiver Bruce Ellington gave a startling answer when asked if his hamstring was healthy.“I don’t know if it’s fully recovered because they removed it,” he said. “I don’t have it anymore.”Ellington had a severe injury that kept him out for all of 2016 and limited him earlier this season in Houston. Ellington said he had one of his hamstring muscles removed two years ago, following a procedure recommended by former Texans receiver Andre Johnson .“They say if you keep it, it’s going to keep scarring up,” Ellington recalled doctors telling him.The 5-foot-9 Ellington said he’s explosive enough to dunk a basketball and to do his job with the Lions, who signed him after they traded Golden Tate to Philadelphia. He has ended up playing an even larger role because Marvin Jones is on injured reserve. Ellington has matched his career high with six catches in each of his two games in Detroit.HELP ON THE WAYDetroit is preparing to play against veteran cornerback Aqib Talib , who has been out since Week 3 with an ankle injury.“They have great players on the defense, and are getting another great player back this week,” Patricia said. Just a couple months ago, Detroit Lions fans were questioning whether general manager Bob Quinn had the chops to make it in the NFL. To their credit Christian Jones Jersey White , there were plenty of reasons for skepticism. A’Shawn Robinson had not progressed and was benched in the season opener, Jarrad Davis was trending towards “bust” status, and Teez Tabor barely played in the first month of the season. Quinn’s draft history—especially that 2017 class—was starting to look suspect. He pulled in just a 26 percent approval rating in September. Now things look quite different. Robinson is back to starter status and looks much better, Tabor is getting some playing time, and Davis is coming off the best game of his career. Oh, and Michael Roberts just had his first two-touchdown game of his career.But where Quinn has shined the most thus far is with this rookie class. The Lions are getting a ton of production from their top four picks, and each have already seemed to live up to their draft status. So today’s Question of the Day is:Which 2018 draft pick has been the Lions’ best so far?]]> elaine95 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/68144/braxton-miller-jersey Thu, 06 Jun 2019 03:41:44 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/68144/braxton-miller-jersey The first XFL location Womens Brandon Dunn Jersey , which emerged this week, will be neither an NFL nor an AFL city. The next seven will all be cities in which the NFL currently plays.According to a post on the Wrestle Zone blog, the XFL inadvertently posted a list of all eight teams. The link provided to the XFL page currently contains no such information; instead, there’s a video announcing that an announcement is coming on December 5.Per the report, the cities (in addition to St. Louis) are Dallas Jordan Akins Jersey White , Houston, L.A., New York, Seattle, Tampa Braxton Miller Jersey , and Washington.It’s a bold move by a bold man who resurrected the XFL, dropping teams directly into seven cities currently served by more than 25 percent of the NFL’s current teams. And it will require a fan base that already is largely loyal to one NFL team (or, in the case of L.A., all 32 of them) to embrace a minor-league team that plays in non-football season.The wild-card here will be the legalization of gambling. Which makes Tampa a somewhat surprising choice, given the results of a ballot initiative that will make it much harder to have legalized wagering in Florida. Although people obviously will be able bet on Tampa games in states where wagering is legal Whitney Mercilus Jersey , any live, in-game, in-stadium betting won’t happen in Tampa unless and until Florida legalizes wagering.Regardless, the XFL will return in 2020, 19 years after its initial one-year experiment. And it won’t be competing with the AAF http://www.thetexanslockerroom.com/authentic-martinas-rankin-jersey , at least not on the local level. Houston Texans NewsTexans’ Jadeveon Clowney gives back at Jingle-a-thon (Houston Chronicle)Texans’ Tyrann Mathieu got recruited by Jets (Houston Chronicle)Texans designate CB Kayvon Webster for return from IR (Houston Chronicle)NFL NewsVegas, baby! 2020 NFL draft headed to Las Vegas (NFL.com)Roger Goodell: ‘We don’t pay for video evidence’ (NFL.com)Davis: Raiders have ‘number of options’ for 2019 (NFL.com)Saints release Brandon Marshall after one month (NFL.com)NFL expands Rooney Rule to strengthen diversity (NFL.com)QB Wentz (back) not expected to play vs. Rams (NFL.com)NFC Playoff Picture: Who takes the No. 6 seed? (NFL.com)Gordon (knee) listed as questionable vs. Chiefs (NFL.com)Rank: Dallas about to make BIG mistake with Dak? (NFL.com)Houston & Collegiate SportsHouston Rockets vs. Los Angeles Lakers game preview (The Dream Shake)James Ennis out 1-2 weeks (The Dream Shake)P.J. Tucker debuts sneaker collaboration with Giuseppe Zanotti (The Dream Shake)]]> elaine95 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/68140/womens-jalen-reeves-maybin-jersey Thu, 06 Jun 2019 02:12:29 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/68140/womens-jalen-reeves-maybin-jersey Running back Kerryon Johnson has put up some of the biggest rushing numbers the team has seen in a long time and it looks like he’ll get a chance to continue adding to that record on Sunday.Johnson was listed as questionable on Friday after three days of limited practice. Johnson is dealing with an ankle injury Miles Killebrew Jersey White , but Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that he’s expected to play against the Bears on Sunday afternoon.Johsnon became the first Lions player to run for 100 yards in a game since 2013 when he got 101 yards against the Patriots in Week Three. He then became the first Lion with more than 150 rushing yards in a game since 2011 when he went for 158 yards against the Dolphins in Week Seven.Guard T.J. Lang and cornerback Darius Slay will miss the game for the Lions. Defensive end Ziggy Ansah joins Johnson in the questionable category after playing last week for the first time since the season opener. The Lions have traded up with a division rival and added to their secondary."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Detroit Lions NewsDetroit Lions NotesDetroit Lions AnalysisDetroit Lions TransactionsDetroit Lions Game RecapsDetroit Lions NewsNFL Draft2019 NFL Draft: Detroit Lions trade up 7 spots, draft DB Will HarrisNew,241commentsThe Lions have traded up with a division rival and added to their secondary.EDTShareTweetShareShare2019 NFL Draft: Detroit Lions trade up 7 spots, draft DB Will HarrisGeoff Burke-USA TODAY SportsThe Detroit Lions have traded up from the 88th overall pick to the Minnesota Vikings’ 81st pick, and selected Boston College defensive back Will Harris.The trade cost the Lions’ their second sixth-round pick (204), per ESPN’s Field Yates. Harris likely projects to the strong safety position, giving the Lions some much-needed depth. He’s an athletic Womens Jalen Reeves-Maybin Jersey , team leader (voted captain his senior year) and a thumper of tackler. However, he hasn’t displayed a lot of ball skills as a pass defender, breaking up only four passes in his final two years at BC. For the second straight year, the Lions have now selected a safety in the third round of the draft, and it will be interesting to see how Harris will be used with Tracy Walker and veteran Quandre Diggs. Both Walker and Harris have some position versatility, and we’ve already seen Diggs move around the defense a lot. Add in recently signed nickel corner Justin Coleman, and suddenly this defense could give a lot of different looks in the secondary. Lions remaining picksRound 4 Theo Riddick Jersey White , Pick 9 (111 overall)Round 5, Pick 8 (146 overall)Round 6, Pick 11 (184 overall)Round 7, Pick 10 (224 overall)Round 7, Pick 15 (229 overall)Top remaining needs for Lions:GuardCornerbackTight endWide receiverEDGELinebackerSafetyBackup QBNFL Draft scheduleSaturdayWhat: Rounds 4-7 of the NFL DraftWhen: Saturday, April 27, Noon ETWhere: Nashville Womens Damon Harrison Jersey , TNTV: NFL Network, ESPN, ABCTime per pick: Rounds 4-6: 5 minutes; Round 7: 4 minutesEstimated time of Lions picks:Pick 111 overall: ~12:36 p.m. ETPick 146 overall: ~2:12 p.m. ETPick 184 overall: ~3:55 p.m. ETPick 224 overall: ~5:38 p.m. ETPick 229 overall: ~5:49 p.m. ET]]> elaine95 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/68139/tyler-kroft-jersey-white Thu, 06 Jun 2019 01:33:06 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/68139/tyler-kroft-jersey-white 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 Michael Johnson 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, 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 http://www.thebengalslockerroom.com/authentic-sam-hubbard-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? Tobin was emphatic in his denial of the Bengals looking to deal Ross."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections #BITESIZEFilm RoomRoster Transactions and ContractsOrange & Black InsiderSalary Cap And CBABreaking NewsKeep track of the 2019 Bengals draft脳Duke Tobin denies Bengals are shopping John Ross; teams have already inquired about tradeNew,168commentsTobin was emphatic in his denial of the Bengals looking to deal Ross. ESTShareTweetShareShareDuke Tobin denies Bengals are shopping John Ross; teams have already inquired about tradeAaron Doster-USA TODAY SportsNews broke Tuesday that the Bengals are reportedly shopping John Ross while teams are gathered in Indianapolis for the NFL Scouting Combine. The news was fairly shocking as he is going into his third season after Cincinnati spent the ninth overall selection on him in the 2017 NFL Draft. As it turns out, it was fake news to the Bengals and director of player personnel Duke Tobin. Speaking at the combine on Wednesday, Tobin emphatically denied the team is shopping Ross. New head coach Zac Taylor is also excited to work with Ross:This actually jives with reports that NFL teams had apparently been trying to get Ross before this most recent report Tyler Kroft Jersey White , but the Bengals said no. It did seem very surprising that Taylor was open to the team moving on from Ross, who clearly has plenty of athleticism. Afterall, it seemed Bill Lazor didn’t get the full potential out of Ross’ skill set, but then again Womens Tyler Eifert Jersey , you could blame quarterback play as well.It is probably even more surprising that the Marvin Lewis coaching staff wasn’t willing to part ways with Ross considering he wasn’t exactly treated favorably, even when healthy.It’s still very possible that Cincinnati will field offers, though it’s hard to see them getting anything close to the value Ross has to this franchise as a former No. 9overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. Let’s hope we get to see Ross playing in Bengals stripes next season and given a chance to show what he is really made of.]]> elaine95 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 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/67635/natrell-jamerson-jersey-white Wed, 29 May 2019 06:01:34 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/67635/natrell-jamerson-jersey-white The Tennessee Titans need the extra day off before their next game both to allow injuries to heal and figure out what went wrong in their worst loss this season.Marcus Mariota is recovering from a stinger that knocked him out of the Titans' 38-10 loss to the Colts Alfred Blue Jersey White , not the elbow injury announced during the game. Coach Mike Vrabel said all tests were positive on defensive coordinator Dean Pees, who returned to Nashville on Monday. Pees spent a night in an Indianapolis hospital after an issue forced him from the coaches' box early in the game.Vrabel also said he is hopeful Mariota will play when the Titans visit Houston on Nov. 26 and Pees also will return to work, even his boss plans to limit the coordinator to banker's hours of 9 to 5."I just want to make sure that he's getting plenty of rest and that we're not rushing anything," Vrabel said. "We do have an extra day with the Monday night game."Whether Mariota misses his third start this season depends on how quickly he recovers from what Vrabel called a bad stinger with a hit to the head. Mariota was hurt when sacked for the fourth time late in the first half, and he did not return with what was announced as an injury to his elbow. Mariota was forced from the season opener after hurting his right elbow.Mariota was hit in the head, and Vrabel said the independent neurologist evaluated the quarterback and cleared Mariota."Like a lot of players, he got a bad stinger," Vrabel said. "So, we'll have to see where he's at."Vrabel said that may include Mariota getting a second opinion. Mariota did not speak to reporters after the game because he was receiving treatment, and the quarterback was not in the locker room Monday when it was open to the media. Vrabel said a stinger can leave some numbness down the arm, and Mariota dealt with some numbness in his fingers after his elbow injury.His coach hopes Mariota will be available against the Texans. Mariota missed the first game between these teams in Week 2, a 20-17 win by the Titans and backup Blaine Gabbert."We're hopeful that he'll check out and feel good enough to play on Monday," Vrabel said. "Just being less than 24 hours after the game, some of these things take a little bit of time to cool down and really just treat and diagnose."Vrabel said he told Pees, 69 Natrell Jamerson Jersey White , not to come to work once back in Nashville. Vrabel thanked the Colts and Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard for checking on Pees and his wife while the Titans flew home Sunday."Everything that would be really worrisome has been ruled out from the neurologist in Indy," Vrabel said.The Titans (5-5) have to figure out what went wrong against the Colts, a surprise after routing the Patriots 34-10 the week before. They now trail Houston (7-3) by two games in the AFC South, and this is the first of three games in an 11-day span for Tennessee. They host the Jets on Dec. 2 and then the Jaguars on Dec. 6.Vrabel said the Titans aren't finished yet this season."We're still in this race as bad as it was, and it was bad," Vrabel said of the loss to the Colts. "Put it all on me. I've lost five games and the players have won five. So, I have to do a better job of not losing them and they have to do a better job of winning them."Follow Teresa M. Walker at teresamwalker When DeAndre Hopkins had a chance to make a play in overtime on Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys, Houston's star receiver was intent on redeeming himself after losing a rare fumble in the third quarter.He did that with a spectacular 49-yard catch and run that got the Texans in scoring range, and Ka'imi Fairbairn kicked a 36-yard field goal to lift the Texans to a 19-16 win.Hopkins, who finished with 151 yards receiving, grabbed a short pass from Deshaun Watson and twice spun away from would-be tacklers to stretch the play."I fumbled, so I knew I had to make a play," Hopkins said. "There was a lot of guys downfield but I wasn't trying to go down easy. A field goal would win the game and I knew that. I knew where I was, and I felt guys coming around me."Coach Bill O'Brien said Hopkins approached him after the fumble and simply said: 'I'll make up for that.' Watson knew he would do that when he threw the ball his way."Playmakers make plays whenever we need him, and that was a situation where we needed him to make a play http://www.thetexanslockerroom.com/authentic-d_onta-foreman-jersey ," Watson said. "I threw it up for him to make a play, and he did what he had to do."The Cowboys got the ball first in OT but had to punt when Zach Cunningham stopped Ezekiel Elliott for no gain on third-and-1. Coach Jason Garrett defended his decision not to go for it."We just felt like at that point in the game, the way our defense was playing, the idea was to pin them down there," he said.Houston was just 1 of 5 in the red zone on Sunday, with Fairbairn making four field goals to help the Texans to the victory.It is Houston's first win over the Cowboys (2-3) since the team's first game on Sept. 8, 2002, ending a three-game losing streak to Dallas. The Texans (2-3) did it in front of a franchise-record crowd of 72,008, which was peppered with plenty of Cowboys fans.Houston defensive end Jadeveon Clowney didn't realize the Texans hadn't beaten the Cowboys in 16 years, but did understand the importance of the victory."This is a big win, not just for us but for the city of Houston," he said. "Cowboys are America's No. 1 team. For us to go out there and win at home was very big for us. We needed that win."Deshaun Watson threw for 375 yards with a touchdown and an interception for the Texans, who won in overtime for the second straight week.Dak Prescott had 208 yards passing and a touchdown but threw two interceptions for the Cowboys. Elliott, who entered the game as the NFL's leading rusher Womens Dylan Cole Jersey , was limited to 54 yards rushing."We just haven't gotten it going on offense," Prescott said. "I don't know if there's one thing you can pinpoint, but we've got to figure it out."The Texans were driving late in the fourth quarter when Xavier Woods intercepted Watson, who threw under heavy pressure, with 10 seconds left and returned it 15 yards to give Dallas the ball at its 47. Kareem Jackson nearly intercepted Prescott on the next play before his Hail Mary on the last play of regulation was knocked down in the end zone by receiver DeAndre Hopkins, who came in to play defense.A 27-yard pass interference call by Byron Jones on a ball intended for Hopkins got Houston to the 1-yard line in the third quarter. But two failed running plays followed by an incomplete pass forced another field goal which gave the Texans a 16-13 lead with about 8 1/2 minutes remaining.The Cowboys tied it up on a 48-yard field goal with less than six minutes left. That drive was highlighted by a 44-yard pass by Prescott to Tavon Austin that he made after escaping sacks by J.J. Watt, Brandon Dunn and Zach Cunningham.Prescott's second interception came when Johnathan Joseph broke up a pass and rookie Justin Reid caught it just before it hit the turf in the third quarter. The Texans drove to the 3-yard line on the ensuing possession before the drive stalled and Fairbairn kicked a 21-yard field goal to tie it at 13-13.Hopkins fumbled after a catch early in the third quarter and it was recovered by Jourdan Lewis and returned to the Houston 16. The Cowboys regained the lead when Prescott found Allen Hurns in the back of the end zone on a 3-yard touchdown pass that made it 13-10.The Texans drove to the 2-yard line later in the second but Watson's pass on third down fell incomplete and they settled for a 20-yard field goal to push the lead to 10-6.INJURIESHouston RB Lamar Miller, who dealt with a chest injury this week, was active but did not play. ... Texans CB Kayvon Webster left the game in the first quarter with a quadriceps injury and didn't return.COUTEE'S DANCEThe Texans took their first lead when rookie Keke Coutee, who made his debut last week, scored on a 1-yard run early in the second quarter. Coutee celebrated his first career touchdown with a dance called the Shiggy Challenge from a Drake song called "In My Feelings" which includes the line: "Kiki do you love me?"He had previously said he didn't like that song because he was tired of everyone singing it to him but seems to be past that now."I just gave the people what they wanted to see," he said with a laugh.UP NEXTCowboys: Host the Jacksonville Jaguars next Sunday.Texans: Host the Buffalo Bills next Sunday.]]> elaine95 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/67634/bart-starr-jersey Wed, 29 May 2019 03:35:44 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/67634/bart-starr-jersey Aaron Rodgers ended Week 15 in 2017 being asked whether he would play the final two games. The Packers quarterback returned from a fractured collarbone in hopes of rescuing the team’s playoff hopes. When he didn’t Womens Za'Darius Smith Jersey , it seemed prudent to sit him.After Sunday’s Week 15 loss to the Bears, which eliminated the Packers’ postseason aspirations for this season, Rodgers was asked whether he wanted to play the final two games.“For sure,” he said in his postgame press conference.Rodgers has not played very Rodgers like this season. In the loss to the Bears, Rodgers went 25-of-42 for 274 yards and threw an interception, only his second of the season which ended a streak of 402 consecutive attempts without one.Rodgers was asked if he would have a problem with Packers General Manager Brian Gutekunst wanting to see backup DeShone Kizer in the final two games.“Yeah, probably,” Rodgers said Bart Starr Jersey , smiling, before adding, “No, look, nobody’s talked to me about it. I want to play, though, so I’m expecting to start and play. In 2005, I remember [Brett] Farve came in late in the season and said Za'Darius Smith Jersey , ‘Well, you’re probably going to get a chance to play here.’ It didn’t happen. Now, Brett was 36, I think, at the time.“I’d like to be out there and lead us the last two weeks.” LOS ANGELES (AP) — Linebacker Clay Matthews agreed to a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Rams on Tuesday, returning to his native Southern California after a decade with the Green Bay Packers.The 32-year-old Matthews set the Packers franchise record with 83½ sacks over his 10 seasons in Green Bay. The former USC star earned six Pro Bowl selections and won a Super Bowl ring with the Packers, although his 3½ sacks last season were a career low.Matthews went to high school in Agoura Hills, California Womens DeShone Kizer Jersey , and he lives in nearby Calabasas with his wife and growing family. Both towns are a short drive from the Rams’ training complex in Thousand Oaks northwest of downtown Los Angeles.Matthews will contribute to the Rams’ pass rush alongside All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald and linebacker Dante Fowler, who re-signed with the NFC champions earlier this month. Nose tackle Ndamukong Suh is still a free agent after his sole season with Los Angeles.Matthews played four seasons for the Trojans at the Coliseum, where the Rams will play next season before moving into their multibillion-dollar stadium complex in Inglewood in 2020.Matthews won four Pac-12 titles and three Rose Bowls at USC. He famously walked onto Pete Carroll’s roster and redshirted on the Trojans’ last national championship squad before growing into a first-round NFL pick.The Rams released starting linebacker Mark Barron earlier this month, creating additional opportunities for Matthews.Matthews joins veteran safety Eric Weddle and backup quarterback Blake Bortles in the Rams’ compact class of free-agent signings.]]> elaine95 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/67633/womens-matt-prater-jersey Wed, 29 May 2019 02:44:09 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/67633/womens-matt-prater-jersey Time to gloat."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Detroit Lions NewsDetroit Lions NotesDetroit Lions AnalysisDetroit Lions TransactionsDetroit Lions Game RecapsNFL DraftNFL Open ThreadsSunday open thread: What was your best NFL Draft prediction?New Womens Dwayne Washington Jersey ,47commentsTime to gloat. EDTShareTweetShareShareSunday open thread: What was your best NFL Draft prediction?Jerry Lai-USA TODAY SportsOn Saturday, we all repented and confessed our most shameful NFL Draft misses. Plenty of people modestly admitted some of the draft scouting mistakes they’ve made in the past. Poor Aaron Curry lovers faced the music yesterday and offered us a reminder of just how bad we can all be at this prediction stuff.But now you’ve all earned yourself some gloating time. Now it’s time to go to the other end of the spectrum. Strut your stuff, because there is nothing better than pounding the table for someone—especially when everyone else is calling you an idiot—and to have your opinion proven true on draft day and beyond.So today’s Question of the Day is:What NFL Draft prediction/scouting report did you absolutely nail? My answer: I’ll admit that when I do my draft prep, I try not to get too high or low on a guy, and I’d rather do the grunt work of the research after the picks were made. That being said, I occasionally still fall in love with a player. Back in 2014, it was Anthony Barr. His college film was flashy Luke Willson Jersey White , his production was outstanding, and the rumors of his character were nearly flawless. But there were certainly some risks involved. When I chose Barr for the Lions in the Community Mock Draft (yes, I skipped over Aaron Donald, too), y’all let me know in the comment section.It was too early. Mike Evans was the easy pick here. He won’t make an immediate impact. One-trick pony. You can go get Kyle Van Noy in the second (That’s an actual comment here). In reality, Barr ended up going before the Lions were even on the clock. He made a big impact in his rookie year (12 starts, 70 tackles http://www.lionslockerroom.com/authentic-kenny-golladay-jersey , 4.0 sacks). He’s lived up to his draft status (four Pro Bowls). And he’s anything but a one-trick pony. He’s managed to earn the reputation of being one of the best off-ball linebacker without gaudy sack numbers (13.5 in five years). Barr isn’t your annual All Pro player that is recognized as one of the best to ever play the game or anything, but he’s a solid player that was well worth the Vikings’ ninth overall pick. He remains one of my biggest draft “wins.”Your turn.Tweets from https://twitter.com/PrideOfDetroit/lists/lions-coverage DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Lions boosted their chances of slowing down Seattle’s running game and contending in the NFC North with one major move.Lions general manager Bob Quinn acquired Damon “Snacks” Harrison from the New York Giants for a fifth-round pick, adding one of the NFL’s top interior defensive linemen to help right away. He began practicing with his new team Thursday.“It shows we want to win now,” Detroit defensive tackle Ricky Jean Francois said. “Bob is always up to something. He’s not trying to win later, or to rebuild.”The timing seems perfect for the Lions, who host the Seahawks on Sunday. Seattle has emerged as one of the NFL’s best running teams, helping it win three of four after losing the first two games of the season. The Lions have been one of the league’s worst against the run Womens Calvin Johnson Jersey , and yet have overcome the weakness well enough to also win three of four after starting 0-2.Suddenly, Detroit’s defense got better on the ground thanks to the 6-foot-5, 355-pound Harrison.“Snacks has been a big-timer for a long time,” Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. “Big presence. Really good in the running game and disruptive in the pass rush, too.“So, it’s a great get for them.”Here are some other things to know about a matchup of 3-3 teams at Ford Field:SPREAD THE WEALTHCarroll has made clear Chris Carson will be the starting running back. That does not guarantee Carson will get the vast majority of the carries because Mike Davis and Rashaad Penny also merit playing time.Carson is averaging 4.5 yards per carry and has two 100-yard games. Davis also has a 100-yard game and is averaging 4.6 yards per carry, and leads the team with three rushing touchdowns. Penny ran for nearly five yards per carry in limited action in Seattle’s last game against Oakland and is getting six-plus rushing attempts per game.Even with quarterback Russell Wilson carrying the ball just a few times per game on average Zach Zenner Jersey White , Seattle ranks seventh in the league in rushing with 127.8 yards per game.Detroit, in the pre-Harrison average, gave up 139.3 yards rusher per game to rank No. 30 against the run.EFFICENT SCORINGDetroit tight end Michael Roberts is tied for the team lead with three touchdown receptions. That’s quite a feat considering he has caught just four passes, on four targets, in the three games he has been healthy enough to play in his second season.The Lions drafted Roberts in the fourth round last year after he led the nation in touchdowns by tight ends, scoring 16 at Toledo.“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t control the red zone in college, and I’m doing what they brought me here to do Womens Matt Prater Jersey ,” Roberts said.BYE BACKThe off week appeared to fall at a good time for the Seahawks. They are expected to have linebacker K.J. Wright and tight end Ed Dickson on the field for the first time this season. Wright has been out since having knee surgery following the third preseason game. Dickson missed all of training camp and the first six games with upper leg injuries that landed him on the non-football injury list.Seattle found capable replacements for Wright in Barkevious Mingo and Austin Calitro. Dickson’s return should boost a position group that’s seen attrition with Will Dissly’s season-ending knee injury and Nick Vannett’s lingering back problems.Seattle also should have rookie defensive lineman Rasheem Green back after missing three weeks due to a lingering ankle injury.WHAT A RUSHThe Lions are No. 11 in rushing offense, averaging 122.3 yards, a dramatic improvement from ranking last in 2017. Rookie Kerryon Johnson ran for a career-high 158 yards in last week’s win at Miami, taking advantage of holes created by the improved offensive line.“We have to build upon the good performances because nobody will care if we aren’t consistent,” offensive tackle Taylor Decker said. “Our improved running game has taken the wind out of the sails of pass rushers. We’re making them play the run and the physical play can wear those pass rushers out eventually.”MICHIGAN MANSeattle defensive end Frank Clark set career highs with 2 ½ sacks and two forced fumbles in the last game, a 27-3 win at Oakland. He earned NFC defensive player of the week honors for the performance that was made even more impressive because he missed much of the second half when he was sick.]]> elaine95 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/67630/darqueze-dennard-jersey Wed, 29 May 2019 01:44:56 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/67630/darqueze-dennard-jersey It’s believed in league circles that the next coach of the Bengals will be Hue Jackson (with Vance Joseph as defensive coordinator) or Vance Joseph (with Hue Jackson as offensive coordinator). So why not really shake things up and do something completely different?At one point Hardy Nickerson Jersey , Michael Scott and Jim Halpert were co-managers of Dunder Mifflin, Scranton branch.聽Maybe that’s the right answer for the perpetually wrongly-directed Bengals, as crazy as it may sound. (And, yes, it sounds crazy.)But it’s not unprecedented. In 1953, the Packers had co-head coaches. (Sure, it lasted only for the last two games of the season.) Ten years before that, the merged Steelers and Eagles franchise (the Steagles) employed both Walt Kiesling and Greasy Neale as co-head coaches.Why not make Jackson the head coach/offense and Joseph the head coach/defense? Give one guy responsibility for each side of the ball, let the special-teams coordinator report to both of them, and see what happens?Jackson would call the offensive plays http://www.thebengalslockerroom.com/authentic-shawn-williams-jersey , and Joseph would support Jackson with broader topics like clock management. Joseph would call the defensive plays, and Jackson would support Joseph.I’m mostly joking, but a little serious. If neither guy is able to thrive in the job alone, why not split the job in two? With both guys operating under the terms of a buyout for at least the next season, the Bengals possibly get them to do it for the total cost of one total head coach.Again, it’s crazy. It’s over the top. It’s one the wrong side of the fine line that separates outside the box from f–kin’ nutty.But ask yourself this. A week ago, which possibility would have sounded more ridiculous, entrusting an NFL franchise to two men with NFL head-coaching experience (and the contacts to fill out a staff) or hiring as an NFL head-coach a guy who has no NFL coaching experience, who has precious few NFL coaching contacts, who went 35-40 at Texas Tech Womens Dre Kirkpatrick Jersey , who got fired from that job in November, and who quickly took a job as offensive coordinator at USC in December? CINCINNATI (AP) — The desperation was evident when coach Marvin Lewis fired his defensive coordinator and installed himself in the role the rest of the way.Another season was slipping away. There was no more time to lose.“Game day will be different for me,” Lewis said three weeks ago. “It will be a different approach, and it’ll be fun.”No fun. No victories. And now, virtually no hope.The Bengals (5-7) have unraveled the past three games, allowing more than 200 yards rushing twice while dropping all three and falling out of contention. A season that started with raised hopes at 4-1 has crashed with six losses in the past seven games. It’s their worst stretch of losing since they dropped 10 straight in 2010.And there’s no reason to think it’ll get much better in the final four games.The Bengals lost quarterback Andy Dalton to a torn ligament in his passing thumb a week ago. Receiver A.J. Green returned from a toe injury that sidelined him for three games, but aggravated it in the second quarter of a 24-10 loss to the Broncos on Sunday, likely ending his season.The offense is missing its best players and the defense is still getting flattened with Lewis and special assistant Hue Jackson calling the shots in place of fired coordinator Teryl Austin.The Broncos ran for 218 yards , the fourth time this season that Cincinnati has given up at least 200 yards rushing — a shocking statistic. The Bengals also gave up 198 yards rushing by Kansas City.It’s only the fourth time in franchise history that they’ve allowed four 200-yard games in the regular season. The club record is six allowed in 1969, their second season as an expansion team.Next up is a game on the West Coast against the Chargers (9-3) Darqueze Dennard Jersey , who rallied for a 33-30 win in Pittsburgh on Sunday night. The Bengals then host the Raiders (2-10). The finish with road games at Cleveland (4-7-1), which got four TD passes from Baker Mayfield in a 35-20 victory on Nov. 25 , and at Pittsburgh, which won 28-21 at Paul Brown Stadium on Oct. 14.The only intrigue left is how owner Mike Brown reacts to the latest debacle.The Bengals haven’t won a playoff game since the 1990 season, the sixth-longest streak of futility in NFL history.Lewis has gotten the Bengals into the playoffs seven times during his 16 seasons, and has lost in the first round every time for the worst postseason coaching mark in league history.There were indications that Lewis’ stay in Cincinnati was ending last season when the Bengals got drubbed by the Bears and Vikings in successive weeks, dropping them to 5-9.Even Lewis was noncommittal at that point about whether he’d be back. The Bengals won their final two games, and Brown — who has a deep aversion to change — decided that was good enough reason to give Lewis a contract extension.This time, Brown could use the team’s injuries as cover for keeping Lewis in place if he wants to do so, although they still must find a defensive coordinator and figure out where special assistant Hue Jackson fits into next year’s plans.The Packers fired head coach Mike McCarthy after a 20-17 loss to Arizona on Sunday left them 4-7-1. Brown always waits until the end of the season to decide next year’s plans Randy Bullock Jersey White , so Lewis is safe until at least then. Lewis said Monday he’s had no discussion with Brown about the future.“The least of my worries,” he said.Players understand that all the talk about turning the season around has become irrelevant.“At some point, it’s not even about that,” receiver Alex Erickson said. “It’s up to you to perform. If you don’t, obviously there are going to be consequences.”]]> elaine95 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/67575/womens-seantrel-henderson-jersey Mon, 27 May 2019 05:49:02 +0000 https://0xbt.net/blog/view/67575/womens-seantrel-henderson-jersey Sam Darnold nearly pulled off another one.Six days after leading the New York Jets to the first fourth-quarter comeback victory of his young career Womens Tyler Ervin Jersey , the rookie quarterback almost did it again 鈥?falling just shy in a 29-22 loss to the Houston Texans on Saturday night."To go out there against a good Texans team, it would've been awesome to be able to get that win," Darnold said, "but we just came up short."Things looked promising after Darnold and the Jets (4-10) took their first lead of the game on Elijah McGuire's 2-yard touchdown run with just 5 minutes left.The No. 3 overall pick made plays with his arm and legs during the impressive 15-play, 73-yard go-ahead drive as he converted three third-down plays and a fourth-down opportunity."He played a gritty ballgame," coach Todd Bowles said. "He played tough and made some throws."On third-and-10 from the 19, Darnold took off for 14 yards 鈥?and a holding call on Aaron Colvin put the ball on the 2. After Darnold was stopped for no gain on a quarterback draw, he handed the ball to McGuire who pushed up the middle 鈥?surrounded by a surging mass of blockers who helped shove him all the way into the end zone for the score.It set off a wild celebration by the Jets.But Deshaun Watson and the Texans 鈥?whose nine-game winning streak was snapped by Indianapolis last Sunday 鈥?weren't going down for the second straight game. Watson threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins with 2:15 left, lifting Houston to the victory."We've just got to finish the game," Darnold said.A holding call on cornerback Morris Claiborne on third down prolonged the Texans' winning drive, and Watson completed passes of 20 and 3 yards to Demaryius Thomas and 7 yards to Hopkins to get to New York's 14."This is how I feed my family," Claiborne said of the penalty call. "When you make calls like that, you mess that up for me."Watson then found Hopkins streaking down the left sideline and launched a pass that the receiver somehow came down with despite being tightly covered by Claiborne."The holding call hurt us, obviously," Bowles said. "That got them down the field and the guy made a heck of a catch at the end. Mo had him covered great. He's a great receiver and he made a heck of a play."Darnold and the Jets had two more chances to pull off a stunner.On fourth-and-14 from the New York 21, Robby Anderson couldn't come down with Darnold's throw 鈥?and the Jets turned it over on downs."It was just a little bit of bad judgment by me," Anderson said. "I came a little bit too much under it and it hit right off my fingertips."Moments later, Ka'imi Fairbairn's 40-yard field goal 鈥?his fifth kick of the game 鈥?made it 29-22 with 54 seconds left.Darnold and the offense came out again with 75 yards between them and a tying touchdown. But after two incompletions and a sack, Darnold faced a fourth-and-18. He threw a short pass to McGuire, who gained 16 yards 鈥?2 short of a first down, sealing the game."It's frustrating to lose the ballgame," Bowles said. "We could've finished it a bunch of different ways. Whether it's offense or defense, we didn't finish it. The penalties cost us at the end."Darnold's overall performance, however, was a glaring bright spot for the Jets 鈥?who have had few things to feel good about this season.He was 24 of 38 for 253 yards and touchdown passes to Anderson and Andre Roberts Womens Shane Lechler Jersey , and also ran six times for 35 yards in arguably his best game of the season. That would mark two straight solid outings for Darnold, who missed three games with a strained foot before returning against Buffalo last Sunday."He's just comfortable," Bowles said. "He's just playing his game. He's not trying to be perfect. He's just trying to play football. He's just enjoying playing football. That comes with game by game, having success."You sit out a while, you get to step back and you come back and you learn a little bit. It looks like he's learned quite a bit."Darnold's teammates are also noticing a more confident playmaking quarterback on the field."He played phenomenal," safety Jamal Adams said. "He's a bad man and the future is bright for him."After the game, Texans star defensive end J.J. Watt found Darnold on the field and gave the young quarterback a hug."You're going to be a great pro," Watt told him.The overall outlook for the Jets appears uncertain with Bowles likely to be looking for a new job when the season ends, and general manager Mike Maccagnan not a lock to return.But one thing New York might be able to count on is the fact it has a young quarterback who is progressing each week."Yeah, I mean, I feel comfortable getting experience and I feel like I'm seeing the field a lot better," Darnold said. "I feel like our whole offense is really starting to click a lot better, getting in and out. But, it comes down to wins and losses. We want to get out there and win the game. That's the whole point of playing, you want to win." The Texans have completed the first quarter of the 2018 season with a record of 1-3. Not exactly how fans expected the season to start off, but there is enough talent on this roster to get things going in the right direction.Some of that talent is in the form of rookies finding a niche on this roster. Circumstances at hand compel rookies to get on the field at any level of the game. With no picks in the first two rounds of the 2018 NFL Draft, there weren’t many opportunities for the Texans to ‘plug and play’ rookies on this squad. Although safety and both offensive tackle spots were in dire need of an upgrade, it’s difficult to expect a rookie - and for the Texans, a third round one at that - to immediately be NFL-ready. Although the Texans’ situation did not allow for the expenditure of premium draft capital, they have found valuable pieces from several mid-round rookies.Justin ReidThe first pick this year for the Texans took place in the third round and turned out to be a steal from the get-go. Justin Reid is a part of a reconfigured secondary along with Tyrann Mathieu and Aaron Colvin (who was injured this past week). Reid is a smart, poised safety who has been probably the most consistent secondary defensive back the Texans have. Reid is best when playing deep in coverage and panning over the top of the defense. Whenever the Texans line up in a nickel formation, Reid is on the field as the third safety. He is playing about 70% of the snaps on defense and is contributing on special teams as well. Reid was a player who dropped in the draft most likely due to his ceiling, but that only made his value that much greater when the Texans learned months later that they had lost Andre Hal. Reid’s first play in the NFL was a doozy - he was juked into the ground by Travis Kelce in his first preseason game. Welcome to the NFL, kid. Since then, he has delivered quality tackling and sound defense. The next big step in his development will be to start breaking up passes and commanding the middle of the field.Keke CouteeWhoa. A different type of welcome to the the NFL was in order for this speedster at the wide receiver position. With Bruce Ellington out for the remainder of the season Zach Cunningham Jersey White , Coutee, after missing the entire preseason and the first three games of the regular season with a hamstring injury, stepped in immediately and blew away the Colts with his speed. With how much Deshaun Watson likes to extend plays, he need two things out of a slot receiver. The first thing is being a reliable safety valve for when Watson needs to get rid of the ball in a split second. What makes Watson so incredible is the vision and miraculous plays. Having a receiver who can bail him out makes those plays we witnessed for six weeks last year more attainable. The second thing Watson needs is quite the opposite: a late dump-off option. Watson loves to hold the ball as long as possible. It is in his blood to try to make a major play on every snap. In those situations where nothing is open and Watson has to resort to an intermediate option, Coutee must be readily available. There was a ton of praise surrounding Coutee coming out of training camp, but when he injured his hamstring and was forced to sit out several weeks, I thought his career trajectory was massively lowered. All too often a player misses the beginning of their career and he can never recover/learn everything he missed out on. It looks like Coutee has not missed a step and has the potential to be a page-turner in the Texans offensive playbook.Martinas RankinRankin has always been a favorite of many on Battle Red Blog. So far, he has played at left and right tackle for the Texans. Lately, he has exclusively played left tackle instead of Julien Davenport. On running plays, Rankin is more of an edge-setter than a move my guy off the ball and pancake his [KITTEN] type of tackle. Scouting reports mention that the further inside he goes, the better career Rankin will have. I think Rankin screams left guard, but for now he has to play left tackle because the Texans are in dire need at the position. He can actually play center, guard, and tackle, having experience in college playing all three. I like when the Texans line a tight end up over him in passing plays to push out the DE/OLB just a little bit more to let Rankin have more time to get into his slide-step. The closest thing to a plug and play player in Houston’s 2018 draft class has the makings of developing into a worthwhile pro lineman.Duke EjioforThe “Duke of the Edge” had quite the preseason campaign to start off his NFL career. He played a little over a third of the snaps in Sunday’s game against the Colts. Ejiofor does not have raw speed around the edge or unmatched strength to bulldoze linemen, but what he does have is agility paired with aggressive pass rush moves. The next step in his progression is to mask his moves to make it more difficult for a lineman to diagnose what trick he is about to pull. Sleight of hand is a big asset for a pitcher - if you can’t see the curve ball coming, it will drop off the table before you even knew it was there. Same thing for an effective pass rush move. Ejiofor will make his living in pass rush situations on third down. There is no such thing as too many elite pass rushers, and Ejiofor is a curve ball for offensive linemen after having to take the punishment of blocking either J.J. Watt or Jadeveon Clowney. Through the first four games, Ejiofor has recorded four tackles, one sack, and one fumble recovery. Jordan AkinsAkins is another player whose preseason performance set a high bar for him before the regular season began. Akins is the best pass catching tight end on Houston’s roster and has been most readily utilized in the middle of the field. He has seven catches for 74 yards, and almost all of them have been short to the right on first and second down. Only once has the big tight end been targeted in goal line situations, but with so many pass catching options, it’s hard to trust a rookie over some of the proven veterans. It seems Bill O’Brien definitely has a role in mind for Akins and his talents; it’s more a matter of trust and opportunity than anything else. With so many mouths to feedl, Akins getting about two or three catches per game seems fair for where he is in his career. Watch for Akins to begin to line up in different places throughout the game to create mismatches on the defense. For example Womens Seantrel Henderson Jersey , if the Texans line him up as the outside receiver and DeAndre Hopkins in the slot, it gives Akins an opportunity to be one on one with a smaller cornerback while allowing Hopkins to deal with a less proficient corner in the slot. Jordan ThomasThomas is a natural mismatch against nickel cornerbacks. At 6’6”, he towers over almost every other person who would be covering him. Thomas is currently the third string tight end and will need to develop as a run blocker if he wants to get on the field more. He had a big reception against the Colts and strode up the sideline for 40 yards before being brought down. So far, Thomas plays about a quarter of the snaps and lines up in the slot or as a wingback. He has caught three receptions for 80 yards this season. He’s probably the most developmental project in the draft class, Thomas has the makings of an elite tight end whose pass catching abilities can really challenge teams in short yardage situations. For now, most of his catches have occurred against zone coverage where he is able to find a hole in the defense. Peter KalambayiEven though 53 players can call themselves Texans, only 46 suit up on game day. Unless you are D.J. Swearinger, this means that almost everyone has to contribute on special teams. No backup is too valuable to not serve on special teams. Kalambayi, a rookie linebacker out of Stanford, is next in line to replace Brennan Scarlett as the run-stopping outside linebacker who can drop in coverage. As a sixth round draft pick, Kalambayi is a pure developmental and depth piece to the defense. He won’t rush the passer, but instead can set the edge against zone run schemes and will drop back in coverage if necessary. Kalambayi has made his impact on punt and kickoff coverage teams. Although he played the fewest amount of plays of any Texan last week, there is definitely some upside in this draft choice.Trevor DanielUndrafted rookie free agents making an impact is the best added value for a franchise. Frankly, I never thought Daniel was going to make the roster. Cutting future Hall of Famers from the roster is out of the ordinary and unpredictable for any position. So far, it may seem hard to back the decision to keep Daniel over Shane Lechler, as the rookie is averaging just 42 yards per punt, ranked 29th in the league. What Daniel does best, however, is pin opposing defenses deep in their own territory. Of his 18 punts, 10 have been inside opponent’s 20 yard line.Of the 18 punts, only five have been returned for a total of 27 yards, which is pretty great for a first-time punter in the league. Field position battle is one of the most underrated contests in a football game; if a punter can force an opposing offense to gain one or two more first downs per drive, it pays dividends for the defense, as they have more opportunities to stop their opponent before scoring.How do you think the rookies are performing at the quarter pole of the 2018 season?]]> elaine95