Category Archives: Super Bowl

Super Bowl

Titans’ Marcus Mariota: Week 1 start is last ‘benchmark’ after broken leg

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Marcus Mariota’s long road to recovery has finally led him to his first game back.

The Titans quarterback has looked forward to his Week 1 start Sunday against the Raiders for quite some time, and is confident the regular-season opener will be the final hurdle after an extensive rehabilitation journey.

“This is probably the last benchmark. This is my thing. This is what I worked for all offseason to be prepared for,” Mariota said, via ESPN. “I can’t wait. It’s been a long road. I look forward to being out there and having fun.”

Garrett suffered the ankle injury during Wednesday’s practice and was unable to finish the workout. He was later listed as limited on the team’s injury report and underwent a series of tests to determine the severity of the injury.

Garrett, 21, had previously been hampered by an ankle sprain during his final season at Texas A&M last year and dealt with a minor foot issue in minicamp earlier this summer, but the injuries are not suspected to be related.

The Browns are scheduled to open the regular season Sunday in Cleveland against the rival Steelers.

“Coaches are far more high-profile and they develop reputations that in some cases appeal to owners,” Polian told Sporting News in a telephone interview. “GMs are far less high-profile, even guys like Ron Wolf or Carl Peterson.

“GMs are judged far more on results really than what coaches are. You can name any number of coaches who have gotten second or, in some cases, third chances who really have nothing more than .500 records. GMs in that position really struggle to get a second chance. It’s really as simple as that.”
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Deshaun Watson’s making his first NFL start against the Bengals on Thursday Night Football.

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People often say when you look good, you feel good (even play good). So Watson made sure to look fresh as he entered Paul Brown Stadium on Thursday night.

I mean just look at this outfit and the accessories. Shades, headphones, and the bags — one of luxury and another for business (aka football).

Watson got the start after Tom Savage wasn’t able to get the offense going against the Jaguars. Savage’s agent was obviously not happy about it.

“I’m still trying to figure this out … 31 plays and you’re getting benched?” Savage’s agent Neil Schwartz told NBC Sports. “It makes no sense.”

Instead, Mr. Steal Yo Job is going to take on the Bengals Thursday night, while looking better than your team’s starting quarterback before and after.

Dak Prescott’s poise and leadership has been raved about since he started taking the league by storm last August. Going back to his collegiate days, Prescott has the ability to elevate those around him and lead them to victory. We saw it when he took a bunch of under-recruited players and led them to one of the top teams in college football during his junior season. He has a history of getting the best Kemba Walker Jersey out of his tailbacks, wideouts, and everybody that makes up the roster.

Dak is a natural leader. He gets the best out of each and every player, puts confidence into everybody in the huddle, and is mature beyond his years. Dez spoke to ESPN’s Todd Archer Authentic Ryan Ramczyk Jersey over the summer about Dak’s ability to lead the team.

Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott Jersey: Relieved ‘I finally get a fair trial’

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Ezekiel Elliott ran for 104 yards on 24 carries in the Dallas Cowboys’ 19-3 win against the New York Giants, but his biggest win came on Friday in a U.S. District court.

Judge Amos Mazzant granted Elliott an injunction and temporary restraining order that blocked the NFL’s six-game suspension of the running back for violating the personal conduct policy, writing that the running back did not receive fundamental fairness in the appeal process.
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Much of the focus on the Patriots is just how big of an offensive season they can have with upgrades such as Brandin Cooks, Mike Gillislee and Rex Burkhead. But Patricia can have fun scheming for big plays from the front seven now that the team kept Malcolm Bulter and signed Stephon Gilmore to form the NFL’s best cornerback duo. The group may not dominate in yardage, but it’s set up to lead the way in takeaways.

He really could keep winning this every year, but it has tended to go to guys who have coached surprise teams to big seasons. It’s time to further appreciate Belichick’s GOATness and give him his fourth COTY and first since 2010.

This is handed to the player who overcomes major adversity from the previous season, injury or otherwise. Recent winners have included Tom Brady, Adrian Peterson, Rob Gronkowski, Eric Berry and Jordy Nelson. When Watt is healthy, he throws down like few defensive players who have ever played the game. While Man of the Year is a slam dunk, this would be a lay-up.
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Robert Griffin III Jersey denies Santana Moss’ version of Mike Shanahan firing

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Quarterback Robert Griffin III celebrated when the Washington Redskins fired coach Mike Shanahan, former teammate Santana Moss said Monday. However, Moss told a local radio station, Griffin’s giddiness hurt him in the end.

Griffin denies having done so and, via Twitter on Tuesday, told Moss that to openly lie about me is a betrayal.

Cravens went missing for a day last season when he was dealing with an injury. But a source said he did not bring up retiring at the time. He also went missing for three days while at USC, a source said, but not all the Redskins’ decision-makers were aware of that.

Team officials met with Cravens over Labor Day weekend in an effort to persuade him to reconsider and mull whether he really wanted to retire. For the Redskins — and others who knew him — Cravens’ passion or love for the sport was not in question. They pointed to how he played the game; teammates last season said he had an infectious energy on the field. The Redskins wanted to give Cravens time to work out the personal issues that led to his decision.

I’ve seen him at USC, I’ve watched him at practice, Gruden said earlier this month. I’ve watched him play in games, and I know he loves football. So I don’t think that’s the issue. There are things weighing on his mind that he has to take care of. If he gets those things cleared up, then sure, we will take another look at him. He is one of our guys.

On NFL Network after the game, Hall of Fame running back LaDainian Tomlinson said Elliott quit on his team, but he pointed more to Elliott’s sideline demeanor than his effort on the interceptions.
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Marcus Mariota is the team’s ascendant young quarterback

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The gap between the average tier for 49ers QB Brian Hoyer (4.00) and the team’s opposing QBs (2.88) is the NFL’s seventh largest. San Francisco faces zero Tier 1 QBs and five Tier 4 QBs, so there could be opportunities for the 49ers if Hoyer can outperform expectations in Kyle Shanahan’s system, as some think he might.

The Vikings play the third-toughest lineup of opposing QBs, with five games against Tier 1 QBs and two more against Matthew Stafford, who climbed into the top 10 and is now solidly in the second tier. That lineup becomes tougher if Cam Newton bounces back from a down 2016 season.

The Colts play a league-high 13 games against Tier 3-4 QBs, which is why they’ll be back in the 8-8 range if Andrew Luck is healthy and plays a full season. When will Luck be healthy? How will he perform with zero offseason work? I can’t assume the best in the absence of any evidence, and so the Colts come away with a four-win projection.

The most important thing you need to know to become a Jaguars fan is that you should be yelling “DUUUUUUVAAAAALLLLL” as loudly and as frequently as possible. It’s a reference to the county the team is located in. That’s a much more exciting element of Jaguars fandom these days than the actual team.

Marcus Mariota is the team’s ascendant young quarterback, and he’s an easy guy to root for because he always has time to make fans feel special. Just don’t try to give him a nickname. When he entered the league in 2015, Mariota said, “I don’t have a nickname. And I’m not looking for one, either.”

I’m reading this tight end first. It’s trips speed, so I don’t have any wide receivers to worry about. I’m reading through this tight end to hold him off my corner, so he can come over the top of the seam route. steelers_037

Aaron Donald Authentic Jersey ends Rams holdout, won’t play in opener

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Mens Kony Ealy Jersey Aaron Donald’s holdout is over, but the end didn’t come in time for the Rams’ best defensive player to suit up in the season opener.

Mens Justin Hunter Jersey The team announced Saturday that Donald has reported to the team facility and passed his physical after sitting out all of training camp and preseason. He will not play in Sunday’s opener against the Colts.

Donald did not get the new contract he has been seeking, but both sides will continue discussions as the defensive tackle gets back to work. The team will waive the $1.4 million in fines he had accumulated during his holdout and he will be paid for Week 1, despite not suiting up, ProFootballTalk reported.

The Packers weren’t kidding when they said Ty Montgomery was their feature back. The converted wide receiver was on the field for an astounding 66 of Green Bay’s 74 snaps on Sunday. Montgomery carried the ball 19 times for 54 yards and one touchdown, while also adding four catches for 39 yards. Montgomery, who paced the NFL with a 5.9 YPC last year, is unlikely to see 23 touches every week, but he also won’t be facing Seattle’s stacked defense. Seemingly locked in to 15 or so touches each week in Green Bay’s high-powered offense, he’s very much in the RB1 conversation against Atlanta in Week 2.

So much for cutting back Lamar Miller’s workload. With Alfred Blue out, Tyler Ervin focused on slot receiver and rookie D’Onta Foreman limited to two snaps for some reason, Miller was on the field for 56 of the Texans’ 69 snaps (81 percent) in Week 1. Despite Houston’s getting smoked by Jacksonville 29-7, Miller was solid, managing 96 yards on 19 touches. Miller’s efficiency was problematic last year, but as long as he’s the workhorse in Houston, he’ll be in the RB1 discussion. Lock him into your lineup against the Bengals’ Vontaze Burfict-less defense in Week 2.

The Jets gave Christian Hackenberg Jersey plenty of chances to win the starting job this month

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Trading players whose contracts carry little to no dead money is easier. Trading players who do have dead money is also easier when the salary cap is higher.

Limited Mens Wes Horton Jersey Teams can thoroughly scout a larger number of players efficiently through advances in video technology. This is not new for 2017, but it’s a trend that has affected the game in recent years, allowing teams to make more informed decisions more efficiently.

Will the wheeling and dealing happen again next offseason? We’ll see. But people in the league see plenty of reasons for the increase in trade volume.

The Jets gave Christian Hackenberg plenty of chances to win the starting job this month, and he flopped each and every time. So Josh McCown was named the starter, despite attempting just four passes the entire preseason. Yeah, it’s going to be that kind of year for the Jets.

The Eagles at least have their franchise QB set, with Carson Wentz expected to sit this one out. Backup Nick Foles is dealing with an elbow injury, so we should see plenty of Matt McGloin and Dane Evans in this game. Philadelphia starts the regular season on the road with two away games against Washington and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Limited Mens Johnny Bucyk Jersey The pint-sized Pumphrey (5’9, 176 pounds) was electric at San Diego State, setting the FBS record for most career rushing yards. Unfortunately, his first NFL training camp hasn’t gone quite as well. Pumphrey fell deep down the depth chart behind Darren Sproles, LeGarrette Blount, and Wendell Smallwood. He’s possibly competing for a roster spot with fellow rookie Corey Clement and figures to get plenty of snaps Thursday night to make his case.

J.J. Watt Authentic Jersey impact has been unbelievable.

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Throughout the relief efforts that have taken place since the hurricane, none have been quite as remarkable as Watt’s. He initially set a goal to raise $200,000 in relief. As of Tuesday, that reached $20 million.

I know that there are going to be a whole bunch of people we need to help get back on their feet, Watt said in his very first video. I know there’s going to be a lot we need to do to help rebuild.

Branden Albert Limited Jersey The damage was extensive, but Watt’s efforts have been nothing short of heroic.

If you want to contribute, you can do so through Watt’s YouCaring campaign, and here are some other ways you can help.

Since avocado ice cream is completely unacceptable as a tailgate option, there’s only one choice and it will be available during the Patriots’ season opener against the Kansas City Chiefs: ribs, served by a dancing Vince Wilfork. If it’s good enough for Vince Wilfork, it’s good enough to represent the entire New England Patriots franchise.

Carne asada tacos. Keeping tabs on Los Angeles tacos is practically a full-time job in and of itself. As much as modern taquerias are helping the evolution of the taco, there’s something classic about a carne asada taco at the Coliseum. With the offerings among the various tailgate crews adding to the food trucks, I don’t know that anything represents the Rams better right now than a classic carne asada taco. (Two corn tortillas, please. Let’s not ruin a good thing.)
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49ers’ NaVorro Bowman Jersey: I’m NFL’s best linebacker when healthy

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NaVorro Bowman is healthy entering the 2017 season, but he says the major injuries he has suffered in recent years are preventing him from getting the respect he deserves.

A knee injury kept the San Francisco 49ers’ star linebacker out for the entire 2014 season and an Achilles injury ended his season in 2016 after just four games. But when he has been healthy, he is one of the NFL’s best linebackers.

He also told the newspaper that he has “seen the good and the bad” with the 49ers and hopes to remain with the team until he’s ready to retire.

Flacco, who doesn’t remember how he injured his back, hasn’t been limited in practices since returning.

“He was good. He looked sharp,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “There’s been no setbacks at all in the whole process, which I think we said all along that was the main thing. We were assured he would be ready to go. He’s ready to roll.”

Elite Womens P. A. Parenteau Jersey Flacco shrugged off any concerns about how the time off would affect his chemistry with receivers. He described his absence as a “very long, boring break.”
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“It wasn’t something that was completely crippling to the point where if it was the Super Bowl, I couldn’t play,” Flacco said. “I don’t think I was ever worried about it from that point. It was one of those things, if you don’t give rest, you’re going to be dealing with it all year. If you give it the right rest, then you probably won’t have to deal with it the entire year.”

There’s still no telling when Donald will show up, with both sides making little progress on a contract extension that could eventually make him the game’s highest paid defensive player.

the Cowboys get Kellen Moore healthy to be the new No. 2 with Tony Romo Jersey gone.

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Limited Womens Allen Bailey Jersey Ideally for the Jaguars, Bortles emerges from this rough stretch, becomes the starter and resumes building upon the things that helped him toss 35 touchdown passes in 2015. If not, Henne shows the ability to connect on big passes and becomes less of a check-down QB than when he first started sitting on the bench two-plus years ago.

I’m told Bortles and Henne are both personally liked by their teammates, and the Jaguars players I spoke with didn’t seem to be pulling in either direction as to who starts. The biggest thing they want is for a decision to get made.

Just in case you missed any QB move, big or small, let’s circle back to the Seahawks by seeing what every other NFL team has handled the position this offseason.

Elsewhere in the NFC West, after the 49ers chose to not to bring back Kaepernick or Gabbert, they signed Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley and drafted C.J. Beathard. The Cardinals got Gabbert behind Carson Palmer, and the Rams elevated Sean Mannion behind Jared Goff.

In the NFC East, the Cowboys get Kellen Moore healthy to be the new No. 2 with Tony Romo gone. The Giants got insurance in Geno Smith and the future in Davis Webb. The Redskins had to spend even more on Kirk Cousins, so stuck with Colt McCoy. The Eagles brought back Nick Foles to back up Carson Wentz.

Elite Youth Brandon Fusco Jersey It’s not the biggest aspect of Colin Kaepernick’s life that got overshadowed by his kneeling protests of last season. But in the national debate that ensued, it was easy to forget that his days as a 49er were numbered long before he made his protests public.