George Asafo-Adjei Jersey Draft , 4:25 p.m. ET, FoxOPENING LINE — Cowboys by 6RECORD VS. SPREAD — Giants 8-7-1; Cowboys 8-6-2SERIES RECORD — Cowboys lead 66-46-2LAST MEETING — Cowboys 36, Giants 35, Dec. 30, 2018AP PRO32 RANKING — Giants No. 26; Cowboys No. 9 (tie)GIANTS OFFENSE — OVERALL (17), RUSH (24), PASS (11)GIANTS DEFENSE — OVERALL (24), RUSH (20), PASS (23)COWBOYS OFFENSE — OVERALL (22), RUSH (10), PASS (23)COWBOYS DEFENSE — OVERALL (7) George Asafo-Adjei NFL Jersey , RUSH (5), PASS (13)STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES — NFC East rivals opening season against each other for sixth time in eight seasons. ... Series has been streaky recently, with Cowboys winning past four after Giants took three straight following five-win Dallas run. ... Giants QB Eli Manning and Cowboys TE Jason Witten set to establish club records with 16th seasons. Witten came out of retirement following one year in broadcasting. ... Manning returns to home of Cowboys 10 years after winning first regular-season game played there, supposedly autographing wall in visitor's locker room with score (33-31), noting it was first game. He enters with 87-87 record against NFC teams. ... RB Saquon Barkley finished as NFL Offensive Rookie of Year season with 109 yards rushing against Cowboys, fifth 100-yard game in last seven of season. Barkley led NFL with 2,028 yards from scrimmage. Joined Eric Dickerson (1983), Edgerrin James (1999) as only rookies to surpass 2,000 yards. ... K Aldrick Rosas finished 2018 with 19 straight made FGs, second-longest streak in NFL. ... Alec Ogletree led all NFL LBs with five interceptions last season George Asafo-Adjei NFL Draft , including two returned for TDs. ... Since entering NFL in 2012, CB Janoris Jenkins tied for league lead with seven INT returns for touchdowns. ... Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott expected to play four days after signing $90 million, six-year contract extension after holding out entire preseason with two years left on rookie deal. Fifth player since 1970 merger with two rushing titles in first three seasons (league-leading 1,434 yards last year). Second to Barkley in yards from scrimmage with 2,001. ... Dak Prescott became first QB in NFL history with at least 20 TDs passing, at least five TDs rushing each of first three seasons. His 10 TDs passing vs. Giants are most against any opponent. ... Cowboys have won NFC East twice in three years with Prescott, Elliott. ... WR Amari Cooper needs 92 yards receiving to reach 4,000 for career in fifth season. ... Witten's 154 catches against Giants are most by any player vs. NY. ... DE DeMarcus Lawrence led team with 10½ sacks. First Dallas pass rusher with at least 10 sacks in consecutive seasons since last of five straight years from DeMarcus Ware in 2011. ... LB Leighton Vander Esch set club rookie record with 176 tackles, according to coaches' tally. ... Fantasy tip: Most fantasy leagues probably had somebody drafting Elliott high despite the holdout, so those players shouldn't hesitate to start him despite two-time Pro Bowler missing all of camp. INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard was disappointed when his name didn’t appear on the AFC’s Pro Bowl roster Tuesday night.Now the league’s leading tackler intends to make all future opponents pay for the perceived snub.“He told me he’d have 40 tackles this week, and I told him that’s humanly impossible George Asafo-Adjei Buffalo Bills Jersey ,” tight end Eric Ebron said Wednesday.But if the Colts (8-6) have learned anything about their star rookie, it’s not to discount anything he says.When South Carolina State played Clemson in 2016, Leonard had 19 tackles against the eventual national champs and his childhood favorite, which never offered him a scholarship. His performance that day earned him the nickname “Maniac” around campus, a nickname he still clings to, and put him on the radar of Colts general manager Chris Ballard.Throughout the draft process, he heard from the critics again. This time they were questioning the level of competition he faced in college; how long it would take to make the transition from FCS to the NFL; and whether Ballard reached when he took Leonard at No. 36 overall, four picks into the second round, in April.Others questioned whether missing all of the Colts’ spring and summer workouts because of a bad hamstring would slow him down this season.Leonard has proved all of them wrong.Despite missing one game, at New England, he continues to lead the league with 146 tackles and needs 15 over the final two games to break Jeff Herrod’s single-season franchise record (160) Infant Christopher Slayton Jersey , a mark that has stood since 1991. And if Leonard’s play matches the hype, Herrod’s record could go down Sunday against the New York Giants (5-9).“It adds more fuel to the fire,” Leonard said when asked about missing the Pro Bowl. “It gives me more reason to go out and keep fighting. With everything I did and knowing it’s still not enough, I’ve got to put more on my resume.”Leonard views it as more of a promise than a warning and it fits his personality.While he revels in the underdog role, he routinely plays with a chip on his shoulder and continually sets his standards high. His goal each week is to get 25 tackles and he’s finished in double digits in seven of the Colts’ 14 games. He’s tied with Carolina’s Luke Kuechly for the most games with 10 or more tackles this season.But what the Colts have found in Leonard is much more than a tackling machine.His seven sacks are third-most100<button class="view-gallery">View Gallery</button> Gallery:View from the sidelines: NFL cheerleaders 2018Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports | Raj Mehtaby a Colts rookie, trailing only Dwight Freeney (13) and Vernon Maxwell (7). Dee Ford, Khalil Mack and J.J. Watt — all Pro Bowlers — are the only players this season to force more fumbles than Leonard (4). He also has 12 tackles for loss, six passes defensed and two fumble recoveries.Andrew Luck spotted the potential almost from the first moment Leonard suited up for Indy. At the first training camp practice, Leonard made a leaping, acrobatic interception of the three-time Pro Bowl quarterback.“I’ll be honest, the first couple of training camp practices I said ‘My goodness Christopher Slayton Jersey Draft , he’s not supposed to be that fast and play linebacker,'” Luck recalled. “And then he went up for that interception and came down with it, and I just said ‘My goodness.'”Luck appreciates that he won’t have to contend with Leonard in a meaningful game. The rest of the league won’t be as fortunate.“I want to go out there every week and make every tackle,” Leonard said. “I like to set a crazy goal, so each week if it’s not 25 (tackles), I’m mad at myself.”

The 2018 NFL Playoffs continue today with the conference championship games. First game on the schedule today has the Los Angeles Rams heading east to take on the New Orleans Saints in the Big Easy. The 14-3 Los Angeles Rams tied for the best record in the NFL this year. The Rams have a terrific Jachai Polite NFL Draft , balanced offense, ranked #2 on the year in both points and yards. The Rams offense has superb balance, with a top five running attack and passing attack. The defense is just average, but ranks in the top five in turnovers generated. This is a well balanced, well coached, tough Rams team with few glaring weaknesses.The 14-3 New Orleans Saints come into this game as the #1 seed in the NFC and favorites to make it to the Super Bowl. Winners of thirteen of fourteen games in the regular season before a meaningless last game loss to the Carolina Panthers, nobody is hotter than the Saints. Surprisingly for a Drew Brees led team, the Saints offense lives and dies with the running game. Unlike the Saints of yesteryear, this Saints team has a middling passing attack, ranking 12th in the NFL in yards. The rushing attack is a different story, ranking sixth in the NFL in yards. The defense mirrors the offense, with a poor pass defense and an excellent run defense. At home, in the roaring Superdome, with Brees under center, this Saints team will be really tough to beat.It’s the Rams and the Saints to open the conference championship games this Sunday, the last hurdle before the Super Bowl. Enjoy the game everybody. If you were to chisel out an offensive tackle from granite, it would probably look similar to Andrew Thomas. The first things you notice about Thomas are his impressive size and long arms. Once you get a chance to watch Thomas play Jachai Polite Buffalo Bills Jersey , you are more impressed with his movement skills and superior technique for such a young player.Thomas is only 20 years old and doesn’t turn 21 until January 2020 yet he has exceptional skills because he has had superior coaching throughout his young life. To his credit Thomas has used that coaching, worked hard and made himself into a remarkable talent, possibly the highest rated offensive lineman in the 2020 NFL Draft. His immense size (6’ 5” 320 lbs) combined with his underlying skillset have made him a premium prospect. He was ESPN’s #40 national prospect coming out of high school. His high school coach at Pace Academy was Chris Slade who was the 31st overall selection in the 1993 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots.Slade was a consensus All-American LB at the University of Virginia in 1991 and 1992. Heplayed 9 years in the NFL. Slade was an All Pro in 1997. He ended his career with 142 games played, 665 tackles, 53.5 sacks, 16 forced fumbles, 3 interceptions, 27 passes defended and 2 TD returns. As an outside rush LB Slade was able to give invaluable coaching to a prospective left tackle prospect like Thomas. Teaching him counter moves to rush techniques from opposing DEs/LBs allowed Thomas to incorporate and learn a counterattack to offset their reprisals. Learning such advanced methods in high school allowed Thomas to develop his pass protection proficiency much quicker than other prospects. He came to Georgia with a leg up on others at his position but still was raw in some areas and in need of further coaching from an expert at teaching offensive linemen.Enter Sam Pittman, the assistant head coach and the Georgia offensive line coach. Pittman just looks like an offensive line coach, someone Dave Gettleman would call a “Hog Mollie.”Pittman is widely regarded as one of the best offensive line coaches in college football.He was an NAIA 1st team All-American at Pittsburgh State in 1986 and was inducted into the PSU athletics Hall of Fame in 1998. He started coaching offensive lines in college back in 1991 coaching a a community college in Hutchinson, Kansas.In all he has coached at 12 schools including Oklahoma 1997-98, Tennessee 2012, Arkansas 2013-2015 and Georgia since 2016. In Many cases Pittman moved on when the head coach was let go, but his lines at Oklahoma, Tennessee, Arkansas and now Georgia were all considered exceptional. Football Outsiders has Georgia rated #6 to this point in the year. Thomas has used all that expertise to develop into a top prospect. In 2017 he was named to Freshman All America teams by ESPN, USA Today and the Football Writers Association of America. He started all 15 games as a true freshman at right tackle. In 2018 he was named to SI.com’s All America First Team Color Rush Jachai Polite Jersey , the Associated Press’ and Walter Camp’s All America Second Teams, the coaches’ All-SEC First Team, and the Associated Press’ All-SEC Second Team. He started 13 games.This year he has started every game. Let’s see what Thomas has done this year against some SEC competition. These first few clips are from the Florida game where he went up against an assortment of different players.This first GIF is against #17 Zach Carter who is a 6’4 263 lbs rush OLB. Watch the foot movement and the lateral agility for a 6’ 5” 320 lbs Thomas.This is a 3rd and 1 read option play that is run to the opposite side of Thomas. The DE/OLB is playing a full gap outside Thomas’s outside shoulder. Thomas doesn’t have to make a great block on the play since it is headed away from him, but that doesn’t stop him from doing his job anyway. He moves his feet well and controls the edge well while keeping his man away from the play.Sometimes you can learn as much about a prospect on a play away from him as you do on a play right at him. In this case Thomas doesn’t loaf. He gets his feet moving quickly, uses a wide base while keeping his hands low, and explodes into the chest of the OLB.You would think that a player who is 6’ 5” 320 lbs would be just a mauler, using his size at all times to try and crush his opponent. Yet there are times when finesse is the best course of action. It shows the player is smart using his brain along with his brawn. This play is designed to be run inside the right shoulder of Thomas. Most players who are Thomas’s size would use that heft to smash the DE on the play. Yet Thomas realizes that the player going against him is a 6’ 3 263 lbs rush LB who is much quicker than himself. So Thomas lets the OLB do the work for him by letting him run himself out of the play. Thomas gives him a little shove and then turns to shut the door on the OLB from the play.If Thomas had engaged the OLB he would have muddled the hole. By clearing the way, the RB has the room to avoid the possible tackle in the hole and make his way for a 30 yard gain.This is just a nice overall play.The next play is a what is called a T/E line stunt. It just means that the tackle is going to fake going inside, shooting outside while the DE runs behind him and attacks from the insideIf the tackle were to go behind the DE with the DE leading, it would be called a E/T line stunt. The Jets have had problems with these stunts all year. To be honest, this is not stunning execution by the defense. The stunt is slow with a severe lack of power, but look at the technique of Thomas on the play. He slides left, then back right keeping his knees bent in good position to set his anchor against a bull rush. His hands are out in front of him and low so he can use them to explode into the defender’s chest to slow his progress. You can see at the end of the GIF that Thomas has full extension on the big DT and has plenty of anchor against his power.On this next play Thomas is supposed to clear the edge for a play that looks to be a huge gain with no player on defense to stop the RB.You see Thomas quickly comes out of his stance then moves to the outside shoulder of the DE to get leverage to the inside on him.The DE is a monster 6’ 7” 311 lbs player who can see the play the entire way. Unbeknownst to Thomas, the CB to his left is blitzing on the play so the wide open edge closed quickly, and the RB is forced to cut the play back inside, right into the hole Thomas is blocking his DE into. Yet since Thomas has his hands inside with a good hold, the DE cannot break away until after the RB is by him. Thomas ends up pushing the behemoth a good 3 or 4 yards downfield before the DE breaks free. The end result is an 11 yard gain on the play and a first down.This next GIF also shows impressive movement skills by Thomas. He is asked to make a reach block on the DT who is heads up over the guard. Not only does he have to come another gap over to make the block. He needs to get to the inside shoulder of the DT on the play being run to right.Since Thomas is in tight quarters and moving quickly to his right Youth Jachai Polite Jersey , he is unable to get in good blocking position so he lacks any real power on the play. Yet the block is sufficient to keep the DT away from the play, and the RB finally squeezes through the line and into the end zone.You want your LT to have great feet and this is an example of that exact skill set.This next GIF is a RPO (run/pass option) play as Thomas is down in a three point stance with his man in a wide 7 or 8 position which is a distance to travel to make a block. If this was a straight pass play Thomas would have been in a two point stance to keep the DE from racing by him and to the QB.Fortunately the defense is two gapping (read and react) which allows Thomas more time to get outside and make a block.You can see that no one on the defense is trying to penetrate. Instead they are just holding their gap responsibilities. Thomas is allowed to get in perfect position with a strong wide base and a solid anchor, controlling the defender with his arms fully extended far away from his QB. It is anothersolid job all around.This last GIF is a compilation of three different pass rushes that Thomas is able to handle fairly easily. The first is a full speed bullrush from the 2nd level that Thomas is able to stone and control with a solid anchor, strong punch, good hand strength and position inside the defender’s chest. The second is another bullrush from a larger man with more power, but Thomas again has a strong base and is able to control the rusher’s pads with his strong hands. The last player tries the hit and spin move to no avail. Thomas keeps him centered at all times, and the spin takes away all his power. Thomas shows an impressive skill set along with a sculpted body. He also shows great awareness to stunts and blitzes. He rarely makes a glaring mistake. He is more of a gap/ power player than a zone blocker at this point in his career, but that is not to say he would fail in that system. He just lacks experience in zone concepts. He is a work in progress on hitting moving targets on the second level, but many big men have that trouble even 10 year NFL vets.The one thing that troubles me about Thomas is the lack of game action against a quality edge rusher. Thomas has great feet, but how quick is his slide step? Can he adjust to a skilled player with counter moves?There are no Von Millers in the SEC, but if Georgia can make it to the college playoffs maybe we could get a peek at Thomas against Chase Young from Ohio State. That would intrigue me quite a bit. The year is only half over in college football, and there are a lot more games to be played. There is also plenty of scouting to do. This is just a preliminary report with more to follow.As it stands now I think Thomas has a good chance to go in the top ten of the 2020 Draft, but like I said this is all contingent on him continuing his stellar play while improving all his techniques.Thomas is only a junior. Tony Pauline said he has been told that Thomas will definitely declare for the Draft without. Still he could have a change of heart so we will have to wait for his official announcement. Thomas has a quality skill set and fine technique for a college player. He does not have quality NFL technique as of yet. but as he gets more coaching and more experience I am confident he will continue to improve. He has proven to be very coachable. Let’s hope he is able to take quality coaching from his Jets coaches. (See what I did there?)(Yeah, you did.)What do you think?

force the front office to move on with players beyond those that have already departed Green Bay."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections The APC PodcastPackers Film RoomFantasy Football AdviceCDTShareTweetShareShareCheese curds Kingsley Keke Green Bay Packers Jersey , 3/20: Packers’ 2019 spending could limit options in futureBill Streicher-USA TODAY SportsThe Green Bay Packers made arguably the biggest splash in free agency this offseason, adding four players on multiyear contracts, all likely starters. Those moves bolster a roster that fell short last year and give new head coach Matt LaFleur a chance to jumpstart his tenure in Green Bay.Still, those expenditures come with a cost beyond the dollar amount, one the Packers will eventually have to pay.Packers’ spending spree in 2019 will mean touch decisions in 2020 | Packers WireThe Packers’ decision to limit the cap hit for their four big free agent additions allows for flexibility in case they decide to make another significant addition or move later this year. At the same time, the team will have to pay significantly more for those players in 2020, limiting how the front office can maneuver and, perhaps most importantly, whom it can retain. Green Bay has a more robust free-agent class hitting the market next offseason, a list including Bryan Bulaga, Mike Daniels, and Blake Martinez.Gutekunst made right call by moving on from two Packers greats | 247 SportsMany fans have a hard time saying goodbye to longtime contributors like Clay Matthews and Randall Cobb. However Kingsley Keke Jersey 2019 , successful front offices know when the sever ties with aging players. The Packers have already gone about replacing Matthews’ role in the defense and could do the same with Cobb’s in the upcoming NFL draft.Packers News: Cornerback has become a need entering draft | Lombardi AveWhile not an aging stalwart like Matthews or Cobb, cornerback Bashaud Breeland made a handful of big plays for the Packers defense down the stretch of 2018 and could have done so again had the team retained him. Instead, Breeland signed a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, leaving Green Bay to add talent in the later stages of free agency or the draft. The top of the depth chart looks promising with Jaire Alexander, Josh Jackson, and Kevin King at the top, but the group could use some depth.The First Free Agency Frenzy (1993) | NFL ThrowbackThe NFL Media’s digital arm publishes interesting videos from time to time. This one, which details the first true free agency period in 1993, covers one former member of the Packers you expect and another perhaps you didn’t realize hit the market that year. McCarthy doesn’t seem to understand how and why his coaching philosophy stopped working."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections The APC PodcastPackers Film RoomFantasy Football AdviceCDTShareTweetShareShareMike McCarthy’s definition of complacency seems to differ from the Packers’Steven Bisig-USA TODAY SportsThis week, ESPN’s Rob Demovsky conducted the first in-depth interview with former Green Bay Packers coach Mike McCarthy since the team fired him, and it provides a fascinating window into his philosophy as a coach (and in life). It also illustrates how complacency and accountability can mean different things to different people. McCarthy comes across as an honorable man who believes in doing things a certain way. He objects strongly to the process of his own firing because of how it happened more than the fact that it did happen — because when he let people go, he would go about it in a certain way. That way generally involved treating players as family Color Rush Kingsley Keke Jersey , being upfront and respectable, and yes, when they did mess up, holding them accountable. It is also pretty clear that McCarthy’s code and routine were the cause of some disconnect between McCarthy and the front office:McCarthy took offense to charges of complacency and lack of accountability, and from his perspective I can see why. The internal structure and relationships he built within his team did seem to be solid, and fostered an air of mutual respect. McCarthy ran a close-knit, tight ship. The issue is that the Packers are not a family. The Packers are a cold, heartless business focused on results. I found this quote particularly intriguing:McCarthy famously focused on execution on the football field. His entire coaching strategy was based on creating routine and a process around executing his plays as well as they could be executed. While there is nothing wrong with executing at a high level, the current NFL requires that coaches not just accept change, but embrace it. Criticisms of McCarthy focused on his lack of innovation. The Packers’ offense grew stale, and while the league reacted to an ever-changing landscape, he stayed the same. That lack of innovation is its own form of complacency Cheap Kingsley Keke Jersey , and the lack of insight in this interview is revealing. No one accused McCarthy of a poor work ethic or lack of discipline, and the way he takes offense is interesting because he doesn’t seem to understand why his team struggled or why he was fired. McCarthy was fired because his scheme failed to stay ahead of the curve strategically, and executing on a poor strategy doesn’t win you anything.The flavor of the day in the NFL is the innovative young mind, but that’s a fairly superficial oversimplification. Andy Reid is still getting it done, as is Bill Belichick, and neither are exactly babies. The biggest successes in the league do a different kind of homework than McCarthy, and until he realizes that, he won’t be effective in his next role either.

with the 12th pick in the 2019 NFL Draft on Thursday night and Gary faced questions about the condition of his shoulder in his first meeting with the Green Bay media.A report this week indicated that Gary has a torn labrum in his shoulder and that there was concern from some teams that he will need to have surgery at some point to repair the issue. Gary said it is not an issue Rashan Gary Jersey , however.Per multiple reporters, Gary said his shoulder is “110 percent” and that he will not need an operation. He also noted that he did 26 bench press reps at the Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.Gary played defensive line at Michigan, but was announced as a linebacker by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell when the pick was made and it seems he’ll be used in that role at least some of the time in Mike Pettine’s defense. He said he does not expect the transition to be that difficult and it would certainly be made easier if he’s not missing any time after shoulder surgery. GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Mike Pettine is staying as defensive coordinator of the Packers.New coach Matt LaFleur announced the decision Friday, answering one of his biggest questions just three days after being hired.In his first year, Pettine installed a 3-4 scheme and had mixed results. First-round draft pick Jaire Alexander showed signs he will become the top cornerback the Packers desperately need, and Green Bay was ranked No. 12 in pass defense (234.5 yards per game), a big improvement over 2017. Green Bay finished 6-9-1 and out of the playoffs for the second straight year. As the Packers wrapped up for the offseason last week Dexter Williams Jersey , Pettine said he was hoping to return to keep building."Of course, the foundation is the hardest thing to get right, and I feel that a lot of it has been built — and we've made a lot of mistakes," he said. "I think we learned, especially me personally, too, I've learned a lot of cases of what not to do versus what to do."The Packers did pile up 44 sacks, tied for eighth in the league Vince Biegel Color Rush Jersey , though injuries struck the defensive line. Green Bay lacked a consistent rush at outside linebacker except for surprise sacks leader Kyler Fackrell (10½)."I like his scheme," Fackrell said last week. "There were a lot of things that went against us this year with a ton of injuries, a ton of new guys. I think the way that he was able to still keep us playing pretty well, I think he did a great job."Defensive lineman Kenny Clark also liked the new scheme, which saw 17 different players get at least a half-sack."I had my best season under coach Pettine, and just the blitzes and the different disguises and the different he can do to free people up — it's been great for me," he said. "He's been using a lot of our strengths on the field."Longtime defensive star Clay Matthews is a free agent after finishing with a career-low 3½ sacks in his 10th season with the Packers.

for the first 30 minutes. He threw a pair of touchdowns Tedric Thompson Color Rush Jersey , including a 54-yarder on the run to an unknown tight end for his first NFL catch. His passer rating was nearly perfect. Green Bay looked like it could score on every drive.And then it almost completely stopped. Rodgers was unable to solve Seattle in the second half, and was left to watch Russell Wilson lead another late touchdown drive and send the Packers back home with a loss.“It’s tough losing on the road. It’s tough losing by one possession,” Rodgers said. “Obviously I’m frustrated, and not just by the last throw, but some other stuff that we could have done better out there. I still believe we have a lot to play for.”Green Bay’s road woes continued in a 27-24 loss to the Seahawks on Thursday night. The Packers (4-5-1) had leads of 14-3 and 21-17, only to see Wilson throw a 15-yard TD pass to Ed Dickson with 5:08 remaining to give Seattle the lead for good.The Packers still had a chance to get out of Seattle with its first win here since 2008, yet their final possession lasted all of three plays. And it was the last pass by Rodgers that seemed to baffle everyone.Facing third-and-2 at its own 33, Rodgers called a quick pass to the flat for Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Except the pass never got there. It hopped in front of the intended receiver, and instead of going for it on fourth down, Green Bay coach Mike McCarthy opted to punt with more than 4 minutes remaining and the Packers still having one timeout.The decision backfired. Green Bay never saw the ball again Ethan Pocic Color Rush Jersey , instead forced to watch Wilson kneel three times to run out the clock.Rodgers said the pass for Valdes-Scantling “stuck” in his hand and guessed he could make that throw 100 times and that wouldn’t happen again.“We beat ourselves in the second half,” Rodgers said. “We kind of moved the ball at will in the first half.”Green Bay’s problems went well beyond that one bad throw by Rodgers and the decision to punt. Rodgers was sacked five times, four of those in the second half. Twice in the third quarter Green Bay was forced to punt after drives stalled at midfield. The Packers were 3 of 11 on third downs, 2 of 7 in the second half. A week after Aaron Jones rushed for a career-high 145 yards, the Packers had just 48 yards rushing and Jones finished with 40.Green Bay is 0-5 on the road this season and has lost seven straight road games dating to last year.“I think it kind of went the way we thought it would go. When you’re playing in this environment, particularly when you’re on the road up here. There’s a high tendency for big-momentum plays, big swings, and I think that definitely held true,” McCarthy said. “They made more big plays than we did. … We’ve got to finish games better, especially in the fourth quarter Shaquill Griffin Color Rush Jersey , and especially on the road.”Rodgers finished with 332 yards passing and his TD throw to Robert Tonyan in the first quarter, and his 57-yard strike to Davante Adams in the fourth quarter showed again the greatness of his arm. But Rodgers had 214 yards at halftime and Seattle was able to pressure Rodgers enough in the second half to disrupt Green Bay’s passing attack.Injuries certainly didn’t help either. Green Bay was already down four starters before the first snaps with cornerback Kevin King, safety Kentrell Brice, linebacker Nick Perry and wide receiver Randall Cobb all out due to injuries. They lost two more in the first half when Bashaud Breeland — starting for King — aggravated a groin injury and Jimmy Graham injured his thumb. Graham had a 13-yard reception on Green Bay’s first offensive play in his return to Seattle, but that was his only catch.Mike Daniels suffered a foot injury early in the second half and backup safety Raven Greene suffered an ankle injury. Neither returned. If there’s an upside to the loss, it’s Green Bay getting extra rest before facing Minnesota in a must-win game next week.“We have a number of opportunities where our record would be very different right now, unfortunately, that’s the way it’s played out,” Clay Matthews said. “We’ve set ourselves up for a pretty good second half, we just have to get back to work. We have no other option. On to Minnesota after a couple days rest.” And so the Ryan Finley era in Cincinnati begins.But long before that era began Delano Hill Color Rush Jersey , the era of Ben Wietmarschen started in the mid-80s in Ohio. Ben is an improviser on the UCB Harold team JETSET and a Bengals fan who not-so-fondly remembers watching their Super Bowl loss to the 49ers many years ago as a 5-year-old in his basement. We talk about the 30 or so years since as it relates to being a Bengals fan (and if that was more suffering than being a fan of the Seattle teams) plus a whole lot more. Including what animals we would like to morph into and run onto the field as, Cincinnati chili, best and worst experiences getting food at a sporting event, the teams in the AFC and NFC that have the best shot at getting to the Super Bowl besides the Patriots and 49ers, make our Week 10 picks, talk fantasy and a whole lot more!Goofballs is a weekly podcast where comedians talk about the NFL. We are available here or on iTunes under “Goofballs: A football podcast” and same on Stitcher.If you like podcasts but want them to be more Seahawks specific, try my show Seaside Reactions on Patreon! It’s every week after the game plus bonus episodes.

Everson Griffen Jersey , 2018 Good Morning!Hope you’re having a great week and the end of your work week is by noon so you can start your early weekend.If you’re wondering (I’m sure most of you aren’t) hunting in 90 degree weather, in a word, sucks.I got to help track two deer for other people today, so I got that going for me which is nice and tomorrow is another day.In the meantime we’ll continue with our daily thread full of beer recommendations, nap strategies, crock pot and smoker recipes. Have another cup of coffee and drop by for some fan wisdom, snark and hang out with the cool kids鈩?for once.With that, let’s do this.Around the DN since our last thread:Chris has the Daily Norseman FanPulse Week 3: Vikings fans still NFC North’s most confident.Eric has his weekly preview article, Vikings vs. Bills Preview: To Be The Best, You Gotta Beat The Worst (By A Lot) while you’re there check out the GPoTW (it’s mostly just a “pick” this week).Chris writes the Vikings safety Andrew Sendejo was Sende-hosed: Vikings safety flagged for penalty despite “doing everything right”Vikings’ NFC North Rivals: News and Notes, Week 3 Dan reads up on our division opponents so we don’t have to!Football Machine with SaxyPrince: Hour 1 – Ties! Kickers! Treadwells! Hello Kirk Cousins and Hour 2– Open Phone Lines, Listener Questions, and Bring on Josh Allen.Vikings news from other sources:From Vikings.com Dennis Green: A Lasting Legacy.Someone pointed out in the thread yesterday that former Vikings HC Dennis Green will be inducted posthumously into the Ring of Honor during Sunday’s game, thank you for pointing that out.Offensive Coordinator John DeFilippo Says Vikings Doing ‘Just Enough’ in the Run Game.Presser Points: DeFilippo on Bills D, Edwards on Johnson’s Return, Priefer on Bailey.From their lunch break series: Vikings QB Kirk Cousins career could take off in Minnesota.League news: Steelers WR Antonio Brown on frustrations: ‘We’re losing. We suck’Raiders QB David Carr: ‘It hurts your heart to see’ Khalil Mack off Raiders.Falcons WR Julio Jones dismisses concerns about calf injury.There’s more, check it out for yourself.We come to today’s media selection: Carl Spackler (Bill Murray) Talks about meeting the Dalai Lama Again, we all know the rules, but in case someone is new:-No discussion of politics or religion-No feeding of the trolls-This isn’t a male version of The View Anthony Barr Jersey , so leave the gender hatred at the door-Keep the bad language to a minimum (using the spoiler tags, if you must)-Speaking of which, if discussing a newer show or movie, please use spoiler tags-No pictures that could get someone fired or in serious trouble with their employer-If you can’t disagree in a civil manner, feel free to go away-While navigating the open thread, just assume it’s sarcasmWith that, the beer light is on and the bar is open. Belly up and tie one on. Don’t forget to tip your waitress, try the venison chili and as always, Welcome Aboard and Skol Vikings! Drafting this weekend?Check out our guide to drafting your favorite Minnesota Vikings players before dropping a top pick on Adam Thielen or Dalvin Cook this season.More Vikings coverageVikings’ Kearse faces gun, drunken driving charges after arrestVikings’ Kearse apologizes, returns to work after weekend arrestPhotos of the Week: 10/20/19 – 10/26/19Vikings surge into second half thanks to Cousins, CookVikings Snap Counts: Penalties spoil Mattison’s big dayBe at least a little wary of Adam Thielen and Stefon DiggsIt’s time, regrettably, to pump the brakes <em>slightly</em> on the Vikings’ dynamic duo. Both Thielen and Diggs are currently being drafted as fringe WR1s after racking up 1,000-plus receiving yards and nine touchdowns each last season. That’s a pretty great fantasy line — Thielen finished as the WR7 in standard, while Diggs was the WR12. Both finished top-10 in targets. The high-flying Pittsburgh offense, which led the league with 689 pass attempts, was the only other unit to support two players targeted in the top 10 (Antonio Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster). The Vikings finished sixth with 606 pass attempts, while head coach Mike Zimmer mentioned Mike Hughes Jersey , seemingly every week, his desire to run a more balanced offense. And while an improved offensive line and another year of familiarity for starting quarterback Kirk Cousins could offset these concerns, regression is a real worry. It may have started last season. Thielen was an elite fantasy option during the first half of 2018, going over 100 receiving yards in eight straight games and scoring six touchdowns. He was on pace to break the NFL receptions record. He had just 448 receiving yards and three touchdowns from Week 9 on. Don’t take them off your draft board, but if an overzealous Vikings fan decides to reach for Thielen or Diggs in the second round … well, that might work out in your favor.If you’re not, give Kirk Cousins a second lookOn the other hand, if you believe in Thielen and Diggs’ ability to set the world on fire again this year, you believe in Cousins by association. Last year’s QB13, Cousins is currently going as the QB18, with an ADP towards the end of 12-team drafts. There’s either significant value to be mined here, or an extreme overreaction happening in the case of Thielen and Diggs. The latter could be true (see above). The Vikings’ stated goal nearly every week last season was to run the ball more, while just three teams (The Vikings, Rams and Steelers) supported multiple 1,000-yard receivers last season. He struggled mightily at times in the second half, but Cousins was the QB6 from Weeks 1-8, and averaged 20.6 points per game over that span in standard. If you’re hitching your fantasy team to either of his top targets, picking Cousins up as either a backup or a streaming option could pay dividends.If you’re going to draft Dalvin Cook, handcuff him with Alexander MattisonCook’s abilities aren’t up for debate Armon Watts Minnesota Vikings Jerseys , and with Latavius Murray out of the way he heads into 2019 as a clear-cut featured back. At RB10, that’s pretty solid value. The soft-tissue injuries to which Cook is prone, however, should give you pause. If they don’t, or if he falls and becomes tough to pass on, be sure to add Mattison as insurance. A third-round pick out of Boise State, Mattison rushed for 1,415 yards and 17 touchdowns last season, and would hold RB1/RB2 potential each week were Cook to go down at any point this season. The Vikings are giving Ameer Abdullah, Mike Boone and De’Angelo Henderson plenty of run in the preseason, so there’s a chance that this could devolve into a full-blown committee in Cook’s absence. Monitor the situation accordingly, but Mattison is a solid bet to assume a major role if Cook goes down.If you don’t land Cook, take a flyer Mattison anywayFor all those reasons, consider making Mattison a late-round lottery ticket regardless. Cook has appeared in just 15 of a possible 34 games since joining the Vikings in 2017, while his primary backup is going virtually undrafted as the RB51. And while a committee approach is possible if Cook goes down, the Vikings recently invested a third-round pick in Mattison, one of just three backs in FBS to crack 300 carries last season. If there’s another workhorse back on the roster, it’s Mattison.Kyle Rudolph is a good NFL tight end. There are better fantasy options.Rudolph could, conceivably Minnesota Vikings Jerseys 2019 , hold a certain appeal to Vikings fans from a fantasy perspective. He went off in his last fantasy-relevant outing — Week 16 at Detroit — racking up 122 yards and two touchdowns to finish as the TE2 in standard for the week. Meanwhile, there was a local outpouring of Rudolph love when it appeared the Vikings would deal him during contract talks. All Rudolph will cost you at this point is a roster spot — he’s going largely undrafted in standard — but there are better players to stash on your bench. Also cutting into Rudolph’s limited fantasy upside: Rookie Irv Smith Jr., a second-round pick who had 710 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last season.Stay away from Vikings kickers. Seriously.Should you take a Vikings kicker? No. Why? Because the team doesn’t even know what they’re doing at kicker. Minnesota traded a fifth-round pick for Kaare Vedvik on Aug. 11 and still haven’t figured out if he’s a punter or kicker. You don’t want to waste a draft pick on either Vedvik or Dan Bailey and have one of them not be on the roster Week 1.So, where are the Vikings being drafted?We looked at five leaders in the fantasy industry — ESPN, CBS, Yahoo Sports, Fantasy Football Calculator and Fantasy Pros — to search each site’s average draft position (ADP) assigned to Vikings players, based on the results of online drafts thus far.PLAYERESPNCBSYahoo!FFCFantasyProsOverall ADPRound (12-team draft)RB Dalvin Cook23.918.918.716.119.019.3Round 2, Pick 7WR Adam Thielen31.626.730.225.425.027.8Round 3, Pick 4WR Stefon Diggs40.237.436.738.937.038.0Round 4, Pick 2Vikings D/ST117.1105.592.3133.2129.0115.4Round 10, Pick 7QB Kirk Cousins160.6129.8125.6141.7141.3139.8Round 12, Pick 8RB Alexander Mattison169.4145.8129.4126.4154.0145.0Round 13, Pick 1TE Kyle Rudolph154.3138.3120.3162.1163.0147.6Round 13, Pick 4

NFL training campPatriots Training Camp CoveragePatriots OpinionChief Thoughts: Notes and musings heading into the Patriots’ training campNew Isaiah Wynn Jersey ,23commentsThe dead season is almost over.EDTIn an effort to sustain our passage through the twilight hours of the dead season, I thought I would post some musings on the New England Patriots’ roster. Personnel management is one of the most intriguing elements of football, in my opinion, so I wanted to initiate some discussion. Let’s get started. Scheme or Talent? For decades, scheme and talent have been presented as a mutually exclusive dichotomy. You were either a playmaker or a system player. Is the dichotomy accurate or a media oversimplification? I think the answer is both. Let me explain.Every talent is a product of scheme. There is no NFL talent that has not benefited from coaching, the opponents’ weaknesses, play calling, happenstance, and teammate performance. Likewise, every single talent is required for a scheme. You could have the greatest game plan in NFL history and if the players do not execute that plan you will look like an idiot. In that sense the “system” moniker is a ridiculous label. On the other hand we can all recognize that some players are better than others. Certain players can more effectively execute a wider variety of things, or do it more consistently than others. The question probably shouldn’t be defined as “system or not” it should be “to what extent is a player valuable in a system” (admittedly that isn’t quite as pithy). The follow up question would be “how difficult is it to replace the player’s value in the system?”Let me provide an example. Stephon Gilmore benefits from the Patriots’ defensive scheme. Bill Belichick prefers to place his number one defensive back on the opposing team’s number two receiver and his number two on the team’s number one with safety help. That’s not to say Gilmore never spends time on an island against opposing number ones but he doesn’t Womens Danny Etling Jersey , say, follow opposing top receivers week-in and week-out like Patrick Peterson has done at different moments of his career.At the same time, Belichick would not put Gilmore on an island against the opposing number two if he was not confident in his ability to lock him down on a consistent basis. Some of Gilmore’s production may be the product of the scheme, but the scheme requires his considerable talent to work. A worse cornerback would not be able to maximize the benefits of Belichick’s plan to the extent that Gilmore does.Furthermore, finding a cornerback of Gilmore’s caliber is difficult. Part of the reason that running backs have been devalued by so many statistics is that most of the studies suggest that it is fairly easy to replicate the maximization provided by most backs. There are a lot of running backs who can produce when the quarterback and offensive line are performing well. There are fewer corners who can consistently be placed on an island and help their team. When Belichick makes personnel decisions I don’t think he cares how many systems a player could potentially succeed in. His only question is to what extent the player improves the scheme and how difficult it would be to find someone else who could do the same thing.Tom Brady has made the Patriots offense one of the best in the NFL for over a decade. Who cares if he could perform in Green Bay’s scheme? He makes the one he’s in incredible. Brady doesn’t make the big out-of-structure plays but there isn’t a better in-structure quarterback in the NFL. His quick release, pre-snap command, accuracy and his incredible ability to consistently process under the most intense conditions elevates New England’s scheme to results it would simply never experience otherwise.One of the reasons the Patriots have done so well is their ability to identify which players will maximize their system’s production. That’s the reason many players receive a performance boost when they come to New England. Belichick generally has a specific plan for how they will interact with the scheme. Likewise, he has had the confidence to move past players whose production he felt he could be replaced in the system: Belichick would rather spend $10 million on Michael Bennett than $17 million on Trey Flowers. That’s because he believes Bennett can replace enough of Flowers’ production in his scheme that he is better off spending that $7 million on someone else to maximize the scheme production in another area. It’s the economic way to build your team and it is one of the reasons the Patriots have sustained success in a system designed to prevent it. It’s not about having the best guys. It’s about having the right guys. System player designation be damned. Kyle Van Noy An Extension Candidate? Keeping in mind the previous analysis it will be interesting to see if the Patriots sign an extension with Van Noy or re-sign him as a free agent next year. Obviously, a large part of that decision will be outside of New England’s control: what Van Noy is offered by other teams, which players happen to be available, how much it costs them to sign other players Youth Isaiah Wynn Jerseys , all of these will factor into the decision.One of the most effective wrinkles of the new dynasty defense under Belichick has been the hybrid linebacker/defensive end. Much in the way that Richard Seymour and Trey Flowers would play inside and outside on the defensive line, the DE/LB hybrid can play both on and behind the line. That has been the key to Belichick’s amoeba front which makes it difficult for quarterbacks to determine who is rushing.There is a great shot from the last Super Bowl’s Sound FX where the camera pans to look at the Patriots front while Tony Romo comments that if he were playing quarterback he’d have no idea who was rushing. It was an excellent moment that highlighted how the Patriots were able to flip the script on their pass rush.I personally believe that having two hybrids over one has significant value because it makes it easier to confuse offenses and also provides insurance for a critical component of the defense. That being said, linebacker hybrids are not as rare as coverage linebackers like Deion Jones, who just signed a massive contract extension with the Atlanta Falcons. The highlight of Van Noy’s career has come during this most recent post season run. While he previously flashed, this was the first time he was able to string a series of dominant games together.Is that enough to make Belichick spend significant free agency dollars? Van Noy didn’t get the big second contract like Dont’a Hightower did. He’s going to be 29 next season. He has two Super Bowl rings on his hand. If I were Van Noy, I would take the biggest check I could find and run away with it. Is the biggest check going to come from the Patriots? It might. Van Noy has more value in Belichick’s scheme than others. He also has not had the consistent health issues that Hightower has.However, Belichick has always had success with drafting, trading and coaching up linebackers. Van Noy isn’t going to command a massive free agent contract. He’s not good enough and his skills aren’t that unique. But he’s an above average starter with good character and playoff pedigree. He will get sizable offers. I also don’t see a trade coming unless it’s very provocative, like the first-round pick Brandin Cooks brought. As to whether the Patriots extend him or sign him in free agency, I’m honestly not sure.Tom Brady’s ContractThis is the first time when a Tom Brady contract extension will actually possess some sort of intrigue. In the past, it’s just been foregone conclusion. A late summer extension is the most probable outcome but if the regular season starts without any news Isaiah Wynn Jerseys Stitched , the media attention is going to magnify significantly. If the Patriots do not sign a deal, however, it does not mean they won’t sign Brady. Drew Brees went into free agency and resigned with the New Orleans Saints. But an extension this summer that includes two years guaranteed would be a powerful indicator that the Patriots have faith in Brady. Anything less would indicate their plan is to play it year by year. Can the Patriots finally break the draft?The second Patriots dynasty was built on the back of the 2009-2013 drafts. That five-year stretch produced nine Pro Bowlers, six of which notched All-Pro nods, one Super Bowl MVP, and one first-ballot Hall of Famer. It also produced numerous valuable starters like Nate Solder and Patrick Chung. Unfortunately, the subsequent five drafts have not been nearly as successful: the Patriots have drafted zero Pro Bowlers from 2014-2018. There are some mitigating factors, though. New England was stripped of a first-round pick once, and traded another away. The one that was traded away was later recovered and used to draft Isiah Wynn, who subsequently went down with a season-ending injury.The Patriots drafts have not been terrible, however. The Patriots’ interior offensive line is completely home-grown and James White and Trey Flowers both played major roles in winning championships. But the fact remains that the team’s draft record over those five years was mediocre at best. Will 2019 break the mold? Will previous picks finally break out and show they are more than they appear to be? At minimum Youth Duke Dawson Jerseys , the Patriots better hope they invested wisely in Wynn and 2019 first-rounder N’Keal Harry. Both players were the top picks of their respective drafts and will be playing major starting minutes during the 2019 campaign.The Patriots had above average capital in the last two drafts. It’s time for them to get a return on their investments. Training Camp Keysprecedence as he fits the mold of a second-round reach. The hope is that he will break that particular mold.Chase Winovich is another interesting prospect. He was highly touted by sports statisticians and Pro Football Fcous ranked him as a top 25 talent in the draft. It will be interesting to see if he can earn starting time at the weakest positional group on defense.The final player who will really have my eye is Derek Rivers. The former third-round draft pick, the team’s highest in 2017, is entering a make-or-break it season. I personally was a fan of his coming out of the draft, and he came on a little strong late last year, but he will need to do a lot more to prove himself worth of his draft selection. Patriots head coach Bill Belichick wasn’t willing to answer questions about wide receiver Antonio Brown on Sunday night or Monday morning because Brown was not yet officially a member of the team.Brown’s signing became official on Monday afternoon and that meant Belichick had to come up with a different approach on a Tuesday conference call. It will be a familiar answer to anyone who has heard Belichick discuss the signing of a new player over the years.“Take it day by day. We haven’t practiced yet,” Belichick said, via Tom Curran of NBCSportsBoston.com. “We’re going through information with him like we would any new player. Get out on the practice field and after Wednesday we’ll talk about Thursday and see how it goes.”Belichick was later asked what makes him confident that Brown won’t prove to be as disruptive as he was in Oakland or Pittsburgh. He said he wasn’t in either of those places and referenced another wideout who went from the Raiders to the Patriots with questions about how he’d fit in New England.“It’s the same thing you guys said about Randy Moss when we brought him in,” Belichick said.The Moss acquisition wound up working out well for the Patriots. This week will begin to answer the question of whether the Brown move will have a similar result.

because of stereotypes against black men. He was a star quarterback in college Authentic Devin Singletary Jersey , and he believed he had the talent, intelligence and leadership skills to be one in the pros.Fifty years ago, during an era of massive social upheaval in the United States, just getting a chance to prove it took a risky ultimatum.Briscoe refused to switch positions after being drafted as a cornerback by the Denver Broncos, telling his team that he’d return home to become a teacher if he couldn’t get a tryout at quarterback. Denver agreed to an audition, and that season the 5-foot-10 dynamo nicknamed “The Magician” became the first black quarterback to start a game in the American Football League.“It’s just so many different historic things that happened in the year 1968, it was unfathomable,” Briscoe, now 73, told The Associated Press. “It just seemed poetic justice, so to speak, that the color barrier be broken that year at that position. For some reason, I was ordained to be the litmus test for that. I think I did a good job.”Briscoe’s groundbreaking accomplishments were somewhat lost in the shuffle during one of the most transformative years in U.S. history. Civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Devin Singletary Jersey Boys , and presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy were assassinated in 1968. Civil rights riots broke out across the country and there were numerous protests of the Vietnam War. And less than two weeks after Briscoe’s first start, U.S. track and field stars Tommie Smith and John Carlos raised black-gloved fists on the medal stand at the Olympics to protest America’s social injustices.But Briscoe’s legacy resonates among his contemporaries 50 years later, hitting on race as well as the pressures athletes face in pro sports. The Pro Football Hall of Fame calls Briscoe the first African-American starting quarterback in modern pro football history. Carolina’s Cam Newton and Seattle’s Russell Wilson have both considered Briscoe’s past as they contend for championships. Doug Williams, the first black quarterback to win a Super Bowl, counts Briscoe as one of his most important inspirational figures.“I know the little bit that I had to go through, so I can imagine what he had to go through,” said Williams, who won the 1988 Super Bowl with Washington. “People were a little more accepted when I came through than when he came through.”GETTING ON THE FIELDThough Briscoe starred at Omaha University and eventually landed in the College Football Hall of Fame, he was drafted By Denver as a cornerback in the 14th round. Briscoe started last among eight quarterbacks during his tryout.Helped by injuries and erratic play, Briscoe eventually stepped in for the Broncos as a reserve on Sept. 29, 1968, and nearly led a comeback against the Boston Patriots. He earned the next start against the Cincinnati Bengals, making him the first black quarterback to start a game in the AFL.Briscoe started five games that season and was runner-up for AFL rookie of the year, attracting strong crowds and energizing a franchise that had yet to establish a winning tradition.Despite his breakout season — he passed for 1 Youth LeSean McCoy Jerseys ,589 yards and 14 touchdowns and ran for 308 yards and three scores — Denver didn’t give him a chance to compete for the quarterback job in 1969. He said he was never given a reason why, so he asked to be released. He headed briefly to British Columbia, but decided Canadian football wasn’t for him. He returned to the United States and was picked up for the 1969 season by Buffalo, where he played receiver. He was a Pro Bowl receiver with the Bills in 1970 and won two Super Bowls as a receiver with the Miami Dolphins, but he never played quarterback again.“The more I’ve known him and been around him and talked to him, you’ve got to give him respect for what he did during that time and what happened to him after that time,” Williams said. “That’s the part that gets me. But that’s the time he was in.”PAYING IT FORWARDAs a senior at Grambling, James Harris kept up with Briscoe’s 1968 season by going to the library to look up his statistics.As fate would have it, Buffalo drafted Harris as a quarterback in 1969, putting him on the same team as Briscoe. It was Harris who became the AFL’s first black quarterback to open the season as a starter, and he said his roommate Briscoe was a critical mentor.“We used to talk a lot about the dos and don’ts and things that he had been through. He was telling me the things I needed to be prepared for,” Harris said. “I felt that Marlin was the only person on the team that understood what I was going through.”That included death threats, Briscoe said. “We had the race card on our careers because we were the first,” he said.Harris blossomed at QB. In 1974 LeSean McCoy Jerseys Stitched , he played for the Los Angeles Rams and became the first black quarterback to win an NFL playoff game. He also was Pro Bowl MVP that year.Briscoe said more work needs to be done both in the league and society. He has noticed that Colin Kaepernick has not been given a contract since his decision to kneel during “The Star Spangled Banner” to protest racial and social inequality. He believes President Donald Trump, an outspoken critic of Kaepernick, also bears some responsibility for some fans making racial comments toward black players, like a Texas superintendent who resigned last week after criticizing Houston Texans QB Deshaun Watson by saying black QBs can’t be trusted.After all these years, Briscoe still sees shades of his old struggles.“I grew up in the ’50s and the ’60s, when all that stuff was rampant, but you knew where you stood,” Briscoe said. “Today, you thought that all those attitudes were non-existent or filtered away to some degree, but with the Trump-isms, his philosophy has brought out of the woodwork that old-time thought process. That’s scary. It really is. It’s a scary situation.” Everything you need to know about the free agency period and its opening for 2019"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections NewsNotesOpinionAnalysisDiscussionPodcastNFL DraftSalary CapNFL Free Agency2019 Buffalo Bills free agencyNews2019 NFL free agency primer: dates, times, information to knowNew,12commentsEverything you need to know about the free agency period and its opening for 2019EDTShareTweetShareShare2019 NFL free agency primer: dates Youth Kyle Williams Jerseys , times, information to knowRich Barnes-USA TODAY SportsMonday, March 11, is the first major day for the 2019 NFL season, as it is the first day where our Buffalo Bills and the other 31 NFL clubs can begin to negotiate with players whose contracts expire at the conclusion of the 2018 league year. This is the start of a two-day window commonly known as the “legal tampering period” in the NFL. When does the 2018 year conclude? I’m glad you asked.On Wednesday, March 13, the 2018 league year will end at 4 p.m. Eastern time. The free agency period will officially open at that time, and a signing bonanza for all 32 teams should ensue. Any trades that have been negotiated and reported will become official, as well, since teams cannot file paperwork for trades until the start of the new league year. Another thing that happens on Wednesday by that 4 p.m. Eastern deadline is that all teams must officially submit offers, or tenders, to their exclusive-rights free agents (ERFAs) and restricted free agents (RFAs). Any player left without a tender from his team will officially become an unrestricted free agent. One last important matter of note: teams must be under the salary cap on Wednesday at 4 p.m. Eastern, as well. The salary cap applies to the “top-51,” or the 51 players with the highest salary cap number on each roster. For the Bills Kyle Williams Jerseys Stitched , this won’t be an issue, as they have plenty of cap space to work with heading into the 2019 season.Here is a breakdown of all the important dates and times to come this week, courtesy of NFL Ops.March 11-13: Legal tampering period begins at noon Eastern on Monday. Clubs may negotiate with the agents of players whose 2018 contracts are set to expire at 4 p.m. Eastern on Wednesday, March 13. March 13: Prior to 4 p.m. Eastern, clubs must exercise any options for 2019 on all players whose 2018 contract has an option clause for 2019. (EDIT: This excludes fifth-year options for first-round draft choices; those options may be exercised at any time prior to May 3)March 13: Prior to 4 p.m. Eastern, clubs must submit qualifying offers (AKA “tenders”) to restricted free agents (players with exactly three seasons of accrued free agency credit) with expiring 2018 contracts in order to retain right of first refusal rights through contract negotiations.March 13: Prior to 4 p.m. Eastern, clubs must submit minimum salary tender to all exclusive-rights free agents (players with fewer than three seasons of accrued free agency credit) with expiring 2018 contractsin order to retain exclusive negotiating rights with said players.March 13: All clubs must be under the 2019 salary cap as per the “top-51” rule by 4 p.m. Eastern.March 13: All 2018 player contracts set to expire will do so at 4 p.m. Eastern.March 13: The 2019 league year begins at 4 p.m. Eastern, as does the official signing period for 2019 free agents and the trading period for all clubs.

No one was trampled trying to make the midnight drop-off at the post office?"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Vikings 2018 SeasonVikings 2019 OffseasonU.S. Bank StadiumMinnesota Vikings PodcastsOpen ThreadsTuesday Open Thread: The Morning AfterNew Discount Armon Watts Jersey ,1042commentsWe all survived tax day? No one was trampled trying to make the midnight drop-off at the post office? CDTShareTweetShareShareTuesday Open Thread: The Morning AfterHappy Tuesday, everyone!In theory, yesterday was the Country’s one paycheck for the entire year. Do you think the White House makes a gigantic WalMart run today? I think most of us had those days in our younger years (or some of you youngens are living those days now) when money is basically non-existent, and the very first thing you did (after buying beer, of course) after you cashed your paycheck (Those of you who are younger won’t know what this is, but we used to receive an actual check........yeah yeah, the paper kind with the long lines covered by scribbling.....and take it to a bank or other sort of financial institution, and give it to them in exchange for money......yeah yeah, the stuff on the greenish paper that has a couple numbers on it and all the illuminati messages and what not) was go straight to Walmart or Kmart and stock up on necessities. Get that all paid for and put away safely at home before venturing to the local watering hole, where that entire paycheck might just get spent that evening. Ah, the good ol’ days, I...........honestly........don’t miss ‘em. Some great memories (or lack thereof), and I’m glad I have......some of them, but I do not miss the headaches.Around the DN since our last open thread:Artistformerlyknownasfil put up a fanpost for all of our Harry Potter Game of Thrones fans out there. MarkSP18 has his latest mock draft prepped and posted for your viewing pleasure. Make sure you ask Mark where he plans to draft a punter, he forgets to do that sometimes, it’s good to remind him.Anthony Harris and Rashod Hill will be back with the team in 2019, as they both signed their free agent tenders, per Chris.Wludford is taking an in-depth look at how the Vikings have built one of the NFL’s best rosters, and here is part one.Vikings and NFL news from other sources Dalvin Cook Jersey , other sports, and/or oddities in the news:From SkyNews, an illustration of how useful it can be to have DIY skills. A man in Leeds created, then successfully used, an escape route from his home. He did all of this while the police were knocking on his door.Wow, and I was happy when I could swim a mile non-stop. Oil rig workers in Thailand rescued a dog that was stranded in the water and swimming.........136 miles from shore. They shouldn’t need to take the dog out for exercise anytime soon, should be okay for a day or two.Okay, now this is disgusting. At first glance, it’s no big deal, but read it all, if you’re able. Yeah, I know, who cares? Why stockpile them anyway, right? It’s a waste, I agree, but there is more to this story. Much more, once you dig a little. There is a statement, an actual quote, that was made by a government official in explanation for the decision Alan Page Jersey , and I will show it to you....but after giving you fair warning. The quote you will read is not pleasant. It is filthy and bad and just downright icky. If you have young children in the room reading this with you, cover their eyes before reading any further. Okay? Thanks. Those of you with the stomach to handle it can continue. The following words were actually spoken by someone claiming to be a member of this government entity: .............Yes, you read that correctly. “Not essential for life”. Not essential for life? They actually said that. I can’t believe it. I can’t believe that anyone would make such a ridiclous, irresponsible, and obviously untrue statement. It is beyond reprehensible, and the person making the statement, as well as the news outlet who shared it, should be ashamed. I will remember this ‘Federal Office for National Economic Supply’, and will make sure I NEVER listen to a single word emanating from that filthy pit of filth, lies, and deceit. May God have mercy on their souls.We come to today’s media selection:Speaking of disgusting acts.......Again, we all know the rules, but in case someone is new:No discussion of politics or religionNo feeding of the trollsThis isn’t a male version of The View, so leave the gender hatred at the doorKeep the bad language to a minimum (using the spoiler tags, if you must)Speaking of which, if discussing a newer show or movie, please use spoiler tagsNo pictures that could get someone fired or in serious trouble with their employerIf you can’t disagree in a civil manner, feel free to go awayWhile navigating the open thread, just assume it’s sarcasmWith that http://www.thevikingslockerroom.com/authentic-brett-favre-jersey , the beer light is on and the bar is open. Belly up and tie one on. Don’t forget to tip your waitress, and try the chitlins. CLEVELAND — The Freddie Kitchens Era, although still not official, is rolling along.More Vikings coverageDuty might call for Vikings rookie long snapper CuttingRookie minicamp Q&A with Vikings head coach Mike ZimmerVikings sign nine members of 2019 draft classTop Tweets: Minnesota teams have fun with ‘Game of Thrones’Vikings decline fifth-year option for WR Laquon TreadwellWhile his agent continued to hammer out details for him to become Cleveland’s new coach, Kitchens continued to piece together his staff with the Browns. On Friday, former Vikings coordinator Mike Priefer announced he will handle special teams for Kitchens.Kitchens and the Browns reached agreement earlier this week, but as of Friday night the team had still not confirmed his hiring. There don’t appear to be any major obstacles to prevent Kitchens from being named the team’s 17th full-time coach.It’s just taking time.Priefer, who was suspended three games by Minnesota in 2014 for an insensitive remark, released a statement saying he’s coming to Cleveland to work for Kitchens. Priefer spent the previous eight seasons coaching special teams with the Vikings.“I am excited to work with Coach Kitchens, John Dorsey and the entire Browns organization,” Priefer said. “I will always remember my time spent with the Vikings and deeply appreciate everyone that I was able to work with during my time there.”Priefer has some Cleveland roots. He was born in Cleveland and his father, Chuck, began his coaching career in Northeast Ohio before getting to the NFL as a special teams coach.Priefer also has some baggage.The Vikings have suspended him without pay for the first three games in 2014 after an independent investigation into claims by former punter Chris Kluwe showed that Priefer made a homophobic remark during the 2012 season. Priefer later and had his suspension was reduced to two games.“I regret what has occurred and what I said,” Priefer said four years ago. “I am extremely sorry but I will learn from this situation and will work on educating others to create more tolerance and respect.”By all accounts, Priefer has been a model citizen since and he’s proven to be a solid coach. He’s been in the NFL for 17 years, also working in Denver and Kansas City as a coordinator for special teams units that have consistently ranked high in the league.Priefer will replace Amos Jones, who is not coming back to the Browns after one wobbly season as special teams coordinator. The Browns’ kicking game struggled under Jones and the team’s return game was average at best.Kitchens also met on Friday with fired Arizona Steve Wilks about becoming his defensive coordinator. The 49-year-old Wilks was dismissed after going 3-13 season. He’s got a strong defensive background and previously ran Carolina’s defense in 2017.Wilks served as the Panthers’ defensive backs coach from 2012-14 and was promoted to assistant head coach in 2015-16. He’s also been a secondary coach in Chicago and San Diego.Former Denver coach Vance Joseph was scheduled to visit the Browns over the weekend, but he was hired by new Cardinals coach Kliff Kingsbury on Friday.

(all times local):4 p.m.Regulators say gamblers in Nevada bet less money on the Super Bowl this year.Unaudited tallies released Monday by state gambling regulators show people wagered roughly $145.94 million on the big game at Nevada’s 200 sportsbooks. That’s about $12.65 million less than in 2018.The data from the Nevada Gaming Control Board show sportsbooks made a profit of almost $10.79 million on the action. That’s about nine times what they won last year.The game between the New England Patriots and the Los Angeles Rams was the first Super Bowl in which Nevada faced competition from sportsbooks outside the state.Sportsbooks have opened in seven other states since the U.S. Supreme Court issued a relevant ruling last spring.Jay Kornegay Color Rush Byron Cowart Jersey , vice president of race and sports book operations at the Westgate Las Vegas Superbook, says the sportsbook had a “solid day.” It lost on the game itself but did well on proposition and future bets. For the second straight week, Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard intercepted two passes in one game. This week Youth Byron Cowart Jersey , the league deemed the performance worthy of the聽AFC defensive player of the week award.A second-round pick of the Dolphins in 2016, Howard has become one of the best defensive backs in the NFL. He now has seven interceptions on the year, most in the league through 12 games.The next test for Howard arrives on Sunday Womens Byron Cowart Jersey , when the Patriots return to town. Tom Brady has struggled in Miami over the years, losing nine of 16 career games there. On a Monday night in Miami last December, Howard intercepted Brady twice.A win against New England could be the spark that propels the Dolphins to the postseason. If that’s going to happen Authentic Byron Cowart Jersey , they’ll need Howard to step up for the third straight week.