can handle all the attention that comes with blowing out a preseason favorite on the road.After routing the Browns 43-13 in Cleveland https://www.brownsfanshop.com/Seth-Devalve-Jersey , the Titans now play their next two games inside the AFC South. They won't face Andrew Luck (now retired) on Sunday in their home opener, nor Nick Foles (injured reserve) in a road trip to Jacksonville.It may be coach-speak, but Mike Vrabel, now 10-7 as Tennessee's head coach, said the Titans will repeat what they did last week in an approach that has taken root in his second season."I think everybody's just a little bit more comfortable," Vrabel said Monday. "When the players can start to point it out, I think that's when it's really starting to manifest itself into what we're looking for."WHAT'S WORKINGThe Titans not only have picked up where they left off 2018 with a defense that was the NFL's No. 3 scoring unit, Tennessee gave every indication of improving in the second season with coordinator Dean Pees.Nine of 11 starters are back, and the Titans had at least three interceptions, five sacks and a safety in a single game for the first time in the history of a franchise in its 60th season. Malcolm Butler returned his pick for a touchdown, the team's first since a win against Baltimore on Sept. 18, 2005, as the Titans turned each turnover into a TD for 21 points."We visualize this," safety Kevin Byard said. "I don't think it's anything anyone is surprised by."WHAT NEEDS HELPStart a little faster. The Titans settled for a field goal on their opening drive. In the second half, Marcus Mariota completed all six passes for 143 yards with three touchdowns — his first such game since Nov. 13, 2016, against Green Bay. The Titans finished with their highest-scoring output since putting up 47 against the Packers, not a bad debut for new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith."Art did a great job of keeping calm and telling us to stick to the game plan," Mariota said.STOCK UPWide receiver A.J. Brown turned in quite the debut with three catches for 100 yards. He was among four rookies with at least 100 yards receiving on opening weekend. Brown also became the franchise's first player with 100 yards receiving to kick off his career since Sid Blanks on Sept. 12 Kevin Zeitler Jersey , 1964. The second-round pick out of Mississippi had only one catch for 10 yards in the preseason.STOCK DOWNWide receiver Corey Davis. The fifth pick overall in 2017 didn't make a catch on three targets, one thrown a bit too high by Mariota. That didn't bother Vrabel, who made clear he's proud of how Davis blocked while avoiding a penalty on Brown's 51-yard catch and also on Derrick Henry's 75-yard TD off a screen."The catches will come, the production will come," Vrabel said.INJUREDRight guard Kevin Pamphile may be available Wednesday, but Vrabel says the Titans might give Jamil Douglas a longer look after his seventh career start. Vrabel said the Titans came through their opener good when asked about injuries.KEY NUMBERTwo — how many sacks the starting outside linebackers combined for all of last season before Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo each retired. Cameron Wake, the Titans' big free agent signee for defense, topped that all by himself in his Tennessee debut with 2 ½ sacks and a safety. Sharif Finch, an undrafted free agent out of Temple last year, made his first start at outside linebacker. That allowed the Titans to use Wake for only 24 snaps, making the 37-year-old veteran's performance even more impressive.NEXT STEPSGet past Indianapolis. Yes, Luck retired without the Titans ever beating the Colts quarterback. They are 2-0 against Jacoby Brissett, but this is a big opportunity in the first of two AFC South games in five days.Follow Teresa M. Walker at www.twitter.com/teresamwalker The hit TV reality show “Hard Knocks” highlighted each summer on HBO is a very popular show for fans of professional football. The footage is filmed on location of one NFL club while in their annual training camp.Teams such as the Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens are just a few of the clubs featured on the reality sports documentary series since 2001.The allure is that fans are suddenly thrust right into the mix of training camp and get a good feel of what an NFL training camp actually is without being an actual roster member. Teams begin with 90 players in camp and often add and cut players as the need demands. In the spring of 2018 it was announced the Cleveland Browns would be featured in this year’s show; which was a bonus for HBO since the number one overall selection, QB Baker Mayfield, was drafted by the Browns. Add the fact that Cleveland had so many new players on their roster simply added to the allure of using the Browns this past summer. In addition, Cleveland had traded for QB Tyrod Taylor from the Buffalo Bills which added to the drama of whether he would become the starting signal caller instead of the top pick Mayfield or perhaps the job would go to veteran Drew Stanton. The wide receiver position provided HBO with numerous sub-plots the entire training camp. The main attraction was the return of talented yet troubled Josh Gordon who had not played since 2014 because of reoccurring substance abuse issues. The club had also added former first-rounder Jarvis Landry into the mix via a trade and drafted Florida’s Antonio Callaway, who had several sexual assault charges brought against plus a team suspension. These accusations Joel Bitonio Color Rush Jersey , which he was later cleared of, pushed his first-round draft grade way down until the Browns took him in round four. And of course, the role of head coach Hue Jackson who had a collective 1-63 record over two seasons, including the previous 0-16-0 campaign. This was the first season for the “earn your stripes” crusade. During the show, Stanton brought up the tradition that the top rookie on the club, which happened to be Mayfield, had to rent RVs for the QB crew to adjourn to during training camp in order to unwind, cool down and relax. Mayfield rented three RVs (at his expense) for the private use of himself, Stanton, Taylor and Eastern Michigan undrafted rookie Brogan Roback. Now it has been reported by TMZ that the nicest of the three RVs is for sale. It is a luxury version graded Class A manufactured by Forest River. The model is the Georgetown 377XL which sleeps six with an 80 gallon gas tank and can hold an additional 65 gallons of fresh water plus 24 gallons of sewage water. Home theatre, granite countertops, queen bed, Furion fireplace and onboard washer/dryer come standard. 377XL rented by Mayfield now for saleA used 2018 Class A Forest River Georgetown 377XL with 1,100 miles is currently listed on rvtrader.com for $129,999. The exact 377XL that Mayfield rented is currently for sale for $195,000 by Neff Brothers of Lorain, Ohio. The 377XL includes the original renter’s contract signed by Mayfield plus his autograph on a stainless steel refrigerator. In episode three of “Hard Knocks”, singer Brad Paisley made a visit to the 377XL and was reported as the only non-QB able to enter the secret clubhouse on wheels. The New York Daily News has referred to “Hard Knocks” as “The gold standard of sports reality programming.”Nobody doubts what type of tailgating institution this one vehicle could ultimately become.

the run this season Jacoby Brissett Jersey , and for good reason. The Colts’ defense finished the year sixth in the league allowing a mere 3.9 yards per carry, and with all of the talk from the previous regime about that being a priority, Matt Eberflus and this defense did it surprisingly quietly.On the other hand, the Colts put all their chips in the center of the table on using a platoon-style running game with Marlon Mack being the lead back, and he did well for himself in his first season as the primary runner. Mack eclipsed 900 rushing yards, showed off his big-play ability, and had six games in which he averaged more than 4.75 yards per carry. The additions of rookies Nyheim Hines and Jordan Wilkins proved to benefit the Colts ground game as well with Wilkins being the more effective runner of the two, while Hines proved to be more of an all-around weapon, and was heavily used in the passing game. And with a much-improved offensive line this season, the Colts rushing attack was something teams had to prepare for while also trying to keep Andrew Luck under control. In fact, this season is the first time the Colts have outrushed their opponents through the course of the season since 1995. 1995! That’s 23 years. There are 15 players on the Colts’ active roster who are 23 years old or younger. That says a lot about how the Colts approached the running game on both sides of the ball. It possibly says more about the defense, and with them not allowing a 100-yard rusher all season, we’re going to gladly go with that. But, the Colts’ running game can’t simply be thrown aside either. By no means was the Colts running game dominant, though they absolutely showed that they have the ability to be. Also, you can bet that this circle of success on offense (passing game Reggie Wayne Color Rush Jersey , running game, offensive line) was greatly improved because of it’s increased efficiency. When one of those three aspects to the offense falter, the others have to be considerably better when being schemed against.With all of that said, the Colts’ Wild Card matchup against the Houston Texans presents a major challenge for the Colts running game. In their previous two meetings this season, the Texans held the Colts to two of their four lowest rushing totals of the season. The Texans held the Colts to a total of 91 rushing yards (2.28 yards per attempt) on 40 carries, and that could spell bad news in the playoffs.Did I forget to mention that the Texans were the top rushing defense in the league this year allowing only 3.4 yards per carry? They were also tops in the NFL in explosive runs allowed, as they gave up only 3 runs of 20-plus yards. They were also top-3 in total rushing yards allowed, rushing yards allowed per game, rushing touchdowns allowed.Whew! This will be a tall task for Frank Reich and this offense to maintain a balanced attack if they can’t find success early on. If the Colts didn’t have Luck, and his ability to take over a game in the passing game, they wouldn’t be in the playoffs first of all. But, they certainly would be massive underdogs in this Wild Card matchup.Luck did throw 6 touchdowns to only 1 interception, and racked up over 860 passing yards in their first two meetings with the Texans this year. But, he also threw the ball over 100 times. That is an 8.38 yards per attempt average, and Luck completed his passes at just above a 65% clip — but the fact that he HAD to have those games is what should present some cause for concern. The Colts absolutely have the pieces, the scheme https://www.coltsfanshop.com/Rigoberto-Sanchez-Jersey , and the potential to handle the Texans in their own building this weekend. However, if the running game isn’t up to par, it’s going to be another close game and one play could send the Colts home before they are able to show how dangerous they can actually be. INDIANAPOLIS — Andrew Luck started Sunday by carving up Jacksonville’s staunch defense.He finished it by playing the eager spectator.After throwing three first-half touchdown passes and picking up only two first downs in the second half, he celebrated when the Indianapolis Colts‘ defense delivered the decisive turnover with 90 seconds left to preserve a 29-26 victory over the Jaguars.“We played well enough in the first half to put some points on the board,” Luck said. “Then we survived.”Barely survived, that is.Trailing by three, Jacksonville quickly marched from its 42-yard line into field goal range, and when Rashad Greene Sr. went down at the Colts’ 23, it looked like the Jaguars were already set up for at least a tying field goal. Initially, Greene was ruled down before the ball squirted out.But just before the Jags (3-6) ran the next play, the whistles blew for a booth review. A few minutes later, the call was overturned, giving the ball and the game to the Colts, who have won three straight for the first time in three years.“I thought we got the play off, but obviously, we didn’t Marlon Mack Jersey ,” Jags coach Doug Marrone said before elaborating later. “Personally, I thought it wasn’t a fumble. But I see what everybody sees from the sideline.”Last year’s AFC runner-ups were a popular preseason pick to dethrone New England. Instead, the Jags have lost five straight, six of seven and are last in the division.And they don’t get more painful than this.Jacksonville had an extra point blocked and nearly returned for a 2-point conversion in the first half.Two 15-yard penalties helped Indy score its fourth touchdown, a 1-yard pass from Luck to Mo Alie-Cox late in the second quarter. An offside call on the ensuing extra point prompted coach Frank Reich to go for two, which Marlon Mack punched it in to make it 29-13.Jacksonville kicker Josh Lambo missed his first field goal of the season, a 52-yarder, wide left in the third quarter but then made a 55-yarder to cut the deficit to three with 4:03 left.Finally, Kenny Moore III sealed the Jags’ fate by ripping the ball away from Greene just before his leg went down and Malik Hooker scooped it up.“Offensively we’re looking to improve, put that thing away,” Reich said. “But make no mistake about it: This was a huge win for us.”Luck started fast, hooking up with Eric Ebron on a 53-yard TD pass seven plays into the game.After Donte Moncrief tied it on an 80-yard scoring play, Ebron answered with a 2-yard TD run to make it 14-7. Luck connected with Ebron again on a 12-yard TD pass, giving the tight end a career-high third score with 9:19 left in the first half.Luck finished 21 of 29 with 285 yards, one interception and was not sacked.Blake Bortles was 26 of 38 with 320 yards and two TD passes while Leonard Fournette had 53 yards rushing, 56 yards receiving and his first two scores of the season — one on the ground Quenton Nelson Color Rush Jersey , one through the air.It just wasn’t enough.“It’s a good defense, a lot of respect for that defense,” Luck said. “We certainly weren’t sharp enough.”100<button class="view-gallery">View Gallery</button> Gallery:View from the sidelines: NFL cheerleaders 2018Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports | Raj MehtaINJURY REPORTJaguars: Center Brandon Linder and offensive tackle Ereck Flowers both left in the third quarter with knee injuries.Colts: Defensive end Carroll Phillips left in the first half with an injured groin. Defensive tackle Grover Stewart left with an injured ankle in the fourth quarter. Neither returned.AUTOMATIC ADAMThe Colts honored the NFL’s new career scoring leader, Adam Vinatieri, before the game with a brief highlight film and the distinction of being the last starter introduced to the crowd, which roared.Vinatieri responded by waving to the crowd and slapping hands with some fans on the field. Then he added three more points to his record-breaking total (2,553) before missing a 52-yard attempt wide right with 2:58 left in the game.He also tied George Blanda for the most regular-season wins in league history (209).STAT PACKJaguars: Fournette had 29 touches, 24 carries and five receptions, in his third game this season. … Punter Logan Cooke completed a 4-yard pass on a fake field goal, which kept the Jags’ 17-play drive alive to open the second half. The drive ended with Fournette’s 1-yard TD catch.Colts: Ebron finished with three catches for 69 yards. … Jack Doyle and Alie-Cox, Indy’s other two tight ends, combined for five catches and 64 yards. … Rookie Jordan Wilkins broke free for Indy’s longest run of the season (53 yards) in the first half.UP NEXTJaguars: Jacksonville can snap its losing streak next Sunday when it hosts Pittsburgh.Colts: Could get back into the AFC South race by beating Tennessee at home next Sunday.

The relationship between Josh Allen and Sam Darnold has been well documented since the 2018 NFL Combine. In today’s links Jaquan Johnson NFL Jersey , WGR 550 AM’s Sal Capaccio takes a closer look at the relationship between the second-year quarterbacks. There are also updates from the Buffalo Bills’ first week of OTAs, Jadaveon Clowney, and much more.Friends Allen and Darnold hope offseason training made each other better | WGR 550 SportsRadioThe two quarterbacks trained together again this offseason.The Jerry Hughes & Tyler Kroft Ripple Effects - The Bills Beat with Joe B. and Matthew FairburnThe Buffalo Bills are through their first week of OTAs, so Joe Buscaglia and Matthew Fairburn discuss what they saw during the first practice that the media could attend.Bills awarded waiver claim for T De’Ondre Wesley, sign TE Mik’Quan Deane - BuffaloBills.com The Bills made a pair of roster moves on Wednesday in claiming tackle De’Ondre Wesley off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts and signing tight end Mik'Quan Deane.Should Buffalo Bills explore Kyle Rudolph trade after Tyler Kroft injury? - Cover 1Buffalo Bills tight end Tyler Kroft suffered a broken foot during the first day of OTA's. Should the team explore a trade for Minnesota Vikings tight end Kyle Rudolph to ensure productivity at the position for the 2019 NFL season?Five potential trade partners for the Texans if they move Jadeveon Clowney – The AthleticClowney did not participate in OTAs this week. Coach Bill O'Brien said he has "no idea" when the franchise-tagged player will show up. (Subscription required.)As the Bills grapple with a growing injury list, what we learned on the field during Week 1 of OTAs – The AthleticThree of the Bills' biggest signings on offense won’t have the benefit of learning the system in OTAs due to injuries. (Subscription required.)Jim Kelly gets good news on latest scans – The Buffalo News"Jim Kelly’s latest cancer scans have come back clean, according to his wife Jill’s Instagram account."Featured on Buffalo RumblingsBuffalo Bills add tackle and tight end in four-man roster shuffle - Buffalo RumblingsOn Wednesday the Buffalo Bills added tackle De’Ondre Wesley and tight end Mik’Quan Deane in a roster shuffle.All-22 film analysis: Buffalo Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes - Buffalo Rumblings(Mostly) randomly selected plays are tossed into the GIF maker and used for analysis of Jerry Hughes.Breaking Buffalo Rumblings: Tyler Kroft injury, offensive line units, and Eric Wood’s new job - Buffalo RumblingsIt was a busy day at One Bills Drive.Q&A Mailbag: Buffalo Bills issue O.J. Simpson’s number 32, Brian Daboll’s play calling - Buffalo RumblingsNumber 32 was issued, Brian Daboll’s play calling, wide receiver numbers, and much more in today’s Q&A.Buffalo Bills dealing with injuries early in 2019 offseason - Buffalo RumblingsSean McDermott had a lot to say on Tuesday.2019 Buffalo Bills scouting report: wide receiver John Brown - Buffalo RumblingsBuffalo added the speedy veteran on its second attempted pursuit of the wideout. Week 8 brings us to the midpoint of the fantasy football regular season in most leagues. It is at this point where truth separates itself from dreams. The picks that have yet to produce probably won't, and if playoffs are the end game, now is the time to embrace facts and either set them free or bench them.On the other hand, if the sleeper pick has worked out and the waiver wire has become a pot of gold, then cheers.START: Josh Allen, QB Jaquan Johnson NFL Draft , Bills: The normally run-oriented Buffalo offense will happily take to the skies against an Eagles pass defense that has allowed the third-most yards (1,884) in the league. Allen has yet to pass for more than 254 yards in a game this season, a fact that could be corrected quickly.SIT: Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers: Rivers has averaged 310.6 passing yards on the road, yet will be hard-pressed to maintain that pace against the Bears' defense ranked third in the league in fewest yards allowed per completion at 9.9. Chicago is also fifth overall in fewest net yards gained per pass attempt (5.7).START: Latavius Murray, RB, Saints: Alvin Kamara (ankle) remains uncertain, so feel comfortable plugging in Murray, who accounted for 150 yards from scrimmage and two rushing scores in last week's win at the Bears. Murray also ranks among the top 10 in rushing yards before contact per attempt (2.8).SIT: Joe Mixon, RB, Bengals: In his last two games, Mixon has rushed for 12 yards on 10 carries, a 1.2-yard average that pales in comparison to the 3.4 yards the Rams run defense allows, the third-best total in the league. Mixon does have two receiving touchdowns yet manages just 6.6 yards per catch.START: Tyler Lockett, WR, Seahawks: Tied for sixth with nine receptions of better than 20 yards, Lockett faces a Falcons defense that is the fifth-worst in fantasy points allowed per game to opposing receivers. Atlanta has given up 17 touchdown passes Jaquan Johnson Buffalo Bills Jersey , tied with the Cardinals for the league's highest total.SIT: Demarcus Robinson, WR, Chiefs: Kansas City's prolific passing numbers have to be tempered without Patrick Mahomes. Robinson's numbers had been fading even before Mahomes' injury, managing just 10 receptions for 97 yards over the past four games.START: Darren Waller, TE, Raiders: The Texans have done a good job containing the fantasy production of opposing tight ends, but that will change as Waller has recorded at least six receptions in all but one game this season, including a pair of 100-yard outings. If WR Tyrell Williams (foot) stays sidelined, Waller could be in for 12-14 targets from QB Derek Carr.SIT: Gerald Everett, TE, Rams: Winless Cincinnati is sixth-best in fewest fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends. Everett has recorded 26 targets over the last three games yet could see the frequent connection from QB Jared Goff slowed this week, especially considering the Bengals have the league's worst run defense.START: Sonny Michel, RB, Patriots: Michel's paltry 3.3 yards per carry could find a welcome tonic in the form of the Browns, who have allowed five yards per carry while yielding 154 yards on the ground. Michel, who scored three times in Monday's win over the Jets, is positioned to record his first 100-yard game of the season.SIT: Baker Mayfield, QB Color Rush Jaquan Johnson Jersey , Browns: The Patriots defense has an unreal 18:1 INT:TD margin this season. Considering that Mayfield has thrown at least two interceptions in three of his six starts this season, playing him is a gold-plated fool's errand.START: Courtland Sutton, WR, Broncos: With Emmanuel Sanders dealt to the 49ers, Sutton becomes the undisputed receiver of choice in Denver. Sutton averaged nearly eight targets per game opposite Sanders, so expect him to become a consistent 10-12 targets per game presence beginning against a Colts defense ranked 21st in fantasy points per game allowed to opposing receivers.SIT: Adrian Peterson, RB, Redskins: A lingering high ankle sprain will already limit Peterson, who hasn't scored a rushing touchdown since Week 2. Further limiting his production will be a Vikings run defense that is fifth-best in fantasy when it comes to slowing down opposing running backs.START: Matthew Stafford, QB, Lions: The Giants allow the fifth-highest yards per completion (12.6), which sets up well for Stafford, who has thrown seven touchdowns in his last three games and has an impressive 13:3 TD:INT rate this season. He's averaged 327.5 yards and 3.5 touchdown passes in his last two home starts.SIT: Robby Anderson, WR, Jets: Over the last three games, Anderson has caught just seven of 19 passes targeted to him (36.8. Don't expect a sudden upswing in fortune as the Jaguars defense has the fifth-lowest completion percentage (59.4%) in the league.START: John Brown, WR, Bills: No defense is as fantasy-friendly to opposing receivers than the Eagles Youth Jaquan Johnson Jersey , who will have to contend with the deep speed of Brown, who has produced at least 72 receiving yards in four of his six starts. He scored his first touchdown since Week 1 in last week's win over the Dolphins and stands a great chance to find the end zone against the Eagles, who have allowed 14 passing touchdowns.SIT: Melvin Gordon, RB, Chargers: At some point, the Chargers will give Austin Ekeler more touches than Gordon, who has averaged 2.3 yards on 36 carries and doesn't have a run longer than seven yards. Chicago has the fifth-lowest yards average yards per carry at 3.6, making the task of starting Gordon even more daunting.START: Ryan Tannehill, QB, Titans: A high-risk, high-reward play, Tannehill threw for 312 yards and two scores in last week's win over the Chargers. A bigger day awaits him against a Buccaneers defense that is sixth-worst in fantasy against opposing passers.SIT: Carson Wentz, QB, Eagles: He's thrown for less than 200 yards in three of his last four games and gets the unwelcome task of facing a Bills pass defense that's allowed the third-fewest yards while allowing just four touchdown passes.This column was provided to The Associated Press by SportsGrid Inc., www.sportsgrid.com

Chase Winovich NFL Jersey , Wladimir Klitschko, Chase Utley, Matt Biondi, Christian Vieri, Amy Van Dyken-Rouen and Meghan Duggan will be honored by The Buoniconti Fund to Cure Paralysis on Monday night at the organization's annual gala.The night really will be dedicated to the late Nick Buoniconti.Buoniconti, who passed away in July, devoted the last 34 years of his life to finding a cure for people affected by spinal cord injury after his son, Marc, was paralyzed after making a tackle in a 195 game for The Citadel. So while Nick Buoniconti is remembered as a Hall of Fame linebacker and leader of the "No Name Defense" that helped the Miami Dolphins win two Super Bowls, his legacy is the foundation and the Great Sports Legends Dinner that has honored more than 350 sports legends and humanitarians and has raised more than $123 million.The Buoniconti Fund: The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis, a Center of Excellence at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, is considered the premier investigative research program conducting cutting-edge discovery, translational, and clinical investigations targeting spinal cord and brain injuries.The Miami Project's international team includes more than 200 scientists, researchers, clinicians, and support staff who take innovative approaches to the challenges of spinal cord and brain injuries."The dinner is going to be a celebration of the life and legacy of Nick," Marc Buoniconti says. "Along with honoring the eight legends, some of our success stories will be highlighted."It is hard to imagine based on all he accomplished in his life — his Hall of Fame career was one thing, but to go on and become a lawyer Chase Winovich NFL Draft , a business man and president of a Fortune 500 company (U.S. Tobacco), and to broadcast for 24 years on HBO — and just when he might be thinking about retirement and resting on his laurels and his accomplishments, my injury happened. And his real true colors came to life. He had always faced challenges and always would rise above it and he conquered those challenges, and this was the ultimate challenge."He gave up many years of his life and basically his career; he ended up choosing the Miami Project over his own ambition."Marc recalls how his father "adopted millions of sons and daughters in wheelchairs that he would never meet. He felt for the people in wheelchairs and they needed a warrior for them and he was that warrior."CRUCIAL CATCHAs part of its Huddle for 100 Initiative, the NFL will include its Crucial Catch program to fight cancer.The goal of the Huddle for 100 is to inspire one million people to volunteer 100 minutes of their time. The NFL is hosting a series of "national huddles" that are tied to various league events or initiatives throughout the year, including at the draft in April, the Pro Football Hall of Fame inductions in August, and the season's kickoff in September.On Tuesday in the Los Angeles area, the league will stage Huddle to Intercept Cancer at the home of the Chargers, who later that week will host Pittsburgh in the Sunday night game."Crucial Catch is so important to us and we're honored to help support patients, survivors and caregivers in the Los Angeles area this Tuesday through Huddle for 100," says Anna Isaacson, senior VP of social responsibility at the NFL. "We're also thrilled that through our partnership with American Cancer Society on the Crucial Catch initiative, we've impacted the lives of more than one million people directly, and we're only continuing to support the fight against cancer from here."This year's Crucial Catch game in Los Angeles will help bring awareness to the unique circumstances of patients, caregivers, and survivors and will emphasize the importance of understanding preventative habits and early detection. The event at Dignity Health Sports Park will include an intimate experience for those touched by cancer: The opportunity to enjoy therapeutic activities that bring about a sense of community, while allowing them to focus on their personal wellness.There will also be a volunteer component, with more than 250 members of the LA community participating in activities that give back to those affected by cancer, while also helping to raise awareness around screenings and risk reduction.Since 2012 Chase Winovich Buffalo Bills Jersey , NFL funding has reached more than one million people nationwide with education, navigation and screening reminders. More than $20 million has been raised and donated to ACS through the partnership.HELMETS FOR HEROESAn auction of signed helmets by all 32 NFL starting quarterbacks and former players and held by eBay for Charity raised about $18,000 in support of pediatric cancer research and treatment.A helmet signed by the Saints' Drew Brees drew a top bid of $1,700 during the auction from Sept. 22-29 on eBay to benefit the Starr Children's Fund.A helmet signed by the Patriots' Tom Brady earned a $1,400 bid, while an Aaron Rodgers-autographed helmet added $1,175 to the grand total. A $620 bid won the helmet signed by Pro Football Hall of Famer Brett Favre.The late Bart Starr and his wife, Cherry, started the Starr Children's Fund in collaboration with the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation in 2017."Bart and my hope was to see our country's precious children and their families receive child specific medical treatments and care," Cherry Starr said.Bart Starr, who died in May at 85, was the MVP of the first two Super Bowls and won league MVP in 1966 with the Packers. Starr was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Packers Hall of Fame in 1977.HOLD ONAny plans to bench the Denver Broncos' grabby left tackle Garett Bolles are on, well, hold.The 2017 first-rounder hasn't been whistled for holding since his four-foul fiasco against the Bears in Week 2, which gave him five flags this season and 34 in 34 career games.After Bolles complained his reputation for holding was unfair and that officials were picking on him, general manager John Elway asked O-line coach Mike Munchak if Bolles even understood what constituted a holding penalty.The thought was that Bolles would be benched whenever right tackle Ja'Wuan James returned from a sprained knee — which could happen this weekend — with Elijah Wilkinson moving over to protect Joe Flacco's blindside.Hold that thought."I think he's bounced back well," coach Vic Fangio said of Bolles. "He obviously hasn't had any called back since then. Like I told you guys back then and pretty much throughout, I believe in the guy. He's just got to become more football oriented. He's had a checkered past in football."I think Mike's done a great job with him. I think Mike and he have handled the turmoil of that one game well and gotten over it and hopefully he keeps progressing. I'm sure it's not the last holding penalty he's ever going to get in his career, but I'm very hopeful and optimistic about his future."WITTEN'S RECALL Jason Witten was reminded that his first 100-yard game came in the 16th-year tight end's first meeting with Green Bay in his second season with the Dallas Cowboys in 2004. That was pretty much all the prompting the 37-year-old needed."That was my first route where I had a double move for a touchdown," said Witten Color Rush Chase Winovich Jersey , whose Cowboys host the Packers on Sunday. "Al Harris on a little sting route, 2004, up there. Exactly. Little sting route, backside of slot."That's when Witten seemed to remember the video that circulated last year of Rams coach Sean McVay showing an uncanny ability to recall specific plays, even going back three years."Feel like this is a Sean McVay press conference right now, bringing up these old plays," Witten said with a smile. "Every player has a moment in their career when they say, 'I can play in this league and play in it at a high level.' That was like the first time I really broke out and said, 'OK, you can do it vertically, you can do it intermediately, you can do with smart plays and finding soft spots in zones.'"Witten was also asked about two dramatic playoff losses to the Packers, including in Green Bay with the infamous Dez Bryant catch that wasn't in the fourth quarter. The Packers won 26-21."Fourth-and-8, 525 F Post," Witten said. "He threw the little fade route, 9 stop converted, seen Dez and Tony (Romo) make that play a lot over the course of their career."Ap Pro Football Writers Barry Wilner, Arnie Stapleton and Schuyler Dixon, and Sports Writer Keith Jenkins contributed. Matt Light and Rob Gronkowski are two legendary Patriots. Light was inducted to the Patriots Hall of Fame this season, and Gronkowski will surely follow once his playing days are over. But their legacies are both tied to their charitable endeavors off the field. Both men have worked tirelessly to help the community Youth Chase Winovich Jersey , and they are joining forces, with the help of Davio’s and KEEL Vodka, for a raffle that will benefit some great local charities, and send two people (and two guests) on an expenses paid trip to Atlanta for Super Bowl 53. Charities that will benefit from the raffle include: Feeding America, The Greater Boston Food Bank, The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital, and The Light Foundation. The best news for people interested in donating? The tickets are only $1 a piece, and they have multiple packages, including a $125 package that includes 100 raffle tickets and a signed picture of Gronk. What do you have to lose? Take a chance at winning an awesome trip to the Super Bowl, and support some great charities! Click here to buy raffle tickets Also, don’t miss Matt Light on The Patriot Nation Podcast this week! He’ll be on to talk about the raffle, and his time with the Patriots. He shares some great insight on Tom Brady and what it’s like to play in the Super Bowl. Of course, he also has some funny stories from his time with New England as well.The episode comes out Friday morning, subscribe and get two other great Patriots podcasts as well:

More accurately Alexander Mattison Jersey Cheap , he had a big second half in leading the Minnesota Vikings to a 27-23 comeback win over the Denver Broncos, but he’s once again gotten the attention of the folks at FedEx.Yes, Cousins has been nominated for the FedEx Air Player of the Week Award once again.This is the third time that Cousins has been nominated for the award this season. He was nominated (and won) in Week 6, and was then nominated again in Week 7.Cousins’ final numbers from Sunday show him completing 29-of-35 passes for 319 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. He’s got some pretty stiff competition this week in the form of Dallas Cowboys’ quarterback Dak Prescott (29/46, 444 yards, 3 TD, 0 INT in a 35-27 win over Detroit) and San Francisco 49ers’ quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (34/45, 424 yards, 4 TD Alexander Mattison Jersey Womens , 2 INT in a 36-26 win over Arizona).If you want to vote for Kirk Cousins to be this week’s FedEx Air Player of the Week Award winner, you can go to the link above or you can vote via the Twitters.Each week’s winner of the Air and Ground Awards has a $2,000 donation to the USO made in their name, courtesy of FedEx.So, if you want to vote, head on over and get it done! Guaranteed payments for unrestricted NFL free-agent contracts this month make up just over half of the total money to be paid, down a bit from 2018, when Kirk Cousins signed a fully guaranteed $84-million deal.For the first 148 deals reached in March, the players' union says $1.116 billion is guaranteed. That's 50.15 percent of the nearly $2.227 billion in total values. Take out Cousins' three-year deal, the 2018 total drops from 52.56 percent to 48 percent.Teams also have spent far more so far in free agency this year. There were 120 contracts worth $1.836 billion at this point in 2018. Total guarantees in 2018 were $965,479 Alexander Mattison Minnesota Vikings Jerseys ,118.The average amount per contract in this free agency period has been $15.04 million, of which the guaranteed dollars reached $7.54 million; the larger monetary agreements, such as quarterback Nick Foles' deal with Jacksonville for $88 million over four years, $50.125 million guaranteed, skew the average somewhat.Eighteen veterans signed contract extensions that totaled $226.725 million, of which 41 percent ($93.17 million) was guaranteed.Contracts in Major League Baseball, the NBA and the NHL are fully guaranteed for the length of the deal."Obviously we are trying to figure how to improve that to 100 percent," says Giants safety Michael Thomas, a member of the NFLPA's executive committee. "We know it won't happen overnight, but with best practices from the players, the agents and the agents of the union working together Minnesota Vikings Jerseys 2019 , we can get closer to the 100 percent."The current 10-year labor agreement expires in March 2021. All player contracts are negotiated individually and the CBA does not specifically address them, so other mechanisms are needed to boost the guarantees.The fact the salary cap has risen substantially each year of this CBA since 2014 has helped the players get higher pay overall. There also are regulations requiring the 32 teams to spend at least a certain amount of their cap space each season.And, of course, there is (or should be) the competitive desire of each club.When Cousins received that megadeal from Minnesota last year, the NFL lagged far behind in guarantees. It still does."No other league has that mandate," 12-year veteran linebacker Lorenzo Alexander of Buffalo said. "It comes down to making that a norm. Whether in the CBA maybe we move toward it, or what the NBA has done where the select stars go out there and are demanding certain structure of their contracts. We need to look to our elite players, our quarterbacks who have that type of leverage. As they create that culture, they can make it a norm within the structure of football."We have to collaborate as players," added Alexander, also a member of the NFLPA's executive committee. "Owners always will fight tooth and nail" to avoid guarantees.Both players make salient points about how the current CBA — which often Olisaemeka Udoh Jersey nfl draft , particularly in the early years of the deal, was perceived as a loss for the union — has helped them and their peers.Alexander notes the health and retirement benefits in the agreement. Thomas cites the elimination of two-a-days in training camps and the curtailed hitting allowed in practices."The biggest difference in CBAs, and you notice as a player, is from the safety area, because I have been able to elongate my career and get more earning power and playing multiple years," Alexander said.Most annoying to any player you ask is the perception that pro athletes negotiate a guaranteed paycheck and then become too comfortable to fully apply themselves. Both Alexander and Thomas get riled up when they hear any of that."It is an excuse ... a terrible excuse," Thomas said. "A player getting guaranteed money would not change who he is as a competitor, and he will go out there and be the best he can be and try to be the best player ever. I do not think that will ever change."If (an owner) feels like you got the right person, then invest in him," he added.

Coming off his worst professional season Vosean Joseph Jersey Draft , the 31-year-old McCoy is still in line to start"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections NewsNotesOpinionAnalysisDiscussionPodcastNFL DraftSalary CapNFL DraftNewsBuffalo Bills NFL Draft CoverageBrandon Beane says LeSean McCoy is Buffalo Bills’ starting running backNew,184commentsComing off his worst professional season, the 31-year-old McCoy is still in line to startEDTShareTweetShareShareBrandon Beane says LeSean McCoy is Buffalo Bills’ starting running backRich Barnes-USA TODAY SportsThe Buffalo Bills have overhauled much of their roster heading into the 2019 NFL season. Even at running back, where the team has an entrenched starter in LeSean McCoy, things have changed significantly since last season came to a close. Thanks to McCoy’s age (he’ll turn 31 in July) and career-worst production last season, many have speculated that the Bills could part ways with the star running back prior to the start of the 2019 season. McCoy ran 161 times, his lowest total since his rookie year, for a career-low 514 yards and a career-low 3.2 yards per carry. He only managed three touchdowns on the season Infant Vosean Joseph Jersey , the second-worst total of his career, and he only caught 34 passes for 238 yards. While those numbers would seem to point towards a reason for moving on, the Bills seem intent on keeping McCoy around as the starting running back next season. General manager Brandon Beane spoke on Friday night about the running-back position following the pick of Devin Singletary. Beane said McCoy is “...still here...he’s still the starter. We roll the ball out, there’s no questions about that.” The Bills have added plenty of new faces to the running-back room, signing veteran Frank Gore to a one-year contract and T.J. Yeldon to a two-year pact this offseason. They also drafted Devin Singletary with the first of two third-round choices in the NFL Draft. The team signed Senorise Perry, who has primarily been a special-teams contributor throughout his NFL career, as well, and they still have Marcus Murphy and Keith Ford on the roster from last year. Buffalo was also allocated Christian Wade Ed Oliver Jersey , a British rugby player, via the NFL International Player Pathway Program.Competition for carries and reps should be fierce this year, but it would seem that the Bills are content to give McCoy one more chance to prove that last season’s poor showing was more due to woeful offensive-line play than it was a loss of ability on his part. It’s not a surprise that the Bills cut running back LeSean McCoy. It is a surprise that they did so without trying to get him to take a pay cut.Per a source with knowledge of the situation, the release of McCoy came “out of left field,” with no attempt by the team to get him to take less money.McCoy was due to earn $6.175 million in 2019, the final year of his contract with the Bills. And the possibility of McCoy being released has been on the radar screen, especially once rookie Devin Singletary began getting first-team reps in practice.Indeed, something changed since July. That’s when Bills G.M. Brandon Beane said Color Rush Vosean Joseph Jersey , “I think LeSean still can play. If not, we would have made the decision to move on.”It’s known whether the Bills tried to trade McCoy. However, it’s unlikely that anyone would have taken on his salary, necessitating a reduction. It’s possible the Bills simply decided based on their knowledge of McCoy that he wouldn’t accept any type of a pay cut.McCoy will still count for $2.875 million in cap space, due to bonus proration and his offseason workout bonus. But the Bills have created in one fell swoop $6.175 million that can be used elsewhere.In 14 games last year, McCoy gained only 514 yards, and he averaged only 3.2 yards per carry.

season Yodny Cajuste Jersey Boys , succumbing to the Baltimore Ravens, and yet the sky has not fallen. The Patriots remain 8-1, atop the AFC, and in full control of homefield advantage. They have a bye week to lick their wounds and figure out how to approach the rest of the season.And how should they approach it? What did the Ravens reveal about the Patriots defense that other teams might be able to copy? Why has the New England offense struggled so greatly for most of this year? And what’s going to happen with the special teams unit?Alec and Rich give mid-season report cards, analyze the AFC playoff picture, and breakdown the Patriots-Ravens game.Alec and Rich cover it all. This podcast is available in the iTunes store, Stitcher, TuneIn Youth Tom Brady Jerseys , BluBrry, Podcast Mirror and via RSS Feed. Please subscribe and comment on what you want to hear about in future podcasts!Here’s a direct link to the podcast if you’re reading on Apple News. When trying to identify potential fits for Tom Brady in 2020 if, as some think, he’s destined to leave the Patriots, I left out one team that maybe should have been included.The 49ers.Yes, they have a quarterback. They also have everything else that would give a quarterback like Brady a chance to win a Super Bowl with another team, if he truly intends to play for another team.Remember when the 49ers traded for Brady understudy Jimmy Garoppolo in 2017? The conversation began with 49ers G.M. John Lynch asking not about the availability of Garoppolo but about the availability of Brady.The chatter about Garoppolo being in a make-or-break year has subsided as the 49ers have racked up win after win, but Garoppolo’s numbers aren’t phenomenal through six games. He has seven touchdown passes against six interceptions Tom Brady Jerseys Stitched , and he has two lost fumbles. He’s not in the top 20 in passer rating among starting quarterbacks, and he’s 27th in average passing yards per game, with 219.Garoppolo’s contract gives the 49ers plenty of flexibility to explore Brady before making a decision about Garoppolo, with $15.7 million of his 2020 salary not becoming fully guaranteed until April 1, and a cap hit of only $4.2 million if they trade or cut him.Brady grew up a 49ers fan. He attended, as you’ve surely heard a time or two (or twenty) as a young boy the historic 1981 NFC Championship game against the Cowboys, capped by “The Catch.”Then there’s the reported rivalry/dysfunction/whatever between Brady and Garoppolo that contributed to the Garoppolo trade during the 2017 season. If there’s a score to settle or whatever, the 49ers dumping Garoppolo for Brady could settle it. (Garoppolo could then go back to New England Youth James White Jerseys , possibly via trade.)The 49ers apparently wouldn’t be getting Brady for one year but for three, if he truly means it when he says he wants to play until he’s 45. During those three years, those notorious traffic problems in Santa Clara would both get worse, and also get better.Again, Brady’s best move would be to not move at all, if he’s planning to play in 2020. But if we’re going to peg places he could play in 2020, the 49ers perhaps should be at the top of the list — even though they presumably have a quarterback at the top of their depth chart for 2020 and beyond.

WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Vikings 2018 SeasonVikings 2019 OffseasonU.S. Bank StadiumMinnesota Vikings PodcastsMinnesota Vikings 2019 NFL DraftTranscript: Twin Cities media conference call with Garrett BradburyNew Everson Griffen Jersey ,18commentsThe Vikings’ first-round pick speaks with local reporters for the first timeCDTShareTweetShareShareTranscript: Twin Cities media conference call with Garrett BradburyJim Dedmon-USA TODAY SportsShortly after his selection on Thursday night, Garrett Bradbury got his first opportunity to visit with the media in the Twin Cities via a conference call. I’m sure that the Minnesota Vikings will formally introduce him at a press conference on Friday, but for now we can provide you a transcript of all of the questions that he was asked, along with his answers.Thanks to the Vikings’ PR staff for providing this transcript to us.I can’t put into words how excited I am. This has been a dream of mine for a long time. I can’t explain how crazy it is. There are so many people I want to thank- Mr. [Rick] Spielman, Coach [Mike] Zimmer. I am kind of speechless right now. Just super excited to come to Minnesota. Learn about Skol Nation, meet everyone and just become part of the team and I’m excited to play football again.Q: Do you want to be the starting center or is it ok if they put you at guard?A: I am coming up there saying, “I want to play football again.” I am coming up there saying, “I am an offensive lineman. I am ready to play, I am ready to help this team win, I am ready to protect the quarterback, run the football.” If they want me to play any of those positions, I am happy to play. I want to be on the field. I want to play on the offensive line. I want to help this team win. That is truly where I am at right now and just excited to get started.Q: How much contact did you have with the Vikings in the pre-draft process?A: I had a film with them at the combine. I talked to Mr. Spielman at the Senior Bowl actually. I talked to the offensive line coach as well. I had really good meetings with them. I am super thankful, super excited. It’s hard to put in words. I also want to thank the Wilf family and everyone involved with the Vikings organization. I’m just super excited.Q: What do you know about the Minnesota Vikings?A: I know Coach Zim has a bunch of history. A lot of good football players on the team. I’m really excited to get up there and get to work. I know this has been a process but I’m excited to get to work and play football again.Q: Who was your favorite baseball catcher and how did playing that position help you play football?A: I was a huge Jorge Posada fan with the Yankees. Loved the Yankees. My dad used to go to New York a lot and bring me home stuff. I still love the Yankees. I think it helped a little bit in terms of mobility, being able to bend, in terms of communication. You are kind of the leader back there behind the plate. I got to call pitches. I got to control the infield in terms of where they were going. Just verbally put everyone in their position. As an offensive lineman, you have to be able to communicate. You have to have all five guys on the same page. In terms of communication, that helped the most.Q: Did you get the impression from the Vikings that you were a schematic fit with what they are looking to do with Gary Kubiak and Rick Dennison?A: That is awesome and I am super excited about that and the fit to come. Going through this process, I wasn’t really trying to piece together where I thought I was going to go. I was really just taking it one day at a time, talking about just trusting this process and being where you see yourself. I just wanted to make sure I was doing what I needed to do to be where I needed to be. There are so many mock drafts that you see. There are so many speculations. Talking to guys that were drafted from N.C. State last year, they were like Anthony Barr Jersey , “Don’t pay any attention to that. Don’t buy into that. Teams have drafted guys that they’ve hardly talked to.” I was completely open ears, hoping to hear my name called. It’s truly a dream come true. It’s truly a dream come true.Q: Is durability one of your traits as you rarely came off the field?A: Yes, I never want to come off the field. That is one of the reasons I kind of moved to offensive line from tight end and defensive line. In high school I was a tight end and defensive line. I didn’t want to come off the field. I was on the field every play on offense, defense. Coming in as a tight end, I was probably looking at about 20 snaps per game, at best. At offensive line, you don’t come off the field. That is something we pride ourselves in. Every offensive line, that is the best trait you can have is durability. That is something that obviously everyone takes pride in and is competitive with as a lineman.Q: How did the move from tight end to offensive lineman come about?A: It took a lot of coaching, it took a lot of great teammates. Coach [Dwayne] Ledford, my offensive line coach, and my offensive line graduate assistant, almost like a centers coach sometimes, did a phenomenal job. We just went to work. We weren’t where we needed to be three years ago. We had a bunch of great teammates alongside of me. I think we just got better. We had a great defensive line. “Iron sharpens iron” is true. We just had a lot of battles in practice. Got better through the years. It took a lot of coaching and a lot of great teammates.Q: How important was the Senior Bowl and the combine in this process to get your draft stock up?A: It’s another piece of the puzzle. It’s a four-month job interview. You just want to show everyone who you are throughout these steps. For Senior Bowl, we got to play football. We got to play in an NFL offensive line system, coaching staffs. Had a blast at that. The combine is a little different. You have to train for some technique things, and a 40, which hopefully an offensive lineman doesn’t have to go 40 yards full speed unless you’re celebrating. It’s just another step in the process and you have to treat it like a professional because that’s the goal. You just try to attack it and show people who you are. Q: Have you ever been to Minnesota?A: I have not been to Minnesota. I’ll be there tomorrow and I can’t wait. With his MMA-trained hands knocking would-be tacklers out of the way, Chandler Jones has quietly become one of the best defensive players in the NFL.The league sack leader with a franchise-record 17 last season as an outside linebacker, Jones has switched to defensive end in the team's new scheme and is harassing quarterbacks as well or better than he has in the past.Take last week's 28-18 win at San Francisco, for example. Jones had six tackles Mike Hughes Jersey , a sack, two tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and a pass swatted down (preventing a two-point conversion). He was named NFC defensive player of the week for his performance."The standard that he put on tape this past week is what the standard is," defensive coordinator Al Holcomb said. "That's the expectation level for him. And we talk about that each and every day, being at his best on game day, coming to play and impacting the game because he can wreck a game."But Jones said he was nowhere near his best against the 49ers."I wouldn't say this is my best football," Jones said. "A lot of people might say that, but there were a lot of plays on Sunday that I left out there. I wish I could get them back. But that's the thing about football, you have the opportunity to correct those mistakes."Next up is a matchup with the Vikings Sunday in Minnesota, where the Cardinals will have to deal with Kirk Cousins and an array of big-play receivers.Jones expects a lot of attention."You're always getting double-teamed, being a pass rusher," he said. "You just have to be aware."In the offseason, Jones trains with his brother, MMA fighter Jon "Bones" Jones. It's helped in his endurance, Jones said, and "pretty much hand speed.""When you play the sport of football, whoever has the faster hands wins," he said.Holcomb said that when Jones plays like he did last weekend Armon Watts Minnesota Vikings Jerseys , it rubs off on everyone around him.It "picks up the other 10 men in the huddle," Holcomb said. "And they're trying to match his intensity and his play and his production."The Cardinals sent guard Jonathan Cooper and a second-round pick to acquire Jones in 2016. A year later, Arizona signed Jones to a five-year, $83 million contract with $53 million guaranteed. He's lived up to that kind of paycheck.Since 2016, Jones has 32 sacks, more than anyone else in the NFL. Von Miller is second with 27 1/2. He had seven more tackles for loss last season than any other player, in addition to leading the league in sacks. But he does it without any bravado."He's one of the premier defensive ends in the National Football League," Holcomb said. "He goes about his business in a quiet-type fashion, which is fine. If he continues to play like this, which we're counting on him doing, the recognition will come."Jones said the accolades don't mean much."I get that question all the time about not getting national recognition," he said. "My biggest thing each and every season, even when I was back in New England, is just earning the respect and the trust from my peers, my co-workers, this locker room, the coaches, the training staff, everyone around here. I feel if I can get trust from those guys I have those guys telling me 'You're doing a good job' then I'm happy."

usefulness to the NFL team that made itself the centerpiece of the training camp reality series. Arguably https://www.brownsfanshop.com/Duke-Johnson-Jersey , that time has come and gone. debuted in 2001, years before social media became a thing and the various teams began pumping video via their websites and apps. The best argument for doing the show — to enhance national awareness of a team — isn’t nearly as strong as it once was, especially since doing the show never really correlated to establishing a national following.Meanwhile, the best arguments against doing the show have only gotten stronger, with each example of strategic secrets (like snaps counts), embarrassing moments (like Antonio Cromartie not knowing the names of his children), and flat-out dysfunction (like Hue Jackson vs. Todd Haley last year) proving the point that there’s nothing to be gained and plenty to be lost by accepting the assignment.But the league collectively likes collecting the checks from HBO, so the league continues to sanction the show. This year, the formula that narrows the field of teams that can be squeezed to do it has yet to prompt a team to accept the assignment willingly. Indeed, it seems as if none of them (Raiders, Giants, Lions, 49ers, Washington) want to do it, at all.So why not just get rid of it? Although the tension would become far more compelling if a team was forced to do it against the organization’s wishes and if the team brought that attitude to every interaction with the cameras (like James Harrison did in 2013 with the Bengals), the league seems to be reluctant to make a team submit against its will Greg Joseph Jersey , hopeful instead that someone eventually will take one for the greater good.This could be the year that doesn’t happen. Teams have enough to worry about at training camp without having to participate in the weekly effort to craft a one-hour show from countless hours of footage. Even with the apparent ability to veto anything that would make the team look bad, the team has to both spot it in real time and be willing to push HBO and NFL Films to drop otherwise compelling scenes (like Hue vs. Haley) onto the cutting-room floor.It’s just not worth it, for any team. It’s a distraction with no upside and all downside.Look at this this way: If there were any real benefit to serving as the subject of Hard Knocks, teams would be lining up to do it. Instead, teams line up to do it.And that should tell us all we need to know about whether the league should keep doing it. Led by brash rookie QB Baker Mayfield, the Cleveland Browns suddenly merit keeping an eye on.Are they legitimate playoff contenders yet? Of course not; only their most ardent fans would say so.Still, the Browns — owners of just one victory over the previous two entire seasons combined — are a club that now matters, not just because they’re capable of winning, as they did 35-20 against the falling-apart Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday, but also because they have some real characters.First and foremost, of course, both on and off the field, is Mayfield, the Heisman Trophy winner and No. 1 overall draft pick who helped the Browns (4-6-1) end a 25-game road losing skid that was one shy of the NFL record. After tossing four TD passes and zero interceptions, he made sure to get in his shots against his former head coach, Hue Jackson Jabrill Peppers Color Rush Jersey , who was fired by Cleveland less than a month ago and quickly took a job with the Bengals as a defensive assistant.Afterward, when they met on the field for a handshake, Mayfield resisted what appeared to be Jackson’s attempt to bring him in for a hug. Then, speaking to reporters, Mayfield took what could only be construed as a jab at Jackson and the also-fired Todd Haley, the Browns’ former offensive coordinator, saying: “We have people that we believe in calling the plays now.”Wide-eyes emoji!“Didn’t feel like talking,” Mayfield said of his brief postgame interaction with Jackson. “Left Cleveland, goes down to Cincinnati. … It’s just somebody that was in our locker room asking us to play for him and then goes to a different team we play twice a year. Everybody can have their spin on it. But that’s how I feel.”There was more, too. When Browns safety Damarious Randall grabbed a pick in the first half, he ended up out of bounds on the Bengals’ sideline and handed the ball right to Jackson. Hmmmm.With Mayfield joined on offense by dynamic running back Nick Chubb — the fourth rookie in league history with rushing and receiving touchdowns in consecutive games — and young talent such as Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward on defense, plus the sort of swagger Randall showed, it looks as if the Browns might no longer provide the must-not-see-TV they’ve offered for quite some time.In case you missed it, here are other top topics after the NFL season’s 12th Sunday:FOSTER’S CASEThe most important takeaway from San Francisco 49ers linebacker Reuben Foster’s arrest on a domestic violence charge could be what, if anything, the NFL ends up doing about it. The 49ers said Sunday they’ll put Foster on waivers; spokesman Brian McCarthy said the league is reviewing the matter.FIGHT!As this season spirals out of control E.J. Gaines Color Rush Jersey , Doug Marrone’s Jacksonville Jaguars keep finding new ways to embarrass themselves. The latest example: Running back Leonard Fournette, who went from his team’s sideline to the opposite sideline to throw punches at Bills defensive end Shaq Lawson near the stands in Buffalo’s 24-21 victory. As if that weren’t enough, the scrap spilled into the tunnel after both players were ejected. Fournette might have been able to help the Jags (3-8) avoid a seventh loss in a row had he remained in the game. Plus, as Hall of Famer Deion Sanders put it on the NFL Network: “This fool ran across the field?!”RIVERS THREW ITHe wasn’t exactly facing much of an opponent, but Chargers QB Philip Rivers sure turned in a performance to remember, completing 25 straight passes and finishing with a 96.6 completion percentage (connecting on 28 of 29 throws) — both single-game NFL records — to help LA top the Arizona Cardinals 45-10 and improve to 8-3. “It was a fun day, to say the least,” Rivers said.LUCK COULD RUN OUTGive Indianapolis Colts coach Frank Reich credit for creative play designs, having Andrew Luck run pass routes in back-to-back games, including one that resulted in a 4-yard catch on fourth down to move the sticks on a TD drive in Sunday’s 27-24 victory over the Miami Dolphins. But, the coolness of Luck’s first career reception aside, someone also needs to remind Reich that his team’s success depends largely on Luck — and that the QB missed all of last season with a shoulder injury. So maybe it’s time to put those trick plays back in Reich’s pocket.

Brissett could win games with his arm.On Sunday Pat McAfee Color Rush Jersey , he showed everyone else what the team knew all along.With Indy’s suddenly strong running game essentially grounded, Brissett shouldered the burden by throwing for 326 yards and a career-high four touchdowns to lead the Colts past Houston 30-23 to retake the AFC South lead.“It just says he’s legit, he’s the man,” coach Frank Reich. “We believed that from day 0ne, and we’ve never wavered in our conviction or our faith in Jacoby. But he knows he’s still got to prove it. He’s still got to make plays to win this game and he did that today.”Brissett was masterful with the exception of a dropped snap the Texans (4-3) recovered at the Colts 4.He finished 26 of 39 with six of the incompletions being throwaways. He had a career best passing total, a career best passer rating (126.7), endured only one sack and had the perfect counterpunch each time Houston fought its way back into contention.The Colts (4-2) have now won two straight overall and three straight in the series.“It just makes us more balanced and I think that’s what we proved today — that we can throw the ball,” Brissett said. “It was just a great day for us as a whole.”And it only added to the Texans’ misery.They were held to field goals on three red-zone trips in the first half, had to contend with a rare “in the grasp” call that took one touchdown off the board, an overturned replay review that put another one on the board for Indy and a plethora of penalties that Brissett used to his advantage.“I’m not going to answer any officiating questions https://www.coltsfanshop.com/Jack-Doyle-Jersey ,” Texans coach Bill O’Brien said twice after Houston was called for 10 penalties.Then there was the fourth quarter.Houston (4-3) started it by failing to convert a second fourth-and-1 attempt, and Deshaun Watson threw an interception on the Texans next series before Darius Leonard sealed the win by picking off a tipped ball with 26 seconds left.Watson was 23 of 34 with 308 yards, one touchdown and was sacked three times as the Texans tried to play catch-up.Brissett started the opening flurry with an 11-yard TD pass to Zach Pascal. He rebounded from the fumbled snap by connecting with T.Y. Hilton on a nifty 2-yard TD pass to make it 14-6 late in the second quarter.After the Texans made it 14-9, Brissett opened the second half with a 4-yard scoring pass to Eric Ebron, who was originally ruled out of bounds at the end line. But the replay showed he got both feet down to give Indy a 21-9 lead.Houston cut the deficit to 21-16 on Keke Coutee’s 4-yard scoring run, but Brissett — with the help of three Houston penalties — answered with a 3-yard touchdown pass to Pascal.Watson made it 28-23 with a 4-yard TD pass to DeAndre Hopkins, but the Texans couldn’t get any closer.“He (Brissett) is a very productive player, a very smart player,” O’Brien said. “He makes good decisions, just a good player.”STAT SHEETTexans: Hopkins had nine catches for 106 yards. Kenny Stills had four catches for 105 yards. … Carlos Hyde rushed 12 times for 35 yards. … Houston’s streak of consecutive games without allowing a sack ended at two. … The Texans have lost only two of their last seven regular-season division games — both to Indy.Colts: Pascal had six receptions for 106 yards and Hilton caught six passes for 74 yards. … Marlon Mack rushed 18 times for 44 yards. … Indy has scored at least 23 points in 11 consecutive home games. … The Colts defense has not allowed a 100-yard runner in 24 straight games.INJURY REPORTTexans: CB Phillip Gaines was carted off the field with what appeared to be a lower-leg injury with 1:49 left. … WR Will Fuller left during Houston’s first series with a hamstring injury and did not return.Colts: DT Carl Davis did not return after injuring his hamstring in the second half.THE BASEBALL WORLDLess than 24 hours after the Houston Astros won the American League title Adam Vinatieri Jersey , Texans players were showing their support.Three-time defensive player of the year J.J. Watt arrived wearing a Jose Altuve shirt and on the field a handful of players continued their traditional pregame ritual of playing baseball with the end zone pylon.“They have a chance at a championship and a chance to do something special,” defensive lineman D.J. Reader said. “It’s exciting. I’m excited for those guys.”UP NEXTTexans: Return home next Sunday to host Oakland on the final leg of the Raiders extended road trip.Colts: Will host Denver next Sunday. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts already have had one surprise retirement thanks to Andrew Luck deciding to step away. If the NFL’s oldest player and career scoring leader keeps missing the uprights, Luck might not be the only player put on the reserve/retired list this year.Adam Vinatieri continued his struggling start to his 24th season Sunday, missing not one but two extra points in a 19-17 win over the Tennessee Titans. Only the Titans failing to convert on fourth-and-2 at the Indianapolis 45 in the final seconds kept Tennessee from at least attempting a field goal to cost the Colts their first win.The 46-year-old Vinatieri didn’t talk after the game with his locker empty quickly.Indianapolis coach Frank Reich insisted he wasn’t worried about Vinatieri.“I have zero concern,” Reich said. “I mean, he hit the upright on the one. You probably saw the first one. It was not a good operation. The snap and hold was not clean. I’ve held for kicks. The ball was barely on the ground, it was not clean. … Zero concern.”Colts owner Jim Irsay differed, saying Vinatieri’s mechanics are an issue.“Yeah, it’s a concern Marvin Harrison Color Rush Jersey ,” Irsay told The Indianapolis Star. “We’ll talk and try to take emotion out of big decisions.”Vinatieri struggled in the Colts’ overtime loss to the Chargers in the opener, missing his first extra point of the season to the right. Then he missed his first field goal attempt left, and he pulled a 29-yarder to the left in the second half. That was the first time that Vinatieri had missed two field goals and an extra point in the same game and only the seventh time he had missed a field goal inside 30 yards.Against the Titans (1-1), Vinatieri hit his first extra point for a 7-0 lead in the first quarter. He missed on his second extra point midway through the second quarter after Jacoby Brissett’s second touchdown pass of the game. That left the Colts with a 13-7 lead.Vinatieri missed his second extra point with 4:38 left after Brissett had capped a 69-yard drive with a 4-yard TD pass to T.Y. Hilton, leaving the Colts ahead only 19-17. Vinatieri’s kick clanked off the right upright, and the kicker bent over before walking back to the sideline.The Titans had kicking woes of their own, with Cairo Santos, signed to fill in until veteran Ryan Succop heals up enough to come off injured reserve, missing a 45-yarder in the fourth quarter. But Santos now is with his sixth different NFL team.Vinatieri is a four-time Super Bowl champ and three-time All-Pro kicker in his 24th season. He made every extra point he tried in 13 of those seasons and never missed more than three in any previous season.Now the kicker who turns 47 on Dec. 28 is just 2 of 5 on extra points and 1 of 3 on field goals through the first two games. Clearly not the standard Vinatieri has set for himself.