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panpiepid · 3 months ago

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It's not the orb of dominance, but it IS definitely something from Minecraft Legends

This is the cube that they're talking about. It's light blue and glowy, with a dark blue outline.

It clearly cannot be the Orb of Dominance, as seen in Dungeons and Legends, as seen below in order:

In both, the Orb of Dominance is magenta, with the orb being found by the Arch-Illager in the first image, and being held by the Seer in the second. The Orb has the power to influence others, spread the Nether into the Overworld, and manifest physically (see: The Rise of the Arch-Illager: An Official Minecraft Novel, Minecraft Legends, the Heart of Ender from Minecraft Dungeons)

Obviously there is absolutely no resemblance to the cube that the characters in the movie and the Orb of Dominance, but given the existence of the Seer in the Movie, it seems likely to appear in the Movie.

So what COULD the cube be? Is it a sea lantern?

No, the box in the Movie is too vibrant, and is too big to be an item. Also, it looks like they've just left the portal and are unfamiliar with the Minecraft world. Making having them already be familiar with items in Minecraft makes this scene redundant (and do you think they would waste the money to make it? be honest here)

also note the size difference between the two, there's no way what they're holding is a block.

So what is it? Well, here's what I think.

"Within this case burn the Flames of Creation" claims Foresight, one of the 3 Minecraft gods hosts. So why doesn't the version in the Movie glow orange? I have 3 theories:

They forgor 💀(The movie is just Legends but like, less boring)

They're holding a case with Soul Fire inside of it.

It just so happens that the soul fire is the exact shade of glowing that the main characters in the Movie hold, implying that the characters in the movie do not have the flames of creation but instead the flame of souls. Why soul? It just so happens that anything related to souls happens to have the same colour as well.

Including souls themselves.

This implies that the characters in the Movie will have a different set of powers than the one in Legends. (this means no summoning and spawning of golems using lapis (thankfully))

This then leads me to a conclusion: the Movie will not be a remake or retelling of Minecraft Legends, but instead a direct sequel. This is further supported by the existence of ONLY the Seer in the Movie, as opposed to the multiple other piglin bosses, all of whom you defeat in Legends itself, leaving the Seer behind.

In Legends, there are NO player-made structures before the protagonist is brought into the world by the Hosts. At the end of the game, the protagonist chooses to stay in the world the Hosts have brought them into.

We know that the protagonist of Legends is a capable Minecraft player, as can be seen by this screenshot of their base in the opening scene of legends:

In which, we can see a familiarity with slightly esoteric minecraft mechanics (like planting crops in rows to speed up their growth) and that the protagonist is a competent builder.

This has a similarity to Steve in the Movie, who has built at least a base and a place for "Lava chicken", a reference to a contraption you can build to automatically make cooked chicken.

I propose that the protagonist of MCL is the same person as Steve in the Movie, therefore putting the Movie later in the timeline than Legends.

3. The Movie is CANONICALLY what happened in Legends. It's different on purpose

Minecraft Legends is a game that is based on a story told by villagers, passed down along generations.

Obviously, generational storytelling changes details of a story. This is known.

The titular legends in Minecraft Legends are just a retelling of the story happening in the Movie. From the perspective of the villagers, here's how i think the story goes:

The protagonists* are isekai'd from another dimension. (Since they saved our world, surely they must have been successful in their own worlds) (Wouldn't a world not made of blocks be ridiculous? What would that even look like?)

2. They come bearing gifts from the Hosts! Including the Flames of Creation!

3. They fight the Piglins who are attacking us! (Since we know that they are usually peaceful and don't attack us, they must be in possession of the Orb of Dominance) (It doesn't make much sense for them to be standing outside the nether without being zombified so they must be spreading the Nether)

4. They win!

5. They go home (but there's a guy still here? Huh. Nevermind, they must have stayed)

While I would absolutely hate for this to be true, I think it's the most likely. Of all the skins in MCL, there are none of the defaults from Minecraft, much less Steve. (the default chosen skin in MCL kinda looks like Petra from MCSM tho) However, it would confirm that MCL would be a prequel to Minecraft and not just an alternate universe, so there's that

TLDR; the blue cube they're holding in the trailer are probably the flames of creation

Ok so I went on the Minecraft wiki (to check if the cube in the Minecraft movie was, in fact, the Orb of Dominance from Minecraft Dungeons), and my search led me to the page for The Seer, the antagonist of Minecraft Legends.

(This is what they look like)

And then, I scrolled down and saw. This:

The Minecraft movie is a (partial?) adaptation of Minecraft Legends. They're not even adapting the base game.

#*remember that MCL can be played with up to 4 players #minecraft movie speculation

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demmeter · 1 year ago

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Oh my. I can't believe I'm this emotional, but eldarya ending truly made me feel so nostalgic.

I discovered this game when I was 14. I can still remember I played it at first because I was on Nath's route in MCL and there were memes going around at the time about some "blue Nathaniel." I obviously was on Ez's route all throughout the first season.

I dropped MCL because I used to think it was so mediocre compared to eldarya... Eldarya was just THAT good back then. It was sooo interesting, the characters were well written, the set up was amazing! It was my obsession for YEARS! I would say it all started going downhill from episode 17 on.

I love this game, I always will despite it becoming so incredibly bad through the last 4 years or so. But I'd like to remember all the moments that made me think it was a great game, like when Ezarel wore a moustache, or when I first realized nevra was not just a skirt chaser, but also an incredibly capable guy (remember that pic of him with the kappa??) I also remember when chapter 7 came out and I first saw the illus, I was so excited, or when Ashkore put his finger over our lips, also the chapter where we have a drink with the main 3, the shock I felt when I discovered Ez had a thing with Ewelein, when we first got our own room made by out guy, it being a window to their personalities, all of us trying to figure out what their backstory was, when we used to make conspiracy theories over why Ezarel didn't like being touched, Nevra was such a womanizer and Valkyon never talked, the anticipation we felt over solving all of the mysteries... There are so many good things about Eldarya, and I wish for all of us to keep them in mind.

I have no idea if Chinomiko still checks Tumblr posts, but I would love to tell her that she created an INCREDIBLE game, with incredible characters, and that I wish that she could've had the chance to be more involved over the last few years. I know that if she had been, the game would've kept being what we loved.

Finally, I hope beemoov understands that rushing a story is a terrible idea, it's even worse to erase such dear characters for the players that have PAYED a lot to see their storylines. I hope you do ir better from now on, and I wish there were events with eldarya where at least for a little while, the story was what it used to be.

This truly is a love letter to game dude, I can't believe I'm being so dramatic, but eldarya truly has been an important part of my life, my first ever hyper fixation.

Also, I would like to keep writing for eldarya, I know I haven't posted in a while, and I can't say I will post regularly, but every now and then I will.

#eldarya ane #eldarya spoilers #nevra #eldarya #eldarya new era #eldarya ezarel #valkyon

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ifaeree · 5 months ago

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I don't know how to start (and sorry if I have any grammar or spelling mistakes, my english is not the best and I might use google translate to help if necessary). So... I honestly didn't have many expectations on this new game but I was like "let's see and decide" and at first I was really dissapointed because of the prices of the bank outfits and the VIP pass (which I am considering in purchaising only if I really love the outfit). But... I am enjoying the game at this point for these reasons:

1.- Taki

Taki was the reason I decide giving this game a chance because I love Eldarya and I always wanted the chance to dress the companions ( but it's understandable that it isn't possible since there are a lot of them). I know some players don't like Taki, but I really love him/her and I love it's sound and animations.

2. The messages

When I discover that the love interests where going to send messages to us after the episodes if we are up to date with them I was like "weeeeell, I supose I'm not receiving any messages since I am not planing on in-game purchasing so I might not be up to date with the episodes" (I was SO wrong btw).

I really love this because it give me a little of Mystic Messenger vibes, but I hate that there is a timer which ironically also reminds me of MM.

3. The games

- Style contest: I like it because I it as an opoortunity to get hearts, gems and APs -playing AND voting. I LOVE that we can share items to other players and vice versa. The only thing I don't like are the themes (they are the same always) and I am still trying to win "Green with envy" dressing my newcrette as Melody from the original MCL 😭

- The other game whose name I don't remember even in spanish: just to say i don't like that the times to wait are too long and that it makes me remember Eldarya and I am still sad because the game died T-T

4. Jason and Thomas

So... I was really interested in him before the game was released but I was dissapointed with some of his actions in the first four episodes. But I really love the 🌶️ tension in the last episode.

Anyway, I allready fell for Thomas and he is soooooo cute. i can't and will not betray him.

But... I am still interested in see what will happen with the ones who will choose to make a "deal" with Jason. And I really hope it ends in a really really REALLY bad ending. Because I really need that possibily of having a bad ending in the game. It makes the game for interesting (at least for me).

Anyway. That's all (I think). I am not used to use tumblr and I even forgot my password and had to change it.

Thank you so much @tetrakys for the opportunity to get the e-girl code. I think I am still in time...

And if not, I already wrote all this and it's not like I am going to just erase it, specially since I used every last neuron to remember all the english classes I took at school to write this.

Thank you again Tetra

Love you all

Good luck

And good luck everyone.

5. Room customization

Last but not less important (and I just remember xd)

I love that we can custom the room. This wasn't an option in the original MCL and in Eldarya we only have a background already made.

Now that's all.

Whoot whoot!

#my candy love #my candy love new gen #mcl #mcl new gen #mcl ng

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cristalize-reiwai · 7 years ago

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My opinion with what it’s happening

I decided to write this message in English too. We need to be heard. So I invited you to write an opinion too it doesn’t matter which side you decide to take, but always with respect. Sorry for my grammatical errors in advance.

Honestly I’m a bit tired of all the hate between all of us and that a company like Beemov looks down on us the players like that. So here goes nothing.

1- I honestly was one of the persons who agreed with the new routes, a new beginning because it it’s indeed realistic. I just wanted to know what will happen with our old routes. If at the middle of the game we would have the option to be with them again, or how are they doing now? We will have them at least as friends or incidental characters? Maybe even rivals to the new route? Anyway, so many ways of using in a good way these characters, but not disappeared them in that way. They went the easy way ‘’Oh! Actually we don’t need them anymore so they can go to the shit and fuck themselves up’’ that’s the way it looks like. Because really. What have you done with them? About Kentin and Armin I kind of expected something like that but even if it makes me sad Kentin choose that and well Armin at least it’s doing well. We know they are fictional characters but we hold them dear. Like when in a series your favorite or a much liked character dies you don’t hesitate to shed a tear for them. What happened to Lysander was cruel and Nathaniel is not even the same. And don’t try to sell me that like ‘’Lysander finally found his vocation’’ bullshit. He even said in an episode that he didn’t even like the farm life and if it’s was for himself he would go away from that. Can you get the contradiction in that? And neither it’s a ‘’Now that he is older he realized that…’’ He lived his entire life there. If it was his vocation he would find it way earlier and not just now. Vocation is something you find with the experiences you have in life, and if he lived his life in the countryside since a child it’s really strange that only when his parents died then suddenly everything was clear and he was the chosen one to stay in the farm. He doesn’t stay for himself. He stays because of the love he had for his parents and the very thing they had loved. That’s really sad. Now about Nathaniel. It’s a time lapse of 4 years not 10. You can go to party with your pals, drink with moderation and have freedom without screw your studies because that it’s something that he never did even when he was in his rebel phase, screw his studies. I really hope this is because of plot reasons and that later in the game we will have the chance to help them at least as friends because they are really wasting the characters. Leaving the players with a horrible feeling of impotence and sadness about their destiny. If this happened in real life and I heard an old friend is in trouble I would find the way to help one way or another. Because yes, I have left friends behind like the protagonist but you always held them and the memories they had with you dear even when you distance yourself with your childhood friend the moment you met with them again is as if the time has not elapsed. And if you think about the personality of our protagonist that will go really on character with her personality of goody-two-shoes and nosy girl.

2- The new system AP $, this will be short. It’s horrible. You can see how desperate of milking money they are, at least be subtle. A chapter cost approx. 900 PA, it’s excessive. For those who didn’t know they change the 2 AP for movement to 2 AP for dialogue. Yes, it could seem better at first but no, it’s not. A chapter in MCL normally costed approx. 300-500 AP the more expensive. Even if we did have to go in circles to find someone. Those who are playing repetitions or playing an episode give yourself the task of counting each dialogue in the episode and multiply it by 2, do the accounts. Besides that now we have a limit of AP and dollars, we just can save 1000 AP, if you want more you have to buy it. Summary, it’s now a pay to win. What happened to saved money for events? What happen if a episode it’s that expensive and you have limited AP? It just doesn’t work. This is an really important point and I would recommend go back to the old system, no, I demand that we get our old system back. At least this is my point of view and I think it’s the same for the majority. We are really mad with this point, way more than with the routes.

3- Something positive. The animations are gorgeous. You can see the effort they take with them. The environments are beautiful too. The characters are a little bit cliché but if you can manage the clichés and don’t make them repetitive then it turns out in something really good. Anyway in terms of ambience, good job.

4- The nonexistence of an ending to MCL. These point have me a little bit worried. Today I finished playing the episode 40. Really I did not realize that so abrupt was the end until I played it. In a moment they are in the house with your boy, in my case Armin, they spend the night together, wake up, he goes for food to eat a little and then BAM! You have finished the episode! Like seriously? And then we found out that 4 years have passed by and we end the relationship with him… This really is not a good end for a game, nobody think it was. And in the advance they said ‘’this is not the end’’ Of course it is the end. Otome games are about the relationship with the route, the plot exists to give more weight to the story and make it more likeable, but the people are playing because of the route. Sometimes it’s for the plot, but that is when it’s a really good and interesting plot. And we have to be serious here, this is a Slice of Life, the sub-plots can be of more weight but they are not the central plot, just mini stories. The game or at least the relationship has to have an ending. At least an epilogue to see the move out of the city thing, the distance and how even if the end the relationship or they are far away the memories will always stay there, how they had affect the lives of each other or something like that. But at least with a worthy ending that don’t let us waiting for a continuation that will never come, because this is not a continuation. It’s another story and it would have been ideal if we had played with another protagonist and give a worthy ending to our route but the story has already been make, anyway they can still give us an epilogue or a worthy and cute ending of the previous game that said to us that life goes on or something to move on the next game.

5- The small aptitude to listen to the players and the way they reduce importance to our distress. There’s a saying that ‘’where there's smoke there’s fire’’ There’s a reason why are people so upset in the fandom right now. In this moment the fandom is really like a war and this is something that they had to seen it coming. Please, if someone want to play the game then play it, but please don’t reduce importance to people who are angry or sad for this, because they are for a reason and they have the right to express themselves, to try to blow off steam and to not to conform because changes are not done by conformity in any site. Even more if this is about a product they are trying to sell us. It’s not about immaturity. The people who present immaturity are those that go to the insults and threats to someone, it doesn’t matter in the side they are. Just try to talk between each other and try to comprehend each other not despise each other. This goes too to the Team developer of this game; we are not naïve children anymore. Yes it’s a game, a game we spend 6 years playing and investing in it, of course there is an amount of attachment to it and honestly the product they sell to us before It’s not the same one that they’re selling us now. Do not expect us to accept it with a smile on our face or at first, please everyone just put yourself in the place of the others for just a moment. It’s a really big and abrupt change, we didn’t see it coming and they just push it into us without lube. Of course this was a reaction to expect.

Anyway at least this is my opinion, if I insulted someone I’m sorry, it wasn’t my intention. I tried not to do it. I just wanted to vent out a little bit and point some of the thing that really bothered me and things that could have been done in others, probably better ways. In my case at the state that is right now the game, I really don’t have the will to play it and I probably just leave it here, this is my decision.

At first I was really excited to play the new game and I wanted to play the Priya route at all cost, but not like this, as the game is right now, I do not really want to. Is a really shame and disappointing. It really looks so cool, but there are many more factors that affect the entertainment and the quality of a game for the consumer and in this moment it doesn’t have them for me.

If they are corrected in the future, especially the new system PA $, maybe I will consider to give this game another chance. And remember that if you play the beta is to report errors and give suggestions, those who have that incredible opportunity, take advantage of it.

If someone read this far, thank you very much for the attention.

#mcl #mclul #cdm #Corazon de Melon #corazon de melon en la universidad #my candy love university life #amour sucre #amor doce #amour sucre campus life #amor doce university life #ascl #adul #beemov #chinomiko #eldarya #otome game

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hazelnut1313 · 6 years ago

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The cons far outweigh the pros.

I’m sorry, but I can’t bring myself to play My Candy Love anymore.

When University Life was announced, I was as excited as anyone. We all had the expectation that our boys would be coming back, the characters would have new models and some development to them personality-wise, and that we would be continuing the relationship we had with our date of choice since 2012 or whenever we joined the site.

I joined MCL right when episode 17 came out, when the Deborah arc was about to be completed. Which is now around 4-5 years ago I think. The art style has improved since then, and so has the relationship we had with our date. I played with the expectation that this game would be an otome, as advertised. Meaning that Candy would actually build a relationship with her date, and you know, ACTUALLY GO ON DATES??

Instead, we are given 40 episodes of build up, where the MC is running around solving other peoples problems, the relationship with our date not even happening until episode 30. Ten episodes later, the characters graduate and even they blatantly say “Well it’s not like we are going to disappear!”

Well apparently they do?

University Life completely flipped the game, and not in a good way. The new sprites look cool yes, Nathaniel is looking FINE, but that’s not doing much to help the fact that Beemov has apparently decided to take a nose dive when it comes to the respect its players have in them.

You have repeatedly asked us to trust you, and yet treat us like idiots. Yes, we realize it’s a game. We’ve realized that since day one. You obviously realize that since you MADE the game. However mocking players who are understandably upset at your choices in regards to the changes to MCL’s system is shocking, considering you are supposed to be a business. If there is nobody to consume your product, the business fails. That’s how it works. Getting miffed that people are complaining about your product and then saying “Well don’t play it then” is a surefire way to get your fandom to just hate you and also just makes you look bad. A better way of dealing with criticism would be “Well why don’t you like it? I can’t guarantee I’ll deliver all the results you want, but I am willing to listen.” Or at least something like that. The community is what sustains your business. Remember that.

The removal of 3/5 of the main boys was a mistake. You are alienating 60% of your players in favour of the 40% who played Castiel and Nathaniel’s routes in High School Life. Not only is this unfair to the rest of us, but it is also a poor business move. I understand that there is a limit to the number of routes you can code, but in that case at least remove ALL of the old main routes if you want a new, fresh game?

The new routes themselves seem pretty okay, but two I have issues with. As a bisexual person, I am thrilled at a Priya option, yet kind of disappointed that it was at the cost of the boys? Was it too much to hope for both? For some reason in this game dating a teacher is more important than continuing the relationship with the boys we know and love while also gaining Priya as a female option?

Having a teacher as a dating option just...disgusts me. I know the MC is like 22 in game now but she is still in a school environment and it doesn’t sit well with me. I don’t care if people find him hot or whatever, he’s still a teacher in a school environment, in a position of authority. It’s disturbing.

Now the AP system. What a mess.

It’s probably one of the main reasons that I’ll be dropping MCL, just from my disgust at such a blatant money grab. For some reason, Candy monologuing to herself counts as a dialogue, which makes 0 sense and is also mind-numbingly irritating since Candy thinks to herself a lot. Others players report that it takes 1000 AP just to go through the first episode, and since you put a 1000 AP cap on, means that the majority of the die-hard players you will have left will need to wait at least 3 months or so to get enough AP to play the next episode without spending money out of their own pockets. Since you’ve apparently applied this to HS life as well, I’ve lost all enthusiasm for playing your game, HSL or UL. From this point on, I will quietly observe the content people state about UL to see if it gets better from here, but I won’t be participating in supporting you as a company anymore. I was willing to have faith in you, or at least see your side of the story, but I am floored by the blatant disrespect you as a company have shown your customers by refusing to address our concerns and even mocking us while you plug your ears from gentle criticism by people on here and on the MCL forums who genuinely loved your game. I want you to do well as a company, I really do, but if you continue on this path of treating us like trash and invalidate our feelings about things that directly affect us, unfortunately there is a high chance that less people will find interest in your game, and therefore limit you as a company.

#my candy love #mcl university life #long post #sorry that it's long I couldn't figure out where a good spot would be to put a read more at #but I'm severely disappointed in this company and the choices its making #I will likely get hate for this but I don't want anyone to feel bad I just want the company to acknowledge how negatively its impacting us #and fix the issues its causing

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paulbenedictblog · 5 years ago

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%news%

New Post has been published on %http://paulbenedictsgeneralstore.com%

Fox news Notebook: Jackson vs. Watson; Cousins' efficiency - NFL.com

Fox news

As we turn toward Week 11 of the 2019 NFL season, NFL.com's community of journalists offers the freshest news and notes from all over the league, along side:

-- How the Broncos are helping Brandon Allen.

-- Kirk Cousins is chopping down on mistakes.

-- Jamal Adams' technique to chasing quarterbacks.

* * * * *

DENVER BRONCOS: Sutton on chemistry smash direction with Allen. Broncos receiver Courtland Sutton urged me Thursday "we now need to maximise every earn we derive" as they proceed to microwave their chemistry with quarterback Brandon Allen, the one-time Arkansas giant name claimed off waivers in September who obtained the expend in his first NFL originate Nov. 3 in opposition to the Browns.

All offseason, Sutton and Co. worked to derive as a lot as flee in a current offense with historical Joe Flacco under center, while Allen became in camp with the Rams (and running a identical plan). Now, Flacco's on injured reserve with a neck damage, and it will seemingly be Allen's demonstrate again Sunday at Minnesota and beyond -- after all except 2d-spherical draft make a choice Drew Lock, who has overlooked virtually three months with a thumb damage, is ready. The 27-yr-frail Allen became drafted in the sixth spherical by Jacksonville in 2016, and his stint with the Rams incorporated time on the prepare squad.

"That became my first time getting to heed him end his factor. It became a lot of relaxing staring at him work," Sutton, who is in his 2d NFL season, urged me Thursday. "You wouldn't even be in a space to repeat that it became his first sport initiating in an NFL sport, on myth of he became so silent, so poised all of the time that he became in there. You desire that out of your quarterback, particularly a young man. It became truly factual to heed him exit there and protect discontinuance management and respect that confidence."

With the Broncos coming off their Week 10 bye, Lock returned to prepare Tuesday. The Broncos respect 21 days from that date to mediate whether or no longer to circulation him to the active roster.

-- Tom Pelissero

* * * * *

HOUSTON TEXANS: O'Brien on Jackson, Watson and universal QB traits. Texans head coach Invoice O'Brien does no longer assume Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson and his quarterback, Deshaun Watson, both of whom are MVP candidates heading into Houston's clash with Baltimore this Sunday, are identical.

"I maintain they're very completely different," O'Brien mentioned this week. "We manufacture no longer derive into comparisons there on these guys. They're very completely different."

There is no longer a denying that both are extremely talented and were extremely profitable of their young careers. There is also "the elephant in the room," as Watson set it this week, that they are both young, athletically talented African-American quarterbacks.

With that mentioned, O'Brien became asked if both these players respect changed the manner the quarterback space is being perceived. O'Brien answered by stating that no matter the manner you play the gap, there are key traits that a player need to respect to be a profitable NFL quarterback:

1) "I maintain it be leadership. When the lights shuffle on, how end you operate? Or no longer it's one factor to operate nicely on the prepare discipline, it be a complete other factor to operate nicely, no matter your skillset is, in front of 80,000 americans on the avenue, third-and-5 to expend the game. How end you operate in that deal? Very few guys respect it."

2) "Then it comes down to intelligence, your capability to direction of a idea -- I would be up here all day. Have to you seek for at Wink (Don) Martindale's protection (Baltimore's defensive coordinator), after they set nickel in there, you truly manufacture no longer know what you are getting. So, offensively, the quarterback's obtained to be truly provocative as to how he processes it in a in point of fact short amount of time to derive us into the very best play, to operate the very best decisions. So, a lot of it goes into your intelligence, your capability to end that."

3) "I maintain, clearly, arm energy, accuracy -- americans manufacture no longer discuss sufficient about accuracy. In pro football, the six-slither difference between leaving a ball interior the derive the DB is relative to a foot out of doors the derive the DB is not any longer, is a mountainous difference, despite the actual fact that it be this worthy. There is a in point of fact slim margin for error in phrases of accuracy, so it be no longer all about factual arm energy."

In the occasion you seek for at every profitable signal-caller, it may well probably presumably well well be beautiful to claim, they've all three. Or no longer it is also beautiful to claim that Watson and Jackson are showing that, while they will fair play the gap differently (per NFL Research, they are primarily the fundamental two players in NFL historic past to put up 15-plus touchdown passes, five-plus touchdown runs and a passer rating of 100 or higher over their crew's first 9 games), they also respect all three traits.

-- James Palmer

One technique to stopping Lamar Jackson. The Ravens declared sooner than the season that they were going to flee an offense unlike every other sooner than it. Through 10 weeks, we now respect considered precisely that. Baltimore has the No. 1 scoring offense and No. 1 rushing assault in the NFL.

"No matter what your background is, it be completely different relative to how they're doing it," O'Brien mentioned this week.

"He's spectacular," giant name Texans circulation rusher Whitney Mercilus urged me Thursday in Houston, relating to Jackson, who has thrown for 2,036 yards and 15 TDs (in opposition to five picks) while also rushing for 702 yards and six TDs in 9 games. "The issues he can end along with his legs and all that. He isn't seemingly."

So whenever you have not confronted it in the NFL sooner than, presumably going lend a hand to your college days may presumably well well enable you to prepare for Jackson and Co. Mercilus remembers going in opposition to Ohio Bid and their option form of offense when he became at Illinois, the derive he performed from 2009 to 2011.

"(Feeble Ohio Bid QB) Braxton Miller," Mercilus mentioned. "Additionally (dilapidated Buckeye) Terrelle Pryor. Guys respect that. Or no longer it's respect college. Faithful respect college, for obvious. For him, I maintain gorgeous worthy we now need to make obvious he offers up that ball. He has to supply up the ball. If we can end that and no longer allow him to interrupt us for respect 10-20 yards along with his feet, protect him contained right thru the pocket, we obtained of project."

Mercilus is not any longer unfavorable. When Jackson retains the ball on these performs, he averages 7.2 yards per flee. Nonetheless when he is compelled to pitch it or hand it off on option-style performs, the Ravens common 4.4 yards per flee. If fact be told, Mercilus' crew is mainly the most attention-grabbing in the NFL when the QB fingers off or pitches the ball on option-style performs, averaging 7.8 yards per flee. Houston has won extra yards this season (341 to 327), on 30 fewer makes an try (44 to 74), than Baltimore on option-style performs whereby the QB fingers the ball off.

-- James Palmer

* * * * *

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS: Colts getting worthy-significant boost. With two straight losses and sitting at 5-4 (2d in the AFC South), the Colts are breathing a mumble of reduction this week: Jacoby Brissett is lend a hand under center for Sunday's sport versus the Jacksonville Jaguars. Brissett became sidelined with a left MCL stress in the 2d quarter of the crew's Week 9 loss to Pittsburgh, and the offense has been strained ever since. Working instance?

In primarily the fundamental seven games of the season with Brissett, the Colts had a 5-2 listing, 22.6 points per sport, 98.9 passer rating and easiest seven giveaways. With Brian Hoyer stepping in for Brissett in the closing two games, Indy has a 0-2 listing, 18 points per sport, 69.4 passer rating, and a whopping six giveaways.

Whereas the numbers were immense, the Colts have not been in the slightest degree taken aback by Brissett's 2019 success. They knew it became there, even sooner than Andrew Success retired in August.

"We knew the player Jacoby became," left tackle Anthony Castonzo urged me this week. "It wasn't factual lip provider closing yr when americans would discuss about 'We respect now perchance obtained the very best backup quarterback in the NFL.' ... We felt that he may presumably well well be initiating for a lot of teams, so when he took over, we had a lot of confidence in him."

And that's the reason precisely what Brissett infused the crew with -- confidence. And a complete host of different intangibles that operate the Colts truly feel respect they will defeat anyone.

"He's obtained that very silent confidence that you wish out of a frontrunner and out of a quarterback," Castonzo mentioned. "That trickles down to the remainder of the guys."

All-Pro linebacker Darius Leonard agreed by announcing he knew the crew had a sure chief relationship lend a hand to closing season: "I saw closing yr when he became on scout crew. He's factual a competitor. He leads by instance. He's on no account gonna stroll by mistakes -- that is what truly makes him special -- on myth of I mean, no matter who it's, T.Y. (Hilton), (Eric) Ebron, Jack Doyle -- he is gonna allow them to know, 'Hi there, that is not any longer the route we urged you to flee.'

"He's positively real. He's gonna let americans know. Set them of their space. He's a man that you may want to head to war with on myth of he is so worthy of a competitor. He desires to expend it is now not any longer significant what."

I presumed presumably running lend a hand Nyheim Hines, who performed with Brissett in college at North Carolina Bid, mentioned it easiest when describing the Colts QB.

"I maintain he factual has an charisma about him. He performs for all americans and all americans desires to play for him. All of us keep in mind in him. That you just may additionally factual ogle how our protection is, respect on the sideline assuredly, we may presumably well fair no longer be transferring the ball and they also are going to be respect, 'Jacoby, we obtained you.' So when you respect somebody that you are going to play for, it is now not any longer significant how factual or sinful your quarterback is -- and Jacoby's ample -- however when you respect a quarterback that all americans performs for, it be laborious to beat a crew respect that."

-- Stacey Dales

Vinatieri's toughness valued thru struggles. Protect your gawk on historical and future Hall of Fame kicker Adam Vinatieri. He at the present holds the bottom kicking percentage in the NFL at 71.8, which incorporates both discipline desires and extra points. He has 11 overlooked kicks complete (five discipline desires and six extra points), which leads the NFL. Whereas the Colts hosted four kickers earlier in the week as due diligence, head coach Frank Reich vehemently stood at the lend a hand of Vinatieri this week.

"We predict about Adam is the answer," Reich mentioned. "With 24 years of what he is performed, we predict about in him, so whenever you are going thru a rough patch, we will be a little bit extra patient than customary. That is one of primarily the most attention-grabbing players of all time, however extra importantly, one of the crucial ample leaders of all time -- his psychological toughness, I truly, truly value that."

-- Stacey Dales

* * * * *

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS: Foles assured in return. Cut Foles at closing returns to sport hurry from a broken clavicle suffered in Week 1. Whereas rookie Gardner Minshew and his mustache held down the castle, the Monumental Bowl LII MVP is able to protect discontinuance over a crew sitting at 4-5 and having a idea to claw out of closing space in the tight AFC South flee initiating with the Colts (5-4) on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Foles mentioned this week that he is "grateful and tickled" to reach, and so too are his teammates on all aspects of the football. Wide receiver Chris Conley urged me this week that Foles has looked the fragment on the prepare discipline.

"He looks to be like tickled," Conley mentioned. "First couple days available he looked truly wrathful to be lend a hand and to be playing the game that he loves. Nonetheless as we went thru the remainder of this week, he looked assured, looked respect he became on rhythm. And likewise you may presumably well well presumably repeat that he is the derive he desires to be when he communicates the manner he communicates.

", he factual talks to guys after performs, after prepare, allowing them to know what he is seeing, what he is thinking, what he is considered in the movie right thru the week and asking them, 'Hi there, is there anything that you respect considered, anything that you're thinking about?' And that verbal exchange is a mountainous fragment of his sport."

Foles' impact on the football discipline speaks for itself. He boasts the third-best seemingly single-season passer rating in NFL historic past (119.2 in 2013), however presumably primarily the most attention-grabbing impact is the quality of leadership he offers both in the locker room and in the pocket.

"Or no longer it is the combo of just a few issues. One factor is he has a presence about himself when he speaks. He factual continuously says the very best factor and motivates the guys the very best blueprint," Pro Bowl defensive end Calais Campbell urged me. "And he is so assured, which generates extra confidence among other guys. Nonetheless also, he has trip on the football discipline, too. Faithful seeing him management the huddle, getting guys interior and out of the huddle, getting guys lined up and the derive they need to be. He comes with trip. He truly throws a sexy ball. He puts the ball on the money."

-- Stacey Dales

Jags' focal level on stretching the discipline? One aspect whereby Foles can truly elevate the Jags' offense is his capability to strike downfield. And Chris Conley obvious likes that aspect of Foles' sport.

"A little unpredictability," the receiver urged me this week. "He can exit there and he is obtained some God-given skill along with his arm and his imaginative and prescient. He can exit there, and he can operate one thing out of nothing and he can truly stretch the discipline and protect discontinuance some shots. That's one factor that we're thinking about in our receiving room. If fact be told factual stretching the protection and going to assault some guys. Rather then that, he is obtained a exact presence in the huddle. And exact presence on the sideline that offers guys confidence. That it is now not any longer significant what the obtain is, we're in it."

Colts defenders urged me this week that primarily the most attention-grabbing key in Sunday's sport is shutting down Foles and explosive performs. Interestingly sufficient, in the Subsequent Gen Stats era (since 2016), Foles' 9.9 touchdown percentage on passes of 10-plus air yards is the fifth best seemingly in the league. It turns out, they will fair be appropriate.

-- Stacey Dales

* * * * *

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS: Ready for Mexico City -- jackets and all. It became standing-room easiest right thru the Kansas City Chiefs' media room on Thursday. Head coach Andy Reid became unfazed by the influx of nationwide and global media earlier than the crew's outing to Mexico City for a highly anticipated matchup with the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Evening Football this week.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes addressed his Week 10 return from a dislocated kneecap that value him two games, announcing he felt ample. Mahomes credited his restoration to the Chiefs' scientific workers and says he is 100 percent occupied with beating the Chargers.

Reid confirmed defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah had surgical procedure on his pectoral muscle, with the muscle trail preserving Ogbah out for the remainder of the season, on Thursday morning. Gathered, he made obvious your complete players obtained their customized NFL Mexico jackets by Starter earlier than the game. Loads of guys urged me they'll be wearing them on the manner into Estadio Azteca.

-- MJ Acosta

Sharing the wealth. I spoke with Chiefs rookie receiver Mecole Hardman earlier than prepare about the amount of offensive skill in Okay.C. Hardman, who has five receiving touchdowns so some distance this season, urged me that spreading the ball spherical is mainly the fundamental to their success. "No person here is greedy. We factual are making an try to end our job and set points on the board to acquire a expend."

Seven completely different Chiefs players respect 20-plus targets this season, and eight completely different players respect scored receiving touchdowns. As nicely as to his journeys to the end zone, Hardman has contributed 21 complete catches on 33 targets for 437 yards.

-- MJ Acosta

* * * * *

MINNESOTA VIKINGS: Cousins stringing together ample-shipshape stretch. Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins has been playing primarily the most attention-grabbing football of his eight-yr occupation. He's thrown 9 touchdown passes and no interceptions over the closing four games -- three of which ended in victory -- and he hasn't had a single turnover right thru that stretch.

Cousins has on no account gone that long in the NFL with out giving the ball away to an opponent. When asked why he is been so efficient at avoiding mistakes, he mentioned, "Or no longer it is a combination of factors. One is that I am continuously making improvements to. I am making improvements to yearly, so despite the actual fact that I am in 365 days 8, I truly feel respect I am higher than I became in 365 days 7. Some of it be factual making improvements to as a football player -- having passed thru extra experiences and studying what it capability to supply protection to the football. We're preserving nicely, which offers me of project to heed the protection and no longer protect discontinuance guesses on myth of I am no longer having time to heed it out ... After which when you flee the football nicely, it takes stress off the exchange of instances it be significant to position the football in afflict's blueprint. So it be a combination of issues."

-- Jeffri Chadiha

* * * * *

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS: Avid gamers push for favourite causes. At the delivery derive of the season, Patriots proprietor Robert Kraft challenged his crew leaders. Kraft mentioned he would match every greenback -- as a lot as a quarter of a million greenbacks -- the players contributed to social justice organizations. Fleet forward to Wednesday, when the crew and players introduced they'd selected five native organizations to derive $90,000 every, $450,000 in complete.

"I maintain with a idea to raise money as a crew and to supply lend a hand domestically we play in, to illustrate we care, to illustrate we are making an try to lend a hand be an ingredient of the alternate is an big feeling," mentioned safety Devin McCourty, while also being obvious to commend Patriots possession for his or her support. "I maintain we now respect sure guys that derive many of the headlines for it, however I maintain one thing respect this presentations that it be a appropriate crew effort. This became every man in the locker room reaching of their pockets, no matter how worthy, announcing, 'I are making an try to supply one thing to make contributions to this.' So, it be one of the crucial issues I am ample good sufficient with, to be an ingredient of this crew and respect a crew of men that mutter, 'I are making an try to head operate a difference and operate a alternate.' "

McCourty mentioned the crew had a lot of discussions and even went so some distance as to protect discontinuance polls to make obvious the money became distributed to causes the players believed in. That's why Boston Health Esteem the Homeless, Boston Uncornered, CommonWealth Kitchen, Roca and We Belong were chosen, organizations that specialise in healthcare, gang-alive to formative years violence, aspiring entrepreneurs and leadership talents, and which scheme to enhance the lives of these in the communities domestically highlighted and rewarded with these grants. McCourty believes it be energizing to heed players with completely different backgrounds and interests becoming concerned.

"I maintain that is continuously provocative, when guys are in a space to step out of line and mutter, 'I factual are making an try to learn. I are making an try to educate myself. I are making an try to heed what it's completely different americans shuffle thru that presumably I have not been spherical or skilled.' So, it be an exhilarating time all over the league, on myth of I maintain guys are extra privy to what's happening, and guys are making an try to operate a difference."

And that difference may presumably well lend a hand alternate in the communities they're in.

-- Mike Giardi

* * * * *

NEW YORK JETS: Gase will derive a 2d probability. Jets proprietor Christopher Johnson urged journalists Wednesday, in an impromptu press conference, that Adam Gase may presumably well no longer be fired. Now not right thru the season. Now not after the season. Johnson known as Gase "a factual man, factual coach" and indicated he likes his dynamic with current total supervisor Joe Douglas and his working relationship with quarterback Sam Darnold.

"Altering techniques yr after yr is a catastrophe for a young quarterback," Johnson mentioned, a nod to Darnold already studying his 2d NFL offense in as many years.

How does all of this prove? No person can mutter. The Jets respect had sinful good fortune this season, Gase's first in New York -- most particularly in the manufacture of Darnold's mononucleosis and C.J. Mosley's misplaced yr ensuing from a groin damage sustained in the season opener -- and Johnson looks to respect weighed these factors into his appraisal of his head coach.

One factor that is clear: The americans who flew the airplane with the banner "Fire Adam Gase" over Long island closing week, and raised roughly $2,700 on GoFundMe for it, wasted their money.

-- Kimberly Jones

Darnold having a idea forward with optimism. After defeating the Giants, the Jets improved to 2-7. In the aftermath of that sport, quarterback Sam Darnold mentioned: "We need every expend from now on, on myth of we now respect composed obtained of project. I mean, if we derive on a roll here and we expend out, we now respect obtained of project at the playoffs."

Whereas Darnold may presumably well fair be factually upright, he obtained a refined rebuke from his head coach. "I urged Sam, let's factual focal level on this week," Gase mentioned Wednesday.

-- Kimberly Jones

Adams explains strip-sack TD. Security Jamal Adams became named AFC Defensive player of the Week after his performance in opposition to the Giants, whereby he had 9 tackles, two sacks, two compelled fumbles and a fumble return for a touchdown.

Clearly, he became extremely active. Adams enjoys blitzing, and in a dialog earlier this season urged me that getting cash in these moments comes down to working out "timing and angles."

I adopted up with Adams on Wednesday to position a question to particularly about one play, when he sacked Daniel Jones, stole the ball from him and ran it lend a hand for a touchdown.

"It became a little little bit of (timing and angles)," Adams mentioned. "Additionally, being instinctive and dealing out what (Jones) became making an try to end, what Saquon (Barkley, whose job became to chip Adams) became making an try to end. And it became a helluva play."

Positive, it became.

-- Kimberly Jones

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ballbubble3-blog · 5 years ago

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Eagles vs. Jaguars: 9 winners, 5 losers, 3 I don’t knows

The Eagles are now 4-4 after defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars in London on Sunday. It wasn’t pretty but the Eagles will take it however they can get it. Let’s take a look at the biggest winners and losers from this game.

WINNERS

DOUG PEDERSON

The Eagles ultimately managed to score 24 points and gain 395 yards on a Jacksonville defense that ranked seventh in defensive DVOA coming into this game. They did this despite being forced into multiple different offensive line configurations and not having overly dominant skill players.

Heading into Sunday’s game, the Eagles had only produced 10 passing plays of 30-plus yards through seven weeks. Against the Jags, who were allowing the fewest explosive pass plays in the league this year, the Eagles managed to generate five 30-plus yarders.

Make no mistake: it certainly helped that the Jags were without three of their top four corners. Still, Pederson drew up some creative play-calls in this one and the Eagles ultimately turned in their second highest scoring game of the season. There’s plenty of room for improvement but this was an encouraging bounce back for Dougie P. The team fought hard with their backs against the wall in a critical spot.

CARSON WENTZ

Wentz easily could’ve ended up in the “Losers” section below after he got off to a rough start.

Wentz fumbled AGAIN which means he’s tied for the lead league in that category despite the fact he missed two games. He’s now up to 30 fumbles in 35 career games. A number of those came in his rookie year and/or can be chalked up to poor snaps but that doesn’t explain away all of them. Wentz’s propensity to fumble is the down side of his ability to extend plays.

Another downside to Wentz’s game is that his aggression can lead to risky plays. This was the game when he forced a ball to Joshua Perkins in the end zone and Jalen Ramsey picked it off.

But Wentz didn’t let these early mistakes define his performance on Sunday. In a spot where a number of quarterbacks easily would’ve folded for the rest of the game, Wentz showed great resiliency to fight back. He finished the game completing 70% of his passes for 286 yards (9.5 average), three touchdowns, one interception, and a 119.6 passer rating.

For all of last week’s talk that Wentz isn’t “clutch,” he led a huge touchdown drive to put the Eagles up 24-15 with 9:55 remaining. His sole passing attempt for a first down on the Eagles’ final drive essentially sealed the game. Wentz delivered in big spots on Sunday.

On the season, Wentz is completing 71% of his attempts for 1,788 yards (7.9 average), 13 touchdowns, two interceptions, and a 110.2 passer rating. He also has 89 rushing yards.

In other words, Wentz is pretty good.

AVONTE MADDOX

The descriptor that comes to mind with Maddox is “baller.” The rookie just makes plays. This week it was Maddox flying into the back field to force the Jaguars to a long field goal early in the game. Then it was Maddox getting his helmet on the ball after Keelan Cole’s reception to force a fumble.

The progress Maddox has made is really impressive. The fourth-round rookie is excelling at a position he never played prior to this year. He’s come a long way since looking totally lost at times back during spring practices.

DALLAS GOEDERT

It was a good day for the Eagles’ 2018 NFL Draft class with Goedert also making a big play. Following Maddox’s forced fumble, it was Goedert who caught a 32-yard catch-and-run touchdown.

Goedert’s a big boy who knows how to get open and isn’t easy to bring down after the catch. His YAC ability is very valuable.

JORDAN MATTHEWS

After failing to log a single target despite playing 43% of Philadelphia’s snaps last week, JMatt ended up being a key player against the Jags. Again, it must be noted that he had undrafted rookie corners lining up against him with Ramsey sticking to Alshon Jeffery. Still, Matthews made some crucial plays to move the chains. His final reception virtually iced the game. Four receptions for 93 yards is a very nice day for Matthews.

JOSH ADAMS

If Adams’ butt was smaller, he could’ve ended up in the “Losers” section. His near fumble in the fourth quarter would’ve been fairly costly. But in the end the refs got it right and it wasn’t a fumble.

Putting that play aside, Adams has been the Eagles’ most efficient runner the past two weeks. He’s gained 78 yards on 13 attempts, which is 6.0 yards per carry. It’s easy to like the way he runs with a purpose.

Moving forward, the Eagles should continue to work Adams into the rotation. I’m not saying he’s played well enough to be undipsuted RB1 just yet but I do think he should be getting more than the zero touches he saw back in Week 6.

FLETCHER COX

Cox finished the game with two solo tackles, one tackle for loss, one pass deflection, and one quarterback hit. His batted pass came at a key moment in the game to force the Jaguars into fourth down. Jacksonville failed to convert and never possessed the ball again.

Another thing I liked seeing was Cox get all up in Deiondre’ Hall’s face after the defensive back was arguing with a Jaguars player on special teams. Cox wasn’t about to the let the Eagles take another dumb penalty. We saw Cox get in Jalen Mills’ face like that earlier this season. You can see the signs of him being a leader on this team.

MALCOLM JENKINS

Jenkins got beat on a double move to allow a touchdown to Dede Westbrook, yes, but he also broke up a touchdown pass later in the game which ultimately caused the Jaguars to settle for a field goal.

Perhaps the biggest reason why Jenkins deserves to be here, though, is that he now doesn’t have to worry about his Blake Bortles comments haunting him. That would’ve been not fun to deal with if Bortles shredded the Eagles’ secondary in a Jags win.

EAGLES FANS

First of all, shoutout to all the great fans in London who cheered on the team at Wembley today. Whether it was Americans making the flight overseas or Europe natives coming out to support, you helped make this “road” game feel much closer to a home game for the Eagles.

The other reason why fans can be considered winners is because the season is still alive. There’s still hope at 4-4. That wouldn’t have really been the case at 3-5. The Eagles still have a lot of work to do, and they need to play a lot better than they did today, but they’re still in this thing for at least two more weeks. Beat the Cowboys and get to 5-4 and then we’re really cooking.

LOSERS

THE EAGLES’ OFFENSIVE LINE SITUATION

Lane Johnson is reportedly going to miss at least a month due to an MCL sprain and Jason Peters continues to struggle to stay in the game as he battles through multiple injuries.

With Johnson out, the Eagles will be moving forward with the following lineup from left to right:

Jason Peters Isaac Seumalo Jason Kelce Brandon Brooks Halapoulivaati Vaitai

It’s likely that Peters is going to miss some playing time at some point since that’s often been the case this year. His absence forces Seumalo to move out to tackle while Wisniewski comes in to play guard.

Then you have Kelce clearly playing through pain, and if he has to miss time, it could be Wis shifting to center with Chance Warmack going in to play guard.

The Eagles’ offensive line situation isn’t in tip top shape moving forward. #Analysis.

COREY CLEMENT

Remember when Clement said he wanted to prove to Howie Roseman that the Eagles don’t need to trade for a running back? Yeah, well, Clement isn’t exactly helping his case by rushing for just 12 yards on 12 carries in his last two games. Clement also has three receptions for just 15 yards in that span.

Clement and the Eagles coaching staff has insisted he’s not still bothered by the quad injury he was dealing with earlier this season. You would almost hope Clement IS hurt in order to explain away his struggles. Whatever the case, he’s not producing right now while other backs are doing so. Clement’s role might even shrink further if/when Darren Sproles potentially returns after the bye.

DEXTER MCDOUGLE

McDougle was hard to notice in last week’s game, which was probably a good thing for the most part. The Eagles’ starting nickel corner was much more noticeable agianst the Jags, and not in a good way. He simply fell down in coverage on at least three different occasions.

Get well soon, Sidney Jones.

JALEN MILLS

Mills had to be carted off with an injury. The early indication is that it’s not major but we’ll see. Rasul Douglas had some nice moments while filling in for Mills. He also gave up some big plays, such as the one down the sideline to former practice squad tight end David Grinnage.

But if the much-maligned Mills continues to miss time and Douglas outplays him, maybe the Green Goblin doesn’t get his job back. It’s too early to say that’ll definitely be the case but it’s something to monitor.

D.J. ALEXANDER

Alexander got flagged for unnecessary roughness on a kickoff return that went for a touchback. Just stupid. That flag caused the Eagles to start at their own 13-yard line instead of their own 25. Alexander could be gone if he does something like that again.

I DONT KNOWS

JIM SCHWARTZ

The Eagles defense only allowed 18 points and 5.4 yards per play. They created one turnover and notched four sacks (plus nine quarterback hits). Schwartz did a nice job of mixing in some blitzes at the right times.

So why isn’t he in the “winners” section?

Well, a few things.

First, the Eagles easily could’ve given up at least six more points if D.J. Chark doesn’t drop a wide open touchdown pass twice in the same play. That was a very lucky break. And allowing 24 points to a team that’s been averaging 9.3 in their last three games isn’t exactly a badge of honor.

Second, Bortles still had a decent game for Bortles standards. His 88.1 passer rating ranks third highest out of his eight games. He also ran for a season-high 43 yards. It’s not like the Eagles completely shut him down.

Third, the Eagles defense has now gone back-to-back games where they’ve allowed a touchdown drive RIGHT after the offense marches 90-plus yards down the field for a touchdown of their own. What’s up with that? It’s almost like they take their foot off the pedal and it ends up being a big momentum killer.

Schwartz’s defense ranked 13th overall heading into this week’s game. That sounds about right. There are certainly many teams who have it worse. But those acting like the defense isn’t contributing to the struggles at all ... that’s foolish.

WENDELL SMALLWOOD

I was going to put Smallwood in the “Winners” section but I think that might be a little generous. He did have that long screen touchdown but it’s not even like he had to make defenders miss there. He just had a ton of open space in front of him. Outside of that play, Smallwood had one reception for six yards and eight carries for 24 yards (3.0 average). He also allowed a really bad sack on Wentz when he completely failed to pick up a blitzing Myles Jack. We’ve seen Smallwood struggle with missed assignments in this regard numerous times now.

The one Smallwood moment that WAS really impressive is when he ran through contact to pick up a 10-yard gain on 2nd-and-9 on the Eagles’ final drive. That play allowed Philadelphia to kneel three times to kill the clock.

JORDAN HICKS

Hicks really stuffed the stat sheet with 12 tackles (eight solo), two passes defensed, 1.5 sacks, and one tackle for loss. The numbers don’t show that Hicks struggled in coverage. That’s an area considered to be Hicks’ strengths, so that’s not good to see. He shouldn’t be docked completely because he clearly made some plays. Lot of season left, and always time for things to change, but I don’t think he’s playing at a level where the Eagles will consider him a must re-sign.

Source: https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2018/10/28/18034132/eagles-vs-jaguars-winners-losers-final-score-recap-results-philadelphia-carson-wentz-josh-adams-nfl

#read more #see more #check it out #interesting #learn more

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waterarcher8-blog · 6 years ago

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Eagles vs. Jaguars: 9 winners, 5 losers, 3 I don’t knows

WINNERS

DOUG PEDERSON

CARSON WENTZ

Wentz easily could’ve ended up in the “Losers” section below after he got off to a rough start.

Another downside to Wentz’s game is that his aggression can lead to risky plays. This was the game when he forced a ball to Joshua Perkins in the end zone and Jalen Ramsey picked it off.

On the season, Wentz is completing 71% of his attempts for 1,788 yards (7.9 average), 13 touchdowns, two interceptions, and a 110.2 passer rating. He also has 89 rushing yards.

In other words, Wentz is pretty good.

AVONTE MADDOX

DALLAS GOEDERT

It was a good day for the Eagles’ 2018 NFL Draft class with Goedert also making a big play. Following Maddox’s forced fumble, it was Goedert who caught a 32-yard catch-and-run touchdown.

Goedert’s a big boy who knows how to get open and isn’t easy to bring down after the catch. His YAC ability is very valuable.

JORDAN MATTHEWS

JOSH ADAMS

FLETCHER COX

MALCOLM JENKINS

Jenkins got beat on a double move to allow a touchdown to Dede Westbrook, yes, but he also broke up a touchdown pass later in the game which ultimately caused the Jaguars to settle for a field goal.

EAGLES FANS

LOSERS

THE EAGLES’ OFFENSIVE LINE SITUATION

Lane Johnson is reportedly going to miss at least a month due to an MCL sprain and Jason Peters continues to struggle to stay in the game as he battles through multiple injuries.

With Johnson out, the Eagles will be moving forward with the following lineup from left to right:

Jason Peters Isaac Seumalo Jason Kelce Brandon Brooks Halapoulivaati Vaitai

Then you have Kelce clearly playing through pain, and if he has to miss time, it could be Wis shifting to center with Chance Warmack going in to play guard.

The Eagles’ offensive line situation isn’t in tip top shape moving forward. #Analysis.

COREY CLEMENT

DEXTER MCDOUGLE

Get well soon, Sidney Jones.

JALEN MILLS

D.J. ALEXANDER

I DONT KNOWS

JIM SCHWARTZ

So why isn’t he in the “winners” section?

Well, a few things.

WENDELL SMALLWOOD

JORDAN HICKS

Source: https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2018/10/28/18034132/eagles-vs-jaguars-winners-losers-final-score-recap-results-philadelphia-carson-wentz-josh-adams-nfl

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shortstruck83-blog · 6 years ago

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Offseason Evaluations: LT Jason Peters

The Philadelphia Eagles have decisions to make at almost every position at the roster this offseason. Whether related to the cap or the draft, starters or depth pieces, these players and the possible avenues of their future with the Eagles requires some good tape study, roster management, and foresight. That’s what we hope to model here.

Starting us off: Eagles’ future Hall of Fame LT Jason Peters.

Film Review

Coming off of a torn ACL/MCL in his left knee from the middle of the 2017 season, Peters’ functional quickness generally returned, but there was still a discernible drop-off in his explosiveness in 2018.

An ex-TE who dominated for a decade with great quickness for his size, Peters struggled with twitchy rushers across the 2018 season, even before he began experiencing quadricep tightness in the back half of the season.

You quickly notice that, while he didn’t get beaten around the outside edge track often, many of Peters’ losses in pass protection this season came against inside moves. Peters’ left knee was the one most recently injured: as a LT, that’s Peters’ kick leg, and it helps him generate power to come back upfield and inside against rushers attacking the B-gap. If that knee never came back to full health, that could potentially explain some of Peters’ struggles handling inside moves in 2018.

Furthermore, Peters tore his right bicep in Week 6 against the New York Giants. That right hand is Peters’ inside hand, and with it not at full power, Peters was lacking in some of his punch power and ability to sustain blocks post-injury. I tried to avoid that film as best as I could, but given Peters’ extensive injury history that has only become more relevant across the last two seasons, it’s worth noting that he’s likely to be banged-up player for the remainder of his career.

It’s tough to fault Peters for his losses against Khalil Mack in Week 18 of a season that really did a number on him, especially when you consider the positive reps he modeled as well. Generally speaking, Peters had a more effective season than I expected off of my memory of his 2018 performances.

Peters’ greatest strength in his advanced age is his toolbox. With a plethora of techniques mastered and contextualized, Peters can present so many different looks to rushers from his basic sets. With hand fakes, smart footwork, and savvy veteran play, Peters can dictate terms to even elite rushers by confusing their sense of timing and angles; throwing them off of their initial rush plan.

And at the end of the day, Peters still remains a strong recovery player. A huge body with great length, Peters is tough to get around even if when you get him out of position; and he still has great quickness around the edge track to carry rushers beyond the peak of the pocket. That creates alleys in the pocket, which the quarterback can use to escape pressure — a win for the offensive line.

Having watched Peters’ 2018 film in-depth and being familiar with his play style and success in seasons past, it’s easy to call Peters a Top-20 offensive tackle in the league heading into 2019. While his physical tools are wearing down, Peters’ technical understanding and remaining plus traits more than complete the form of a starting tackle at the NFL level.

That said, the wearing of Peters’ physical traits also makes him an unsteady starter. Despite starting every game for the Eagles in 2018, Peters played less than 80% of the total offensive snaps as he dealt with nagging injury. When on the field, even nursing injuries, Peters is as good of a left tackle as you could ask for — but he isn’t on the field as much as you’d like.

Contract

Per Over the Cap, this is Jason Peters’ current contract:

Originally, Peters’ 2018 season would have been the final year on his 4-year extension signed back in 2014. However, in 2017, GM Howie Roseman extended Peters’ deal by one year — this 2019 year — which is a team option year. Philadelphia must pick up Jason Peters’ option before the 2019 league year starts on March 14th, or Peters will enter free agency.

The extension served to protect Peters from being cut in 2017 (and to a lesser degree), 2018. At the structure of his previous deal, both were significant options that Peters clearly wanted to avoid. The 2019 year was tagged on to add a year onto which to prorate the new guaranteed money, which helped lower Peters’ 2017 cap number and generate cap space at the time of the restructure.

Whether or not Philadelphia got a return on their investment is a tricky matter. In 2017, Peters had an absurdly low cap figure for his talent, but failed to see the field due to the ACL/MCL tear. In 2018, Peters’ play again exceeded that of a $10.6M cap figure, but remembered: they paid that number for only 80% of the snaps.

In 2019, Peters is slated to be the 10th-highest paid left tackle and 11th-highest paid tackle overall (the only right tackle above him is teammate Lane Johnson), with a cap number of $13.2M. Even if you’re assuming Peters plays ~100% of the snaps, which is an unrealistic prediction, Peters is a fringe Top-10 talent at LT and may be overtaken by younger talent in his age-37 season.

Beyond 2019, it is highly unlikely Philadelphia would extend Peters’ contract or look to retain him in free agency; and given the success of his career, the expectation is that Peters would retire. The only way Philadelphia could reasonably extend Peters is if they restructure his deal to lessen his 2019 cap hit, by adding yet another option year at the end of his deal, that they would likely never pick up — but that is very unlikely.

It is worth noting that 1) denying Peters’ team option, 2) cutting Peters at any point after picking up the option, or 3) Peters retiring would all recoup Philadelphia a full $10.5M dollars, creating $2.7M in dead cap. It’s unclear what exactly 4) trading Peters midseason would do, as there may be per-game bonuses built into his guaranteed money.

Options At The Position

Free Agency

The free agent market at tackle is typically a scary place to go, and this year is no different. There is not a better talent than Peters on the market, save for perhaps New England’s Trent Brown — but buyer beware of ex-Patriot offensive linemen, who often wilt outside of the Belichick/Scarnecchia sunshine.

In 2019, Philadelphia will have the highest paid right tackle (seventh overall tackle), fifth-highest paid guard, and 12th-highest paid center. Given the money the Eagles have already poured into the offensive line, it seems unlikely that they would cut Peters to pursue a high-tag free agent starter.

Rostered

Philadelphia would love for their 2019 starting LT to be on the roster, should Peters be cut/retire — but they’re likely square outta luck. Entering his fourth season, swing tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai has had more than ample opportunity to prove that he can take over for Jason Peters. However, his reps in relief of the injured Peters over the past two season have done little to inspire: Big V still struggles with balance and foot speed in pass protection, and surrenders pressures too easily when left on an island.

Behind Vaitai, the immediate depth is dire. Fellow fourth-year Isaac Seumalo allegedly has emergency tackle ability, as does second-year guard Matt Pryor, but only Seumalo has seen reps at a tackle alignment in a game, and those were minimal and pitiful.

The name of interest will always be rugby convert Jordan Mailata. A player with a wonderfully high ceiling, Mailata could have developed into a starting-caliber NFL tackle in only one true season as a football player — but read that sentence back and tell me how feasible it seems. The optimistic outlook for Mailata in 2019 is that he can dress on game days as a backup, and potentially threaten Vaitai for the OT3 spot.

Assuming Peters remains rostered and starting in 2019, Philadelphia will likely hope to see if Mailata can win the job in 2020, after two full NFL seasons under his belt.

Draft Class

This 2019 offensive tackle class is spectacular, and if Philadelphia is serious about Peters’ current quality of play and health, they should look to address the position early. Another bout with injury could force Philadelphia into playing Vaitai long-term, which could spell disaster for Carson Wentz, who has now seen two straight seasons cut short with injury.

Rookie tackles are a scary proposition nonetheless, so an option better than Vaitai would likely cost Philadelphia their first-round pick, at 25 overall. By then, expect Alabama’s Jonah Williams and Florida’s Jawaan Taylor to be off the board — they’re the best this class has to offer.

But Oklahoma’s Cody Ford, a massive body but graceful mover, could still be available; same goes for Wisconsin’s David Edwards, who is an athlete reminiscent of Lane Johnson. Philadelphia loves dipping into West Virginia for talent, and could bring in Mountaineer Yodny Cajuste, or Senior Bowl standout Dalton Risner, from Kansas State.

Regardless of Peters’ state for 2019, offensive tackle will be in serious consideration for the Eagles at pick 25. If they forgo the early pick for another later development piece, names like Edwards and Cajuste could still be available. But also keep eyes on Washington behemoth Kaleb McGary, Alabama State’s athlete Tytus Howard, and USC’s explosive Chuma Edoga.

Evaluation and Expectation

When you look at the recourses for cap space for a team that will need to create some, Jason Peters is one of the first names you circle. There is almost no chance he is retained beyond 2019; his play and health are both declining; he has the fourth-biggest cap hit on the team, and only Nick Foles’ departure would add more money back into the pool.*

In a vacuum, Jason Peters is probably a player you should seriously consider cutting.

But Jason Peters is a beloved locker room player and dear friend of owner Jeffrey Lurie. Despite what cutting Peters could do for the team financially, the emotional leadership and league-wide respect are perhaps too great of value to risk. Peters is tenured, in that he should be supported and not cast aside in his old age; he has earned the right to go out on his own terms.

And at the end of the day, his on-field product is likely still worth $13.2M this season (especially if Nate Solder is worth $17M and Eric Fisher is worth $13.6M). When you consider the comp picks Philadelphia is hoping to receive following the departures of Nick Foles, Golden Tate, Brandon Graham (?), Ronald Darby (?), and Jordan Hicks, they are unlikely to be big players in free agency this year anyway. So that 2019 cap space that cutting Peters would create? As long as they’re in the black, it wouldn’t mean that much.

That said, if Peters is mulling retirement a season early, that is a decision Philadelphia’s front office should support and even hope for. Without doing Peters the dishonor of cutting him, it would alleviate their books and give them more flexibility to potentially re-sign some of their own free agents. They would have to draft a LT high in response, but that’s coming ‘round the mountain anyway.

As it stands, Peters is most likely to play out the final year of his deal, at a level of play at or slightly under that cap figure. All things considered, Philadelphia will return all five of their starting offensive linemen — keeping intact a unit that performed above all others in 2017, and showed flashes of the same dominance in 2018.

*Cutting Timmy Jernigan with a post-June 1st designation could make him a bigger alleviation than Peters.

Source: https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2019/2/14/18224523/philadelphia-eagles-jason-peters-2019-nfl-draft

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boymale2-blog · 6 years ago

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Eagles vs. Jaguars: 9 winners, 5 losers, 3 I don’t knows

WINNERS

DOUG PEDERSON

CARSON WENTZ

Wentz easily could’ve ended up in the “Losers” section below after he got off to a rough start.

Another downside to Wentz’s game is that his aggression can lead to risky plays. This was the game when he forced a ball to Joshua Perkins in the end zone and Jalen Ramsey picked it off.

On the season, Wentz is completing 71% of his attempts for 1,788 yards (7.9 average), 13 touchdowns, two interceptions, and a 110.2 passer rating. He also has 89 rushing yards.

In other words, Wentz is pretty good.

AVONTE MADDOX

DALLAS GOEDERT

It was a good day for the Eagles’ 2018 NFL Draft class with Goedert also making a big play. Following Maddox’s forced fumble, it was Goedert who caught a 32-yard catch-and-run touchdown.

Goedert’s a big boy who knows how to get open and isn’t easy to bring down after the catch. His YAC ability is very valuable.

JORDAN MATTHEWS

JOSH ADAMS

FLETCHER COX

MALCOLM JENKINS

Jenkins got beat on a double move to allow a touchdown to Dede Westbrook, yes, but he also broke up a touchdown pass later in the game which ultimately caused the Jaguars to settle for a field goal.

EAGLES FANS

LOSERS

THE EAGLES’ OFFENSIVE LINE SITUATION

Lane Johnson is reportedly going to miss at least a month due to an MCL sprain and Jason Peters continues to struggle to stay in the game as he battles through multiple injuries.

With Johnson out, the Eagles will be moving forward with the following lineup from left to right:

Jason Peters Isaac Seumalo Jason Kelce Brandon Brooks Halapoulivaati Vaitai

Then you have Kelce clearly playing through pain, and if he has to miss time, it could be Wis shifting to center with Chance Warmack going in to play guard.

The Eagles’ offensive line situation isn’t in tip top shape moving forward. #Analysis.

COREY CLEMENT

DEXTER MCDOUGLE

Get well soon, Sidney Jones.

JALEN MILLS

D.J. ALEXANDER

I DONT KNOWS

JIM SCHWARTZ

So why isn’t he in the “winners” section?

Well, a few things.

WENDELL SMALLWOOD

JORDAN HICKS

Source: https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2018/10/28/18034132/eagles-vs-jaguars-winners-losers-final-score-recap-results-philadelphia-carson-wentz-josh-adams-nfl

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thatfootballphotog · 8 years ago

Photo

LUC JEGGO

Whats your football story?

· Born in Austria with two English parents, brother joined a club - wanted by the coach at the age of six, mum made the deal with said coach that if the club wanted Jimmy they would have to take me on board. At the age four it all started. Playing football on the streets of Australia

· Few offers from a few clubs, life as always decided to change as my father was offered a job here in Australia. We moved over to Melbourne, joined Green Gully - later on with VIS.

· Worked my way through the tough world of football and got myself a half scholarship with Victory, few months down the track earned a full scholarship. Worked my up as to be the Youth Captain at Victory. Spent at least 2 years, at the age of 19 - Ange Postecogelu joined Victory, the same season as the Liverpool friendly at the MCG. Made my onto the bench after one of the best pre seasons i have ever had personally. Finally got my big moment in front of my home town against footballers like Suarez and Steven Gerrard.

· Few injuries at Victory which allowed myself to make the senior squad, sadly I ended up with an injury as well and missed out a lot of first team football.

· Sustained another injury, ACL and MCL. Worked hard and pushed myself to get back on my feet, joined Green Gully in the NPL and got myself back into shape.

· I decided to leave Australia and head out to Europe

What are some of your inspirations?

· At a young age my brother as most know was diagnosed with Leukaemia and that itself had to be an inspiration, to be there for him and watch his recovery. To now become the professional footballer that he is.

Football is a tough game, was there ever a moment that made you want the game more?

· I remember working in a call centre every day, saving up as much as i could to get myself back to Europe. Id do anything for football. Training 3 nights a week with Gully and personally keeping myself fit during the off days before and after work. It all pays off in the end.

You attempted Hungary first?

· I decided to fly over and trial with a club in Hungary, sadly that didn’t work out as I had wished. luckily I have a contact over there that hosted me.

How long were you in Europe? what did you get up to?

· About 3 or so months in Hungary, decided to visit England. Had a trial with Kittaminster FC(English 5th Div). Stambolziev is currently there. I almost signed, but i wanted to see what else I could get. I had to hustle around, few months in England and I moved around to find the best place. Moved around Scandinavia, a lot of Aussies are up there. Things fell into place, a club in Norway needed a player and we linked up.

How was Kittaminster?

· We versed West Brom in a friendly, the club officials were interested but i feel if I was a little younger. The offer would have been ready.

How was that leap of faith?

· Flew over in a small plane, first game with the club was against a Tippelega club in quite a large stadium. Training and playing everyday, it was what I wanted. Learned so much and now calling Norway home.

Describe the town?

· Ten thousand population, a small town who have accepted me and taught me a lot of the past few months. A lot of people I can consider family.

How was the first few months with Flora SK?

· I picked up a small injury during the start, it was a little tough being a foreigner with an injury. You could get replaced any time. Medical attention would require me to fly interstate, but we did what we had to do.

· I finally returned back into the starting 11, the club was on a run which made it a challenge for me to make my way back. I ended up scoring about 4 goals. As a centre midfielder, I had to take every opportunity.

Whats your next goal, individual and at the club?

· The club is only one promotion away from the top tier Tippelega, so getting that at next seasons end (2016/17) would be the best way for me to reach a greater goal for myself and the club.

· Personally id like to work hard and get a few good games under my belt, hope to cut it in the top four leagues in the world over the next few years.

Has your style football changed over the years?

· During my time at Victory I was usually playing a direct defensive position. On the wing at left or right back and at times as a defensive midfielder. In Norway, Im more of a luxury number 10. And thats the thing about playing overseas, you need to adapt to be able to stand our or even survive in the football world.

Has the club/players or even the clubs fans given you a nickname?

· Kind of, I may have stolen it. But as I score I have decided to do the kangaroo hop as a joke of course.

Which footballer did you admire growing up? who was your footballing idol

· it always changed as I got older, Scholes or Gerrard.

Favourite football moment?

· Gerrards performance against West Ham in the cup

· Macheda scoring for Manchester United against Aston Villa when he made his debut, I remember my brother calling me after it happened. We were going nuts.

Do you cry for Football/ does football effect your day to day life?

· At the moment, its for the club I play for. A win is a win and a lose is a lose. Only those games could effect my day or mood.

Favourite pair of boots?

· Chopped and changed, i wore way to many colourful boots. I wanted all the fancy boots. If Ronaldo had them, I needed them.

Favourite jersey you own?

· To be honest, Joe Allen when we swapped at the MCG post match against Liverpool. His an awesome footballer, and actually one I admire.

Pele or Maradone

· Maradone!

World Cup or Euros?

· World Cup

MLS or ALEAGUE

· MLS but the A-League is catching up

Favourite football documentary

· AFC Bournemouth or “5 year plan” a story about QPR

Current Australian footballer doing well?

· Tom Rogic, he tore Man City apart! he is majestic

Favourite song now and classic?

· I found my song in Norway! Earth Wind and Fire - September

Play FIFA?

· My brother and I always do manager mode, we took Arsenal to the Champions League final

Anything personal you want to mention?

· Australia really needs to work on their pathways, too many footballers go on to be forgotten or neglected.

· I would like to see more Australians taking risks and going overseas without a worry.

· Aleague giving more of the Youth League a chance in the A-League

· Instead of spending your savings on holidays, go overseas and trial and train.

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thrashermaxey · 6 years ago

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21 Fantasy Hockey Rambles

Every Sunday, we'll share 21 Fantasy Rambles – formerly 20 Fantasy Thoughts – from our writers at DobberHockey. These thoughts are curated from the past week's ‘Daily Ramblings’.

Writers: Michael Clifford, Ian Gooding, Cam Robinson, and Dobber

1. Blue Jackets’ Matt Duchene had a fantastic Round 1 series with seven points in four games. Aside from the points, he led the team in adjusted shot share at five-on-five and Columbus outscored Tampa Bay 4-1 when he was on the ice at five-on-five.

Duchene didn’t do a whole lot in the regular season post-deadline but his play in the first round made his acquisition completely worth it. What a marvelous series. (apr18)

2. On the topic of Duchene pulling through, how about Max Pacioretty and Jordan Eberle? Remember when those two were players a franchise couldn’t rely upon for big performances? Pacioretty has 10 points in five games with the Sharks on the verge of elimination Sunday, while Eberle had four goals and six points in the four-game sweep of the Penguins. Their respective performances are just a reminder to casual hockey fans that they’re very good players. (apr18)

3. Antti Raanta and Darcy Kuemper: which goalie is the sleeper next year?

How far does Raanta’s injury and uncertainty surrounding his grip on the starting role push down his ADP? Does Kuemper’s great season and potential push for the top job drive up his ADP? Will these two be drafted in relatively the same tier as, say, Matt Murray and Marc-Andre Fleury were a few years ago?

I am fascinated to see where these guys are valued by the market, especially if the Coyotes make some moves this offseason either in the trade or free agency markets. Or both. (apr16)

4. Kyle Connor is the least talked about upcoming RFA this summer. People are whispering about offer sheets all over the place but the Winnipeg cap, coupled with his strong production, may lead to some interesting negotiations. (apr17)

5. This won’t be an easy offseason for the Jets, who will have as many as 15 pending free agents to sort out. For example, Connor and Patrik Laine will need contracts, which means that the Jets might not be able to afford UFAs Kevin Hayes and Brandon Tanev.

Then there’s the defense. Have Jacob Trouba and Tyler Myers both played their last games as Jets? Beyond pillars Dustin Byfuglien and Josh Morrissey, this group could look very different. At least fantasy owners should finally be able to see Sami Niku on the Jets for a full season.

Then you also have to wonder whether coach Paul Maurice’s job is safe after what appeared to be a missed opportunity. Needless to say, they’ll be lots of fantasy implications to break down with this team this offseason. (apr21)

6. The Blue Jackets’ four-game sweep of the Lightning has easily been the surprise story of the NHL playoffs so far. The Islanders’ four-game sweep of the Penguins will come in as a not-too-distant second in that department. And there’s the Flames, out in five against the Avs, as well. That isn’t good news if you’d built your fantasy playoff roster around the likes of Nikita Kucherov and Sidney Crosby.

There’s the old expression “when you lose, don’t lose the lesson.” So, can fantasy owners learn anything from these surprise quick exits of the Lightning and Penguins, two teams that have been on the short list of Stanley Cup contenders over the last few years? Follow this link for at least three takeaways about the topic. (apr20)

7. Rookie Alexandre Texier’s developmental arc has been something to marvel. As the youngest player in the crop, he was drafted halfway through the second round in 2017 out the top league in France. All he’s done since is make the Columbus scouting staff look like geniuses.

He had a very strong year in the Finnish Liiga as an 18-year-old in 2017-18. This past season, his 41 points in 55 contests were the second most by a U20 player. He came over to the American League to close out the campaign and scored five goals and seven points in as many games. That earned him the call to the big club and I’m guessing he won’t be heading down any time soon.

Texier will be an extremely interesting player to rank heading into fantasy hockey drafts next season. Keeper leagues need to be all over this guy, but his original draft slot coupled with a bit of no-name vibe could push him into sleeper territory. That is, of course, if he doesn’t go off this postseason.

The 19-year-old has been skating on a line with Nick Foligno and Josh Anderson at even-strength and seeing some second unit power play deployment. With Artemi Panarin almost assuredly out the door this summer, a left-wing spot in the top-six will be wide open. If the Blue Jackets don’t fill that hole with a big fish (a big if), then I like Texier to put his name on it. (apr17)

8. Current Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill was signed to a two-year extension earlier this month, so his job for at least next season is secure. However, I’d think that new GM Steve Yzerman would immediately raise the bar for a former contender that has now missed the playoffs for three consecutive seasons.

The Wings have some nice pieces centering around Dylan Larkin, but Stevie Y will need to add more in the way of draft picks. With some cap space, Yzerman could even dip into the free agent pool as early as this summer. Optimism abound in the Motor City.

For a more detailed analysis of the Yzerman hire, see Mike Clifford’s Fantasy Take. (apr20)

9. Your Vezina Trophy finalists were announced on Saturday and they are Ben Bishop, Robin Lehner and Andrei Vasilevskiy. Bishop led the NHL with a .934 SV% and trailed only half-season starter Jordan Binnington with a 1.98 GAA.

In spite of those impressive ratios, you know that Vasilevskiy will receive a lot of first-place votes because he led the league with 39 wins, which had a lot to do with the team in front of him.

Hockey media hasn’t paid enough attention to Bishop’s season, perhaps because he plays in a non-traditional hockey market for a team that squeaked into the playoffs. Because of their goaltender, the Stars might be better than we think as they are on the verge of upsetting Nashville. (apr21)

10. James Neal was a healthy scratch for Game 5. As you might expect, he had no points in the previous four games. Neal has quite simply been a bust for the Flames since signing a five-year contract worth $5.75 million per season last summer. His 19 points in 63 games is his lowest point total in his 11-year NHL career and he doesn’t seem to fit into the Flames’ younger core going forward. Hopefully, you didn’t draft him hoping he’d play on the Flames’ top line. We could now be seeing why Nashville left him unprotected in the expansion draft.

11. The Flames have a major decision coming up with respect to their goaltending. The team’s ousting is by no means entirely on Mike Smith (his 188 saves were lead all playoff goalies at the time), but he was easily considered the biggest question mark for the Flames entering the series.

You’d have to think that the 37-year-old Smith won’t be returning and that the Flames would instead turn to a tandem with RFA David Rittich and a goalie that they find as a UFA (maybe they circle back to Smith?) There doesn’t appear to be anything waiting in the system, as the numbers for both Jon Gillies and Tyler Parsons don’t suggest that they’re NHL-ready. Maybe a trade? (apr20)

12. The metrics from Puck IQ don’t paint a very flattering picture of Drew Doughty’s 2018-19 season.

Was it his defense partner? That’s very possible, considering how much better Doughty has fared over the last two years when not playing with Derek Forbort. Was it the coaching staff and their systems? It may be, and we’ll have a better idea of this now that Todd McLellan is behind the bench. Was it just an off year? I don’t want to dismiss that, either.

I’m pretty comfortable saying that Doughty going from playing with Jake Muzzin to playing with Forbort had a massive impact on his performance. But does he have a better partner next year? We’ll see. (apr19)

13. As when all teams get eliminated from playoffs, we find out about all the injuries players were going through. Pittsburgh’s locker clean-out brought us that as Jared McCann informed us he was playing through a separated shoulder. Also, Brian Dumoulin was playing through a torn posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) in his knee.

We also got more rumours that Evgeni Malkin will be traded, which seems to be almost a rite of passage whenever the Penguins don’t win the Cup. That always overlooks the fact that even if the Penguins wanted to trade Malkin, he has a no-move clause. Honestly, these types of rumors exhaust me because there is never is a kernel of truth and people are just looking for clicks. I guess that’s just the online world we live in now. (apr19)

14. Tampa Bay also told us that Victor Hedman was not medically cleared for Games 3 and 4 after being so earlier in the series. It’s pretty obvious Hedman was nowhere near himself in Round 1. General manager Julien Brisebois also said there will be changes, but as I stated in my Ramblings yesterday, it’s just a reality of their cap situation rather than blowing up the roster.

Again, this roster is loaded top to bottom. It seems Brisebois understands that making significant changes would not be in the team’s best interest. It’s nice to see him take a measured approach.

BTW: Alex Killorn had a slight tear in his left knee’s MCL but will not require surgery. (apr19)

15. It was a rebound, or career year, in many ways for Patrick Kane. Not something easily predicted for a 30-year old on what was thought to be a declining team.

An early lesson I learned in fantasy sports is to always bet on talent. Originally, for me, this applied to relief pitchers in fantasy baseball, but it’s very much true in almost any sport; elite talent usually finds a way to be productive almost regardless of circumstance. This certainly isn’t always the case (see: Kopitar, Anze) and I would bet on a modest step back for Kane in 2019-20. All the same, doubting elite talent is a bet I do not often make. (apr16)

16. Something that caught my eye in Cam Metz’s Eastern Edge column a couple of days ago. He wrote about production against expected production from right wingers in the Atlantic division. One guy whose name stood out: Jason Pominville.

In 837 minutes of five-on-five ice time, Pominville posted 2.01 points per 60 minutes. Among the 252 forwards with at least 800 minutes, only 86 forwards managed at least two points per 60 minutes at 5v5. Pominville’s rate was the same as Brayden Schenn and Joe Pavelski. Pominville accomplished this despite playing only about a third of his ice time with Jack Eichel.

Going back three seasons, Pominville’s aggregate points/60 minutes at 5v5 (1.93) is the same as Gustav Nyquist, and higher than other wingers like Pavelski, Alex Radulov, Evander Kane, and Justin Williams.

Now, there is a lot more to hockey than just simply a points rate at five-on-five, but it’s clear that Pominville can still be productive in the NHL in a lesser role, and can do so even in a low-scoring environment. However, he turns 37 in November and it’s a wonder how much he does have left. I’ll be interested to see where he lands this summer. (apr18)

17. I’ve written about this before, but the 40-goal scoring Jake Guentzel is one of the few players who I believe can consistently live in the mid-to-high teens for conversion rate. It doesn’t hurt that he’s locked to Sidney Crosby at even-strength. I imagine he’ll finally take a full-time spot on the top power-play unit next fall as well. (apr17)

18. At the outset of the season, I envisioned a transition year for the Ducks. Guys like Ryan Kesler and Corey Perry would still be productive, but likely on the third or fourth lines, while guys like Sam Steel, Troy Terry, and Max Comtois would step up and lead the next wave of the Ducks core.

That wasn’t entirely the case.

Steel’s first foray in the NHL saw three points and 17 shots on goal through 13 games, averaging under 15 minutes a game. We have to think back to the state of the Ducks in October, though: Ryan Getzlaf missed two weeks due to injury, Ondrej Kase was not in the lineup due to his own injury, and Perry was injured as well. With guys like Rickard Rakell, Jakob Silfverberg, and Andrew Cogliano in the top-6, Steel was playing on the third and fourth line most nights with guys who were either unproven or without a lot of offensive skill. He wasn’t exactly put into a position to succeed, and he, Isac Lundestrom, and Terry were eventually sent down either for the rest of the season, or until after the trade deadline.

In all, the underlying numbers weren’t great for Steel but I wonder how much of that is Anaheim being a disaster most of the season. Those numbers were really bad in October, but after his recall at the end of February, he had very strong shot share numbers for the remaining games he dressed. It really was a tale of two seasons for Steel.

I’m still a believer in his talent and think he can be a good second-line center in the NHL. I thought that might start in 2018-19 but clearly he needed another year of to get up to speed. I think my mistake was my own beliefs in a player’s potential clouded what I should have seen as a clear development year. It’s a mistake I’m certain I’ll make again. (apr16)

19. Well it’s done. A week ago I didn’t expect this to happen. Not even when I had my ‘interview’ with Nikita Gusev’s agent a couple of weeks ago. I thought this would come in the form of a signing in late June, or an announcement in August. But things have moved quickly over the last week and Vegas has actually signed Gusev to a one-year entry-level contract.

The 26-year-old has dominated the KHL – and the international stage – for a couple of years now, and he’s ready to step into the lineup right away. Not only that, but he is actually eligible to play, since he wasn’t signed as an unrestricted free agent. Whenever he does, he could have an Artemi Panarin-type of impact. Vegas already has their first two lines in stone (or ‘Stone’, if you will): (apr15)

20. Gusev wasn’t the only Russian star to sign with an NHL playoff team. Columbus signed Vladislav Gavrikov, a defenseman who played with Gusev on SKA St. Petersburg. There were also questions as to whether or not Gavrikov would sign, too. Funny enough, the Jackets have two defensemen hurt and had to actually dress Adam Clendening in Games 3 and 4 of Round 1. Gavrikov is 23 and his offensive upside is minimal (mid-30s) but he’s close to a sure thing when it comes to making it into the NHL. At least, as much as one can be a sure thing. (apr15)

21. In early December, I traded Vince Dunn for Nazem Kadri in my keeper league. At the time, I wanted the depth forward as it would keep me in the hunt. I also wanted a playoff guy and Kadri was a lock for the playoffs, whereas clearly Dunn and his St. Louis Blues were, uh…done. They were bottom dwellers at the time. And as a bonus, Kadri had a great second half last year and although that was due to playing with Mitch Marner (which wasn’t going to happen again this year), I figured there would still be an uptick.

Well, that entire transaction has derailed and I feel like I gave up a good quality young defenseman for nothing. With Kadri’s track record of dirty hits, he’s going to miss time and likely lots of it. So, as a playoff asset, he’s done. And he never had that second-half uptick so he really didn’t help the bottom of my roster very much, either. (apr15)

Have a good week, folks!!

from All About Sports https://dobberhockey.com/hockey-home/21-fantasy-hockey-rambles/21-fantasy-hockey-rambles-14/

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junker-town · 7 years ago

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41 thoughts I had while discovering 'NBA Live 18' might actually be good

There was a lot going on here.

The NBA Live demo dropped on August 11th and I couldn’t wait to play it. Every year I hear about the newest NBA Live effort, and every year I’m at least a little bit curious as to what the game will look like.

As someone who grew up playing both NBA Live and NBA 2K, I’m a fan of both franchises and like numerous renditions of both games.

Ever since the NBA Elite 11 fiasco, I've been patiently waiting for the day when NBA Live returns to the level that we all remember from back in the day.

NBA Live 2005 with Carmelo Anthony on the cover, the classic soundtrack, and the fun 3-point shootout. That level of greatness.

After seeing some snippets of NBA Live 18 gameplay and a ton of opinions on Twitter and YouTube, I decided to keep a running tally of my thoughts while playing the demo.

1. I LIKE THIS INTRO. I GOT I GOT I GOT ROYALTY GOT LOYALTY INSIDE MY DNA.

2. Oh boy, not face scan time. I have to download a companion app, don’t I?

3. Lighting? *Walks around house*

4. It’s working... never mind it’s not working.

5. My arms are getting tired... FOR THE LAST TIME MY FACE IS IN THE CIRCLE!

6. It works. It’s loading. I’m scared.

7. Holy crap, it looks like me. I’m scared. The machines are out to get us. My head looks kind of small but okay.

8. Even in the demo version, Russ and KD are on opposite teams.

9. The accuracy of how the players look compared to their real-life counterparts varies from player to player. I wasn’t expecting perfection here though, so this isn’t much of a surprise.

Although you do still have the occasional scary one.

But that aspect of the game is not as important to me.

10. This shot meter is going to take some getting used to. It feels slower than what I'm accustomed to. Adjusting the game speed to 90 made me more comfortable with it.

11. This menu and soundtrack are lit. LOOK AT THIS PLAYLIST!

12. The servers are down. I guess I’ll come back later.

13. Servers back!

14. They never have my last name (Yeboah) in the game.

15. Wow, they have hairstyles for days!

16. It is I, Kof Harden

17. The narrator just said I tore my ACL and sprained my MCL and tore my meniscus?! DO I EVEN WANT TO PLAY BASKETBALL ANYMORE?!

(The subtitles and video don’t match up)

18. These park/pro-am loading screens and intro videos are informative and possess dope visuals.

It gives those people that don’t know about a historic park/playground some insight on the court they are stepping on. Those gamers asking “What the hell is the Drew League?” or “Why is Rucker Park so famous?” get their questions answered. It’s a fun lesson. The only downside about these loading screens is that I didn’t seem to have an option to skip them.

19. Playmaker type seems fine to me.

20. Oh look, there’s no layup meter!

21. The upgrade system for unlocking animations, traits, and stuff are really cool.

I can also swap out traits on a game-by-game basis? Awesome.

22. Choosing Playmaker was a bad choice.

23. NBA Live got Kyrie right!

24. Adjusting the game speed might be necessary depending on what sports games you usually play.

25. The play-by-play commentary needs improvement.

I know I’m being a stickler, but it sounds like I’m playing NBA Jam. It feels like Mike Breen and Jeff Van Gundy didn’t record their audio at the same time. There isn’t any true back and forth between them. It’s not a big deal, but it is something I noticed.

26. The first part of the demo seemed super stiff and then I realized that my custom character was a scrub that didn’t have any dribble moves.

Being used to playing NBA 2K, the game speed seemed slow at first. I was having a hard time getting used to shot timing and defense, but increasing game speed setting helped me get more comfortable.

27. WE GOOD NOW! I HAVE DRIBBLE MOVES! COME GET SOME, IT!

Game winner?

LIT!

28. I like how it shows you who you’re going to pass to before I even think about passing. The visible line is helpful for court vision and control.

Which helped me complete this play.

In most sports video games, who you’re going to pass the ball to can often be implied.

However, there are always instances in sports video games where you pass to the wrong player because you didn’t use icon passing and just assumed that they would make the move that you wanted to make.

While icon passing can easily solve these problems, sometimes using the standard pass buttons are easier and this white line can help both casual and advanced gamers from those “I pressed the wrong button, I swear!” moments.

29. The tutorial has a checklist for when you complete moves? I dig it.

30. Hype Brothers back?! We’re about to be lit!

I get to reunite with my former teammate (Nick Howard) and show the world that I can still ball after all the stuff that has happened to my legs. I have Stephen A. Smith and Max Kellerman talking about me on First Take, so I know I must be a big deal.

31. Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhh

The Warriors might be off-limits.

32. Wow, Klay Thompson’s jumper is kind of unfair.

33. Let’s get into these drills.

34. Oh, this is why I’ve been terrible at defense so far.

35. I really really really like this menu. LOOK HOW CLEAN IT IS. LOOK AT IT!

36. EA Sports made a conscious effort of making sure that you got used to of the controls before you started to play. These constant control reminders will be very helpful to the casual gamer.

Almost every loading screen features a teachable moment for players that are new to the game.

37. There are also options for beginners in case you’re just starting to learn the game. They recommend plays for you and they’re pretty easy to run. The instructions that then show up on the court are very easy to comprehend.

38. The demo also gives you prompts and then lets you know if you accomplished the task that they asked you to complete. It’s a good feature for on the fly learning.

39. I had fun with this demo.

I approached this demo trying my hardest not to compare it to 2K every step of the way and I ended up having a good time. After all, it’s still a video game.

Unlike the NBA Live 15 and 16 demos, I didn’t find myself wanting to quit and never play the game again. The game modes and new features kept me intrigued throughout the demo.

40. How you like this demo is going to be based on what you prefer in a video game.

Of course, the gameplay is a little bit different from 2K, but I encourage you to try it out for yourselves because I’m not going to sit here and try to gauge what you prefer in a basketball game. It may be the presentation. It may be the experience. You might like an arcade feel. You might like a video game that’s as close to realistic as possible.

41. My takeaway from the demo is NBA Live is taking a step in the right direction.

No, the demo isn’t perfect. Some of the animations flat out don’t make sense or come off as the game trying too hard to be cool. But these negatives weren't enough to make me completely give up on it. After this preview, I’m actually looking forward to trying out all the full version.

Ball is life.

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cover32-yahoopartner-blog · 8 years ago

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“Feast Mode” the new Beast Mode; Eddie Lacy big addition for Seattle

The Seattle Seahawks have 11 running backs currently on the active roster. While most of these running backs will not make it to the active squad, it was still important that Seattle added a proven veteran to the running back corps. They did just that during free agency to help propel the team back into a power running style of play.

With Christine Michael gone and Thomas Rawls struggling with injuries, it made sense for the Seahawks to sign Eddie Lacy from the Green Bay Packers. Yes, Seattle had an opportunity to sign other running backs, but Lacy is the safe option that has 4 years under his belt and a limited amount of carries.

AROUND COVER32

Around the NFL: What does the future hold for Giants’ WR, Brandon Marshall

The Latest: Jay Cutler is the most recent QB to be joining the broadcast booth this season

What’s Trending: Is 2017 the end of Bills’ WR, Sammy Watkins in Buffalo

2017 NFL Draft: Taking a look at the boldest moves of last week’s NFL Draft

NFL Reaction: Why the media has been so critical of Bears’ move to draft QB Mitch Trubisky

The running back position in the NFL has a limited lifespan, averaging about eight years or 2,000 carries. The closer that a running back gets to these two milestones, the player usually slows down, become injured faster, and their play deteriorates.

For example, Shaun Alexander, a Seahawks legend, had a great run in 2005 where he ran for 27 touchdowns and almost 2,000 yards. After that season, Alexander saw a decline in his play. This was due to an increase in injuries and trying to limit running between blocks in the ISO formation to limit injuries.

Eventually his yards per carry dropped from 5.1 in 2005 to an average of 3.1 for his final three seasons. This compares to options available to the Seahawks this offseason.

Jamaal Charles has not played a complete season since 2012. Within that time, he has managed only three seasons with over 1,000 yards rushing. He also has only averaged 807 yards per season in his career. He is coming back from a torn ACL that he suffered in 2015 and surgery to fix the issue again in 2016.

This injury has limited him to play in only eight games the last two seasons. He has accrued only 404 total rushing yards in those seasons.

The risk of the tendon tearing or giving when Charles plants his leg limits his ability to be explosive. Eventually signing with the Broncos, do not be surprised to see him as a third down back behind C.J. Anderson.

Adrian Peterson is in a similar situation with injuries and loss of playing time. He has struggled to finish multiple campaigns recently due to injury. He is currently coming back from a torn meniscus in his right knee that he suffered in Week 2 of 2016.

Peterson decided to have a full repair of the meniscus, but it can affect how he plays in the future. Also, it was only five years ago that he tore both his MCL and ACL in his left knee. Yes, he did have a stellar season the next, as he came 9 yards shy of breaking the single season rushing yard record. But as Peterson continues to age, his touches will reduce with the Saints before he retires.

This leaves LeGarrette Blount and Lacy as the two best choices for Seattle. Since entering the NFL in 2010, Blount has only seen three seasons where he played in all 16 games in a single season and only two seasons where he had 1,000 or more rushing yards. Unfortunately, those two stats do not coincide. His average rushing yards per season is 731 and a dismal average of 52.1 yards per game.

Carroll’s system prides itself on relying heavily on the running game. This allows the team to open up the playbook for the play action pass. Even in a system with three other running backs in New England, Blount could not find a role to be as dominant as he could have been. This caused him to lose carries to James White. Therefore Lacy is the prime candidate for Seattle.

Eddie Lacy is entering his fifth season with 788 carries and an average of 4.4 yards per carry. While he has the same average yards as Blount, Lacy also has 380 fewer touches. Lacy has 55 more catches and 563 more receiving yards than Blount. Lacy has also coughed up the ball fewer times, allowing the Seahawks to keep trekking down the field.

The Seahawks are concerned about his weight and have added weight incentives to his contract. But consider Jerome “The Bus” Bettis. Bettis was 251 pounds and was charging through players on his way to a, highly questionable, Super Bowl 40 ring.

He proved that weight does not matter as long as you know how to use your feet, you can cover the ball, and you have the strength to continue trucking and break tackles. Lacy will try to use this style of running to succeed in Seattle.

The 2017 season cannot come soon enough for Seahawks fans. They want to see what kind of a team the Seahawks are and if they are Super Bowl bound. But remember, running back is a pivotal position for the Seahawks offense.

Even if the Seahawks decide to use Lacy as a backup, Seattle will not lose quality at the running back position. This will further cement their run for another (refusing to say it and jinx the season). The NFC West is Seattle’s division to lose. Lacy will help make sure that does not happen.

The post “Feast Mode” the new Beast Mode; Eddie Lacy big addition for Seattle appeared first on Cover32.

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madpicks · 8 years ago

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New Post has been published on https://www.madpicks.com/sports/nfl/jay-cutler-released-bears-now/

Jay Cutler released by the Bears. Now what?

Jay Cutler’s eight-year run with the Chicago Bears is over. The Bears finally severed that relationship by releasing the 33-year-old Thursday, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

To replace Cutler, the Bears are expected to sign former Buccaneers quarterback Mike Glennon to a deal averaging a reported $15 million per season.

Cutler leaves Chicago as the team’s all-time passing leader, but he’ll mostly be remembered for tenure there that’s best described as complicated.

Cutler signed a seven-year, $126.7 million contract with the Bears in 2013. The deal was structured such that it would’ve been impossible to cut him early without eating loads of dead money. This year was the first chance for the Bears to pull the plug, and they get a lot of money off the books — cutting Cutler saves $14 million against the cap, while costing only $2 million in dead money, via Over the Cap.

While Cutler wasn’t known for being a controversial player beforehand, it amplified in Chicago for mostly bizarre reasons.

The Bears only made the playoffs once with him under center, in the 2010 season. They made it to the NFC Championship against their hated rivals, the Green Bay Packers, but Cutler missed most of the second half with a sprained MCL. Although it’s a high-stakes playoff game, that’s a perfectly understandable reason to sit out — QBs shouldn’t mess around on bad knees.

It would’ve been easy for the Bears to just say “knee injury, questionable to return.” But for some bizarre reason, they never disclosed the injury, so fans and TV viewers saw Cutler sitting on the sideline while his backup QB stunk it up in a playoff game, and they were up in arms. Hot takes came flying in a million miles an hour — Cutler is “not a gamer,” “not a real man,” “selfish,” “let his team down,” “doesn’t care about winning,” and so on.

It wasn’t fair at all, but from that point, Cutler’s reputation was set in stone. He became a punchline, a flash point for easy memes like “Jay Cutler Don’t Care” and “Smokin’ Jay Cutler.”

His overall performance with the team was never enough to quite the drama surrounding him. It didn’t help that as he got into older he proved the old adage, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” Cutler played just five games in 2016, but managed five interceptions to just four touchdowns in that span while the Bears went 1-4. Aside from a brief resurgence under offensive coordinator Adam Gase in 2015, Cutler’s been in slow decline for several years now.

What’s next for the Bears?

As for Glennon, while the reported cost to sign him sounds high, it’s actually a reasonable rate for a starting quarterback. Just going by annual averages, $15 million per year comes in at less than what other teams are paying starting quarterbacks with limited upside. The Chiefs are paying Alex Smith an average of $17 million per year, and Andy Dalton is getting $16 million per year from the Bengals.

Offensive line was already a need for the Bears for the offseason, the tackle positions specifically. It’ll be even more important to address that with Glennon starting. He lacks mobility, and has done his best work in a clean pocket where he has time to make his throws.

The decision to let Alshon Jeffery walk away in free agency is even more curious given the quarterback situation. They still have Kevin White, a first-round pick from 2015, who can be a No. 1 receiver, but he’s only managed to play four games in two years.

There’s no guarantee that the Bears view Glennon as anything more than a temporary solution. Chicago has the third overall pick in the draft, which could easily be used to take someone like Mitchell Trubisky, Deshaun Watson or any of the other top signal callers coming into the NFL this year.

What’s next for Cutler?

Despite the media circus, Cutler was a pretty good QB for most of his Bears tenure. But at 33 and unable to shake his bad habits, he’ll be a risky proposition for most teams looking for a short-term “win now” option at QB.

The Jets have been mentioned as one possibility, with his former QB coach there. But there’s already been pushback on that idea. They may not want to repeat their experience with Ryan Fitzpatrick with a more controversial version of him.

Buffalo is another possibility, based on prior connections at least. Offensive coordinator Rick Dennison was Cutler’s OC during the first three years of his career in Denver.

Really, any team looking for a temporary fix at the position could take a chance on Cutler, as long as they feel like they have an offense that can limit his turnover potential and keep the sideshows to a minimum.

#Bears #Jay Cutler

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yahoo-shutdown-corner-blog · 8 years ago

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NFL free agency preview: Some interesting possibilities at quarterback for a change

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When the Washington Redskins gave quarterback Kirk Cousins the exclusive franchise tag Tuesday, it took the most intriguing name off the market. Cousins can’t negotiate with any other team under that tag.

Still, there should be some intriguing options in free agency, especially if Tony Romo, Tyrod Taylor and Jay Cutler are cut. Romo and Cutler will likely be released if their respective teams can’t find trade partners. Taylor will be free if the Bills don’t pick up his massive option or renegotiate his deal. (And the Bills are taking their time on this one.) Former Philadelphia Eagles starter Nick Foles could also be a free agent if the Kansas City Chiefs decline his sizable option, and he’d be a top-10 free-agent option. Colin Kaepernick also entered the mix when it was announced on Wednesday he would officially opt out of his San Francisco 49ers contract. That’s a lot better group of quarterbacks than you’ll find most years in free agency.

There’s a decent mix of reliable backups and intriguing young players beyond Romo, Taylor and Cutler, who will be 1-2-3 on this list in some order if and when they’re available. Here are the top-10 quarterbacks slated to hit free agency on March 9:

TOP 10 FREE-AGENT QUARTERBACKS

1. Mike Glennon: He played well his first two years with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with 30 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Then Jameis Winston entered the picture and Glennon threw 11 passes the next two seasons.

Glennon is a big, strong-armed pocket quarterback, just 27 years old and shouldn’t command an enormous contract, yet could be a starter for a team in need. If there’s one name on this list that has underrated potential it’s Glennon, a third-round pick in 2013.

Mike Glennon is an intriguing 2017 free agent. (AP)

2. Brian Hoyer: Hoyer played well last season (98 rating) with the Chicago Bears before he got hurt. He wasn’t as bad as you remember with the 2015 Houston Texans either, he just had a horrendous playoff game. At 31, he could still be a stop-gap starter or a very good backup.

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3. Colin Kaepernick: He did some positive things in 2016. He had some good moments (16 touchdowns, four interceptions, 90.7 passer rating) on a 49ers team that was barely NFL-level quality. If you want to be optimistic, you guess how well he could have played last season on a real team, think back to the immense promise he showed in 2012 and 2013. Remember, he’s just 29 years old and the picture starts to look pretty enticing. Then you study the tape and realize there are still flaws that caused his downturn in 2014 and 2015. And none of that even touches on the possibility of some teams disagreeing with his political stance.

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4. Josh McCown: Last year, McCown was involved in many trade rumors. The shine is off a bit after he struggled last season. He’ll turn 38 in July but could be a solid backup. The Dallas Cowboys make a ton of sense, considering they’ll need a new backup to replace Romo and McCown is from Texas.

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5. Geno Smith: If quarterbacks are available in free agency, there’s a reason. So don’t expect to find your next Pro Bowl starter here. So despite your best Smith jokes, he’s not a bad option. He has 30 career starts with the New York Jets, was a second-round pick and is just 26 years old. He has played only three games the past two seasons due to injuries, but he’s not the worst option as a backup.

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6. Case Keenum: Keenum held off top pick Jared Goff for nine starts (which might say something about Goff), but he didn’t really play well, with nine touchdowns to 11 interceptions. However, he was playing on a horrendous Los Angeles Rams offense. He has 24 career starts, but is best suited as a backup.

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7. Ryan Fitzpatrick: There wasn’t much market for Fitzpatrick last year at his asking price, then at age 34 he posted a 69.6 passer rating for the New York Jets, worst among NFL starters. There’s a risk after last season that Fitzpatrick could be done as a competent quarterback, though he played well in 2015 and might still serve as a solid backup at the right price.

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8. Landry Jones: Although Jones got four starts with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he didn’t show he can be a full-time starter in the NFL. However, reports say the Steelers view him as a high-level backup, which counts for something.

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9. Matt Barkley: Given a chance to start late last season for the Bears, Barkley showed he can probably be a solid backup. He was inconsistent, but had some OK moments. That’s a step forward for Barkley, who previously looked like an NFL bust.

[Related: A list of the franchise-tagged players]

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10. Matt Schaub: Schaub once led the NFL with 4,770 passing yards in a season. That was with the Texans in 2009, though it feels like a few decades ago. But there might be a lifeline for the two-time Pro Bowler, as the San Francisco 49ers apparently could be interested in him as a starter in new coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense. If the 49ers come up with a better option, Schaub could return as the Atlanta Falcons’ backup.

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More on Yahoo Sports: • Adrian Peterson has a wish list and the Cowboys don’t seem to fit • Panthers coach rips President Trump immigration plans • Colin Kaepernick officially opts out, needs a new home • Warriors lose Kevin Durant indefinitely with MCL sprain

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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab

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