#even though kenny left. and so did the other two qbs

[hearty-an0n]

are pittsburgh coaches allergic to being nice to the guys playing in the special little guy position or what

[lamarmcarter]

A WNBA Wishlist for NBA 2K21 & Beyond

The current state of the world has created newfound time for many of us while we wait for sports to resume and, much more importantly, life to return to some semblance of normal.

To pass the time, and to follow the recent buzz created by the 2020 WNBA Draft, I have taken a deep dive into NBA 2K20’s WNBA integration and created a wishlist of features for the next iterations of the game. The first year of WNBA in 2K surpassed EA Sports’ two-year head start with NBA Live 18 and Live 19 on a number of fronts; that said, for 2K to bring the integration up to the standard W fans deserve and their industry-leading NBA simulation has created, I’ve logged these 20 things need to be added as soon as possible:

Fix the In-Game Commentary Audio One of the most glaring issues for 2K20 with the WNBA were the multiple instances of the in-game announcers misgendering player actions (using “he/him/his” instead of “she/her/hers”). I haven’t heard any actions in NBA modes using female wording so hearing it in the W games makes the mode feel a bit unprofessional. There are some times where these mentions could just be unclear pronunciations, but even that happening in a game where there is usually so much polish on the commentary is a problem. I’ve had fellow gamers on Twitter confirm that this has happened to them so it’s definitely not an isolated incident.

Choose more recognizable and more diverse announcers The all-male trio of announcers in the WNBA modes did an admirable job providing commentary in the games. While I generally enjoyed their commentary (sans point No.1) and it seemed to get better after launch, sometimes their insights into players were a bit formulaic (a descriptor, player name, another descriptor). Initially, hearing these anecdotes about the players was refreshing but noticing this recurring template was disheartening after a while. Also, in a game that has a wide mix of recognizable, veteran NBA announcers on the men’s side and sports the great Doris Burke among that mix, it was hard to understand how the WNBA mode only possessed an all-male crew unknown in WNBA circles.

A list of seasoned WNBA/women’s basketball announcers that should be approached for 2K21 and beyond include but are not limited to: LaChina Robinson, Kara Lawson, Rebecca Lobo, Adam Amin, Ryan Ruocco, Christy Winters-Scott, Carolyn Peck, Doris Burke, Holly Rowe (who could also serve in David Aldrige’s sideline role), Cheryl Miller, Debbie Antonelli, Pam Ward, Rosalyn Gold-Onwude, Maria Taylor, and Ann Meyers.

Add the pre-game/post-game shows If any of the veteran announcers could be added to 2K21, it would make perfect sense to create a pre-game/post-game panel package for the W. Any grouping of those announcers could easily create analysis for the teams and give the women the same treatment that Shaq, Kenny Smith, and Ernie Johnson give the men.

Extend the season mode past one season Being able to play a full season in 2K20 was one of the game’s best features. However, knowing that you couldn’t go into multiple years like in NBA MyLeague was disappointing. Knowing this, I still grinded through a season with the Las Vegas Aces from launch until a few weeks ago (for the record: 27-7, Liz Cambage as MVP and Finals MVP, and a title!) only to be left with the empty feeling of not being able to have my curated team (with a few late season trades) run it back in future years. Maybe the full 80-year NBA MyLeague treatment can’t be done, but having the auto draft classes, progressions, and offseason items necessary for a 15-25 year run should be doable.

Allow for creation of female players, custom rosters and draft classes As more and more attention is given to women’s basketball in this social media age, devoted fans may want to create draft classes of future college stars like NBA fans already do. Adding the option to create female players - individually or en masse - is necessary to allow for longer engagement with the league in the game. Outside of visualizing future players, being able to save and load custom rosters is also needed. This year’s one-season MyLeague would have been more bearable if I didn’t have to manually alter any fantasy rosters I wanted to experiment with every time I started a season.

Add a MyCareer storyline/path for Female MyPlayers to make the league In past editions of 2K and past versions of the Madden NFL franchise, game creators have worked around the NCAA’s old name, image and likeness restrictions by getting basic licenses from colleges to use their logos with generic rosters in MyCareer-type modes. Madden NFL 20’s Face of the Franchise mode particularly stood out: your QB chose a college to go to, and then as a senior played against two schools in the College Football Playoff semis and final.

A similar setup could be created for a Female MyCareer story: get a team license for 4-8 of the top women’s college basketball teams and have the created player go through the latter stages of the NCAA tourney before getting drafted to the W. Someone could create a player, choose from the licensed schools to commit, play a handful of games versus the other licensed schools (and their auto-generated rosters) in big moments over four years, and end by going through top teams as a senior (either with or without graduated alums in the W; imagine having to face Sabrina Ionescu, Satou Sabally, Ruthy Hebard and Oregon or Tyasha Harris, Mikiah Herbert Harrigan, Dawn Staley and South Carolina for the title to set your draft stock). Simulate the draft with Commissioner Cathy Engelbert like it’s done with NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, and roll right into your season with the same bells and whistles as a male MyPlayer.

Allow Female MyPlayer into the Neighborhood/Park areas I personally don’t play too much of the online Park games in 2K (another story for another day) but just like on basketball courts around the world, if female MyPlayers are available, they should be able to run with the guys. The Neighborhood could be broken up three ways: a portion for guys only runs, a section for girls only runs, and a co-ed section. Give the female MyPlayers the same access to all the perks of the Neighborhood (gear, the Gatorade training center, MyCourt, etc).

Allow for Playoff Only Mode The WNBA Playoffs are probably the most unique in all of the major sports leagues. Adding a Playoff only mode to the season mode would allow for more content to be created and simulations to be run, especially if All-Time and Classic teams are added.

Continue to improve on strong face scan data 2K’s face scans were great out the gate in both quality and quantity. Continuing to improve on that start to gain 100 percent accuracy has to be the goal. Scanning sessions will probably be difficult in the current age of coronavirus, but if fans can scan their faces in the game with an app, I’m sure something can be done with the W’s players remotely.

Scan in and/or properly gender each head coach We heard that some WNBA coaches - if not all - were scanned for 2K20 but none of them are in the game. If correcting this can’t be done in 2K21, at least put in generic stand ins of the correct gender and race. Example: Minnesota (Cheryl Reeve - white woman) and Las Vegas (Bill Laimbeer - white man) both have black male avatars as their head coaches in the game. All 12 coach avatars in the game are men and even though there are more male coaches than female ones in the league, the virtual stand-ins are still incorrect. If the game could get unique scans for cheerleaders and female characters in MyCareer, I’m sure some stand in men and women could be added if the WNBA coaches can’t be added like their NBA counterparts.

Align commentator and arena PA announcer pronunciations A subtle tweak: making sure the game announcers and the in-arena PAs are announcing players’ names correctly. I’ve heard some very off names on both sides

Halftime: show team stats screen for longer than four seconds When I’m in a game and want to look at the halftime stats to figure out how I’m doing, I’ve felt rushed because the team stats graphic that shows in-between halves comes down just as quickly as it goes up.

Allow for online Play Now The NBA and 2K found a way to entertain its fans during our quarantine with online competitions that were aired on TV. If the WNBA season is postponed or cancelled, the league cannot facilitate a similar tournament in 2K20 because the only way for two people to faceoff with W teams is in the offline Play Now mode. Bringing in an online option will expand opportunities for fans to learn about the WNBA players and teams.

The defending champion Washington Mystics recently decided to do streams of their games on 2K but only as CPU vs CPU simulations instead of remote player vs player. Not having the ability to play someone else online limited their options and engagement opportunities. 

WNBA Finals: actually put in a celebration sequence As I (proudly) mentioned, I won the title in my LVA season and after the final game, there was a quick CHAMPIONS graphic...and that’s it. No trophy celebrations, no locker room celebrations, nothing. In my semifinals win to get to the Finals, the NBA “conference trophy” cutscenes played postgame at least. Adding that touch would surely be appreciated by the W community.

Double check player cutouts Jordin Canada (SEA) won an award in my LVA season and her player image was Jewell Loyd. It’s the only error I’ve personally seen on the player cutouts but checking those are important.

All-Time Teams and Past Champions Adding Classic WNBA teams and/or legends via All-Time teams would be the ultimate way to honor the league’s history and give old and new fans that pick up 2K a virtual time capsule of the W. My suggestions would be to add:

Champions and Runners-Up from every year (1997-present)

All-Time Teams that go 10-12 deep (I took a crack at suggestions here): https://bit.ly/2xFW2HL. I’m sure some W writers with deeper knowledge than mine could fill in the blanks.

Add a 2K League connection/element Tying back into the online Play Now mode, incorporating the NBA 2K League with WNBA action would be amazing. Either have the 2KL teams do special tourneys using W teams; create events or a full league for the W that has to be at minimum 75% women (because, shoot, I’d want to play too!); or do WNBA player-specific events. Imagine how cool it would be to see Aerial Powers and Allisha Gray going at it as themselves in 2K instead of just picking NBA teams.

Put in some general trade logic Currently, any trades in the MyLeague mode are set to automatically go through, no matter how outrageous. Some basic trade logic (at minimum based on overalls, salary and position) would be nice to give things a realistic feel.

Fix the jerseys screen in season In WNBA Play Now, when you go to adjust jerseys, there’s a graphic with WNBA players in the background. In Season, that graphic is of NBA players.

Honor Gigi Bryant, Payton Chester, and Alyssa Altobelli, and Kobe Bryant Follow Commissioner Engelbert’s lead and find a way to honor Gigi and her Mamba Academy teammates. Maybe permission can be granted to create older versions of the girls to be placed into the game’s free agent pool.

At minimum, having some kind of graphic commemoration would be classy (maybe banners throughout the game or at Staples for Sparks games, since they were California natives). There’s also been the obvious rumblings of putting Kobe and Gigi on the cover. That would be amazing. If that can’t be done, a cover with Kobe and a WNBA player he was close to (Ionescu, Diana Taurasi, Loyd) would be fitting.

I do not want this list to diminish what 2K has excelled at with its first run with the WNBA. The gameplay is fun and true to form, the graphics are high quality, a very large amount of the face scans are on point, being able to play a full season is an excellent touch, and the features that are in the game are strong. However, 2K as a whole has a decades-long reputation for putting out a pace-setting game every year so wanting the WNBA’s section of it to be fully developed is something every true basketball fan can agree on.

I can’t wait to see which of these suggestions or others are implemented. What features would you want added for the WNBA?

[aion-rsa]

A Comprehensive History of George R.R. Martin’s NFL Draft Takes

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Game of Thrones author George R.R. Martin loves three things above all else: writing exhaustive descriptions of feasts, killing Starks, and watching NFL football.

When the “A Song of Ice and Fire” creator is not writing the most impactful bit of fantasy storytelling since The Lord of the Rings, he follows his two favorite football teams: the New York Giants and the New York Jets (yes, supporting two teams in the same city is highly unusual and yes, he’s apparently fine with it). 

Martin is fond of expounding upon his fandom in interviews (including this one with ex-NFL defensive end Chris Long) and also documenting his sports pain on his LiveJournal blog, “Not a Blog”. The Westeros story shepherd has been blogging steadily since pretty much the dawn of blogging in 2006. And over the past 15 years, he has marked 235 posts with the “NFL” tag. 

Perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise that Martin is using a blog the way blogs were intended to be used – providing professional updates with some informal sports observations sprinkled in. But I’ve personally never been able to get over the novelty of one of pop culture’s most important, sagacious figures, jotting down his ill-conceived sports takes just like the rest of us weirdos. I mean, get a load of this (which is baseball-related, not football):

Grown men wishing to bear the child of their favorite professional athlete is the sort of thing usually left to fringe sports talk radio shows or drunk group text chats. And yet, here is the writer of A Feast For Crows’ genius “broken man” monologue just throwing it out there for public consumption. 

It’s like finding out that J.R.R. Tolkien used to submit his sports takes to The Times in the 1940s. “Yes, Stanley Matthews is talented but I fear his training regimen too rigorous for him to maintain the proper energy for the Three Lions to overcome France this year.”

Sadly, we do not have Tolkien’s football takes (apparently rugby was more his speed anyway). Since we do have Martin’s though, it’s worth examining how his many NFL opinions and predictions have held up over the years, particularly his commentary surrounding the NFL Draft.

The NFL Draft, in which NFL teams select college players to augment their rosters, occurs every year near the end of April or beginning of May. Martin, bless him, frequently likes to record his thoughts on the Jets and Giants’ draft during or after the event. Of the 235 NFL posts on NotaBlog, at least 12 of them deal with the draft. 

Read more

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This year’s NFL Draft begins on April 29. A GRRM post about it is sure to come soon after (unless The Winds of Winter is taking up too much of his time). Before George offers his thoughts on this year’s selections, let’s take a trip back through memory lane to grade some of his previous years’ takes. 

Bear in mind, that this list of Martin’s draft takes isn’t truly exhaustive. His blog for the 2020 draft, for instance, doesn’t include too many spicy opinions so it’s left out. But should you want the entire list of George R.R. Martin’s sports musings, I know a guy who wasted countless hours compiling all 235 posts.

George R.R. Martin’s NFL Draft Takes

The Post: April 26, 2019 – Day One The Takes: 

The Jets should have selected defensive end Josh Allen over defensive tackle Quinnen Williams

Daniel Jones at 6 was an overdraft from the Giants. They should have chosen Dwayne Haskins

Analysis: It’s probably too early to tell on George’s first prediction though Williams looks to be the slightly better player now. George’s second take, however, is way off. Not because Giants QB Daniel Jones has been particularly great but George’s preferred QB Dwayne Haskins had a disastrous tenure in Washington, getting released midway through his second season. Cumulative Take Score: 0 for 2 (0%)

The Post: April 7, 2018 – Feeling a Draft The Takes:

The Giants should take Saquon Barkley

The Jets should take Baker Mayfield

Analysis: One of George’s most charming sports quirks is an avowed love of running backs. The running back position isn’t as important in the modern NFL as offenses become more pass heavy. The Giants drafting running back Saquon Barkley was very defensible though and hopefully he will recover from the knee injury that wiped out his 2020 season. George was also dead-on in urging the Jets to take Baker Mayfield. Unfortunately for him (but fortunately for yours truly) the Browns took Mayfield with the first overall pick. The Jets took Sam Darnold as a consolation prize and he is already no longer on the team. Cumulative Take Score: 2 for 4 (50%)

The Post: April 29, 2016 – NFL Draft Round One The Takes: 

The Jets did well in taking linebacker Darron Lee over Memphis QB Paxton Lynch

The Giants should have picked pass rusher Shaq Lawson

Running backs Ezekiel Elliott and Derrick Henry will be good.

Analysis: George sniffed out Paxton Lynch’s futility like a Lannister plot. Darron Lee was pretty much a bust but at least he wasn’t Paxton Lynch. The Giants should not have chosen Shaq Lawson – their Eli Apple pick worked out perfectly fine. Here, George once again reveals his great taste in running backs. Though the position may no longer be as important, GRRM is one hell of a RB talent evaluator. Zeke Elliott and Derrick Henry are among the best backs in the league. Cumulative Take Score: 4 for 7 (57%)

The Post: April 27, 2013 – NFL Draft, Day 3 The Takes:

Ryan Nassib is Eli Manning’s successor

Taking Geno Smith will set the Jets back years.

Analysis: Ryan Nassib was not Eli Manning’s successor. Who’s to say if Geno Smith set the Jets back years or if they are just a poorly run organization? Either way, we’ll give that one to George since the team has had only one winning season since picking him. Cumulative Take Score: 5 for 9 (56%)

The Post: April 27, 2012 – NFL Draft, Round One The Takes:

“I am not at all happy with (the Jets) choice of Quinton Couples (sic).”

Cleveland had a good first round.

Ryan Tannehill will be a bust. 

Analysis: George was right to be upset with the Coples pick. Unfortunately, George erred severely in trusting the Cleveland Browns to draft well. He undoubtedly was excited about the Browns drafting one of his beloved running backs, but that running back, Trent Richardson, was out of the league within a few years. George’s Ryan Tannehil prediction looked prescient for the first half of his career. Now – not so much, with the QB turning his career around in Tennessee. Cumulative Take Score: 6 for 12 (50%)

The Post: April 25, 2009 – NFL Draft, Day 1 The Takes:

The Jets and Giants were right to not draft Percy Harvin.

Kenny Britt is the best receiver among himself, Hakeem Nicks, and Brian Robiskie

Analysis: The Harvin concerns were understandable but he had a pretty decent career, all things considered. Hakeem Nicks was better than Kenny Britt. George was surely happy to be wrong though as Nicks is who the Giants drafted. Cumulative Take Score: 6 for 14 (43%)

The Post: April 28, 2007 – NFL Draft, Day One The Takes:

The Jets had a better day than the Giants

Brady Quinn will have a better pro career than JaMarcus Russell

Analysis: George nailed prediction one. The Jets drafted Darrelle Revis, who ended up being one of the best players in franchise history. George also nailed prediction number two but that’s because just about every other player in football history had a better pro career than JaMarcus Russell. Cumulative Take Score: 8 for 16 (50%)

The Post: February 5, 2006 – Super Bowl XL The Takes: 

The Jets should draft D’Brickashaw Ferguson

“So another NFL season is now done, which means that Sunday becomes a work day for me once again. That should please everyone waiting for A DANCE WITH DRAGONS.”

Analysis: George’s first take here was absolutely correct. Ferguson was a Jets stalwart for a decade. Of course, I couldn’t help but share that second, non-football prediction. It turns out the people were not pleased as A Dance With Dragons would not arrive for another five years.  Cumulative Take Score: 9 for 17 (53%)

Bonus George R.R. Martin NFL Takes

And now, a few other George R.R. Martin NFL Takes that have nothing to do with the draft…

The Post: September 1, 2017 – The NFL Is Coming The Take: “I have the feeling that I am going to be starting a lot of blog posts with ‘Life is miserable and full of pain’ this fall, at least where the Jets are concerned.” Analysis: Yup.

The Post: January 15, 2015 Locker Room Shuffle The Take: “(Rex) Ryan’s opening press conference with the Bills was very impressive. He seemed to be the old Rex again, brimming with confidence and swagger, all leavened with a healthy sense of humor. He promised to make the Bills a “bully,” a team that no one will want to play. I believe him.” Analysis: Of all the Jets coaches in Not A Blog history, Rex Ryan might be Martin’s favorite. He believes (pretty accurately) that Ryan did not get a fair shake in New York. But things in Buffalo did not pan out well for Ryan either. He was fired after two seasons and a 15-16 record.

The Post: March 15, 2013 – Free Agency Follies The Take: “Oh, and the Patriots… what a vile thing is Evil Little Bill (Belichick). The way he treated Wes Welker is disgraceful. Man has absolutely no loyalty to anyone. Watch and see, when Tom Brady’s talents start to fade — and they will, it happens to all of them — Evil Little Bill will ship him out as well.” Analysis: I don’t doubt that George was right that Bill Belichick would send Tom Brady packing the moment his talents start to fade. Where George erred, however, is that Tom Brady’s talents are never going to fade. He will never retire or even die. Brady left Belichick and New England in 2020 of his own volition…and promptly won a Super Bowl in Tampa Bay.

Jets or Giants: Which Team Makes GRRM More Miserable?

Indulge me on one last bit of George R.R. Martin NFL nonsense. Occasionally, Martin will begin or end one of his football-related blog posts with the phrase “Life is meaningless and full of pain” (sometimes, he swaps “miserable” for “meaningless”).  

This is a notion that many sports fans should know quite well. Following a professional football team is mostly a never-ending series of woe and disappointment. And since Martin supports two NFL teams, he gets to experience twice the level of disappointment. But which New York football franchise causes George more pain? To find out, I tracked every “Not A Blog” post that contains the phrase “life is meaningless/miserable and full of pain” and figured out which team was making his life miserable. More often than not, it was both teams, but occasionally only one team was the culprit. The finally tally is:

New York Giants = 25 blog posts mentioning “life is meaningless and full of pain.”

New York Jets = 23 blog posts mentioning “life is meaningless and full of pain.”

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This is a fairly surprising result given that the Giants have actually won two Super Bowls in the time since Martin has been blogging. But it turns out that pain cuts deeper than victory. 

The post A Comprehensive History of George R.R. Martin’s NFL Draft Takes appeared first on Den of Geek.

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[paulbenedictblog]

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Fox news Myles Garrett, Nick Bosa among NFL's top 10 disruptors of 2019 - NFL.com

Fox news

Desire a second to think the predominant names in soccer and the positions they play.

The predominant acknowledge is easy: Quarterback. A team goes as its quarterback goes.

The second acknowledge, though, would possibly perchance perchance also merely be various looking out on who you query. Some would possibly perchance perchance also jabber huge receiver, and others would possibly perchance perchance also lean in direction of cornerback or left kind out.

But one set apart community has taken on elevated significance within the closing half decade or so, which most attention-grabbing makes sense when enthusiastic about the upward thrust of the passing sport. The set apart must opponents invest their resources? In those that hunt the quarterback.

Now we discover seen these avid gamers -- defensive ends and out of doors linebackers, looking out on the defensive contrivance -- in actuality evolve into their very contain classification: edge rushers. They're accountable for wreaking havoc and sending future Hall of Famers residence empty handed within the game's biggest contests. Judge back to the 2015 marketing campaign, when Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware knocked Tom Brady out of kinds within the AFC Championship Sport. Or deem closing season, when the Patriots had Sam Darnold seeing ghosts.

They're effective. They topic. And they're no longer merely on the threshold of defenses (hi there, Aaron Donald).

So, who were the greatest disruptors of 2019?

Love we did in our earlier (and debate-challenging) pieces from this series, we're focusing on one Subsequent Gen Stat that offers us the acceptable indication of how effective a defender is on a per-scurry-speeding-down basis. The stat: Disruption Charge, which is the whole number of disruptions (the blended total of hurries, pressures or sacks, with most attention-grabbing one counting per play) divided by the whole number of scurry-hotfoot snaps.

In present to procure a tight steal of effectiveness over a substantial volume of scurry rushes, we quandary the baseline at 250 scurry hotfoot snaps. Of us who did no longer hotfoot the passer no longer lower than 250 cases in 2019 did no longer make the slash.

These are the greater of those that did.

Myles Garrett

Cleveland Browns · DE

Disruption rate: 18.5%. Sack rate: 3.5%. Total disruptions: 53. Sacks: 10.

Garrett performed in merely 10 games, as the indefinite suspension that resulted from his actions one day of Cleveland's Thursday night affair with Pittsburgh introduced his season to an conclude, however he had been performing to the level of a frail No. 1 total take dangle of until that point. Cleveland's scurry hotfoot suffered a drastic dropoff in effectiveness after his departure. The Browns had a 32.9 percent stress rate with Garrett on the field in 2019; with out him, that resolve dropped to 21.5 percent.

Garrett's disruption rate used to be the acceptable within the NFL. He registered a stress on 17.1 percent of dropbacks in 2019, which used to be the supreme share posted by a participant for the reason that 2016 season. He additionally changed into one of merely three avid gamers to publish a stress rate of 12 percent or bigger in every of the closing three seasons. The different two: Aaron Donald and Von Miller. With every Browns contest, there used to be a second or two in which a quarterback would hit the turf and there'd be most attention-grabbing one phrase to articulate in response: Myles.

Za'Darius Smith

Green Bay Packers · OLB

Disruption rate: 17.5%. Sack rate: 2.8%. Total disruptions: 84. Sacks: 13.5.

Smith's disruption total is bigger because, in half, he performed a beefy season, however his efficiency is practically on par with that of Garrett. Smith used to be the face of a turnaround for the Packers protection, offering instant returns on the profitable free-agent deal he inked closing offseason. He used to be a menace, pressuring the QB on 19.4 percent of scurry rushes when aligned on the inner. That rate used to be the supreme amongst all defenders speeding from the inner (minimum 100 inner scurry rushes), main second-set apart finisher Stephon Tuitt (14.1 percent) by bigger than 5 share aspects. Smith used to be second in total stress share at 14.8 percent, trailing most attention-grabbing Garrett. He and Packers DT Kenny Clark blended for 120 QB pressures closing season, doubtlessly the most by any teammate duo within the NFL.

Smith is formally within the class of the elite, and happily for him, he's being paid as such.

Robert Quinn

Dallas Cowboys · DE

Disruption rate: 17.2%. Sack rate: 3.3%. Total disruptions: 60. Sacks: 11.5.

Robert Quinn used to be smartly price the price Dallas paid to create him closing offseason, even when it used to be most attention-grabbing as a one-three hundred and sixty five days condo, and he's quandary to make the cash he deserves after signing a five-three hundred and sixty five days deal with the Chicago Bears in March. Quinn loved worthy success with the Cowboys while working opposite DeMarcus Lawrence, pressuring the QB on 14 percent of scurry rushes, the third-most attention-grabbing rate within the NFL (minimum 250 scurry rushes) in 2019. His ability to bend while affirming high-tail and energy around the threshold can be a nightmare for opposing tackles, and he'll doubtless abilities identical success as half of 1 other amazing tandem in Chicago in 2020. Quinn registered 49 QB pressures in 2019, which is the the same number his new Bears teammate Khalil Mack posted, however Quinn did it on 116 fewer scurry rushes. Peep out for that duo.

Gash Bosa

San Francisco 49ers · DE

Disruption rate: 16.4%. Sack rate: 2.1%. Total disruptions: 71. Sacks: 9.

By now, this chronicle. Bosa used to be the final share for a defensive line loaded with first-round abilities, which helped the 49ers reach the Unheard of Bowl. The Pro Bowl selectee and 2019 Defensive Rookie of the Year earned his accolades, racking up the fourth-most QB pressures within the NFL (60) while ending with a stress share of 13.9, which used to be additionally merely for fourth-most attention-grabbing within the league. Bosa is merely getting started, and boy, what a approach to launch a pro profession.

Josh Allen

Jacksonville Jaguars · LB

Disruption rate: 16.2%. Sack rate: 3.1%. Total disruptions: 54. Sacks: 10.5.

Oh, look! It be one other youngster! It be unrealistic to articulate Allen did no longer help from playing on a protection that additionally integrated Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue, so 2020 figures to be a more difficult test for him, with Campbell now a Raven and Ngakoue, who has yet to set apart his franchise designate as of this writing, looking out out of town. Allen had rather a debut, though. Becoming a member of Bosa as a rookie Pro Bowl selectee, Allen feeble his athleticism and size to his help in 2019. His 10.5 sacks on 54 total disruptions areas him amongst a pair of of the acceptable rushers within the NFL, nonetheless it additionally sets him as a lot as receive extra consideration from offenses in 2020. We are going to ogle if he can help the the same high-tail.

Aaron Donald

Los Angeles Rams · DT

Disruption rate: 15.7%. Sack rate: 2.5%. Total disruptions: 90. Sacks: 12.5.

Sixth?! Aaron Donald is sixth on this checklist?! I'm in a position to hear it now and I understand your effort, so spare my Twitter mentions. Donald performed extra total snaps (882) than someone else on this checklist, so it is inevitable that his disruption rate is going to be somewhat decrease. We're ranking these avid gamers with disruption rate taking priority over everything else, in relate that's why he ranks within the bottom half. But it absolutely used to be additionally a shock to me when I started to pore over these stats following the conclusion of the customary season to ogle yet every other particular person (Za'Darius Smith) had in actuality registered extra disruptions than Donald, who most incessantly dominates that class on an annual basis. Donald is unruffled supremely effective, and his 267 QB pressures since 2016 are doubtlessly the most within the NFL in that span. His 69 QB pressures were second most within the NFL in 2019, and his stress share (13.5%) used to be the supreme amongst inner linemen with no longer lower than 300 scurry rushes (a key difference in baseline than that of Smith, who performed on the inner less usually than Donald). The five-time All-Pro is unruffled nice and an absolute nightmare to halt. Don't desire his ranking right here as me saying the rest less.

Shaquil Barrett

Tampa Bay Buccaneers · LB

Disruption rate: 15.4%. Sack rate: 3.8%. Total disruptions: 78. Sacks: 19.5.

Ah, sure, allow us to roll out the crimson (and pewter) carpet for the NFL's 2019 sack king. Barrett's ascension from afterthought in Denver to premier hunter of quarterbacks used to be amazing -- I indicate, he had 5.5 extra sacks in 16 games closing three hundred and sixty five days than he did in 61 games with the Broncos. His 78 total disruptions paint an image of a defender who used to be constantly inflicting complications for opposing offenses, and he capitalized on such opportunities extra most incessantly than someone else on this checklist, as evidenced by his sack total and sack rate. No shock Bruce Arians most incessantly assured the Buccaneers would get a approach to help him.

Love Donald, Barrett additionally performed a ton of snaps (836, including 508 scurry rushes), bringing his total disruption rate down a tad. That is a bunch it is probably going you'll perchance perchance study in two various systems, though -- a bigger sample size is virtually repeatedly going to bring a participant's success rate down, however conversely, extra scurry rushes skill extra opportunities. Appropriate a bit of food for thought before you procure to typing.

Dont'a Hightower

Fresh England Patriots · OLB

Disruption rate: 15%. Sack rate: 2.2%. Total disruptions: 38. Sacks: 5.5.

This is the purpose within the ranking the set apart we quietly shock whether or no longer the baseline would possibly perchance perchance also merely be a bit of too low (Hightower merely barely crosses the threshold with 253 scurry rushes), however most attention-grabbing because the Patriots linebacker is no longer most incessantly one of many predominant names that merely about mind when mulling scurry rushers. He's a disruptor, though, and a key share of a Fresh England protection that used to be traditionally effective within the predominant half of the 2019 season. Hightower leads your entire avid gamers on this checklist in tackles, with 71, and is fourth in stops (tackles that consequence in a successful play for the protection in conserving with yards to scurry by down), with 33, while additionally recording five hustle stops (defensive stops the set apart the participant covers 20-plus yards of in-play distance from snap to kind out). His scurry-speeding stats don't appear to be the gaudiest, however they're rather impressive when enthusiastic about his conventional starting up point on the field before every snap.

Adrian Clayborn

Atlanta Falcons · DE

Disruption rate: 14.5%. Sack rate: 1.4%. Total disruptions: 41. Sacks: 4.

Clayborn, who signed with the Browns this offseason, had extra sacks in one sport in 2017 than he had in all of 2019, however that most attention-grabbing illustrates how incomplete sacks are as a stat. Clayborn used to be an effective participant for the Falcons' protection closing three hundred and sixty five days by making the many of the scurry-speeding snaps he used to be afforded, recording 35 QB pressures on merely 282 scurry rushes. These pressures, plus his 24 hurries, comprise the backbone of his bigger disruption rate.

Seek, carry out I in actuality feel worthy about Clayborn making this checklist over guys love Chandler Jones, Joey Bosa or Cameron Heyward (to call a pair of)? Fully no longer. But his disruption rate wasn't some distance off from Myles Garrett's with a identical number of scurry rushes. The numbers say the chronicle right here. I'm merely the messenger.

Von Miller

Denver Broncos · OLB

Disruption rate: 14.4%. Sack rate: 1.9%. Total disruptions: 60. Sacks: 8.

Drastically surprised? We are too, a bit of. Miller posted his first single-digit sack season since 2013 and most attention-grabbing recorded 46 tackles. While no longer as dominant as he's been for noteworthy of his profession, Miller unruffled made an influence over the stretch of his 791 total defensive snaps in 2019. His 52 QB pressures were 29 bigger than the next closest Bronco (Derek Wolfe), proving the three-time All-Pro used to be unruffled the particular person in Denver. And it is an achievement for Miller, who turned 31 in March, to remain one of many league's most surroundings pleasant disruptors, posting a bigger rate than the likes of Joey Bosa (14.0%), DeMarcus Lawrence (13.9%), Yannick Ngakoue (13.8%) and T.J. Watt (13.4%). A closing show on Miller's success over the closing four seasons: His 235 QB pressures since 2016 lead all edge defenders and are second within the NFL most attention-grabbing to Aaron Donald. His QB stress rate one day of that identical span (14%) ranks No. 1 across the league (min. 1,000 scurry rushes).

[auburnfamilynews]

Lee Hunter’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeeHunt54019537/status/1155260243275845634

Like Big Cat Weekend, the goal of this past weekend was to get a number of top targets on campus in order to lay the groundwork for future booms. Mission accomplished.

This week is a unique week on the recruiting trail. For much of July and all of August, it’s the dead period in recruiting which means that prospects and coaching staffs can not have any face to face contact. But from July 25th to July 31st, there is a quiet period which allows recruits to have face to face contact only on a college campus. That has lead to the majority of programs throwing very large recruiting events in hopes of getting their top targets on campus one more time before fall camp begins.

Starting in 2016, Auburn has taken advantage of this time period by throwing a picnic/bbq event at the end of each July. It’s almost like a second Big Cat Weekend though its focus is a bit more split between this class and future ones. It’s proven to be successful thus far. This year it looks likely to have the same results.

The Tigers landed one commit and sure sounds like a few more could pop in the coming weeks. Like Big Cat Weekend, the goal of this event isn’t necessarily to land same day commits. Instead, it’s to forge strong bonds not only between their top targets and the coaching staff but also allow current commits and future targets to bond as well. Often times, it’s the connection between fellow prospects that ends up mattering just as much as the relationships with the coaching staff.

Here’s a rundown of who made the trip and updates on their recruitments.

Auburn Commits

4* LB Trenton Simpson

4* LB Wesley Steiner

4* WR Kobe Hudson

4* WR Ze’Vian Capers

4* WR JJ Evans

4* LB Cameron Riley

3* OG Tate Johnson

3* OG Avery Jernigan

3* OT Jeremiah Wright

3* QB Chayill Garnett

3* OT Jonathan Buskey

All but four Auburn commits made it to campus this past weekend and it doesn’t appear that any of the four showed up at other events. Last year, George Pickens spurned Auburn’s event for Georgia’s, something that in hindsight proved more important than I realized at the time so I was playing close attention to see if something similar went down this year. Thankfully, that doesn’t appear to be the case and even more importantly, the majority of Auburn’s top ranked commits made the trip to help the staff recruit.

The biggest news from this group is obviously Wright’s commitment. He’s someone JB Grimes has wanted for a long time and Auburn is reportedly thrilled they could get him on board before the season. He gives Auburn 6 offensive line commits which could mean they are done at that position. However, they will reportedly continue to pursue some JUCO OT talent and don’t be surprised if they host some more OL official visitors during the season.

@CoachGusMalzahn @AUBRecruiting @GabrielWade10 @KennyDillingham @LevornH WAR EAGLE pic.twitter.com/7okyrPyDFX

— thatjeremiah77 (@thatjeremiah771) July 27, 2019

2020 Targets

4* RB Tank Bigsby

4* WR EJ Williams

4* DB Ladarius Tennison

4* CB Marco Domio (JUCO)

4* CB Kendall Dennis

4* DB Brian George (JUCO)

3* DL/Buck Rashad Whitehead

3* DE Bradyn Swinson

K Evan McGuire

One of the bigger storylines this weekend was tracking where Tank Bigsby would visit. There was confidence that he would be on the Plains but with Tank anything is possible. Well the nation’s #7 running back elected to head to Auburn over Athens and even more importantly returned Sunday to talk with the staff. This is turning into an AU alum showdown between Carnell Williams and Dell McGee. Can Caddy land his first big boom as an assistant? That possibility feels MUCH more realistic than it did just a few weeks ago.

The other big time offensive target to visit was Phenix City native EJ Williams. He was close to being an AU commit following this event last year but his recruitment absolutely exploded during the fall and now Auburn has been playing catch up. The good news is he stated Auburn had moved up to #2 on his list following the visit. The bad news is Clemson continues to lead and with a decision coming at the end of August, it’s hard to see this one going Auburn’s way. Luckily, the Tigers already have a very strong WR class committed so Williams is more of a “really nice to have” than a necessity.

It’s been hard to get a handle on Auburn’s top DB targets this cycle and even harder to know who might actually be favoring the Tigers. That picture got a lot more clear this weekend. All four DB prospects that visited are absolute takes for the Tigers and there’s a chance all four might now be favoring Auburn. Two are JUCO prospects Marco Domio and Brian George. Both have already used official visits to the Plains and could be closing in on a decision. Interestingly, EJ Williams was only one of two uncommitted prospects to visit Auburn for both Big Cat Weekend and the War Eagle Picnic. The other? The nation’s #2 JUCO cornerback Brian George. Jason Caldwell also reports that Domio’s flight was cancelled which could have meant taking the much shorter drive to College Station but his family instead elected to drive 10 hours to the Plains. The JUCO prospects also reportedly spent a lot of time together during the event. Auburn very well could have to replace both starting cornerbacks next season. Signing two of the top three JUCO recruits this cycle sure ain’t a bad way of going about filling that hole.

As for prep targets LaDarrius Tennison and Kendall Dennis, both have been reported in the past as having Auburn as a top school. But you really can’t start taking players’ interest seriously until they start taking multiple visits to campus. The fact both elected to travel to Auburn for this weekend is big news. Getting Domio, George, Tennison and Dennis in this year’s class would be huge for Auburn. The other name to continue to track is 4* CB Ethan Pouncey. Chances are good at least three from that group will be Auburn Tigers next season.

2021 Targets

5* DB Ga’Quincy McKinstry

5* DT Lee Hunter

4* WR Jaquez Smith

4* WR Julian Nixon

4* WR Dacari Collins

3* LB Chaz Chambliss

3* QB Aaron McLaughlin

3* DT Isaac Washington

3* WR Jackson Meeks

3* OL JT Pennington

This weekend wasn’t just about locking down some top 2020 targets, it was also about getting a jump start on the 2021 class. The recruiting cycles kick into gear so much earlier with the new early signing period. That’s why Auburn really split their focus of this event between finishing out their current class and getting a foundation in place for the next one. It sounds like they made signifiant progress on both.

It’s believed that Kenny Dillingham’s cryptic tweets on Saturday evening about a 2nd possible commit were in regards to Alpharetta, GA native Aaron McLaughlin. The 6’4” 225 lb gunslinger camped (along with 3* Will Crowder) with the Tigers on Friday and it sounds like he impressed both Gus Malzahn and Kenny Dillingham. So much so that the Tigers are hoping to get him on board very soon. It’s interesting that Auburn might go so hard after a pro style QB given Auburn’s recent focus on dual threat prospects the past few classes, but supposedly McLaughlin showed enough mobility during camp to make the coaching staff feel good about him being able to run the whole offense. One thing is for sure though this dude can throw the football.

McLaughlin might not be the only future 2021 boom. Lee Hunter has long favored the Tigers so much so that when asked about his top schools his answer was “Auburn, Auburn, Auburn, Auburn”. The Eight Mile, AL native is a 247 Composite 5* already and expected to be one of the top prospects in the country next season. Landing Hunter would be a massive early boom for this 2021 class. He reminds me a lot of Derrick Brown at this point in his career and I don’t say that lightly.

Hunter wasn’t the only instate 5* on campus. The man they call Kool-Aid, Ga’Quincy McKinstry, was back on campus again this weekend. Ranked as the nation’s #15 overall prospect in the 2021 class, McKinstry has long been a frequent visitor to the Plains. But this trip was a bit different as it wasn’t only Gus Malzahn that wanted to meet with him. Bruce Pearl stopped by and let McKinstry know that he also has an offer to play basketball for the Tigers.

#AG2G Truly Blessed & Honored ‼️To Receive An Basketball ⭕️ffer From Auburn University... I WILL HAVE THE CHANCE TO PLAY BOTH SPORTS #WAREAGLE @coachbarber @CoachFlanigan pic.twitter.com/Jcaq6Xprul

— GaQuincy McKinstry™ (@GaQMcK1) July 28, 2019

You don’t see many kids play both football and basketball in college but Auburn is willing to let McKinstry do both. This is going to be one of the most hotly contested recruitments in the state next cycle. It will be interesting to see if Alabama follows Auburn’s lead and gives Kool-Aid a chance to be a dual sport athlete at the next level.

Finally, file the name Isaac Washington away. Visiting from Pilot Mountain, NC, Washington appears to be an early top target for Rodney Garner. He left the Plains with the Tigers on top. Don’t be surprised if his name quickly climbs the prospect rankings over the next year.

Really great day at Auburn University yesterday one of the best days of my life thank you @coachg76 & @CoachGusMalzahn for everything can’t wait to be back. #WAREAGLE pic.twitter.com/LIQQfUQ4A9

— isaac (@isaacw_74) July 28, 2019

2022

OL Lucas Taylor

QB MJ Morris

DT Dominick James

DB Andre Stewart

DB Khamauri Rogers

I will admit that even my obsessiveness over recruiting hasn’t lead me to watch much 2022 film but there was a bit of news from this list. Khamauri Rogers left the Plains with an offer in hand. Given Auburn’s recent success in the state of Mississippi and Rogers having Marcus Woodson has his position coach, I think he’s a name to track over the next couple of cycles. I am guessing we will see him on campus more in the future.

Blessed to receive an offer from Auburn University #WarEagle pic.twitter.com/A6u6RKuZvB

— 1 (@Khamauri1k) July 27, 2019

War Eagle!

from College and Magnolia - All Posts https://www.collegeandmagnolia.com/2019/7/29/2506604/auburn-football-recruiting-war-eagle-picnic-tank-bigsby-ej-williams-jeremiah-wright-aaron-mclaughlin

[junker-town]

North Texas belongs on your list of C-USA teams with promising new coaches

If Seth Littrell can build on what his Mean Green did in year one, Conference USA’s lineup will look even nicer.

This preview originally published March 7 and has since been updated.

You get better by making good hires. That goes for conferences, too. We talk a lot about potential and markets and history and geography and all sorts of factors that go into improving as a group, but the straightest line between where you are and improvement is, simply, hiring good coaches.

Case in point: Here’s a chart of S&P+ averages by conference and year.

Some of the large changes you see are due to conference realignment. The Big East got raided, changed names, and dropped. The Mountain West lost Utah and TCU and dropped. The Pac-12 added Colorado at its most dismal and dropped. Conference USA (and, to a degree, the Mountain West) took on a bunch of start-ups and fixer-uppers and dropped. Et cetera.

That said, a lot of these upward and downward trends have to do with the coaches walking in and out the door.

The Sun Belt of 2012 boasted Gus Malzahn, Mario Cristobal, and Willie Taggart, plus the peaking Todd Berry and Mark Hudspeth.

The surging Pac-12 of 2013 included new additions Rich Rodriguez, Todd Graham, Jim Mora, and Mike Leach.

The drastically improved ACC of 2013 had recently added Larry Fedora and Paul Chryst and featured two elite coaches (Dabo Swinney, Jimbo Fisher) coming into their own. By 2016, the league added coaches like Bobby Petrino, Mark Richt, and Pat Narduzzi and surged even further.

Conference USA has been pretty dismal for a few seasons now. It rose in 2014, but that was primarily due to a surge by Marshall. After peaking at an average S&P+ rating of minus-3.3 in 2008 and nearly matching that in 2011, the conference has been demonstrably worse.

There could be a surge coming, though. And if it happens, hires are predictably the reason. Two have earned quite a bit of recent attention: Butch Davis at FIU and Lane Kiffin at FAU. This duo could drastically change recruiting within the state of Florida and beyond.

But if this rise occurs, it began last year when UTSA brought in Frank Wilson and North Texas hired Seth Littrell.

Wilson got headlines with his recruiting ability and his LSU ties. But the job Littrell did in restoring respectability in Denton was also fantastic.

UNT wasn't an amazing team in 2016. But the story is just how bad the Mean Green were in 2015, Dan McCarney's last year. In just two years, UNT fell from 9-4 and 39th in S&P+ to 1-11 and 128th. The 2015 Mean Green upset UTSA and lost their other 11 contests by an average score of 43-14. They scored more than 24 points just twice; they allowed fewer than 24 points just twice.

This was a miserable, identity-free team. And while Littrell cut his teeth on the offensive side (he spent time as coordinator at Arizona and Indiana), UNT improved on both sides of the ball -- their S&P+ rating (presented as an adjusted points per game average) improved by 6.6 points on offense and 6.2 on defense. Hell, special teams improved by 1.7 points as well.

This was significant improvement for one's first year. Granted, North Texas won just five games and squeezed into a bowl on a technicality, but ... that's still a four-win improvement.

It could just be that UNT was artificially, unsustainably bad in 2015. McCarney’s collapse was sudden, and maybe the Mean Green would have improved even with McCarney in 2016. But when this across-the-board level of improvement takes place under your watch, you get the benefit of the doubt for a while. And when you return most of the reasons for that improvement, you suddenly find yourself facing some expectations.

2016 in review

2016 North Texas statistical profile.

The impressive part was that the Mean Green were competitive at all. But for about half a season, they were more than that.

First 7 games (4-3) — Avg. percentile performance: 40% (~top 75) | Yards per play: Opp 5.5, UNT 4.9 (-0.6) | Avg. performance vs. S&P+ projection: plus-9.7 PPG

Last 6 games (1-5) — Avg. percentile performance: 26% (~top 95) | Yards per play: Opp 6.8, UNT 5.3 (-1.5) | Avg. performance vs. S&P+ projection: minus-11.3 PPG

The offense began to show some life as the year unfolded, while the defense gave out. Still, the early run of decent play, combined with iffy competition, meant that the Mean Green were at .500 heading into November. And though they finished with losses in three of four games and fell to 5-7 overall, their high APR score — a parting gift from McCarney — earned them a spot in the Heart of Dallas Bowl, where they made a late comeback against Army before falling in overtime.

The defense may have faded, but it drove UNT’s wins. The Mean Green allowed only 23 points per game in their wins and played at a 40th percentile level or higher nine times. That isn't the highest bar, but the offense only hit that level six times.

We’ll see how much this shifts in 2017; the offense returns a bit more than the defense does.

Offense

Full advanced stats glossary.

It made sense that Graham Harrell's first season as UNT coordinator was a struggle. He and Littrell took over a unit that not only ranked 123rd in Off. S&P+ the year before, but also did none of the things that they want their offense to do.

Both Harrell and Littrell have air raid ties. Littrell was at Oklahoma when Bob Stoops brought Mike Leach to town, and he served four years as Leach's running backs coach and later spending two years under former Oklahoma coordinator Kevin Wilson. Harrell played for Leach (he was quarterback when Littrell was RBs coach) and spent 2014-15 coaching Leach's outside receivers.

Everybody brings their own influences and intentions, but safe to say both Littrell and Harrell want to be able to wing the ball around. And the offense they inherited ranked last in FBS in Passing S&P+. This was a run-first offense that couldn't throw and moved slowly. Switching to a pass-first attack was going to take a while.

There were bursts of improvement. After gaining just 53 total yards (!) against Florida, North Texas scored 42 points against Rice, 38 against Marshall, and 35 against Army. And after a lull, they averaged a not-awful 28 points per game over their final three contests.

Still, the passing game never really clicked, and UNT improved to only 122nd in Passing S&P+. In a pass-first attack, that's a bit of an issue. But that's what happens when you not only install a new attack, but also put a freshman in charge of it.

Mason Fine took his lumps. Just a few months after Senior Prom in Locust Grove, Okla., Fine was attempting 22 passes (and completing only six) against the vaunted Florida defense. He had relative highs (723 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions against Rice, MTSU, and Marshall) and lows, he took 36 sacks, and he suffered an injured shoulder and ceded the floor to Alabama transfer Alec Morris.

Morris is gone, so this is probably Fine's show in 2017. He managed a low interception rate during his 2016 travails, and he's no longer a freshman. He's got an experienced line that boasts honorable mention all-conference left tackle Jordan Murray and six others with starting experience. And in senior running back Jeffery Wilson (5.5 yards per carry plus 29 receptions), he's got a versatile weapon. [Update: FCS backup Loren Easly has transferred from Stephen F. Austin. Also coming up: JUCO OL Sosaia Mose.]

Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Mason Fine & Jeffrey Wilson

What we don't yet know is whether he's got any receivers. Only one (Thaddeous Thompson) managed a 50 percent success rate or 12.5 yards per catch in 2016, and he's gone. In all, UNT quarterbacks targeted eight players more than 15 times last year, and only three return. Having a little experience at QB is a good thing, but it's mitigated if that passer doesn't know his receivers.

After losing Thompson and Kenny Buyers, UNT will need to break in a new set of inside receivers. But there's potential. Sophomore Tyler Wilson fits the slot receiver mold perfectly, as do redshirt freshan Deion Hair-Griffin and incoming three-stars Tre Siggers and Jaelon Darden. Siggers' senior highlight film is particularly exciting — he combines quickness and speed with a streak of brazenness.

If the inside guys are providing decent efficiency, the outside guys could be alright. Senior Turner Smiley came on late in 2016 (last three games: 20 catches, 266 yards), and there could be a reliable contributor among the trio of junior O'Keeron Rutherford and sophomores Rico Bussey Jr. and Kelvin Smith. Meanwhile, three-star JUCO Jalen Guyton, maybe the star of Littrell’s 2017 signing class, is making an impact in spring ball.

Still, with this much turnover in the receiving corps, you can't set the bar for improvement high. Steady play from Wilson will be key to this offense's progress.

Sean Pokorny-USA TODAY Sports

Turner Smiley

Defense

First things first: kudos to North Texas for creating stats that made its defensive radar look like its logo. Tough to do.

For co-coordinators Troy Reffett and Mike Ekeler (who has departed for UNC, leaving Reffett as solo coordinator), the first year was a bit more successful than Harrell's. The Mean Green boasted an aggressive, efficient defense that rendered opponents one-dimensional, especially later in the year, and if you couldn't run, then you were going to struggle.

If you could run, then you weren't going to find much resistance. Still, UNT improved from 120th to 93rd in Def. S&P+. It's hard to ask for too much more than that out of the gates.

We'll go with the bad news first: there's no immediate reason to believe that the run defense will be better. UNT still ranked 110th in Rushing S&P+ and must now replace four of its top seven tacklers on the line, along with the top two linebackers. Granted, losing contributors from something bad doesn't automatically make things worse, but it doesn't make it better either.

Sean Pokorny-USA TODAY Sports

Joshua Wheeler

There are some play-makers back, at least. Junior Brandon Garner and senior Joshua Wheeler combined for 13.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks last year, and the nose tackle duo of Roderick Young and T.J. Tauaalo was disruptive at times. Still, the run defense faces the burden of proof.

The weakness might not get stronger, but the strength might not get weaker, either. UNT must replace safety James Gray and corner Chad Davis in the secondary, but eight of the top 10 tacklers return. That includes senior safety Kishawn McClain (UNT's leading tackler, who combined five tackles for loss with six passes defensed), corners Nate Brooks and Eric Jenkins (combined: 7 interceptions, 14 breakups), and nickel backs Ashton Preston and Dee Baulkman (combined: 10 TFLs).

North Texas doesn't have the heft required to play sturdy run defense. Or at least, if it does, it's not obvious where that heft comes from. But in the speed department, the Mean Green have quite a bit to offer.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Kishawn McClain

Special Teams

Special teams was a strength for UNT. Eric Keena's kickoffs and punts were high and deep, Trevor Moore was automatic inside of 40 yards, and returns were decent.

Good news, bad news: Keena is gone, but Moore and the return men are back. Keena was by far the strongest weapon in the special teams arsenal, but if Moore is still solid, the Mean Green's special teams grade (34th last year) shouldn't drop too far.

2017 outlook

2017 Schedule & Projection Factors

Date Opponent Proj. S&P+ Rk Proj. Margin Win Probability 2-Sep Lamar NR 21.2 89% 9-Sep at SMU 81 -8.7 31% 16-Sep at Iowa 48 -17.9 15% 23-Sep UAB 130 19.6 87% 30-Sep at Southern Miss 84 -7.9 32% 14-Oct UTSA 91 -1.4 47% 21-Oct at Florida Atlantic 99 -4.5 40% 28-Oct Old Dominion 93 -0.9 48% 4-Nov at Louisiana Tech 82 -8.2 32% 11-Nov UTEP 126 8.2 68% 18-Nov Army 102 1.4 53% 25-Nov at Rice 120 0.7 52%

Projected S&P+ Rk 106 Proj. Off. / Def. Rk 113 / 96 Projected wins 5.9 Five-Year S&P+ Rk -9.6 (107) 2- and 5-Year Recruiting Rk 114 / 115 2016 TO Margin / Adj. TO Margin* 1 / -5.1 2016 TO Luck/Game +2.4 Returning Production (Off. / Def.) 66% (63%, 69%) 2016 Second-order wins (difference) 5.2 (-0.2)

North Texas has long been a program with potential. It's proximity to a wealth of recruiting talent was exemplified by the fact that the Mean Green would always turn into a powerhouse back in the early days of EA's NCAA Football. Their promise got the school invited to Conference USA even though, in their last eight years in the Sun Belt, they averaged just 2.8 wins per year.

It's been hard to live up to this promise, at least since the turn-of-the-century glory days under Darrell Dickey. But Littrell's first year at least crystallized what the program could become.

I'm trying hard not to overstate things -- five wins and an S&P+ ranking in the 100s is far from clear proof of concept -- but I've been impressed so far. And if a second year in the system creates offensive growth to pair with another solid pass defense, then a second straight bowl bid seems within reach.

S&P+ projects a six-win season, but there's only one game on the schedule (Week 3 at Iowa) with a win expectancy under 30 percent. Almost every game is winnable or losable, and if North Texas improves again, then that could mean another three- or four-win improvement.

Team preview stats

All preview data to date.

[jodyedgarus]

Is There Any Stopping Another Alabama-Clemson Title Game?

gfoster (Geoff Foster, sports editor): After weeks of crunching every possible playoff scenario, we finally got our two matchups for the College Football Playoff: Clemson vs. Notre Dame and Alabama vs. Oklahoma. We have to wait until Dec. 29 to see those games. But in the meantime, we have some 37 bowl games to distract us from our families over the holidays.

Let’s start with the big two. Were you surprised by the playoff selections? I think the committee avoided all of the doomsday scenarios as the conference championships played to form.

neil (Neil Paine, senior sports writer): Yeah, they mostly got out of the woods compared with some of the scenarios we talked about here. Only thing that would have helped them more would be if either Oklahoma or Ohio State lost, but that didn’t happen.

To your question, I wasn’t too shocked about the picks. Much was made of Georgia potentially making it, but it seemed very unlikely that they’d take a two-loss nonconference champ over a pair of one-loss conference champs — even if UGA was probably better talent-wise. I was really only slightly surprised they took Oklahoma over the Buckeyes. If you look at the power ratings like Football Power Index or Simple Rating System, or something like ESPN’s Strength of Record, Ohio State was the superior team. But the committee probably held OSU’s strength of schedule against it — as well as that bad loss to Purdue and the near-loss against Maryland.

sara.ziegler (Sara Ziegler, general editor): It helped for the Sooners that, in the Big 12 title game, they beat the only team to have beaten them.

neil: Yes — you definitely heard the phrase “they beat every team on the schedule” thrown around.

sara.ziegler: And I feel like the committee members had Ohio State’s near-loss to Maryland on their minds.

(I know I did.)

Josh Planos (Josh Planos, contributor): I wasn’t all that surprised either. Three were shoe-ins, and if the playoff format has taught us anything it’s that most of college football’s elite programs hog all the playoff spots, and the committee will do everything in its power to eschew controversy. Ohio State certainly wasn’t lacking in that department this season.

gfoster: Oddly, I think blowing out Michigan in such ugly fashion actually hurt Ohio State, because most people seemed to write off that game (rightly) as UM being overrated rather than Ohio State beating a team ranked fourth in the country.

neil: And yet the Wolverines were allowed to (easily) be Notre Dame’s most signature win…

sara.ziegler: Notre Dame getting its special dispensation, as per usual.

neil: It was funny during the selection show to hear the note about how Vegas would have the Irish as underdogs against every other team in the playoff conversation (except UCF, I guess).

Josh Planos: During Northwestern’s third-quarter scoring run on Saturday night, while Gus Johnson was firing off catch phrases, you could almost hear the committee scratching out the Buckeyes. Would a 40-point win in the Big Ten championship game even have gotten Ohio State over Georgia?

gfoster: Last year, if it hadn’t lost to Stanford, Notre Dame could have easily finished the season with one loss and would have not have made the playoff. In that spot, not having a conference championship would have really worked against the Irish because they wouldn’t have had another opportunity for a signature win. But this year, we see the advantage for ND. Win all your regular season games, as easy as they may be, and you are in.

But likewise, Northwestern didn’t really give Ohio State much of a resume boost. So … it’s Wisconsin’s fault for being lousy I guess.

sara.ziegler: But of course, Geoff, that’s only the case for ND — not for any other non-Power Five teams. (:cry: UCF)

gfoster: UCF needs to boost its strength of schedule if it wants to be taken seriously.

sara.ziegler: For sure. And I don’t think the Knights should have gotten in. But it’s not like Notre Dame’s schedule was off the charts.

gfoster: For all we knock ND, they are playing teams like NC State, USC, Syracuse — all of whom would be one of the hardest games on UCF’s schedule.

neil: How can they improve their SOS, short of joining a better conference? (Or is that basically it?)

I don’t think any real power team wants to play them nonconference. No upside there, only downside.

gfoster: You could get a mid-tier Power-Five team that would take them at home, no? When Notre Dame was playing Michigan in Week 1, UCF had UConn — quite possibly the worst team in FBS.

neil: Defensively, at least.

sara.ziegler: Though that UConn game was a conference game.

Josh Planos: They followed it up by playing South Carolina State, too.

sara.ziegler: They scheduled North Carolina, but that was canceled because of the hurricane.

gfoster: North Carolina is also terrible.

sara.ziegler: And that’s the other problem: You can schedule a mid-tier Power-Five team, but you can’t guarantee they’ll be good.

neil: Or if you’re Notre Dame, you can schedule prestige Power 5 teams and not know if they’ll be good.

sara.ziegler: UCF did schedule and beat Pitt, which was good enough to get trampled by Clemson in the ACC title game.

gfoster: Truth is, maybe UCF does need to move conferences? TCU managed to do that when it was facing similar problem.

sara.ziegler: Or we could solve this with an eight-team playoff!

neil: This.^^

gfoster: Well, yes.

sara.ziegler: Solve it for this year, anyway.

LOL

gfoster: NO ONE is against that.

neil: Except conference and university presidents.

gfoster: As for this year, this is the first time both playoff games have double-digit spreads. Which falls in line with some lopsided lines in the conference championships. Any reason to like the underdogs here?

Or is this destined for Clemson vs. Alabama again?

neil: Maybe if Tua is still hurt? (He won’t be. And they will destroy Oklahoma.)

sara.ziegler: And it’s hard to see Notre Dame doing much against Clemson.

neil: Clemson vs. Bama Part IV is pretty redundant at this point. But at least there’s a chance it doesn’t play out according to chalk. Under the old BCS system, they’d automatically be slotted in at 1-2. (Although that would have been very uncontroversial.)

gfoster: It’s hard to see any team doing much against the Tigers’ defense. Look at the line of Pitt QB Kenny Pickett in the ACC title game: 4 of 16 for … wait for it … 8 YARDS.

That’s 0.5 yards per pass attempt. (538 math skills, folks.)

Josh Planos: Yeah, we don’t know about Tua’s health. Oklahoma’s offense puts up video game numbers, so you’d expect Alabama to need to bring at least something to the table in that regard. Trevor Lawrence is playing the best secondary he’s seen all season. Brian Kelly is probably pretty motivated that his team’s recent struggles were broadcast on a Showtime series.

sara.ziegler: If Tua plays, you gotta think he’ll go to town on the Oklahoma defense.

Will he actually have to play all four quarters? LOL

Josh Planos: Have we ever seen the likely two top vote-getters in the Heisman race square off in the postseason? Is this the best QB battle in terms of single-season QBR that we’ve ever seen? Each is on pace to set the single-season record (though that will change, I’m sure).

gfoster: It might not change for Tua against that Oklahoma defense that gave up 700 yards to West Virginia.

The Sooners also might be without their best receiver: Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, which would be a significant blow to Kyler Murray.

neil: Josh, we almost got 1-2 Heisman QBs in the 2008 title game: Tebow vs. Bradford.

(But Tebow finished 3rd in the voting.)

(Colt McCoy finished 2nd????)

sara.ziegler: Wow

gfoster: If we had an eight-team playoff, my guess is that it would be Alabama-UCF (lol), Clemson-Washington (I’m thinking they must include a token Pac-12 in this new world), Notre Dame-Ohio State, Oklahoma-Georgia.

neil: What would the line be on that Tide-vs.-Knights game?

gfoster: 28.5

Josh Planos: Without McKenzie Milton? 30+

neil: Isn’t that the same line they gave the Buffalo Bills vs. Alabama?

gfoster: The Bills are like the sixth worst team in the NFL now. Shows how misguided those types of stories are.

sara.ziegler: Would a Pac-12 team even make an eight-team playoff this year? The committee had Michigan at No. 7.

Which is kind of amazing — another two-loss Power-Five team above poor UCF.

neil: I would guess an eight-team playoff would have an automatic berth for a Pac-12 champ.

sara.ziegler: There’s obviously no way to do this without some controversy.

neil: Then we can get into those fun March Madness arguments about “at-large” bids.

gfoster: Right … and one token non-Power Five. (Or in this case two, because of ND.)

neil: Notre Dame is Power Five! (According to our tier system.)

gfoster: Let’s talk about the other bowl games. Any others you are particularly excited for?

neil: UGA-Texas should be fun, I think.

Josh Planos: Maybe it’s because I’m a sucker for the nostalgia of Big 8 football, but Missouri vs. Oklahoma State. FPI is really high on the four-loss Tigers (like, higher on the Tigers than UCF and LSU), and each of Oklahoma State’s past five games have been decided by no more than 7 points. If nothing else, there will be a lot of points.

sara.ziegler: Missouri never should have left the Big 12.

neil: I always forget they aren’t in the Big 12 now.

sara.ziegler: Wisconsin vs. Miami in the Pinstripe Bowl is kind of a fun throwback.

gfoster: That should be called the Pinstripe Lack Of Motivation Bowl.

sara.ziegler: Haha

Josh Planos: Fun is an interesting word.

Is this the underachieving bowl? And did any team underachieve more than Wisconsin? All we heard throughout the preseason was that Jonathan Taylor could win the Heisman, they returned the entire offensive line, and Alex Hornibrook was returning for a 12th year of eligibility.

gfoster: In the bowl games, it’s always fun to identify the games where one team is really pumped to be there and the other has zero interest. For instance, Purdue vs. Auburn in the Music City.

You think Auburn is getting up for that?

Josh Planos: If they couldn’t get up to bully UCF last year, they’re not getting up to try and corral Rondale Moore.

neil: Also, the biggest early spread in a lower-tier bowl might be the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. ESPN has BYU as a 14-point favorite over Western Michigan

I always root for the Directional Michigans though.

gfoster: Sad that Alabama-Oklahoma might be the most lopsided bowl game.

Also a 14-point spread.

sara.ziegler: I’m actually pretty interested in how UCF does against LSU.

LSU is a good proxy for a playoff team, since the Tigers did OK against Bama (at least early on) and pounded Georgia.

gfoster: I actually think LSU will get up for UCF, mainly because of what happened to Auburn and all this chatter.

neil: Although I wish UCF had gotten one of the just-missed-it playoff contenders like UGA or Ohio State, just for experiment’s sake.

sara.ziegler: Yeah, that would have been better.

Though maybe it’s all moot with no Milton.

neil: True. It wouldn’t have settled the debate.

gfoster: LSU is actually still playing that game against Texas A&M. They are in their 134th overtime.

sara.ziegler: :football: :zzz:

gfoster: But Neil, didn’t we see kinda see that the year they let Hawaii play UGA?

neil: Hah, yes I was thinking of that exactly. Poor Colt Brennan.

Josh Planos: Should’ve known that a haircut like this didn’t stand a chance.

gfoster: OMG

sara.ziegler: Why … would … you … do … that?

gfoster: He even has the little island that they don’t let anyone on.

neil: The run-n-shoot makes you do crazy things.

gfoster: OK, what’s the worst bowl game.

This answer is two parts.

Worst name and worst game.

neil: Bad Boy Mowers Gasparilla Bowl

Can anything top that?

Short of bringing back the Poulan Weed Eater Bowl?

sara.ziegler: I love the Boca Raton Bowl.

Congrats, teams! You’re going to … Boca Raton!

gfoster: That’s the Cheribundi Boca Raton Bowl, Sara.

Josh Planos: Best bowl experience: The Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl, FIU vs. Toledo.

Last season, folks could bring beer into the stadium. There were also archery opportunities near the concession stand.

I apologize for not answering the question, Geoff.

neil: I do miss the Popeye’s sponsorship for that one. Gave us an excuse to pick up fried chicken at Times Square and eat it in the office.

sara.ziegler: As if you needed an excuse for that, Neil.

neil: (Sorry again about the spicy tenders, Geoff.)

gfoster: The DXL Frisco Bowl is a rare short name that is terrible.

Jared Birmingham Bowl? It sounds like its named after someone named Jared Birmingham.

neil: I think “Jared Birmingham” is UCF’s backup QB.

Josh Planos: LOL

gfoster: I will say. I’m a big fan of the Cheez-It Bowl

I wish I had a bowl of Cheez-Its right now.

sara.ziegler: We didn’t talk about the best game of the weekend.

neil: Iowa State!

sara.ziegler: A dominant (not at all) win over powerhouse (not at all) Drake!

Josh Planos: I think Washington State could beat Iowa State by 40 points. Or the Cyclones could ride the Matt Campbell relevancy train to a 13-10 win.

sara.ziegler: That’s quite a range.

neil: And nothing in between.

sara.ziegler: LOL

neil: I’m also kinda intrigued by the Peach Bowl: Michigan vs. Florida. Feels like that is a constant matchup in the tier of bowls just below the prestige level.

That has happened in many Citrus Bowls, for instance.

Josh Planos: How. Do. These. Teams. Keep. Playing.

gfoster: Harbaugh’s only bowl win at Michigan was a romp of Florida. And Lloyd Carr’s final win was an upset of Tim Tebow Florida.

neil: And don’t forget about the 2003 Outback Bowl!

sara.ziegler: Who can forget?

neil: Grossman vs. Navarre.

gfoster: I’m excited for West Virginia vs. Syracuse in the Camping World. That feels like a 100-point game. I also am oddly interested in Boca Raton bowl! UAB is an amazing story. They won Conference USA just a few years removed from having their football program eliminated.

It’s at this time where I’d normally ask for predictions. But I imagine no one is picking an upset in the first two playoff games?

So let’s skip to the final predictions.

sara.ziegler: It’s pretty hard to pick against Alabama.

neil: Alabama 27, Clemson 24

sara.ziegler: Clemson has been dominant, obviously, ever since squeaking by Syracuse. But Bama is just too good.

Alabama 30, Clemson 18

gfoster: Clemson 35, Alabama 28

This isn’t (entirely) me being the contrarian. I think the Crimson Tide are kinda vulnerable to an upset. They start slow every game (tied with Citadel at halftime, remember) and it’s going to catch up to them at some point. Clemson defense can keep Tua off the field enough to win.

(Assuming they beat ND, who I think will make a game of it against Clemson.)

Josh Planos: Alabama over Oklahoma 35-14

Clemson over Notre Dame 21-7

Alabama over Clemson 28-14

sara.ziegler: I guess there’s nothing left to do but watch the games!

from News About Sports https://fivethirtyeight.com/features/is-there-any-stopping-another-alabama-clemson-title-game/

[flauntpage]

Attorney Suggests Raiders or Patriots Might Sign Colin Kaepernick

According to Mark Geragos, the attorney representing Colin Kaepernick in his collusion case against the NFL, the former 49ers quarterback could find himself on an NFL roster as early as next week. In the vaguest terms possible, Geragos implied two teams might be in the hunt for Kaepernick, and the bread crumbs he left, in an interview with TMZ, suggest the Oakland Raiders and New England Patriots.

In one of their man-on-the-street interviews, TMZ tracked Geragos down and asked him a few questions pertaining to the future of the former 49ers quarterback. Both the Patriots and the Raiders came up with a bit of a wink and a nod from Geragos:

When asked if teams were interested in signing Kaepernick, Geragos responded, "I would just say 'stay tuned,'" and that "next week there may be some news." Geragos mentioned that Kaepernick had been watching the Miami Dolphins to support his friend and fellow protestor Kenny Stills, and when TMZ asked if he was looking to join Miami, Geragos shot that down but then offered that "I've got two other teams that will remain nameless." When pressed, he said "I'll just say this: if [former Raiders owner] Al Davis was alive...."

The Raiders would make sense, with Oakland (where the team is for now) being so close to Kaepernick's former home, San Francisco, and the team's current backup QB being A.J. McCarron. Not to mention that current owner and son of Al, Mark Davis saying recently that he thought favorably of Nike signing Kaepernick.

But as for the Patriots hint, you might need to put on a tinfoil hat for this one. Geragos suspiciously went out of his way to mention Patriots owner Robert Kraft when TMZ switched gears and asked Geragos if he knew that rapper Meek Mill was going to be making a Kaepernick anthem. Geragos responded that he did, and then asked "you know who Meek Mill was visited by when he was in custody?" Someone offscreen said, "Robert Kraft," and Geragos let slip a kind of sly "bingo" in response and then walked away saying "that's it."

Maybe these adjacent conversations were completely unrelated—but Geragos did mention there were two teams, and then went on to specifically reference two specific franchises. We should keep in mind, though, like Geragos says in the video, that a year ago he made a prediction that a team would sign him "in the next 10 days," which didn't come to fruition.

The obvious question here is: Why now?

At the end of August, Kaepernick was awarded a significant victory in his collusion case when the arbitrator overseeing the case, Stephen Burbank, ruled against the NFL's motion for summary judgement, meaning that the case would proceed to an arbitration version of a trial: the presentation of evidence, and witness testimony sworn under oath, followed by a ruling from the "judge," Burbank. There's no official timetable set for when this "trial" would begin, but Sports Illustrated legal expert Michael McCann suggests it could happen before the end of this year. This could be bad news for the NFL as it wraps up its season and heads toward the playoffs and its signature event, Super Bowl LIII. Plus, there's also this from McCann:

Burbank’s ruling also indicates that all 32 teams remain parties in the grievance. This is a subtle but potentially groundbreaking point since if Burbank finds that 14 or more teams engaged in collusion, the NFLPA could acquire the option of terminating the collective bargaining agreement.

This could be a potential disaster for the NFL and one surefire way to avoid it would seem to be Kaepernick signing with a team. Perhaps even in exchange for dropping the suit. The league has seen the response to Kaepernick—specifically that he would not damage the bottom line, but rather increase it—after a bump in Nike sales following his commercial that aired on opening night.

This is what Kaepernick's always wanted, and why he brought the suit in the first place. He should be on an NFL roster and it's more than a little suspicious that he's not. If a team does in fact sign him, which again is not even close to guaranteed, Kaepernick would once again have that big platform to get his message across, which is a hugely important one (and one the NFL would do well to align itself with): that we need to do something about the systemic oppression and discrimination that results in black people being disproportionately targeted and killed by police.

Attorney Suggests Raiders or Patriots Might Sign Colin Kaepernick published first on https://footballhighlightseurope.tumblr.com/

[alonsonfl-blog]

2018 Patriots 53 Man Roster Projection 2.0

Here is my second 53 man roster projection for the 2018 Patriots. I’ll have more out after preseason games. Locks are in bold. Suspended, PUP, and IR players are at the bottom. Have at it:

QB (2): Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer No questions about the top two. Brady got off to a bit of a rusty start in camp, but seems back to his normal self. Hoyer's experience in the system makes him the clearcut backup. Etling has been inconsistent at best, and hasn't shown enough for the team to consider keeping three quarterbacks. A year on the practice squad would be ideal for him. RB (5): Rex Burkhead, James White, Sony Michel, Jeremy Hill, Brandon Bolden I've expected the team to keep four backs throughout the offseason, but Michel's injury opens up a spot for another of Jeremy Hill, Brandon Bolden, and Mike Gillislee. Burkhead, White, and Michel are locks, with the expectation that Burkhead will split some of the early down responsibilities with Hill as Michel gets his legs back under him. Depending on Michel's return timetable, the team could keep four backs and add a developmental player at linebacker (Ja'Whaun Bentley) or edge defender (Eric Lee, Keionta Davis, Harvey Langi)... or, of course, make a trade (John Simon?). WR (6): Chris Hogan, Kenny Britt, Phillip Dorsett, Cordarrelle Patterson, Eric Decker, Matthew Slater This is the worst wide receiver group the team has had going into week one since 2013, and its floor might be lower than that (which is scary). However, with the week five return of Edelman and projected growth in the system for Britt and Dorsett, the group's upside might rival the 2016 Edelman/Hogan/Amendola/Mitchell outfit, especially with Rob Gronkowski as the top tight end over Martellus Bennett. Britt is my breakout guy for the 2018 Patriots. He's still young (29) even though it feels like he's been around forever, and just had over 1,000 yards with Bad Case Keenum and Rookie Jared Goff throwing to him on the 2016 "We're Not Fucking Going 7-9" Rams. Check out my case for Britt here. Dorsett's side sessions with Brady and glowing praise from coaches and teammates alike, coupled with his flashes of upside in 2017 lead me to believe he has real upside as the fourth receiver with Edelman back after September. He just looks so smooth... admittedly, most of this is theoretical/projection. I only include Decker because of Edelman's suspension and his reported $1.9M contract. I doubt he'll be on the team if the other receivers are healthy after week 5. He really struggled creating separation last year. If I had to present a case for him: he was better late in the season and into the playoffs, has some background in the system, and was coming off major hip and shoulder surgery last year. Also, his wife calls him "Big Dick Decker" ... so there's that. I give Patterson almost no shot to carve out a role for himself as a receiver through anything more than reverse/bubble screen gadgetry. If he does, based on his past with learning playbooks, this team is probably in trouble. FB (1): James Develin Overlooked as a crucial component of the offense. Remember the Patriots playing Shaq Mason at fullback at times in 2015? TE (3): Rob Gronkowski, Jacob Hollister, Dwayne Allen No questions here beyond the Patriots maybe asking Allen to restructure his contract, or releasing him with the hope of bringing him back at a salary more in line with his role and production. Gronk will serve as the top tight end, and I think both Hollister and Allen will play a role as tight ends 2a and 2b. Think of Allen as Michael Williams (except he makes $5M... ugh) and Hollister as a rich man's Tim Wright, with upside to become Gronkowski's second best post-Hernandez sidekick (miss you, Marty). OL (9): Trent Brown, Joe Thuney, David Andrews, Shaq Mason, Marcus Cannon, Isaiah Wynn, LaAdrian Waddle, Cole Croston, Ted Karras I count the top seven players on the list as locks, leaving competition for one, maybe two offensive line spots. I give those to the incumbents in Croston and Karras because (a) none of the veterans (Bowanko, John, Schwenke, Tobin) the team brought in have separated themselves and (b) experience and trust in the system. I see some people cutting Croston in projections, and while I understand it, I think the team carrying him on the roster for all of last year means they really like him.

I’ve pushed for the team to try Wynn at left guard as a way to simply play their five best linemen, but based on the early returns from camp, it doesn’t seem like the team is strongly considering it at this point. Too bad. I think Wynn is a lot better than Thuney, and a Wynn-Andrews-Mason interior would absolutely maul people with Brown and Cannon flanking.

Trent Brown was such a masterstroke trade by Belichick. From everything we’ve heard, he looks like the team’s best lineman. I’ll bet he upgrades on Solder, at 20% of the cap hit. If the marriage continues to benefit both sides into the season, I think they make a push to extend him similarly to Marcus Cannon in 2016. The team continues to bring in veterans on the interior of the offensive line, which coupled with the depth at that spot that already existed on the roster leads me to the conclusion that Shaq Mason is the WTF Trade Candidate for this year's training camp. I won't predict it, but I had to get it out there. ED (4): Trey Flowers, Deatrich Wise, Adrian Clayborn, Derek Rivers No surprises here. These four guys are locks, and the team will try to make this its four man edge defender rotation. With Wise's training camp jump, Flowers and Clayborn's proven production, and Belichick's praise for Rivers (coupled with his significant talent), I'm optimistic it'll work. Eric Lee, Harvey Langi, or Keionta Davis could sneak on, though Davis has been playing inside at times during practice. If John Simon becomes available I would think the Patriots inquire. Simon is the way-too-obvious trade or cutdown target for the Patriots this preseason. DT (4): Danny Shelton, Lawrence Guy, Malcom Brown, Vincent Valentine Shelton, Guy, and Brown are established as the top rotation, with Shelton the clear top dog and Guy and Brown as solid 2a/2b rotational pieces. All three will ideally wind up playing a similar number of snaps. I wouldn't read much into Brown being "demoted" to the second unit. Valentine makes the team over Adam Butler, a meh situational pass rusher with no value on early downs and therefore very little depth value on the team. Valentine is a great fill in option as a big defensive tackle if one of Shelton, Guy, or Brown get nicked. If Shaq Mason was a possible WTF Trade Candidate, Malcom Brown may be one on a smaller scale, due to the presence of Valentine, Butler's proven ability to be a replacement level situational pass rusher, and Brown's expiring contract. John Atkins has also opened a couple of eyes during camp. The possible spot for a Brown trade: Detroit, who might be looking at starting Ricky Jean Francois at defensive tackle. Who knows, maybe they throw in Golden Tate, whose contract also expires after this season! (yes, I know they won't throw in Golden Tate. Just let me have my fun)... LB (6): Dont'a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, Marquis Flowers, Brandon King, Elandon Roberts, Christian Sam The top five are either locks or very close to it, especially based on Elandon Roberts' heavy usage during camp (usage I expect to fizzle significantly come September). Hightower and Van Noy are the horses, with Roberts and Flowers playing situationally, and Sam developing behind the scenes. If either one of Hightower or Van Noy goes down, the Patriots have experience mixing and matching to fill in their roles, but against the best offenses and offensive minds, they're in trouble. Get those two to January. Roberts was atrocious last year, but he has experience in the system and Belichick apparently trusts him. With the prevalence of big nickel as a base defense, though, I don't think his thumper linebacker role will come into play much with Hightower and Van Noy healthy. I do expect Marquis Flowers to carve out a role for himself on passing downs, moving Hightower to the edge, bumping Trey Flowers inside, and letting Brian Flores get creative with pass rush looks. Typing that sent a wonderful chill down my spine. Ja'Whaun Bentlely was the victim of Michel's injury forcing me to keep five running backs, as he's the last guy out in this projection. I don't exactly weep for the team not being able to keep two complete negatives on passing plays at linebacker, though. Sam has been playing over him in practice. CB (6): Stephon Gilmore, Eric Rowe, Duke Dawson, Jason McCourty, JC Jackson, Ryan Lewis I've been banging the "keep six corners" drum for months, and Lewis and Jackson's strong camps have only added fuel to the fire. Gilmore and Rowe will start. The team should try to extend Rowe at some point, similar to what they did with Van Noy last year. Dawson has been seeing top slot reps, though the team experimented with McCourty outside and Rowe in the slot during the week. I like that corner trio more in a vacuum, though it may lack shiftiness against certain receiver types. I think the slot will vacillate based on matchups. McCourty could be in trouble without a strong preseason, as Jackson and Lewis carry more long term upside and the team saves almost $3M by cutting him before the season. McCourty was great last year, though, and cutting him would leave the team with unproven depth behind Gilmore and Rowe on the outside. Jackson and Lewis emerging allows Jonathan Jones to stay on PUP and come back fully ready to go during the season. With no corner as a lock to make the team beyond Gilmore and Dawson signed beyond this year, Jackson and Lewis making the team would allow for more continuity at the position in 2019. The team should go to great lengths to avoid adding their names to the list of young corners that got away (Darryl Roberts, Justin Coleman, Cre'Von LeBlanc, Troy Hill, Rashaan Melvin, Kenny Moore). S (4): Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, Duron Harmon, Eddie Pleasant The top trio stays the top trio, and I try to prepare myself for seeing Duron Harmon wear 21. I don't buy that he'll usurp Chung as the safety alongside McCourty, but stranger things have happened.

Goodbye, Jordan Richards. Eddie Pleasant takes the mantle of dime safety/core special teamer from Richards, with proven competence in the role, and allows Nate Ebner to fully recover from his ACL tear by starting the season on the PUP list. Duke Dawson, Ryan Lewis, and JC Jackson's value as special teamers shouldn't be overlooked as it relates to the safety/special teams mix, either. That is a major part of what allows the team to keep ten DBs while not being forced to keep five safeties. Special Teams (3): Stephen Gostkowski, Joe Cardona, Ryan Allen The triumvirate returns for another season. No questions on Gostkowski or Cardona, but Allen's battle with Corey Bojorquez in the preseason bears watching. Bojorquez has a monster leg.

Suspended: Julian Edelman

PUP: Nate Ebner, Jonathan Jones, Cyrus Jones

IR: Malcolm Mitchell

[gibsonsflowofthoughts]

Pitt football preview 2018: Pat Narduzzi’s roller coaster continues

Bill C’s annual preview series of every FBS team in college football continues. Catch up here!

For some coaches, you can track progress by the teams on their schedule: you beat the bad teams, then you beat the decent teams, then you beat the good teams. It’s clean, orderly, and effective.

That’s how it worked for Michigan State’s Mark Dantonio, for instance. Over his first five seasons, his Spartans went 21-0 against teams that finished short of bowl eligibility, and their success was determined by how they fared against bowl teams. From 2007-09, they went 10-17 against such teams. Then, in 2010-11, they went 13-5 and finished in the top 15 twice.

Pat Narduzzi’s had influences besides only Dantonio. The 52-year-old Rhode Island grad coached for eventual Northwestern coach Randy Walker and eventual Indiana coach Terry Hoeppner. But he connected with Dantonio at Cincinnati in 2004, and the two were joined at the hip for the next decade.

Narduzzi got his first head coaching job at Pitt three seasons ago, and wow, what a ride those three seasons have been. The first glance might seem orderly — the Panthers are 11-3 against teams that finished short of bowl eligibility and 10-14 against everyone else.

But these three seasons have featured the following:

Two near-losses to FCS Youngstown State.

Near-upsets of a 12-win Iowa and 11-win UNC in 2015, 10-win Oklahoma State and Virgnia Tech in 2016, and nine-win Virginia Tech in 2017.

Near-losses to three ACC teams that finished 4-8 or worse in 2015, and outright losses to three non-bowl teams in 2017.

Wins over eventual 2016 Big Ten champion Penn State, eventual 2016 national champion Clemson, and a 2017 Miami that was 10-0 at the time.

How exhausting. Narduzzi has averaged a boring 7-6, but has nearly lost twice to FCS opponents and has pulled off three of college football’s most memorable recent wins.

At least the 2017 team could blame youth and turnover for its ups and downs. After finishing in the S&P+ top 20 in 2016, they had to replace offensive coordinator Matt Canada, starting quarterback Nathan Peterman, 1,000-yard running back James Conner, a couple of all-league offensive linemen, and eight defensive starters. They were a bad team for the first half of the season and then an intriguing, unstable one.

Pitt in 2017

Category First 7 games Last 5 games

Category First 7 games Last 5 games

Record 2 W, 5 L 3 W, 2 L Avg. score Opp 31, Pitt 23 Pitt 25, Opp 20 Avg. yards per play Opp 6.7, Pitt 5.1 Pitt 5.8, Opp 4.9 Avg. percentile performance 36% (38% off, 37% def) 67% (44% off, 72% def) Avg. performance vs. S&P+ proj. -6.9 PPG +13.4 PPG

They went from playing like a bottom-40 team to a top-40 team. The offense was still sporadic, but the defense turned good. The win over Miami was a nice signpost of the improvement, but even if they’d fallen short in that game, the Panthers were already far ahead of where they’d been a couple of months prior.

And now that improved defense returns its top six linemen, top five linebackers, and six of eight defensive backs.

The offense is still in flux. Two of the three QBs who saw the field last year are gone, and while returning sophomore Kenny Pickett was at the helm for the Miami game, he’s still only seen real action in three games (and went 5-for-13 in one of them). Receiver Jester Weah, the only real big-play threat, is gone, and there are another couple of all-league linemen to replace as well.

Depth-wise, it feels Pitt is getting somewhere. This team is mostly made of Narduzzi recruits now, so perhaps his aggressive defensive scheme will stop feeling quite as risky.

Plus, hey, we don’t have to worry about inconsistent performances against lesser competition, because there’s almost no lesser competition on the schedule. After a week-one visit from FCS’ Albany, each of the remaining 11 opponents is projected 73rd or better in S&P+, and five are in the top 25. That tamps down the expected win total for what should be a top-50 Pitt, even if Pitt doesn’t really do “expected.”

Offense

Coordinator Shawn Watson came with the reputation of a less-than-thrilling OC (his stint as Charlie Strong’s play-caller at Texas did not end well) but solid quarterbacks coach. It took him most of the season to figure out what he had.

USC transfer Max Browne began as Pitt’s starter, torched YSU and Rice (combined: 45-for-56, 550 yards, five touchdowns, no picks, 192.3 passer rating), and more or less bombed against everyone else (107.0 rating).

By midseason, sophomore Ben DiNucci had taken over. He was decent against UVA and UNC (130.0 rating) and less than decent against everyone else (114.4).

DiNucci was 4-for-8 with a pick against Virginia Tech, and, desperate for a jolt, Watson inserted Pickett.

The true freshman led a 73-yard touchdown drive, then completed a fourth-down slant to Weah for 74 yards with a minute left. Weah was tackled at the 1, and Pitt was stuffed on fourth-and-goal, but Watson had seen enough. He started Pickett against Miami, and Pickett more or less won the 2018 starting job that Friday afternoon, going 18-for-29 in the upset.

Kenny Pickett

Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Pickett has only one career touchdown pass, but he’s the unquestioned leader. Ricky Town, a former blue-chipper with stops at USC and Arkansas, will back him up.

The emergence of running back Darrin Hall also made a pretty big difference in the 3-2 finish. He had just 31 carries during the Panthers’ 2-5 start but exploded for 72 carries and 486 yards over the next three games. His success rate (46.5 percent) dwarfed that of other Pitt backs, and he brought a new level of ball control to the table.

It’s a little scary, basing your offense around an inexperienced QB and a running back who’s had basically four good games in three years, but here we are.

And Hall could get a nice challenge from both senior Qadree Ollison and a trio of former four-star backs: sophomore A.J. Davis (16 carries, 40 yards last year), redshirt freshman Todd Sibley Jr., and true freshman Mychale Salahuddin.

Watson tried to establish the run on standard downs, but it didn’t really work until Hall took over. Hall and company will depend on a reasonably new line this time around. Two starters (honorable mention all-ACC guard Alex Bookser and center Jimmy Morrissey) return, but four players responsible for 98 career starts (including all-conference tackle and 2016 Piesman Trophy winner Brian O’Neill) have departed. At least a couple of contributors will have to emerge from a pile of Kent State transfer Alex Bookser, a couple of JUCO transfers, and a motherlode of five redshirt freshmen. No guarantees, but Pickett’s mobility (he had 21 non-sack carries for 107 yards) can’t hurt.

Rafael Araujo-Lopes

Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports

Watson will also have to unearth a new play-maker in Weah’s absence. Weah averaged 17 yards per catch, and of the eight other players to catch at least 16 passes, none averaged more than 12.3. Senior Rafael Araujo-Lopes and juniors Maurice Ffrench and Aaron Matthews served as efficiency options but combined to average just 11.8 yards per catch.

Narduzzi redshirted most of last year’s freshman class, and as with the line (and Sibley at RB), a redshirt freshman — be it Dontavius Butler-Jenkins, Darian Street, or Michael Smith — could play a key role at receiver. Watson might have to turn to a true freshman. There isn’t a lot of depth here.

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Defense

Narduzzi and Dantonio found one hell of a defensive rhythm in East Lansing. After averaging a Def. S&P+ ranking of 36th through their first four years there, Michigan State ranked eighth in 2011 and then second in both 2012 and 2013. It’s been jarring, then, to see Pitt struggle more on defense than offense.

The Panthers ranked 50th in 2015, then 62nd in 2016 and 75th last fall, but as mentioned up top, most of last year’s struggles came early. After allowing a ghastly 6.7 yards per play in the first seven games, they allowed just 4.9 over the last five.

The pass defense was the primary reason. Pitt allowed a 60 percent completion rate, 15 yards per catch, and a 151.0 passer rating over those first seven games, horrible numbers all around; the last five games, though: 50 percent, 12.9, and 119.5, respectively.

Dane Jackson

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Cornerback Avonte Maddox and safety Jordan Whitehead (both of whom were drafted in the fourth round of the NFL draft) were key pieces. But thanks to a significant run of injuries, plenty of other guys got experience — only two regulars played in all 12 games, and nine DBs made five or more tackles each.

Corner Dane Jackson (11 passes defensed, two tackles for loss) nearly matched Maddox’s disruption stats, and three returning safeties (senior Dennis Briggs, junior Damar Hamlin, sophomore Bricen Garner) made at least 27 tackles each. One of three sophomore cornerbacks — Therran Coleman, Jason Pinnock, or Damarri Mathis — will have to play a steadier role, but there’s lots of experience here and plenty of candidates for Maddox’s spot (or, for Jackson’s spot as he fills Maddox’s).

Oluwaseun Idowu (23) and Patrick Jones II (91)

Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images

The front seven is loaded with experience. Talent? TBD. The Panthers ranked 100th in rushing success rate, 83rd in stuff rate (run stops at or behind the line), and 80th in Adj. Sack Rate — there wasn’t much to love here. But the unit did improve as the year went on, and the linebackers appear sturdy.

Oluwaseun Idowu led with 11.5 tackles for loss, two other returnees (Saleem Brightwell and Elijah Zeise) had five each, and senior MLB Quintin Wirginis had four sacks in 2016 before missing last year with injury. He was a spring standout.

The line is at least more experienced; that can’t hurt. Two freshmen (end Rashad Weaver and tackle Keyshon Camp) and sophomore tackle Amir Watts were among Pitt’s top five tacklers up front, and while Weaver, Watts, and Tennessee transfer Dewayne Hendrix each had between five and six TFLs, the line was below average from a havoc standpoint.

Another couple of freshmen (end Patrick Jones II and tackle Rashad Wheeler) played reserve roles, and this line was perhaps just too young to succeed. With so many guys back, Narduzzi didn’t panic and bring in any JUCOs — in fact, he signed seven freshman linemen, and I’m guessing he’ll redshirt most.

I’m curious what impact new coordinator Randy Bates has. Bates served as Pat Fitzgerald’s linebackers coach at Northwestern for 12 seasons and appears to be incredibly respected in the coaching community, but NU’s defenses are more flexible — bend-don’t-break, then aggressive in the red zone — than Narduzzi’s.

Special Teams

Pitt has been consistent, though not the right kind; they’ve ranked 73rd, 81st, and 82nd in Special Teams S&P+. And that was with Quadree Henderson returning kicks and punts.

Henderson’s gone, as is a solid punter in Ryan Winslow, so if Pitt is to improve, it’s on sophomore place-kicker Alex Kessman. Pitt ranked just 92nd in FG efficiency last year because while he showed a strong leg (8-for-13 on FGs longer than 40 yards), he was dreadfully inconsistent (3-for-6 on FGs under 40). He was also a freshman, so we’ll see.

2018 outlook

2018 Schedule & Projection Factors

Date Opponent Proj. S&P+ Rk Proj. Margin Win Probability 1-Sep Albany NR 28.8 95% 8-Sep Penn State 8 -13.1 23% 15-Sep Georgia Tech 53 3.6 58% 22-Sep at North Carolina 51 -1.7 46% 29-Sep at UCF 17 -11.7 25% 6-Oct Syracuse 71 7.7 67% 13-Oct at Notre Dame 7 -19.2 13% 27-Oct Duke 40 1.4 53% 2-Nov at Virginia 73 2.9 57% 10-Nov Virginia Tech 21 -4.4 40% 17-Nov at Wake Forest 34 -5.2 38% 24-Nov at Miami 13 -15.3 19%

I’m finding it pretty easy to talk myself into Pitt as a top-40 team again. The Panthers were close to that late in the year, and if Pickett goes from small-sample all-star to all-star, then the Panthers should be efficient offensively, even if there aren’t a ton of big plays. And since the defense returns most of the reasons for its late-year improvement, there’s reason for hope there, too.

This is an unforgiving schedule, though. S&P+ projects Pitt 45th, which seems safe, but the Panthers are still only projected favorites in five games, and three are relative tossups. Meanwhile, they are a 12-point underdog or worse against Penn State and in road trips to UCF, Notre Dame, and Miami.

This being Pitt, they’ll probably win at least one of those games, but they’ll have to win a majority of their tossups, without any slips in the easier games, to get back to bowl eligibility. S&P+ projects an average of 5.3 wins even with the top-50 ranking. Pickett might not only have to be good; he might have to be excellent.

Team preview stats

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[prefernflbucs]

Is Florida State’s biggest issue actually on defense?

Florida State’s struggles on offense are well-documented and come with a good explanation: the quarterback.

As Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said earlier this week, the Seminoles lost a potential Heisman Trophy candidate when Deondre Francois got hurt — just a bit of Swinney’s rhetorical praise for FSU — and the result has been a unit that has failed to top 28 points in any game this season.

But what about the other side of the ball? That’s the real head-scratcher.

It has not been an outright disaster on defense, of course. Florida State ranks 28th nationally in yards per play (just behind Notre Dame) and allows 24.3 points per game, better than a year ago.

Look a little deeper, though, and there are red flags that help explain the 3-5 record FSU currently sports. The Noles rank 96th in sacks, despite a blue-chip defensive front that was among the nation’s best a year ago. Opponents are converting more than 37 percent of their third downs, 60th nationally, including nine conversions on third-and-5 or longer by Syracuse last week. And perhaps most befuddling, the Noles have just six takeaways, the fewest by any Power 5 team and 128th overall.

The explanation, Florida State safety Derwin James said, is in the game plan, which has played it safe in a long series of close games, knowing the offense might not be able to put many points on the board.

"That’s the mindset," James said. "Everybody wants to do their job. We do a great job of preparing, knowing situations. We play a lot of man. Sometimes, you have to just get the guy on the ground or knock the ball down. We know the scheme we’re playing and we want to follow our identity."

SeasonPressure percentageTurnovers per drive201225.2 percent10.8 percent201325.0 percent18.6 percent201424.3 percent14.0 percent201527.6 percent9.1 percent201632.5 percent13.2 percent201719.6 percent5.7 percent

This argument does seem reasonable. FSU ranks in the middle of the pack among Power 5 defenses in percentage of dropbacks disrupted (sacks, interceptions and pass breakups) but 60th among Power 5 teams in interception rate.

Florida State coach Jimbo Fisher, however, chalks it up less to scheme than to execution. The problem, he said, is finishing plays.

"You’ve got to make turnovers, you’ve got to create pressure, you’ve got to hit your quarterback and when you get opportunities to catch a ball or strip a ball or get on a fumble," Fisher said. "We’ve had a couple opportunities, which we haven’t [taken advantage of], and we’ve got to create some more situations where we pressure them, where guys make bad decisions."

This too is a legitimate concern. Florida State’s highly regarded front ranks 59th among Power 5 teams in pressure rate, down nearly 40 percent from last year, despite returning the bulk of its starting lineup.

Fisher also suggested the quarterbacks that Florida State has faced play a part in the low rate of takeaways, and here he also has a point. Four opposing QBs rank among the best in the nation in interception rate, but others — Miami’s Malik Rosier, Duke’s Daniel Jones, Boston College’s Anthony Brown — have been turnover-prone at times. Just not against Florida State.

All of that adds up to a defense that has been … well, fine. Not great, not awful and certainly not enough to overcome the offensive woes.

"We haven’t been playing Florida State football, but we still have more to play for," James said.

So for James, this Saturday’s showdown with Clemson (3:30 p.m. ET, ESPN and the ESPN App) isn’t so much a chance to play spoiler against the No. 4 team in the country, but rather an opportunity to showcase what the defense really can be.

"You get that chip on your shoulder being an underdog," he said. "We’ll come out and play hard. It should be a good game."

Fighting Irish eyeing big runs

Miami’s defense is tough, that much is clear. But that doesn’t mean Notre Dame doesn’t have an opportunity to make a few big plays on the ground when the two top-10 teams meet Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

The Hurricanes’ D allows 4.8 yards per carry (not counting sacks), which ranks just 54th nationally, but even that number is a bit deceptive. The Canes are 20th nationally in stopping nearly 24 percent of run plays at or behind the line of scrimmage. The flip side, however, is that they’ve also surrendered 52 runs of 10 yards or more, 16.3 percent of runs faced — good for 102nd nationally. Meanwhile, the Irish have had 20.2 percent of their runs go for 10 yards or more, fourth best nationally.

So while this might not be a typically big day for the Irish ground game, expect a few big plays to prove critical for running back Josh Adams & Co.

Fitzgerald for the win?

Mississippi State QB Nick Fitzgerald has racked up 817 yards on the ground this year — not counting sacks — which puts him among the most productive mobile QBs in the country. That could be critical against No. 2 Alabama this week.

Since 2008, Alabama has dominated everyone, but the defense has been just a bit less dominant against mobile quarterbacks.

Of the Crimson Tide’s 105 Power 5 opponents since 2008, just 25 have had QBs rush 10 times or more against them (again, not counting sacks). Those 25 teams are a relatively impressive 7-18 against Alabama in that span. Comparatively, teams whose QBs run less than 10 times in a game are a woeful 5-75.

The funny thing is, it doesn’t much matter how successful those QBs are running the ball. Just the attempts make a difference. When the QB runs at least 10 times, the Tide surrender 20.6 points per game and 5.13 yards per play — both big increases as compared to when the QB runs less (12.9 points per game, 4.18 yards per play).

Four downs

There’s an interesting debate between UCF and Wisconsin when it comes to the playoff committee’s rankings. The Knights and Badgers are both undefeated, but committee chairman Kirby Hocutt noted that Wisconsin has the worst strength of schedule of any team the committee ranked this week. UCF, meanwhile, has a larger margin of victory, higher opponent win percentage and a roughly equivalent strength of record (per ESPN). And yet, the Knights are ranked 18th and Wisconsin is eighth.

Kenny Hill’s accuracy is key for TCU. In games in which he has completed at least 70 percent of his attempts, the Frogs average 37.3 points per game and 6.2 yards per play. When he doesn’t, those numbers drop to 27.5 points and 5.5 yards.

Georgia’s defense has faced, on average, 60 plays per game this season, the seventh fewest in the country. Auburn, on the other hand, averages 73 plays per game. Notre Dame is the only Georgia opponent this season to run that many in a game.

The only Power 5 QBs to rack up at least 2,000 yards and 20 touchdowns while coughing up five or fewer turnovers this season are Heisman favorite Baker Mayfield and Wake Forest’s John Wolford.

Coach speak

All week Adam Rittenberg has been chatting with head and assistant coaches around the country. Here is the best of those conversations.

Before the season, Washington’s secondary looked like a major stumbling block to its quest to repeat as Pac-12 champions. The Huskies had three defensive backs — safety Budda Baker and cornerbacks Kevin King and Sidney Jones — all selected in the second round of the NFL draft. While safety Taylor Rapp, the Pac-12’s top freshman defender in 2016, and veteran safety JoJo McIntosh returned, there were questions elsewhere. No more. Entering the stretch run, Washington leads the Pac-12 and ranks third nationally in pass yards allowed (149.8 ypg). The Huskies lead the nation in net yards per pass attempt (4.33) and percentage of pass attempts resulting in a touchdown (1.9). Co-defensive coordinator/secondary coach Jimmy Lake attributes the sustained success to leadership from safeties Rapp, McIntosh and senior Ezekiel Turner. Younger players like sophomore cornerback Myles Bryant (six pass breakups, four tackles for loss, an interception and a fumble recovery) have blossomed. "It’s a desire to uphold the standard that was built by the ones before them," Lake said.

When Missouri had several young players beat out veterans for starting spots in preseason camp, offensive coordinator Josh Heupel grew optimistic about a strong start. It didn’t come, but the Tigers are poised to finish strong after averaging 45.4 points in their last five games, with three winnable contests (Tennessee, Vanderbilt, Arkansas) remaining. Heupel has a better grasp of how to use personnel, especially some of Missouri’s young offensive linemen, three of whom are only 19. "It’s really subtle things," Heupel said, "what position you might put this left guard in in the run game. How will you handle protections against the personnel you see?" Heupel also can rely more on junior quarterback Drew Lock, who has 23 touchdown passes and only five interception the past five games. "He’s got a lot more on his plate than he did a year ago," Heupel said. "He may check from pass to run or run to pass based on the box, or based on numbers and techniques and schemes. As much tempo as we play, he’s still got a fair amount of command of the offense."

Michigan State had a leadership problem last season. Everyone could see it. Any chance for a Spartans turnaround would require a better locker room. MSU coaches credit sophomore quarterback Brian Lewerke for helping to foster a better atmosphere. It doesn’t hurt that Lewerke is playing his best football lately, recording back-to-back 400-yard passing performances with six touchdowns and two interceptions. "The quarterback becomes the leader as he’s productive as a player," Spartans quarterbacks coach Brad Salem said. "He was put in that position, and his personality, he captures the people around him. People have played very well and responded to him." Salem also has seen growth in Lewerke’s schematic knowledge by the questions he asks in meetings. "He’ll ask more, ‘Should we do this or could we do that?" he said. "He’s more intrigued by the design of what the defense is giving and some opportunities we can take as an offense."

Despite an offensive-minded coach in Dana Holgorsen, West Virginia has relied more on its defense in recent years. It happened again last week against Iowa State after the offense provided a 20-0 lead but didn’t score for the final two and a half quarters. The Mountaineers defense, down four starters, allowed only one touchdown and forced two short field goals to hold off Iowa State’s comeback. Led by cornerback Hakeem Bailey (3), seven WVU defenders recorded a pass breakup. "We challenged them and whoever was going to play needed to get in there and play with relentless effort and as much physicality as we possibly can," Holgorsen told me, Ivan Maisel and Chris Low on Tuesday’s Campus Conversation podcast. "We basically shut them down in the first half and knew those guys are going to come back. … But we did a great job of holding those guys to field goals, which is what we’ve been doing defensively around here for the last couple of years. I’m really proud of the whole unit."

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Fox news Ranking draft classes, 1-32: Ravens, 'Boys thrive - NFL.com

Fox news

Why provide on the spot grades on the picks of potentialities who've but to make a selection out an NFL snap? Well, you are finding out this, aren't you? Brooding in regards to the makeup of every roster and the factors surrounding every take, Gennaro Filice and Dan Parr strive a division-by-division evaluate of the 2020 NFL Draft. Establish in mind that these grades are in step with draft hauls alone -- picks traded for dilapidated gamers were now not taken into fable. Click on here for those fleshy breakdowns.

Below you would obtain a rating, from 1 to 32, of the 2020 draft classes.

» Spherical 1: (No. 28 general) Patrick Queen, LB, LSU. » Spherical 2: (55) J.K. Dobbins, RB, Ohio Reveal. » Spherical 3: (71) Justin Madubuike, DT, Texas A&M; (92) Devin Duvernay, WR, Texas; (98) Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio Reveal; (106) Tyre Phillips, OG, Mississippi Reveal. » Spherical 4: (143) Ben Bredeson, OG, Michigan. » Spherical 5: (170) Broderick Washington, DT, Texas Tech. » Spherical 6: (201) James Proche, WR, SMU. » Spherical 7: (219) Geno Stone, S, Iowa.

PARR: Baltimore one way or the opposite managed to search out very fair staunch worth in nearly every spherical. It appears to be like unfair that they sort this yr after yr, if truth be told. Queen fills the void that had been lingering since C.J. Mosley departed closing offseason and can fair scurry sideline to sideline, wreaking havoc along with his explosiveness despite being undersized. Dobbins provides one other dose of electricity to the Ravens' extremely charged backfield and the worth modified into too lawful to scurry up, even though there were extra urgent needs. Oh, and likewise you better reflect Eric DeCosta did work with four third-spherical picks, pouncing so that you can add -- you guessed it -- good worth within the heart allotment of the draft. Harrison is a downhill attacker who will complement Queen at 'backer, and Madubuike will aid retain blockers off of those two. We're intrigued by Duvernay, who might well maybe change staunch into a spark hotfoot within the slot if he improves as a route runner. There are Hall-of-Fame remarkable shoes to bear at guard following the retirement of Marshal Yanda, nonetheless Phillips and Bredeson appear enjoy finest suits for the Ravens' strength working game. We approve of the resolution to trade up in Spherical 6 for Proche, who has the ball skills and competitiveness to be remarkable extra productive than his athletic traits would lead you to reflect. And the absolute best blueprint about touchdown Stone with take 219, on the subject of 100 slots lower than where Jeremiah valued him? There were the handiest crew that had his top worth absorb two varied rounds. Well performed, Ravens.

» Spherical 1: (No. 17 general) CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma. » Spherical 2: (51) Trevon Diggs, CB, Alabama. » Spherical 3: (82) Neville Gallimore, DT, Oklahoma. » Spherical 4: (123) Reggie Robinson II, CB, Tulsa; (146) Tyler Biadasz, C, Wisconsin. » Spherical 5: (179) Bradlee Anae, Edge, Utah. » Spherical 7: (231) Ben DiNucci, QB, James Madison.

FILICE: What a distinction drafting on a $250 million mega yacht makes! Jerry Jones spent the virtual draft aboard the Bravo Eugenia, a predictably glitzy atmosphere for the league's final showman proprietor. But separated from COO Stephen Jones, vp of player personnel Will McClay and new head coach Mike McCarthy, Jerrah modified into flying with out a parachute. No person modified into there to snatch the draft card out of the boss' hand, might well maybe fair still he were tempted to sort one thing enjoy drafting Johnny Manziel over Zack Martin. No topic. The Well-known particular person King fully beaten this draft, logging broad worth in every of his first six picks while concurrently filling roster needs. Lamb modified into a present from the Draft Gods. Or now not it's a player you fair staunch have to absorb the 2nd half of Spherical 1, no topic how your draft needs stack up. However the exact brilliance of the Cowboys' draft is how they discovered techniques to bear holes after making the quasi-luxurious take at huge receiver. Diggs modified into a cornerback many mocked to Dallas at No. 17 -- as a substitute, the Cowboys landed him 34 slots later. Gallimore bought some first-spherical buzz all around the pre-draft process -- Dallas nabbed him midway thru the third. After which on Day 3, the 'Boys made a substitute of want-essentially essentially based mostly picks who might well maybe deal outproduce their respective draft slots. Robinson's a lengthy, trusty duvet man who excelled in a pair of coverages at Tulsa and posted some appealing numbers in Indy. Biadasz took a step encourage closing season at Wisconsin due to accidents, or else he would've been lengthy passed by the time Dallas came on the clock at No. 146. Now he's tossed into the heart battle with dilapidated Joe Looney and 2019 third-rounder Connor McGovern. If Biadasz can procure luminous again, the Cowboys might well maybe close up changing one Badgers pivot (the now not too lengthy ago retired Travis Frederick) with one other. And Anae enters the NFL with a barely refined scurry-speeding arsenal, which might well maybe fair still aid Dallas substitute the 11.5 sacks and 13 TFLs that left with Robert Quinn in free agency.

» Spherical 1: (No. 22 general) Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU; (31) Jeff Gladney, CB, TCU. » Spherical 2: (58) Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise Reveal. » Spherical 3: (89) Cameron Dantzler, CB, Mississippi Reveal. » Spherical 4: (117) D.J. Wonnum, Edge, South Carolina; (130) James Lynch, Edge, Baylor; (132) Troy Dye, LB, Oregon. » Spherical 5: (169) Harrison Hand, CB, Temple; (176) K.J. Osborn, WR, Miami (Fla.). » Spherical 6: (203) Blake Brandel, OG, Oregon Reveal; (205) Josh Metellus, S, Michigan. » Spherical 7: (225) Kenny Willekes, Edge, Michigan Reveal; (244) Nate Stanley, QB, Iowa; (249) Brian Cole II, S, Mississippi Reveal; (253) Kyle Hinton, OG, Washburn.

FILICE: Since he started working Minnesota's drafts encourage in 2007, Rick Spielman has impressively drafted 16 Pro Bowlers. Peaceful, his past few prospect hauls haven't proven on the subject of as fruitful because the glory classes of 2015 and prior. Consequently, we have now viewed an uptick in heat on the GM's seat. Earlier to January's Wild Card Weekend upset of the Saints, Spielman bought a public vote of self perception from Vikings proprietor Mark Wilf. However the actual fact stays that the GM's contract -- enjoy that of head coach Mike Zimmer -- is determined to expire after the 2020 season. So this particular feels enjoy a function-or-ruin draft class for Spielman. At this 2nd -- days after the picks were made and lengthy sooner than anybody's attach aside to make a selection out a exact, dwell NFL snap -- I judge Rick nailed it. And now not fair staunch because he made half the picks to your total draft. (OK, 15 to be staunch.) The Vikings' first three picks might well maybe thoroughly produce three Day 1 starters. Jefferson replaces Stefon Diggs reverse Adam Thielen within the receiving corps, while Gladney and dilapidated CB Mike Hughes will hit the starting up lineup following the departures of Xavier Rhodes and Trae Waynes. Cleveland might well maybe command the sort out slot reverse Brian O'Neill, kicking Riley Reiff inner to guard and giving Minnesota essentially the most athletic bookend duo within the league -- a extremely appealing chance, given how remarkable the Vikings' starting up air-zone blueprint relies on OL mobility. One Day 3 take to retain an admire on is Dye. A lengthy, athletic linebacker with legit coverage chops, the 6-foot-3 231-pounder led Oregon in tackles all over every of the past four seasons. He might well maybe maybe be small to particular teams responsibility in Year 1, nonetheless do now not be surprised if Dye within the waste joins Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr at the starting up lineup, giving the Vikes a versatile linebacking corps very finest to the stylish game.

» Spherical 1: (No. 8 general) Isaiah Simmons, LB/S, Clemson. » Spherical 3: (72) Josh Jones, OT, Houston. » Spherical 4: (114) Leki Fotu, DT, Utah; (131) Rashard Lawrence, DT, LSU. » Spherical 6: (202) Evan Weaver, LB, Cal. » Spherical 7: (222) Eno Benjamin, RB, Arizona Reveal.

FILICE: Three years ago, Steve Keim spent his first-spherical handle hybrid defender Haason Reddick. When requested how the Temple product would fit into Arizona's protection, the Cardinals general supervisor gushed: "That is the benefit of it -- it's now not important," Keim talked about at the time. "We are going to obtain a location for him. Whether or now not it be early as a rusher or as a stack-backer, he has bought sufficient skills to be a distinction maker for us, and we'll obtain the luminous location for him on our protection." Three years and 20 begins later, Reddick stays a particular person with out a role. Basically, sooner than the draft closing week, The Athletic's Michael Lombardi talked about the old No. 13 general take's "one other man for the Cardinals that they would gladly scurry on from." Oof. Now Arizona faces the equivalent extra or less questions in regards to the 6-foot-4, 238-pound freak of nature with the 4.39 40-yard speed. How will Simmons be deployed in Vance Joseph's protection? "He'll be a linebacker," the defensive coordinator talked about. "But we drafted this man due to what we seen him sort at Clemson. So, the things he did there, he'll sort for us also. As some distance as overlaying tight ends, and again, he'll be an grief solver. Clearly, every game notion is varied and, as complications reach along and he can solve them for us he'll positively be a candidate to sort those things for us." Now, it must be pointed out that, while the Reddick experiment has been a total failure, the Cardinals sort have a pair of success tales on the role-player entrance. Tyrann Mathieu grew to alter staunch into a Defensive Player of the Year candidate as a roving playmaker, Deone Bucannon instant served because the LB/S prototype and Budda Baker -- drafted 23 picks after Reddick -- continues to redefine the safety role. Here is hoping Joseph and Co. have the luminous notion to maximise Simmons' uncommon skill attach aside. One thing I'm barely particular of: Arizona bought a interact in Day 2 and Day 3. Jones, a battle-tested left sort out with NFL traits, had no industrial lasting till Spherical 3. And Benjamin, an starting up-field nightmare who came off the board in Spherical 7, might well maybe hit some home runs within the huge-starting up home created by Kliff Kingsbury's offense.

» Spherical 1: (No. 1 general) Joe Burrow, QB, LSU. » Spherical 2: (33) Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson. » Spherical 3: (65) Logan Wilson, LB, Wyoming. » Spherical 4: (107) Akeem Davis-Gaither, LB, Appalachian Reveal. » Spherical 5: (147) Khalid Kareem, DE, Notre Dame. » Spherical 6: (180) Hakeem Adeniji, OG, Kansas. » Spherical 7: (215) Markus Bailey, LB, Purdue.

PARR: Our one quibble with the Bengals' draft modified into the resolution to wait till Spherical 6 to handle the offensive line after now not at the side of to it in free agency, nonetheless general, this modified into good work. Sure, the Burrow take appears to be like enjoy a no-brainer, nonetheless it surely's still a sizable one that at once rejuvenates the franchise. He's coming off the handiest yr ever by a college quarterback. And Cincinnati modified into well-organized so that you can add one other weapon for him to kick off Spherical 2. Higgins might well maybe change into one other A.J. Green in due time, nonetheless for now, they procure to crew up collectively, increasing a tandem that can maybe maybe sort barely about a injury to defenses. Linebacker modified into this crew's biggest want on protection, and we're followers of all three gamers they selected at the role, even supposing we would have potentially modified into to the offensive line over Davis-Gaither in Spherical 4. Wilson is a future starter, and Bailey might well maybe provide broad worth for a seventh-spherical take if he's ready to forestall healthy. Kareem is now not going to wow anybody with explosiveness or athleticism, nonetheless he can provide trusty depth off the threshold. We loved what the Bengals did after they within the waste selected an offensive lineman. Adeniji has a huge gamble to invent staunch into a starting up guard and modified into Jeremiah's top worth of Spherical 6.

» Spherical 1: (No. 9 general) CJ Henderson, CB, Florida; (20) K'Lavon Chaisson, Edge, LSU. » Spherical 2: (42) Laviska Shenault, WR, Colorado. » Spherical 3: (73) DaVon Hamilton, DT, Ohio Reveal. » Spherical 4: (116) Ben Bartch, OT, St. John's (Minn.); (137) Josiah Scott, CB, Michigan Reveal; (140) Shaquille Quarterman, LB, Miami. » Spherical 5: (157) Daniel Thomas, S, Auburn; (165) Collin Johnson, WR, Texas. » Spherical 6: (189) Jake Luton, QB, Oregon Reveal; (206) Tyler Davis, TE, Georgia Tech. » Spherical 7: (223) Chris Claybrooks, CB, Memphis.

PARR: Jacksonville came into this draft in rebuilding mode and did a appealing job of at the side of a boatload of skill while also filling most of its top needs. There modified into a apparent void at corner following the trades of Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye, so the Henderson take made hundreds of sense -- and the equivalent goes for the Chaisson substitute, with Yannick Ngakoue making an strive out of town. Touchdown the 2nd-handiest corner and edge rusher within the draft? That'll work. Shenault's stock took successful all around the review process due to sturdiness issues. He provides barely about a upside nonetheless a lower ground, too. If all of it comes collectively for him, the Jaguars might well maybe reach away with three first-spherical values from this draft. Hamilton went barely sooner than expected, nonetheless has a huge gamble to invent staunch into a starter, and we cherished the Bartch take. Build now not sleep on the undersized Scott as a future starting up nickel corner, both. We mustn't have minded seeing the Jags gamble on a prospect with barely extra upside than Quarterman late in Spherical 4, nonetheless he might well maybe fair still be a tight backup at inner 'backer. GM Dave Caldwell added extra depth at positions of want in a while Day 3, nonetheless the first takeaway here is he ended up tying for the league-high by drafting eight gamers from NFL Network draft knowledgeable Daniel Jeremiah's top 150 potentialities, at the side of three of his top 36. That is lawful news for Duval County.

» Spherical 1: (No. 5 general) Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama; (No. 18) USC OT Austin Jackson; (No. 30) Auburn CB Noah Igbinoghene. » Spherical 2: (39) Robert Hunt, OL, Louisiana; (56) Raekwon Davis, DT, Alabama. » Spherical 3: (60) Brandon Jones, S, Texas. » Spherical 4: (111) Solomon Kindley, OG, Georgia. » Spherical 5: (154) Jason Strowbridge, DE, North Carolina; (164) Curtis Weaver, edge rusher, Boise Reveal. » Spherical 6: (185) Blake Ferguson, LS, LSU. » Spherical 7: (246) Malcolm Perry, RB, Navy.

PARR: This modified into the Dolphins' draft to manipulate. They entered it with essentially the most picks within the league, at the side of three first-rounders, and traditional the capital about to boot to they might maybe maybe maybe. We enjoy the peril they were willing to make a selection out with their first substitute. Tagovailoa's likely modified into too sizable to scurry up, even with the injury issues. Jackson and Igbinoghene went sooner than many expected them to, nonetheless in those two gamers, Miami will have a future starting up left sort out and a advanced, aggressive, physical nickel encourage -- are trying to be lawful at those spots to have interplay in this day's NFL. We're now not here to strongly dock the Fins for those choices, even though a case will also be made that they were reaches. The Igbinoghene take foreshadowed the Dolphins' theme for Day 2 of the draft, because the grasp notion of at the side of advanced, physical, extremely efficient skill modified into fully published with the picks of Hunt, Davis and Jones. Huge fan of the work they did on the defensive line on Day 3, touchdown a Senior Bowl standout (Strowbridge) and a likely interact in Weaver, who did now not allow below-average explosiveness to retain him from racking up 34 sacks over the past three seasons. Final nonetheless now not least, Perry -- he of two,017 speeding yards closing season -- has a huge gamble to have an effect on a situation as a versatile contributor who might well well aid on offense and particular teams. Now, the merits of drafting a lengthy snapper might well maybe maybe be debatable, nonetheless all in all, a terribly good haul here.

» Spherical 1: (No. 3 general) Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio Reveal. » Spherical 2: (35) D'Andre Swift, RB, Georgia. » Spherical 3: (67) Julian Okwara, Edge, Notre Dame; (75) Jonah Jackson, OG, Ohio Reveal. » Spherical 4: (121) Logan Stenberg, OG, Kentucky. » Spherical 5: (166) Quintez Cephus, WR, Wisconsin; (172) Jason Huntley, RB, Fresh Mexico Reveal. » Spherical 6: (197) John Penisini, DT, Utah. » Spherical 7: (235) Jashon Cornell, DT, Ohio Reveal.

FILICE: After spending months broadcasting all around the universe that the Lions were starting up for industrial at No. 3, GM Bob Quinn ended up keeping the take and taking the luminous player. Brooding about want, positional worth, blueprint fit and skill of the true prospect, the Okudah substitute modified into fully/because it is going to be predictable. The same can't be talked about about Detroit's 2nd-rounder. Despite the truth that the Lions haven't accomplished within the tip half of the league in speeding offense since Barry Sanders' retirement closing millennium, Detroit modified into now not in most cases talked about as a likely touchdown situation for Swift. In all likelihood because this similar Lions regime aggressively centered Kerryon Johnson thru 2nd-spherical trade-up fair staunch two years ago. Or maybe it modified into all that presumptuous pre-draft chatter about Swift being the handiest first-spherical encourage in this class. As soon as that designation truly utilized to Clyde Edwards-Helaire on draft night, even supposing, and Swift fell into the 2nd spherical, the Lions pounced. As you would surmise by the grade atop this blurb, I'm now not here to lecture anybody in regards to the folly of spending precious draft currency on a working encourage. Basically, I applaud this take. Johnson, who has a lengthy injury historic past going encourage to his Auburn days, has overlooked on the subject of half the video games in his two NFL seasons. And while Bo Scarbrough modified into a pleasurable shock down the stretch of a lost season, let's now not faux his 4.2 yards per carry portended future stardom. With all due respect to Pro Bowl wideout Kenny Golladay, this offensive roster is now not precisely bursting at the seams with electric playmakers. Swift brings appealing juice to the speed and scurry video games. Early in Spherical 3, Quinn attempted to bear a void that is marred Patricia's protection two years working: edge bustle. In a draft class light on top-close sack artists, Okwara might well maybe close up as a third-spherical coup. Quinn and Patricia also endured their ardour accomplishing of rebuilding the offensive line with a pair of mid-spherical guards: one who focuses on scurry blockading (Jackson) and one who belligerently mauls opponents within the bottom game (Stenberg).

» Spherical 1: (No. 10 general) Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama. » Spherical 2: (44) Grant Delpit, S, LSU. » Spherical 3: (88) Jordan Elliott, DT, Missouri; (97) Jacob Phillips, LB, LSU. » Spherical 4: (115) Harrison Bryant, TE, Florida Atlantic. » Spherical 5: (160) Slash Harris, C, Washington. » Spherical 6: (187) Donovan Peoples-Jones, WR, Michigan.

PARR: Baker Mayfield must be resting more straightforward at the 2nd. GM Andrew Berry proficient him with an enormous upgrade at the sort out situation, signing Jack Conklin in free agency to man the luminous aspect, and then he went out and drafted a new left sort out with the 10th general take. Wills modified into the tip player at his role on many boards. He might well maybe fair still be conserving the blindside for the next decade. The following-biggest want for this club modified into at security, and Berry checked that box by plucking Delpit. Concerns about his tackling knocked him out of the first-spherical conversation, nonetheless there's still hundreds to enjoy about his game as a instant, instinctive free security. We stumble on barely about a upside within the Elliott take. He can provide a push from the inner. We're now not as smitten by the Phillips substitute. Linebacker modified into a want and Phillips led a skill-well off LSU protection in tackles closing season, nonetheless he might well maybe now not change into larger than a backup/particular-teams contributor at the next level. We mustn't have minded seeing the Browns scurry in a course rather than tight on the subject of originate Day 3 with Austin Hooper and David Njoku (who fair staunch had his fifth-yr option picked up despite his disappointing 2019 season) already on the roster. That talked about, have you viewed NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein's comp for Bryant? Or now not it's George Kittle! So, we're now not going to argue with taking a shot on that extra or less player. Harris affords some depth on the inner O-line, and Peoples-Jones modified into rate a flyer in Spherical 7 even supposing he never lived as much as his billing at Michigan.

» Spherical 1: (No. 14 general) Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina; (25) Brandon Aiyuk, WR, Arizona Reveal. » Spherical 5: (153) Colton McKivitz, OT, West Virginia. » Spherical 6: (190) Charlie Woerner, TE, Georgia. » Spherical 7: (217) Jauan Jennings, WR, Tennessee.

FILICE: Continuously, within the wake of the three-day crew-constructing bonanza that is the NFL draft, it be exhausting to wrap your head all around the thinking that went staunch into a explicit franchise's general haul. That is most positively NOT the case with San Francisco's 2020 draft class. Every take had a motive. With the full money the 49ers have poured into their definitive role personnel -- defensive line -- DeForest Buckner unfortunately ended up being the outlandish man out. The Niners fair staunch might well maybe now not pay him the money he modified into due, so that they flipped him for a valuable-spherical take ... and then traditional that handle a youthful, more cost-effective version of Buckner in Kinlaw. Cherish Buckner, Emmanuel Sanders modified into one other proficient dilapidated the Niners fair staunch might well maybe now not fit into their wage cap. So they let him stroll to Fresh Orleans ... and traditional their 2nd first-spherical handle a high playmaker at wideout in Aiyuk. San Francisco mitigated the retirement of franchise stalwart Joe Staley by trading for Trent Williams, nonetheless they still wanted depth at the sort out role. Insert McKivitz, who has skills on the left and luminous aspect -- and can fair be San Francisco's swing sort out in Year 1. In the meantime, anybody who's watched Kyle Shanahan's offense of late knows how essentially the most important a role Kyle Juszczyk performs. Well, the versatile H-encourage's getting up in age and heading into the closing yr of his contract. Might maybe well maybe Woerner be groomed because the eventual substitute? And lastly, Jennings is precisely the extra or less YAC monster Lil Shanny likes to operate. Build now not dwell on the 4.72 40 -- he has interact likely as a broad-slot playmaker. Calculated drafting from stem to stern.

» Spherical 1: (No. 13 general) Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa. » Spherical 2: (45) Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota. » Spherical 3: (76) Ke'Shawn Vaughn, RB, Vanderbilt. » Spherical 5: (161) Tyler Johnson, WR, Minnesota. » Spherical 6: (194) Khalil Davis, DT, Nebraska. » Spherical 7: (241) Chapelle Russell, LB, Temple; (245) Raymond Calais, RB, Louisiana-Lafayette.

FILICE: So, what's it gonna be, Bucs followers: Tompa Bay or Tampa Brady? GM Jason Licht continues to sort the total lot in his strength to attach the new franchise face within the handiest that you would judge of role to be triumphant, utilizing three of his first four picks on offensive needs. Wirfs appears to be like enjoy a hotfoot-and-play starter at luminous sort out, with supreme athleticism and essentially the most important lower physique I've ever laid eyes on at the NFL Scouting Mix. (Seriously, this man is a much superior species to me.) Spherical 3 frankly felt barely well off for Vaughn -- RB Zack Moss' violent, all-around game regarded plenty extra appealing at that level -- nonetheless the Buccaneers wanted one other backfield presence to enroll in Ronald Jones II, and it sounds as if the one-lower Vandy product modified into their man. Johnson might well maybe be the final portion to Tampa's loaded pack of scurry catchers, as a broad slot who runs the extra or less nuanced routes Brady will adore. The one defensive player Licht snatched within the first five rounds is a gem. A versatile security who's finest for this day's game, Winfield hits enjoy his dad and has the playmaking instincts you would query from someone who grew up in NFL locker rooms. "After I modified into youthful my dad would lay in his mattress along with his computer, and I might well maybe be sitting luminous subsequent to him staring at movie," Winfield talked about at the combine. Todd Bowles is gonna have an excellent time with this novice.

» Spherical 1: (No. 4 general) Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia. » Spherical 2: (36) Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama. » Spherical 3: (99) Matt Peart, OT, Connecticut. » Spherical 4: (110) Darnay Holmes, CB, UCLA. » Spherical 5: (150) Shane Lemieux, C/OG, Oregon. » Spherical 6: (183) Cameron Brown, LB, Penn Reveal. » Spherical 7: (218) Carter Coughlin, Edge, Minnesota; (238) T.J. Brunson, LB, South Carolina; (247) Chris Williamson, CB, Minnesota; (255) Tae Crowder, LB, Georgia.

FILICE: After starting up every of the earlier two drafts with a heroic take -- Saquon Barkley at No. 2 in 2018 and Daniel Jones at No. 6 in '19 -- Dave Gettleman played it safe this time around, taking the high-ground offensive sort out who might well maybe fair still aid maximize those mettlesome actions of yesteryear. Thomas did now not placed on the extra or less consideration-grabbing combine spectacle of some of the opposite Huge Four tackles, nonetheless he modified into a extremely embellished starter on a proficient Georgia crew all over every of his three years in Athens. And hey: He modified into Pro Soccer Focus' top-rated offensive sort out in this class. Dave Gettleman ... analytics acolyte?! Fresh York rightfully endured to pour sources into the offensive line with the third-spherical take of Peart (a developmental sort out with promising raw traits) and the fifth-spherical series of Lemieux (who might well maybe function a push to originate at center in Year 1). And the Giants backed up the free-agent signing of CB James Bradberry with two extra spirited additions to the secondary. After hitting on a hybrid security out of Alabama early within the 2nd spherical five years ago (Landon Collins), the Giants went encourage to that similar Tuscaloosa well for McKinney. And he might well maybe now not be the handiest rookie starter in Huge Blue's defensive backfield. Nickel cornerback is truly a starting up role in this day's NFL, and a range of evaluators -- NFL Media's Bucky Brooks incorporated -- judge Holmes has the physical profile to excel in that role on Sundays.

» Spherical 1: (No. 11 general) Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville. » Spherical 2: (59) Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor. » Spherical 3: (68) Ashtyn Davis, S, Cal; (79) Jabari Zuniga, edge rusher, Florida. » Spherical 4: (120) La'Mical Perine, RB, Florida; (125) James Morgan, QB, Florida Global; (129) Cameron Clark, OG, Charlotte. » Spherical 5: (158) Bryce Hall, CB, Virginia. » Spherical 6: (191) Braden Mann, P, Texas A&M.

PARR: Optimistic, all of us know there's low-ground likely with Becton. We also have heard that he's a 6-foot-7, 364-pound mountain of a one who mauls folk. So, Sam Darnold can relaxation barely more straightforward at night (and hopefully might well maybe fair now not want to wonder if Iowa OT Tristan Wirfs, who went a pair picks later, would were the easier take at No. 11). Oh, and GM Joe Douglas discovered a lawful worth in Spherical 2 even after trading down, enhancing Darnold's supporting solid again with the addition of Mims. If he can grasp a extra advanced route tree than he modified into requested to speed at Baylor, admire out. Douglas then modified into to his protection, snagging with out a doubt one of the heart-rounders who generated essentially the most buzz this spring. This is in a position to maybe well maybe be a sizable take if all of it comes collectively for the freakishly athletic Davis, dubbed the draft's " thriller man" by one general supervisor closing month. The Jets will have reached a minute to bear a want with the Zuniga take. The manufacturing (18.5 career sacks in four seasons) doesn't soar off the page, nonetheless accidents were a bugaboo. In all likelihood Gregg Williams can coax essentially the most out of a player who surely has proven flashes. Douglas might want to have enjoyed his time scouting within the Sunshine Reveal, as he added a pair extra Florida men to originate Day 3. Perine, who can churn out advanced yards, modified into a appealing want to bear a want within the encourage of Le'Veon Bell. We also weren't troubled by the resolution to make a selection out a shot on the broad-armed Morgan as a backup for Darnold. Same goes for the formulation Douglas closed things out on within the draft's last few rounds, checking off needs and finding good worth once extra with Hall in Spherical 5.

» Spherical 1: (No. 7 general) Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn. » Spherical 2: (38) Yetur Low-Matos, Edge, Penn Reveal; (64) Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois. » Spherical 4: (113) Troy Pleasure Jr., CB, Notre Dame. » Spherical 5: (152) Kenny Robinson, S, West Virginia. » Spherical 6: (184) Bravvion Roy, DT, Baylor. » Spherical 7: (221) Stantley Thomas-Oliver III, CB, Florida Global.

FILICE: If you watched the 2020 NFL Draft for five minutes, you heard the phrase "Rhule Restoration" 10 times. So, what precisely is that, apart from swiftly alliteration? Well, within the first draft of the Matt Rhule period, Carolina's Rhule Restoration consisted of carpet-bombing the protection with draftees -- ALL THE DRAFTEES. The Panthers grew to alter into the first crew within the overall-draft period to make utilize of all of their picks on defensive gamers. Or now not it's truly now not that magnificent, both. Carolina accomplished 31st in scoring protection closing season. ... After which with out a doubt one of the very handiest gamers in franchise historic past -- linebacker Luke Kuechly -- with out warning retired. ... After which the Panthers' CB1 signed a mega-address the Giants. ... After which they lost four experienced disruptors up entrance ( Mario Addison, Bruce Irvin, Dontari Poe and Vernon Butler), to boot to Eric Reid within the encourage close. Long fable instant, Carolina came into this draft with serious needs on all three levels of the protection. In Spherical 1, the Panthers passed on sort-the total lot playmaker Isaiah Simmons in want of a gargantuan anchor to blueprint around (Brown). In Spherical 2, they snagged a toolsy edge rusher to hunt reverse closing yr's first-spherical take, Brian Burns, and then traded encourage into the spherical to attain Chinn, an spirited hybrid who feels enjoy retailer-impress Simmons. Basically the most considerable Day 3 addition modified into Pleasure, who might well maybe push for early taking half in time in a cornerback rotation at the moment topped by the inconsistent Donte Jackson and the awesomely named/minimally proven Corn Elder. Rhule Restorers ... MOUNT UP!

» Spherical 1: (No. 15 general) Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama. » Spherical 2: (46) KJ Hamler, WR, Penn Reveal. » Spherical 3: (77) Michael Ojemudia, CB, Iowa; (83) Lloyd Cushenberry, C, LSU; (95) McTelvin Agim, DT, Arkansas. » Spherical 4: (118) Albert Okwuegbunam, TE, Missouri. » Spherical 5: (178) Justin Strnad, LB, Wake Wooded discipline. » Spherical 6: (181) Netane Muti, OG, Fresno Reveal. » Spherical 7: (252) Tyrie Cleveland, WR, Florida; (254) Derrek Tuszka, edge rusher, North Dakota Reveal.

PARR: Take care of the formulation the Broncos kicked off their draft, snagging a Pro Bowl-caliber complement for Courtland Sutton and arguably the category' WR1. That modified into handiest the originate of John Elway's tour de power when it came to at the side of aid for with out a doubt one of the draft's biggest winners, Drew Lock, who made it particular he appreciated the difficulty by blasting out the cool sun shades face emoji thru Twitter quickly after the Broncos plucked one other receiver with their 2nd take. Hamler can flat out soar, giving Denver the sphere-stretcher it wanted. We would have loved to stumble on the crew draft a sort out at some level, nonetheless the squad did add aid for the inner O-line. Cushenberry is a hotfoot-and-play starter at center and Muti might well maybe listing to be a broad worth at guard if he can stop healthy (played in precisely 19 video games over four seasons due to injury). There's no denying there's some important bust likely with about a people of this class, at the side of the polarizing Okwuegbunam, which is why we tempered our enthusiasm for the personnel a minute. Plus, Ojemudia went surprisingly early, coming off the board at No. 77 after coming in at No. 148 on NFL Network draft guru Daniel Jeremiah's listing of the draft's top 150 potentialities. But there's plenty to enjoy here.

» Spherical 2: (No. 34 general) Michael Pittman, WR, USC; (41) Jonathan Taylor, RB, Wisconsin. » Spherical 3: (85) Julian Blackmon, S, Utah. » Spherical 4: (122) Jacob Eason, QB, Washington. » Spherical 5: (149) Danny Pinter, OG, Ball Reveal. » Spherical 6: (193) Robert Windsor, DT, Penn Reveal; (211) Isaiah Rodgers, CB, Massachusetts; (212) Dezmon Patmon, WR, Washington Reveal; (213) Jordan Glasgow, LB, Michigan.

PARR: There modified into no circulation for Indy in Spherical 1 after dealing its top take to the Niners for DeForest Buckner, nonetheless the Colts bought busy on Day 2, making a pair picks that ought to ship smiles to the faces of Philip Rivers and his many childhood. Pittman might well maybe even remind Rivers of his ancient scurry-to man with the Chargers, Vincent Jackson. The old Trojan has the scale to scurry up and procure it. Now, close your eyes for a 2nd and describe Taylor working within the encourage of Quenton Nelson and Co. ... Attain you stumble on a mess of defenders being pushed backward and a bruising encourage pummeling them? I sort. Indianapolis might well maybe rapidly be home to the league's mannequin strength speed game after Taylor, who racked up 6,000-plus speeding yards in three college seasons, joins forces with that entrance five. The Blackmon substitute did now not have the equivalent sizzle as Chris Ballard's first two picks. It regarded barely early for my taste, given his inconsistency in his first season after transferring from corner to security, nonetheless I'm in a position to achieve making an strive so that you can add depth within the secondary. Some folk were waiting for Eason to scurry in Spherical 2, so we can't argue with the worth within the fourth spherical. He gets to take a seat down within the encourage of Rivers -- and this will fair now not be a substandard take even though he never turns into larger than a tight backup, given how late the Colts were ready to procure him. Glasgow has a huge gamble to slice out a role as a particular-teams ace. It might well most likely maybe maybe were good to stumble on Indy add one other young edge rusher at some level.

» Spherical 1: (No. 24 general) Cesar Ruiz, C, Michigan. » Spherical 3: (74) Zack Baun, LB, Wisconsin; (105) Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton. » Spherical 7: (240) Tommy Stevens, QB, Mississippi Reveal.

FILICE: Heading into the draft, Fresh Orleans did now not have a single apparent want. With an NFL-handiest 37 wins over the past three fashioned seasons, the Saints boast to boot-rounded -- and battle-tested -- a roster as there's within the NFL this day. So it be no wonder they selected to package picks in a pair of trade-ups, leaving the draft with the league's smallest prospect haul. How does the category grade out? No longer too shabby. Spending a valuable-spherical handle an inner offensive linemen is now not precisely appealing, nonetheless that doesn't point out it be senseless. Ruiz modified into the tip pivot in his recruiting class out of high school, started at guard and center all over three appealing years of play in Ann Arbor and hits the NFL ready to originate on Day 1. (Incumbent luminous guard Larry Warford and his hefty cap hit seem like on borrowed time.) Baun provides Fresh Orleans a versatile linebacker within the Kyle Van Noy mould. He can provide stress off the threshold, nonetheless also has the athleticism and consciousness to retain his have in coverage. And Trautman's an spirited developmental prospect as a staunch Y tight close. At 6-5 and 255 kilos, he's equal parts receiver and blocker, nonetheless his transition from the FCS to the NFL is gonna make a selection time. Tiny class, broad likely.

» Spherical 2: (No. 54 general) A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa. » Spherical 3: (86) Zack Moss, RB, Utah. » Spherical 4: (128) Gabriel Davis, WR, UCF. » Spherical 5: (167) Jake Fromm, QB, Georgia. » Spherical 6: (188) Tyler Bass, K, Georgia Southern; (207) Isaiah Hodgins, WR, Oregon Reveal. » Spherical 7: (239) Dane Jackson, CB, Pittsburgh.

PARR: Brandon Beane took care of his biggest want closing month, giving up a package of picks, at the side of this yr's first-rounder, for WR Stefon Diggs. On the opposite hand, we're grading purely on the work performed on draft weekend here (their grade might well maybe be larger if the Diggs deal modified into being taken into fable). Beane still did a lawful job along with his closing capital, even supposing! He discovered a valuable-spherical-caliber player late in Spherical 2. Epenesa modified into once concept of a probable top-15 take, nonetheless fell out of want with the draft cognoscenti due in section to an NFL Scouting Mix workout that did now not encourage. That talked about, he filled Buffalo's top want entering the draft and modified into with out a doubt one of the handiest values within the draft, in step with NFL Network draft knowledgeable Daniel Jeremiah. We enjoy it, and can recount the equivalent ingredient for the series of Moss, a violent runner who fills the void left by Frank Gore. Now, we would have most popular to stumble on Buffalo scurry with a corner with its first handle Day 3 ( Josiah Scott? Amik Robertson?) with Josh Norman in decline and taking half in on a one-yr deal, nonetheless we realize the charm of continuing so that you can add weaponry for Josh Allen, and the Funds did obtain worth at the corner role with the series of Jackson within the final spherical. Davis has the scale and obtain radius to snag Allen's throws downfield and Hodgins is one other colossal tree who can scurry up and procure it. The Fromm take modified into an eyebrow-raiser, nonetheless we can't argue with the worth. Unfamiliar things happen on Day 3, as we were also surprised they determined to reel in Bass in Spherical 6, nonetheless hey, he modified into arguably the handiest kicker within the draft. Sorry, Stephen Hauschka.

» Spherical 1: (No. 2 general) Dart Younger, Edge, Ohio Reveal. » Spherical 3: (66) Antonio Gibson, RB/WR, Memphis. » Spherical 4: (108) Saahdiq Charles, OT, LSU; (142) Antonio Gandy-Golden, WR, Liberty. » Spherical 5: (156) Keith Ismael, C, San Diego Reveal; (162) Khaleke Hudson, LB, Michigan. » Spherical 7: (216) Kamren Curl, S, Arkansas; (229) James Smith-Williams, Edge, North Carolina Reveal.

FILICE: On the close of the day, Washington made the take everybody anticipated within the originate of the yr. Younger is extensively concept of the tip general player in this draft class. Tossing him staunch into a defensive entrance that already involves a trio of recent first-spherical picks ( Montez Sweat, Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen), the underrated Matt Ioannidis and four-time Pro Bowler Ryan Kerrigan straight provides Ron Rivera's Redskins an identity: QB NIGHTMARE FUEL. Bruce Allen left within the encourage of a roster that still has hundreds of holes, nonetheless new defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio has a game-wrecking personnel to work with up entrance. Constructing energy on energy is underrated. But after the no-brainer take at No. 2, Washington made three straight enhance-or-bust picks. Gibson's a hybrid playmaker with 4.39 speed, nonetheless he handiest posted one yr of important manufacturing at Memphis (stumble on: 12 touchdowns on fair staunch 71 touches). And the absolute best blueprint varied is he from with out a doubt one of closing yr's pleasurable surprises, Steven Sims Jr.? Are their skill sets redundant? In the meantime, fair staunch minutes after Washington ended the Trent Williams saga by trading the disgruntled left sort out to the 49ers for a pair of mid-spherical picks -- man, Mr. Allen particular botched this ... -- the 'Skins drafted the left sort out from the 2019 nationwide champion LSU Tigers. Charles is a proficient prospect, no query, nonetheless there is a motive he modified into still readily available on Day 3. He overlooked six video games in 2019 due to disciplinary complications and three in 2018 due to injury. Gandy-Golden's an spirited physical specimen out huge at 6-4 and 223 kilos, nonetheless the old Liberty Flame is obviously taking a broad step up in competition.

» Spherical 1: (No. 12 general) Henry Ruggs III, WR, Alabama; (No. 19) Ohio Reveal CB Damon Arnette. » Spherical 3: (80) Lynn Bowden, RB, Kentucky; (81) Bryan Edwards, WR, South Carolina; (100) Tanner Muse, LB, Clemson. » Spherical 4: (109) John Simpson, OG, Clemson; (139) Amik Robertson, CB, Louisiana Tech.

PARR: Ruggs might well maybe now not be the prototypical WR1 with dimension, nonetheless we're now not particular how remarkable that issues because he's instant sufficient to speed past fair staunch about every defender he'll stumble upon, and it be sluggish to counsel he's simply a deep menace. We mustn't have any grief with Vegas rolling the cube on him even with Jerry Jeudy and CeeDee Lamb still on the board. Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden filled their biggest want with the take and now Derek Carr has no excuse for failing to throw the ball downfield. And credit to the resolution makers for now not stopping there when it came to upgrading the QB's supporting solid. A receiver modified into quarterback for Kentucky closing season, Bowden will originate off as a working encourage for the Raiders, nonetheless it surely's a safe wager we'll stumble on him lining up within the slot, too. He brings the style of edge this crew covets. A foot injury kept Edwards from working out at the NFL Scouting Mix, nonetheless if his hands make stronger, he has the scale and energy to alter staunch into a pleasant complementary portion in this recharged receiving corps. NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein's player comp for him ( old Bears first-spherical bust David Terrell) is ghastly, even supposing. Now, Arnette at No. 19 modified into now not as broad of a reach as some are making it out to be, nonetheless it surely modified into still barely well off for my blood given that the 2nd-handiest edge rusher within the draft (K'Lavon Chaisson) modified into still readily available, among other suggestions that intrigued me larger than the Ohio Reveal corner. That talked about, corner modified into the crew's biggest want rather than receiver. We're very involved by the Robertson take. The aggressive dash runs trusty within the undersized slot man who must now not be underestimated.

» Spherical 1: (No. 16 general) A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson. » Spherical 2: (47) Marlon Davidson, DL, Auburn. » Spherical 3: (78) Matt Hennessy, C, Temple. » Spherical 4: (119) Mykal Walker, LB, Fresno Reveal; (134) Jaylinn Hawkins, S, Cal. » Spherical 7: (228) Sterling Hofrichter, P, Syracuse.

FILICE: Over the course of the pre-draft process, Jeff Okudah modified into extensively concept of the tip cornerback prospect, while C.J. Henderson established himself as CB2. However the third-handiest corner in this class? That modified into a hotly debated topic. When the Falcons weighed in with their resolution -- taking Terrell, an Atlanta native, at No. 16 general -- many disapproved, at the side of ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr., who talked about the crew "reached for a want, straightforward and straightforward." I truly have a sneaking suspicion there's some recency bias at play here. Terrell, finally, had a tough night at the placement of job in his closing game, the College Soccer Playoff Nationwide Championship. On the brightest stage of his taking half in career, Terrell modified into torched by LSU huge receiver Ja'Marr Dart. But let's be staunch: Who did now not procure torched by Ja'Marr Dart? The Biletnikoff Award winner caught 84 passes for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns -- with the latter two marks atmosphere SEC records -- and he's poised to be a truly extremely selected player within the 2021 draft. Outside of that tough outing, Terrell acquitted himself barely darn well on the island. He's lengthy (6-1) and instant (4.42 40), too. And with everybody screaming "REACH!!" upon his substitute, the 21-yr-ancient might well maybe fair still enter the NFL with a barely broad chip on his shoulder. Very to stumble on how his career performs out.

» Spherical 1: (No. 29 general) Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia. » Spherical 2: (61) Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU. » Spherical 3: (93) Darrynton Evans, RB, Appalachian Reveal. » Spherical 5: (174) Larrell Murchison, DT, North Carolina Reveal. » Spherical 7: (224) Cole McDonald, QB, Hawaii; (243) Chris Jackson, DB, Marshall.

PARR: With Jack Conklin's departure leaving a gap at luminous sort out, Titans GM Jon Robinson discovered an enormous human to bear it. At 6-6, 350 kilos, Wilson can maul folk off the threshold, nonetheless the methodology and footwork are going to might well maybe fair still be extra fixed for this take to pay off. Factual now, it appears to be like enjoy now not now not as much as a microscopic reach. On the opposite hand, Fulton modified into a impress late in Spherical 2. He's a pleasant fit who might well well aid substitute Logan Ryan. The Titans filled one other want with Evans, who might well maybe fair still be fun to gaze as a instant, one-lower runner to enrich Derrick Henry's strength. I'm now not seeing remarkable to have an interest in on Day 3 for Tennessee. Murchison might well maybe fit staunch into a rotation on the inner D-line and McDonald is going to want to tighten up his supply to have any shot of making it as a backup. I modified into surprised Robinson did now not make a selection an edge rusher in this draft, as I viewed it as with out a doubt one of the crew's biggest needs.

» Spherical 2: (No. 52 general) Cam Akers, RB, Florida Reveal; (57) Van Jefferson, WR, Florida. » Spherical 3: (84) Terrell Lewis, Edge, Alabama; (104) Terrell Burgess, S, Utah. » Spherical 4: (136) Brycen Hopkins, TE, Purdue. » Spherical 6: (199) Jordan Fuller, S, Ohio Reveal. » Spherical 7: (234) Clay Johnston, LB, Baylor; (248) Sam Sloman, K, Miami (Ohio); (250) Tremayne Anchrum, OG, Clemson.

FILICE: Draft for want or make a selection the handiest player readily available? Or now not it's the age-ancient draft debate -- and one that is top o' mind with Los Angeles' draft class. For a range of of closing season, the O-line modified into viewed as a prime offender in L.A.'s offensive reversion. Consequently, after the Rams did now not ship in any new offensive linemen in free agency, you figured they'd toss some early draft capital at the grief closing week. No longer so remarkable. GM Les Snead waited till his closing substitute -- a compensation take at No. 250 general -- sooner than at the side of a blocker. So I wager the Rams will likely be working it encourage with the equivalent unit Pro Soccer Focus ranked 31st closing season. That is a failure. So why does the grade now not reflect that sentiment? Well, placing the O-line complications aside for a 2nd, the first four gamers Snead selected if truth be told tickled this draft grader's enjoy. In a quietly loaded RB class, Akers bought lost within the slump. The old five-huge title recruit mechanically produced within the encourage of a porous offensive line at Florida Reveal -- which will likely be lawful coaching for his expert career, if the Rams' O-line doesn't form up mercurial. Jefferson's precisely the extra or less polished route runner you would query from the son of a old NFL receiver/recent NFL receivers coach. He might well maybe fair still provide instantaneous returns for detail-oriented Rams coach Sean McVay. In a skinny scurry-speeding class, Lewis is a valuable-spherical skill who fair staunch needs his physique to cooperate. And Burgess is a multi-proficient defensive encourage who might well maybe bear a substitute of roles for the Rams, starting up in Year 1. Long fable instant: Snead inexplicably overlooked a valuable want ... nonetheless added four likely rookie distinction makers in varied locations.

» Spherical 1: (No. 32 general) Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, LSU. » Spherical 2: (63) Willie Homosexual Jr., LB, Mississippi Reveal. » Spherical 3: (96) Lucas Niang, OT, TCU. » Spherical 4: (138) L'Jarius Sneed, S, Louisiana Tech. » Spherical 5: (177) Michael Danna, edge rusher, Michigan. » Spherical 7: (237) Thakarius Keyes, CB, Tulane.

PARR: There might well maybe now not were a larger slot within the draft than Edwards-Helaire and the Chiefs. Quibble with taking a working encourage within the first spherical if you wish, nonetheless Andy Reid has his new Brian Westbrook (or, gulp, maybe an even better version of the old All-Pro). CEH is the dynamo K.C. did now not technically want (yes, the offense modified into already sizable) nonetheless will certainly procure essentially the most out of. We did now not look after one thing about what the Chiefs did, nonetheless that is now not if truth be told magnificent involved by their flexibility modified into barely small, as they entered the draft tied for the fewest picks within the league (five). There is a case to be made that they might maybe maybe maybe fair still have added a staunch corner sooner than Spherical 7, nonetheless that can maybe maybe fair be where Sneed, a security closing season at Louisiana Tech, ends up taking half in. Homosexual modified into with out a doubt one of the stars of the NFL Scouting Mix, nonetheless will he be ready to attach all of it collectively and grief for a situation atop the depth chart subsequent season? Niang is coming off November hip surgical operation, nonetheless he has the instruments to alter staunch into a starter. On the opposite hand, seeing Danna, who wasn't concept of a lock to be drafted, scurry in Spherical 5 modified into a shock. That is now not a substandard haul, nonetheless the fun about it wore off for us after Day 1, which potentially methodology this will likely be a sizable personnel.

» Spherical 1: (No. 6 general) Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon; (23) Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma. » Spherical 4: (112) Joshua Kelley, RB, UCLA. » Spherical 5: (151) Joe Reed, WR, Virginia. » Spherical 6: (186) Alohi Gilman, S, Notre Dame. » Spherical 7: (220) K.J. Hill, WR, Ohio Reveal.

PARR: Chargers GM Tom Telesco talked about this week that he would have taken whichever of the tip three quarterbacks fell to him at No. 6, which is a refreshingly candid teach, albeit potentially now not the trusty vote of self perception Justin Herbert would enjoy to hear. Anyway, Herbert modified into certainly picked sooner than where he modified into ranked on most boards, nonetheless that occurs with quarterbacks the full time. If they might maybe maybe maybe now not trade down and feel confident they'd still procure Herbert, they'd to stick and take. Or now not it will likely be bright to stumble on how remarkable time the crew provides him sooner than he sees game circulation with Tyrod Taylor atop the depth chart for now, and whether or now not Herbert turns into extra ok with being aggressive as a passer. As for the magnificent resolution to trade encourage into Spherical 1, we enjoy Murray, a three-down linebacker who will function performs in each attach aside the sphere. On the opposite hand, we're now not particular that sitting out Day 2 in divulge to procure him modified into the handiest scurry for a crew that still has a apparent want at left sort out (a role it did now not address in this draft). L.A. discovered some depth/particular teams aid on Day 3, starting up with a player who might well well aid function up for the inability of Melvin Gordon. Kelley helped himself along with his performances at the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Mix. Touchdown Hill in Spherical 7 has a huge gamble to be a lawful worth. The man is Ohio Reveal's all-time obtain leader and modified into projected to scurry two and even three rounds earlier by some draftniks.

» Spherical 1: (No. 21 general) Jalen Reagor, WR, TCU. » Spherical 2: (53) Jalen Hurts, QB, Oklahoma. » Spherical 3: (103) Davion Taylor, LB, Colorado. » Spherical 4: (127) K'Von Wallace, S, Clemson; (145) Jack Driscoll, OT, Auburn. » Spherical 5: (168) John Hightower, WR, Boise Reveal. » Spherical 6: (196) Shaun Bradley, LB, Temple; (200) Quez Watkins, WR, Southern Mississippi; (210) Prince Tega Wanogho, OL, Auburn. » Spherical 7: (233) Casey Toohill, Edge, Stanford.

FILICE: While the series of Reagor over Justin Jefferson took some with out warning, the TCU wideout is extra of the deep menace Philadelphia clearly wanted. Bear in mind how briskly the air came out of this offense once DeSean Jackson went down closing season? The Eagles wanted one other (youthful) home-speed hitter, and that's precisely what Reagor is. (Build now not fret in regards to the barely-fashioned 4.47 40-yard speed in Indy; Reagor's play speed might well maybe maybe be up there with any prospect now not named Henry Ruggs III in this class.) While Philly's resolution to make a selection out Reagor over Jefferson raised about a eyebrows, the Eagles' 2nd-spherical take left mouths agape all around the nation. Is No. 53 general if truth be told the placement to draft a backup quarterback who needs constructing as a thrower? Linked ask: If the Eagles are so disquieted about Wentz's lengthy-time period availability, why'd they hand him a 9-figure extension that incorporated a file-atmosphere $107.9 million in ensures now not as much as a yr ago? Optimistic, all of us know: It's good to be "a quarterback factory." That is a pleasant ingredient to aspire to, nonetheless this roster sprung leaks everywhere closing season. Might maybe well wanna be conscious of plugging extra of those -- enjoy linebacker, a role that is befuddled this franchise in a put up-Jeremiah Trotter world. Philadelphia took a swing at LB within the third spherical, nonetheless Taylor's still extraordinarily raw, as non secular commitments kept him from taking half in soccer video games on the Sabbath till the past few years. Let's sort on a obvious point out, even supposing: Wallace appears to be like enjoy a likely interact at No. 127, especially for a crew that needs secondary aid.

» Spherical 2: (No. 43 general) Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame; (50) Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah. » Spherical 5: (155) Trevis Gipson, Edge, Tulsa; (163) Kindle Vildor, CB, Georgia Southern; (173) Darnell Mooney, WR, Tulane. » Spherical 7: (226) Arlington Hambright, OG, Colorado; (227) Lachavious Simmons, OG, Tennessee Reveal.

FILICE: Chicago throwing a two-yr, $16 million deal at over-the-hill TE Jimmy Graham modified into with out a doubt one of the bigger head-scratchers in free agency. After which Ryan Tempo modified into around and spent the crew's top handle Kmet, at the side of a 10th tight close(!) to the Bears' roster. Chicago waived Dax Raymond on Monday, bringing the TE clown automobile's occupancy encourage to single-digit passengers, nonetheless what's occurring here? Are the Bears making an strive to exorcise the demons of the Greg Olsen trade? Publicly trolling Mike Martz? Cornering the TE market in a story draft? How about utilizing the No. 43 general take to handle a staunch offensive want on the line? Seven picks later, Tempo did home in on the protection's biggest void -- cornerback -- with the series of Johnson. Given his alluring combine of physical traits, ball skills and cerebral play, the Utah corner might well maybe maybe be a interact at No. 50 general. Nonetheless, Johnson modified into handiest readily available there because he's unique off his third shoulder surgical operation. In the fifth spherical, Chicago took a pair swings at minute-school speedsters -- a CB in Vildor (4.44 40-yard speed) and a WR in Mooney (4.38) -- and Tempo has a pleasant tune file of finding skill within the heart rounds (SEE: Eddie Jackson, Adrian Amos, Slash Kwiatkoski, Tarik Cohen and Jordan Howard). The sixth-yr GM needs some hits in this draft class, or else the Halas McCaskey fam might well maybe hit the eject button.

» Spherical 2: (No. 40 general) Ross Blacklock, DT, TCU. » Spherical 3: (90) Jonathan Greenard, Edge, Florida. » Spherical 4: (126) Charlie Heck, OT, North Carolina; (141) John Reid, CB, Penn Reveal. » Spherical 5: (171) Isaiah Coulter, WR, Rhode Island.

PARR: The stench of some of Invoice O'Brien's trades wafts over this draft class, nonetheless it surely's a trusty, albeit unspectacular, personnel. Blacklock modified into a appealing worth in Spherical 2. He might well maybe fair still within the waste be ready to aid the scurry bustle from the inner, nonetheless he'll might well maybe fair still be extra fixed in opposition to the speed -- a key ingredient for a man who will likely be lining up all over from the facility working video games of Jacksonville, Indianapolis and Tennessee. Houston came encourage for the threshold aid it wanted with the series of Greenard, who went barely sooner than we expected. Heck might well maybe fair still be a serviceable swing sort out, at worst. Reid's one other man who came off the board sooner than we anticipated, nonetheless his competitiveness provides him a huge gamble to function up for what he lacks in dimension. Basically the most convenient take from this personnel might well maybe flip out to be Coulter, a developmental prospect with the instruments to alter staunch into a starter. All in all, needs were addressed, even supposing we might well maybe quibble with the assert thru which they bought consideration. This modified into a tight haul given the small worth the Texans had in draft capital.

» Spherical 1: (No. 27 general) Jordyn Brooks, LB, Texas Tech. » Spherical 2: (48) Darrell Taylor, Edge, Tennessee. » Spherical 3: (69) Damien Lewis, OG, LSU. » Spherical 4: (133) Colby Parkinson, TE, Stanford; (144) DeeJay Dallas, RB, Miami (Fla.). » Spherical 5: (148) Alton Robinson, Edge, Syracuse. » Spherical 6: (214) Freddie Swain, WR, Florida. » Spherical 7: (251) Stephen Sullivan, TE, LSU.

FILICE: One ingredient's for particular: The Seahawks draft to the beat of their very have drum. Brooks had his followers in league circles. At once following the take, virtual draft maestro Trey Wingo seen, "Well, this is bright, because I had one coach listing me this week, 'I want folk would stop placing Jordyn Brooks of their mock draft -- we look after this kid, we don't desire all people to know him." The tackling machine's Texas Tech tape is certainly fun. Yet still: The notion of spending a valuable-spherical handle a downhill thumper -- with out established coverage skills -- appears to be like enjoy a questionable utilize of draft sources in 2020. Particularly when off-ball linebacker wasn't a staunch now want for this every yr contending crew. On Day 2, Pete Carroll and John Schneider looked to infuse every strains with some remarkable-wanted skill. Taylor brings the scale and energy Seattle wishes off the perimeters. Basically the most convenient grief is he stays unrefined as a playmaker/finisher despite five years of service within the SEC. Lewis is an absolute road-grader within the bottom game at 327 kilos. Basically the most convenient grief is he stays barely of a liability in scurry expert, which will not be ideal for the preservation of franchise superman Russell Wilson.

» Spherical 2: (No. 49 general) Dart Claypool, WR, Notre Dame. » Spherical 3: (102) Alex Highsmith, edge rusher, Charlotte. » Spherical 4: (124) Anthony McFarland, RB, Maryland; (135) Kevin Dotson, OG, Louisiana. » Spherical 6: (198) Antoine Brooks Jr., S, Maryland. » Spherical 7: (232) Carlos Davis, DT, Nebraska.

PARR: Earlier to you tweet one thing derogatory about us, Steelers followers, fair staunch know that the grade might well maybe be larger if we were taking into fable the Minkah Fitzpatrick trade and scurry as much as snag Devin Bush closing yr, which worth them precious capital in this yr's draft. We're sticking exclusively to grading 2020 draft hauls in this command, folk. The lawful news is that even with small flexibility, the Steelers were still ready to take up some spirited skill. The category is exclusively staunch barely instant on juice, and they did now not address a valuable want on the defensive line till the final spherical. Pittsburgh added an enormous target for Ben Roethlisberger in Claypool, even supposing he doesn't supply remarkable sizzle after the obtain. Highsmith is a pleasant sleeper take. He'll procure now not now not as much as a yr so that you can add some wanted dimension and energy within the encourage of T.J. Watt and Bud Dupree, who's taking half in on the franchise mark in 2020. McFarland's flashes were one thing to heed -- he shredded Indiana and Ohio Reveal for 200-plus yards speeding in consecutive video games in 2018. If he can stop healthy and determine how to flash on a extra fixed basis, this will likely be an very fair staunch substitute, nonetheless it surely modified into barely bit magnificent to stumble on them gamble on him all around the first 125 picks. Dotson modified into the first player picked who wasn't invited to the NFL Scouting Mix. Flip on the tape and likewise you are going to stumble on a blocker with the facility to function his blueprint staunch into a starting up lineup down the road. Brooks will also be a staunch now aid on particular teams.

» Spherical 2: (No. 37 general) Kyle Dugger, S, Lenoir-Rhyne; (60) Josh Uche, LB, Michigan. » Spherical 3: (87) Anfernee Jennings, edge rusher, Alabama; (91) Devin Asiasi, TE, UCLA; (101) Dalton Keene, TE, Virginia Tech. » Spherical 5: (159) Justin Rohrwasser, K, Marshall. » Spherical 6: (182) Mike Onwenu, OG, Michigan; (195) Justin Herron, OL, Wake Wooded discipline; (204) Cassh Maluia, LB, Wyoming. » Spherical 7: (230) Dustin Woodard, C, Memphis.

PARR: No person's earned the luminous to be confident larger than Invoice Belichick, nonetheless this Patriots draft felt style of ... well, smug. They did now not bother to handle needs at quarterback or huge receiver and took a kicker when it modified into still early within the fifth spherical, making Rohrwasser the first specialist selected in 2020. Belichick has talked about the resolution to scurry on drafting a QB 10 times " wasn't by sort," so that sounds enjoy he did now not abominate the skill at the role in this draft. He fair staunch did now not feel compelled to make a selection out one in a yr where he's riding with Jarrett Stidham and Brian Hoyer. Alrighty then. The Pats did address a total lot of voids with their picks after trading out of Spherical 1 and picking up an additional take, even supposing. Dugger affords some remarkable-wanted childhood at security and while he comes from a minute school, he looked enjoy a man who belonged when he faced all-huge title competition at the Senior Bowl. Uche, one other Senior Bowl standout, appears to be like to be a lawful fit with raw athletic instruments that Belichick can mould. Jennings drew a comp to old Patriot Kyle Van Noy from colleague/draft guru Lance Zierlein, so it might maybe maybe maybe seem he landed within the luminous location. Fresh England had so that you can add at tight close, and within the waste did in Spherical 3, trading up for every Asiasi and Keene, which were barely magnificent choices given that there were arguably better potentialities at the role readily available at every spots. The resolution so that you can add depth to the O-line in a while Day 3 made sense. Total, there were things to enjoy and things to ask in this class.

» Spherical 1: (No. 26 general) Jordan Take care of, QB, Utah Reveal. » Spherical 2: (62) AJ Dillon, RB, Boston College. » Spherical 3: (94) Josiah Deguara, TE, Cincinnati. » Spherical 5: (175) Kamal Martin, LB, Minnesota. » Spherical 6: (192) Jon Runyan, OG, Michigan; (208) Jake Hanson, C, Oregon; (209) Simon Stepaniak, OG, Indiana. » Spherical 7: (236) Vernon Scott, DB, TCU; (242) Jonathan Garvin, Edge, Miami (Fla.).

FILICE: Palace intrigue in Titletown!

By now, you are going to have heard the full juicy anecdotes surrounding Green Bay's magnificent, STOP-THE-PRESSES series of Take care of. But let's instant review, since the drama here runs thick:

-- On draft day, Aaron Rodgers shared his Spherical 1 needs with old punter/recent sports talker Pat McAfee: "We haven't picked a skill player within the first spherical in 15 years, so that can maybe maybe be extra or less cool." The Packers answered by ... trading as much as draft his eventual substitute. -- Of Rodgers' 364 career touchdown passes, precisely one has landed within the hands of a valuable-spherical take. ( A 1-yard toss this past December to Marcedes Lewis, a old first-spherical take of the Jacksonville Jaguars.) -- Supreme Packers scribe Bob McGinn equipped his tips on the sitch in a portion on The Athletic after the draft: Public niceties aside, my sense is (head coach Matt) LaFleur, unique from a tremendous 13-3 baptismal season, simply had sufficient of Rodgers' act and desired to alternate the story. With a valuable-spherical skill on the roster, the Packers would function leverage with their imperial quarterback and his passive-aggressive style. -- Supreme Packers icon Brett Favre equipped his tips on the sitch in an look on the Rich Eisen Vow after a conversation with Rodgers: " Tom Brady, and myself, Joe Montana and Peyton Manning, fair staunch to title about a, accomplished their career in varied locations. ... I judge you're going to stumble on that constructing an increasing selection of, and I judge Aaron will sort in other locations."

Well alright! Now, to Rodgers' credit, Take care of talked about the 2-time league MVP reached out to him on Friday to provide congratulations. Lovely on Rodgers. But you wish to imagine he's fully livid luminous now -- and it be exhausting to blame him. The Pack spent their 2nd-spherical handle a hulking strength encourage and their third-rounder on an H-encourage, while failing to snag a single receiver in a draft class that is purportedly historically deep at the role. Is Green Bay turning into ... a speed-first operation? If you add the total lot up, it be very unlikely to now not be utterly obsessed on the ...

Palace intrigue in Titletown!

Practice Gennaro Filice on Twitter @GennaroFilice.

Practice Dan Parr on Twitter @TheDan_Parr.

[anopoyun]

If Kevin Sumlin is fired, can Texas A&M compete with Florida and Tennessee for top candidates?

This Story is About… Tom Fox/Staff Photographer Texas A&M Aggies head coach Kevin Sumlin signals to his players during pregame warmups at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Saturday, September 23 2017. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News)

The "SportsDay writers round table" is a weekly chat between The Dallas Morning News’ three college football writers: Chuck Carlton, Ben Baby and Adam Grosbard. You can follow them on Twitter at @ChuckCarltonDMN, @BenBaby and @AdamGrosbard. The chat is moderated by assistant sports editor Scott Bell. This week’s chat dives into the crazy race for a berth into the Big 12 Championship Game, explores Kevin Sumlin’s hot seat after A&M’s most recent loss, and most importantly, discusses Frisco’s status at the Hawaii of Collin County.

Scott Bell: Welcome to this week’s round table, where we’ll hope to be a little more clear and coherent than the top of the Big 12 standings. And what better place to start this week than the top of those standings, where we have a four-way tie for first, and two others within a game of the top spot of the conference.

Ben Baby: It’s almost as if a Cyclone wrecked the Big 12.

Adam Grosbard: I see what you did there, Ben

Grosbard: The parity is great for end-of-season excitement. I"m sure the conference office would prefer a frontrunner with a shot at the playoff, though.

Bell: If Oklahoma, TCU or Oklahoma State goes 4-0 the rest of their schedule and then wins the Big 12 title, I still feel good about the conference’s chances of getting in the playoff. But any other scenario, and I think the Big 12 is on the outside looking in once again.

Bell: And winning out is definitely a lot easier said than done — all six of the teams that are within 1 game of the conference lead have at least two head-to-head matchups within fellow top-6 Big 12 teams. So it’s very conceivable that they all just beat up on each other and a couple two-loss teams end up in the Big 12 title game.

Baby: If that happens and the Big 12 misses out on the CFP again, it’s not necessarily an indictment on the conference, because it seems to be very strong this season.

Bell: Agree. Big 12 games have been highly entertaining all year. The same can’t be said for the SEC. But the SEC is top heavy and has two great candidates emerging as a result. The Big 12 is just stuck beating up on itself.

Bell: Which two teams do you think are most likely to face each other in the Big 12 title game?

Chuck Carlton: Oklahoma and TCU is my gut feeling (no jokes, please) based on schedule, but Iowa State somehow crashing the party and knocking the Big 12 out of the playoff with a championship game win would be so Big 12. We should have a good idea based on Bedlam this week (and Iowa State-West Virginia) followed by TCU at OU. Just wondering how Kenny Hill rebounds from Saturday’s showing.

Baby: I like Oklahoma and TCU as well, despite the fact that I share your fears, Chuck. It seems like there’s a lot of chaos left in the Big 12.

Carlton: By the end of the regular season, I wonder if there will be a one-loss team left in the Big 12.

Grosbard: TCU is probably the best bet to finish with one loss. Only real threat for a loss is Oklahoma, otherwise would need an upset in other three games

Bell: I’ll go against the grain and go with Oklahoma State and Iowa State. I see the Cowboys winning at home this weekend and Oklahoma beating TCU the next week. Iowa State would be sitting pretty in tiebreak situations against Oklahoma and TCU if all three ended with two losses.

Grosbard: Campbell has done an incredible job in such a short time at Iowa State. Who would have thought the Cyclones would win a 14-7 game against the Gary Patterson defense?

Bell: And I’ll go out on a limb and say Big 12 officials and TV executives wouldn’t exactly be thrilled with a matchup featuring the Stillwater and Ames markets.

Baby: That’s what happens when you do business in the Midwest.

Carlton: TV Armageddon. Again, the Big 12 title game is double-edged sword and opens the conference up for a whole lot of second-guessing.

Bell: Looking a month in advance is fun, but so much can and likely will change after this weekend’s games. And there are definitely some intriguing lines coming out of Las Vegas. Oklahoma State is favored by four against Oklahoma, TCU is less than a TD favorite at home against Texas and Iowa State is an underdog against West Virginia, despite coming in as one of the hottest teams in the country. It’s looking like it could be the most exciting Big 12 slate of the season.

Carlton: All of that makes sense but TCU-Texas. Horned Frogs have owned Texas for the past three seasons. Maybe the oddsmakers feel the Texas defense will keep UT in any game. If ever there’s a time that Oklahoma State is going to rise up against OU, it may be Saturday at home. Hard to imagine WVU losing back-to-back games at home.

Baby: Yep. Also can’t see Will Grier throwing four picks again. I can’t help but wonder what happens if he stays at Florida. Does coach Jim McElwain still get the axe?

Bell: I’d say no. But I guess it all depends on if that starts some sort of butterfly effect that also causes Antonio Callaway and the other handful of Gators from getting suspended in the offseason, and of course, if it causes McElwain to never bring up those death threats that may or may not have happened.

Grosbard: Complicated stuff

Carlton: He never lost a game at Florida — albeit small sample size. But he could have alleviated some QB angst. But it seemed like McElwain had the unfortunate knack for saying the perfectly wrong thing at the exact wrong time.

Bell: While we’re talking about SEC coaches getting the axe … I can’t imagine Aggie fans and A&M administrators loved what they saw on the field Saturday night, Ben.

Carlton: If it wasn’t already, Ben, is the LSU game a must-win now for Sumlin?

Baby: One has to imagine A&M has to win at least two of its final three SEC games for the administration to consider keeping Sumlin.

Bell: With A&M double-digit home dogs against Auburn this week, and likely similar or even larger underdogs when they head to Baton Rouge against LSU in a couple weeks, it’s looking more and more like 5 losses could be A&M’s floor this season.

Baby: It’s what we anticipated at the start of the season. The truth is this team might not be as good as it needs to be for Sumlin to stick around after this year. Granted, several people have floated his name out there for other jobs, so he may not want to be in College Station in the first place.

Bell: It’s hard to think of a scenario where either side would be incredibly enthused about a Sumlin-led team in College Station in 2018.

Baby: That’s what it’s starting to feel like. If A&M doesn’t get the ship righted by the end of the year, there’s a very good chance the Aggies finish the season unranked for the fourth straight year.

Bell: But with Florida opening up, Tennessee almost certainly opening up and some other big-name schools likely to follow suit, A&M will definitely have some competition when it comes to the pick of the litter of coaches if an when the A&M job does open up.

Carlton: Also a chance at UCLA being in the market too. Ben, where would the Aggies’ job rank among that group?

Baby: Oh, man. I’d put Florida at the top of that list. I’d stick Tennessee second and then A&M third, with UCLA closely trailing the bunch.

Baby: The last thing A&M needed was for the Florida job to open up.

Grosbard: Why Tennessee over A&M?

Baby: For starters, it’s in the SEC East, which doesn’t include Nick Saban. And the Vols’ track record dating back to the mid-’80s is pretty good. It’s not hard to build a championship contender in Knoxville.

Bell: I’d put Tennessee over A&M, too. The last decade of mediocrity notwithstanding, the Volunteers have a great history of winning. And it has a unified fanbase throughout the state that doesn’t play second fiddle to any other college team — and with no disrespect to the Titans — any other pro team, either.

Baby: Correct. And it’s a really good area to recruit in, too. There’s a lot of talent in the Southeast, which is generally why SEC teams are pretty good.

Bell: That being said, I’m sure A&M can make a competitive run at just about anyone this offseason if the job does open up. There may be some shared names on some of these schools’ wish lists, but I think different openings call for different candidates. There’s not a sure-fire candidate out there that’s a one-size-fits-all fix for every school.

Baby: Right. Guys need to be the right fit at the right schools. It’s so interesting to see the dichotomy between Big 12 coaching lifespans and those in the SEC. One conference has guys that seem to be around forever, while the other has half of its fanbases putting their coaches on the hot seat.

Bell: One place where nobody is putting their coach on the hot seat: SMU, where the Mustangs just clinched bowl eligibility for the first time in five years. What was the mood like after Friday night’s win over Tulsa, Adam?

Grosbard: Celebratory and reflective. The staff inherited an absolute disaster in 2014, taking over a 1-11 team. It was a long process to build the roster up through recruitment and finding the few diamonds in the rough that was the SMU roster at the time. Could hear a lot of celebrating from the locker room while in the press conference and in the offices near the press box after most people had gone home, too

Carlton: Just for your travel plans — and I’m sure you would hate this Adam — but seeing a lot of SMU to the Hawaii Bowl.

Grosbard: I will accept that burden if it comes to that

Baby: Sounds brutal.

Bell: Also seeing a lot of Frisco bowl projections…which I believe is the exact opposite of Hawaii.

Baby: I’ve actually heard people call Frisco the Hawaii of Collin County.

Bell: (and I’m a Frisco resident, so let’s just get that in before I get loads of hate mail from fellow Frisco residents)

Grosbard: It’s kind of a funny option between Hawaii and Frisco. Hawaii is a huge reward trip for the team after making its first bowl since 2012 but would not draw a huge SMU contingent. The other is way less exciting for the program but because it’s so local could (maybe) draw a larger turnout from SMU fans.

Bell: Really tough stretch ahead with UCF, Navy and Memphis up next — two of which are ranked. Do you think reaching 8 or 9 wins is a possibility, or is 7 more realistic?

Grosbard: I think SMU finds a way to get an upset in one of these games. I’m not sure which. But SMU knows it has a lot at stake in this next three game stretch. Chad Morris addressed the team about the chance to make a national statement against the best team in the conference UCF this week and the players were already talking about bigger goals like winning the conference before it reached bowl eligibility.

Carlton: What’s the best chance for an upset? Navy, maybe?

Grosbard: Navy is the most vulnerable of the three teams because the offense leans even more heavily run than pass than it usually does and turnovers have been an issue of late. But SMU also gave up 75 points to Navy last season. That’s a lot of ground for the defense to make up

Bell: Before we wrap it up for the week, let’s hear what everyone is looking forward to seeing the most this weekend in a slate that’s full of great matchups and storylines.

Grosbard: Bedlam is an easy pick. I want to see Mason Rudolph and Baker Mayfield go back and forth for 60 minutes.

Baby: Bedlam is going to be a blast. If A&M and Auburn were a little bit better, that game would be so compelling because of the Stidham-Mond storyline. But we’ll just have to settle for what it is — a game that could be very pivotal for Kevin Sumlin’s future.

Carlton: Bedlam is my pick, too, although I’m intrigued by A&M-Auburn. This is Oklahoma State’s chance end to OU’s long-term dominance under Bob Stoops. Boone Pickens Stadium should be rocking. And Baker Mayfield is working on that mustache.

Bell: That’ll do for this week. Be sure to follow the SportsDay crew as they head out to this weekend’s games. Chuck will be at Bedlam, Adam will be out at SMU’s clash with unbeaten UCF, Ben will be in College Station for A&M-Auburn, and columnist Kevin Sherrington will be in Ft. Worth for TCU’s matchup against Texas.

Source Article

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[junker-town]

North Texas belongs on your list of C-USA teams with promising new coaches

If Seth Littrell can build on what his Mean Green did in year one, Conference USA’s lineup will look even nicer.

You get better by making good hires. That goes for conferences, too. We talk a lot about potential and markets and history and geography and all sorts of factors that go into improving as a group, but the straightest line between where you are and improvement is, simply, hiring good coaches.

Case in point: Here’s a chart of S&P+ averages by conference and year.

Some of the large changes you see are due to conference realignment. The Big East got raided, changed names, and dropped. The Mountain West lost Utah and TCU and dropped. The Pac-12 added Colorado at its most dismal and dropped. Conference USA (and, to a degree, the Mountain West) took on a bunch of start-ups and fixer-uppers and dropped. Et cetera.

That said, a lot of these upward and downward trends have to do with the coaches walking in and out the door.

The Sun Belt of 2012 boasted Gus Malzahn, Mario Cristobal, and Willie Taggart, plus the peaking Todd Berry and Mark Hudspeth.

The surging Pac-12 of 2013 included new additions Rich Rodriguez, Todd Graham, Jim Mora, and Mike Leach.

The drastically improved ACC of 2013 had recently added Larry Fedora and Paul Chryst and featured two elite coaches (Dabo Swinney, Jimbo Fisher) coming into their own. By 2016, the league added coaches like Bobby Petrino, Mark Richt, and Pat Narduzzi and surged even further.

Conference USA has been pretty dismal for a few seasons now. It rose in 2014, but that was primarily due to a surge by Marshall. After peaking at an average S&P+ rating of minus-3.3 in 2008 and nearly matching that in 2011, the conference has been demonstrably worse.

There could be a surge coming, though. And if it happens, hires are predictably the reason. Two have earned quite a bit of recent attention: Butch Davis at FIU and Lane Kiffin at FAU. This duo could drastically change recruiting within the state of Florida and beyond.

But if this rise occurs, it began last year when UTSA brought in Frank Wilson and North Texas hired Seth Littrell.

Wilson got headlines with his recruiting ability and his LSU ties. But the job Littrell did in restoring respectability in Denton was also fantastic.

UNT wasn't an amazing team in 2016. But the story is just how bad the Mean Green were in 2015, Dan McCarney's last year. In just two years, UNT fell from 9-4 and 39th in S&P+ to 1-11 and 128th. The 2015 Mean Green upset UTSA and lost their other 11 contests by an average score of 43-14. They scored more than 24 points just twice; they allowed fewer than 24 points just twice.

This was a miserable, identity-free team. And while Littrell cut his teeth on the offensive side (he spent time as coordinator at Arizona and Indiana), UNT improved on both sides of the ball -- their S&P+ rating (presented as an adjusted points per game average) improved by 6.6 points on offense and 6.2 on defense. Hell, special teams improved by 1.7 points as well.

This was significant improvement for one's first year. Granted, North Texas won just five games and squeezed into a bowl on a technicality, but ... that's still a four-win improvement.

It could just be that UNT was artificially, unsustainably bad in 2015. McCarney’s collapse was sudden, and maybe the Mean Green would have improved even with McCarney in 2016. But when this across-the-board level of improvement takes place under your watch, you get the benefit of the doubt for a while. And when you return most of the reasons for that improvement, you suddenly find yourself facing some expectations.

2016 in review

2016 North Texas statistical profile.

The impressive part was that the Mean Green were competitive at all. But for about half a season, they were more than that.

First 7 games (4-3) — Avg. percentile performance: 40% (~top 75) | Yards per play: Opp 5.5, UNT 4.9 (-0.6) | Avg. performance vs. S&P+ projection: plus-9.7 PPG

Last 6 games (1-5) — Avg. percentile performance: 26% (~top 95) | Yards per play: Opp 6.8, UNT 5.3 (-1.5) | Avg. performance vs. S&P+ projection: minus-11.3 PPG

The offense began to show some life as the year unfolded, while the defense gave out. Still, the early run of decent play, combined with iffy competition, meant that the Mean Green were at .500 heading into November. And though they finished with losses in three of four games and fell to 5-7 overall, their high APR score — a parting gift from McCarney — earned them a spot in the Heart of Dallas Bowl, where they made a late comeback against Army before falling in overtime.

The defense may have faded, but it drove UNT’s wins. The Mean Green allowed only 23 points per game in their wins and played at a 40th percentile level or higher nine times. That isn't the highest bar, but the offense only hit that level six times.

We’ll see how much this shifts in 2017; the offense returns a bit more than the defense does.

Offense

Full advanced stats glossary.

It made sense that Graham Harrell's first season as UNT coordinator was a struggle. He and Littrell took over a unit that not only ranked 123rd in Off. S&P+ the year before, but also did none of the things that they want their offense to do.

Both Harrell and Littrell have air raid ties. Littrell was at Oklahoma when Bob Stoops brought Mike Leach to town, and he served four years as Leach's running backs coach and later spending two years under former Oklahoma coordinator Kevin Wilson. Harrell played for Leach (he was quarterback when Littrell was RBs coach) and spent 2014-15 coaching Leach's outside receivers.

Everybody brings their own influences and intentions, but safe to say both Littrell and Harrell want to be able to wing the ball around. And the offense they inherited ranked last in FBS in Passing S&P+. This was a run-first offense that couldn't throw and moved slowly. Switching to a pass-first attack was going to take a while.

There were bursts of improvement. After gaining just 53 total yards (!) against Florida, North Texas scored 42 points against Rice, 38 against Marshall, and 35 against Army. And after a lull, they averaged a not-awful 28 points per game over their final three contests.

Still, the passing game never really clicked, and UNT improved to only 122nd in Passing S&P+. In a pass-first attack, that's a bit of an issue. But that's what happens when you not only install a new attack, but also put a freshman in charge of it.

Mason Fine took his lumps. Just a few months after Senior Prom in Locust Grove, Okla., Fine was attempting 22 passes (and completing only six) against the vaunted Florida defense. He had relative highs (723 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions against Rice, MTSU, and Marshall) and lows, he took 36 sacks, and he suffered an injured shoulder and ceded the floor to Alabama transfer Alec Morris.

Morris is gone, so this is probably Fine's show in 2017. He managed a low interception rate during his 2016 travails, and he's no longer a freshman. He's got an experienced line that boasts honorable mention all-conference left tackle Jordan Murray and six others with starting experience. And in senior running back Jeffery Wilson (5.5 yards per carry plus 29 receptions), he's got a versatile weapon.

Danny Wild-USA TODAY Sports

Mason Fine & Jeffrey Wilson

What we don't yet know is whether he's got any receivers. Only one (Thaddeous Thompson) managed a 50 percent success rate or 12.5 yards per catch in 2016, and he's gone. In all, UNT quarterbacks targeted eight players more than 15 times last year, and only three return. Having a little experience at QB is a good thing, but it's mitigated if that passer doesn't know his receivers.

After losing Thompson and Kenny Buyers, UNT will need to break in a new set of inside receivers. But there's potential. Sophomore Tyler Wilson fits the slot receiver mold perfectly, as do redshirt freshan Deion Hair-Griffin and incoming three-stars Tre Siggers and Jaelon Darden. Siggers' senior highlight film is particularly exciting — he combines quickness and speed with a streak of brazenness.

If the inside guys are providing decent efficiency, the outside guys could be alright. Senior Turner Smiley came on late in 2016 (last three games: 20 catches, 266 yards), and there could be a reliable contributor among the trio of junior O'Keeron Rutherford and sophomores Rico Bussey Jr. and Kelvin Smith. Meanwhile, three-star JUCO Jalen Guyton, maybe the star of Littrell’s 2017 signing class, is making an impact in spring ball.

Still, with this much turnover in the receiving corps, you can't set the bar for improvement high. Steady play from Wilson will be key to this offense's progress.

Sean Pokorny-USA TODAY Sports

Turner Smiley

Defense

First things first: kudos to North Texas for creating stats that made its defensive radar look like its logo. Tough to do.

For co-coordinators Troy Reffett and Mike Ekeler (who has departed for UNC, leaving Reffett as solo coordinator), the first year was a bit more successful than Harrell's. The Mean Green boasted an aggressive, efficient defense that rendered opponents one-dimensional, especially later in the year, and if you couldn't run, then you were going to struggle.

If you could run, then you weren't going to find much resistance. Still, UNT improved from 120th to 93rd in Def. S&P+. It's hard to ask for too much more than that out of the gates.

We'll go with the bad news first: there's no immediate reason to believe that the run defense will be better. UNT still ranked 110th in Rushing S&P+ and must now replace four of its top seven tacklers on the line, along with the top two linebackers. Granted, losing contributors from something bad doesn't automatically make things worse, but it doesn't make it better either.

Sean Pokorny-USA TODAY Sports

Joshua Wheeler

There are some play-makers back, at least. Junior Brandon Garner and senior Joshua Wheeler combined for 13.5 tackles for loss and nine sacks last year, and the nose tackle duo of Roderick Young and T.J. Tauaalo was disruptive at times. Still, the run defense faces the burden of proof.

The weakness might not get stronger, but the strength might not get weaker, either. UNT must replace safety James Gray and corner Chad Davis in the secondary, but eight of the top 10 tacklers return. That includes senior safety Kishawn McClain (UNT's leading tackler, who combined five tackles for loss with six passes defensed), corners Nate Brooks and Eric Jenkins (combined: 7 interceptions, 14 breakups), and nickel backs Ashton Preston and Dee Baulkman (combined: 10 TFLs).

North Texas doesn't have the heft required to play sturdy run defense. Or at least, if it does, it's not obvious where that heft comes from. But in the speed department, the Mean Green have quite a bit to offer.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Kishawn McClain

Special Teams

Special teams was a strength for UNT. Eric Keena's kickoffs and punts were high and deep, Trevor Moore was automatic inside of 40 yards, and returns were decent.

Good news, bad news: Keena is gone, but Moore and the return men are back. Keena was by far the strongest weapon in the special teams arsenal, but if Moore is still solid, the Mean Green's special teams grade (34th last year) shouldn't drop too far.

2017 outlook

2017 Schedule & Projection Factors

Date Opponent Proj. S&P+ Rk Proj. Margin Win Probability 2-Sep Lamar NR 21.2 89% 9-Sep at SMU 81 -8.7 31% 16-Sep at Iowa 48 -17.9 15% 23-Sep UAB 130 19.6 87% 30-Sep at Southern Miss 84 -7.9 32% 14-Oct UTSA 91 -1.4 47% 21-Oct at Florida Atlantic 99 -4.5 40% 28-Oct Old Dominion 93 -0.9 48% 4-Nov at Louisiana Tech 82 -8.2 32% 11-Nov UTEP 126 8.2 68% 18-Nov Army 102 1.4 53% 25-Nov at Rice 120 0.7 52%

Projected S&P+ Rk 106 Proj. Off. / Def. Rk 113 / 96 Projected wins 5.9 Five-Year S&P+ Rk -9.6 (107) 2- and 5-Year Recruiting Rk 114 / 115 2016 TO Margin / Adj. TO Margin* 1 / -5.1 2016 TO Luck/Game +2.4 Returning Production (Off. / Def.) 66% (63%, 69%) 2016 Second-order wins (difference) 5.2 (-0.2)

North Texas has long been a program with potential. It's proximity to a wealth of recruiting talent was exemplified by the fact that the Mean Green would always turn into a powerhouse back in the early days of EA's NCAA Football. Their promise got the school invited to Conference USA even though, in their last eight years in the Sun Belt, they averaged just 2.8 wins per year.

It's been hard to live up to this promise, at least since the turn-of-the-century glory days under Darrell Dickey. But Littrell's first year at least crystallized what the program could become.

I'm trying hard not to overstate things -- five wins and an S&P+ ranking in the 100s is far from clear proof of concept -- but I've been impressed so far. And if a second year in the system creates offensive growth to pair with another solid pass defense, then a second straight bowl bid seems within reach.

S&P+ projects a six-win season, but there's only one game on the schedule (Week 3 at Iowa) with a win expectancy under 30 percent. Almost every game is winnable or losable, and if North Texas improves again, then that could mean another three- or four-win improvement.

Team preview stats

All preview data to date.

[themeatlife]

Halftime: 2017 College Football Season, So Far

Time to take some perspective and look at how far we’ve come.  Most teams have gone through six games this season so far.  Let’s take a look back at some of the highlights:

Best Game – Western Michigan outlasting Buffalo 71-68 in 7OT

I don’t usually go outside the Power 5 for these things, but c’mon.  SEVEN OVERTIMES?!?  Unreal.  In the first OT after Western Michigan ties it up with a catch from TE Donnie Ernsberger, his sister rushes the field to give her brother a hug!  Yeah, you can’t make that up.  Ernsberger’s sister is escorted out of the game where she missed other six overtime sessions.  This thing had 1328 yards of combined offense from the two sides and now holds the NCAA record for most points scored in a game at 139 points (record was previously held by Syracuse-Pitt game last season that had a total of 137 points...contrary to this Sooner fan’s thought that last year’s OU-Tech had the most points haha).

Here are the highlights:

Power Five Conference Leaders

Okay, back to the big dogs.

ACC - Miami Hurricanes - 5-0 (3-0 ACC)

The U is back?  How long have Hurricanes fans waited to say that?  HC Mark Richt has his team rolling after dramatic wins against rival Florida State (2-3/2-2) and Georgia Tech (3-2/2-1).  The Canes still have the meat of their schedule left with meetings with Virginia Tech (5-1/1-1) and Notre Dame (5-1) left in early November.

The ACC picture is still very interesting.  If I had written this last week, it would have been Clemson (6-1/4-1) with their impressive victories against (at the time) three top 15 ranked opponents in Auburn (5-2/3-1), Louisville (4-3/1-3), and Virginia Tech.  Well, now Louisville’s defense has let QB Lamar Jackson down and the Cardinals have fallen off.  Oh and there was Clemson’s upset loss to Syracuse (4-3/2-1) on Friday night.  Oh and keep an eye for red hot NC State (6-1/4-0) who since their season opening loss to South Carolina (5-2/3-2) have looked rather impressive.  We’ll get to see them at Notre Dame in a couple weeks to see if they are for real.

Big Ten - Penn State Nittany Lions - 6-0 (3-0 Big Ten)

Well, it’s so far, so good for the Nittany Lions, passing their biggest test so far with that gutty win at Iowa (4-2/1-2) a few weeks ago.  The big tests will be in the coming weeks with Michigan (5-1/2-1), Ohio State (6-1/4-0), and surprise but not so surprising Michigan State (5-1/3-0) all in the next three weeks.  We will get a better picture of the Big Ten East after all those teams get a chance to beat up on each other.

In the Big Ten West, no one really shows much of a challenge to Wisconsin (6-0/3-0), with their biggest remaining game being their cross-divisional game against Michigan in mid-November.  So we should see Wisconsin versus the winner of the East in the Big Ten title game (yeah, I was wrong - Nebraska is not back).

Big 12 - TCU Horned Frogs - 6-0 (3-0 Big 12)

The maturation of TCU and QB Kenny Hill.  In the top four in the polls at midseason after finishing 6-7 last season.  Their defense has been the best in the conference and they’ve already beaten two ranked opponents in Oklahoma State (5-1/2-1) and West Virginia (4-2/2-1).  Things look on track for TCU, but they will visit Oklahoma (5-1/2-1) in mid-November.

If it weren’t for an inexplicable home loss to Iowa State (4-2/2-1), Oklahoma would look to be on the inside track to the conference title and playoff berth having the best out of conference win at Ohio State the second game of the season.  Things will start to spice up though, with Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, TCU, West Virginia, and an improved Texas (3-3/2-1) all still having to play each other.  So the Oklahoma schools will still have a say in the Big 12.

Pac-12 - Not sure...USC Trojans? 6-1 (4-1 Pac-12)

Yeah, the Pac-12 race is a muddled mess with each team sporting a conference loss.  USC may be the slight leader in the clubhouse for now, but they look really shaky considering preseason Heisman hopefully QB Sam Darnold has a conference leading 9 INTs and a Total QBR of 68.4 (ugh).

This is how it’s gone: USC has lost to Washington State (6-1/3-1) who got whooped to Cal (4-3/1-3) Friday night.  Cal has gotten beaten by both USC and Washington (6-1/3-1) but Washington just got upset by Arizona State (3-3/2-1).  Stanford (5-2/4-1) has beaten Arizona State and Utah (4-2/1-2) but got walloped by USC.  The only thing really clear in the Pac-12?  1-6/0-4 Oregon State is not winning the Pac-12.

SEC - Alabama Crimson Tide (duh) - 7-0 (4-0 SEC)

Okay, I could have gone with Georgia here (also 7-0/4-0) with big wins over Notre Dame and Mississippi State (4-2/1-2), but Bama is just beating everyone too consistently this season.  They were pushed by Texas A&M (5-2/3-1) for a little while, but they look the part of a surefire playoff team.  November matchups against LSU (5-2/2-1) and Auburn (5-2/3-1) will determine whether that’s the case.

But all things point to Georgia and Alabama colliding in the SEC Championship Game in December.

the Meat Life Halftime Heisman Top 4

I’m a little sad that defending Heisman winner QB Lamar Jackson is probably out of the race now because Louisville’s defense is putrid and is losing games for him.  But there are great ones on this list.

1a - Baker Mayfield, QB Oklahoma Sooners Okay, yes...total homer pick here.  But hear me out.  Mayfield already has a marquee win (at Ohio State, planting the flag) and a Heisman moment (Texas taking him down stinging his shoulder, then soon after burning their secondary with a 59-yard bomb TD pass to TE Mark Andrews to take the lead with 6 minutes left in the 4th quarter of a 29-24 victory).  Even in the Iowa State loss he threw for 306 yards, 2 TDs, no INTs and ran for 57 yards and a TD.  He’s shown flash as well as grit.  He hadn’t thrown an INT before the Texas game and leads the nation yet again in passing efficiency.  Big moments ahead with the Sooners still having to face Oklahoma State, TCU and West Virginia and possibly play a Big 12 Championship game which means more opportunity to shine.  Just give him the damn trophy already.

1b - Saquon Barkley, RB Penn State Nittany Lions If you aren’t going to give Bake the thing, you better be giving it to this guy.  Barkley has shown versatility this season, leading Penn State in both rushing and receiving yards.  He’s also thrown a TD pass.  AND returned a kick for a TD!  Dude even hurdles people.  Barkley does it all for the offense.  As good as QB Trace McSorley is in the clutch, Saquon puts Penn State in the position to win.  A ton of opportunity to display his gifts as well, with that row of games against Michigan, Ohio State, and Michigan State all coming up.

3 - Bryce Love, RB Stanford Cardinal Who?  Yeah, I did the same thing a few weeks ago.  Love has torn it up this season, not rushing any less than 147 yards in any game this season (only had that total against Oregon this past weekend).  He had a 301(!) yard rushing game against Arizona State (on only 25 carries).  He’s also had at least 1 TD in every game this season.  I haven’t gotten to watch a lot of Stanford this season except their loss against USC, but even in that game Love had 160 yards rushing.  Stanford has big games against Washington State, Washington, and Notre Dame coming, so watch this guy play...he’s coming up fast the list.

4 - Mason Rudolph, QB Oklahoma State Cowboys Yeah, basically everyone else has pooped out.  All the lists I’ve seen around the country put defensive guys like DB Minkah Fitzpatrick from Bama on their Heisman list, but let’s be real.  No defensive player is winning this thing, at least this season.  The two Pac-12 QBs Luke Falk of Washington State and Sam Darnold from USC have turned into INT machines.  Rudolph has worked his way back after the loss to TCU and is quietly having a great season.  Just this past weekend he racked up his second 400+ yard passing game against Baylor as his offense piled on almost 750 yards of total offense.  Remaining games that include West Virginia and Oklahoma will go a long way to see if he moves up this list.

the Meat Life Halftime Top Four (and Next Four)

1 - Alabama Crimson Tide Yep, they are here again.

2 - Georgia Bulldogs As much an SEC hater I am, I can’t tell you two teams that haven’t looked more consistent and dominant than the Tide and the Bulldogs.  But to be honest, there will NOT be two teams from the same conference in the CFP at the end of the year.

3 - TCU Horned Frogs Build on a great defense and a mature Kenny Hill, TCU has found themselves in a great spot and on the inside track to the CFP having already beaten conference challenger Oklahoma State.

4 - Penn State Nittany Lions In the actual polls they are at #2.  But based on what I’ve seen and the rest of the field, I’m not as impressed.  Yes they have been winning, but not like the three above them on this list.

----

5 - Clemson Tigers Before their loss, I had them at #1.  Their resume was the most impressive of anyone.  That has to count for something.  Trouble ahead though if starting QB Kelly Bryant is out for an extended time.

6 - Miami Hurricanes For now, the Hurricanes are in a great position.  But, they are playing on the edge, squeaking out wins against rival Florida State and Georgia Tech.  Tests are ahead with Virginia Tech and Notre Dame.

7 - Oklahoma Sooners They are certainly still in the hunt right now.  Needed to see marked improvement from the defense after eggs against Baylor and Iowa State, and we saw that in the Texas game (in spite of the missed holding calls all game).  Now they must capitalize on the opportunity.

8 - Ohio State Buckeyes Have looked impressive since their loss to Oklahoma, albeit against pretty soft opponents.  They have Penn State, Michigan State, and Michigan all coming up, giving ample opportunity to move up.

I wasn’t about to put undefeated Wisconsin in there.  To me they aren’t ready for anything above this list.  But plenty of season left for the Badgers and the rest of college football to make a move.  For now, I’ll sit back and watch.  Enjoy the rest of the season!  I know I will.

[flauntpage]

Attorney Suggests Raiders or Patriots Might Sign Colin Kaepernick

According to Mark Geragos, the attorney representing Colin Kaepernick in his collusion case against the NFL, the former 49ers quarterback could find himself on an NFL roster as early as next week. In the vaguest terms possible, Geragos implied two teams might be in the hunt for Kaepernick, and the bread crumbs he left, in an interview with TMZ, suggest the Oakland Raiders and New England Patriots.

In one of their man-on-the-street interviews, TMZ tracked Geragos down and asked him a few questions pertaining to the future of the former 49ers quarterback. Both the Patriots and the Raiders came up with a bit of a wink and a nod from Geragos:

When asked if teams were interested in signing Kaepernick, Geragos responded, "I would just say 'stay tuned,'" and that "next week there may be some news." Geragos mentioned that Kaepernick had been watching the Miami Dolphins to support his friend and fellow protestor Kenny Stills, and when TMZ asked if he was looking to join Miami, Geragos shot that down but then offered that "I've got two other teams that will remain nameless." When pressed, he said "I'll just say this: if [former Raiders owner] Al Davis was alive...."

The Raiders would make sense, with Oakland (where the team is for now) being so close to Kaepernick's former home, San Francisco, and the team's current backup QB being A.J. McCarron. Not to mention that current owner and son of Al, Mark Davis saying recently that he thought favorably of Nike signing Kaepernick.

But as for the Patriots hint, you might need to put on a tinfoil hat for this one. Geragos suspiciously went out of his way to mention Patriots owner Robert Kraft when TMZ switched gears and asked Geragos if he knew that rapper Meek Mill was going to be making a Kaepernick anthem. Geragos responded that he did, and then asked "you know who Meek Mill was visited by when he was in custody?" Someone offscreen said, "Robert Kraft," and Geragos let slip a kind of sly "bingo" in response and then walked away saying "that's it."

Maybe these adjacent conversations were completely unrelated—but Geragos did mention there were two teams, and then went on to specifically reference two specific franchises. We should keep in mind, though, like Geragos says in the video, that a year ago he made a prediction that a team would sign him "in the next 10 days," which didn't come to fruition.

The obvious question here is: Why now?

At the end of August, Kaepernick was awarded a significant victory in his collusion case when the arbitrator overseeing the case, Stephen Burbank, ruled against the NFL's motion for summary judgement, meaning that the case would proceed to an arbitration version of a trial: the presentation of evidence, and witness testimony sworn under oath, followed by a ruling from the "judge," Burbank. There's no official timetable set for when this "trial" would begin, but Sports Illustrated legal expert Michael McCann suggests it could happen before the end of this year. This could be bad news for the NFL as it wraps up its season and heads toward the playoffs and its signature event, Super Bowl LIII. Plus, there's also this from McCann:

Burbank’s ruling also indicates that all 32 teams remain parties in the grievance. This is a subtle but potentially groundbreaking point since if Burbank finds that 14 or more teams engaged in collusion, the NFLPA could acquire the option of terminating the collective bargaining agreement.

This could be a potential disaster for the NFL and one surefire way to avoid it would seem to be Kaepernick signing with a team. Perhaps even in exchange for dropping the suit. The league has seen the response to Kaepernick—specifically that he would not damage the bottom line, but rather increase it—after a bump in Nike sales following his commercial that aired on opening night.

This is what Kaepernick's always wanted, and why he brought the suit in the first place. He should be on an NFL roster and it's more than a little suspicious that he's not. If a team does in fact sign him, which again is not even close to guaranteed, Kaepernick would once again have that big platform to get his message across, which is a hugely important one (and one the NFL would do well to align itself with): that we need to do something about the systemic oppression and discrimination that results in black people being disproportionately targeted and killed by police.

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