#lewis said hes had a teammate that would be kicking a football around in the next room and he laughingly said it was So Annoying

[rapunzel1523]

"Nico yapping about Lewis, likely place for him to be" yeah okay but. He was clearly at a work event and they put up a slideshow and pictures and then Stopped on the 2016 Spain crash.

And the slideshow didn't move on to the next picture. What was he supposed to do lol just pretend he does not see? I mean I'm glad Nico is good-natured about it all.

[thesportssoundoff]

“The XFL is a thing. Should you care about it?”

Joey

February 2nd, 2020

Another winter, another money mark attempt to figure out winter football.

The NFL has wrapped up another successful season and now it's Vince McMahon's turn to try once more with a brand new football league. In 2019, the son of his friend Dick Ebersole tried with the AAF which fell apart before the season finale could even take place. Vince McMahon seems more prepared than Charlie Ebersole and his backers, especially when you consider that the XFL apparently has long term financial backing place to absorb what figures to be some money losing seasons. The XFL's rule set which features things like a revamped overtime, a double forward pass concept, a continuously running game clock and a variety of different special teams related rules designed to entice an improved pace of play. Is the XFL going to revolutionize the NFL? Probably not. Will it provide some concepts that inevitably get stolen? I'm going with a pretty solid "oh yeah absolutely." It's live sports and chances are if you're reading this you know that the SportsSoundoff is all about live sports and activities that are able to cosplay as sports (axe throwing and chainsaw-ing come to mind).

If you're looking for more football to take in then the XFL figures to give you that and with readily-ish available-ish games across FS1/2, Fox, ABC and ESPN/2 platforms. Long story short, games will be out there for ya if you want to spell some time between the NBA's second half kicking off and the start of baseball and college basketball's tournament run. With a neat and tidy eight teams across a variety of markets, I'd like to go team by team and detail why you should try your hardest to give each team the benefit of your time. Some teams figure to be easy and some teams figure to be impossible BUT I've got free time and I gotta do something, right?

The Dallas Desperados The most intriguing coaching staff in the entire league

Let's start from the obvious; if Bob Stoops truly wanted to, he could be coaching in the NCAA right now. This is a guy who left Oklahoma as an insanely successful well liked legacy coach who won a national title and 10 conference championships. Bob Stoops took Oklahoma football to a level not seen since the Barry Switzer run and is clearly one of the greatest coaching minds of his era. Health and perhaps a general all around malaise for football led to Stoops stepping down but when you look around the number of college teams divided by the number of quality of minds currently available for head coaching jobs, there's zero doubt Stoops could've been the guy at any school he wanted to over the past two years. Hell, I would NOT be surprised if Stoops would've been on the radar of NFL teams if he did an Urban Meyer-esque TV gig as opposed to just falling off the face of the Earth and living life in the shadows. Instead he re-emerges in the XFL as the GM and head coach of the Dallas Desperados. Stoops admittedly took this gig because of its proximity to his recruiting trails of the past and just general all around comfort with the area. Stoops was the prized announcement of the XFL, the first coach they revealed and put in the biggest football media market of the entire XFL league. Long story short? Bob Stoops was a rare coup for the XFL and he's being advertised and promoted as such. So much so in fact that when Stoops stopped appearing in XFL promotional material for a short spell, there were rumors that the XFL was going to lose the only drawing card it had with Stoops maybe making a move all the way up to the NFL for the Cowboys head coaching gig. The fact the XFL has Stoops gives it something the AAF never had; a familiar well liked face who isn't tired or old hat; the two knocks that basically hurt the AAF when Steve Spurrier was limping around on the sidelines for the Orlando Apollos.

The intrigue goes beyond JUST Bob Stoops as the Bob Stoops coaching staff is genuinely pretty ridiculous. If you love the Lincoln Riley and Mike Leach style offenses then you know of the name of Hal Mumme. Mumme is the father of most of the modern air raid offenses you see today, the likes of which that get mediocre-y college coaches like Kliff Kingsbury head coaching gigs in the NFL. Mumme is a bit of a college coaching legend with concepts that have bled into the highest levels of football. Stoops will be the offensive coordinator for Stoops' offense and with a few years away from the coaching circuit, I'm intrigued to see if Mumme has anything new left to offer. Defensively, Chris Woods and Jim Jeffcoat have long ties to Bob Stoops or Hal Mumme. The offense has a mastermind, the defense has a glut of former defensive coordinators and there's a damn good chance that Bob Stoops could turn a solid run in the XFL into a head coaching job elsewhere. Just keep an eye on the Desperados coaching staff as a potential breeding ground for coaches into the next level.

DC Defenders Name defensive talent = ???

It seems like the XFL is going to make it a lot harder for defenses to really play a meaningful part in the games with rules clearly designed to go for more of a high paced scoring first and foremost brand of play. That said, the DC Defenders do have some defensive talent to keep an eye on. They've got a name defensive line with guys like former Giants starter Jay Bromley, USC's Kenny Bigelow, Washington Huskie Elijah Qualls and a linebacking core with Arizona undersized legend Scooby Wright, former Atlanta Falcons player Jonathan Massaquoi and former Bills player and early retiree from football AJ Tarpley. In the secondary is where things really have "could play in the NFL potential" with former draft picks Jalen Myrick and Bradley Sylve and former starters Shamarko Thomas and Matt Elam at the safety spots. Most of the attention will be on former National Championship winner Cardale Jones at the QB spot with name weapons like Malachai Dupree and Rashad Ross but in truth, I'm curious to see if their defensive talents can find their way back into the NFL.

Houston Roughnecks Actual NFL name talent

Soooo yeah, let's take a second to talk about the Houston Roughnecks. There's a WEALTH of NFL level talent on here, if not in actual talent but in name value. We can start at the QB spot where the Roughnecks at the very least boast an interesting "What if?" scenario. Going into the 2016 NFL Draft, a lot of teams needed QBs and the draft boasted some really interesting ones. The top two were pretty much locked in (Carson Wentz and Jared Goff depending upon your preference) and Paxton Lynch seemed like a solid lock as the #3 QB. After that? Free for all! The likes of Cardale Jones, Dak Prescott, Jeff Driskel, Connor Cook, Nat Sudfield and Christian Hackenberg were all fighting for spots to try and eek themselves into that next tier. There was a belief of sorts that Cook was the leader in that clubhouse but concerns about his personality and how teammates viewed him at Michigan State dogged him all the way down to the 4th round. The Cowboys were going to take Cook (who they had as a late 2nd round pick on their draft board) but he got snagged up as the Raiders as a developmental QB behind Derek Carr. The Cowboys, not exactly heartbroken but not exactly thrilled, moved to taking Charles Tapper out of Oklahoma and then with their comp pick (thanks Eagles! Thanks DeMarco Murray!) picked Dak Prescott at the behest of their coaching staff, bucking scouts who had him behind Jeff Driskel. Dak Prescott will likely earn anywhere from 30 to 40 million next year and Cook is trying to carve out his path in the XFL after failed stints in Oakland, Cincinnati and Detroit. It's a fun "What If?" scenario to toss around while Cook can perhaps reset his career in the XFL.

Beyond Connor Cook? Houston boasts a kicker in Sergio Castillo who as an all star in 2019 and boasts an NFL quality leg potentially. Kickers come and go in the NFL and if Castillo is good then he probably has a chance to pop up somewhere. RB De'Angelo Henderson was a 7th round pick who has bounced around the NFL and figures to probably get similar looks as a 3rd round COP back somewhere if he's good in the league. Cam Phillips and Kahlil Lewis are former NFL camp bodies while Sammie Coates played in the NFL for the Pittsburgh Steelers. SS Marqueston Huff played in the NFL for a variety of teams and has a pedigree as a former 4th round pick. DL Kony Ealy, Gabe Wright and Walter Palmore could probably fill out the back end of an NFL defensive line rotation right now. There's some actual NFL talent lurking in these waters, even if most of it is probably training camp filler variety. Those guys still have merit!

LA Wildcats The Josh Johnson Situation

So let's chit chat a spell about this. Josh Johnson is one of those guys that seems to pop up once a year on an NFL roster. He's been in the league since the dying days of the Gruden Era in Tampa Bay, a former fifth round pick who carved out a career as a somewhat competent-ish back up. He bounced around, played in the United Football League (consider THAT one) and seemed set to flame out. When the Redskins brought Josh Johnson in in 2018 after injuries to Alex Smith and Colt McCoy, Johnson stepped into the starting role and actually played pretty well! Not well enough to get brought back but well enough to earn another shot in the NFL as a back up for the Detroit Lions. Johnson was let go and continued his playing days by adding onto the XFL. I think Josh Johnson is the only dude to play in all three short term gimmick leagues (the UFL, AAF and XFL) but that's not where our story ends. Injuries to Jeff Driskel and Matt Stafford opened the door to play the NFL again when the Lions came calling. Surprisingly the XFL refused to follow the AAF's lead and kept Johnson to his XFL deal, forcing him to pass on a Lions opportunity. Josh Johnson basically has to be the best QB in the league to justify the XFL's decision to force him to stay in the league. Otherwise they'll probably be looked at unfavorably by future players for robbing a guy of an NFL opportunity. Also keep an eye on Nelson Spruce to be a big third down guy who racks up 1st downs.

New York Guardians ???

So I've looked over the roster a bunch, taken a gander at the coaching staff and honestly? I mean I don't have anything. This team on paper is pretty boring with no real flashy star name value and a head coach and offensive coordinator in Kevin Gilbride who had his best years some fifteen years ago if not longer. I suppose there may be some interest in seeing former AAF names like Jamar Summers and Luis Perez do stuff? This team is boring but boring teams can win games and boring games can win championships. Just don't expect the Guardians on paper to be something you'll feel compelled to go out of your way to see. In a way the Guardians match up pretty well with Vince McMahon's current WWE product; a severe lack of storylines and star power that compel and force you to go out of your way to tune in on a weekly basis.

St. Louis Battlehawks Football is BACK in St. Louis!

The Rams left St. Louis for LA in 2016 and to be entirely honest, I'm not sure if it worked out any well for the NFL. Surely the Rams bring in more money and notoriety in theory but it sure feels like the Rams have not exactly caught on with the locals in LA who are clearly baseball fans during the summer/fall and basketball fans every other time else. The Rams boast a tremendous team and watching a city like Kansas City enjoying its first Super Bowl win (in the great state of Missouri or Kansas or Kansourri) has me wondering how much more fun the NFL would be if the Greatest Show On Turf stayed in St. Louis as opposed to venturing out west and had kept up the tradition of having two teams playing in a rather "small" market. The fans of St. Louis will get to show how much they support football when the Battlehawks take flight (Ugh) in a few days. The Battlehawks have an intriguing roster with plenty of Mizzou names on it like WRs L'Damian Washington and former TE turned WR Markus Lucas. They also have swagmaster Marquette King trying to rebuild his NFL case after his falling out in Oakland. To add to the madness, the Battlehawks boast the most QBs on any of the 52 man rosters in the XFL and are led by Ole Miss QB legend Jordan Ta'amu who is coming off a failed stint in the NFL. I still really like Ta'amu and think he's got developmental upside for what it's worth but that's neither here nor there.

Seattle Dragons Holy shit Jim Zorn is still around?

The Redskins have a rather....interesting history in the modern era. Outside of a few brief periods of success from the likes of Joe Gibbs and Mike Shanahan, the Redskins head coaching history is rather no bueno. Among those bodies lost to the annals of history you have Jim Zorn. Zorn was a bit of a QB whisperer for the likes of Mike Holmgren and Dennis Erickson before surprising folks by making a massive leap from QB coach to head coach for the Washington Redskins in a stunning move. Zorn's move went...about as well as you'd expect. Jim Zorn became the latest victim of Redskins incompetence and then sort of just disappeared. He coached QBs for a bit after getting fired and then became the NFL equivalent of a ghost. Well Jim Zorn's back and back in Seattle where he led Matt Hasselbeck to some insane-o Seahawks records. The Dragons roster overall isn't exactly must see as it's mostly AAF leftovers with the occasional 2019 UDFA but at the very least seeing if Jim Zorn can wash off the Redskins stench some 10+ years later might be a bit of fun.

Tampa Bay Vipers A Florida all star team

The Vipers have the world's most name recognizable pseudo all star squad in the entire XFL. With former Bears head coach Marc Trestman at the helm, the Vipers boast a wide array of talents from various schools in the state of Florida. Miami Hurricanes WR Stacy Coley, Florida OL Martez Ivey and TE DeAndre Goolsby, South Florida QB legend Quinton Flowers will be trying his hand at RB as well as FSU RB Jacques Patrick and DB DeMarcus McFadden. That doesn't even begin to cover the number of Central Florida, South Florida and FAU players on this team as well. Also Aaron Murray is here and it seems like people are still going to try and make him into a thing after being a 4th round pick back in 2015.

[junker-town]

The 11 best rookie performances in Super Bowl history

We’ve seen quite a few young players excel on the NFL’s biggest stage over the years.

Super Bowl 54 kicks off Sunday, and rookies with both the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers will get their first taste of what it’s like to play for a Lombardi Trophy early in their careers. 49ers rookies Nick Bosa and Deebo Samuel, as well as the Chiefs’ Mecole Hardman and Khalen Saunders have been key to both teams’ success this season.

They’ll be looking to join a list of rookies who have put together some impressive performances on the NFL’s biggest stage. Let’s count down the top 11 rookies in Super Bowl history (so far):

T-10. Randy White, DT, Cowboys (Super Bowl 10); Tedy Bruschi, LB, Patriots (Super Bowl 31)

Bruschi and White are the only rookies since 1982 to have two sacks in a Super Bowl. Coincidentally, both of their teams ended up losing — the Cowboys lost, 21-17, to the Steelers, and the Patriots fell, 35-21, to the Packers.

Both of these guys found Super Bowl redemption later in their careers, though. White went on to be the Super Bowl co-MVP two years later in the 1978 Super Bowl against the Broncos. He won the award alongside his teammate Harvey Martin in Dallas’ 27-10 win.

Bruschi later won three Super Bowls with the Patriots during his 13-year NFL career.

9. Andre Coleman, WR, Chargers (Super Bowl 29)

Although San Diego lost, 49-26, to the 49ers in the 1995 Super Bowl, Coleman still owns the Super Bowl rookie record with 244 all-purpose yards. A huge chunk came on a 98-yard kickoff touchdown return, the longest in Super Bowl history at the time:

#TBT - Super Bowl XXIX: Texas WR Coach @CoachDreColeman with a then-record 98-yard kickoff return to the house for the San Diego Chargers. #ThisIsTexas #HookEm pic.twitter.com/Lg0TIdRhTt

— Texas Football (@TexasFootball) January 23, 2020

Coleman played three seasons in San Diego before stints with the Steelers and Seahawks.

8. Devin Hester, WR, Bears (Super Bowl 41)

During Hester’s rookie season, he was immediately put on the punt and kick return team. He shined with five return touchdowns (three on punts and two on kickoffs) to earn All-Pro honors.

In Super Bowl XLI between the Bears and Colts, which was played in Miami, Hester took the opening kickoff back 92 yards for a touchdown, The Colts’ kicker in that game was current 49ers kicker Robbie Gould:

Of course Devin Hester took the opening kickoff of the Super Bowl to the house. (Super Bowl XLI: Feb. 4, 2007) @D_Hest23 @ChicagoBears pic.twitter.com/gUaO6WflCc

— NFL Throwback (@nflthrowback) January 22, 2019

The Colts didn’t make the mistake again, kicking away from Hester the rest of the game.

In college, Hester quickly emerged as a dangerous returner. In his sophomore year at Miami, he set a school record with four return touchdowns and tied a school record with a 100-yard kickoff return against NC State. He finished his UM career with six total touchdown returns.

Hester went on to become one of the greatest returners in NFL history. Throughout his 11-year NFL career, he set records for most punt returns for touchdowns (14), and total special teams touchdowns (20) in league history.

7. Malcolm Butler, CB, Patriots (Super Bowl 49)

Butler had a game-clinching interception off of Russell Wilson with 26 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Seattle had second-and-goal from the Pats’ 1-yard line, but instead of handing it off to Marshawn Lynch, the Seahawks passed the ball. Butler stepped in front of a pass intended for Ricardo Lockette:

Butler had another three passes defended and three tackles in that game.

Butler’s story was pretty unique, too — he played cornerback at Division II West Alabama, and signed with the Patriots after a rookie free agent workout. Before that, he was working at a Popeyes after getting kicked out of community college in 2009.

6. Sony Michel, RB, Patriots (Super Bowl 53)

Last year’s Super Bowl between the Patriots and Los Angeles Rams was a 3-3 game until the fourth quarter. That’s when Michel, New England’s first-round pick out of Georgia, scored the only touchdown of the night. Michel capped a five-play, 69-yard touchdown drive with a 2-yard score that put the Pats up, 10-3.

He finished the game with 94 yards on the ground. His best run came on a 26-yard rush in the fourth quarter that all but killed the Rams’ comeback hopes:

With his touchdown run, Michel set a rookie record for postseason touchdowns, scoring six in three games. In fact, he only needed two games to own the record

Sony Michel is only the 11th RB with ≥ 5 rushing TD's in the playoffs in a single NFL season and the 1st rookie ever 7 of the other 11 RB's are in the Hall of Fame oh details pic.twitter.com/ykJg8uKlK2

— Boston Sports Info (@bostonsportsinf) January 21, 2019

Michel finished his second season with the Patriots rushing for 912 yards and seven touchdowns.

5. Corey Clement, RB, Eagles (Super Bowl 52)

When the Eagles defeated the Patriots in 2018, Clement had four receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown, averaging 25 yards per catch. The undrafted free agent’s 55-yard reception was the Eagles’ longest offensive play in Super Bowl history:

That also broke the Super Bowl record for the longest catch by a running back. His 100 receiving yards are the third most for a running back in a Super Bowl, and he was just the second Eagles back with 100 receiving yards in a playoff game.

4. Torry Holt, WR, Rams (Super Bowl 34)

The St. Louis Rams drafted Holt with the sixth overall pick in 1999, and he delivered immediately. In the Rams’ 23-16 win over the Titans, Holt finished with seven catches for 109 yards and a touchdown. The receiving yardage set a rookie Super Bowl record, and his 9-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter gave the Rams a 16-0 lead.

ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP via Getty Images

He kept the Super Bowl momentum going and led the NFL in receiving in his second season and again in 2003. He went on to have an 11-year NFL career, including seven trips to the Pro Bowl.

3. Jamal Lewis, RB, Ravens (Super Bowl 35)

Lewis rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown in the Ravens’ 34-7 win over the Giants in 2001. The No. 5 pick, who was Baltimore’s leading rusher that season, scored in the game’s fourth quarter. He completely steamrolled a defender on his way into the end zone:

The run was called a touchdown on the field, but was challenged by Giants head coach Jim Fassel. It looked as if Lewis might’ve dropped the ball before it crossed the plane of the goal line:

The run was ultimately upheld after review.

Lewis missed his second year with a knee injury, but he played five more years after that with Baltimore. He then played three seasons with the Cleveland Browns through 2009.

2. Chris Matthews, WR, Seahawks (Super Bowl 49)

Matthews had 109 yards on four receptions and a touchdown against the Patriots in 2015. He averaged 27 yards per catch and was Seattle’s best offensive weapon on the night.

Unlike the other names on this list, Matthews wasn’t fresh out of college when he finally made his NFL debut. He was called up from Seattle’s practice squad in early December in 2014, and he didn’t have a reception for five games before the Super Bowl. He went undrafted out of Kentucky in 2011, and signed with the Browns before getting released. After playing in the CFL in 2012 and 2013, Matthews was working at Foot Locker and as a security guard when the Seahawks called him in 2014. Via Sports Illustrated:

One day, around this time last year, his phone rings. It’s a Seahawks official, and they want Matthews to come to a tryout. Tonight. Matthews looks at watch, pauses, and says, “I don’t get off of work until 9 p.m. I don’t know if I’ll make it.”

“Alright,” the caller said. “We’ll let you know.”

Click.

A few minutes later, Matthews agent calls. “What are you thinking! Get yourself home, pack up and go. Are you out of your mind?!”

Matthews was cut by the Seahawks in November 2015, and he played briefly for the Ravens after that. He’s currently back in the CFL.

1. Timmy Smith, RB, Washington (Super Bowl 22)

Smith rushed for 204 yards, two touchdowns, and had 9.3 yards per attempt on the ground against the Broncos in the Super Bowl. It also happened to be Smith’s first career start.

The former fifth-round draft pick out of Texas Tech had 138 yards in Washington’s previous two playoff games. Head coach Joe Gibbs thought Smith would be so nervous getting the Super Bowl start that he didn’t tell him until right before the game. Here’s Smith describing that moment, via The Undefeated’s oral history of Super Bowl 22:

I didn’t even find out I was starting until we were walking down the tunnel for [pregame] warm-ups. [Running backs coach] Don Breaux comes over and says they’re going to introduce [veteran back] George Rogers but let me start. ‘You’re starting,’ he said. I was like, ‘I am?’

Smith’s first score was a 58-yard touchdown in the second quarter:

He added a second in the fourth quarter. His performance helped give Washington its second Super Bowl victory in franchise history. The team won in a 42-10 blowout.

Smith’s 204 yards are still a single-game Super Bowl rushing record, and it’s also the most total yards of offense for a rookie in the game’s history.

[bornoffside]

Holland - Marco Reus (7)

“Cara! If you don’t get your butt out of the bathroom right now, we’re leaving you here!” Mario knocked on the bathroom door impatiently, knowing that between the singer and his girlfriend, they’d be late for sure!

“Relax, Rio. I’m right here.” The footballer turned around with a sheepish smile, a small ‘oh’ leaving his lips when Cara stood leaning on the doorway to her room with a brow cocked in amusement.

“Oh, sorry…” She just laughed it off, before he spoke again. “Hey, do you want a jersey? Ann is wearing one too.”

Cara didn’t want to say 'no', but she had to. She wasn’t just going to be there for him today, and she knew it would sadden her boyfriend to see her in a jersey that wasn’t his own when he was playing. So she politely shook her head, but shot him a grateful smile. It’s not like Mario was playing anyway, so she thought he wouldn’t be too broken up about it.

“Are you trying to convert me, Götze?” Mario chuckled at the question, shrugging nonchalantly.

“Of course not…I’ll leave that to Lewy. He’ll have much better luck at converting you than me.” Mario looked at her pointedly when she looked to retort, earning an eye roll from the brunette.

“Nope, I’ve decided to support Dortmund today. You have Ann cheering Bayern on with you, and I don’t want Marco to feel left out.” She had tried to sound as joking as possible, hoping that her best friend would think little of her words. Much to her relief, Mario simply nodded with a smile.

“That’s really nice of you, I’m sure he’ll appreciate it. Marco is even worse than me when it comes to feeling the pressure…the team depends on him more than Bayern depends on me, so he needs the fans behind him.”

It was lovely to hear how sweet Mario was when it came to his best friend. The younger German was such a mother-hen when it came to his friends, but it was always appreciated. Everyone liked knowing that they had someone there to care about them.

“Great! Do you have a jersey of Marco’s that I could borrow?”

Mario looked at her as if she were stupid, a puzzled expression on his face as his nose scrunched up adorably.

“Why would I have Marco’s jersey?”

Cara scoffed audibly, drawing a raised brow from her friend. “Pfft…please, I know you have at least 3 of them! Your bromance is stronger than anything I’ve ever seen.”

Mario snorted, shooting a faux glare her way. Ok, so maybe he did have a bunch of his best friend’s shirts laying around, but that was only because Marco would always stay over his house when he visited and left them there so he had a change of clothes.

“You’re forgetting that we’re not in München. You’ll have to ask him for one when we get to the stadium.”

Cara nodded in understanding, inwardly beaming at the thought of being able to see Marco before the game. He would be so happy to see her wearing black and yellow in public for the first time.

“Ann! Come on!”

The model glared at her boyfriend when she finally made her way out of her bathroom, hair curled and her Götze jersey fitting perfectly over her pale blue skinny jeans.

“Mario does-”

“No, it doesn’t make you look fat. Yes, the white heels do look better than the red. They do make your butt look big, but in the best possible way…aaaaand yes you should take a jacket because yes, it will be cold.”      

Both women stared at the footballer in awe, and Cara couldn’t believe how quickly his response had rushed out of him. Deciding that she liked what she had heard, Ann gave him an approving nod, before shrugging on a leather jacket and throwing her handbag over her shoulder.

“Good. We can leave now.” The woman strutted out of the room as only a model could, and Cara gave her best friend a proud pat on the shoulder.

“Rio…you are something else, my friend.”

It was already 7pm, leaving one hour until kick-off. Mario was right when he said it would be cold, despite it being so close to summer.

But that was the last thing on Cara’s mind as she made her way to the changing rooms. She had already texted Marco, asking him to meet her outside so that they could talk. What Cara didn’t realise was how much panic had shot through her boyfriend as soon as he had seen the words ‘we need to talk’ on his screen.

So Marco stood outside the change room allocated to Borussia Dortmund, pacing anxiously as he waited for Cara. His thoughts racing through his mind too quickly to even keep track of. Was something wrong? Did she have bad news? Had Mario found out somehow? And the worst one that was at the forefront of his mind…was she breaking up with him?

“Marcinho!”

He whipped around as soon as he heard her familiar voice, his shoulders tense in anticipation, but he was quick to relax when he noticed the bright smile on her face. Marco shot her a lopsided grin in return, and she quickly scanned the area before wrapping him in a tight hug.

“How are you feeling?”

Cara knew that he always got nervous before a match. Mario was right when he said that his best friend had a lot of weight on his shoulders. Marco’s arms tightened around her for a moment, giving her a reassuring squeeze to signal that he was fine.

“I’m good…you wanted to talk?”

He didn’t want to beat around the bush, and pulled back to look down at her curiously. Cara was a little surprised at his abrupt question, but shook it off. He’d be happy to hear her request.

“Oh yeah, I was just wondering if you had a spare shirt I could borrow…you know, for the game?”

“Oh...that’s it?” Relief hit him like a freight train.

She cocked a brow, faking offence. “Well, if you don’t want me to wear it, that’s fine. I’ll just go get one of Manuel’s-”

“No!”

Cara chuckled at his quick dismissal of the idea, her fingers entwining at the back of his neck while his own dropped to her hips. But he still had one obvious thought on his mind.

“Does Mario know about this?”

Cara nodded with a small smile. “Yeah, I told him I was supporting you this morning and he seemed cool with it.”

It was good news in Marco’s opinion. If their best friend was ok with this, then maybe when he found out about their relationship, Mario wouldn’t be too against it. He mentally snorted at the thought…of course he would.  

The light groan of the change room door had them jumping away from each other, but Marco relaxed when he saw it was just Auba who had poked his head out.

“Hey man, we need to get ready…” The striker’s eyes shot over to Marco’s visitor and a wide toothy grin overcame his features. “Hi Cara!”

“Hi Batman.” She beamed at him, glad to be able to see the man again. She had met him a while ago, and knew how close he was to Marco. Luckily they got along really well, because she really didn’t want her boyfriend’s friends hating her.

The singer quickly turned her attention back to Marco, giving him a sweet smile. “Good luck, I’m rooting for you!”

The blonde grinned, leaning forward before she could leave, and giving her a quick peck that left Auba ‘awww-ing’.

“For good luck. Oh, I need to get you that shirt!” He shot her a wink, before following his team mate and friend back into the change room.

He had returned so quickly that Cara jumped in surprise when the door opened again. Hadn’t it just closed?

“Here you go…” He handed the familiar black and yellow material over with an excited smile. She had never worn something of his in public before, and he was giddy at the thought that she was there supporting him. He knew she watched all of his games, no matter what, but this was live and in person. It meant a lot to him.

Cara shrugged off her jacket, throwing the jersey over the long sleeve shirt she wore. After pulling her hair out from beneath the collar, she ran her hands down her side to straighten it out with a small smile.

“How does it look?”

Marco beamed at her, grabbing her hand to pull her into another kiss.

“Perfect.”

Needless to say, everything was far from perfect by the end of the game. While the boys had tried their hardest, it wasn’t enough and Bayern ended up winning 4-3 on penalties. It broke Cara’s heart to see the disappointment on Marco’s face, and she knew it wouldn’t be easy to cheer him up this time.

Luckily, Mario had decided to go out with his teammates and celebrate their hard-fought victory, leaving him sufficiently distracted for the night. Cara on the other hand, had told him she was too tired to go out and party, and instead decided to spend the night in. She was expecting her boyfriend any minute now.  

A loud knock sounded through her room, and Cara quickly leapt to her feet and padded over to the door. Marco looked as great as usual, wearing a black Puma hoody over his dark jeans, with his hair as impeccable as ever. But the sadness in his smile was clear to see, and she was quick to pull him into a hug in the privacy of her room.

“Hey…how are you?” She pulled back slightly, looking at his face with barely concealed concern. Marco almost rolled his eyes at the question. He knew she meant well, but she worried about him too much. Yes, he was disappointed with the loss, but it wasn’t the first time nor would it be the last time that they had been defeated.

What really ate at him was the fact that it was her first live game watching him, and he hadn’t been able to win for her. He was disappointed in himself.

“I’m fine.” He shot her a sweet smile, but she could see right through it.

“Marco, I’m sorry. I know this probably sucks…” She was brought to a halt as soon as she felt his hands cup her face and tilt it up towards his own.

“Cara, I’m fine. Really.” This time he sounded more convincing. “I was thinking we could just relax and watch a movie, if that’s ok with you?” He quickly changed the topic, and was relieved that she didn’t question it.

“Yeah, of course! What movie did you want to watch?” She looked at him questioningly, moving to turn on the flatscreen mounted on her hotel wall.

Marco flopped onto the couch lazily, cocking a brow as a little smirk found its way onto his face.

“Do you even need to ask?”

She chuckled at the question. No, she really didn’t need to ask.
 “The Dark Knight, it is.”

After ordering some cake from the room service menu, Cara and Marco half watched the movie, and half chatted away about the movie at the same time. By the early hours of the morning, Marco had almost completely forgotten his previous depression - he was sure it would really kick in when he wasn’t dead tired. The movie had ended and neither of them could quite find it in themselves to get up and go to bed. Marco was laying on the couch, an arm thrown around the woman sprawled on top of him. He was surprised she was still awake…he was surprised he was still awake himself!

“I’m so tired…but you’re so comfortable.” Her cheek was squished against his chest, muffling her words, but he still understood her.

“Can you carry me to the bed?”

Cara snorted at his question, chuckling as she finally lifted her head to rest her chin on his chest and look up at him.

“Can I? Sure. Will I? I don’t think so.” She smiled cheekily, yelping when she felt him give her side a soft pinch. He knew she was ridiculously ticklish, and it was just enough to get her to finally jerk away from him and onto her feet.

He held out a hand, silently asking her to help peel him off of the couch, and she exaggeratedly did as he asked.  

Marco dropped his jeans and hoody and collapsed straight onto the king-size bed, while Cara went to brush her teeth and finish up her nightly routine. By the time she returned, she assumed that her boyfriend was already asleep, given that he was laying on his stomach facing away from her. She gently eased herself underneath the covers, trying hard to not wake him. He wasn’t exactly a light sleeper, but jostling the bed like a hooligan would probably wake him, and she knew the game had exhausted him completely.

To her surprise, the footballer was quick to turn onto his back and tug the side of her oversized shirt. Once again she answered his silent question, turning around to throw an arm over his waist and nuzzling her head into the shoulder belonging to the tattooed arm wrapped around her.

Marco quietly sighed contently.

They were both exhausted, but neither would ever get tired of this.

[abdifarah]

Football, Soft As Cream. Being Alive Is the Hard Part.

During the penultimate episode HBO’s Hard Knocks: Training Camp With the Cleveland Browns a sideline reporter asks Josh Gordon to share a word with fans in light of all his “ups and downs.” “Love yourself. It’s tough, but try to love yourself.” The message of self-love rings peculiar emerging from the mouth of the physically imposing all-pro football player at the start of a new season; a time often filled with braggadocio and unwarranted optimism. But Gordon is a man in recovery, and getting up to speed on the Browns’ offense and helping the team overcome last season’s 0-16 record are small challenges compared to his lifelong battle with drug addiction. Despite working with Gordon through his prolonged battles and multiple suspensions for breaking the NFL’s substance abuse policies, the Browns ultimately released Gordon two weeks into the 2018 season. When news broke that the venerable New England Patriots had picked up the troubled free-agent, pundits and fans–with a mix of hope and jealousy–predicted that if Gordon was ever going to get his act together and salvage his career it would be within the regimented, no-nonsense perfectionism of the Patriots and coach Bill Belichick's proven system. The Patriots, of all teams–long the villains of the NFL–would reap the benefits of a healthy and focused Josh Gordon.

When Gordon announced towards the end of the regular season that he was leaving the Patriots to “focus on his mental health,” parallel to the NFL suspending Gordon indefinitely for once again violating its drug policy, few were surprised. There was, however, a bit of bewilderment that the Patriot “way” and “system” and “culture” were not able to rescue Gordon from his demons; that if he could not make it there all hope was lost for him in the NFL. But why did we ever think that a team with a decidedly anti-humanist, everyone is expendable, next man up ethos like the New England Patriots would provide any respite for a man whose biggest challenge was not shaking D-backs but overcoming crippling self-loathing and self-destructiveness?

While the Patriots and Bill Belichick’s dispassionate philosophy on human capital is not specifically to blame for Josh Gordon’s mental health and drug abuse issues, they are not wholly unrelated. Belichick in his illustrious career with the Patriots, in which he has won five Super Bowls, has acquired, and revelled in, a reputation for fully embracing the cutthroat nature of professional football, from resorting to questionably legal tactics like spying on opposing teams, to making completely emotionless personnel decisions. Fan favorites and players still in their primes could be cut or traded at a moment’s notice. With a frugality bordering on malevolent, the Patriots refused to pay players their market value, opting instead to call their bluff, insisting that a backup player plugged into their system could produce comparably, and at half the cost. Through all these decisions the message is clear, the white coaches and owners are the kings, the players expendable pawns. And in an NFL where 70 percent of the players are black men, black men are these pawns.

This high level gamesmanship has mostly worked in Belichick and the Patriots’ favor, but recently it has been biting them in their karmic ass. In last year’s Super Bowl, Belichick benched cornerback Malcolm Butler–the hero of Super Bowl XLIX just three years earlier–over a mysterious personal disagreement. The Patriots’ secondary would go on to be torched by the Philadelphia Eagles enroute to losing the big game. Over the offseason, the Patriots traded Brandon Cooks and let go of Danny Amendola–two of the teams best receivers–instead of paying them, leading to an uncharacteristically anemic offense for Tom Brady and Co. to start the season. After an ugly loss to the mediocre (at best) Tennessee Titans, current Titan and former Patriot, Dion Lewis, said of the Patriots, “When you go cheap, you get your ass kicked.” This turn of events led to the Patriots gambling on the erratic receiver Josh Gordon.

That Hard Knocks interview was the first time I had heard Gordon speak, or even seen him without his dehumanizing football helmet and pads. His wisdom and sensitivity was impressive and also a little heartbreaking. Without seeing the man I too fell in the category of people who judged Gordon. Every other year its seemed the NFL suspended Gordon for substance abuse. It got to a point where he had missed more games than he had played. Like many in the media, as well as possessive and entitled fans, I would ponder why he could not just stop doing drugs for a few months out of the year and sit pretty collecting his millions?

Josh Gordon’s nickname is Flash, but at 6’3” and with muscles that look chiseled out of concrete he more resembles Superman. I am sure Gordon remembers when exactly those around him began to view him differently. In his mind he was still that the shy, scrawny poor kid. But friends, family, and community now saw his newly broad shoulders as carrying potential riches and new and better life. In a candid interview for GQ Gordon recounted his history of drug abuse. He spoke of the debilitating anxiety he felt as a young person and his struggles with low self-esteem that lead him to early drug use as middle schooler; habits that would continue and metastasize throughout high school and college. “I didn't want to feel anxiety, I didn't want to feel fear. I didn't plan on living to 18. Day-to-day life, what's gonna happen next? So you self-medicate with Xanax, with marijuana, codeine—to help numb those nerves so you can just function every day.” In the interview Gordon confesses that in his career he never played a game sober. (Let’s pause for a moment to acknowledge the morbid wisdom of preemptively numbing oneself before stepping into the violence of the gridiron. How does anyone subject themselves to the impending pain sober? To this end, the NFL does not actually have an anti-drug policy but an anti “your drugs” policy. Players are routinely numbed and anesthetized with tranquilizers and and painkillers. Gordon just preferred the taste of cognac to a Toradol shot.)

Persisting in self-awareness, Gordon admits that he was continually enabled in his drug use–by schools, coaches, teammates–undoubtedly because of his supreme talent and what that talent afforded those around him. Someone as sharp as Gordon understands that without his talent he would probably be in jail, or discarded in some other way. But because he has fly traps for hands and his blurring speed leaves a visible trail in its wake, he is kept around. Like most pro athletes, Gordon lives with the dread of knowing that at any moment, if his 40 time gains a millisecond or two, or his achilles goes Achilles, he can be discarded like the leftovers on the team plane. Additionally, Survivor's remorse lingers: the knowledge that because of luck and arbitrary genetic gifts he has opportunities, second, third and forth chances, that other addicts or black men or black male addicts do not get in America. All of this compounds the sense of depression and self-hatred that fuels addiction. Gordon will probably never play Professional football again. I would not be surprised if he isn’t a little relieved about that.

Sethe, in Toni Morrison’s Beloved, chooses to kill her daughter rather than having her suffer the indignities of bondage. Agency through euthanasia, suicide, and self-destructiveness pervades black cultural products. It’s evidenced in Hip hop’s continued glorification of outlaw lifestyles and drug use. In the Ryan Coogler directed Black Panther, Kill Monger chooses to die rather than capitulate to T’Challa and live as a prisoner in Wakanda forever. This football season Le'Veon Bell said nah, to 14.5 million dollars and a short-term deal. In doing, he told Pittsburgh Steelers’ ownership, you don’t own me. Colin Kaepernick and others kneel in protest of police brutality specifically. More potently, they protest against the ownership over black bodies widely; against white supremacist politicians and policies worldwide, and against NFL owners ceasely promulgating their dominion.   

Gordon’s recidivism represents an attempt to forfeit in finality the chance to be enabled in his addiction. For many football fans, the Josh Gordon story ended this season. I am hopeful for his next chapter; one in which Gordon can define himself outside of a codependent relationship to football but rather by loving and healthy relationships. When asked what empowered him through a past relapse Gordon explained, “It wasn't the career, it wasn't money, it wasn't the house, it wasn't cars, it was be[ing] there for the people that matter the most.” Gordon beat the NFL to the punch. He leaves not on a stretcher or having his desperate phone calls ignored by team owners and GM’s, but hopefully in one of his sports cars being driven by a loved one enroute to rehab.

[anja-mittags]

@simplyirenic tagged me just as i was creeping on @lahmly‘s post so haha. i hope im doing this right? am i supposed to answer all the questions before the taggers additional ones? Oh well!

1.  Who was the first player who caught your eye with football (whether or not you still like them)? Bastian bloody Schweinsteiger, yes I know, what, what how Miro was right there, right in front of you. Mhhmm. let’s not talk about it. Now, it’s mostly complicated because Manchester United happened MLS??? anyway, yeah, that dumb hothead was the first. (I should’ve gone for fips. let’s be real)

2.  How did you get into football?  Into your favorite teams? Much like Ireny, my father was the initial push, we would watch lots of international/south american teams and competitions. I didn’t get into club football until much much later. I, too, had an excellent german teacher and that sparked my eternal love for Germany (and well, Peru hasn’t qualified since before I was born so I needed a WC team.)

3.  If you could undo any transfer that’s ever happened, which would you undo and why? I don’t hold many grudges but probably some of the kids we’ve sold off at Bayern. If I may veer off the Buli course, Joey Allen, welsh extraordinaire for Liverpool because I’m still boggled at that. He was so good, and he did so much. Miss ya Joey.

4.  What’s your favorite shameless dance party song? Anything by Kesha. Though that’s more flailing and bopping. If you want to see me actually dance there’s more of a chance with some spanish songs. Love me some salsa. (I’m terrible at dancing in general. I can do a handy Waltz tho)

5.  What language that you’re not already fluent in do you most want to learn? German? The given answer is German but I also really like Polish and Swedish. the green owl of duolingo is probably glaring at me from the app grave.

6.  What’s the one thing you always take with you when you start a new life chapter (a book, an old toy, a picture, etc.)? A good thing about technology is having pictures and stuff stored on phones and generally accessible things but I have a couple of books I keep handy and I have a tiny teddy bear that’s from when I was a wee one.

7.  Do you have pets?  What kinds? Yes, I have a cat named Willow who is a middle-aged brat. I actually got her from my neighbors when my first cat ran away (long story) because their mom or someone in their household was allergic and she’s a doll. Much nicer than my first cat.

8.  What retirement hurts you The Most? Philipp Lahm No actually yes. I don’t know. Let’s not think about it. 

9.  What is your favorite match ever played? Robert Lewandowski losing his mind and scoring five goals in 9 minutes right around my birthday so I personally felt vindicated? Hahah. Actually if I had to pick in the last three years, I think the Europa League match between Liverpool and Dortmund for club. Finally, finally, beating Italy in the Euro for international. And okay, Miro scoring in the semifinal against Brazil.

10. What’s your most ridiculous piece of football fan-paraphenalia (that weird hat your mom got you, the free wrist warmers you picked up outside a stadium, the bayer leverkusen condoms your friend gave you as a joke, etc) I don’t really have anything ridiculous, though I have come close to buying some weirdly self-indulgent paraphernalia on Ebay. Frauke sent me an ad with Anja in it from a magazine, does that count? I just have the basics, jersey and scarves.

11. What season/tournament would you go back in time to experience now if you could see any one you wanted? I really really want to own like a dvd set of the world cup okay, im never over it. but agreed with Ireny the 12/13 treble season no doubt.

BONUS 12 (because it’s a good question but i didn’t want to repeat):  What about your favorite player makes them your favorite?

I love Manuel Peter Neuer because.....just kidding. this is actually like strangely hard to articulate. I love Fips because he’s such a strategist. He’s so smart in the way he plays and downright devious when he gets mad. I love Anja because I have a thing for humble elevens. She’s not really selfish with the ball? Basti was all about what he brought to the team (and Lukas too) he was very much the beat of the heart.

1. Planes, trains, or automobiles? Trains definitely. I don’t like the recycled air of planes and I can’t sleep on a plane unless I completely exhaust myself so.

2. If you had to switch your football team to another in each league you regularly follow, which team/s would you start supporting?

Tricky! I have always said things might’ve gone differently if I found more Schalke friends because I could’ve really tossed in my lot with them or even Augsburg?? If the German trio hadn’t been at Arsenal and my other self Santi Cazorla hadnt decimated City that one time, I probably would’ve been strictly a Liverpool supporter. Now, I’ve got divided loyalties and hate the EPL for putting me through this. As for the women, I think Montpelier? and Potsdam. oh, and Man City women.

3. What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever seen happen at a football match? Not strange per se but live in front of me, the german women’s national team giggling over the anthem being sung atrociously.

4. What was the last concert you went to? Bastille in Brooklyn!!! Part of their new tour. I’ve been super fortunate to catch them for both their American tours when they put out an album.

5. If you were given the chance to go into space to colonise a different planet, would you? I love how everyone gives an explanation for nah they’re not qualified. Meanwhile, I say yes. take me off this space rock. As long as I can keep up with the football scores.

6. Do you have a favourite type of goal? What type of goal is it? I do love long range goals. and the weird kicks(Oli with the scorpion kick). Probably the Xabi Alonso patented set piece goals. BUT my absolute favorite type of goal are the goals scored by defenders (and not just the it’s a set piece lets bring up all our tall defenders to head it in type but the genuine, how do I celebrate a goal, it only happens when the planets align I actually got up here and kicked it into the right spot defender goal)

7. Who’s a player that you used to dislike, but have come around to? (If one such exists) Neymar? Half of the Spain national team? Fernando Torres There’s a lot of players I have come around to because I’m old and I’m tired of the football drama haha.

8. How about a team that you used to dislike but have come around to? Real Madrid because I met so manyyy fans that crossed my path and generally have a team in common with me. I don’t actively root for them but I wish them the best with my estranged son Toni and Colombian nugget James. I’m slowly coming around to OL Feminin because Maro is there.  

9. Would you rather be a recognised artist/genius often on television and in the papers, or a reclusive artist/genius without your face publically connected to your works? The latter. I want to be Lemony Snicket.

10. Which pair of shoes do you most regularly wear? My “house shoes” which are basically flip flops past their prime. I also have comfy boots for the winter.

11. Would you take a penalty kick in a final of The Big Game? Or would you prefer to let a teammate take care of it?

Definitely a teammate. That’s too much pressure. Nope nope.

Ireny’s questions!! :DD

1. What’s your favorite football-related possession?

I have a current season Philipp Lahm jersey and my Bayern scarf is soft and kinda worn. Both were Christmas presents from @goetzed

2. Have you ever met your favorite football player or seen them play live? If you haven’t, what would you tell them?

Yes! Not to bore you with the details but I got to see Bayern on their US tour in 2014 so I got to see Lewy and Holger and Tobi Schweinsteiger. Pizarro scored a goal. It was fabulous. and I got to see the Gerwnt and Leonie scored! I got to see Stevie play for LA Galaxy! And I got to see Fips and Xabi and David in the last US Tour at Metlife. I’m hoping to see Basti with Chicago Fire this year (THEY PLAY MY HOME TEAM ON MY BIRTHDAY) and I’ll probably burst into noisy sobs and look terrible. I haven’t met anyone personally tho. 

3. What are your top three comfort foods?

Arroz con leche (rice pudding but I swear it’s like a thousand times better than the stuff you buy at grocery stores.) Papa a la Huancaina ( I talked about this before) Ice cream, just some good old ice cream, usually with some sort of bits/chunks of stuff.

4. What‘s your favorite uplifting bit of news you’ve heard this week?

I think I really like the girl who got accepted into all the Ivy Leagues? That’s pretty dope. I also like the transgender veteran who recently transitioned.

5. Have you ever played football yourself? What position did you play? If not, what position do you think you’d like to try?

I don’t think so. I mean my dad managed a local team and my brother played for a bit recreationally but like I probably kicked a ball and called it a goal as a toddler. I’ve always thought about this and I think I might be best suited for midfield. or maybe a defensive winger? I’m pretty short so. A goalie would be awesome but I have a feeling I would suck at it. 

6. Would you rather watch a TV show with interesting characters and a terrible plot, or boring characters and an interesting plot?

So interestingly enough, this came up randomly during the week and it was related to fanfiction and how it should be deemed it’s own form of literature. and I think it made a lot of sense because I would probably watch a terrible plot with super interesting characters. Characters engage me more than a trite plot you know?

7. You can make one change to a rule in football or implement a new one. What is it?

I think I like the idea of a soft red card or the “orange” card in theory at least, instead of throwing them out of the game completely, have a set amount of time off the field, like in hockey. But it probably wouldn’t work given the nature of football and its players. OKAY actually, one thing Ive been sort of tinkering with mentally is totally disallowing own goals? because that shit is awful. Maybe adding more added time if an OG happens? again, really impractical but in theory I would love to get rid of OGs.

8. In xXx: Return of Xander Cage, Neymar is Samuel L Jackson’s first choice footballer to join the fake Avengers. Who would you ask instead?

Xabi Alonso and Gigi Buffon. Make them seduce people. They’ll get the intel. It’s probably Xabier’s Cool Girl Guy dream.

9. What’s a fic trope you wish more people would write?

not a trope but anything with other WNTs besides the US/NWSL centric. Fake married is always a good one or the closely related, woke up married. Time travel/soft scifi tropes because I LOVE THEM. Anything with magic. One trope I love and don’t want to write myself because taking a stab at it wont do it justice is Reincarnation AU?

10. What’s your favorite natural phenomenon?

Aurora Borealis. or Meteor showers.

11. There is no eleventh question because I’m the worst at thinking up questions. Instead post your favorite football photo here.

this took me an embarrassing amount of time to finish. I tag @goetzed @bananasplit86 @ben-woodburn and whoever else wants to do it!

As for adding questions, these are good questions and I really have nothing to add besides BONUS QUESTION: what’s next on your buy list? or what would you like to get if you had some extra cash to spend?

[your-dietician]

Every NFL team's biggest do-over: Russell Wilson's Super Bowl pick, Jackie Smith's drop headline all-time list

New Post has been published on https://tattlepress.com/nfl/every-nfl-teams-biggest-do-over-russell-wilsons-super-bowl-pick-jackie-smiths-drop-headline-all-time-list/

Every NFL team's biggest do-over: Russell Wilson's Super Bowl pick, Jackie Smith's drop headline all-time list

For every thrilling pick six, last-second touchdown pass, and breathtaking run, there’s a gut-wrenching drop, a jaw-dropping turnover or a head-scratching coaching decision that has left a permanent mark on an NFL team and their fan base. Some of these moments have been forgiven over time, while others continue to haunt the franchise and the fans who witnessed the moment. 

With the 2021 season just around the corner, we decided to take a look at each NFL team’s most desired do-over. As criteria for our list, we decided to identify plays where the team made the mistake as opposed to the opponent making a great play. For example, Joe Montana’s game-winning touchdown pass to Dwight Clark against the Cowboys in the 1981 NFC Championship Game was more of a great play by Montana and Clark and not a breakdown by the Cowboys defense. 

Without further ado, let’s get started. 

Arizona Cardinals: Kurt Warner’s pick six (Super Bowl XLIII)

After falling behind early, the Cardinals threatened to take the lead over the favored Steelers just before halftime. Instead of blitzing Warner, Steelers linebacker James Harrison moved back into coverage, where he stepped in front of Warner’s pass for Anquan Boldin at the goal line. Harrison then completed the longest pick six in Super Bowl history, a play that helped the Steelers defeat the Cardinals, 27-23. While there were several other plays the Cardinals likely wished they had back, Warner surely wishes he would have focused more on where Harrison — the league’s Defensive Player of the Year that season — was before firing his ill-advised pass. 

Atlanta Falcons: Don’ta Hightower’s sack/forced fumble (Super Bowl LI)

If given the opportunity to do it again, then-Falcons offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan would have called a running play with the Falcons ahead 28-12 and facing a third-and-1 on the Patriots’ 36-yard line with 8:31 remaining in Super Bowl LI. Instead of giving the ball to one of his backs, Shanahan called for a pass play which resulted in Don’ta Hightower forcing a sack/forced fumble of Matt Ryan that was scooped up by Alan Branch. The Patriots made it a one-possession game two minutes later, and would go on to pull off the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history. 

Buffalo Bills: Bruce Smith’s safety (Super Bowl XXV)  

While it did not give them their desired result, the Bills had no chance but to bring out Scott Norwood to attempt a 47-yard kick (he had never made a kick of that distance on grass) with eight seconds left their 20-19 Super Bowl XXV loss. One quarter earlier, the Bills’ inability to stop Mark Ingram on a pivotal third-and-13 was more of a great play by Ingram and not a lapse in defense by the Bills. A play that sticks out just as much — if not more — than those plays was Bruce Smith’s sack of Jeff Hostetler with 8:52 remaining in the second quarter. While the sack resulted in a safety, Smith was unable to jar the football loose from Hostetler, who held on to the ball despite Bruce grabbing his right wrist. Had Bruce been able to force a fumble and either he or a teammate recovered it in the end zone, Buffalo would have led 17-3. Given how methodical the Giants offense moved in order to score points, a touchdown there may have made the difference in what was the smallest margin of victory in Super Bowl history. 

Baltimore Ravens: Third and just short (2011 AFC Championship Game) 

Trailing 23-20, Baltimore still had one timeout as it faced a second-and-1 on the Patriots’ 14-yard line with 27 seconds left in the AFC Championship Game. After Lee Evans dropped what would have been a sure touchdown, the Ravens attempted another pass at the same defender (Sterling Moore) that fell incomplete. Baltimore then eschewed going for the win and likely regretted its decision after Billy Cundiff missed a 32-yard attempt. With the benefit of hindsight, the Ravens probably would have tried a run on third down before using their third and final timeout. 

Carolina Panthers: John Kasay’s misstep (Super Bowl XXXVIII) 

One of the best kickers of his era, Kasay committed a costly error when he kicked the ball out of bounds just after the Panthers had tied Super Bowl XXXVIII. With a short field to work with, Tom Brady quickly moved the Patriots into field goal range, where Adam Vinatieri booted the game-winning kick in a 32-29 win. If given the chance at a do-over, Kasay said he would have kicked the ball “right down the hash” instead of trying to pin the kickoff near the right sideline. 

Cincinnati Bengals: Lewis Billups’ dropped pick (Super Bowl XXIII)

Points were at a premium in Super Bowl XXIII. The game’s first touchdown wasn’t scored until Stanford Jennings’ 93-yard kickoff return gave the Bengals a 10-3 lead at the end of the third quarter. Less than two minutes later, Bengals cornerback Lewis Billups dropped what would have been an interception in the Bengals’ end zone. Joe Montana — who never threw an interception in 122 Super Bowl pass attempts — hit Jerry Rice for the game-tying score. Cincinnati regained the lead (at 16-13) before Montana led the 49ers on an epic game-winning drive for a 20-16 victory. 

Cleveland Browns: Right Right 88 (1980 AFC divisional playoff) 

While a field goal would have given them the lead, the Browns attempted a pass on second down from the Raiders’ 13-yard line with under a minute to play in their 14-12 loss in the divisional round of the 1980 playoffs. Brian Sipe, after being instructed by coach Sam Rutigliano to “throw it into Lake Erie” if his receiver wasn’t open, threw a pass to tight end Ozzie Newsome that was intercepted by Oakland defensive back Mike Davis. Despite torrid weather conditions that contributed to the Browns being unsuccessful on four previous kicks, it’s safe to say that the Browns would have tried something other than Red Right 88, the play that ended their memorable season. 

Chicago Bears: Rex’s gross pick six (Super Bowl XLI) 

The Bears were still very much in Super Bowl XLI with 12 minutes to play. That changed, however, when quarterback Rex Grossman threw an ill-advised pass for Muhsin Muhammad that was intercepted by Kelvin Hayden and returned for a 56-yard touchdown, the final score in the Colts’ 29-17 win. Instead of throwing to Muhammad (who caught a 22-yard pass on the previous play) in a torrential downpour, the Bears would have been better-served giving the ball in that situation to running back Thomas Jones, who rushed for 112 yards on only 15 carries. 

Dallas Cowboys: Jackie Smith’s drop (Super Bowl XIII)

Dallas was on the verge of tying Super Bowl XIII near the end of the third quarter. Facing a third down at its own 10-yard line, Cowboys quarterback Roger Staubach found a wide open Jackie Smith in the Steelers’ end zone. Smith’s drop was the first of three massive Cowboys miscues that allowed the Steelers to take a 35-17 lead en route to a 35-31 win. Staubach, if given the chance to try his fateful pass again, said he wouldn’t have lobbed his pass to Smith, who missed his one opportunity to win a Super Bowl in what was a 16-year Hall of Fame career. 

Denver Broncos: ‘Giant’ mistake (Super Bowl XXI) 

Despite having Hall of Fame quarterback John Elway at his disposal, offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan called consecutive running plays from the 2-yard line midway through the second quarter of Super Bowl XXI. After Giants linebacker Harry Carson nailed Gerald Willhite for no gain on second down, New York linebacker Carl Banks stuffed Sammy Winder for a 4-yard loss on third down. Ahead 10-7, the Broncos failed to extend their lead after Rich Karlis missed a 23-yard field goal, the shortest attempted miss in Super Bowl history. Karlis ended the half with another miss (this one 34 yards), as Denver was outscored 32-10 following the Giants’ goal-line stand en route to a 39-20 loss.

Craving even more NFL coverage focusing on previews, recaps, news and analysis? Listen below and follow the Pick Six podcast for a daily dose of everything you need to follow pro football.

Detroit Lions: Questionable fourth-down decision (2014 wild card playoff) 

Anthony Hitchens’ coverage of Brandon Pettigrew late in the Lions’ 2014 wild card playoff game against the Cowboys is one of the worst non-calls in NFL playoff history. That being said, the Lions’ decision to punt on the ensuing play — they faced a fourth-and-1 on the Cowboys’ 46-yard line with 8:25 left — was one they immediately regretted after Sam Martin shanked the punt. With a short field, Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo turned a 20-17 deficit into a 24-20 victory. Along with the fourth-down decision, the Lions twice settled for field goals earlier in the game when a touchdown may have put the game away. 

Green Bay Packers: Mike Holmgren’s hiccup (Super Bowl XXXII) 

The Packers had no answer for Terrell Davis in Super Bowl XXXII. Despite missing just about the entire second quarter with a migraine headache, Davis had rushed for 156 yards and two touchdowns on his first 29 carries. His 30th carry resulted in his third touchdown that gave Denver a 31-24 lead with 1:47 left. While the Packers had not come up with a way to stop him, coach Mike Holmgren instructed his defense to let Davis score in order to give Brett Favre and the Packers more time at the end of the game. Favre ultimately drove the Packers to Denver’s 31-yard line before firing three straight incomplete passes. While Davis likely would have scored regardless, Holmgren’s decision to make it a certainty was not viewed well by Packers fans. 

Houston Texans: A missed opportunity (2019 AFC divisional playoff) 

Leading 21-0 in the divisional round of their 2019 playoff game against the Chiefs, the Texans probably felt OK settling for a field goal with 10:58 remaining in the second quarter to stretch their lead to 24-0. Houston likely regretted its decision not to go for it on fourth-and-1 from the Chiefs’ 13-yard line after Patrick Mahomes got the Chiefs on the scoreboard less than a minute later. Kansas City scored again shortly after Houston failed to convert on a fourth-and-4 run. Things only got worse from there, as the Chiefs scored 51 of the game’s final 58 points en route to a 51-31 win. Would a 31-0 lead have been enough to break the Chiefs’ spirit? Texans fans will never know. 

Indianapolis Colts: Manning’s miscue (Super Bowl XLIV) 

Three years after winning his first Super Bowl, Peyton Manning and the Colts had a chance to tie Super Bowl XLIV against the Saints after falling behind 24-17. Facing a third-and-5 at the Saints’ 31-yard line, Manning uncharacteristically locked into his receiver, Reggie Wayne, allowing Tracy Porter to step in front of Wayne en route to a 74-yard pick six that capped a 31-17 New Orleans win. It’s safe to say that Manning would like to have that pass back. 

Kansas City Chiefs: Dee Ford’s penalty (2018 AFC Championship Game)

This one was easy. Had Ford stayed onside, Charvarius Ward’s interception of Tom Brady would have stood, giving the Chiefs the ball and a four-point lead with 54 seconds left in the 2018 AFC Championship Game. Instead, the Patriots went on to defeat the Chiefs in overtime. The Chiefs won the following Super Bowl, but they missed out possibly winning another Super Bowl during Patrick Mahomes’ first season under center. 

Los Angeles Chargers: What about L.T.? (2006 AFC divisional playoff)

With the scored tied late in their 2006 divisional round playoff game against the Patriots, the Chargers inexplicably forgot about LaDainian Tomlinson, the league’s MVP during the regular season. After a 5-yard run by Tomlinson on first down, quarterback Philip Rivers then threw an incomplete pass on second down, stopping the clock. Adding insult to injury was that the Chargers wasted a timeout after the incomplete pass, which they badly needed after falling behind with 1:14 left. Instead of having the timeout, Nate Kaeding was forced to try a 54-yard field goal with eight seconds left, a kick that hooked wide to the right in a 24-21 loss.

Los Angeles Rams: Vince Ferragamo’s one mistake (Super Bowl XIV) 

Vince Ferragamo, a backup who led the Rams to the Super Bowl following Pat Haden’s late-season injury, outplayed eventual game MVP Terry Bradshaw for most of Super Bowl XIV. But with the Rams trailing the Steelers 24-19 late in the game, Ferragamo made his only mistake when he forced a pass through the middle of the Steelers defense that was intercepted by Jack Lambert deep in Pittsburgh territory. Making matters worse was that Ferragamo missed a wide-open Billy Waddy, who was left uncovered on a post pattern. The Steelers put the game away on their ensuing possession and went on to win 31-19.

Jacksonville Jaguars: More pressure on Brady (2017 AFC Championship Game)

Despite not parlaying Myles Jack’s forced turnover into points, the Jaguars still held a 20-10 lead over the Patriots with less than nine minutes remaining in the 2017 AFC Championship Game. The Jaguars, however, missed a golden opportunity to increase their odds at victory after allowing Tom Brady to complete a 21-yard pass to Danny Amendola on third-and-18 from the Patriots’ 25-yard line. The Patriots ended up scoring a touchdown on the drive and would ultimately defeat the Jaguars, 24-20. If given the chance at a do-over, it’s safe to say that the Jaguars would have rushed more than four players on that crucial third-down play. 

Miami Dolphins: Kim Bokamper’s missed pick six (Super Bowl XVII) 

The Dolphins’ Killer B’s held Washington to just 13 points through the first three quarters of Super Bowl XVII. With a 17-13 lead, Miami nearly took control of the game after defensive end Kim Bokamper nearly caught his own deflection of Joe Theismann’s pass inside Washington’s 5-yard line. Had Bokamper hung on to the pass, he would have waltzed into the end zone while giving the Dolphins a double-digit lead. Instead, Washington scored the go-ahead touchdown on John Riggins’ iconic 42-yard run on its next possession. The Dolphins ended up losing the game 27-17. 

Minnesota Vikings: Brett Favre’s faux pas (2009 NFC Championship Game)

The Vikings were on the verge of punching their Super Bowl ticket near the end of the 2009 NFC Championship Game in New Orleans. With the scored tied 28-28, the Vikings had the ball at the Saints’ 33-yard line with 19 seconds left. But after a penalty pushed them back 5 yards, quarterback Brett Favre — instead of running for several yards, calling a timeout and setting up a game-winning field goal attempt — forced an errant pass that was picked off by Tracy Porter. Minnesota never got the ball back and ultimately lost to the eventual Super Bowl champion Saints in overtime 31-28. 

New England Patriots: David Tyree’s helmet catch (Super Bowl XLII)

Former Giants receiver David Tyree’s catch in Super Bowl XLII was incredible, but it’s safe to say that, had this play been attempted 1,000 times, Tyree’s improbable helmet catch wouldn’t have been duplicated. Similar to Brady’s third-down completion in the 2017 AFC title game, Bill Belichick likely would have put more heat on Eli Manning (New England rushed four players) if he had the chance of a do-over. Unfortunately for him, Belichick can’t reverse history, as the 2007 Patriots go down in the books as the greatest team not to win the Super Bowl. 

New Orleans Saints: Alvin! (2019 NFC Championship Game)

Alvin and the Chipmunk’s Dave never forgot about his Alvin, and Sean Payton should have given Alvin Kamara another touch late in the Saints’ 2019 NFC Championship Game matchup against the Rams. While they were victim of one of the worst missed calls in NFL history, the Saints nevertheless should have given either Kamara or Mark Ingram the ball on third-and-10 from the Rams’ 13-yard line with 1:49 left. Had the Saints run the ball, they would have forced the Rams to either call their third timeout or let 40 seconds drip off of the clock. Instead, the Saints — after temporarily taking the lead on Will Lutz’s field goal — gave the Rams just enough time to tie things up to force overtime. The Saints lost 26-23 in overtime in what was their best shot at returning to a Super Bowl with Drew Brees as their quarterback. 

New York Giants: Manning’s misstep (2008 NFC divisional playoff)

Keith Hamilton’s phantom holding call (negating Jessie Armstead’s game-tying pick six) in the second quarter of Super Bowl XXXV against the Ravens was considered, but there’s nothing the Giants can/could do about a bad call. They could, however, have called a better play for Eli Manning with their season on the line in the divisional round of the 2008 playoffs. Down 20-11 and facing a fourth-and-1 on their own 44 at the start of the fourth quarter, the Giants passed on giving the ball to either Brandon Jacobs and Derrick Ward (who combined to rush for 138 yards on 31 carries that day) and instead had Manning lunge into the teeth of the Eagles defense. Manning was unable to convert, and the Giants’ title defense ended with a 23-11 loss to the visiting Eagles. 

New York Jets: Killer B’s get the best of Rex (2010 AFC Championship Game)

The Jets rallied from 24 points down to pull to within five points of the Steelers with 3:09 left in the 2010 AFC Championship Game. After using all three of their timeouts, the Jets forced the Steelers into a third-and-6 from New York’s 40-yard line with 2:38 left. Rex Ryan’s defense was unable to stop Ben Roethlisberger, however, as Roethlisberger rolled to his right before hitting Antonio Brown, who was in single coverage against a linebacker, to ice a 24-19 victory. Ryan, whose team lost in the AFC title game for a second consecutive year, would undoubtedly try something else against Big Ben if given the opportunity. 

Las Vegas/Oakland Raiders: Franco’s Immaculate Reception

The Tuck Rule play was also considered here, but similar to Keith Hamilton’s holding call, you can’t do much about a questionable call. Conversely, the odds of Jack Tatum deflecting Terry Bradshaw’s pass right to the feet of Franco Harris happening the way it did a second time is about as likely as Aaron Rodgers showing up in Green Bay anytime soon (too soon, Packers fans?). There’s also the chance that Jimmy Warren could have tackled Harris before he reached the end zone if given a do-over. Alas, John Madden’s team can’t reverse history, as the Immaculate Reception remains one of the NFL’s indelible plays. 

Philadelphia Eagles: Barber closes down The Vet (2002 NFC Championship Game)

Down 20-10, the Eagles were on the verge of making it a three-point game with 3:27 left in the 2002 NFC Championship Game against the Buccaneers. After two consecutive completions to Antonio Freeman, Donovan McNabb looked his way one too many times. On first-and-goal from the Buccaneers’ 10-yard line, McNabb’s pass intended for Freeman was picked off by Rhonde Barber, who stepped in front of Freeman before racing across the field for the game-clinching score. In hindsight, McNabb probably would have thrown the ball to Duce Staley, who was open on the other side of the hash marks. The loss was the Eagles’ final game at Veterans Stadium, the franchise’s home for more than 30 years. 

San Francisco 49ers: Garoppolo’s overthrow (Super Bowl LIV) 

Despite two quick touchdowns by the Chiefs, the 49ers still had a chance to win Super Bowl LIV with 2:44 to go. Facing a third-and-10 on the Chiefs’ 49-yard line, Jimmy Garoppolo overthrew Emmanuel Sanders — who had managed to get behind the secondary — by several yards. Had Garoppolo not overthrown Sanders, the 49ers likely would have scored the go-ahead touchdown. Instead, Garoppolo was sacked by Frank Clark on the ensuing play. Damien Williams’ 38-yard touchdown two plays later sealed the Chiefs’ 31-20 victory. 

Seattle Seahawks: The interception (Super Bowl XLIX) 

This one was easy. Down 28-24 late in Super Bowl XLIX, a 33-yard-completion from Russell Wilson to Jermaine Kearse put the Seahawks in position to win their second consecutive Super Bowl. After a 4-yard run by Marshawn Lynch got Seattle to New England’s 1-yard line with 26 seconds left, the Seahawks elected not to give the ball to Beast Mode and instead called for Wilson to throw a slant pass to Ricardo Lockette. While Lockette was initially open, rookie cornerback Malcolm Butler jumped in front of him to record arguably the greatest defensive play in Super Bowl history. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: The play before ‘the pick’ (Super Bowl XXX)

Neil O’Donnell’s second interception to Cowboys cornerback Larry Brown in Super Bowl XXX is largely to blame for the Steelers’ first Super Bowl loss. But had Andre Hastings not dropped O’Donnell’s pass on the previous play (he was wide open and likely would have given the Steelers a first down near midfield with about four minutes remaining), O’Donnell likely wouldn’t have made his costly mistake that turned a three-point game into a 27-17 loss. Adding insult to injury was the fact that Hastings was otherwise brilliant that day; he caught a Steelers Super Bowl record 10 passes for 98 yards while being one of the main reasons why the Steelers nearly upset the favored Cowboys. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Warner’s perfect pass (1999 NFC Championship Game)

Shaun King’s ruled incomplete pass to Bert Emanuel (it would have counted in today’s NFL) sealed the Buccaneers’ fate in their 11-6 loss to the Rams in the 1999 NFC Championship Game. But that play wouldn’t have mattered had Kurt Warner not hit Ricky Proehl for the go-ahead score with 4:50 remaining. Despite playing a near-perfect game against the “Greatest Show on Turf,” the Buccaneers’ pass rush just missed getting to Warner, whose pass just evaded the reach of cornerback Brian Kelly. Arriving just after Proehl pulled in Warner’s pass was Hall of Fame safety John Lynch, who said he replayed the play in his head countless times in the days following the game. 

Tennessee Titans: 1 yard away (Super Bowl XXXIV) 

Spearheaded by Steve McNair’s Houdini-like effort, the Titans clawed to the Rams’ 10-yard line with five seconds remaining in Super Bowl XXXIV. Trailing 23-16, McNair hit Kevin Dyson on a slant pass 5 yards from the end zone. While Dyson appeared to have a clear path to the goal line, Rams linebacker Mike Jones, who had been covering tight end Frank Wycheck on the near sideline, turned his head at the last second before tackling Dyson 1 yard shy of the goal line. Had Wycheck done a better acting job, there’s a chance that he could have kept Jones’ attention while helping the Titans force overtime. 

Washington Football Team: An unexpected defender (Super Bowl VII) 

Down 14-0, Washington was threatening to make Super Bowl VII a one-score game late in the fourth quarter. On second-and-6 from the Dolphins’ 10-yard line, Billy Kilmer found tight end Jerry Smith wide open in the back of the end zone. The problem was that Kilmer’s pass never got there as it hit the cross bar. Eventual game MVP Jake Scott picked off Kilmer on the ensuing play. And while Mike Bass did make it a 14-7 game moments later on his 49-yard fumble return, Washington was never able to close the gap on Miami, the NFL’s first and last undefeated team. 

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NFL Mock Draft 2019: Denver Broncos bolster defense

The Broncos are in an interesting spot here. They are fresh off of a year that had some cause for optimism, yet left much to be desired. The Silver Lining: they add some impressive pieces (starting with 1st round pick Bradley Chubb) to a defense that was ranked 1 st and 10th in overall defensive DVOA the past two years (respectively), and wind up improving their overall defensive DVOA to 5th in the NFL. They also found some promising offensive weapons in rookies Cortland Sutton and Phillip Lindsay. Then the Not So Bright: They pay Case Keenum $36 million over two years to bring them over the hump after leading the Vikings to an NFC Championship berth (thanks for the memories Case #SuperBowlChampions), and he rewards them with an 18/15 TD/INT ratio only toget traded to the LolSkins for a swap of 6th and 7th round picks. All of this is happening while the Chiefs and Chargers take the leap to serious Championship contenders for theforeseeable future and the Raiders … well at least they have three 1 st round draft picks.

So let’s use those facts and our logic to address the elephant in the room: it’s got to be a quarterback at 10 right?? Well, unfortunately for this mock there are no trades, meaning that the Broncos cannot trade up for the top options this year in Murray or Haskins (then again, neither are 6’7 so who knows if John Elway would even consider them). They are left with options consisting of Drew Lock, Daniel Jones, and Ryan Finley. I honestly can’t say any of those guys move the needle as a top 10 pick, even in a shallow positional draft class such as this. Do the Broncos eschew the fact that none of these QBs are worth the 10th overall pick and just go with it? Do they make the same mistakes under Elway and draft players just because they are at this position of weakness? (see: Paxton Lynch).

I don’t think so, especially since Elway can use the Joe Flacco trade as his “kick it another year down the road” cop-out and wait for what looks on the surface to be a QB class as deep as any in recent memory in 2020. What we cannot discount is that Elway’s new HC Vic Fangio is a defensive guru. Akin to McVay being a “QB Whisperer”, Vic Fangio is his equal as a “LB Whisperer”. The Broncos just lost Brandon Marshall and are left with Todd Davis and Josey Jewell (sorry, WHO?!?!) to quarterback their defense.Everywhere that Fangio has coached in his professional career there has been a stud LB calling the shots in the middle of his defense, with the likes of Danny Trevathan, Roquan Smith, Patrick Willis, Ray Lewis, Navarro Bowman, Sam Mills, and Rickey Jackson. With that being said, let’s sprint to the podium and select the player that self-models his game after Patrick Willis as your newest Bronco – DEVIN WHITE (LB, LSU).

College Overview

College Career: 3 years at LSU, 2 year starter. 286 total tackles with 114 solo tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 1 interception, 9 passes defended, 3fumble recoveries and 4 forced fumbles.

Freshman Season: SEC All-Freshman squad.

Sophomore Season: MVP award, First-Team All-SEC and Second-Team USA Today All-American.

Junior Season: First-Team All-SEC and Associated Press All-American, culminated his college career by winning the Butkus Award (Top Linebacker in the Country).

His talent speaks for itself. The man posted some video game stats with 256 total tackles (99 solo tackles), 25.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 1 interception, 9 passes defended, 2 fumble recoveries and 3 forced fumbles in the last 2 years alone. When watching the tape, it feels like he was in on just about every tackle for LSUover that time period. You would be hard pressed to find a linebacker with that kind of production in college, let alone in their only 2 seasons as a starter. It speaks not only to the quality of his play but his leadership that he was team captain for both of these years, his true sophomore and junior seasons; a high accomplishment considering the talent on the LSU defense year in and year out.

On top of his college production, White showed up at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis:

Height - 6’0 Weight - 237lbs Wingspan - 32 1/8” Hands - 9 3/4”

40 Yard Dash - 4.42 20 Yard Shuttle - 4.17 Bench Press - 22 Bench Vertical - 39.5 Vert Broad Jump - 9.83’

*via MockDraftable

Ahh yes, the spider-graph. Catnip to BGN readers. It is a little skewed as his physical measurements may not jump off the page to you, but I believe that the conversation of “it is all about measurements in the NFL” is a little over-blown. Playmakers are going to get their shot. More specifically, a similar player that hails from his alma mater Deion Jones is not too far off from White’s (6’2,222lbs). I think it is safe to say Jones has over-exceeded the Falcons expectations early on in his career, and if White could replicate that production from the start of his own NFL career then it would be a slam-dunk pick. But looking at his sheer athleticism (4.42 40 with a 4.17 shuttle) and coupling thatwith his eye-popping college production, I think White has a chance to outshine his former teammate and bring the Broncos defense to even greater heights.Let’s get into the tape to find a little more out about the Broncos 2019 first rounder.

STRENGTHS

Devin White is as close to a complete linebacker as you are going to find in college. He is a physical freak with the football intelligence to match. White’s strengths fit best into the following categories: Processing, Pass Rush, Range and Coverage.

Processing

In today’s NFL, the most elite offenses have one thing in common: an effective balance of pass/run, with pressure on the quarterback alleviated by RPO. In the following clip,White shows his ability in zone to read and react to the quarterback faking the handoff to hit the short slant for a sizeable gain on first down.

That quick recovery step to reset his feet and make a pass deflection is something that White will have to do on a regular basis in an NFL scheme that often rotates between zone and man. In the following clip, White shows that same football intelligence in the run game:

While the rest of his team flows with the line, White stays home and watches the running back cut back to a large hole for what would have been a sizeable gain. He sets his feet, sees the RB cut, and takes the appropriate angle to finish with a great tackle for only a 2-yard gain. When he couples his athleticism with a high football intelligence and split-second reactions, he shows his true ability as a player that can take the air out of an offense on any drive.

Pass Rush/Attack the Line

White has the ability to be a difference maker in the pass rush as well. I should clarify, by pass rush I mean his ability to shoot the gap and attack the line. He is as effective against the running game as the passing game, where either situation would reward a player that can target their gap and shoot through it before a lineman is able to fill. In the following clip, White’s athleticism and timing are on display against a stout Auburn front:

(Click here)

While he does not make the tackle here, he is able to generate enough havoc that forces the running back to disrupt his momentum with a side-step and allow his fellow defenders to get into the backfield with Auburn’s heels on their own goal line. He shows this same kind of timing and burst in the passing game as well:

Although he does not finish the sack, his ability to get through a gap untouched on a delayed blitz, giving the quarterback 2 seconds to find his receiver is eye popping each time you see this highlight (and yes, it happens regularly with White). His skill set in finding the right gap in the split-second before the ball is snapped is instinctual and that sets the difference between an effective linebacker and a defense-changing player.

Range

White’s draft-day chops are most likely to start and end with his unbelievable ability to play the entire field. Not many defenders can truly consider themselves “sideline-to-sideline”, but White has proven that ability time and time again in college. In their game against Auburn, White flashed this skill multiple times, starting with this play with theTigers in their own end zone:

(Click here)

White is able to assess the change in direction of the play and make an outstanding show of pursuit from the middle of the field to run Auburn’s QB out of bounds, mitigating what could have been a first down.In the following clip (from the same game), Auburn decides to run an end-around that fools almost the entire LSU defense:

(Click here)

White initially converges on the line of scrimmage to get in on the would-be tackle of the running back, realizes his and his teammates mistake, and sprints helter-skelter to the boundary. He uses that same athleticism to break down on a dime, size the slot receiver up, and make a great open-field tackle that saves a potential home run play for Auburn. When it comes to his ability to play all over the field and make drive-stalling plays throughout the course of the game, White is the cream of the crop in this Draft.

Coverage

White had responsibilities in coverage for both man and zone during his time at LSU and showed excellent ability at both, with the athletic fluidity and straight-line speed to handle the talent he’ll face at RB and TE in the NFL. The following clip shows White’s coverage in a zone front:

White is tasked to have a deep middle zone, almost like a Tampa 2 MLB with his heels on the first down marker keeping everything in front of him. The wide received breaks on a 5-yard dig with no one around him. White takes a reset step to flow straight to the ball, and regardless of the fact the receiver bobbles the catch White is right there for a tackle of no additional gain. Many linebackers find themselves lost in even zone coverage, focusing on the players rather than the assignment. White knows his drop back, surveys the offensive players around him, and puts himself in a situation to attack the pass as it is being thrown.

Here he is lined up on a shifting TE, something he will be tasked with regularly next year. He plays the route, a short-out, and once the TE breaks towards the sideline he uses his impeccable closing speed to narrow the distance as the ball is coming in. He doesn’t look for the ball, knowing that the angle of the pass/route combo will mean he could miss the tackle for a big gain. He wraps the TE up immediately and drops him behind the first down marker for the stop. These kinds of routes are going to be commonplace for his assignments next year, and if White is able to man-up to make plays on the sidelines then he will be able to expedite his transition to Sunday football. White graded out as the 4th overall coverage linebacker in college football last season (91.5 overall grade) for good reason, which leads me to believe he can continue to improve with an NFL coaching staff.

WEAKNESSES

As with any 21 year-old fresh out of college, White has some areas that need proper polishing and refinement if he is to be a star at the next level, which he will get in spades from an NFL coaching staff. His few weaknesses include his Block Shedding and Contact Balance.

Block Shedding

The thing about White’s ability to shed blocks while getting into traffic is simple: he shows flashes of being able to handle linemen but needs to improve his technique. He works to undercut blocks or swim over the top, but he can choose the wrong move to get through and be swallowed up by a pulling lineman in the process. Bursting through an open gap, he does show impressively stout ability in dropping his hips and exploding through the contact to set the ground against forward-momentum. At the same time, for him to be able to reset ground and still get the tackle at the next level, especially behind the line of scrimmage, he will have to improve his aggressiveness with his hands to stack and shed. Going up against NFL-caliber linemen week-to-week in the SEC has given him a taste of what it will be like on Sundays, and there is a lot of potential that he can round this part of his game out.

Contact Balance

When watching White’s tape, the first thing that stands out is just how fast he is. He is an aggressive pursuer of the football and has an urgency to his run defense. This can work against him, however, when he is attempting to go for the KO-hit and forgets to fully wrap up. That is not to say that in his pursuit across the field he is unable to wrap up, but at times his willingness to lay the wood on a running back without a good form tackle can allow a shiftier back to cut back on him. He tends to forget to square up before the point of contact when running downhill, which leads to a lack of consistency throughout a game. He is the classic violent finisher as a linebacker, which can lead to high contact like his game against Texas A&M below:

Although this was a controversial call and received a lot of press, it still shows his inconsistency to be technique-oriented when flying downfield. He will need to work on the ability to become more consistent in wrapping up and coming to balance against a higher class of ball-carriers, but with his athleticism and willingness to get his hands dirty Vic Fangio should be able to turn him into his new stud defensive QB.

BOTTOM LINE

Effective linebackers are the key component of the Fangio system, and elite athletes at the position make everything easier. Based off of the list of studs that Fangio has coached in his professional career, you can see the effectiveness of the entire defense when he can play through that star linebacker. Fangio uses linebackers as Swiss Army knives, which is why this position is so critical: they will blitz, cover running backs and tight-ends in man,and have zone priorities sideline-to-sideline, but they need to be able to shred anything that makes it to them. Having this caliber of player in the middle of Fangio’s defense is required to be able to keep up with high-profile offenses like the Chiefs and the Chargers.

On First Take and NFL Live this past Tuesday, White was told that he speaks like a quarterback, and watching his interviews it is apparent he is an extremely cerebral individual. His response to being posed the question of how it feels when he is drafted by a “bad team” and what that means to him, is that he believes that he can be a spark plug coming in to help revitalize a defense and compete to be the QB of a defense for a long time. He takes nothing for granted and his roots in a small-town background provide for a poise beyond his years.His humbleness is infectious: he attributes everything to his mom’s tough love and the commitment he has received from his coaches at every level for hissuccess. He stays off of social media and is not distracted by the media or outside noise. His hobbies include raising and riding horses. In an NFL increasingly plagued by diva personalities that make themselves bigger than the team, this is the kind of franchise-altering player you spend a Top 10 pick on to build your defense around. The maturity he shows off the field, his lunch-pail mentality and his dedication to earning his place in the NFL lead me to believe that he can be the face of a defense for the next 10-13 years.

And if you have read this entire write-up (thank you, by the way) and still doubt this being the right pick, do take a minute to see his full highlight tape from last season. It will leave you wishing the Eagles had a chance to plug him in the middle of Jim Schwartz’s scheme.

Poll

Do you approve of this pick?

80%

Yes

(193 votes)

19%

No

(47 votes)

240 votes total Vote Now

2019 BGN Mock Draft Order

1) Cardinals (Philliesandthebees): Kyler Murray

2) 49ers (SakPrescott): Nick Bosa

3) Jets (thealien2696): Quinnen Williams

4) Raiders (SisyphusNoMore): Josh Allen

5) Buccaneers (EAGLESBSU): Montez Sweat

6) Giants (ablesser88): Dwayne Haskins

7) Jaguars (20Safety_Hazards): Jawaan Taylor

8) Lions (89Tremaine): Ed Oliver

9) Bills (drc242): Jonah Williams

10) Broncos (ItownBallers22): Devin White

11) Bengals (Phoenix X Maximus):

12) Packers (Palaniappan K M)

13) Bengals (wildcatlh):

14) Falcons (Happy24):

15) Washington (roberticus0):

16) Panthers (Triumph McCloud):

17) Giants (KevinDont):

18) Vikings (Eagles701):

19) Titans (Big Schmoopie):

20) Steelers (J. Wil):

21) Seahawks (NickfoleonDynamite):

22) Ravens (GMinTraining):

23) Texans (EaglesRock94)

24) Raiders (SummersInVA):

25) Eagles (I Need a Username):

26) Colts (Nolo0oo):

27) Raiders (SLC Eagle):

28) Chargers (LBCeaglesFan!):

29) Chiefs (Boxer Madness):

30) Packers (Kephas):

31) Rams (Matthieuck):

32) Patriots (Zett_66):

Now it’s time for you to vote for who YOU think the Broncos should pick in the 2019 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft.

Poll

Who should the Denver Broncos draft at No. 10 overall?

52%

Devin White

(98 votes)

21%

Drew Lock

(39 votes)

9%

T.J. Hockenson

(17 votes)

6%

Devin Bush

(12 votes)

3%

Garrett Bradbury

(7 votes)

6%

Andre Dillard

(12 votes)

185 votes total Vote Now

2019 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft

1) Cardinals: Kyler Murray

2) 49ers: Nick Bosa

3) Jets: Quinnen Williams

4) Raiders: Josh Allen

5) Buccaneers: Montez Sweat

6) Giants: Dwayne Haskins

7) Jaguars: Jawaan Taylor

8) Lions: Ed Oliver

9) Bills: Jonah Williams

10) Broncos:

Source: https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2019/4/5/18297422/nfl-mock-draft-2019-denver-broncos-bolster-defense-devin-white-lsu-linebacker-footballl-vic-fangio

[getseriouser]

20 THOUGHTS: Shinboners: Endgame

WHEN Kiss of Death is winning the Herald Sun tipping we really cannot be of any complaint 

This year has been fascinating – the upsets persist, the evenness of the competition continues to emerge and touch wood the narratives well into the guts of autumn are primarily of the on-field variety.

A few teams are on the nose but the ladder by default does require four teams to occupy the bottom four positions to be fair, and a couple who are on the rise or rebounding just need to cool their jets. But there’s always a couple we can whack – so let’s.

1.       Going to start with Ian Chappell. Always liked Chappelli, a captivating listen, a must-listen even. But he has gone out this week suggesting those who hold discontent still with David Warner need to reassess whether Steve Smith would be more worthy of such distain, given his role in the saga. Now Ian, I don’t for a second suggest Smudge is excused from blame, he if nothing else showed extremely dodgy leadership, but old’ hothead Warner conjured the whole idea up in the first place. In the on-the-nose stakes I have Warner well out in front, young Ian.

2.       Let’s get the whacks out of the way this week, next up is Jack Darling. Firstly, in 2019, a socks-up merchant is always interesting. Ruckmen often do it for shin guards. No dramas. Lewis Taylor of Brisbane likes to too, but I think he is just a footy nerd who loves to get a kick on the weekend. But Darling does, and he screams dropkick. Thinks he is Christmas. But what he really is though is the beneficiary of being in the same forward line as Josh Kennedy, playing second foil and getting the second best backman every week. Sure, a nice grab and decent kick, but can’t do anything else to save himself and when the going gets going, like against Port on Good Friday, he looks as good as your Mum’s meatloaf. He can sod off.

3.       Next up let’s go Jordan Lewis. Luke Hodge has probably gone on too long too but we abscond him for being a senior member of a rebounding team. What purpose is Lewis providing? Melbourne were supposedly unbackable for the flag in February and now when the wins are hard to hind, old no-touches Lewis looks like a witches hat St Kilda players need only breeze past en route to kicking a major. Dead set if anyone is looking to win a Coleman, hope you play Melbourne twice this year and get to play on Lewis both times, the Dees have many problems but rolling him out of the old folks home once a weekend to play D50 is a big one.

4.       His teammate, Brayden Preuss, now champ, what’s going on here? I get the Roos are a bit of a mess but you’ve gone from second-fiddle to a 30-year-old good ruckman, to I don’t know, second-fiddle to a 27-year-old All-Australian ruckman. Next thing he’ll buy a Nokia phone to try and organise some HIH insurance. Don’t take stock market tips from Brayden anytime soon.

5.       Back to Perth – Andrew Gaff. Let’s keep this one short, another 30+ on the weekend and for what impact? Said it before, will say it again, don’t care how ‘neat’ the twelve-metre foot passes are, give me half a dozen Robbie Gray disposals instead any day.

6.       A half-baked one for Damian Barrett, not because he got something wrong because we all do that (hello Tom Lynch) but for suggesting on Triple M Saturday when Luke Hodge was on the phone he wasn’t so much wrong but partially incorrect. He said Hodge did the Channel Seven stuff last Thursday because of a contract, which is 100% not true. Does Hodge work for Seven occasionally, sure, but Damian, last Thursday had nothing to do with it, which gives you nothing to try and weasel out of the mistake with ‘yeah but not really’. But only a half-whack this time, you might be improving.

7.       So let’s address Melbourne then, what’s happening there? Not sold its that bad, sure, losses banked are losses banked, but it’s not talent or skill, it’s the things like contested ball, tackles and decisions when defending. Its structure fall down, attitude or a bit of soft tacos, hard tacos. Not saying they’re morals against Richmond tomorrow night but I don’t think they’re 1914 University who went winless from 18 games with a 47% percentage. They’ll come good but perhaps too late – think 2018 Essendon.

8.       As for Essendon’s opponents last week, North, yeah different story. I saw the Dees play ripping football as recently as last September, winning two finals and looking six sevenths of half decent. The last time I saw North Melbourne playing really good, reliable footy Anthony Stevens thought his missus was faithful. I have often thought the Roos were close to breaking out to use a North American term, but whatever promise the Crows win showed they blowtorched that a week later. Not good at all.

9.       Brisbane, yeah this was obvious. West Coast started the season a week late although prone to a bye as shown last Good Friday anyway, and have now been smacked twice in two weeks by decent sides, the Dons and now Pies. This early in the season wins are wins but who are you beating? Gold Coast this week, lose that and I would not be shocked, the Suns are not that far off.

10.   Quick one on Essendon, and it links to Melbourne, all their issues were minor set-up things or problems above the shoulders. Sure, they’ve only beaten a rotten Melbourne, an overrated Brisbane and then North but it ‘looks’ better and who is to doubt them being likely on Thursday creating all sorts of irresistible momentum thereupon?

11.   As for the other ‘good news story’, can we just try and have a cold shower on Carlton? One win doth not a season make. The Doggies played a stinker for one, but when you only had won three of your last 36 games, getting a rare win certainly allows celebration and good feels but it doesn’t pull you out of the abyss. You’re still mighty shit until we see a bigger ‘better’ body of work than four nice quarters against a disinterested Footscray.

12.   And given that the Hawks lost their annual grudge match on Monday, you don’t want to face Clarkson, on the rebound, down at Launceston. Hawthorn at the line on Sunday looks the kinda stuff house deposits are made of – big stride and just get your hands through it.

13.   Although, last one with Carlton, don’t get sucked into Harry McKay fanaticism off the weekend, this column called him two or three weeks back. Don’t be a fool, only one gets serious with this sort of thing.

14.   Gotta mention St Kilda, but do we want to? Second on the ladder, feels like its 2009 again, should we see if Micky Gardiner is free for a Marvel Stadium game-winning goal some time later in the season? But what, edged Gold Coast at home, just, yeah crazy, then have wins against Essendon when they were yuck, Melbourne who are still yuck and barely over a Hawthorn who hasn’t hit strides yet. It’s good form but don’t clear your Septembers just yet Saints fans, this looks like an invalidated 4-1 to this point.

15.   To be fair though, and this applies across the board unless your Carlton as my feelings there as aforementioned are quite clear, this is the season for all seasons when it comes to momentum. Basically everyone has looked really good or really bad at one stage or another within just five weeks. The good is that it shows a team on a roll is as good a flag threat as any, but it also shows that if you lose it all of a sudden in June or July, you are cactus. West Coast, Richmond, simmering in midfield, could easily look like Winx just off the back before the turn right now. No-one is winning premierships in April, Geelong.

16.   Give Steve Coniglio two votes in a losing team on the weekend, he’d be no more than three off the lead, who is probably still Lachie Neale who won’t even finish top five, and the Giant gun is still at $17. Any money you haven’t got on Hawthorn at the line needs to be invested here.

17.   That said, Nat Fyfe again shows he is the best player in the game and I don’t care how good Patrick or Dustin are it’s not close. He stays fit Freo play finals.

18.   Top 8, how many changes would I make to it, not many just for the exercise, Tigers definitely in, I don’t fully trust the Power, otherwise it’s the Dees to try and make a last minute lunge for say Freo or St Kilda’s spot, perhaps?

19.   Footy TV rights, this one is interesting, next deal starts in three or four years’ time – Craig Hutchinson, old wobble-guts Hutchy, who knows media and broadcast deals like few others in town, reckons the next time around an Amazon Prime, Netflix or even Facebook gets involved somehow. Whether it’s one game a week or something, expect a non-traditional TV partner to get a slice of the action. Would be some sort of game changer in this country.

20.   Want to mention our dear friend Izzy Folau. Sure, freedom of speech, religious freedoms, all that. And yes, the idea an atheist gets offended by a Christian declaring they are destined for Hell, something they strongly disbelieve as a concept, is just too funny.

But its less about his rights as a man of faith, but one of an employee who was warned for keeping things ‘in check’ who blatantly went against those wishes.

Poor analogy but if Bucks wants his midfielders to always kick long, Taylor Adams kicks short against Essendon, who is then pulled up on it before the following week’s game, but he continues to disobey instructions, even though kicking short is not a hanging offence in and of itself, you better believe Bucks might want to drop him for recalcitrance. It’s simple Izzy and has little to do with religion.

[stormkarate19-blog]

NFL Mock Draft 2019: Denver Broncos bolster defense

The Broncos are in an interesting spot here. They are fresh off of a year that had some cause for optimism, yet left much to be desired. The Silver Lining: they add some impressive pieces (starting with 1st round pick Bradley Chubb) to a defense that was ranked 1 st and 10th in overall defensive DVOA the past two years (respectively), and wind up improving their overall defensive DVOA to 5th in the NFL. They also found some promising offensive weapons in rookies Cortland Sutton and Phillip Lindsay. Then the Not So Bright: They pay Case Keenum $36 million over two years to bring them over the hump after leading the Vikings to an NFC Championship berth (thanks for the memories Case #SuperBowlChampions), and he rewards them with an 18/15 TD/INT ratio only toget traded to the LolSkins for a swap of 6th and 7th round picks. All of this is happening while the Chiefs and Chargers take the leap to serious Championship contenders for theforeseeable future and the Raiders … well at least they have three 1 st round draft picks.

So let’s use those facts and our logic to address the elephant in the room: it’s got to be a quarterback at 10 right?? Well, unfortunately for this mock there are no trades, meaning that the Broncos cannot trade up for the top options this year in Murray or Haskins (then again, neither are 6’7 so who knows if John Elway would even consider them). They are left with options consisting of Drew Lock, Daniel Jones, and Ryan Finley. I honestly can’t say any of those guys move the needle as a top 10 pick, even in a shallow positional draft class such as this. Do the Broncos eschew the fact that none of these QBs are worth the 10th overall pick and just go with it? Do they make the same mistakes under Elway and draft players just because they are at this position of weakness? (see: Paxton Lynch).

I don’t think so, especially since Elway can use the Joe Flacco trade as his “kick it another year down the road” cop-out and wait for what looks on the surface to be a QB class as deep as any in recent memory in 2020. What we cannot discount is that Elway’s new HC Vic Fangio is a defensive guru. Akin to McVay being a “QB Whisperer”, Vic Fangio is his equal as a “LB Whisperer”. The Broncos just lost Brandon Marshall and are left with Todd Davis and Josey Jewell (sorry, WHO?!?!) to quarterback their defense.Everywhere that Fangio has coached in his professional career there has been a stud LB calling the shots in the middle of his defense, with the likes of Danny Trevathan, Roquan Smith, Patrick Willis, Ray Lewis, Navarro Bowman, Sam Mills, and Rickey Jackson. With that being said, let’s sprint to the podium and select the player that self-models his game after Patrick Willis as your newest Bronco – DEVIN WHITE (LB, LSU).

College Overview

College Career: 3 years at LSU, 2 year starter. 286 total tackles with 114 solo tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 1 interception, 9 passes defended, 3fumble recoveries and 4 forced fumbles.

Freshman Season: SEC All-Freshman squad.

Sophomore Season: MVP award, First-Team All-SEC and Second-Team USA Today All-American.

Junior Season: First-Team All-SEC and Associated Press All-American, culminated his college career by winning the Butkus Award (Top Linebacker in the Country).

His talent speaks for itself. The man posted some video game stats with 256 total tackles (99 solo tackles), 25.5 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 1 interception, 9 passes defended, 2 fumble recoveries and 3 forced fumbles in the last 2 years alone. When watching the tape, it feels like he was in on just about every tackle for LSUover that time period. You would be hard pressed to find a linebacker with that kind of production in college, let alone in their only 2 seasons as a starter. It speaks not only to the quality of his play but his leadership that he was team captain for both of these years, his true sophomore and junior seasons; a high accomplishment considering the talent on the LSU defense year in and year out.

On top of his college production, White showed up at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis:

Height - 6’0 Weight - 237lbs Wingspan - 32 1/8” Hands - 9 3/4”

40 Yard Dash - 4.42 20 Yard Shuttle - 4.17 Bench Press - 22 Bench Vertical - 39.5 Vert Broad Jump - 9.83’

*via MockDraftable

Ahh yes, the spider-graph. Catnip to BGN readers. It is a little skewed as his physical measurements may not jump off the page to you, but I believe that the conversation of “it is all about measurements in the NFL” is a little over-blown. Playmakers are going to get their shot. More specifically, a similar player that hails from his alma mater Deion Jones is not too far off from White’s (6’2,222lbs). I think it is safe to say Jones has over-exceeded the Falcons expectations early on in his career, and if White could replicate that production from the start of his own NFL career then it would be a slam-dunk pick. But looking at his sheer athleticism (4.42 40 with a 4.17 shuttle) and coupling thatwith his eye-popping college production, I think White has a chance to outshine his former teammate and bring the Broncos defense to even greater heights.Let’s get into the tape to find a little more out about the Broncos 2019 first rounder.

STRENGTHS

Devin White is as close to a complete linebacker as you are going to find in college. He is a physical freak with the football intelligence to match. White’s strengths fit best into the following categories: Processing, Pass Rush, Range and Coverage.

Processing

In today’s NFL, the most elite offenses have one thing in common: an effective balance of pass/run, with pressure on the quarterback alleviated by RPO. In the following clip,White shows his ability in zone to read and react to the quarterback faking the handoff to hit the short slant for a sizeable gain on first down.

That quick recovery step to reset his feet and make a pass deflection is something that White will have to do on a regular basis in an NFL scheme that often rotates between zone and man. In the following clip, White shows that same football intelligence in the run game:

While the rest of his team flows with the line, White stays home and watches the running back cut back to a large hole for what would have been a sizeable gain. He sets his feet, sees the RB cut, and takes the appropriate angle to finish with a great tackle for only a 2-yard gain. When he couples his athleticism with a high football intelligence and split-second reactions, he shows his true ability as a player that can take the air out of an offense on any drive.

Pass Rush/Attack the Line

White has the ability to be a difference maker in the pass rush as well. I should clarify, by pass rush I mean his ability to shoot the gap and attack the line. He is as effective against the running game as the passing game, where either situation would reward a player that can target their gap and shoot through it before a lineman is able to fill. In the following clip, White’s athleticism and timing are on display against a stout Auburn front:

(Click here)

While he does not make the tackle here, he is able to generate enough havoc that forces the running back to disrupt his momentum with a side-step and allow his fellow defenders to get into the backfield with Auburn’s heels on their own goal line. He shows this same kind of timing and burst in the passing game as well:

Although he does not finish the sack, his ability to get through a gap untouched on a delayed blitz, giving the quarterback 2 seconds to find his receiver is eye popping each time you see this highlight (and yes, it happens regularly with White). His skill set in finding the right gap in the split-second before the ball is snapped is instinctual and that sets the difference between an effective linebacker and a defense-changing player.

Range

White’s draft-day chops are most likely to start and end with his unbelievable ability to play the entire field. Not many defenders can truly consider themselves “sideline-to-sideline”, but White has proven that ability time and time again in college. In their game against Auburn, White flashed this skill multiple times, starting with this play with theTigers in their own end zone:

(Click here)

White is able to assess the change in direction of the play and make an outstanding show of pursuit from the middle of the field to run Auburn’s QB out of bounds, mitigating what could have been a first down.In the following clip (from the same game), Auburn decides to run an end-around that fools almost the entire LSU defense:

(Click here)

White initially converges on the line of scrimmage to get in on the would-be tackle of the running back, realizes his and his teammates mistake, and sprints helter-skelter to the boundary. He uses that same athleticism to break down on a dime, size the slot receiver up, and make a great open-field tackle that saves a potential home run play for Auburn. When it comes to his ability to play all over the field and make drive-stalling plays throughout the course of the game, White is the cream of the crop in this Draft.

Coverage

White had responsibilities in coverage for both man and zone during his time at LSU and showed excellent ability at both, with the athletic fluidity and straight-line speed to handle the talent he’ll face at RB and TE in the NFL. The following clip shows White’s coverage in a zone front:

White is tasked to have a deep middle zone, almost like a Tampa 2 MLB with his heels on the first down marker keeping everything in front of him. The wide received breaks on a 5-yard dig with no one around him. White takes a reset step to flow straight to the ball, and regardless of the fact the receiver bobbles the catch White is right there for a tackle of no additional gain. Many linebackers find themselves lost in even zone coverage, focusing on the players rather than the assignment. White knows his drop back, surveys the offensive players around him, and puts himself in a situation to attack the pass as it is being thrown.

Here he is lined up on a shifting TE, something he will be tasked with regularly next year. He plays the route, a short-out, and once the TE breaks towards the sideline he uses his impeccable closing speed to narrow the distance as the ball is coming in. He doesn’t look for the ball, knowing that the angle of the pass/route combo will mean he could miss the tackle for a big gain. He wraps the TE up immediately and drops him behind the first down marker for the stop. These kinds of routes are going to be commonplace for his assignments next year, and if White is able to man-up to make plays on the sidelines then he will be able to expedite his transition to Sunday football. White graded out as the 4th overall coverage linebacker in college football last season (91.5 overall grade) for good reason, which leads me to believe he can continue to improve with an NFL coaching staff.

WEAKNESSES

As with any 21 year-old fresh out of college, White has some areas that need proper polishing and refinement if he is to be a star at the next level, which he will get in spades from an NFL coaching staff. His few weaknesses include his Block Shedding and Contact Balance.

Block Shedding

The thing about White’s ability to shed blocks while getting into traffic is simple: he shows flashes of being able to handle linemen but needs to improve his technique. He works to undercut blocks or swim over the top, but he can choose the wrong move to get through and be swallowed up by a pulling lineman in the process. Bursting through an open gap, he does show impressively stout ability in dropping his hips and exploding through the contact to set the ground against forward-momentum. At the same time, for him to be able to reset ground and still get the tackle at the next level, especially behind the line of scrimmage, he will have to improve his aggressiveness with his hands to stack and shed. Going up against NFL-caliber linemen week-to-week in the SEC has given him a taste of what it will be like on Sundays, and there is a lot of potential that he can round this part of his game out.

Contact Balance

When watching White’s tape, the first thing that stands out is just how fast he is. He is an aggressive pursuer of the football and has an urgency to his run defense. This can work against him, however, when he is attempting to go for the KO-hit and forgets to fully wrap up. That is not to say that in his pursuit across the field he is unable to wrap up, but at times his willingness to lay the wood on a running back without a good form tackle can allow a shiftier back to cut back on him. He tends to forget to square up before the point of contact when running downhill, which leads to a lack of consistency throughout a game. He is the classic violent finisher as a linebacker, which can lead to high contact like his game against Texas A&M below:

Although this was a controversial call and received a lot of press, it still shows his inconsistency to be technique-oriented when flying downfield. He will need to work on the ability to become more consistent in wrapping up and coming to balance against a higher class of ball-carriers, but with his athleticism and willingness to get his hands dirty Vic Fangio should be able to turn him into his new stud defensive QB.

BOTTOM LINE

Effective linebackers are the key component of the Fangio system, and elite athletes at the position make everything easier. Based off of the list of studs that Fangio has coached in his professional career, you can see the effectiveness of the entire defense when he can play through that star linebacker. Fangio uses linebackers as Swiss Army knives, which is why this position is so critical: they will blitz, cover running backs and tight-ends in man,and have zone priorities sideline-to-sideline, but they need to be able to shred anything that makes it to them. Having this caliber of player in the middle of Fangio’s defense is required to be able to keep up with high-profile offenses like the Chiefs and the Chargers.

On First Take and NFL Live this past Tuesday, White was told that he speaks like a quarterback, and watching his interviews it is apparent he is an extremely cerebral individual. His response to being posed the question of how it feels when he is drafted by a “bad team” and what that means to him, is that he believes that he can be a spark plug coming in to help revitalize a defense and compete to be the QB of a defense for a long time. He takes nothing for granted and his roots in a small-town background provide for a poise beyond his years.His humbleness is infectious: he attributes everything to his mom’s tough love and the commitment he has received from his coaches at every level for hissuccess. He stays off of social media and is not distracted by the media or outside noise. His hobbies include raising and riding horses. In an NFL increasingly plagued by diva personalities that make themselves bigger than the team, this is the kind of franchise-altering player you spend a Top 10 pick on to build your defense around. The maturity he shows off the field, his lunch-pail mentality and his dedication to earning his place in the NFL lead me to believe that he can be the face of a defense for the next 10-13 years.

And if you have read this entire write-up (thank you, by the way) and still doubt this being the right pick, do take a minute to see his full highlight tape from last season. It will leave you wishing the Eagles had a chance to plug him in the middle of Jim Schwartz’s scheme.

Poll

Do you approve of this pick?

80%

Yes

(193 votes)

19%

No

(47 votes)

240 votes total Vote Now

2019 BGN Mock Draft Order

1) Cardinals (Philliesandthebees): Kyler Murray

2) 49ers (SakPrescott): Nick Bosa

3) Jets (thealien2696): Quinnen Williams

4) Raiders (SisyphusNoMore): Josh Allen

5) Buccaneers (EAGLESBSU): Montez Sweat

6) Giants (ablesser88): Dwayne Haskins

7) Jaguars (20Safety_Hazards): Jawaan Taylor

8) Lions (89Tremaine): Ed Oliver

9) Bills (drc242): Jonah Williams

10) Broncos (ItownBallers22): Devin White

11) Bengals (Phoenix X Maximus):

12) Packers (Palaniappan K M)

13) Bengals (wildcatlh):

14) Falcons (Happy24):

15) Washington (roberticus0):

16) Panthers (Triumph McCloud):

17) Giants (KevinDont):

18) Vikings (Eagles701):

19) Titans (Big Schmoopie):

20) Steelers (J. Wil):

21) Seahawks (NickfoleonDynamite):

22) Ravens (GMinTraining):

23) Texans (EaglesRock94)

24) Raiders (SummersInVA):

25) Eagles (I Need a Username):

26) Colts (Nolo0oo):

27) Raiders (SLC Eagle):

28) Chargers (LBCeaglesFan!):

29) Chiefs (Boxer Madness):

30) Packers (Kephas):

31) Rams (Matthieuck):

32) Patriots (Zett_66):

Now it’s time for you to vote for who YOU think the Broncos should pick in the 2019 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft.

Poll

Who should the Denver Broncos draft at No. 10 overall?

52%

Devin White

(98 votes)

21%

Drew Lock

(39 votes)

9%

T.J. Hockenson

(17 votes)

6%

Devin Bush

(12 votes)

3%

Garrett Bradbury

(7 votes)

6%

Andre Dillard

(12 votes)

185 votes total Vote Now

2019 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft

1) Cardinals: Kyler Murray

2) 49ers: Nick Bosa

3) Jets: Quinnen Williams

4) Raiders: Josh Allen

5) Buccaneers: Montez Sweat

6) Giants: Dwayne Haskins

7) Jaguars: Jawaan Taylor

8) Lions: Ed Oliver

9) Bills: Jonah Williams

10) Broncos:

Source: https://www.bleedinggreennation.com/2019/4/5/18297422/nfl-mock-draft-2019-denver-broncos-bolster-defense-devin-white-lsu-linebacker-footballl-vic-fangio

[bornoffside]

Holland - Marco Reus (1)

April 25th, 2016.

California Blues?

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, it’s true! Cara Tate is is leaving La La Land!

For those of you 'Taters' who didn’t tune in to yesterday’s broadcast of Jimmy Kimmel Live! the London-born singer/songwriter, has officially announced that she will be returning to her homeland by the end of the month. Although Tate was hesitant to reveal any details as to why she was leaving, she did thank everyone in LA and the US for their overwhelming support.

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity and support everyone here has given me. I can’t believe how far we’ve come in such a short time, but I couldn’t have done it without you guys, so thank you!”

Many speculate that the move has something to do with her love life, but any potential rumours were shut down by her agent -Chris Lewis- who denied all claims that the move was anything but a strong case of homesickness. Tate has always kept a tight leash on the romance department, so whatever the real reason is, is anyone’s guess.

“It’s been a hectic three years for Miss Tate, from new albums to the awards, to touring…it catches up with you, and right now we think it’s best if she takes a well-deserved break. With that being said, she’s wanted to head back home for a while now, it was only a matter of time.”

But don’t cry just yet, the 11-time Grammy winner hasn’t entirely put her music on hold, mentioning that she’d definitely try to do as much work on her new -currently unnamed- album whenever her 'muse kicked in’. Either way, we wish her the best, and hope that we’ll see her stateside again in the future.

Homesickness? We weren’t entirely convinced, but let us know what you think in the comments section below! That’s all from us today, and stay tuned for more about Cara Tate and the mysterious move that’s about to take place!

Cara scrolled down, finishing the article before sighing lightly.

It was good to finally let the world know that she would be taking a break. The hectic lifestyle was definitely not something she had anticipated when she thought of celebrities, and there was no doubting that as soon as her career had taken off, she had to hold on for dear life.

She wished that she had a really inspiring story of how she had made it to the top of the music industry alongside the likes of Rihanna and Co. but the truth was, that she had been entirely too lucky on a long rainy night when she was 19.

She had gone out to celebrate her friend’s birthday party in a crowded pub somewhere in Victoria, and the night had ended with her drunkenly singing karaoke. How did that appeal to her agent? She had no idea. But all she could remember was waking up the next morning with a killer headache and Chris Lewis’ business card in her purse (which she was surprised to have not lost).

But now, things had changed. She was no longer just a physiology student living with her mother and trying to set realistic goals. No, she was a singer, a Grammy winner, a chart topper…she was a ‘somebody’.

And she was exhausted.

The tabloids liked to believe that everything in every celebrity’s life was related to some scandalous love affair, but that really wasn’t the case. She wasn’t leaving LA because some heartbreaker hurt her, she didn’t have to worry about that! She was leaving to try and take the spotlight off of herself for a while. She needed a break after being thrown into the deep end so quickly, and unfortunately, America couldn’t offer that.

She wasn’t stupid enough to think that she wouldn’t get similar treatment back home, but it was somewhere familiar. Somewhere that she could do whatever she wanted, and just enjoy her freedom for once. If she wanted to stay home all day eating pizza and watching good TV, then she would!

Not to mention the fact that she would have her mother there with her.

What nobody really knew about Cara Tate, was that she was adopted. Her foster mother had been kept out of the media for good reason - because Cara didn’t want to disrupt her life. But she knew that her team thought it would be bad for publicity. Why? She had no clue. If anything, it was more admirable in her eyes.

Her mother -Lisa- was of African decent, from the Ivory Coast to be specific, but she had lived in London her whole life. The woman was a complete saint in Cara’s eyes, she was so strong and loving that the young woman really couldn’t have asked for a better home to go to.  

But despite what her team thought, Cara couldn’t have been more proud to have Lisa as her mother. It’s what drove her to donate to orphanages and children’s charities -something her team was more than willing to have her do. It really bugged her what people would do for good publicity, and she really hoped that the world didn’t think that was the reason behind her donations.

She had never known her real parents. They died in a car accident just months after her birth. The only information she had was that they were a young couple that had moved to England a year before she was conceived. Her father was German, and had met her Greek mother at university. As far as the media was concerned, she was a London-born German, which explained why she had attended Germany’s international matches. Of course, that wasn’t the only reason, but she’d gotten a lot of grief from the English supporters for her choice of national team.

She was thrown out of her thoughts when the voice of a stewardess filled the silence, instructing passengers on safety procedures before takeoff. Putting her earphones in, she buckled in and waited patiently to finally be up in the air. The flight was over 10 hours, and she couldn’t wait to sleep through the whole damn thing, she had never been more grateful for first class seats!

“Hey, Götze!”

Mario looked up from the laces he had knelt down to tie, a questioning look on his face when he saw the man calling for him.

“What’s up?”

Thomas Müller nodded towards the large TV that was held up in the corner of the room, and Mario’s eyes followed it. His brows furrowed in confusion, seeing the familiar face on the screen, but not being able to hear anything because of the instant chatter of his teammates.

“Hey, shut up!”

He got up from the floor, walking over to turn the volume up, ignoring all of the stares that had been on him the moment he yelled. They never really paid much attention to any of the gossip shows, usually switching over to football while they were in the training room, or just listening to music instead. But he felt a small smile tug at his lips when he heard the news spill from the German reporter’s lips.

“…-shocked to hear that Cara Tate has announced a break from the music industry! Fans have been giving mixed signals over social media, most of them offering support, while others aren’t too happy with the decision. All we can say is that the superstar will definitely be landing in London later today, and we hope she enjoys the break!”

“Damn, she’s hot…” a low whistle followed the comment, and Mario gave the owner a incredulous look.

“Thomas, you’re married!”

He simply shrugged with a grin. “She’s still hot…just not as hot as my wife.” He gave the younger man a wink before tying his own laces.

A series of chuckles was heard throughout the room. Everyone knew that Thomas Müller was the joker of the team, it was refreshing and always cheered them up if they were having a bad game.

“You going to call her?”

Mario tore his gaze away from the TV to face the man speaking to him.

“I don’t know, Lewy…I don’t know when she lands.”

The Polish striker cocked a brow at his friend. “Then call her tomorrow?”

The whole team knew about Mario’s…crush on the singer, but he had assured them that they were just friends. Of course, now he was dating Ann-Kathrin, and he loved her…but that didn’t mean that he wasn’t still nervous around his old friend.  

It seemed like the only person that didn’t know about his feelings was the young woman herself. But she often found herself asking him for advice, or talking to him whenever her life got too crazy. Mario was a really easy-going person, with an incredible ability to calm people down. He had done it more than once when she was freaking out while on tour, and she’d forever be grateful for his friendship. It was one of the only genuine ones she had. He’d even taught her German when she expressed her desire to learn her father’s language.

Cara was loved by the world. A lot of celebrities put on a pleasant face that fooled everyone, but she was genuinely a good person. She was real, and it was her normality that drew people like Mario in. She didn’t have to do all of the things she did -the charities, the fundraisers etc. but she did anyway, because that’s just who she was. She didn’t take things for granted, and Mario was one of the only people in the world to know why. She had told him of her parentage a while ago, deciding to trust him with her biggest unnecessary secret.

In return, he had trusted her as well, and surprisingly none of the paparazzi had managed to find out about their friendship just yet. They both knew what would happen if they did. So as a precaution, Mario had already mentioned it to his girlfriend so that she wouldn’t get the wrong idea, and Ann-Kathrin was eager to meet the singer.

He hadn’t seen Cara in person for a year, but she always promised to visit whenever she returned to London. Munich was only about 2 hours away by plane, so she didn’t mind making the trip.

“I might…I don’t know. Maybe she won’t want to talk…she already said she wants a break.”

Robert rolled his eyes at Mario’s nervousness. He had never met Cara, not even while he was at Dortmund, but he knew that she was one of the most laid back celebrities in the world. Mario had nothing to worry about.

“A break from work, not from her friends. I think she’d be happy to hear from you, it’s been a while since you've spoken to her.”  

Mario thought it over for a moment, and decided that the Polish striker was probably right. Lewy was great at seeing the bigger picture and he was often the voice of reason when it came to Mario. Even though Marco was his best friend, he gave terrible advice!

“Yeah…actually, I think I might.” He shot the older man a grateful smile. “Thanks, Lewy.”

“No problem, now hurry up or Pep will kill us!”

[yahoo-shutdown-corner-blog]

What do the Packers do now? Plus: Will there be a Super Bowl rematch?

Welcome to the War Room, where Yahoo Sports’ football minds kick around the big topics of the day. Today, we’re talking Green Bay—what do the Packers do now that Aaron Rodgers is out for the year? Plus: with a New England Patriots/Atlanta Falcons rematch on the horizon, what are the chances for a Super Bowl repeat? All this and more, this week in the War Room.

Question 1: Congratulations, you’re the Packers’ general manager! What the hell do you do now that your Hall of Fame quarterback is out for the year?

Zach Pereles First things first, I’m *gasp* holding steady with what I’ve got in Brett Hundley as my starter. Following his sophomore season at UCLA, pundits thought Hundley could be a first-rounder. But he stayed in college and dropped amid accuracy issues and pocket awareness concerns. He’s a very very good athlete, a dual-threat, and he’ll be surrounded by talented playmakers. The Packers get the Saints at Lambeau on Sunday and then a bye. I’m not one to make rash decisions. I’ll trust my coaching staff to give Hundley a game plan that emphasizes his strengths — getting him out of the pocket via play-action and maximizing opportunities to use his legs — and masks his weaknesses.

But if Hundley struggles, I’m looking to trade. The Packers will have a boatload of picks in 2018, and there are plenty of guys available. Look at Scott Tolzien, who will soon be the third-stringer in Indy but knows the Green Bay system very well. What about Colt McCoy in Washington? The Redskins love having him around as an insurance policy, but the market is opening up for Kirk Cousins this offseason. McCoy’s days in Washington could be numbered if the Redskins have to go in a completely new direction there. The Dolphins have said they won’t go with Matt Moore no matter how much Jay Cutler struggles. Could he be an option? I’m making calls soon, but not until after Hundley makes his first-ever NFL start.

Frank Schwab The Packers have developed Brett Hundley for three seasons. He has looked good in the preseason. He has looked so good in those preseason games, he has been a subject of trade rumors. It would be absolute madness to travel down any other road. The Dolphins’ experience with Jay Cutler should tell us that grabbing a guy out of retirement isn’t always smart (I’m not sure why Tony Romo would leave his job anyway; he’s pretty good at it). Anyone available in trade, like Scott Tolzien, just gives everyone a newer face than Hundley to complain about. We know Tolzien is bad; we’re not sure if Hundley is good or bad yet. No good quarterback is available in a trade in mid-October. Teams aren’t trading a good backup quarterback in Week 7, unless it’s for a ransom. Anyone available in free agency is available for a reason. Even Colin Kaepernick would need time to learn the offense and get comfortable, whereas Hundley knows all of that and has shown potential. When fans come up with fantasy scenarios at quarterback, they rarely acknowledge how difficult it would be for any quarterback to learn a brand new system in the middle of a season (or that the names they throw out aren’t any better than a team’s current options). The Packers might want to upgrade the backup position behind Hundley, but the Packers can’t consider anyone other than Hundley to start. Why develop him, watch him perform well in the preseason, then go find a probably worse option when Aaron Rodgers goes down?

Anthony Sulla-Heffinger After I’m done crying myself to sleep, I’m waking up and standing pat with my quarterbacks right now. There’s no possible way Green Bay can replace Aaron Rodgers, but the quarterback trade market is woefully thin and none of the available options represent a significant enough upgrade from Brett Hundley for me to make a panicked move. I’m not prepared to give up any worthwhile assets (remember, Sam Bradford fetched a first-round pick last year) for what essentially amounts to a 10-game rental at the very least. Assuming the rest of the team can get/stay healthy, Hundley might be able to survive as a game manager and keep the Packers afloat in the NFC North, leaning on an improved running game with Aaron Jones and Ty Montgomery and a defense that can hopefully continue to be a bend-but-not-break unit.

Jay Busbee The Packers don’t have the luxury of playing in, say, the AFC South, where a 9-7 record might be good enough to get in the playoffs. Detroit and Minnesota look stronger than Green Bay right now, and even Chicago could give the Packers a run if Mitchell Trubisky continues his upward trajectory. What’s the upside? This is one year that you just have to accept reality. There’s no “L” in Packers, but there’s a big one right there at the front of Lambeau Field.

Jordan Schultz I’m calling Colin Kaepernick! Brett Hundley has been in our system three years and STILL looks like a deer in the head lights. Here’s the thing: Aaron Rodgers covers up a ton of holes on our roster. Our offensive line is battered right now and we rank 18th in the league in points allowed. That number will only worsen with our battered secondary. Come to think of it, we have no running game to speak of: sixth-worst in pro football to be precise. And that is precisely why a 29-year-old Kap makes so much sense. We can dumb things down for him while he gets accustomed to the playbook. Read-option, quick hitters, designed QB draws: the things he does well.

So much is made about Rodgers’ ability outside the pocket. Make no mistake: Kap isn’t in that class. But we know we can roll him out. He certainly possesses that skill set. How many available quarterbacks on the street—right now—can say the same thing? Remember too, Colin is from Milwaukee; he grew up a huge Packer fan. No free agent or backup will be hungrier to achieve success either. And, despite all the talk of him being a potential distraction, this was someone whom his 49ers teammates awarded the Len Eshmont Award for his “inspirational and courageous play” last season. LAST SEASON! Not 5 years ago.

Look, we’ve been to the postseason eight straight years. We have three terrific receivers in Jordy Nelson, Randall Cobb and Davante Adams. We essentially know Aaron is shut down for the duration of this season. Kaepernick is far from perfect, but he’s ideal for us: Remember, he compiled 18 total touchdowns and just four interceptions, along with nearly 500 yards rushing, in part-time duty for a really bad 49ers team last year. If you’re asking me which quarterback gives us the best possible chance to win football games, it’s Colin Kaepernick, and I’m not sure it’s even close.

[Enter the $100K Baller football contest. $10 to enter and $10K to 1st place]

Blake Schuster I suddenly feel a bit better about talking myself out of taking Rodgers as my QB for the next 10 years. As for the actual Packers, I’m sticking with Hundley. This guy has been in the system for a few years and had the privilege of working with Rodgers for all of them. I have to think Mike McCarthy walking into the locker room and saying “this is our guy” would help boost confidence and get the team to rally around him. The NFC North isn’t exactly a murderers row right now. It’s totally possible for the Packers to win the division and give Rodgers a chance to gut it out in the playoffs if it comes to that. Green Bay just needs to trust that it already has their quarterback.

What do the Packers do now? (AP)

Question 2: The Patriots and the Falcons have their Super Bowl rematch this weekend. Give your assessment of these two teams’ fortunes, fates, and likelihood for a February rematch at this point in the season.

I’ll be shocked if we see Atlanta back in the Super Bowl. Not because it doesn’t have the talent, but because it’s clear this isn’t the same team as last year. Maybe it’s the dreaded hangover or maybe it’s the loss of Kyle Shanahan. Either way, this team is trending in the wrong direction after opening the season with so much promise. So you can expect New England to jump on the opportunity to twist the knife a bit more in the rematch this week. What better way to prove to the team that almost beat you that they were frauds than to blow them out the next time you see them? Atlanta may think the Super Bowl was a game that got away from them but the Patriots get the chance to show that 25-point lead was more of a fluke than anything. –Schuster

I’m actually more disappointed in New England. The defense is slow—really slow. The surprise is how unsound that unit is. I can’t remember seeing a Patriot defense miss so many tackles. The Stephon Gilmore and Malcolm Butler duo at corner has been a disaster. Gilmore has looked lost and confused. Butler has been a shell of the Second-Team All-Pro player he was a year ago. He looks soft and unsure of himself, which is why he’s not pressing well either. Their ineptitude is a big reason why the Pats rank dead last in both total defense and passing defense.

Tom Brady has been excellent for the most part, and I’m not sure he can’t bail the defense out the rest of the season. You almost forget that he’s 40 years old. Then again, the running game has been virtually nonexistent. They miss LeGarrette Blount more than I thought they would. His physicality and ability in short yardage down the stretch of games cannot be replicated. A healthy Dion Lewis offers a new dimension and I think he will ultimately become a really key part of this offense, but he’s a smaller guy, not a 15-touch type of player.

I thought Atlanta would struggle. Everything went so well in 2016: Matt Ryan played out of his mind, Julio Jones stayed healthy, the offensive line was strong and the defense overachieved when Desmond Trufant went down. Don’t get me wrong: This is still a very good football team. But the NFC South is brutal and if Ryan —six interceptions the last three games—doesn’t stop turning the ball over, the offense will only continue to sputter. Not scoring a single second half point at home against Miami has to be a huge wake-up call internally. This is a new season and the Falcons’ 3-2 record could just as easily be 1-4. –Schultz

I’m amazed at the mediocrity of both teams so far. The Patriots have played about one great half all season, against New Orleans in Week 2. The Falcons haven’t been much better. They’re a couple of late Bears drops and a few inches on Golden Tate’s final catch from being 1-4. That said, I still think these are two good rosters. There’s no reason they will be stuck playing like average teams all season. The rosters are way too good. Also, there are no favorites in the NFL right now. Every team is beatable. I’m figuring on both teams getting hot in the second half and going into the playoffs as a dangerous opponent. I can’t say it’s likely they both make the Super Bowl, but it could still happen. –Schwab

I’m far more concerned about Atlanta than I am about New England. Sure, the Patriots’ defense is among the league’s worst, but they have looked just as powerful as ever on offense. I’m betting on Bill Belichick and Matt Patricia to figure out a way to improve this defense before the playoffs, which in a down AFC, I’m expecting New England will make. Atlanta, however, is in a whole heap of trouble. The NFC South is better than anyone expected and as Frank mentioned, the Falcons are a couple of plays away from being 1-4 instead of 3-2. As Miami proved in Week 6, since the Super Bowl, no lead is safe for the Falcons, Matt Ryan is looking like a far cry from his MVP form from last year, and Julio Jones has yet to find the endzone. I think it’s safe to say that barring something wild, we won’t be seeing a Super Bowl rematch in February. –Sulla

I don’t think it’s unfair to say both of these teams have been underwhelming thus far. The Pats are far from the juggernaut we expected as their secondary continues to give up big plays. The Falcons are missing Kyle Shanahan and continue to lose games in which they lead in the second half (sound familiar?). The thing here is the Patriots are virtually guaranteed a playoff spot. The division — despite the Bills and Jets overachieving and the Dolphins somehow above .500 — stinks. They’re in. I’m not so sure about the Falcons, though. The Saints just put up 52 points despite a very pedestrian day by Drew Brees, and the Panthers are a solid, solid football team, too. You can’t even count the Buccaneers out just yet. Atlanta’s November stretch — at Carolina, versus Dallas, at Seattle and versus Tampa Bay — will be telling. I definitely don’t think we’re in for a Super Bowl rematch. –Pereles

I still don’t want to talk about it. –Busbee

That’ll do it for this week. Got a question for the War Room? Hit us up via email right here. See you next week! ____ Jay Busbee is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Contact him at jay.busbee@yahoo.com or find him on Twitter or on Facebook.

[fancyarbiterexpert-blog]

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Blake Bortles was one of the NFL’s unlikely heroes in Week 3

Bortles and Case Keenum tore it up in Week 3. Yes, seriously.

Sunday was one of the most unusual days of NFL football in recent memory. While people were focused on the protests during the national anthem that happened around the league, teams quietly gave us some of the most thrilling, ridiculous games of the season. And we had some surprising performances under-the-radar players to thank for that.

Blake Bortles — BLAKE BORTLES — looked like a star against the Baltimore Ravens in London. That’s not a typo. And Case Keenum lit the Buccaneers up when he took the field for the Vikings in place of an injured Sam Bradford.

When we all stayed up late for the wild finish between the Rams and 49ers on Thursday Night Football, we thought that Sunday’s matchups probably couldn’t get better than that game. A handful of unlikely heroes made sure that wasn’t the case.

Blake Bortles was actually good

Bortles was nearly flawless, which is not a thing that’s often written about the Jaguars quarterback. He threw for 244 yards and four touchdowns in the 44-7 win over the Ravens, and he might have done more. But with the Jags holding such a commanding lead, the team sent in Chad Henne for mop-up duty.

The Ravens had been opportunistic in Weeks 1 and 2, racking up three forced fumbles and eight interceptions. Against Bortles, who threw 16 picks and had two fumbles last season, the Ravens didn’t force a single turnover.

Bortles obviously didn’t do it alone. The Jaguars’ defense finally looks like the unit the team has been trying to mold over the past several seasons, and 33-year-old Marcedes Lewis had three touchdown catches. Bortles was sacked zero times, and the offensive line deserves credit for giving Bortles the time and space he needed to make plays.

But you can’t overlook how good Bortles was, or how unexpected that is.

Case Keenum had a career day against the Buccaneers

When the Vikings announced that Keenum would get the Week 3 start over an injured Sam Bradford, Vikings fans were less than enthused. But then Keenum played the best game of his career and led Minnesota to a 34-17 win over the Buccaneers.

Keenum completed nearly 76 percent of his passes for 369 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions. It was a vast improvement over his Week 2 performance against the Steelers, with 167 yards and no touchdowns.

Strangely, Keenum has owned the Bucs in his career. He has three wins over them, and has completed nearly 70 percent of his pass for 793 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception in those three games.

Keenum had help Sunday, too. The offensive line kept Keenum upright, and Dalvin Cook’s 97 yards on the ground was important. But Keenum stood out in ways that nobody expected. According to reports, Bradford shouldn’t be out for long with a bone bruise. But in case he is, the Vikings have to feel better about Keenum after that performance.

Jake Elliott overcomes early miss to hit a 61-yard game-winning FG

Elliott is a rookie kicker who has been with the Eagles for less than two weeks. He was drafted earlier this year by the Bengals, but he lost the kicking competition to veteran Randy Bullock. When the Eagles put Caleb Sturgis on injured reserve after Week 1, they signed Elliott off the Bengals’ practice squad.

In just his second game with the Eagles, the pressure was on. Philadelphia had been in ahead for most of the game, until the Giants came back to take the lead once they remembered they had Odell Beckham Jr. and should use him.

The Eagles tied it back up and with no time left, they had a chance for the win. Elliott lined up for the longest field goal attempt this year, a 61-yarder. He had already missed a 52-yard try earlier in the game and had also sent a 30-yard attempt wide left a week before against the Chiefs.

This time, though, he nailed it:

Even better than his redemption? His parents were at the game to watch it happen:

Probably the best reaction from @LFFStadium: Jake Elliott's parents. #FlyEaglesFly http://pic.twitter.com/5sy9IKjk0L

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) September 24, 2017

The 61-yarder was the longest field goal in Eagles history and the longest made by a rookie in NFL history. And it gave the Eagles a 27-24 win over an NFC East rival.

Jacoby Brissett’s comfort level with the Colts helped get the win

The Colts didn’t have much choice but to start Jacoby Brissett in Week 2 against the Cardinals. With Andrew Luck still sidelined and Scott Tolzien throwing two pick-sixes (almost three) in Week 1, it was clear that Brissett was their only real option. But the Colts only traded for Brissett eight days before the season started. Brissett needed time to absorb the offense.

The difference showed in Week 3, when the Colts finally locked up a win against the Cleveland Browns.

"Another week, you get a lot more comfortable, you get to learn from the mistakes that you make and you get to do it again and try to correct a lot of those things," Brissett said, via ESPN’s Mike Wells. "It was just a lot more at ease I would say.”

The Browns were favored in the game — the first time that’s happened since 2015 — but Brissett was in control the whole time. He completed 70.8 percent of his passes for 259 yards and one touchdown, hooking up with top receivers T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief nine times. He added two rushing touchdowns and pulled off this spin move on one of them:

That spin #CLEvsIND @JBrissett12 http://pic.twitter.com/KDWTHR50eu

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) September 24, 2017

Even Tim Hasselbeck, whose brother Matt backed up Andrew Luck for three years, was impressed:

To quote @tthasselbeck on Jacoby Brissett, “This is the best Colts’ backup quarterback we’ve seen in years.” #BrotherlyLove

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 24, 2017

The Colts won, 31-28.

Rashaan Melvin gets the first (and second) interception of his career

Brissett wasn’t the only player to have a big game in the Colts’ first win of the season. On the other side of the ball, Rashaan Melvin made his presence felt. Mevlin, who has been filling in for an injured starting cornerback Vontae Davis, picked off Browns quarterback DeShone Kizer once, and then twice, for Melvin’s first interceptions of his NFL career.

This wasn’t the first time this season Melvin had made a difference. He allowed three catches — and none to Larry Fitzgerald — the week before against the Colts.

But the interceptions were a nice reward for an undrafted guy who has bounced around in his five-year career. They also helped his team in a big way.

His second interception came two plays after teammate Jack Doyle had coughed the ball up to the Browns. Once the Colts got the ball back, they drove down to add a field goal. Those three points ended up being the margin of victory.

Geronimo Allison was the star of the Packers’ comeback win

In the Packers’ big overtime win over the Bengals, the best receiver on the field wasn’t Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams, or Martelllus Bennett. It was Geronimo Allison, who signed with the Packers as an undrafted free agent after the 2016 NFL draft.

Allison went off for 122 yards on just six catches. One of those was a 72-yard bomb in overtime that put the Packers squarely in position to win on a Mason Crosby field goal.

He also had two key catches during the drive that let the Packers tie things up and send the game to overtime. One was a 17-yarder, and the other was an 11-yard reception that converted a third-and-9 and kept the drive alive.

Randall Cobb was sidelined with a chest injury, so Allison was filling in for the No. 3 receiver. His performance makes a case for the Packers to continue to work him into their offensive plans in the future.

[getseriouser]

20 THOUGHTS: Black Eyed Dees

RIGHTO.

We all saw that coming didn’t we?

The team we gave little chance tore the game to shreds Friday night and then the one we thought might be close, if not favouring the visitor was as close Bill Cosby is to immediate freedom.

The least likely Grand Final matchup got up and whilst we can all hope for a close one this column will only be happy if its close going one particular way.

Either way an enthralling end to a season ensues in a year where the goal square has clearly been too short, the most important exciting thing about our summer was a Zooper Goal and that if you’re a Swans player the club is happy to let go, you might win a Brownlow one day..

But we’ve still got four quarters in us.... unless there’s extra time, and after a full week of anxiously consuming strawberries without cutting them first my nerves are well too fried for anything else.

1.  We said that it would take the Hawks, Pies or Dees to stop the Tigers, one of the trio would stop the back to back. Well the Hawks munted it but the Pies saluted. The glimpses they'd shown in the prior two matchups came to the fore and sure, Martin was a little sore and Astbury had a testing week, but the Pies nailed it. Consider that a tick for this column.

2.  We also had flagged we feared a "Dees get spooked" moment and hoped for their sake it was two weeks ago when the Hawks were coming hard and just didn't convert their chances to make it real close. We were wrong. Max Gawn has denied it in the press but just look at Jordan Lewis, a four-time premiership player, who in the first five minutes hit a bloke behind play for a free kick against off the ball and then directly handballed to an Eagle which resulted in a goal. They may have not won that game anyway as the Eagles weren't going to lose to them twice in a month at home, but to go goalless in a half of football, final or not, is somewhat about the opposition and how good a nick they are in, but its way more about how off or spooked Melbourne was. Fail.

3.  The Qualifying Final repeats itself, and let’s be honest, the Eagles started the better but the Pies got it back to parity and then led by three quarter time, the last was all West Coast Five goals to one, 16 inside 50s to 10, +14 for contested possession. That quarter has to be their catalyst for Saturday. Whereas the Pies, that second and third terms combined, they were +13 contested ball, had 199 disposals to 173, kicked 8.6 to 4.8. That footy, in the guts of that game, showed how they can do it. Write the start off as the Eagles getting the jump, and the last for just a nightmare on the road, the Pies had their host’s measure for 60 minutes of finals football.

4.  Pretty even sides in terms of experience, both teams will have four players under 50 games, 10 players under 100 games, the only difference is the Pies have six who have played 150 games or more, the Eagles nine, but in reality there's nothing in that. These are coincidentally at very similar points in their journey despite appearances.

5.  Eagles have 12 blokes who have GF experience, all from 2015, the Pies have three from their 2010-11 Grand Finals left, Goldsack, Pendlebury and Sidebottom, with the ex-Cat Travis Varcoe and ex-Docker Chris Mayne bringing the Pies tally to only five, that could be a factor.

6.  It will come down to composure. The Pies settled and started better than the Tigers and once things starting going bad for the reigning premier, it went from bad to worse as fumbling and mistakes, not seen for 18 months, came into their game when they found themselves in unknown waters. Likewise, whilst we think the Dees never really made the trip over, the Eagles started far too hot for the visitors to ever settle and that set the tone. If one side can settle far better than the other, it's the flag to lose. Who settles the quickest might be enough.

7.  The burning question for mine: does the fact the Pies have played the extra game help or hinder? One way it might help is to look back at last years Septembers for both grand finalists.

The final margins in both teams' first two games all look big but the Tigers had a much bigger test in week one and three compared to the Crows. Look at the half time margins, the Crows were up by 44 points over the GWS and were already up by 35 points over Geelong halfway through their prelim, both games were over super quick. Conversely, whilst the margins blew out by the final siren eventually, Richmond only lead Geelong by one point at half time and then were only ahead by seven points in the Preliminary Final against the Giants. They had to work harder for their victories, the Crows waltzed in on their side of the draw, and that probably made a difference. Come the big dance, the Tiges were up for it, they had to really 'win' both their games, they were hardened, whereas the Giants and then Cats didn't test the Crows enough. So, on one side of the coin, maybe having to rebound from the week one loss, to then have to tussle with the Giants most of the way, to also withstand the Richmond onslaught in second half last week, it might set the Pies up well.

8.  The other side of the coin, might it hinder? We know Jeremy Howe is sore, we know Jeremy McGovern too is sore, they were publicly hurt during games so its conscious in our minds. What we don't see is the numerous things others would be most definitely carrying. We've already learnt that Clayton Oliver, despite his blistering finals form in the first two weeks, now needs reco’s on both shoulders, so going into the Prelim he must have been carrying something properly significant. The extra rest you can find not just before finals but during to reduce the impact on those injuries your carrying is gold. The Eagles players who are destined for off-season surgeries go into Saturday feeling just that little bit better and fresh as opposed to the Pies who have an extra four quarter of knocks and kilometres in that Giants game. In a game of inches that may make a difference.

9.  Qualifying Final, the Pies literally looked to put it right on Mason Cox's head, to use an old expression. Didn't work, it meant that during the flight of the ball Cox was far too stationary and he could be easily knocked off the drop zone. Clearly corrected since then and the fruit of their labour was seen in the way they delivered the ball last Friday, half and three-quarter kicks well in front to remove the ability of Rance and Astbury interfering Cox like Barrass and McGovern did. Worked a treat. Cox will get a better chance to have a greater influence than in Week One for that adjusted ball movement, no doubt. Will he replicate last week, no chance. Will he get better chances than Week One though, almost certainly.

10.         Josh Kennedy kicked 2.4 in the Qualifying Final, but looked well rusty for a half, Jeremey Cameron kicked 1.3 in the Semi Final and then Jack Riewoldt kicked 5.1 last Friday. The Pies have kept their opponents to 86, 59 and then 58 points in their three finals but Tyson Goldsack, whilst beyond meritorious in his return to footy, is allowing the big forwards to have five or six shots on goal. If Kennedy salutes and kicks 4.2, 5.1 this Saturday, could almost be game over in itself, he could win his team the cup on his own.

11.         Before he got injured in the middle part of the year, Jack Darling was averaging seven marks and three goals a game. He is looking like he is close to regaining that form, if not hitting that mark in the Prelim, so the Pies back six will be up against containing his influence as well.

12.         Chris Judd hit the nail on the head last night on Footy Classified. He expects, as we all do, Mark Hutchings to apply a hard tag to Steele Sidebottom. Judd's ploy for Nathan Buckley to respond to that would be sending the Brownlow runner-up to half back to disrupt the tag and too the Eagles forward line structure at the same time. This is pertinent because for large portions of last Friday, especially in the first half, Sidebottom actually did play behind the ball a bit, coming off the back of the square and not playing a traditional onball role. So the way the Pies structured up last week might actually really hinder tagging the Brownlow runner-up successfully in the first place.

13.         The Pies had great success with ball movement but also in holding their shape on Friday, also notably in the second and third quarters of the Qualifying Final as well as the first half against the GWS two weeks back. Jordan De Goey had tonnes of space, Mason Cox could run and jump and clunk, even Brody Mihocek or Josh Thomas could swoop around and make defenders nervous, which is just as advantageous as looking for a teammate in itself. If De Goey can have moments, even doesn’t need to be four quarters, where he can get space to lead and move around, he can be the difference by himself. Three goals as a permanent forward against the Giants, four goals last week against an even better backline, he just needs a quarter or two, or a few ten-minute patches, and if he kicks straight do all the damage the Pies might need.

14.         Let's not forget though, yes the Pies had an enormous first half, but Richmond showed up after half time. A 44-point margin at the main break, but in the last ten minutes of the third term the Tigers kicked two to make the margin 33, before kicking two goals in the first seven minutes of the last to get the margin under four goals. In front of a 60-40 split Richmond crowd, a 21-point margin that was a game high 53 points late in the second quarter now seemed not just gettable but the comeback win was on the cards, such was the momentum.

15.         And this is Mason Cox's almost most important moment that the media is largely missing. Yes, three goals in no time at all in that second, but you know what, the Pies were going to score heavily that quarter be it from the Yank or others, it was just a tsunami to the City end. But with 15 minutes to go in the fourth stanza, the Tigers really coming hard and if they had got the next one would have seen the margin drop to just over two goals with so much time left. The Pies were struggling to get the ball, let alone get it out of their backline, but had an opportunity on the southern wing. With little option up ahead the bailout to Cox at half forward was the only choice. Not only did he mark it remarkably, one grab, on four Tigers opponents, but it then allowed a rare inside 50 entry where Adam Treloar ended up with a ground ball, he turned and snapped accurately on his left, the margin is now 27 points and the Richmond surge was halted. Cox doesn't mark that ball and the Tigers rebound it the other way for a score that would have been advantage Richmond with so much time left, no question.

16.         Dustin Martin was always going to play, but clearly a bad corkie that he got, what, against Hawthorn two weeks prior maybe, and if it was a home and away game might have missed. Jeremy Howe copped a bad corkie too last month and he ended up on the sidelines for three weeks as it required surgery. Jeremy McGovern copped something in the realms as bad as the ones suffered by Martin and Howe - now, like Martin, McGovern is no chance of missing but you'd have to think he will play affected and if he can put in a performance befitting his calibre it would be beyond heroic. Mind you, given how well Chris Mayne played on him for the final three quarters last time, if he is having an influence there's a Plan B, or Plan A even should they chose, that has worked in nullifying that reasonably effectively. But whilst no-one is 100% this time of year, he would be one of the least fit of the 44 running out for sure.

17.         Quick one on the Brownlow, we love the fact the AFL invited five Melbourne players yet Angus Brayshaw wasn't one of them. The league wouldn't have had to really sweat as Mitchell always look good but gee, the panic backstage if the eventual winner might not be in the room. We also liked that Michael Rischitelli was included in the retirees montage, um, he hasn't retired. There’s bad ways to dump someone, text, facebook status, internal letter to fellow ABC employees, but to advise your delisted via the montage on Brownlow night, that’s progressive.

18.         No priority picks for Carlton or Gold Coast. Good. Its not about high draft picks or extra draft picks, the Gold Coast already had its fair share of that and look where that got them. It’s about people. Chris Fagan and his assistants have single handedly turned what was a crisis in Qld into a footy club that could attract star South Australian midfielders who are still contracted at Freo. Priority picks should never exist again.

19.         Carlton gets access to state league players, confusing decision, confusing mechanism, but, Mitch Grigg, played 20 games for the Crows between 2013 and 2015, has since gone from strength to strength at Norwood, winning back to back Magarey Medals last season and this. And whilst the controversial North Adelaide (the 19 players team from the week before) won the SANFL Grand Final last Sunday, the 25-year-old won the Jack Oatey Medal best-on-ground for 32 disposals and six goals. Question is, would he walk into the Blues' starting midfield Round One next year? Without doubt.

20.         Let's whack the NRL twice in our last thought of the week, firstly, whilst as a biased Victorian I'm rapt Billy Slater will run out Sunday night, he should not be there. The AFL equivalent is someone getting off for choosing to bump and making high contact and the Tribunal somehow calling it accidental and overturning the MRO. Whilst the spirit of that shoulder charge rule probably should change for that incident, its as black and white a rule, much like high contact for those who bump in our code. Beyond farcical. And just a check in, so there's been five NRL finals in Sydney, average crowd of 30k, the AFL has had five finals in Melbourne, an average of 88k. Sin-City can stick to their Prohibition rules in pubs and clubs and continue to serve crap ice cream in Coogee (literally crap, it was 100% someone's poo), we'll stick to excellent audiences and big sporting events.

(originally published 26 September)

[cover32-yahoopartner-blog]

Patriots Weekly: News, notes, and mandatory minicamp

It’s time to once again revive our Patriots Weekly column, a weekly look at the happenings surrounding the defending Super Bowl champions. It’s been an active offseason for the Patriots as we inch closer and closer to the start of the 2017 season.

AROUND COVER32

Around the NFL: Bills appear desperate to sign recently released WR, Jeremy Maclin

What’s Trending: Hank Williams Jr. returns to ESPN’s Monday Night Football

2017 Free Agency: 49ers sign LB, Elvis Dumervil on Monday; adds leadership and pass rush

NFL News: Giants’ WR, Roger Lewis, arrested last weekend; charged with OVI

The Latest: Ravens make splash by signing nickel CB, Brandon Boykin

Patriots’ Roster: Ranking the best and worst positional groups

Patriots’ News: OL Tony Garcia signs four-year deal with Patriots

Mandatory minicamp kicked off Tuesday

It was another rainy day in Foxboro as the Patriots returned to the practice field for the start of mandatory minicamp. First and foremost, the only two absences were Nate Solder and undrafted rookie, Andrew Jelks. The inclement weather caused some sloppy play from the entire offense, including the quarterbacks.

Jimmy Garappolo went 4-for-11 during 11-on-11 drills. Tom Brady was 13-of-17 and Jacoby Brissett was 8-of-13.

Rough day for Dwayne Allen (three drops in 11-on-11s) and Jimmy Garoppolo (4 of 18 in 11s). Brady was 13 of 17, Brissett 8 of 13.

— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) June 6, 2017

Despite the rough day on the field, Garappolo did speak to reporters afterward and said he is happy in New England and would be open to an extension. Tom Brady did not speak to the media. However, on the field, we caught a small glimpse of the Brady to Brandin Cooks connection. Albeit against no defenders.

More of this to come in the future? Tom Brady connects with Brandin Cooks as offense works against air (no defense). pic.twitter.com/rX32sI33LN

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) June 6, 2017

Rob Gronkowski looks ready to go

Gronkowski is now a perfect six-for-six in offseason workouts this season as he makes his way back from an injury that limited him to just eight games last year. Just a couple weeks ago the Patriots and Gronkowski agreed to a contract restructure that could escalate his 2017 salary. Now, he says he feels ‘100 percent’, ready to go and thankful to be back out on the football field.

“Just being able to compete, conditioning-wise, strength-wise, in the weight room, being out on the field with teammates, being able to play football, it’s great,” he said via Mike Reiss of ESPN. “It’s always important to me, whenever I get a little setback like that, to get back to where I need to be. I feel like I am — doing everything out here, competing. It’s fun.”

When Gronkowski is on the field and healthy, he is the most unstoppable force in the NFL. He will look to contribute for all 19 games next year, completing his first full season since his second year.

Rob Gronkowski arrives at practice — 6 straight for him this offseason. pic.twitter.com/n3VJFF12px

— Mike Reiss (@MikeReiss) June 6, 2017

  Jonathon Jones and the cornerbacks look good

The defense on a whole looked good, but the cornerbacks, most notably Jonathon Jones, had a strong day. Jones saw a lot of snaps as the third corner behind Malcolm Butler and Stephon Gilmore according to Kevin Duffy of MassLive. The Auburn alum had consecutive pass breakups against Brandin Cooks and Danny Amendola in 11-on-11 drills.

Second-year CB Jonathan Jones stood out. Had multiple pass breakups. Got the best of Brandin Cooks on one.

— Kevin Duffy (@KevinRDuffy) June 6, 2017

Stephon Gilmore was able to get his hands on several balls. Most notably on a play against Chris Hogan. It’s early, but the cornerback group looks like one of the strongest units on this Patriots team. That is saying something when the team is as deep as the Patriots are currently constituted.

Bill Belichick speaks to the media

At a rainy day one of #Patriots mandatory minicamp Bill Belichick hoped everyone enjoys the weather “It’s nice” #WBZ pic.twitter.com/NX9uzIr7uw

— Joe Giza (@JoeGiza) June 6, 2017

Bill Belichick relished the sloppy weather as the Patriots opened day one-of-three in the rain.

“Well, we’re kind of working our way through the spring here,” said Belichick via Patriots.com. “This is our sixth practice, first one of minicamp but sixth one counting OTAs. Just trying to move things along in the right direction. I think the players have worked hard. We have a long way to go. We’ve got a lot to work on, so today will give us another step there in that preparation. Dealing with a little bit of weather, which is good. We can always use that, so I’m looking forward to having a good day out here today. I hope you all enjoy it. It’s nice.

When asked about the progress of the first-year players, he was happy with what he saw.

“Yeah, this group has worked hard, similar to last year’s group,” said Belichick via Patriots.com. “Yep, they’ve been good. They’ve worked hard. They’re trying. They’ve got a long way to go, but they’re getting better every day and they’re making progress. But they’ve got a long way to go, so we’ll see. Just keep trudging along.”

Inevitably, Belichick was also asked about Gisele Bundchen’s claim that Tom Brady suffered a concussion last season.

“Well, I’m sure you know, Mike [Reiss], we file injury reports every week,” said Belichick. “So I’m not sure when the next one’s due, probably sometime in September, but we’ll have one for you then.”

“You know, our medical staff really handles the injury situation with players. Players don’t come to me and I don’t treat them for injuries. That’s not really my job. That’s what we have medical staff for.”

Random thoughts

The Patriots should sign recently released, former Jet linebacker David Harris. Harris is a 10-year veteran and consummate professional. He played in 15 games for the Jets last year and would add depth to one of the few groups that need it. With plenty of cap room remaining, and a presumed desire from Harris to win a championship should make this a no-brainer for both sides. Think, Chris Long.

What’s next?

The Patriots have two more practices, Wednesday and Thursday before they conclude minicamp. Although the sessions are closed to the public, the media has open access to the entire three-day camp. Head coach Bill Belichick will once again speak at 11 am on Wednesday and Thursday.

– Ian Glendon is the Managing Editor for cover32/Patriots and covers the NFL and New England Patriots. Like and follow on Follow @iglen31 Follow @cover32_NE and Facebook.

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