Jeff Gordon is back.We knew this was coming. Wed known it was coming for nearly a week. Even still, I was curious to see what my reaction would be when the official word landed on our social media timelines.It did around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, stating that Gordon will press pause on his 8-month-old retirement to run Sundays Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis and then next weekends race at Pocono Raceway.The official statement from Hendrick Motorsports said that Dale Earnhardt Jr. has not been cleared by medical officials as he still suffers from concussion-like symptoms. It said he will miss at least the next two races. It reminded that Gordon owns five Brickyard wins and six Pocono victories, both records. Team owner Rick Hendrick called Gordon a team player.As I read it, I felt as if Id just swallowed a bowling ball.Please dont misunderstand. I love Jeff Gordon. I never wanted him to retire in the first place. During the 2015 season finale weekend at Homestead I twice begged him on live television to reconsider.I reminded him of his earlier statements that we should never use the r-word. Both times he just laughed at me. Sorry, buddy, he said, reaching out to grab my shoulder, Youre too late. Whats done is done.Now its undone. And with apologies to Han Solo, I have a bad feeling about this.Why? Because that farewell at Homestead was so perfect. He contended for a championship until his last lap of his last race, battling back to finish sixth in the Axalta/Jeffs Final Ride Chevy.His postrace news conference was beautiful and emotional. The way he left the racetrack with his family, headed out into the night and to a massive farewell party on South Beach, was even better.Why? Because these comebacks never work out well. Like, never.Dont get me wrong, if anyone can reverse that trend and win two races and blow peoples minds, its Jeff Gordon. He spent more than two decades rewriting the way racers have gone about their business. But history says that at best these returns from mothballs end up producing so-so stats.Gordon is a big boy. He can handle that. Theres certainly nothing he can do on the track to damage his Hall of Fame credentials. No one remembers Michael Jordan playing for the Wizards or even Bill Elliott driving that one-off Wal-Mart car.However, thats not the potential damage Im worried about.I am well aware that this isnt Neil Bonnett or Larry Pearson or even 63-year-old Mario Andretti deciding to run Indy 500 hot laps (and ending up flipping six times). This isnt someone who has been gone for years or is still recovering from a near-fatal accident. Hes been at the racetrack nearly every weekend this season, in the broadcast booth and perpetually walking the garage.But its no secret that a not-small percentage of the reasoning behind Gordons walkaway last November was that he wanted to wrap up his driving career while he could still actually walk away.In two weeks he will turn 45 years old, but has the back of a man twice his age. It goes through stretches where it hurts so badly he cant pick up his kids or he has to ask for assistance getting up off the ground after camping out with his son.He has long admitted worrying that he was just one big hit from creating a situation that couldnt be fixed with strength training, stretching or meds.Indianapolis and Pocono are places that like to hand out very big hits.They also like to hand out very big trophies. Should Gordon win one of those -- and he could -- it would be just another chapter in his unparalleled motorsports legacy. It would make headlines around the world. It would pump happiness into an increasingly frustrating situation for Dale Earnhardt Jr., his team and his fans.It would be a tremendous feel-good story.I just wish I felt better about it. Bam Adebayo Jersey . How great will be revealed in the next couple of days at the board of governors meeting in Pebble Beach, Calif. Goran Dragic Jersey . Coach Mike Munchak says Fokou stretched ligaments in his left knee Oct. 13 against Seattle, which could keep out up to five weeks even though the linebacker didnt need surgery. http://www.cheapheatjerseys.com/?tag=cheap-wayne-ellington-jersey .Y. -- Jayna Hefford scored the winning goal Friday as Canada survived a scare with a 4-3 win over Sweden at the Four Nations womens hockey tournament. Cheap NBA Jerseys . Tevez, who has had conflicts with coaches in the past, has not been called up since Sabella was named coach in 2011. Argentina boasts Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Sergio Aguero, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Angel Di Maria. Shaquille ONeal Jersey . Already owning gold from competition in Vancouver in 2010, Loch posted a combined four-run time of 3:27.526. That included a track-record third run of 51. NFL Nation reporters pick out the biggest strength and the biggest weakness for every team heading into the 2016 season.AFC East | AFC North| AFC South | AFC West NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC WestAFC EASTBuffalo BillsBiggest strength: Cornerbacks. The Bills have two of the NFLs best in Stephon Gilmore and Ronald Darby, giving coach Rex Ryan the lockdown confidence on the outside that he needs to run his blitz-heavy scheme effectively.Biggest weakness: Pass rush. In past years, this might have been their offensive line or quarterback, but now the Bills must prove they can get after passers after posting a mere 21 sacks last season. Jerry Hughes cant do it all himself. -- Mike RodakMiami DolphinsBiggest strength: Defensive line. Ndamukong Suh, Mario Williams and Cameron Wake combine for 12 career Pro Bowl appearances and they should be a force together this season.Biggest weakness: Cornerbacks. Veteran Byron Maxwell is the only proven commodity out of this group and he struggled last season in Philadelphia. -- James WalkerNew England PatriotsBiggest strength: Elite play at quarterback with Tom Brady and top-level coaching to go with it. When it comes to places to start when building a team, those are usually the first two on the list.Biggest weakness: Running back, where outside of Dion Lewis -- who is coming off a torn ACL from Nov. 7 -- there are a lot of question marks. -- Mike ReissNew York JetsBiggest strength: The defensive line has three blue-chip talents -- Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams. Each of the 300-pounders has double-digit sack potential.Biggest weakness: Lack of quick-strike ability on offense. The Jets have talent at the skill positions, but theres no true home run threat. Statistically, Ryan Fitzpatrick was one of the worst deep-ball passers in the league last season. -- Rich CiminiAFC NORTHBaltimore RavensBiggest strength: Special teams. The Ravens return a Pro Bowl punter in Sam Koch and the second-most accurate field goal kicker in NFL history in Justin Tucker. Baltimore also has the best punt return team over the past three seasons and blocked five kicks in 2015.Biggest weakness: Cornerbacks. Shareece Wright, who was re-signed to be a starter, has struggled with his technique in the first two preseason games, and nickelback Jerraud Powers has been a step slow in covering crossing patterns. This is a concern for a pass defense that allowed a franchise-worst 30 touchdown passes a year ago. -- Jamison HensleyCincinnati BengalsBiggest strength: Defensive line. The Bengals Pro Bowl lineup of Carlos Dunlap and Geno Atkins combined for 24.5 sacks last season. Those two next to Michael Johnson and Domata Peko provide a line that has been consistently good.Biggest weakness: Pass-catchers. Its hard to say any team with A.J. Green could have a weakness from the passing attack, but the Bengals top two tight ends are hurt, and they dont have many options at receiver behind Green, with Brandon LaFell also nursing an injury and rookie Tyler Boyd unproven at this point. -- Katherine TerrellCleveland BrownsBiggest strength: Tight end. Coming off a career season and contract extension, Gary Barnidge is a pros pro, a tremendous route runner and a guy with great hands. Barnidge gives the offense a big and dependable target, which conceivably should open the field for players such as Josh Gordon and Corey Coleman.Biggest weakness: Defensive front seven. There are no elite pass-rushers or any impact players. Teams will run on the Browns until February. -- Pat McManamonPittsburgh SteelersBiggest strength: Vertical passing game. Quarterback?Ben Roethlisberger?throws the deep ball with precision. Going for 300-plus yards in the air is now considered an average day because of Pittsburghs insistence on testing corners and safeties deep.Biggest weakness: Secondary. This unit faces the most questions, particularly the starting corner spot opposite William Gay. But the Steelers have invested in several draft picks to bolster this spot. -- Jeremy FowlerAFC SOUTHHouston TexansBiggest strength: Front seven. This group is led by three-time defensive player of the year J.J. Watt, nose tackle Vince Wilfork and inside linebacker Brian Cushing. The Texans ranked fifth in the NFL with 45 sacks last season, and with Jadeveon Clowney, who looks poised for a breakout year, that number could increase in 2016.Biggest weakness: An unproven offense. Aside from receiver DeAndre Hopkins and running back Lamar Miller, no other skill position players have produced at a high level before in the NFL. The pressure will be on quarterback Brock Osweiler and rookie receivers Will Fuller and Braxton Miller to produce right away. -- Sarah BarshopIndianapolis ColtsBiggest strength: Quarterback. The Colts have used Andrew Lucks overall talents to make the playoffs in three of the past four seasons. And theyll continue to ride Lucks talents this season.Biggest weakness: Offensive line and defense. The Colts have struggled in these areas for the past four years. Indianapolis inability to block well caused it to use five different quarterbacks last season. The Colts have finished 20th or worse on defense in three of Chuck Paganos four seasons as coach. -- Mike WellsJacksonville JaguarsBiggest strength: Playmakers. The Jaguars have a good supply of playmakers in wide receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns and tight end Julius Thomas, and they added running back Chris Ivory in free agency. If WR Marqise Lee continues to stay healthy and performs the way he did in the spring, the Jaguars offense could be one of the most potent in the NFL.Biggest weakness: Offensive line, especially on the left side. LT Luke Joeckel hasnt become the dominant player the Jags hoped for when they drafted him No. 2 overall in 2013, and he may end up at left guard. Kelvin Beachum is coming off a torn left ACL and his effectiveness is in question. QB Blake Bortles has been sacked 106 times in his first two seasons -- some of which were his own fault -- and the O-line has to do a better job of protecting him. -- Mike DiRoccoTennessee TitansBiggest strength: Running game. This should be an area of strength considering the Titans invested in two top backs -- DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry -- as well as a new center in Ben Jones and a new right tackle in Jack Conklin.Biggest weakness: Secondary. The defensive backs need to show they can be far better than last seasons group and make some plays on the ball. They can start by not playing so far off receivers, which coaches dont want so often. -- Paul KuharskyAFC WESTDenver BroncosBiggest strength: The Broncos have speed across the depth chart and it shows, particularly in their depth at edge rusher and cornerback. Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has the flexibility to rotate players and vary his looks so that the end result is Denver can consistently affect opposing quarterbacks in a wide variety of down and distance situations.Biggest weakness: The Broncos dont know if its actually a weakness yet, so it might simply be the biggest question right now: There is a scenario in which Denver has two quarterbacks -- Trevor Siemian and Paxton Lynch -- who have never started a regular-season game. Siemian has played just one regular-season snap overall (a kneel-down last December). There are decisions still to be made, but the Broncos have already shown they are not deterred by the prospect of youth at quarterback. -- Jeff LegwoldKansas City ChiefsBiggest strength: Depth at running back. When Jamaal Charles is healthy, the Chiefs can go three deep like few teams in the NFL with Spencer Ware and Charcandrick West completing the trio. Ware and West combined to rush for more than 1,000 yards and score 11 touchdowns in Charles absence last season.Biggest weakness: Pass rush. The Chiefs went through training camp without either of their two top rushers, Justin Houston and Tamba Hali. With no indication that Houston will return any time soon, this could be a season-long problem. -- Adam TeicherOakland RaidersBiggest strength: Oaklands relative youth. Derek Carr, Amari Cooper and Khalil Mack have yet to turn 26 but they also have yet to experience a winning NFL season, which is something the Raiders have not done since 2002.Biggest weakness: Well, more youth. Indeed, the biggest strength for this purportedly up-and-coming team is also its greatest weakness. In Oakland this season, its youthful exuberance versus lack of grizzled experience, especially with the retirements of Charles Woodson and Justin Tuck. So who steps up? Carr and Mack believe it is up to them. -- Paul GutierrezSan Diego ChargersBiggest strength: Philip Rivers. The Chargers QB hasnt missed a start in a decade and needs a little over 1,500 passing yards to eclipse Dan Fouts as the franchises all-time passing leader.Biggest weakness: Run defense. The 288 rushing yards San Diego gave up to the Titans was the most allowed by any team in Week 1 of preseason play. However, with the starters playing most of the first half, San Diegos defense allowed just 63 rushing yards in the Week 2 preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. -- Eric D. WilliamsNFC EASTDallas CowboysBiggest strength: Offensive line. The Cowboys have built their team through the offensive line with Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin, Lael Collins and Doug Free. They signed Frederick to a six-year extension through 2023. They have Smith signed through 2023. They hope to sign Martin to a long-term deal next summer. There isnt a team in the NFL that doesnt envy the Cowboys line.Biggest weakness: Pass rush. Dallas hasnt been able to build through the draft on the defensive line as well as the O-line. DeMarcus Lawrence (second round, 2014) led the Cowboys in sacks last season with eight but will miss the first four games of 2016 because of a suspension. Randy Gregory (second round, 2015) is on the reserve/did not report list and is in a treatment facility. He is looking at a longer suspension than four games. Among the defensive linemen eligible to play Week 1, tackle Tyrone Crawford has the most sacks with eight. The Cowboys will have to make do with what they have up front this season. -- Todd ArcherNew York GiantsBiggest strength: Passing offense. Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr., more specifically. The Giants are built around these two players, and without either, they are done. Mannings experience and pre-snap reads help them work around their offensive line deficiencies. Beckham draws the attention of multiple defenders. Hes one of the most dangerous weapons in the league, as evidenced by his 25 touchdown receptions the past two years.Biggest weakness: Right side of the offensive line. Right tackle Marshall Newhouse is a backup. Right guard John Jerry is an average starter. Their combined experience makes the right side of the Giants line vulnerable. Its a good thing the Giants have Manning and Beckham to occasionally mask this weakness. -- Jordan RaananPhiladelphia EaglesBiggest strength: Defensive line.dddddddddddd Fletcher Cox and Vinny Curry lead a front that should do plenty of damage in Jim Schwartzs attack 4-3 scheme. With Connor Barwin, Brandon Graham and Bennie Logan also in the mix, this looks to be the most potent unit on the team.Biggest weakness: Wide receiver. To this point, no player has grabbed a leading role alongside Jordan Matthews. While there is talent in the room, from?Nelson Agholor to the newly acquired Dorial Green-Beckham, questions persist as to whether the Eagles have enough on the outside to give the offense the type of production it needs. -- Tim McManusWashington RedskinsBiggest strength: The passing game. That starts with the receiving talent -- DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Jamison Crowder and tight end Jordan Reed. The Redskins are able to create matchup issues because of this talent. They have speed (Jackson), toughness (Garcon), quickness (Reed) and shiftiness (Crowder). And theyre good enough that first-round pick Josh Doctson, still out with Achilles tendinitis, isnt even missed. But the team also features an offensive line that protects well and a quarterback in Kirk Cousins who understands where to go with the ball. The Redskins will be more aggressive on certain downs (first) with passing the ball this season. Their play-action game could be scary on this down, with the addition of tight end Vernon Davis.Biggest weakness: The run defense. The Redskins have to prove theyre better than last season when they ranked 31st in the NFL, allowing 4.80 yards per carry. Last season they struggled to get off blocks up front -- especially in nickel packages -- and therefore struggled to make plays. Washingtons secondary should be improved, but the front must do its part on early downs. There are questions about the pass rush, but the team can be put in better situations with stronger run defense, leading to more third-and-long situations. -- John KeimNFC NORTHChicago BearsBiggest strength: Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio and his staff. Chicago did plenty of work to upgrade the defense in the offseason, but Fangios coaching style is what ties it all together. The Bears are fortunate to have such an experienced and respected coordinator to oversee the rebuild on defense.Biggest weakness: Lack of overall roster depth. The Bears are a couple more key injuries (offensive line, cornerback, tight end, wide receiver) away from being in serious trouble in the NFC North. -- Jeff DickersonDetroit LionsBiggest strength: Defensive front. Having a defensive front that can rotate and initiate attack has been a priority for new defensive coordinator Teryl Austin because it helps out the rest of the scheme. This years line has a star in pass rushing end Ezekiel Ansah, a former All-Pro in Haloti Ngata and a couple of emerging players in end Devin Taylor and tackle Tyrunn Walker. This might be Detroits deepest defensive line in years and an obvious strength.Biggest weakness: Offensive line. While Riley Reiff (RT) and Larry Warford (RG) have looked good, the Lions have questions at center with Travis Swanson,?and at left guard with Laken Tomlinson. And the left tackle, Taylor Decker, is a rookie who will have some issues as he learns. This is a weakness for the Lions and could cause some major problems if they cant protect Matthew Stafford long enough to make correct reads or open up holes for Ameer Abdullah. -- Michael RothsteinGreen Bay PackersBiggest strength: The Packers biggest strength is their winning experience, culture and internal expectations. Theyre one of only two teams (the Patriots are the other) to make the playoffs each of the past seven years, and young players quickly learn from the veterans what is expected around Green Bay.Biggest weakness: If theres a weakness, its on the defensive line, where inexperience dominates. Going into Week 1, the only defensive linemen available who have played in an NFL regular-season game are Mike Daniels and Letroy Guion. -- Rob DemovskyMinnesota VikingsBiggest strength: The Vikings defense has become the identity of the team, and its also their biggest strength heading into 2016. Coach Mike Zimmers double-A gap blitz package has helped turn the Vikings into one of the leagues best pass rushing defenses, and the group should disrupt quarterbacks again this season.Biggest weakness: The Vikings biggest weakness also involves a pass rush -- namely, their inability to stop one from affecting Teddy Bridgewater. No quarterback in the league was pressured more often last season, and the Vikings spent considerable resources trying to fix their offensive line before 2016. -- Ben Goessling(Editors note: The information above was published prior to Bridgewaters injury on Tuesday at practice).NFC SOUTHAtlanta FalconsBiggest strength: Julio Jones. Arguably the leagues most dominant receiver coming off a season in which he fell just 129 yards shy of an NFL-record 2,000 receiving yards. And Jones is always striving to be better.Biggest weakness: The pass rush. The Falcons had a league-low 19 sacks last season, but they hope the addition of veteran Dwight Freeney will improve that number dramatically. Plus, much is expected from former eighth overall pick Vic Beasley Jr.?in Year 2. -- Vaughn McClureCarolina PanthersBiggest strength: Quarterback Cam Newton. The threat the NFL MVP creates in the run and pass game keeps defensive coordinators up at night. Add No. 1 receiver Kelvin Benjamin back into the mix with the rest of the starters returning, and Newton will be even more dangerous.Biggest weakness: Secondary. I easily could have said the defense was the strength since it has ranked in the top 10 each of the past four seasons. But since the weakness is a secondary that likely will include two rookie starters, it seemed like a conflict. But from what Ive seen of the corners thus far the weakness doesnt appear terribly weak. -- David NewtonNew Orleans SaintsBiggest strength: Passing attack. For the 11th straight year, the Saints biggest strength is their passing attack. QB Drew Brees has led the NFL in passing yards for four of the past five seasons -- and the Saints might be even more dynamic after adding rookie WR Michael Thomas and veteran TE Coby Fleener to complement rising star receiver Brandin Cooks.Biggest weakness: Defense. The defense is coming off a historically bad season in which it shattered the NFL record for TD passes allowed (45). The D cant help but be better -- and it has been very good for most of the preseason. But the pass rush remains a huge question mark, especially after injuries to young linemen Hauoli Kikaha and Sheldon Rankins. -- Mike TriplettTampa Bay BuccaneersBiggest strength: Running game. The Bucs will continue to be a run-first offense. Doug Martin is a tough inside and outside runner, while Charles Sims gives them great flexibility as a runner in the short passing game and downfield. An honorable mention on the strength meter is the Bucs have a lot more depth along the defensive line this season.Biggest weakness:?Kicking game. Roberto Aguayo has missed three kicks in two preseason games and is now struggling in practice. In the third preseason game against the Browns, Aguayo made three field goals, including a 48-yarder, and he made all three extra points. Does that mean the kicking woes are officially behind him? Well find out soon enough. -- Jenna LaineNFC WESTArizona CardinalsBiggest strength: Offensive continuity. The Cardinals return every playmaker from a year ago, meaning everyone who caught a pass from Carson Palmer and everyone who scored an offensive touchdown in 2015 are back.Biggest weakness: Uncertainty at starting right cornerback. It would have been Justin Bethels job had he not fractured his foot and required offseason surgery. While he was on the mend, rookie cornerback Brandon Williams won the starting job for now with an impressive OTAs, minicamp and start to training camp. Bethel, who just recently returned to practice, further hurt his case by missing the first three weeks of training camp after suffering a setback a few weeks before camp began. -- Josh WeinfussLos Angeles RamsBiggest strength: Running game. The Rams ground attack is anchored by the boundless ability of star tailback Todd Gurley, who finished third in rushing yards as a rookie despite having to wait until Week 4 to receive a sizable workload. Benny Cunningham, Malcolm Brown and Aaron Green have also impressed throughout training camp, giving the Rams plenty of depth in the backfield despite the bizarre absence of Tre Mason.Biggest weakness: The passing game. The Rams finished last in passing yards, passing touchdowns and QBR last season, and their hopes for a turnaround in that department will fall largely on four rookies -- quarterback Jared Goff, receiver Pharoh Cooper, and tight ends Tyler Higbee and Temarrick Hemingway. -- Alden GonzalezSan Francisco 49ersBiggest strength: Secondary. There might not be a true superstar in the bunch, but theres no shortage of capable players back there. Antoine Bethea provides the steady veteran presence at safety with Eric Reid and Jaquiski Tartt offering a lot of upside. And at cornerback, Tramaine Brock remains underrated and surrounded by an eclectic mix of skills in?Jimmie Ward, Rashard Robinson, Will Redmond, Chris Davis, Keith Reaser and others. The 49ers figure to have some tough decisions to make here when setting the 53-man roster, which is a good thing.Biggest weakness: Quarterback. Until the Niners find a good resolution, its hard to pinpoint anything other than QB. Yes, the receiver corps could use some help, but the choice between Blaine Gabbert and Colin Kaepernick as the starting quarterback still doesnt inspire much confidence. Coach Chip Kellys offense has made stars of lesser quarterbacks in the past so there is hope, but its clear an upgrade would provide the offense a much higher ceiling. -- Nick WagonerSeattle SeahawksBiggest strength: The secondary. The Seahawks return cornerback Richard Sherman, along with safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor. Jeremy Lane and DeShawn Shead are versatile players capable of playing either right cornerback or nickel. This is a deep and talented group that will once again make life difficult for opposing quarterbacks.Biggest weakness: The offensive line. No surprise here. The Seahawks are spending less money on their offensive line than any other team in the NFL. They will have at least three new starters, and Justin Britt, who played left guard last season, is making the switch to center. The interior of the line -- with Mark Glowinski, Britt and Germain Ifedi -- has looked good throughout camp. But the tackle spots, where Bradley Sowell, Garry Gilliam and JMarcus Webb are competing for playing time, remains a serious question mark. -- Sheil Kapadia Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping Stitched NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL T-shirts Cheap Nike NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Youth NFL Jerseys Wholesale ' ' '