Ted Thompson was a master of the long game Womens Marcedes Lewis Jersey , always with an eye on the future. With the window closing on the Aaron Rodgers era, Brian Gutekunst must adjust and maximize that window right now."With the Eagles sitting on the biggest goldmine in the sport, a franchise quarterback on a rookie contract, GM Howie Roseman bet the farm twice. The first was the original bet on Carson Wentz, giving up multiple first-round picks to get the FCS prospect. But once Roseman realized Wentz had the goods, the plan was simple: aggressively spend to surround him with talent to maximize the window with Wentz still on that good-as-gold rookie deal.Without that tact and that cap flexibility, the Eagles couldn’t afford to pay Nick Foles, wouldn’t have taken a one-year flier on Alshon Jeffrey, and wouldn’t have traded for Jay Ajayi. Philly’s cap hell starts already this offseason, as the team is set to become more than $16 million over the salary cap heading into the 2019 year.This methodology works. Just ask the Rams and Bears, who borrowed the formula to make massive improvements to their teams with quarterbacks on rookie deals, setting the course for successful 2018 seasons. The Rams could make it 2/2 for this methodology with Super Bowl titles and these lessons can be applied to the Packers in 2019 even if the circumstances aren’t identical. One word of caution before advancing, however. The list of 7-9 teams is strewn with offseason winners, Dream Teams, and press conference champions. Winning the offseason doesn’t guarantee winning anything in the regular season. The Bears arguably won last offseason and couldn’t even bother to win a playoff game (**doink** **doink**). But the career trajectory of Aaron Rodgers compressed the team’s timeline much in the same way rookie contracts for Jared Goff, Mitch Trubisky, and Wentz do for their teams. It’s not that Green Bay has a financial window of opportunity — they don’t. Quite the opposite. Rodgers will likely only be Aaron Freaking Rodgers for a few more years, if that window hasn’t already passed. That leaves the Packers wondering about what’s next, but also yearning to maximize the time it has with Rodgers still in his theoretical prime. This offseason, with its projected free agents and draft class Womens Geronimo Allison Jersey , sets up ideally for the Packers to push its chips into the middle for 2019 and 2020. There are quality guards worth pursuing, edge rushers worth signing and drafting, as well as impact back-end defenders worth adding. Ted Thompson and Russ Ball masterfully manipulated the cap so the team was always fresh with young talent and in a financially flexible position, but never took the opportunity to truly capitalize on either. At least not since the pre-Super Bowl days. Green Bay can not only maximize its own roster now, but can do it without crippling the future of this team in a late-stage Rodgers phase, or beyond. Based on the latest cap projections, the Packers will have around $40.5 million in available cap space assuming they do nothing with the players currently under contract. In terms of signing their own free agents, the priority for major-money allocation is Bashaud Breeland who, being another year older after an injury-plagued season, likely can’t command the $8 million per year he’d originally received from the Panthers last offseason. Something closer to three years, $20 million could still make sense given his age and talent. A second-round tender for Geronimo Allison would be another $3.1 million and there aren’t really any other important players to worry about allocating resource toward this offseason. That leaves Brian Gutekunst and Russ Ball around $30 million to go add pieces. If the team designates Nick Perry for a post-June 1 cut and Jimmy Graham is cut outright, they could save a little over $5 million immediately and nearly $11 million more as of June 2, giving the Packers quite the war chest to aggressively add players. Remember, the post-June 1 designation doesn’t clear the cap space right away. It stays as a cap hold until June. But that $11 million should be enough to cover the team’s draft class, so they can spend close to their cap before that point.Starting with the biggest need, let’s say the Packers can lure one of Roger Saffold, Mike Iupati, James Carpenter, Andy Levitre, Ramon Foster Jaire Alexander Jersey White , Ben Garland or Quinton Spain to town to fill the right guard spot. If that seems like a lot of names, it is, which should not only give the Packers plenty of options, but also depress the value of the position overall. The more guards available, the less each individual can demand to be paid. The Packers can probably get someone in that $6 million range for 2019 who can come in right away and solidify that spot. None of those players likely would command the kind of major-money allocation we’ve seen for guards in free agency lately, like that Andrew Norwell $13 million range. They can find a significant upgrade for $6 to $7 million and they should seek to make that addition. What about the ultra-soft safety market? Quality starters like Eric Reid, Kenny Vaccaro and Tre Boston struggled to find homes last offseason, having to settle for meager money and late contract offers. With Earl Thomas a near-lock to leave Seattle and Landon Collins’ future in New York unclear after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury, the Packers could allocate significant financial resources to the position. Even if neither can likely command top-of-market safety money, the Packers would still likely have to spend $12 million to make the contract appealing. LeMarcus Joyner made $11.3 million on the franchise tag last season, making that the likely starting point for players of their caliber. Joyner too could be an option if the Rams can’t find the room to pay him. Such a contract would only leave the Packers with a similar amount remaining, in that $12 million range. For an edge rusher in the modern market, that’s not a ton of money but it’s certainly not nothing. Here’s where a player like Anthony Barr becomes particularly appealing. That $12 million number would be top-of-market off-ball linebacker money, but in Green Bay he’d be a pass rusher. His current teammate Danielle Hunter, just signed a deal for $14 million APY and Barr can’t realistically insist he’s more valuable than a younger, more proven pass rusher. That said, there will be myriad teams with massive amounts of cap space this spring, which will likely drive up prices for premium position players. Given the kind of pedigree Barr had as a pass rusher coming out of UCLA and his proven versatility off the ball, he should have a considerable market. This is where the cuts come into play. Even simply cutting Graham would give the Packers wiggle room to pay Barr, even overpay if necessary Womens Montravius Adams Jersey , while still keeping some room for emergency signings with injuries. Moving on from both him and Nick Perry, likely the prudent financial decision, would give them more than enough flexibility to make a huge splash in free agency, solidify need positions, and still not cap strap the team even if Perry’s money isn’t available until June.Though signing these big names would require longer-term deals, somewhere in the four-year range, the cap has been consistently climbing and the hit for some of the Packers current big deals will become smaller and smaller portions of the cap, easing the future burdens on cap flexibility. In either case, the players the Packers can sign this offseason, coupled with the serious draft capital they can spend, could give Green Bay the core it needs to compete for Super Bowl for the remainder of Rodgers’ prime even if it means locking that core in now. To not waste having the best quarterback on the planet, that’s a swing worth taking. If it worked for Nick Foles, Jared Goff, and Mitch Trubisky, imagine how it could work with Aaron Rodgers.NFC North Roundup: Vikings’ defense gets stronger heading into final week of preseason After a less-than-thrilling 13-6 loss to the Oakland Raiders in preseason game number three, the Green Bay Packers (2-1) will head into a final week exhibition clash with the Patrick Mahomes-led Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday. A reserve-led contest in Oakland ultimately was remembered more after the game for what happened before it started when promising rookie Oren Burks suffered a shoulder injury in warm-ups. The Packers traded cornerback Lenzy Pipkins to the Indianapolis Colts for inside linebacker Antonio Morrison on Sunday in an attempt to alleviate a pressing concern with only one game left to go in the preseason schedule. Meanwhile, news broke Sunday that Burks’ injury may not be as significant as once thought.Elsewhere around the division, the Minnesota Vikings also brought in a defensive reinforcement, signing veteran safety George Iloka to a one-year deal after six seasons in Cincinnati. Iloka helps fortify a safety position that already boasts Pro Bowler Harrison Smith. This week, the Vikings’ starting defense continued to trend up as Detroit’s took a step back against Tampa Bay and Chicago’s got some well-needed rest.On the other side of the ball http://www.packerslockerroom.com/authentic-jamaal-williams-jersey , the NFC North’s offenses will look to iron out some wrinkles and stay injury free with final cuts looming. More on those items in today’s roundup.Detroit Lions (1-2)Won 33-30 at Tampa Bay; Next vs. ClevelandDetroit Lions: These rookie could give team big lift in 2018 seasonEach of the Lions’ draft picks is discussed in terms of their potential to contribute this season, with special attention given to their fourth-round selection.The Detroit Lions tight end group might be one larger than expectedDetroit is still trying to fill the hole at tight end created by Eric Ebron’s departure. With inconsistencies and injuries in mind, the Lions could be looking at a four-man position group.Quick observations from the Lions’ lackluster win against BucsMatthew Stafford shined, but the red zone offense remained a significant concern. Meanwhile, the Lions’ defensive starters had an abysmal performance against Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Bucs.Chicago Bears (2-2)Won 27-20 vs. Kansas City; Next vs. BuffaloBears backups make key statement in win over ChiefsBackup quarterback Chase Daniel continued his preseason rebound, while Kevin White caught his first touchdown at the NFL level. Defensively, the Bears held the Chiefs’ offense to just one third-down conversion in the first half.Brad Biggs’ 10 thoughts on the Bears’ 27-20 victory over the ChiefsAn in-depth look at the Bears addresses Khalil Mack rumors, a blossoming seventh-round pick at wide receiver, and concerns about injured free agent pickup Aaron Lynch.Bears coach Matt Nagy says Mitchell Trubisky, starters ready despite sitting in preseason gameChicago had a large inactive list against Kansas City, but new Head Coach Matt Nagy insisted on resting his starters, saying that Trubisky specifically has had enough snaps to be ready for week one.Minnesota Vikings (2-1)Won 21-20 vs. Seattle; Next at TennesseeFootball Outsiders on who the Vikings’ Defensive MVP isOn a loaded defense, Scott Kacsmar gave his thoughts on the one player Minnesota cannot afford to lose.5 Things to Know About New Vikings Safety George IlokaSpeaking of a talented defense, the Vikings added another big-name piece to the unit with the signing of the veteran Iloka. Here are five things to know about Iloka and his fit.Stock Market Report: SeahawksA backup quarterback is emerging, but maybe not the one that was anticipated. Plus, a bubble receiver, the son of a former Packer, had a promising game for the Vikings in his quest for a final roster spot.

Cincinnati’s safety room is stacked Boomer Esiason Jersey , but could they be looking to add one more?"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections #BITESIZEFilm RoomRoster Transactions and ContractsOrange & Black InsiderSalary Cap And CBABreaking NewsKeep track of the 2019 Bengals draft脳Bengals met with S Will Harris at Boston College pro dayNew,13commentsCincinnati’s safety room is stacked, but could they be looking to add one more?EDTShareTweetShareShareBengals met with S Will Harris at Boston College pro dayJeremy Brevard-USA TODAY SportsLast Wednesday, Boston College held their pro day while powerhouse schools Ohio State, Notre Dame, USC and Georgia all showcased their top players across the country on the same day. While Zac Taylor was at Ohio State and others were at Notre Dame, members of Taylor’s coaching staff made the trip to Boston College to check out one of their best prospects, per Tony Pauline of draftanalyst.com.In a deep safety class, Harris is probably not going to be selected with a premium draft pick. The three-year starting strong safety was voted as a team captain in his senior year in 2018, but his most productive season came in 2017 when he tallied 45 solo tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one interception, two passes defended and four fumble recoveries. A terrific NFL combine performance following a solid Senior Bowl showing should see Harris go off the boards in the middle rounds, which is the highest the Bengals should take a safety. Boston College has a few other prospects that should get drafted before Harris. Defensive lineman Zach Allen looks like a scheme versatile 5-technique defensive end with excellent length, speed and a motor that’s unmatched. His production isn’t too shabby either. Allen and guard Chris Lindstrom, who put together a fantastic Senior Bowl alongside Allen, figure to hear their names called sometime early in the second round.Harris isn’t the only defensive back the Bengals could’ve been focusing on. Fellow safety Lukas Denis and cornerback Hamp Cheevers will both enter the NFL with great productionbut lackluster athleticism, making them likely late-round prospects. Running back A.J. Dillon, who ran for nearly 2,700 yards in just two seasons, also fits that projection, that is if he does end up getting drafted. Two Cincy Jungle contributors recently got together to give their thoughts on how the NFL Draft could play out for the Cincinnati Bengals."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections #BITESIZEFilm RoomRoster Transactions and ContractsOrange & Black InsiderSalary Cap And CBANFL DraftAnalysisVideos2 scenarios for a 5-round Bengals mock draftNew,67commentsTwo Cincy Jungle contributors recently got together to give their thoughts on how the NFL Draft could play out for the Cincinnati Bengals. EDTShareTweetShareShare2 scenarios for a 5-round Bengals mock draftWe’re less than a week away from the kickoff of the NFL Draft and no one is fully certain as to what the Cincinnati Bengals are thinking with their early picks. While we’ve reported on other mock drafts concerning the team, we have held off on bringing you our own. Well, on this week’s Orange and Black Insider, John Sheeran and I unveiled our 5-round mocks for the Bengals. We used a formula, of sorts, to come to our conclusions Anthony Munoz Jersey , but both classes should theoretically improve the club right away. There are some surprises, but here’s how we came to our respective conclusions:Things we think we know about the Bengals going into the NFL DraftThe Bengals probably think that they have the offensive line mostly figured out for 2019. In re-signing Bobby Hart, Alex Redmond and Trey Hopkins, while also bringing in John Miller to start at right guard, the team may not be overly-eager to reach for an offensive lineman early. Speaking of the line and offseason transactions, the interior line is very crowded. Aside from Miller, Redmond and Hopkins being back in the fold, the team still has Christian Westerman, Billy Price and Clint Boling as interior options. Some of those players can be upgraded, but again, the Bengals probably feel that they’ve limited the desperation for the positions going into next week. John Sheeran and I believe that the Bengals will either take a quarterback with pick No. 11, or they will go with a day 3 developmental guy. As we all know, this is a polarizing class of quarterbacks and Zac Taylor may want to ride with Andy Dalton in his new system for at least the short-term. Cincinnati needs some depth and contingency plans at running back and wide receiver. It’s entirely possible that character will play a big part in Zac Taylor’s first draft class. After preaching about it in his early pressers and sending Mark Walton packing after three 2019 arrests, he’ll want to make sure he brings the right guys in the building. The Bengals traditionally like grabbing players from big programs and successful conferences. The SEC, PAC-12 and BIG 12 usually headline the list—the reasons behind it range from their liking players who faced the stiffest competition, to a limited scouting department who more closely watch the more prominent programs. The confines of these mocksWhile there is always the likelihood of some of these players being gone at some of their allotted spots, odd and unpredictable things happen every year at the draft. Many become sure that certain players won’t be available, but scenarios play out that bring the seemingly impossible to fruition (see: Billings, Andrew). The mocks are a combination of what we think we know (above), what the Bengals traditionally do, what the team needs and some players we’ve kept close tabs on in recent weeks. Anthony Cosenza’s 5-round mock draftRound 1, pick No. 11: Ed Oliver, defensive tackle, HoustonSummary: There is a strong chance that Oliver is off of the board when the Bengals are on the clock, but a couple of realistic scenarios exist in which he becomes available (strong defensive line class, questions on his size, a run on quarterbacks). Cincinnati should sprint to the podium if this kid and his 53 college career tackles for loss are ripe for the picking.Round 2, pick No. 42: Mack Wilson Preston Brown Jersey , linebacker, AlabamaSummary: This position is the team’s biggest need and they could address it in the first. Opinions vary on Wilson, who has flashed All-Pro potential, but mostly in 2017—not last year. Still, he moves well and has a mean streak in him, which is what the Bengals need in the teeth of their defense. Round 3, pick No. 72: Riley Ridley, wide receiver, GeorgiaSummary: Unfounded and admittedly weak trade rumors have come and gone about both A.J. Green and John Ross this offseason, while both Tyler Boyd and Green are in contract years. Ridley ran slower than folks thought, so he’s probably dropping to the late-second/early-third round range. He isn’t as explosive as his older brother, Calvin Ridley, but Riley does everything else at a solid level. At a minimum, he’d be a great addition for Taylor’s probable frequent usage of four wide receiver sets. Round 4, pick No. 110: Chuma Edoga, offensive tackle, USCSummary: Cincinnati needs a developmental, long-term solution for both tackle spots and Edogafits the bill. His tape shows times of great run blocking and pass protection, but it’s not always put together at the same time and in the same game. He needs to learn consistency, but should be at least a good spot starter in the NFL. Round 5, pick No. 149: Bryce Love, running back, StanfordSummary: This kid is a blend of production and character, with his former college coach, David Shaw, comparing him to Jamaal Charles. His 2018 season was littered with injuries, but he was a Heisman hopeful in 2017 after racking up over 2,100 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns. He’ll be a situational player in the NFL Cordy Glenn Jersey , but should be a spark plug for an offense. John Sheeran’s 5-round Bengals mock draftRound 1, pick No. 11: Devin Bush, linebacker, MichiganSummary: John went with the safest and most likely scenario for the Bengals in the first round. Bush was also the pick for Cincy Jungle in the SB Nation contributor mock draft, and the former Wolverine has the ability to be an immediate, three-down starter for a defense that needs a lot of improvement from a deplorable 2018 season. Round 2, pick No. 42: Dalton Risner, offensive tackle, Kansas StateSummary: Risner is a guy who is just a solid all-around offensive lineman. Aside from his tenacity as a blocker, he also has a little experience at other spots on the line. He may need a year to develop, but some people think he could be the second coming of Andrew Whitworth. Round 3, pick No. 72: Jachai Polite, edge, FloridaSummary: Initially, Polite was a guy who had first round hype. But, as more scouts and pundits watched further tape, it became apparent that he has work to do if he ever wants to be an NFL starter. Cincinnati could use a little more pass-rush help, given Carl Lawson coming off of a 2018 knee injury and what seems like the end of the Michael Johnson era. Round 4, pick No. 110: Terry McLaurin, wide receiver, Ohio StateSummary: The Bengals recently met with McLaurin at the local visits and workouts day, so they could pounce after being very familiar with him. He was a big-play threat with the Buckeyes, as evidenced by his 20 yards per catch average and 11 touchdowns in 2019. He also provides immediate help on special teams as a gunner. Round 5, pick No. 149: Daylon Mack, defensive lineman, Texas A&MSummary: Mack is another one of those versatile defensive linemen the Bengals have traditionally liked. Jim Turner is also very familiar with him, as his offensive line unit went up against the former Aggies defender in practice.

The unexpectedly robust pipeline from the AAF to the NFL continues to flow.Safety Ed Reynolds will work out with the Falcons today Black Desmond Trufant Jersey , per a league source. This is just the first stop; other teams have interest in Reynolds.A fifth-round draft pick of the Eagles in 2014, Reynolds has spent time with Philly and Cleveland. He last played in the NFL in 2016, and he has made the most of the second chance he secured with the Atlanta Legends of the now-defunct AAF.The resurrection of Reynolds’ career underscores the value of a spring football league to the NFL. But the NFL apparently doesn’t deem it to be valuable enough, or the NFL would have its own. After all, each team ultimately has only 53 regular-season roster spots, and for every Ed Reynolds who potentially parlays a spot in a developmental league into an NFL job Desmond Trufant Jersey 2019 , there will be a guy with an NFL job who lost it to Reynolds.Falcoholinks: All the Falcons news you need for Thursday, Sept. 6 It’s here. It’s finally here. Like your tax refund or the food delivery guy to provide sustenance after a long night out. Like Diablo III or the afternoon you can finally go outside without being smothered by oppressive humidity. Yes, folks: It’s game day. Dust off whatever stress management device you prefer, put on your drinkin’ shoes, and gorge on the latest Falcoholinks before we take on the Eagles tonight. Eagles limping as Falcons stroll inThe Atlanta Falcons are in pretty good shape as they head to Lincoln Financial Field, while the Eagles are dealing with a multitude of injuries among key starters. Most noteworthy Black Damontae Kazee Jersey , of course, are Carson Wentz and Alshon Jeffery, which leaves the Eagles’ offensive potential as a question mark in this one.Both teams released their final injury reports, and while Ben Garland, Isaiah Oliver, and Blidi Wreh-Wilson will miss the opener Damontae Kazee Jersey 2019 , the Falcons are predominately healthy in all phases of the game.Bird Battle Point-CounterpointDave indulged his masochistic side and headed over to Bleeding Green Nation to providethree reasons why the Falcons will leave Philly angry and sad. It’s a bleak-yet-informative read, one we collectively hope doesn’t come to fruition. But that’s not all! Brandon Gowton of BGN joined us over here on friendlier territory and gave these three reasons the Eagles will lose tonight. They involve hangovers and Nick Foles, and as my hangover was a direct result of Nick Foles the last time these teams met, that seems to check out.Knapp time?Jeff Schultz over at The Athletic does yeoman’s work covering Atlanta sports, and his latest piece expounds on a thought we’ve entertained since the Falcons brought back Greg Knapp: that Knapp will have a heavy role in the offensive scheming. The Falcoholic’s Cory Woodroof explored this a bit more, and spelled out what it could mean for the coaching arrangement going forward.The Falcoholic Podcast Ep. 48This week DW and Jeanna Thomas were joined by honorary Falcoholic Michael Kelly Black Brandon Fusco Jersey , die-hard Birds fan and everyone’s favorite sociopathic fixer on Netflix’s House of Cards. Come for the banter, stay for the analysis, and let’s all agree that the Bucs, Panthers and Saints are all trash. This week’s topics include a preview of tonight’s game in Philly, a look at Atlanta’s defensive potential this season, and why this game will be won in the trenches. Be sure to give it a listen here Brandon Fusco Jersey 2019 , and thanks to Michael for joining the show!

The league continues to evolve leaning towards player safety"League meetings have been ongoing in Phoenix http://www.buccaneerslockerroom.com/authentic-alex-cappa-jersey , Arizona and plenty of news has been coming out. While most of us have our eyes and ears turned towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers specifically, there are some league-wide things happening as well.Specifically, one rule change has already been approved for the 2019 season and should stick around moving forward.Player safety has been the drum pounded by the league for the last few years with some pretty substantial rules being put into place with health of the players as a focal point.This is just one more rule to add to them as the NFL attributes 33% of all concussions coming on punts where blindside blocks were involved.If this is the case, then I am in support of it. While I agree football is a physical game rooted in violent action between one man to another, it doesn’t mean we can’t tweak some things here and there to keep those men on the field.Now, points of emphasis are going to be outlined as the off-season progresses and the pre-season gets underway. It’s very likely we’ll see a noticeable increase in these types of plays being noticed just like we did last pre-season with the helmet to helmet rule changes.However, before we collectively panic about the game being ruined, let’s remember the uproar over last year’s rule changes died fairly quickly once we saw the regular season application of them.The focus on this penalty appears to be more on the trajectory of the player. As a blocker, players will be expected to run sideline to sideline versus running parallel to the sideline. This is when the penalty will come into play.At first note, it seems to me this will become something akin to a football version of charging versus blocking. If an offensive player is set - even facing parallel to the sideline - and isn’t moving with forward momentum, then perhaps it will be an acceptable play attributed more to lack of awareness by the defender rather than aggression by the blocker.We’ll have to see how it pans out, but let us know what your initial thoughts are to this first rule change of the league year.The international perception of Tampa Bay Every summer, my family and I go on a vacation. Usually, our vacation is at an all-inclusive type resort somewhere in the Caribbean. This year we decided to change it up and head overseas. The two cities we selected were London and Dublin. At this point, you are probably wondering how the heck does this relate to Buccaneers football? I’m glad you asked. During my time in these two countries, which has been about a week, my Buccaneers tattoo has caught the attention of some other tourists. On three different occasions other tourists, who weren’t from the United States Womens Jameis Winston Jersey , London, or Dublin, have started conversations amongst their group about the Buccaneers after seeing the tattoo. As you can imagine, the conversations that were started weren’t positive, and the main topic from all three situations was in fact the suspension of Jameis Winston and his “troubles.” After the third separate occasion of people talking about Jameis Winston’s off the field struggles, my father turned to me and said, “It’s really a shame that when people from around the world think about the Buccaneers, the first thing that comes to mind is Jameis Winston and his past actions.”Going off that quote from my father, I have noticed the same type of thing back in the States. The more and more people comment on the Buccaneers to me, the first thing out of their mouths is Jameis Winston and his suspension.I think that this was an interesting story because the National Football League isn’t nearly as big in these two countries as it is in the United States. Yes, the National Football League has played games at Wembley Stadium, but still, a good majority of the people who live in Europe or other parts of the world, have probably never heard of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.With that being said, the ones that have, mostly have a negative view on Jameis Winston and I am at the point in my mind where I don’t know if that will ever change, no matter how many games he wins.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle had a big game on Thursday in the win over the Oakland Raiders. I realize this is not shocking news. He caught four passes for 108 yards and a touchdown Kyle Juszczyk Jersey , highlighted by this insane 71-yard catch-and-run.After the game, Kittle said, “I closed my eyes, 100-percent ... I just kind of stuck an arm out there and it fell in my hand.”Through nine games, Kittle has 41 receptions for 692 yards and three touchdowns. That puts him on pace for 72 receptions, 1,230 yards, and five touchdowns. He’s currently third among tight ends in receptions and first in yards.Earlier this week, Pro Football Focus put together their midseason All Pro team. They have been big on Kittle, and included him on the team. He currently ranks first among tight ends in yards per route run, and is eighth in pass blocking grade.Travis Kelce is likely to earn traditional media All Pro honors, in part because he’s a great tight end, but also because he is a notable name. Kittle will likely be competing with Zach Ertz for second team All Pro honors. Kittle is better than both as a run blocker, and has emerged as a dynamic pass catcher in his second year. The 49ers hit an absolute home run with their 2017 fifth round pick, and have a core piece around which to build their offense. SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Kyle Shanahan’s coaching tenure hasn’t quite gotten off to the greatest start in San Francisco.He lost his first nine games with the 49ers last year before the arrival of Jimmy Garoppolo provided a late-season spark with five straight wins to close a 6-10 campaign.With Garoppolo sidelined by a season-ending knee injury in Week 3 this year, the Niners have started the season 2-10 for the second straight year under Shanahan.Shanahan is just the fifth coach to begin his tenure with a team by going 2-10 or worse in each of his first two seasons. Cleveland’s Hue Jackson (2016-17), Detroit’s Jim Schwartz (2009-10), Tampa Bay’s Leeman Bennett (1985-86) and Tampa’s John McKay (1976-77) are the others.Bennett got fired after his second season and Jackson didn’t make it through his third with the Browns. Schwartz and McKay stayed long enough to lead their teams into the playoffs, progress Shanahan hopes to be able to make with the 49ers.“I’d love it to be a lot more obvious and a lot easier,” he said. “We finished 6-10 last year and I’d love to be improving from this year. I also know it was hard work to get to 6-10, especially starting 0-9. I think we came in this year with a franchise quarterback and we lost him early in the season, which definitely makes that much harder.“I think we came here knowing that it was going to take some time. I think the way we finished last year definitely excels everyone’s feeling and what they thought. But, by no means did I think we were coming into it this year and it was just going to be easy. I knew it was going to be extremely hard.”Here’s a look inside some more interesting numbers heading into Week 13:ELITE COMPANY: Todd Gurley of the Rams finds himself in exclusive company. He has gained 1,649 yards from scrimmage and scored 19 TDs so far this season. Only six players have topped those marks in the first 12 games, including Hall of Famers LaDainian Tomlinson (2006), Emmitt Smith (1995) Womens Jerry Rice Jersey , Eric Dickerson (1983), O.J. Simpson (1975), Jim Brown (1965). Priest Holmes is the other, doing it in 2002.TOUCHDOWN TOM: Tom Brady’s next touchdown pass will move him past a couple of all-time greats. Brady is currently tied with Brett Favre for third place for the most regular-season TD passes with 508. Brady is also tied with Peyton Manning for the most ever combined in the regular season and playoffs with 579.PROLIFIC PAT: Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes is joining some special company in his first season as a starting quarterback. He joined Brady and Manning as the only players to throw at least 40 TD passes in the first 12 games of the season. Manning and Brady each won the MVP in the seasons they accomplished the feat.Mahomes also just had his seventh game of the season with at least four TD passes, a mark topped only by Manning when he had nine in the 2013 season.DOUBLE THREAT: Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. is proving to be almost adept throwing TD passes as he is catching them. Beckham threw a 49-yard TD pass and caught a 1-yarder against Chicago last week, the second time this season he has caught and thrown for a TD pass in the same game. The only other time someone did that twice in a season was 1924, when Eddie Kaw and Benny Boynton did it for the Buffalo Bisons.Beckham also threw a 57-yard TD this season and has as many TD passes of at least 49 yards as Tom Brady, Drew Brees, Andrew Luck and Jared Goff this season.DOUBLE THREAT PART II: Carolina’s Christian McCaffrey had 55 yards receiving and 106 yards rushing last week in a loss to Tampa Bay. That marked his fifth straight game with at least 50 yards on the ground and as a receiver, the longest streak in NFL history.NO TAKEAWAYS: The 49ers have gone four straight games without generating a takeaway, one shy of the post-merger record accomplished eight times previously, including the Jets this season. San Francisco has just five takeaways through 12 games, the fewest since the merger after 12 games. The previous low was seven for Jacksonville in 2016.RARE BLOWN LEAD: Steelers fans could be forgiven for feeling pretty confident with a 23-7 halftime lead last week against the Chargers. Pittsburgh had been 174-0-1 all-time at home when leading a game by 16 points. The Steelers had lost only two road games when leading by at least 14 at halftime, blowing a 21-7 lead to Dan Marino and the Dolphins on Nov. 1, 1987, and a 20-3 lead to the St. Louis Cardinals on Oct. 13, 1963. Jackie Smith caught a 55-yard TD pass in that comeback for St. Louis. Smith would be remembered more for another play against the Steelers — a dropped TD pass for Dallas in his final career game in the Super Bowl in 1979.HIGH-SCORING LOSSES: The Raiders and Steelers became the latest teams to end up on the losing end of a game when scoring at least 30 points. In all, 20 teams have lost this season despite that high point total, one short of the post-merger record for a season set in 2013. Atlanta, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Seattle and Tampa Bay all have two losses when scoring 30 or more points.TRIPLE CROWN: Oakland spent a fifth-round pick on punter Johnny Townsend, one of just 20 punters taken in the first five rounds this century. The move isn’t paying dividends as Townsend is on pace for a not-so-spectacular Triple Crown. He ranks last among all qualifying punters in gross average (43 yards), net average (37.4 yards) and percentage of punts downed inside the 20 (19.6 percent).

DENVER (AP) — Former Denver Broncos and Houston Texans receiver Demaryius Thomas is facing a felony charge of vehicular assault stemming from a crash earlier this month.Thomas was arrested Wednesday after turning himself in and was also held on allegations of reckless driving and not having proof of insurance DeAndre Hopkins Jersey , both misdemeanors, police said. He was released from jail Thursday.Thomas was involved in a crash on Feb. 16, a few days after he was released by the Texans. In a statement laying out the reasons for his arrest, police said Thomas was driving over 70 mph Womens Andre Hal Jersey , more than twice the speed limit, at around 12:20 a.m. near downtown Denver when his SUV went off the road and flipped end-over-end, after hitting a median. The SUV landed on its wheels and one of his two passengers suffered serious injuries, the document said.Thomas and the other passenger also were taken to the hospital after the crash.Thomas’ agent Womens Kareem Jackson Jersey , Todd France, did not immediately respond to a comment request from The Associated Press.Thomas played seven games for Houston last year, making 23 receptions for 275 yards and two touchdowns, before his season ended prematurely when he tore his left Achilles tendon.He was acquired in October from Denver for a fourth-round draft pick to fill in after Will Fuller tore a knee ligament. The Texans and Broncos also switched seventh-round selections for this year’s draft.For his nine pro seasons http://www.thetexanslockerroom.com/authentic-stephen-anderson-jersey , Thomas has 688 catches for 9,330 yards with 62 touchdowns. He has made four Pro Bowls and won the Super Bowl following the 2015 season with the Broncos. The 31-year-old was a first-round pick by the Broncos in 2010 and spent his entire career there before last year’s trade. He is the second-leading receiver in Broncos’ history, with 9,055 yards and 60 touchdown receptions.Houston Texans News: September 6 Womens Natrell Jamerson Jersey , 2018 Houston Texans NewsA.J. Moore getting up to speed with Texans after Patriots stint - Houston ChronicleThe newest Texan is learning on the fly.Texans’ J.J. Watt on comeback: ‘It’s been a long road’J.J. Watt will play in his first regular season game since Week 5 last season.Texans’ Will Fuller returns to practiceThe receiver is back at practice.Texans’ Kevin Johnson returns to practice from a concussionThe corner is practicing once again.NFL NewsRookie Griffin will start at linebacker for Seahawks - NFL.comFormer national champion UCF Knights linebacker Shaquem Griffin is in the starting XI.McCoy is ‘focusing’ on Sunday’s game amid probe - NFL.comShady is getting ready for the season.Browns WR Gordon: ‘I’ll be 100 percent on Sunday’ - NFL.comFlash Gordon is ready to go.Houston & Collegiate SportsThe Rockets beat narratives, Carmelo Anthony should be no different - The Dream ShakeMelo and the Rockets are beating narratives.Should Kyle Tucker be called up? - Crawfish BoxesWhat will happen to Kyle Tucker in September?Toros look to recover from rivalry loss vs. Rising and Real - Dynamo TheoryCan the Toros rebound following their loss?

But would he be a good fit with his old team?"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections The APC PodcastPackers Film RoomFantasy Football AdviceCDTShareTweetShareShareSteelers plan to release former Packers safety Morgan BurnettJeff Hanisch-USA TODAY SportsThe Green Bay Packers added former Chicago Bears safety Adrian Amos already in an attempt to shore up the safety position Womens Marcedes Lewis Jersey , but there is still work to do on rebuilding the back end. One name that is sure to come up is Morgan Burnett, who will be released by the Pittsburgh Steelers after one season, according to Adam Schefter. Burnett spent his first eight seasons with Green Bay as a secondary utility man, playing everything from corner to inside linebacker. However, he’s best suited for the strong safety spot. Burnett’s not a ball hawk, with nine career interceptions and only two in the last four seasons Womens Geronimo Allison Jersey , but he is a sure tackler and excellent in run support. He started only two games and played in just 11 total for the Steelers as part of an injury-plagued season, and expressed his discontent over playing a hybrid safety-linebacker role. He eventually lost his starting spot to rookie Terrell Edmunds.While Burnett was one of the better Packer defensive players during his tenure, I hope they seek help elsewhere. His skillset can certainly be useful in the right scheme, but if he’s unwilling to move down into a linebacker spot occasionally, that seriously constricts his value. This is especially true given the fact that coverage was never his strong suit, and as he ages Jaire Alexander Jersey White , it will only get worse. Burnett should be focusing on what he does best in the latter half of his career, and that’s going downhill. It is also troubling that Burnett’s injury issues last season stemmed from his back, and back issues linger forever. While Burnett should be remembered fondly, he will turn 30 this season, and for a team in need of improved pass defense and cover skills, he’s just not a great fit.Friday Curds: Packers cornerbacks finally worth watching Who was the last legitimately exciting player in the Packers’ secondary? Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins were exciting in Green Bay...for opposing offenses. Ladarius Gunter probably falls into that category too.Micah Hyde and Casey Hayward both remain fixed in the minds of Packers fans Womens Montravius Adams Jersey , but neither of them was much of a spark in the secondary. Hyde made most of his biggest plays in Green Bay as a punt returner (with the notable exception of his amazing interception against Dallas in the 2016 playoffs) and while Hayward made plays when healthy, the “when healthy” part didn’t come around as often as he or the Packers hoped.Prior to those two, there’s precious little to look back on for most of the last decade. You probably have to look back to Charles Woodson to find someone in the secondary who was worth watching closely. His last noteworthy season came all the way back in 2011, a year that also featured the loss of Nick Collins.But this season, it seems like that’s all changed. Jaire Alexander is an energetic spark. Josh Jackson is promising and earning more snaps every week. Even Kevin King, for all his injuries http://www.packerslockerroom.com/authentic-jamaal-williams-jersey , looks more or less like the player the Packers hoped he could be.Even if there are still issues, at least the position group isn’t the complete waste it’s been in the not-at-all-distant past. It’s both a welcome change and a storyline that will be fascinating to watch as the Packers move deeper into their 2018 season.Mike Pettine calls rookie CB Jaire Alexander one of defense’s best players through 2 weeks | Packers WireJaire Alexander has largely been more or less as advertised in his first two weeks as a pro. Now Mike Pettine is taking his turn in publicly praising the rookie.How the Packers Drafts Hurt Their Depth | The Power SweepAs much as Alexander and fellow rookie Josh Jackson have brought to the secondary, the Packers still have some issues there. Kevin King’s injury exposed the relative lack of depth in the cornerback group, a problem exacerbated by the end of Ted Thompson’s tenure in Green Bay.Third-down conversion rate needs to improve | Packers NewsAaron Rodgers’ play through two weeks has ranged from very good to spectacular, but the Packers still find themselves roughly near the middle of the league in the overall offensive production rankings. A lot of that has to do with some uninspiring play on third downs.JK Scott’s big leg having an impact for Packers | Packers.comOf course, if the Packers don’t convert on third downs Womens Kyler Fackrell Jersey , that just means more opportunities to watch JK Scott kick the crap out of the ball. As far as consolations prizes go, that’s not too bad.Packers ranked 12th most valuable franchise | ForbesThough we know they’re priceless, Forbes doesn’t have the Packers in the top 10 on their annual ranking of NFL franchise values. The Cowboys take the top spot here.

Speed and athleticism are almost as important as strength in a zone blocking scheme"WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections The APC PodcastPackers Film RoomFantasy Football AdviceCSTShareTweetShareShareFriday Cheese Curds: Packers looking to add athleticism to offensive line Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY SportsWhen your franchise quarterback is the top paid player in the NFL http://www.packerslockerroom.com/authentic-justin-vogel-jersey , protecting that investment is a top priority.That precisely what the Green Bay Packers will be looking to do in the offseason, in particular during the NFL Draft.The Packers have a need at guard as well as right tackle since Bryan Bulaga’s body seems to be failing him at times. He’s still one of the best tackles in the league when he’s healthy but the team just can’t count on him be available for all 16 games.As the NFL Scouting Combine continues, Green 12th pick—Packers WireWhile you never say never, it’s difficult to imagine Green Bay trading down from their original draft position for a second year in a row.Ron Zook joins Salt Lake Stallions coaching staff—24/7 SportsI hate to say this, but Salt Lake is the AAF affiliate of the Green Bay Packers.Cadbury, Oreo manufacturer seeks paid ‘Chocolate Taster’—UPISign us up, please. It’s a long offseason. However Womens J'Mon Moore Jersey , David Bakhtiari did confirm that he’s the elite left tackle in the NFL."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections The APC PodcastPackers Film RoomFantasy Football Advicethat he’s the elite left tackle in the NFL.CSTShareTweetShareSharePackers 2018 Roster Grades: Offensive Line was average as Packers struggledJeff Hanisch-USA TODAY SportsOver the next two weeks, Acme Packing Company will take a look each position group on the Green Bay Packers and provide insight into how they performed during the 2018 season. Today, we examine the tight ends.After a strong 2017, even with a plethora of injuries, the Packers seemed to feel confident with the offensive line going into 2018. However, the 2018 season ended up with some mixed reviews. Let’s give a quick overall recap before getting into the individual notes.David Bakhtiari has taken over the mantle from the recently retired Joe Thomas as the best pass blocker in the NFL and we saw a significant improvement from center Corey Linsley, as well. Lane Taylor and Bryan Bulaga played through various injuries for a good chunk of the season as they held down their respective positions. We also saw the team find a couple of competent backups that could make some waves while looking for a starting position in the future.The Packers moved on from right guard Jahri Evans in hopes that Justin McCray would take a hold of the position. His play wasn’t anything special and he struggled with injuries. McCray could not get the position back after he was healthy and the Packers turned to the left side too well. That doesn’t seem to be a big deal though as Bakhtiari doesn’t look to let go of the left tackle spot anytime soon. While Spriggs still didn’t look like as good as the starters when he played http://www.packerslockerroom.com/authentic-jk-scott-jersey , he has adapted to the NFL over the past few seasons and has shown some promise to possibly taking over at the right tackle spot whenever the Packers move on from Bryan Bulaga. Hopefully, he continues to make progress under new offensive line coach Adam Stenavich otherwise he’ll be destined for a swing tackle role if he sticks around after his contract expires next season.Lucas Patrick, GuardLucas Patrick seems to be progressing similarly to Jason Spriggs. He started slow in his first couple seasons and now has developed into the top reserve for the interior of the offensive line. While he played well in his limited starts, you can see that he needs to improve his footwork and pass blocking to get a permanent starting spot. Patrick started two games at right guard and two games at left guard throughout the season. He has a similar style to Lane Taylor where he is a better run blocker but, being inside, he can have some cracks in his pass protection as he will get help from the center depending on the call. His versatility in the interior makes him valuable and follows a similar path as past reserves who stepped into a starting position. Justin McCray, GuardJustin McCray had a tough 2018. McCray looked to be the next young player to step up and take hold of an open position but injuries got in his way. He started the season at right guard but was replaced by Pankey Kevin King Jersey , Nico Siragusa, Cole MadisonThese five got little to no playing time in 2018. Alex Light and Adam Pankey got a few snaps here and there but nothing significant. The bright spot is the Packers seemed high on those two at the end of the year and will bring good competition for the reserve positions. Gerhard de Beer, who easily wins the best name on the team award, and Nico Siragusa were signed late in the year and will look to make some noise in OTAs and training camp. Cole Madison never reported to the team due to personal issues. Hopefully, he gets those issues taken care of and can show people why the Packers took him in the fourth round last year.OVERALL GRADE: B-minusThe Packers offensive line has some mixed results throughout the 2018 season but they were definitely not a black eye for the offense. They did struggle giving up 53 sacks this years, but they also did have Aaron Rodgers holding onto the ball longer than usual and they also threw the ball the third most times in the league. Even with the fewest rushing attempts in the league, they paved the way for the running backs to average five yards per attempt Marquez Valdes-Scantling Jersey White , the second highest yards per attempt in the league. Sure a lot of that might be due to Aaron Jones breaking some huge gains but he’s not getting all those yards without someone opening holes for him. While the right guard position was the weak point, the rest of the starters stayed healthy most of the year and we saw Jason Spriggs and Lucas Patrick prove to be quality backups. The future remains fairly solid for new offensive line coach Adam Stenavich. He will have to find a replacement at right guard but the rest should be around in 2019. One thing is for sure: another year of the majority of the offensive line returning means a strong cohesion going forward.

CINCINNATI (AP) — The Bengals had four interceptions Clayton Fejedelem Jersey , six sacks and a late 18-point lead. They needed all of it — and every last second on the clock as well — to salvage a win that was more relief than anything.Jessie Bates returned Jameis Winston's fourth interception for a touchdown Sunday, and the Bengals overcame Ryan Fitzpatrick's late rally for a 37-34 victory that left the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a question at quarterback.The Bengals (5-3) put together their only drive of the second half to pull it out. Andy Dalton had completions of 23 and 9 yards to A.J. Green that got them in range for Randy Bullock's 44-yard field goal on the final play. "A win is a win, but this one feels a little weird," Bengals linebacker Preston Brown said.Weird all around.Cincinnati was coming off a 45-10 loss at Kansas City on Sunday night that was their second-worst drubbing in coach Marvin Lewis' 16 seasons. The Bengals gave up 576 yards to the Bucs (3-4) and managed only 95 yards in the second half — 50 on the final drive."We're not very happy with how we performed," Bates said.Tampa Bay's biggest problem earlier this season was its porous defense, which led to a change of coordinators. This time, their quarterback play was their downfall.Winston opened the season on suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy. He's had seven turnovers in the past two games, creating an opening for Fitzpatrick to reclaim the job that was his at season's start.Winston was benched after matching his career high with four interceptions, the third time he's thrown so many in his career. He has thrown 10 interceptions, one fewer than all last season."I'm definitely the reason we came up short with this game, and I know that I have to fix it," said Winston, who was 18 of 35 for 276 yards with five sacks.Winston went to the bench, and Fitzpatrick pulled Tampa Bay even.He threw a 72-yard touchdown to Mike Evans , his fifth TD pass of at least 50 yards this season — most in the NFL. He also led an 88-yard drive to the tying score http://www.thebengalslockerroom.com/authentic-john-ross-jersey , hitting O.J. Howard for an 18-yard touchdown and completing another pass for the conversion with 1:05 left.Fitzpatrick finished 11 of 15 for 194 yards and a passer rating of 154.9 that's just shy of perfect.Now, the Bucs have to decide which one will lead the NFL's top-ranked offense."Today is not the day I need to decide that," coach Dirk Koetter said.DeSean Jackson caught a 60-yard touchdown pass that moved him ahead of Jerry Rice for the NFL record. He has 24 TDs of at least 60 yards. It also was Jackson's 29th career TD of at least 50 yards , tying Randy Moss for second-most since the 1970 merger behind Rice's 36.FAST STARTCincinnati couldn't hold a 27-6 lead set up by a big first half. Joe Mixon ran for 114 yards in the half and scored on runs of 1 and 8 yards. Tyler Boyd had six catches for 112 yards, including a 9-yard touchdown.LOTS OF INTsWinston has thrown at least two interceptions in five straight games, tied for the most since 1990. His 13 interceptions over that span are tied with Fitzpatrick for the most in a five-game stretch over the past five seasons.LOTS OF EMPTY SEATSThe game drew 45,134 fans, the smallest crowd at Paul Brown Stadium since 41,273 showed up for a 23-16 win over Arizona on Dec. 24, 2011.BLOWING IN THE WINDBoth kickers missed extra-point attempts in a gusty, swirling wind.NO SAD SACKBuccaneers end Jason Pierre-Paul had a pair of sacks. He's had at least one in six straight games, tying Simeon Rice for the most consecutive games with a sack in team history.INJURIESBuccaneers: RB Ronald Jones II suffered a hamstring injury in the second half.Bengals: G Clint Boling hurt his back late in the first half. DE Carl Lawson hurt his right knee, reportedly an ACL tear. CB Dre Kirkpatrick left in the third quarter with an Achilles injury that kept him out of practice, but he returned.UP NEXTBuccaneers: Play at Carolina on Sunday, finishing a stretch of four road games out of five.Bengals: Have their bye week Womens Billy Price Jersey , followed by a home game against the Saints.NFL Week 5: Bengals vs Dolphins fantasy football sits and starts Last week, the Bengals were involved in a goldmine game for fantasy football players. If you started a Cincinnati or Atlanta player last week they likely performed well for you. This week, the Dolphins are heading to Cincinnati for a 1:00 p.m. ET matchup at Paul Brown Stadium, and while the prospects aren’t as good as last week, there are still plenty of players you should be starting in Week 5 from the Bengals and Dolphins for fantasy football.Must startsA.J. Green (Bengals WR): Green saved his fantasy last week with a touchdown in the final seconds. He ended up with four catches for 74 yards and a touchdown. He also had another touchdown called back due to a penalty on the offensive line. Simply put, the Bengals are targeting Green in the redzone.Joe Mixon (Bengals RB): The Bengals lead running back returns this week, and Giovani Bernard will be out this week as well. This will be Mixon’s first game back since Week 2, and he is going up against the Dolphins’ defense that has allowed the fourth most points to opposing running backs, according to Fantasy Pros.Favorable matchupsTyler Boyd (Bengals WR): John Ross will be out against the Dolphins, and this may actually have a negative impact on Boyd’s production. Fans don’t notice how often Ross runs off coverage or his mere presence of speed opens up things underneath. The reason Boyd is still considered a favorable matchup? The fact that he will likely absorb most of Tyler Eifert’s targets now that the tight end is lost for the season. Boyd has become Andy Dalton’s only safety blanket, and Dalton has shown a willingness to target Boyd during key situations late in the game as well. Boyd is more of a flex starter this week than a WR2, but he should still be pretty productive in PPR formats.Kenyan Drake (Dolphins RB): Drake has been sharing the backfield with Frank Gore this season, but Drake is the back to play this week. The Bengals struggle covering backs out of the backfield and reaching outside holes to keep quicker backs in check. Drake could easily have a nice game as a flex play this week.Good but not greatBengals defense against the Dolphins: It isn’t an ideal start by any means. However, with the Bears defense on a bye and the Bucs offense also on bye, the pickings could be slim this week if you stream defenses. The Dolphins have major issues on their offensive line Womens Hardy Nickerson Jersey , and they have been known to be pretty generous with turnovers. You shouldn’t expect a game winning performance by them, but they won’t lose you the game at least.Dolphins defense against the Bengals: The Dolphins defense leads the NFL with nine interceptions, and their pass rush is also pretty decent. Again, I’d only pick them up if you’re desperate. They will likely allow the Bengals to score a ton of points, but the interceptions and sacks could keep them from putting up a stinker.Dolphins receivers: Miami doesn’t have one guy who Ryan Tannehill looks to consistently over everyone else. This leads to a pretty general unpredictability about who is worthy of playing. Out of Danny Amendola, Kenny Stills, Albert Wilson and Jakeem Grant all have within 13 to 11 catches on the season. The Bengals secondary has given up some fantasy worthy performances this season though. It is a matter of which one will have it.It feels like Stills and Wilson are the safest starts this week. Wilson is very much a boom or bust play though. He is known to create that long play for a touchdown, but if he fails to do that then he doesn’t do much for you fantasy wise. Stills seems to be more consistent with his stat lines, but again these guys are dependent on getting a touchdown since none of them see a steady stream of targets.Andy Dalton (Bengals QB): Dalton is tied for second in the NFL with 11 touchdowns. The Bengals haven’t been afraid to let Dalton take a few shots at the end zone when they get within range. The problem this week is the Dolphins have allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks, and they have consistently been able to take the ball away when opposing teams go to the air. It may be worth benching Dalton for a week considering how well the quarterback position has been doing so far this season.Just sit themFrank Gore (Dolphins RB): Despite the Bengals defense seemingly struggling against the run, Gore is not the kind of back they will struggle against. Agile and speed backs is what gives them trouble. The defense will have no trouble converging on Gore, especially with Vontaze Burfict back in the lineup. The only thing that could save Gore is a goal line touchdown.Ryan Tannehill (Dolphins QB): Tannehill has been pretty much a roller coaster ride all season. He has seven touchdowns on the season, but he played a pretty soft schedule leading up to last week when he was shutdown by the Patriots. There are just better options out there this week.

LAS VEGAS (AP) A couple who survived the October shooting at a Las Vegas country music festival has named their newborn after one of the Vegas Golden Knights hockey players Ryan Murray Jersey , saying the team brought positivity into their lives after the tragedy.Lauren and Brad Sugars’ girl was born May 18, the same day the Golden Knights beat the Winnipeg Jets to advance to the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs, KLAS-TV reported .The Las Vegas couple originally had Austin in mind as their daughter’s name, but decided to go with Riley – named after Knights player Reilly Smith.The Sugars didn’t know they were going to become parents until after the festival.”We know a lot of other friends that went through the same experience and had a lot of trouble moving on, and I think we got a very clear reason to move on straight away,” Brad Sugars said.On Oct. 1, 2017, a man opened fire on the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival and killed 58 people.”We got out of that spot, and we started running, and it started shooting again,” Brad Sugars said. ”I took cover Sergei Bobrovsky Jersey , and Lauren just kept running. That’s when we got separated.”He said he remembers screaming Lauren’s name, calling her until he found her hiding under a car in a parking lot. They found out two weeks later that a baby was on the way.”Route 91 was a very big negative, but our city turned it into a really big positive, and I think the Golden Knights has been a really big part of that,” Brad Sugars said. ”It’s helped immensely to have something positive to focus on.”The Knights play the Washington Capitals on Monday in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup playoffs.—Information from: KLAS-TV, http://www.klas-tv.com LOS ANGELES (AP) The Golden Knights want a Stanley Cup title to conclude their already amazing inaugural season in the NHL.Vegas is on its way, beating the Los Angeles Kings 1-0 on Tuesday night and becoming the first expansion team in league history to sweep its first playoff series.”All season long, I didn’t know any records about expansion teams,” goalie Marc-Andre Fleury said. ”We just do what a regular team would, we just play the game and try to win. That’s it.”Brayden McNabb scored against his former team in the second period and Fleury stopped 31 shots as the Knights finished off their fourth one-goal victory of the series. It was the goalie’s second shutout of the playoffs.”I didn’t picture this happening, me scoring a goal against the Kings Womens Seth Jones Jersey ,” McNabb said, ”but it feels real good to get this win and finish this series.”The Knights poured into the net to hug Fleury at the final horn. Vegas fans in the crowd chanted the goalie’s name in celebration.”We knew we were getting a superstar when we got him,” Vegas coach Gerard Gallant said. ”He has playoff experience and he’s been a part of three Cups and he makes us better. LA put on the pressure on him but he was huge for us.”The Knights became the second team to win their first four playoff games, joining the 1970 Pittsburgh Penguins.McNabb scored from the right circle, beating Jonathan Quick’s glove, at 4:04 of the second for his first career playoff goal. The Kings left the defenseman exposed in last year’s expansion draft and the Knights snapped him up.The Kings pulled Quick in the closing seconds, when Dustin Brown skated straight toward the net and just missed.”That’s what the playoffs are all about. It’s so close,” Kings center Anze Kopitar said. ”It’s not like we were blown out of the water.”Brown also hit the left post with 10 minutes to go in the third, typical of the close calls that failed to generate goals for the Kings in the series. They outshot the Knights 31-21 in the game.”It was crazy in the final minute of the game. They were buzzing around,” Fleury said. ”We had to keep pushing to the very end.”Facing elimination, the Kings came out aggressively and outshot the Knights 14-8 in the opening period. Quick stopped two shots on goal during the only power play in the period when Adrian Kempe was sent off for hooking.”I thought our hockey team got better through the series Sonny Milano Jersey ,” first-year Kings coach John Stevens said. ”Tonight was our best game and created the most quality chances, just didn’t finish off.”Quick made 20 saves and allowed seven goals in the series, but he and the Kings couldn’t duplicate the rally they pulled off in 2014. Los Angeles lost its first three games to the Sharks in the first round that year and went on to win the series and eventually the Stanley Cup.”We just got knocked out of the playoffs. I don’t care what the score was,” defenseman Alec Martinez said. ”It’s a lot of disappointment in this room. We can’t forget how this feels.”Vegas, the third expansion team since 1968-69 to clinch a playoff berth, awaits the winner of the series between Anaheim and San Jose, which the Sharks lead 3-0.The Kings managed just three goals in the series and lacked offensive punch from Kopitar (one goal) and wingers Brown and Tyler Toffoli (no goals).Brown fired a team-high six shots in the game, while Toffoli had three and Brown two.Toffoli took a puck to the face, drawing blood from his nose to his mouth. He got stitches and returned 10 minutes later.NOTES: Quick had a 1.55 goals-against average and a .947 save percentage. … Fleury earned his 66th playoff victory, breaking a tie with Dominik Hasek for 11th on the NHL’s all-time list among goaltenders. … The Kings fell to 12-31 all-time in Game 4s. … Retired Hall of Fame Kings announcer Bob Miller attended the game.—